The Greek gods have been shining down on Oma, one of London’s best new modern Greek restaurants (and definitely the hit of the summer). I visited for lunch a while ago and it was easy to see why this industrial-chic taverna hits the spot.
Location
Chef & restaurateur David Carter (of Smokestak & Manteca) has taken over two floors on Bedale Street overlooking the iconic Borough Market. Walk in through the casual, moody Agora souvla bar, past the open grill with meats slowly sizzling on the spit, and head upstairs to brighter, sleeker Oma.
The restaurant
At the heart of Oma is the busy yet zen open kitchen with a live-fire grill and a crudo bar with glistening whole fish and seafood (‘oma’ is the Greek word for raw, after all). Around it is bar seating and tables with floor to ceiling street views, which the front of house staff manage with charm and ease. There’s also a covered, heated terrace for watching over the hustle and bustle of Borough Market.
The chefs
David Carter is joined by Ecuadorian chef Jorge Paredes (formerly executive chef at Sabor) and Nick Molyviatis (previously head chef of Kiln). Their global food influences can be traced on the menu, making interesting additions to Oma’s journey through the Greek islands.
The food
The dips and breads are an absolute must and the perfect start to a meal of sharing dishes. Hummus, masabacha and green zhoug was velvety and aromatic with lovely, crunchy chickpeas and a dusting of sumac. Babaghanoush, tahini and jerusalem artichoke crisps had a smoky flavour with a touch of zestiness and the golden artichoke crisps added texture.
The bagel-like açma verde was irresistable – fluffy and glossy with a gorgeous swirl of garlic and herbs. We also enjoyed the wildfarmed laffa – a lightly blistered flatbread made with plenty of olive oil to keep it moist.
I was immediately drawn to the lobster bisque börek and it was just as luxurious as it sounds. The pastry was unbelieveably crisp and oozing with a lavish shellfish sauce, finished with a flurry of grated cheese.
A staple of the Oma menu is their take on a Greek giouvetsi, a tomatoey orzo stew with meat or seafood, cooked slowly in a traditional clay pot. Wild red prawn giouvetsi, deep-fried prawn butter was just on the right side of decadent with rich flavours, tender orzo and six top notch scarlet prawns. It’s a real treat to find wild red prawns on a menu and the moreish orzo stew was a delight.
We passed over the crudo section of the menu, but in hindsight, a zesty gilt head bream ceviche would likely cut through the indulgent flavours with a touch of freshness. Otherwise, we ordered rather well for lunch and left feeling satisfied – for dinner, perhaps add some skewers or salads.
Impressions
Oma is the perfect restaurant for a special occasion with enticing dishes, accomplished cooking and inspiring surroundings. I will definitely be back to try Agora, which offers a few of the same dishes as Oma but with a focus on smaller skewers, wood oven flatbreads and rotisserie meats.
The Greek gods have been shining down on Oma, one of London’s best new modern Greek spots. Chef & restaurateur David Carter (of Smokstak & Manteca) has taken over two floors at Borough Market, with casual, moody Agora souvla bar and the brighter, sleeker Oma above. Dishes are made for sharing and feature eclectic flavours from around the Med. I visited for my birthday lunch and it was just as delicious as expected. We tried… ?? Hummus, masabacha, green zhoug ?? Baba ghanoush, tahini, Jerusalem artichoke crisps ?? Wildfarmed laffa & acma verde ?? Lobster bisque borek ?? Wild red prawn giouvetsi, deep-fried prawn butter Everything was high quality and richly flavoured and my favourites were the moreish dips and pillowy breads. Next time I would order a salad or ceviche to add some freshness, as it’s all rather decadent! #greekfood#londonrestaurants#foodie#boroughmarket#foodtiktok#lobster
To celebrate my milestone birthday this year, I knew it had to be something truly memorable to mark the occasion. After falling in love with Poland on recent trips to Wroclaw and Krakow, I was keen to see what the capital city Warsaw had to offer. There are plenty of luxury hotels in the city, but the absolute pinnacle of hospitality is Raffles Europejski Warsaw.
Not only is the iconic Europejski a true Polish landmark, but the hotel is significantly more attainable (as a special treat) than some Raffles properties that start at four figures per night. Since we were staying in Warsaw for five nights, we took time out from exploring to relax and fully immerse ourselves in the Raffles experience.
Location
Raffles Europejski Warsaw is located on the prestigious Royal Route, next to the Presidential Palace and the Polish National Opera. It also overlooks the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Saski Gardens and is a short walk from the picturesque Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
The hotel
Hotel Europejski was built by Italian-Polish architect Enrico Marconi and opened to much fanfare in 1857. It quickly became the place to stay and socialise and has famously hosted Marlene Dietrich, The Rolling Stones and the Kennedys. Most of the neo-Renaissance building was decimated during the Second World War and was subsequently rebuilt and turned into a restaurant. Following a major five-year reconstruction, it reopened as Raffles Europejski Warsaw in 2018.
The lobby
Despite the hotel’s grandeur, the entrance is discreet and fuss-free. The marble lobby is awash with vibrant colours and you’re immediately met with decorative touches like a neon sculpture, fresh flowers and ornate chandeliers.
Set designer Boris Kudlicka and Warsaw-based architects WWAA have created joyful interiors that celebrate Polish art and craftsmanship. In fact, the hotel boasts a collection of almost 500 works by 120 contemporary Polish artists.
Dining
Walking through the lobby promenade, you will find the Michelin-listed Europejski Grill and the signature Long Bar, home to the Warsaw Sling (a local spin on the famous Singapore Sling created at Raffles Singapore in 1915).
Also not to be missed is Lourse Warszawa, a bijou patisserie serving exquisite cakes, hand-painted chocolates, ice cream, biscuits and preserves. Raffles reimagined Swiss confectioner Laurent Lourse’s historic literary cafe (Fryderyk Chopin had been a regular), continuing its story as one of the best places for afternoon tea in Warsaw.
Shopping
At the other side of the lobby is the Europejski Boutiques luxury shopping gallery with Poland’s first Hermès store, alongside Brunello Cucinelli, HE Concept Store and Aston Martin.
Check-in
On arrival, our bags were swiftly taken care of and we were warmly greeted by the reception staff. We took a seat at the desk to check in and were offered a choice of two rooms – a Raffles Room on the second floor or a Deluxe Room on the pavillion side of the building. After taking a spin around both rooms, we were drawn to the Deluxe Room, as it had high ceilings and lots of daylight flooding in from the large windows.
The room
Our Deluxe Room was an absolute dream, designed in cool, neutral shades with sumptuous fabrics and beautiful parquet floors. The focal point of the room is the magnificent king-size bed with a statement headboard and Art Deco bedside lamps, custom-made linen and plush down bedding.
Room features include a large flatscreen TV, work desk with a Raffles writing set, a selection of books curated by the Art Collection Manager, Nespresso machine and kettle with teas, minibar and complimentary mineral water.
After going out for lunch and a stroll through the Old Town, we came back to a beautiful birthday cake with strawberries, fresh cream and delicate flowers from Lourse Warszawa. It was absolutely delicious and such a lovely surprise!
A 24-hour butler service is also included, however we didn’t require much assistance. Our butler did come to the room to oversee our room service order and helped us turn off the audio in the bathroom, so they’re clearly very attentive.
There was also a dedicated turndown service, preparing the room for sleeping with cotton mats and embroidered slippers by the bedside, drawn curtains, dimmed lighting and a refresh of the bathroom area.
The bathroom
We were also wowed by the Art Deco-style marble bathroom with a separate soaking tub (lavender bath salts included), powerful rainfall shower, double sink, underfloor heating, thick cotton towels and face cloths and plush bathrobes.
The bathroom products by exclusive French perfumer Blaise Mautin were also a joy to use, with subtle, harmonious notes of bergamot, petit grain, sweet orange and vetiver.
The spa
One of the reasons we chose Raffles Europejski Warsaw was its fabulous, award-winning spa, which is available to guests everyday. It’s one of the most luxurious, well-maintained spas I’ve ever visited with a serene ambiance and excellent facilites.
The spa has six treatment rooms and restorative treatments using products by Sisley and Aromatherapy Associates. The water circuit includes a heavenly endless upstream indoor pool, powerful sauna and steam room, tropical experience showers and ice fountain. There’s also a state-of-the-art gym, open 24-hours a day, spacious changing rooms and cosy relaxation rooms with bottles of still and sparkling water.
Room service
For the ultimate birthday indulgence, we ordered room service burgers and watched movies. After running around exploring the city’s restaurants every night, it felt like such a treat to slow down and chill out.
The Europejski black angus steak burger came with free-range bacon, burnt shallots, Polish Gouda and sour cucumbers in a brioche bun with a generous portion of hot, crispy French fries – definitely one of my favourite burgers ever.
Breakfast
After a blissful night’s sleep, we headed down to Europejski Grill for a delicious breakfast. The continental buffet had plenty of choice and was neatly presented with home-baked bread and viennoiserie (the best almond croissants I’ve ever tasted), cured meats and fish, artisanal cheese, sliced fruit, yoghurt and cereal.
The full Raffles Europejski Breakfast also includes a main dish and side to order – we went for organic Eggs Benedict and Eggs Royale with sides of avocado topped with dukkah.
There are no theatrics such as the live cooking stations and mimosa trolleys that you often find in five star hotels, but all of the food is high quality and locally sourced and there’s a welcome calmness to the dining room.
Check-out
When we managed to tear ourselves away from our cocoon to check out, we were very kindly given chilled bottles of water for the journey and a big box of hand-painted chocolates from Lourse Warszawa. What could be better than that?
Impressions
Raffles Europejski Warsaw is an incredibly beautiful hotel with superior amenities, however it’s the staff that really make it shine. I’ve never felt so welcome and valued in a hotel before and they made my birthday unforgettable with so many thoughtful touches. I promised to come back and I really meant it – there will always be something to celebrate!
For my birthday this year, I knew we had to do something memorable, so we spent a night at the iconic Raffles Europejski Warsaw. This historic 19th century hotel on the Royal Route is understated luxury at its best, but it’s the staff that really make your stay feel special. We had the chance to choose our own room and we went for a beautiful, light-filled room with high ceilings on the pavillion floor. The room was so spacious with a sumptuous bed and a stunning marble bathroom with Blaise Mautin toiletries. The afternoon was spent relaxing at the spa and pool and there was a surprise birthday cake from Lourse patisserie waiting in the room. That evening, we ordered room service burgers and fries (the best ever) and watched movies. Breakfast in Europejski Grill was excellent too with Eggs Benny to order, fresh juices and the most delicious almond croissants. At check-out, we were given bottles of water for the journey and a box of hand-painted chocolates. Raffles Warsaw really made our stay unforgettable and I would definitely book it again for future celebrations. #traveltiktok#warsaw#luxuryhotel#hoteltour#fivestarhotel#hotelbreakfast#hotelroom#travel
There’s nothing better than a city break to kick off the warmer months, so I was thrilled to be invited to explore the Polish city of Krakow with Jet2holidays. I fell in love with Poland on my first trip to Wroclaw and recently celebrated my birthday in Warsaw, so I was curious to see how Krakow would compare.
Krakow may be the second largest city in Poland but it is by far the most popular destination for travellers and it’s easy to see why – it simply has it all! Not only does the Polish zloty exchange rate make it ideal for cheap holidays, but this fascinating city is very walkable, modern, friendly and safe.
Dating back to the 7th century, Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland and was once the country’s capital. It was named the European Capital of Culture in 2000 and is a UNESCO City of Literature, so it has plenty to offer for a weekend break.
The flight
We chose flights from Newcastle Airport and the journey couldn’t have been easier, as we sailed through the newly-upgraded security area in just a few minutes (it was awarded Best Small Airport 2023 for a reason). The departure lounge was buzzing and jolly with mostly couples and groups of friends ready to board their flights to Krakow with Jet2. Boarding was remarkably quick and efficient and the plane seats were nice and comfortable, so the 2 hour 30 minutes flight time flew by.
Krakow Airport is easy to navigate and the best way to travel into the city is the airport train, which arrives at the Central Station in just 20 minutes. Uber and Wolt are also very cheap, convenient options.
The hotel
We stayed in the centre of Krakow for three nights and were booked into PURO Krakow Stare Miasto with Jet2holidays. This fabulous design hotel is conveniently located next to Central Station and the modern Galeria Krakowska shopping mall, plus there is a tram stop just on the doorstep.
PURO is a popular Polish boutique hotel group, known for its cool design aesthetic, tech focus and ‘home away from home’ social spaces. I’ve previously stayed at PURO hotels in Wroclaw and Warsaw and this one certainly didn’t disappoint (there’s also another PURO in the city’s Kazimierz neighbourhood).
Our Classic Room on the second floor was cosy and calm with retro wood panelling, plush red furnishings and large windows letting in plenty of natural daylight. The double bed was extremely comfortable with high quality linens and there was a large flat screen TV – perfect for crashing out after a long day of exploring.
The bathroom also had a powerful walk-in shower, fluffy towels and lovely, full-size bathroom products by Polish skincare brand Alba 1913. Everything in the room is operated by iPad, including lighting, temperature, calls to reception and housekeeping requests.
Each morning, we enjoyed a wonderful buffet breakfast in Hint restaurant with everything you could want to start the day well. I particularly liked the selection of dishes made fresh to order including avocado and poached egg on toast, a Croque Madame and blueberry porridge. There is also a free coffee machine in the lounge (a PURO signature), so you can enjoy a hot drink at any time, day or night.
Here are some of the best things to pack into a long weekend in Krakow…
Krakow Old Town
The historic centre of Krakow was established as a merchants’ town in the 13th century and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s full of charm with cobbled streets, Cracovian street lamps, pastel-hued buildings and horse-drawn carriages.
At the heart of the Old Town is the impressive Rynek Glowny, one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe. Among the popular restaurants, pavement cafes and colourful historic houses, there are a number of monuments to look out for.
The Renaissance-era Cloth Hall was once the centre of commerce for travelling merchants and today you can still find interesting local products including Polish pottery, amber necklaces and woven textiles. The upper floor of the hall features the Sukiennice Museum, housing the largest permanent collection of 19th-century Polish painting and sculpture.
On the main square, you can also find St Mary’s Basilica, the Old Town Hall Tower and Rynek Underground Museum. Also, look out for Eros Bendato (known as ‘the head’), a striking bronze sculpture by Polish artist Igor Mitoraj (1944-2014).
Planty park
Planty park encircles the historic centre with 3km of urban greenery and benches to sit and watch the world go by. It reminded me of parts of New York’s Central Park and is the perfect spot to refuel over coffee and pastries.
Interesting sights along the way include the Barbican fortification, Krakow University’s Collegium Medicum, the baroque Juliusz Slowacki Theatre, idyllic water fountains and the Jadwiga and Jagiello monument.
Wawel Castle
Wawel Royal Castle sits majestically at the top of Wawel Hill, overlooking the Vistula River. The castle was originally built in the 11th century in the Gothic style and was later developed by King Casimir III the Great and extended around around the imposing Italian-styled courtyard.
The Renaissance palace is now a museum comprising five separate areas, including the State Rooms, Crown Treasury and Armoury, Royal Private Apartments, Lost Wawel and the Exhibition of Oriental Art. The museum features an extensive collection of Italian painting, ceramics, porcelain (look out for the playful pug vases), goldsmith’s work, clocks and armour.
You can also venture down into the Dragon’s Den, climb to the top of the Sandomierska Tower, visit the royal gardens or catch a live concert in the courtyard. There’s so much to see that you should plan to spend at least half a day here.
Wawel Castle is free to visit on Mondays from 10am to 4pm, however you need to pick up timed entry tickets for the areas you want to see on arrival at the ticket office.
Kazimierz
Kazimierz is Krakow’s historic Jewish quarter and from the 14th to the 19th century, it was an independent city of its own. It’s now a hotspot for cool restaurants, cafes and bars, however its cultural heritage remains present. Here, you can see the Old Synagogue (dating back to the 1400s), Hebrew wall murals, the Galicia Jewish Museum and listen to klezmer bands performing at the traditional Jewish restaurants lining picturesque Szeroka street.
Kazimierz is also home to bohemian Jozefa street filled with art galleries and cafes and Schindler’s List Passage, a small alleyway used as a filming location for Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning Schindler’s List.
Plac Nowy is the beating heart of Kazimierz with restaurants and bars lining the square. In the daytime, it’s home to quirky flea markets selling menorahs and vintage cameras and at night, it’s where everyone goes for late-night munchies.
Zapiekanka, a popular Polish version of a French bread pizza, is sold with a number of toppings from a former fish market building. You can also find enormous kebabs, shawarma and falafel smothered in hummus – a great cheap eat in Krakow.
Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow MOCAK
Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow MOCAK is a fantastic contemporary art gallery in the modern Zablocie district. It focusses on art from the last two decades, across all mediums, and the building itself (designed by Claudio Nardi) is quite spectacular.
We loved the Food in Art temporary exhibition with sculptures of golden junk food and patchwork apple cores as well as the Weaves exhibition with intricate woven maps of the world and transformed Persian carpets.
If you’re a guest at PURO Krakow Stare Miasto, you can pick up free tickets to MOCAK at reception – a perk not to be missed!
Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology
Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology celebrates the art and culture of Japan with an impressive permanent collection and interactive exhibitions. Opened in 1994 by Andrzej Wajda and Krystyna Zachwatowicz, Manggha was originally part of the National Museum in Krakow before being granted museum status in its own right.
This stunning building, designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, is perched on the bank of the Vistula river and boasts great views over the city.
The current Background exhibition explores the world of manga, anime and video games with comic books and prints from animation company Studio Ghibli and video game designer Hideo Kojima. Hiroshige: A Journey into the Woodblock Print showcases the work of Japanese ukiyo-e master Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), who left behind over 5,800 works. We had the chance to create our own woodblock prints on postcards, which made fun souvenirs.
It’s worth planning a visit around lunch or afternoon tea to try the excellent Cafe Manggha. We loved the Japanese teriyaki sets with steamed rice, miso soup, edamame, pickles and fresh fruit, washed down with a pot of hojicha roasted green tea and an iced matcha latte.
Krakow street food
Krakow has a fantastic food scene with everything from cheap and hearty street food and traditional Polish cuisine to hip neighbourhood spots and fine dining restaurants. Of course, a trip to Krakow wouldn’t be complete without trying some of the local street food delicacies.
Obwarzanek Krakowski
The famous obwarzanek Krakowski is an absolute must and can be found at bright blue carts around the city’s parks and main streets for a mere 2 zloty. What makes them so special? These golden, braided bread snacks look like a cross between a bagel and a pretzel (but are regarded as neither, so don’t make this faux pas) and are finished with salt, poppy or sesame seeds.
The obwarzanek dates back to the 1600s and was given PGI (Protected Geographic Indication) status in 2010, meaning that it is unique to the region and cannot be copied. They’re baked twice a day in the Malopolskie Province and only stay fresh for a few hours, so be sure to grab one right away.
Oscypek
Head to Krakow’s charming Maly Rynek (Little Market Square) and be dazzled by the stalls of tempting Polish street food. Here, you can try oscypek, a delicious smoked cheese made of salted sheep milk from the Tatra mountains. Enjoy them grilled and doused in cranberry sauce – the contrasting sweet, sour and smoky flavours really work.
You can also find enormous grilled Polish sausages and pork knuckles, home-made iced gingerbread and Polish sweets.
Paczki
If you love doughnuts, try paczki and be prepared to have your mind blown. Paczki dough is richer than regular doughnuts, making them lighter and more fluffy. Dobra Paczkarnia on central Florianska street offers paczki in an overwhelming number of fillings, finished with a choice of glaze or powdered sugar. I reccommend trying the chocolate rum and apple cinnamon flavours – you might even want to take a box for the flight home.
Judah Food Market
Judah Food Market in Kazimierz is a great spot for some tasty street food, especially when it’s sunny. Local food trucks offer bites such as zapiekanki, hot dogs, pierogis, loaded baked potatoes, gourmet burgers, chimney cakes and barista coffee.
Krakow restaurants
The Black Duck
For an indulgent Cracovian feast, look no further than Czarna Kaczka (The Black Duck) in the Old Town. As the name suggests, their speciality is roasted black duck, served in different ways, alongside traditional Polish dishes. We went big and ordered the whole roasted duck stuffed in Galician style, served with Silesian dumplings, roast potatoes, red cabbage and cranberries with both mushroom and blackcurrant sauces.
Our lovely waitress ceremoniously cut through the duck with scissors at the table and the red fruit stuffing tumbled out – it was absolutely epic. The duck was so tender and worked perfectly with the fluffy dumplings, tart fruits and creamy sauce. I would make a pilgrimage back to Krakow for the duck alone.
Bufet KRK
Bufet KRK in Kazimierz is one of Krakow’s hottest restaurants (for now, as least) and luckily we managed to score a table for lunch. It’s a new concept from Przemyslaw Klima, co-owner and head chef at two-Michelin-starred restaurant Bottiglieria 1881.
Bufet takes a modern approach to nostalgic childhood dishes, using high quality local produce. We started with golden, crunchy croquettes with pork cheek, Cheddar and kimchi mayo and refreshing chicory with nuts, Jura Bleu cheese and gooseberry.
They were followed by excellent Duroc pork schnitzel, burnt butter and capers and lamb sausage, green peas, mint and plum barbecue sauce, accompanied by some decadent French fries with truffle mayo and Parmesan.
Be sure to leave room for the heavenly Karpatka with rhubarb – it’s a must! The cooking and service was of a very high standard and I can see Bufet gaining Michelin Guide recognition in the near future.
Molam Thai Canteen & Bar
If you’re craving authentic South-east Asian flavours, head to Molam Thai Canteen & Bar, a lively eatery awarded with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Inspired by Bangkok street food, Molam offers authentic sharing plates from all four regions of Thailand, alongside creative, aromatic cocktails.
We grazed on flavourful pad see ew (stir-fried rice noodles), grilled pork belly in Haeng Lae glaze. grilled chicken thigh with Nahm Jim Jaew dipping sauce and pik gai tod chilli wing with sweet fish sauce glaze. Everything we tried was deliciously rich and punchy, however it’s worth adding a salad to bring a touch of freshness.
Nolio Pop
On the first night, we hopped on the tram to try Nolio Pop, a modern pizzeria in lively Kazimierz. We had the most fantastic cacio e pepe fried pasta with Parmesan sauce and potato croquettes with smoked mozzarella and nduja mayo, followed by delicious, authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas topped with burrata, basil oil and salami.
Nolio Pop is open until 11pm/12am everyday and no reservations are needed, so it’s perfect if your flight arrives in the early evening.
Krakow is the perfect destination for an affordable, exciting city break and there’s so much to see and do around the city. I would love to go back and see the magic of the Christmas markets on the main square.
Have you visited Krakow on a city break? Where are your favourite places to visit?
Chérie City was a guest of Jet2holidays, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I recently explored Krakow with @jet2 and it’s definitely one of the prettiest cities for a long weekend break. Here are some great places to see: ?? The Old Town – for charming, cobbled streets and pastel-hued houses. Look out for the Main Square, Cloth Hall, Eros Bendato and Planty Park. ?? Kazimierz – the vibrant former Jewish quarter known for its buzzing restaurants and nightlife. ?? MOCAK Krakow – two floors of contemporary art in a spectacular building in arty Zablocie. ?? Maly Rynek – a picturesque square with traditional Polish street food including grilled oscypek, a smoked cheese with sheep milk from the mountains. ?? Wawel Castle – Krakow’s impressive Renaissance palace with art museums, state rooms and royal gardens (free to visit on Mondays). ?? Manggha Museum – a fantastic museum for Japanese arts and culture with a great cafe and views of the Vistula river. More about Krakow to come here… and on my blog post {ad}. #krakow#traveltiktok#travel#city#poland??#traveltok
Glasgow is such a fun, vibrant city for a weekend break and with such a thriving food scene, you’re guaranteed to eat well. There are plenty of exciting spots in the city centre, but you don’t want to miss the West End for cute neighbourhood cafes and top restaurants around Finnieston, Hyndland and Byres Road near the University.
Here are some recent discoveries to add to your list…
Ox and Finch
Ox and Finch is one of Finnieston’s hottest restaurants, retaining a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand for over ten years. Chef patron Jonathan MacDonald (previously head chef at Formula One) returned to his home city to open Ox and Finch in 2014 and has built on his success with popular Southeast Asian restaurant Ka Pao in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Just around the corner from Kelvingrove Park, this Sauchiehall Street bistro has a casual, urban-rustic feel with cosy leather booths and an open kitchen to watch the chefs at work. The menu is equally relaxed with well-priced, creative small plates designed for sharing. Seasonal Scottish ingredients are expertly enhanced by Mediterranean and Asian flavours.
I dined solo and enjoyed a few dishes for a light(ish) lunch. Confit duck salad, tahini dressing and pistachio dukkah was an aromatic twist on a bistro classic with tender morsels of meat, bitter leaves, fresh herbs and a crunchy pangrattato.
I also loved the rich, melt-in-the-mouth pan-fried pork belly with charred, wilted radicchio and sharp rhubarb. Somehow, I chose two dishes with bitter elements, but a rather majestic, chocolatey dessert proved to be balm for the tastebuds.
Bare Bones chocolate blancmange with malt cream and salted honeycomb was absolute bliss with contrasting gelatinous, airy and crunchy textures. It rounded off a joyful, interesting meal with friendly service – I’ll definitely be back for more!
SHUCKS
SHUCKS is a fabulous Scottish seafood bar and restaurant from the team behind Brett and Michelin-starred Cail Bruich. The two-floor eatery on leafy Hyndland Road feels glossy and new with a bold nautical palette of blue, mustard and burnt orange (reminding me of Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic). It’s unpretentious yet there’s an air of decadence with the promise of fresh lobster, oysters and Champagne from the trolley.
Head chef Shaun Haggarty’s menu showcases the finest produce from across Scotland (sourced from the Glasgow Fish Market) and flirts with Japanese, Indian and Mexican influences. I tried the lunch menu, which is excellent value with two courses for £25 or three courses for £30.
Shellfish chowder was rich and pungent and came with grilled bread and velvety brown crab butter for next level dipping. It’s rare to find a lobster roll on a set menu and this one was actually one of the best I’ve ever tasted (even if it technically included prawns). The generously-packed prawn and lobster roll was so luxurious and had a sweet, smoky flavour from the grilled corn and lango mayo. Crispy, golden tater tots finished it off perfectly!
I headed to Byres Road for dessert, but there’s a rather tempting giant pistachio profiterole, crème brûlée or affogato.
Chaakoo
Chaakoo first brought the ever popular Bombay cafe concept to central St Vincent Street in 2016 and it now has another restaurant in the West End and one in Edinburgh. It echoes the OG Dishoom in both menu and style (think sepia family portraits, smoked mirrors and cosy booths), however it’s significantly lighter on the wallet.
We managed to get a balcony table at the split-level city centre restaurant (it’s constantly busy, so booked ahead) and enjoyed an indulgent Indian feast. It’s all about family style sharing dishes with a tantalising offering of fried pakora and samosa, curries, biryani and Irani kebabs cooked in the open kitchen’s tandoor, robata and traditional khule grill.
Everything was high quality and generously-sized but the stand out dishes were the crispy fried vegetable pakora, velvety butter chicken with lots of tender, slow-cooked meat and the incredible chicken tikka smoked on whisky chips with a cooling homemade mint chutney.
Chaakoo also offers great value lunch deals with a choice of Thali trays or a grill and curry set meal – perfect for a quick bite.
Paesano Pizza
Great Italian food is easy to find in Glasgow, thanks to the enterprising spirit of the city’s large Italian community. Many arrived from mostly from Tuscany in the 1920s and set up successful businesses including ice cream parlours, cafes and pizza restaurants. The new Neapolitan pizza wave hit Glasgow, like most major cities, and is said to have been spearheaded by Paesano Pizza, whose first pizzeria opened in 2015 in Merchant City (there’s now another in the West End).
The Miller Street restaurant is big and boisterous with pizza pies flying out of the open kitchen at speed and Negronis knocked back with gusto. The pizza-making, however, is much more serious, as the all-Italian team of Pizzaioli follow the traditional Napoletana process and everything is sourced from Italy. The dough is proved for over 24 hours and heated at 500 degrees in the artisan wood-fire pizza oven built specially in Naples.
The pizza we tried was quite a beast with a huge amount of toppings, almost verging on too much. The dough was light and chewy with a nicely blistered crust and finished with plenty of juicy tomato sugo, creamy fior di latte and fresh basil. With excellent pizza starting at just £7.90 (the most expensive being under £13), it’s the perfect spot for a fun night out in Glasgow.
Kember and Jones
Kember and Jones is a popular neighbourhood cafe, deli and bakery on Byres Road in the West End. It’s known for its all-day brunch dishes, gourmet sourdough sandwiches and tempting home-made cakes. They also produce their own coffee beans and operate an off-site coffee roastery.
I stopped by for a warming hot chocolate made with dark chocolate flakes and a slice of the most decadent vanilla chai cake.
Tantrum Doughnuts
Stepping out of Glasgow Central Station, what could be a more welcome sight than an artisan doughnut and coffee shop? Tantrum Doughnuts is home to the city’s best hand-crafted doughnuts and it’s become a real local success story.
Owners Iain and Erika started their doughnut business at food markets and festivals, drawing on their pastry and hospitality industry skills. Their first shop opened in 2015 in the West End and there are now three locations across Glasgow.
What makes Tantrum stand out from the rest? They work with local producers to offer creative, seasonal doughnuts finished with home-made fruit jams, custards and toppings. The flavours are all tantalising and range from a simple birthday cake ‘old fashioned’ ring to the bestselling crème brûlée with Madagascan vanilla bean custard and a crunchy torched sugar top.
Having tried a few different flavours, my favourites were the glazed pistachio and hibiscus topped with candied nuts and milk and cookies dusted with chocolate crumble. It would be crazy not to grab a box to take home on the train.
Have you tried any of these Glasgow eateries? Where are your favourite places to eat out in Glasgow?
Eating out is the highlight of any trip to Barcelona and the city’s food scene is more exciting than ever. Beyond the obligatory gooey tortilla and mountains of croquetas, you can find creative Lebanese small plates, seafood paella at a beachfront xiringuito, moreish loaded fried chicken or award-winning Neapolitan pizza.
Barcelona is still very good value for such a popular major city with an abundance of fresh, Mediterranean produce, so you’re guaranteed to eat well. Here are a few top places to add to your list…
Albé Barcelona
Albé means ‘my heart’ in Lebanese and the name perfectly fits a place with such feeling and warmth. This stylish Eixample ‘gastrobar’ has an upscale, romantic feel with a dimly-lit, plant-filled atrium and a brighter, more relaxed bar area.
Chef Pachi Rodriguez expertly weaves Lebanese and Catalan flavours, creating an enticing menu that’s made for sharing.
We started with a luscious gin and basil cocktail and grazed on velvety smoked labneh with zaatar, eggplant dust and Lebanese bread. This was followed by some bite-size snacks – fresh and delicate red prawn from Palamós baklava, Albé’s signature falafel and the most indulgent wild boar brioche with royal sauce.
Iberian cheek over French toast, demi-glace, smoked sour cream and pickled turnip was an absolute delight, as was the fragrant, rich acorn-fed duck magret with freekeh, bimi and bigarade sauce. We also loved the beautifully-presented charred cauliflower with browned and smoked butter.
We finished with the most decadent chocolate cake with cardamom and orange blossom caramel. It was such a memorable meal with exemplary service and fabulous dishes – I’m still daydreaming about it right now.
La Pepita
La Pepita is the kind of neighbourhood tapas bar that you always hope to find on a trip. It’s so popular among locals (and the guests at Seventy Barcelona opposite) that there’s a queue almost every night, however Mini Pepita has recently opened a few doors down to squeeze everyone in.
It has a bustling, unpretentious vibe with industrial-style interiors and cute graffiti from guests on the walls. Traditional tapas dishes are reimagined with Asian and French influences and creative flavours run through every dish on the menu.
We loved the snack size steak tartare, piquant patatas bravas and the moreish red shrimp croquettes with romesco sauce.
Sautéed beef tenderloin with Café de Paris sauce, eggplant and baba ganoush was tender and aromatic, however the standout dish was the unbelievable Can Pepi fried chicken with sweet and sour green curry vinaigrette and tangy pickled cabbage.
It’s essential to leave room for a heavenly matcha green tea cheesecake with cherries in syrup and ginger ice cream. Cocktails are also reasonable and generously-sized – go for a classic Negroni or Aperol spritz.
This modern, industrial-chic pizzeria in Eixample fires up Neapolitan-style pizza with a difference. Instead of typically importing ingredients from Italy, it uses the finest seasonal, organic produce sourced from local Catalan farms.
Chefs Rafa Panatieri and Jorge Sastre worked in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants including Portal de Echaurren and Nectari before meeting as part of the Roca brothers’ team in Barcelona. They later realised their dream of a unique, sustainable ‘farm to pizza’ concept with two restaurants in Gracia and Eixample.
The burrata stracciatella, tomato and basil pesto pizza was an absolute joy – juicy, aromatic and indulgently creamy with a chewy, blistered crust. Also, don’t miss out on some exceptional salumi made in-house – we loved the thinly-sliced roasted porchetta with sucking pig hollandaise sauce.
Xiringuito Escriba
Is there anything better than sharing a magnificent paella overlooking the beach? Our dreams came true at Xiringuito Escriba, a casual restaurant opened by Joan Escribà on Bogatell Beach in 1992 that specialises in rice, fideuà and fresh seafood.
In the mood to try a bit of everything, we went for the surf & turf paella. We munched on some croquetas and watched the hourglass with anticipation as our rice simmered away in the oven.
When it arrived it was enormous with a majestic whole scampi and bountiful, lightly scorched chicken, pork ribs, mussels, cuttlefish, vegetables and mushrooms. We were given a wooden spoon to pull away the gloriously caramelised socarrat at the bottom of the pan.
The paella was so hearty and satisfying, however if you find room for dessert, Escribà has long been known for fine pastries.
Doppietta
For a fun night of gorgeous fresh pasta, salumi and spritzes, look no further than Doppietta in the cool Sant Antoni neighbourhood. This lively modern trattoria from the team behind Benzina (just next door) focusses on specialities from Brescia, chef Nicola Valle’s home city in northern Italy.
Doppietta is above all known for its magnificent sharing plates of artisanal salumi with all of the fixings. Choose your own selection of three or five Italian cheeses and cured meats and it will be sliced to order at the in-house salumeria and presented at the table with little pots of olives, marmellata, pickled vegetables and freshly-baked bread.
The fresh pasta is also fantastic, served family style for sharing. Both the indulgent gnocchi with red shrimp, peas and lemon and cavatelli with white chicken ragu and pecorino really hit the spot. Be sure to leave room for the delicious chocolate salami and refreshing orange and ginger sorbet.
El Xampanyet
There may be a queue down the street for a seat at El Xampanyet, but it’s totally worth the wait! This traditional tapas bar in El Born, next to the Picasso Museum, has been around since 1929 and is much-loved among locals and visitors. It’s not exactly a hidden gem, but inside you can revel in the unchanged atmosphere of ‘old Barcelona’.
Colourful ceramic tiles and vintage signs adorn the walls, the tiny marble tables hold just a few plates and the bar is filled with tasty snacks. El Xampanyet is named after its own house Cava, which is a steal at just a few Euros a glass.
For a light lunch, we went for super fresh prawns cooked in lots of garlic and olive oil, gooey tortilla and slow-cooked chickpeas with pork rinds. The food is fantastic and the staff are so warm and friendly – it’s definitely one to add to your list.
Four Corners
The Hoxton Poblenou really knows how to please its hotel guests and locals, serving up epic Detroit-style pizza and tempting Italian-American sides.
Four Corners on the ground floor is many wonderful things – a slice shop with adjoining bodega, an outdoor pizza terrace for those balmy evenings and a breezy, relaxed dining room.
We started with a big bowl of Caesar salad with chicken and some chunky mozzarella sticks with spicy arrabbiata sauce. The vodka meatball pizza was unbelievable with plump meatballs, lots of juicy red sauce, fresh basil and a mix of cheddar cheese, Pecorino and Parmesan, giving it a mega cheese pull and crunchy edges.
The small pizza (four slices) is more than enough for two people, making it excellent value – what more could you want?
Xuba Tacos
Xuba Tacos in Eixample is known as the best taqueria in the city and it’s easy to see why. In 2021, two Michelin starred chef Antonio Sáez and hotel director Raul Salcido (both formerly of Hotel Arts Barcelona) teamed up to put their own modern spin on Mexican street food.
There’s a good selection of traditional tacos and quesadillas, plus creative chef’s specials with sirloin steak, fresh tuna, roast duck, foie gras and truffles. Handmade blue corn tortillas are piled high with tender spit-roasted meats, fresh veggies and herbs and authentic Oaxaca cheese (add as much spicy salsa macha as you can handle).
It’s hard to pick a favourite between the grilled beef steak tacos with red sauce and avocado, al pastor with marinated roast pork, pineapple, spring onion and cilantro and the grilled chicken quesadilla. Guacamole and blue corn chips are also a must!
Enlagloria Salad House
If you’re craving some greens after all of those croquetas, head to Enlagloria Salad House for a speedy, healthy lunch. This high end salad house chain by entrepreneur Gloria Rodés is Barcelona’s answer to sweetgreen, offering seasonal composed salads and a ‘create your own’ option.
Go for a vitamin-rich miso salmon bowl with artichokes and quinoa or the signature kale Caesar salad with tender rosemary chicken, crispy chickpeas, Parmesan and hemp seeds – so delicious. There’s also a free water station with chilled filtered still and sparkling water to keep you hydrated.
Vitrina Barcelona
Vitrina Barcelona is an indie coffee shop on the ground floor of Magatzem 128, a petite design hotel in Eixample. Hotel guests can roll downstairs for a light breakfast or afternoon caffeine fix, however it’s also a popular neighbourhood spot for locals with their laptops or a quick take-out coffee.
The strong matcha lattes are fantastic, as well as the home-made almond babka and vegan iced lemon and poppyseed cake.
At lunchtime, you can enjoy a hearty sourdough grilled cheese or loaded avocado toast.
L’Atelier Barcelona
L’Atelier Barcelona is a world-class bakery and pastry school run by renowned pastry chefs Ximena Pastor and Eric Ortuño. With sleek, futuristic interiors and a counter laden with exquisite treats, L’Atelier is the perfect spot for afternoon tea or an elevated coffee and croissant breakfast.
We tried the signature cornet croissants – one stuffed with lemon meringue and the other with raspberry, mascarpone and vanilla glaze – and they were so deliciously crisp and bursting with flavour.
Have you been to any of these Barcelona eateries? Where are your favourite places to eat out in the city?
If you go to Barcelona, here are some amazing places for delicious tapas, beachside paella & the freshest tacos: ?? El Xampanyet – this tiny tapas bar in El Born is almost 100 years old and still buzzing. Go for the prawns in olive oil and garlic and the gooey tortilla. ?? Can Fisher – a trip to the beach wouldn’t be complete without paella. Bypass the catch of the day and go for Can Fisher’s excellent paella. ?? Enlagloria – this stylish salad house is perfect for cooling down over a fresh salad bowl and there’s even a free sparkling water machine. ?? Sartoria Panatieri – this Eixample pizzeria has been named the Best in Europe (outside of Italy) for its Neapolitan-style pizza using local ingredients. This time we tried the epic popcorn pizza! Super rich, but somehow it works. ?? Xuba Tacos – Founded by a two-Michelin-star chef, Xuba Tacos are next level. Go for Tacos el pastor, grilled chicken quesadilla and don’t miss the guac & blue corn chips. ?? La Pepita – this tiny neighbourhood tapas bar is always packed, as the food is incredible. Go for the tangy beef tartare, fried chicken with green curry vinaigrette and matcha cheesecake with cherries. ?? Sandwich Club – when only a juicy cheeseburger will do, head to Sandwich Club in Eixample – the meatballs subs are also excellent. ?? Gringa – this diner in El Raval is known for its fried chicken sandwich and doesn’t disappoint! #paella#barcelona#tacos#holiday#Foodie#foodtiktok#tapas
Milan is the perfect weekend break destination, as you can whizz around the city’s best cultural sites and still have time for some shopping. It may be viewed as a ‘working city’ compared to picturesque Venice and Florence, but Milan certainly has a great energy in the warmer months.
Food is also high on the agenda, whether it’s tucking into a rich Milanese risotto in a neighbourhood osteria, exquisite Prada-approved pastries at the most fashionable bakery in town or fresh pasta and profiteroles in a secret garden in lively Navigli.
Here are a few Milan addresses to add to your travel list…
Al Fresco
Al Fresco is one of the prettiest restaurants in Milan with a beautiful garden courtyard for outdoor dining. Not only is it elegant and picture perfect, but the food is truly delicious.
We started with two fantastic pasta dishes – an indulgent Rigatoni cacio e pepe with crispy guanciale and the rich, flavourful Pici with double tomato, olive oil, fresh basil and 36-months aged Parmigiano Reggiano.
This was followed by a classic Milanese veal cutlet served with crunchy home-made potato chips and a juicy Grilled beef tenderloin with chimichurri sauce, friggitelli and roasted onions.
It’s also essential to leave some room for the magnificent Big profiterole filled with vanilla ice cream, custard and poured dark chocolate and the lighter Zabaglione with Moscato di Pantelleria and buttery langues de chat. The owners are so warm and hospitable, ensuring that every guest leaves with a little bag of home-made biscuits and a taxi for rolling on home.
Osteria Della Darsena
Osteria Della Darsena is a cosy, typically Milanese restaurant nestled between the Darsena and the Naviglio Grande. It has a timeless, neighbourhood feel with flowing wine and a concise menu of Lombardy’s most iconic dishes.
We started with the glorious, aromatic Milanese risotto and rich, rustic Home-made pappardelle with wild boar ragu. The portion sizes were so big that I had to change my order from the Milanese veal cutlet to a lighter Burrata with vegetable caponata. Beef cheeks with potato cakes were so tender and hearty with no less than four enormous chunks to get through.
If you’re staying in the Navigli area, it’s a great choice for a memorable, relaxed evening and you definitely won’t leave hungry.
Berberè
Berberè is renowned for its healthy, sharable pizza made with living sourdough and high quality Italian ingredients. Established in 2010, it now has outposts across Italy and two in London (Clapham and Kentish Town).
The Navigli restaurant is cool and colourful with exposed brick walls and an open kitchen and counter. It’s set among some lively bars on Via Vigevano, where the party literally spills out onto the street, so you could spend a fun night out there.
We ordered one red and one white pizza – Prosciutto crudo from Norcia with Apulian burrata, rocket, fior di latte and orange olive oil and Norma with oven-roasted aubergines, tomato, fior di latte, grated smoked ricotta and fresh basil. They were both high quality and substantial yet very different – Norma was rich and smoky while the prosciutto had freshness and a unique flavour from the orange oil.
Mercato Centrale
Having visited Mercato Centrale in Florence, I was happy to discover an outpost in Milan. This fabulous, two-floor street food market is conveniently located inside Milan’s grand Central Station, making it the perfect stop for your first bite in the city.
It has a modern, industrial style with graffiti and posters on the walls. Chefs and artisans have curated each kitchen where you can find an array of Italy’s regional dishes, alongside sushi, dim sum, smash burgers and Texas barbecued ribs. Many of the vendors welcome you with tasty morsels on sticks, so you can see what grabs your attention.
Sergio Barzetti’s tomato and mozzarella arancini and Milanese risotto are essentials. We also enjoyed the foccaccia with golden, thinly-sliced potato and rosemary and a cassata Siciliana from Sabato Sessa.
The market is open daily from 7am until midnight and there are lots of food talks and cultural events.
God Save the Food
God Save the Food has long been a favourite lunch spot among stylish Milanese (Chiara Ferragni is a fan) with outposts across the city. It’s known as a speedy lunch spot with modern interiors and balanced dishes such as quinoa bowls, salads, club sandwiches and wok stir-fried noodles.
Before spending the afternoon at the Pinacoteca di Brera, we had a quick lunch on the terrace at God Save the Food Brera on the charming Piazza del Carmine. The Caesar salad with herby poached chicken, crispy bacon, parmesan flakes and crunchy croutons was so tasty and subtantial – perfect for a quick refuel on the go.
Sant Ambroeus
Sant Ambroeus is an established part of Milan’s city life, where fashion and business players meet for a power breakfast and the inimitable ‘sciure‘ hold court over afternoon tea.
The original pastry shop on Corso Giacomo Matteotti (close to the Teatro alla Scala) was established in 1936, but later closed in the 1980s to focus on US expansion. Luckily, it returned to its original home in 2022 with a new restaurant offering and a reimagined look by designer Fabrizio Casiraghi.
There are a few nods to its American cousins with a signature cheese burger and New England lobster roll on the menu, however teatime is all about Italian pastry at its finest.
We enjoyed pots of Earl Grey tea from the wonderful La Via del Tè (they have a delightful store in Brera) and shared the signature Sant Ambroeus princess cake.
This light, dome-shaped sponge cake is layered with raspberry jam and custard under a veil of orange marzipan – absolute perfection!
If you’re in Milan around Christmas, be sure to visit Sant Ambroeus for a luxury, hand-made panettone – a seasonal speciality from the Lombardy region.
Marchesi
A stroll around the breathtaking Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II wouldn’t be complete without teatime at Pasticceria Marchesi. The historic Milanese pastry shop was established in 1824 and is now owned by Prada with three locations in the city.
Its pistachio-hued tea salon on the first floor is ideal for people watching over a hot drink and a carefully-chosen cake from the counter (the waiters are ready to make helpful recommendations).
We enjoyed another exquisite pastel pink princess cake and pistachio cream cake with a molten, thick hot chocolate and a richly-roasted Italian coffee.
If the queue for the tea salon is just too long, you can usually walk straight into the adjoining espresso bar that has the same pastries and admittedly a more lively atmosphere.
Princi
Princi broke many hearts when it departed London, but good news, you can find it all over Milan. This chic cafe and bakery serves up pizza al taglio, colourful salads and traditional pastries all day long. We enjoyed some foccaccia slices smothered in gooey mozzarella, washed down with an excellent freshly-squeezed orange juice.
It’s worth looking out for the nearest Princi when you’re out and about for a quick, casual and reasonably priced lunch. We even picked up a few treats to take to the airport.
Have you visited Milan recently? Where are your favourite places to eat?
Tapas is always a good idea, especially when it’s as good as this! BiBo Dani García opened last summer at the new Mondrian Shoreditch on Curtain Road and it’s already become known for its authentic Spanish dishes and cool atmosphere.
BiBo is a vibrant, casual-luxe concept from three Michelin-starred Andalusian chef Dani García, with outposts in Madrid, Ibiza, Marbella, Tarifa and Doha. It pays homage to time-honoured Andalusian recipes and cooking techniques with a few touches of aromatic Japanese flavours.
Walking down the stairs of the bright, contemporary Mondrian, you immediately feel the warmth of BiBo with its gorgeous terracotta walls, dimmed lighting and breezy Med vibes. The Spanish influences run through the stylish interiors with sculptures of shoals of fish, rustic decorative wall plates and plush brown leather banquettes.
The spacious open-plan restaurant features an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work, as well as a central island bar and high tables for a quick bite. There’s also a leafy, deep red-hued courtyard and private dining room, where you can imagine having the most fabulous flamenco party or romantic wedding reception.
BiBo can get lively on the weekend with DJ sets and flowing sangria (it is Shoreditch, after all), but our Monday lunchtime visit was chilled out and thoroughly relaxing. I was particularly drawn to the express lunch set menu, as every dish was something I definitely would have chosen – when does that ever happen?
We were seated at a comfy booth and ordered drinks while waiting for the plates to arrive without any effort or decisions required. It was then that I noticed the attention to details like embroidered linen napkins, ice cold frosty glasses, stunning tableware and a buzzing soundtrack at just the right level. BiBo is already an established brand and its confidence shows.
Everything is made to share and our table quickly filled up with five fantastic dishes. Croquetas de jamón ibérico were gooey, dense and generously filled with the finest coating of crispy breadcrumbs, topped with a slice of top quality Jabugo jamón ibérico (from the Huelva region of Andalusia).
Gambas fritas with spicy mayo were plump and juicy, served piping hot with fresh coriander in the lightest, crunchy filo pastry, almost like delicate wontons.
Patatas bravas are a staple of any good tapas lunch, but their success depends on the quality and abundance of the sauce and the crispiness of the potatoes. Dani García’s were the most interesting I’ve tried, as they were fried with an extra-crunchy coating, almost like breadcrumbs, and topped with a luscious, piquant tomato sauce, velvety aioli and finely chopped chives.
Oxtail brioche with salsa bull and pulled oxtail stew was an absolute treat. The steamed brioche buns were ever so fluffy and moreish, packed with rich, tender slow-cooked meat and a generous dollop of smooth, glossy salsa bull emulsion.
It’s hard to believe that our star dish would be a big plate of greens, but there was something truly magical about the Broccolini and kale salad with black sesame mayo and peanuts. It was just so tangy, refreshing and umami-rich with a smokiness from the charred broccolini, crunchy textures from the nuts and a slight chilli kick.
Lunch ended on a high with the most decadent Caramelised rice pudding for dessert. The sauce was so luxurious and creamy, scented with vanilla and orange blossom, and the bomba rice had a refined, pearl-like texture. It was finished with a golden brûlée crust that cracked rather satisfyingly.
BiBo has to be one of the best new hotel restaurants in London and the express lunch menu is certainly generous and well-composed. If you’re already a fan of the city’s well-established tapas bars like Barrafina, Brindisa and José Pizarro, you won’t be disappointed here. I’m already really tempted to return for the lobster paella, more tapas and a slice of Basque cheesecake.
The BiBo Shoreditch express lunch menu is priced at £25 per person and is available between 12pm and 2.30pm everyday. For more information and booking, visit:www.grupodanigarcia.com
There’s nowhere quite like Mallorca and I can’t help being drawn back to the island year after year. It might be something to do with Palma’s incredible food scene where there’s always a cool new restaurant by a renowned chef or a cosy coffee shop with the best pastries in town. That’s before we even talk about the new wave of Neapolitan pizzerias, Scandinavian bakeries and healthy vegan spots.
Here are some of my top recent discoveries to add to your Palma dining list…
Xalest at Concepció by Nobis
Concepció by Nobis opened just last year in a 16th century former soap factory in the heart of Palma’s Old Town. It’s the first boutique design hotel outside of Scandinavia for the renowned hospitality group, juxtaposing a minimalist Nordic aesthetic with Mallorcan architecture. Having already stayed at Nobis hotels Miss Clara and Hotel J in Stockholm, I couldn’t wait to visit for dinner and also have a good look around.
Ground floor restaurant Xalest, headed up by award-winning chef Xema Álvarez, offers creative tapas, pintxos and sharable signature dishes. It’s cosier than you might expect from a hotel restaurant with a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance – perfect for a chilled out lunch or dinner.
We ordered the most indulgent oxtail sandwich, traditional tortilla, spicy patatas bravas with fresh herbs and luxurious croquettes with Iberian ham and red prawn. We were also wowed by the rich, slow-cooked veal cheeks with truffled mashed potato and crispy leek – so decadent and satisfying.
The menu is surprisingly varied and many of the dishes also come in half-size portions, so you can try a bit of everything. Also, don’t hesitate to explore the open-plan lounge and adjoining wine bar, as well as the stunning outdoor pool, where you can dine in the evenings.
Naan Street Food
There’s always a new restaurant opening in Santa Catalina, but Naan Street Food remains one of my all-time favourites. It’s a cosy spot with a cute surf shack vibe, offering tasty street food bites from around the world. They like to put their own spin on typical dishes, but everything is always done well with a home-made feel.
It’s essential to start with the fluffy, shareable naan topped with crushed almonds and fresh coriander, cooling yoghurt sauce and moreish corn hummus. We also loved the sticky, umami-rich crispy chicken yakitori with kimchee and truffle mayo.
I can never resist ordering the indulgent lobster roll with sauteed half lobster on brioche, avocado, kimchee, tahini and crunchy sweet potato fries.
The crispy seabass sandwich with pickles and fries was another hit, although I’d be tempted to try the fish tacos or the signature butter chicken next time.
Santa Chiara Pizzeria
Palma’s pizza game keeps getting stronger with the recently-opened Santa Chiara Pizzeria. Located in the northern Bon Aires quarter, just around the corner from the brilliant Pizzeria 500 Grados, this contemporary Neapolitan pizzeria is the real deal and already a local favourite. It also stands out from the rest with slick white metro tiles, rustic wooden tables and splashes of neon, plus a stylish outdoor terrace.
Santa Chiara offers a mix of classic and more creative pizzas, as well as a few pasta dishes, all made with authentic Italian ingredients.
We visited for lunch and ordered a simple Santa Marinara pizza with San Marzano tomato, garlic, oregano and olive oil and the signature Santa Chiara with San Marzano tomato, burrata stracciatella, walnut and basil pesto. They were both absolutely heavenly with bubbly, blistered dough, juicy tomato sauce and creamy stracciatella.
Prices are very reasonable, starting at just 7.50 Euros, and it’s also open every day for lunch and dinner, so it’s a good one to add to your list.
Fika Farina
Fika Farina is officially the first Swedish sourdough bakery in Palma, founded by Mattias Mårtensson and Jimmy Groth. This little gem on Calle Sindicato fires up traditional Scandi treats all day long and is open for your pastry fixes from morning to night, every single day.
Fika Farina takes authenticity to the next level, sourcing its butter and flour from small Swedish producers, including Lilla Harrie Valskvarn (Sweden’s oldest flour mill).
The counter is filled with glorious kanelbullar, cream-filled semla, mazarin, montaña de coco, dark rye bread and gourmet sandwiches. We visited for breakfast and loved the sticky, aromatic cinnamon and cardamom buns – it’s hard to pick a favourite!
Rosevelvet Bakery
Rosevelvet Bakery is a cosy all-day bakery and cafe, tucked away on Carrer de la Missió. Owner Rosa was inspired by the brunch scene on a trip to New York and became one of the first to bring pastrami sandwiches, American cookies and frosted layer cakes to the island.
It’s the perfect spot to refuel over a hearty breakfast burrito, kimchee grilled cheese, Turkish eggs or avo toast. There’s also a counter filled with tempting cheesecake, red velvet layer cake, banoffee and banana bread – impossible to resist!
We visited for breakfast and enjoyed a flaky, iced cinnamon bun and a buttery Swedish morning roll covered in fine spiced sugar with an excellent flat white coffee and loose-leaf English breakfast tea. I can’t wait to return and check out their new Santa Catalina bakery and cafe.
Arabay Coffee
Arabay Coffee may look like your typical third-wave coffee shop, but it has been roasting coffee since 1952 and now has stores across Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Madrid. At its impressive, three-floor flagship store in Palma’s Placa Major, you can relax over an expertly-made coffee, shop for professional barista equipment and take a masterclass in espresso or latte art at its training academy.
Arabay only uses 100% Arabica beans and its coffee is organic, environmentally-friendly and Fairtrade. You can find all sorts of speciality coffee from chemex to cold brew, as well as tempted iced summer drinks.
Go for a potent, rich-roasted iced latte, or if you’re in the mood for some barista theatre, try the iced chai latte which is finished with blow-torched cinnamon.
Have you been to any of these restaurants and cafes in Palma? Where are your favourite places to eat out on the island?
When the sun is shining, there’s nothing better than going for a leisurely weekend brunch and finding a new favourite. Kiln in Newcastle has been high on my list for a while, so I was excited to visit and try the new brunch menu.
Kiln is a fabulous all-day cafe, bar and restaurant set in a former car garage in the heart of Ouseburn. This picturesque valley by the Quayside was named one of the “coolest neighbourhoods in the world right now” by TimeOut. It’s characterised by its post-industrial, repurposed buildings containing artisan bakeries, craft breweries, independent shops and art galleries. The area is lively and creative but still feels peaceful by the waterside.
Kiln has a cool yet welcoming feel with cosy booths, Scandi-style wooden tables and ink blue walls adorned with colourful risograph art prints. It’s also dog-friendly and has a lovely outdoor terrace for summer dining.
What really makes Kiln stand out from the rest is the pottery studio, where you can watch South Korean potter Jun Rhee at work. Jun’s exquisite ceramics are in high demand locally and he has also created tableware for Michelin-starred chefs and TV shows such as BBC Master Chef and BBC Great British Menu. You can enjoy these fantastic plates, bowls and cups during your meal and buy some new ones to take home.
At Kiln, everything from the bread to the sauces is prepared in-house daily using the finest local ingredients. The brunch and dinner menus have Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences and there’s plenty of choice for vegetarians and vegans.
We started with some cooling drinks – a zesty and refreshing Homemade lemonade and an aromatic Hibiscus and pomegranate spritz with torn fresh mint and lots of ice.
Everything on the brunch menu sounded tempting, but I couldn’t resist trying the Flat iron steak with fried egg, salsa verde and sourdough. The perfectly seared steak (from local hero Charlotte’s Butchery) was exceptionally tender, well-seasoned and generously sized. It was well complemented by the runny fried egg and vibrant, punchy salsa verde. I also liked how the sourdough had been lightly toasted and rubbed with sea salt and olive oil – a small detail that makes all the difference.
Just as satisfying was the Sea bass fillet open sandwich with cherry tomatoes and garlic aioli. The fish looked magnificent and was ever so fresh with a bold, smokey flavour and crispy skin. Oozing roasted tomatoes brightened the flavours and there was a touch of richness from the oily garlic aioli. The fired Egyptian sourdough pita was also deliciously fluffy and lightly charred on the edges.
We saw some beautifully-presented dishes coming out of the kitchen and will definitely return to try the Shakshuka with Greek feta and focaccia, Scrambled eggs with asparagus, Kale with chilli oil and fried eggs and Home-made Kiln granola.
Of course, we couldn’t resist ending with something sweet, so we chose a dessert from the menu and an enormous slice of cake from the counter. Chocolate mousse had a velvety, whipped texture and I was amazed to find it was both vegan and gluten free. It was served with some tangy orange segments and crushed toasted hazelnuts.
We were somewhat defeated by the mountainous vegan Chocolate cake, which had the most indulgent buttercream frosting and a light texture. The desserts were washed down with a strong, rich-roasted Flat white using beans from St. Martin’s Coffee Roasters and a fragrant Jasmine loose-leaf tea.
Kiln is a real local gem with incredible food, a soulful vibe, reasonable prices and of course, fantastic pottery. The team behind Kiln is soon to open Patina, a sister restaurant in Edinburgh, and I can’t wait to see what exciting things they’ve come up with.
On my recent trip to Edinburgh with my mum, I wanted to find somewhere fabulous for us to have a relaxed, memorable lunch. I remembered spotting Noto last year and discovered it had been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand and was Marina O’Loughlin-approved, so we just had to try it.
Noto is a stunning restaurant in Edinburgh’s New Town, nestled among some of the city’s foodie hotspots on cobbled Thistle Street. It’s the more casual offering from acclaimed Scottish chef Stuart Ralston – chef-owner of Aizle, a six-course tasting menu restaurant at the stylish Kimpton Charlotte Square.
Noto takes inspiration from Stuart’s time spent living and working in New York and is named after his friend, the late food photographer Ben Noto. An enigmatic line drawing of Noto welcomes you inside and sets the mood for a convivial, enjoyable meal.
Inside, the restaurant feels both urban and rustic, decorated in natural, earthy tones with simple walnut seating, twisted twig sculptures, dried wild flowers, exposed bulbs and tall windows letting the daylight stream in. It’s been named one of Scotland’s most beautiful restaurants by Condé Nast Traveller and it’s easy to see why.
Noto offers a tempting menu of small plates and larger sharing dishes with Mediterranean and Asian influences, using the finest local Scottish produce. While some neo-bistros can feel restrictive, there is a plenty of choice here and the freedom to order exactly what you fancy. It’s also worth noting that the full menu is served in both the dining room and the adjoining bar.
Shortly after ordering, our drinks arrived with frosty glasses and we started grazing on some freshly-baked Company sourdough, served with an enormous mound of velvety local butter topped with delicate wisps of roasted chicken skin.
This was soon followed by the most decadent Anster croquette and truffle. These little flavour bombs were ever so crunchy and potent with a generous covering of finely-shaved Anster, a tangy artisan cow’s milk cheese made in Fife.
Because one cheese dish just isn’t enough, we also ordered Burrata, romesco, chilli, toasted sourdough. The creamy, top quality burrata was perfectly complemented by the rich, nutty and slightly piquant romesco and the sourdough tasted even better when toasted and rubbed in olive oil and sea salt.
We were keen to explore the menu’s Japanese influences and couldn’t resist the Chicken yakitori, umeboshi, egg yolk. The skewers of marinated chicken thigh were succulent and nicely charred, topped with spring onion, sesame seeds and sticky Japanese plum. The egg yolk cured in soy sauce made them even more satisfying.
The most complex dish we tried was Aubergine tonkatsu, kimchi and pickled ginger. The aubergine managed to retain its flavour through the crunchy panko coating and was elevated by the tangy, fragrant flavours of chunky kimchi, refreshing pickled ginger, sesame and Japanese mayo with a dusting of togarashi.
It’s essential to leave room for dessert, as you won’t want to miss the heavenly Chocolate, miso, hazelnut. Smooth Michel Cluizel dark chocolate ganache sat atop a malty, gooey miso caramel and toasted whole hazelnuts, finished with a scorched whirl of light-as-air Italian meringue. It was quite spectacular and a real treat for chocolate lovers.
Equally delicious but much lighter was the delicate, spring-like Wye valley rhubarb, diplomat and pink peppercorn. The buttery shortbread pastry case was filled with an airy diplomat cream studded with vanilla seeds, a refreshing rhubarb sorbet and pretty meringue candy sticks.
Lunch at Noto was an absolute delight and everything from the food to the style of the restaurant felt soulful, modern and well-considered. If you’re visiting Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival or a weekend break (be sure to stay at nearby Eden Locke), Noto should be at the top of your list.
Throughout lockdown, I longed for the familiar pleasures of walking the streets of Paris. Stopping at a boulangerie for freshly-baked pastries, an indulgent bistro dinner of steak frites and spending hours exploring a museum.
At the end of last year (pre-Omicron travel madness), my wish was granted and I spent a magical few days in the French capital with my mum. The streets were noticably quieter than usual, apart from the crowded Champs-Élysées, but it still felt like the same, charming Paris.
Here are some of the fantastic places we visited on this whirlwind trip…
La Samaritaine
Our first stop was La Samaritaine, the iconic Pont-Neuf department store that reopened last summer after being closed for over 16 years. LVMH has transformed the historic 19th century building from a bazaar selling everything under the sun to a shimmering temple of luxury. It really is spectacular!
All of the top tier designer brands are there, as you would expect, but what makes the store stand out is its modern, playful approach, with the quirky Boutique de Loulou lifestyle shop, the incredible beauty hall filled with cult products and cute patisserie counters by Bogato and Dalloyau.
We met my friend Coralie for a long-overdue coffee at Parisienne, a casual cafe by Petit Plisson with classic French pastries and light salads. It’s a great spot to know about for a quick refuel.
We stayed until the early evening and then walked along the Seine, over to the Left Bank for dinner.
La Laiterie Sainte Clotilde
La Laiterie Sainte Clotilde on Rue de Bellechasse is a gorgeous little bistro by Jean-Baptiste Varenne, housed in a former dairy. It’s a real neighbourhood gem with a mostly Parisian crowd and lovely staff who really look after you well.
To start, we had a creamy, velvety Pumpkin soup and a punchy Roasted cauliflower with harissa – both were full of flavour and well-seasoned.
We couldn’t resist the tender, juicy Steak with peppercorn sauce and sautéed baby potatoes. It was a classic done exceedingly well with very high quality meat, a moreish sauce and more crispy potatoes than you could ever ask for.
Dessert was an indulgent Gateau ‘Chardon’ au chocolat, which had a rich yet light fondant texture inside. I would definitely visit again, as it’s an interesting yet dependable place for a good dinner, however I’d be keen to try the weekday lunch set menu at 30 Euros for 3 courses.
Thierry Mugler: Couturissime
Fashion exhibitons at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs are always spectacular and I’m so pleased we had the opportunity to see the most recent opening, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime. This major exhibition explores the couturier’s stellar career with works dating from 1973 to 2014. It feels especially poignant and vital since his passing in January this year.
The world of Mugler is truly glamorous and exotic, which the curator has expertly captured across both floors. Be prepared to be wowed by rows of mannequins in cutting-edge ready-to-wear, sculptural haute couture and iconic stage costumes worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Linda Evangelista and Jerry Hall.
The exhibition has an immersive feel with scene-setting light and soundscapes and a subtle trail of the famous fragrance ANGEL, complete with an enormous, diamond-encrusted bottle to admire.
You can also delve deeper with rare photographs signed by Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton and Ellen von Unwerth, as well as unpublished archives and mesmerising films of pivotal catwalk shows.
I could have easily spent hours there, but we were also keen to see the Cartier Islamic Arts exhibition just across the hall. It featured the most dazzling fine jewellery with enormous diamonds and gems, ancient sculptures and miniature paintings.
Café de Flore
For a moment of Paris nostalgia, we headed over to the Left Bank for a light lunch at the historic Café de Flore on Boulevard Saint-Germain. After a bit of queuing we were seated at one of the coveted terrace tables – perfect for indulging in the time-honoured sport of people watching.
While the location is undeniably fabulous, the excruciatingly long wait to be served and the unexpectedly bland Soupe a l’oignon gratinée made it my least favourite meal of the trip. Next time I’ll play it safe and stick to the excellent chocolat chaud and tarte tatin.
La Grande Épicerie
The afternoon still ended on a sweet note with a sweep around La Grande Épicerie, the magnificent food hall at Le Bon Marché department store on Rue de Sèvres. We refuelled over an exquisite Tarte framboise and Praline cake and pots of Earl Grey tea from the patisserie.
Paris food halls are an absolute joy and this one is widely regarded as the best in town. Every time I visit, I promise myself to book an apartment for a week and cook with these exquisite ingredients.
Aux Crus de Bourgogne
After some more shopping and strolling around the Left Bank, we headed to the lively Montorgueil quarter for dinner at Aux Crus de Bourgogne on Rue Bachaumont. This historic bistro was revived by new owners Jérôme and Stéphane Dumant in 2019 and is known for its regional French gastronomy cooking and Burgundy wines.
It was once a haunt of writer and cultural minister André Malraux, although today you could imagine Wes Anderson perched at a table, scouting his next filming location.
The return of the great French brasserie (a trend bubbling away in Paris over the last few years) really satisfies the craving for familiarity and rollicking good times, especially in this age of uncertainty. This is definitely something you can find here, feasting on hearty Lyonnaise dishes and having a laugh with the most charming waiters in Paris.
We had the most fantastic Poulet au vin jaune & morilles, which was served in a rustic copper pot with spongey morels to soak up the rich, creamy sauce. Coq au vin was equally indulgent and boozy with the finest farm-style chicken that you can only seem to find in France and ribbons of fresh tagliatelle.
For dessert, we did the unthinkable and ordered Mousse au chocolat & Madeleine twice, just in case it wasn’t so sharable. Little did we know that it would be a monster-sized mousse filling an entire Le Creuset pot with two giant madeleines. However, I don’t regret a thing, as it was so thick and velvety and the madeleines were crispy and golden, straight from the oven – a moment of absolute heaven!
Montmartre
We made the most of a bright and sunny morning and climbed up the millions of stairs to the Sacré-Cœur. It was lovely to explore Montmartre and follow the winding, cobbled paths and spotting pretty landmarks like Le Lapin Agile, Place du Tertre, Le Consulat, Place Dalida and La Maison Rose.
A new discovery was Vignes du Clos, an urban winery on a sunny hillside in Montmartre. Paris’ oldest vineyard was created as a green space by the City of Paris in 1933 to protect the plot of land from being developed.
It’s generally closed to the public, but in October, the vineyard opens the gates for guided tours as part of the city’s Fête des Vendanges (a five-day grape harvest festival).
Hotel Amour
After such arduous hill climbing, we were ready for lunch at Hotel Amour, one of my old favourites in Pigalle. It always has a good vibe and sitting at a table overlooking the garden is just delightful.
We both managed to squeeze in one last Steak frites and it was a winner (although I would have liked it to come with a sauce).
Galeries Lafayette Gourmet
Our last stop of the trip was the wonderful Galeries Lafayette Gourmet, which has changed a lot since I last visited. The most exciting part for me is the deli, bakery and patisserie section that takes up almost the entire ground floor.
It was a chance to load up on baked goods from Babka Zana, a cute bakery in the 9th arrondissement that has a counter here. We tried the sticky, delicious Babka rolls in rich Chocolate hazelnut and fragrant Pistachio and orange blossom flavours.
It was also a good call to bring home a large Babka cake, packaged majestically in a pastel pink and gold box, to keep the Paris memories going.
Hotel Keppler
Our home for the weekend was the elegant Hotel Keppler, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, located in a Haussmanian building on a quiet street just off the Champs-Élysées.
The hotel features 48 guest rooms and suites (some with balconies and Eiffel Tower views), plus two cosy library lounges and a fitness room and sauna.
Our Executive Room was bright and comfortable with timeless black, white and vibrant yellow accents. The large marble bathroom had a TV in the mirror, a powerful shower and bathtub, fluffy bathrobes and slippers and a full set of Hermès Eau D’Orange Verte bathroom products.
Breakfast was served downstairs overlooking the leafy private courtyard and everything was excellent. The buffet was petite but full of high quality items like scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, pancakes and crepes, cured meats and salmon, French cheese, luxury yoghurt and fruit juice. You can also order fresh eggs and omelettes cooked to order.
The lovely staff took good care of us, serving freshly-made coffee and tea and a basket of pastries and baguette to our table. It was the highlight of our stay and definitely worth booking.
We didn’t spend much time in the hotel on this trip, as we were out exploring from morning to night, but it was still a very enjoyable stay.
Have you been to Paris recently? Where are your favourite places to visit?
Copenhagen has so many great places to eat, from leading Michelin-starred restaurants to artisan bakeries with the flakiest pastries, and you’ll definitely want to plan your city break around them. The standard of food and hospitality is very high in the Danish capital and you can easily find expert cooking, superior produce and a hyggelig atmosphere all across town.
Eating out there can be expensive for visitors, but I’ve found the best way to enjoy Copenhagen is to order the set dinner menu at a good restaurant, as they are usually well-composed and offer excellent value (as well as fuelling up for the day with a big hotel breakfast).
I first visited Copenhagen a few years ago and had a memorable five-course dinner at Höst, delicious sourdough pizza at Mother, gourmet burgers at Cocks and Cows at Hotel SP34 and warming street food at the Torvehallerne food hall. This time, we discovered more gems and further explored the vibrant Kødbyen (Meatpacking District). Here are some top places to add to your list…
BÆST
BÆST by Michelin-starred chef Christian Puglisi appears on every ‘best pizza in the world’ list and it’s definitely an essential stop on any pizza pilgrimage.
This game-changing Nørrebro restaurant takes a uniquely Danish approach to Italian cooking and has its own sustainable eco system. Fresh ingredients are sourced from Puglisi’s organic Farm of Ideas, while the artisan cheeses and charcuterie are made upstairs in the micro-dairy and salumeria and bread comes straight from the oven at Mirabelle bakery next door.
Pizza, however, is just one aspect of the kitchen’s offering, and you can feast on sharing plates such as BÆST speck and mozzarella, Burrata with Hokkaido pumpkin and grilled herb oil, Chicken thighs with miso glaze and Grilled rib-eye with kale, elderflower and capers. The full BÆST Experience and Sunday Brunch offers a selection of small plates, pizza and dessert, so you can try a bit of everything.
As we were short on time, we enjoyed a lighter lunch of two pizzas, which were served one at a time for sharing. The first pizza – Tomato passata, garlic, BÆST Stracciatella and oregano – was definitely our favourite. The dough was nicely blistered and ever so light and the combination of the extra-juicy tomatoes, creamy Stracciatella, slivers of punchy garlic and fresh micro-herbs was absolutely dreamy.
Pizza number 7 – Savoy Cabbage, smoked BÆST Mozzarella, Hindsholm sausage and Pecorino Romano – was indulgent and complex with high quality meat, a drizzle of oil and a surprising tartness from the cheese. I’d love to go back and try even more of the menu next time.
Fleisch
Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District is packed full of outstanding restaurants and bars and you could easily spend every night there working through them all. One of the best is Fleisch, a white tiled butcher shop, bar and restaurant with a surprisingly cosy atmosphere.
From the name of the restaurant, you might expect it to be a full nose-to-tail experience, but the style of cooking is actually on the classic side. We visited in the evening for the five-course butcher’s menu filled with tempting, varied dishes. To begin, we grazed on moreish Serrano ham and springy sourdough bread with salted butter, while waiting for our sharing starters.
Ceviche of pike perch with yellow chilli, lime, ginger, shallots, radish and black sesame was incredibly fresh and tangy and a real contrast to the hearty, satisfying Crispy croquette of game with stewed kale.
Sirloin beef tartare had a silky texture and mature flavour and it went perfectly with the flavourful pickled parsley roots, porcini mayo and root chips.
The main dish of Fried duck breast, duck sausage, stewed white cabbage, glazed beetroot, prunes and port wine sauce was an absolute delight with rich, seasonal flavours and exceptional, tender meat.
The meal ended on a decadent note with a luscious dessert – Cherry sorbet, cherry compote, creme anglaise and dark chocolate.
If you book one indulgent dinner in Copenhagen, make it Fleisch and you won’t be disappointed.
Warpigs
Just around the corner from Fleisch is Warpigs, a temple of smoked meats, craft beer and rock music. This well-established brewpub specialises in authentic Texan-style barbecue and has an on-site brewery with 22 American-Danish beers on tap.
Warpigs is one of the most popular spots in the Meatpacking District and it can be hard to grab a seat on busy evenings, but it’s definitely worth the wait, especially since there’s no waiting around for your food. It has a bit of a school canteen vibe where you sit at a communal table and queue at the counter for the pit master to fill your tray with different meats, freshly carved and weighed to order. Then, it’s over to the bar to collect the drinks and within moments you can ravenously dig in!
We shared the Trooper Tray packed with 1/4lb spare rib, 1/4 pulled pork, 1/4 link sausage and two side, plus an extra 1/2lb of brisket. The sausages had a touch of curry spice and the meats were so tender and smoky with a punchy dry rub and a thin melt-in-the-mouth layer of fat on the brisket.
The mac and cheese wasn’t very cheesy and the sauce tasted like more of a beer-infused bechamel, but it was still rather scrumptious and the burnt end baked beans were tangy with a real chilli kick. We washed it all down with a delicious Existential Crisis IPA, full of aromatic honey notes.
The soundtrack was more ‘Friday night rock classics’ than the ‘death metal’ that is often mentioned in reviews, but the atmosphere was great and we had a lot of fun. I’ll never forget the entire place singing along to Radiohead’s Creep, forks waving in the air.
Hija de Sanchez
Hija de Sanchez is the place in Copenhagen for authentic Mexican tacos. Chef and restaurateur Rosio Sanchez moved from Chicago to Copenhagen to work at noma and opened her first taqueria in the Torvehallerne food market in 2015. There are now four Hija de Sanchez taquerias and the high-end Sanchez restaurant with a five-course tasting menu in Vesterbro.
Hija de Sanchez uses high quality local meat and vegetables and everything is home-made, from the tortillas to the sauces. For that authentic flavour, the corn and organic quesillo are imported from Mexico.
To try a bit of everything, go for the combo of the day with salsa, including one barbacoa taco, one pastor taco and one vegetarian taco. The meat tacos are rich, generously filled and finished with fresh herbs, however they’re some of the most subtle, singular tacos I’ve tried (keeping with tradition). We also enjoyed sides of tortilla chips and guacamole and red rice with peas, corn, pinto beans and fresh cheese.
Studio x Kitchen
It’s hard to find cafes with a neighbourhood feel in the city centre, but Studio x Kitchen on Dronningens Tværgade has that cosy, friendly vibe. It’s perfect for a light lunch or coffee break and everything is home-made, using high quality ingredients from local farms, and presented on pottery plates.
Go for their signature folded eggs from Søagergård with either Gammel Knas cheese and nduja butter or Birkemosegaard kale, preserved citrus vinaigrette and hazelnuts with home-made sesame focaccia – both delicious. There are also excellent flat whites and artisanal Japanese teas, plus tempting baked treats at the counter.
YOBURGER
On one of our nights in Copenhagen there was a big storm, so a low-key take-out burger was on the cards. We headed for the famous Gasolene Grill, but when it closed early for the evening all was not lost, as YOBURGER (a favourite of Emili Sindlev) was just around the corner.
We went big and ordered a double Yobacon’ Avo Menu each, which came with crispy skin-on fries and a can of soda. The burger was huge and delicious with two patties of ground Danish beef grilled perfectly medium, smoky bacon, half an avocado sliced, gooey American cheese, signature burger sauce, fresh tomato and lettuce all packed inside a Belgian butter brioche bun.
At 159 DKK, it’s probably the most I’ve ever paid for a gourmet fast food burger meal, but the quality was great and it seems in line with similar burger joints in Copenhagen.
Kafeteria
SMK (National Gallery of Denmark) is one of the best art galleries I’ve ever been to, with stunning architecture, excellent curation and a bit of everything on display, from the Dutch Masters to contemporary Danish sculpture. It’s also home to Kafeteria by chef and restaurateur Frederik Bille Brahe, who also operates the stylish Atelier September and Apollo Bar & Kantine.
We enjoyed a light lunch of warming, velvety Pumpkin soup with coconut yoghurt and seeds with fantastic sourdough bread.
Just when we were trying to be healthy, the little girl sitting next to us tucked into the most enormous stack of pancakes with mascarpone and maple syrup and I couldn’t help feeling a touch of food envy, but there’s always next time!
Hooked
One thing I love about Copenhagen is the abundance of fresh seafood, especially when it’s served in a casual street food style. Hooked began as a food truck at the city’s food markets and festivals and it became so popular that its first restaurant opened in 2017.
Its sixth location recently opened at Christianshavn, with a wallet-friendly 20% intro offer, so we popped along for a tasty lunch after an early morning of travelling. It’s a casual, cave-like restaurant where you can drop by or book a table.
I couldn’t resist ordering the deliciously authentic American lobster roll with warm pieces of fresh lobster doused in brown butter and lemon in a toasted brioche bun, finished with chive, mayo and thin crispy onions. It was served with a huge portion of Hooked’s signature chunky vinegar fries (so good) and a moreish truffle mayo dip as part of a combo.
Fish and chips was also excellent with a succulent fillet of pollack fried in spiced breadcrumbs, vinegar fries, pea mint mash and tartar sauce.
Conditori La Glace
There’s something truly magical about Conditori La Glace, Denmark’s oldest patisserie and tea salon (dating back to 1870). In the winter, there is a constant queue in front of the extravagant window displays laden with cakes and sweets, however it’s well worth the wait to get a table.
La Glace specialises in traditional Danish pastries (many named after composers, actresses and royals), confectionery and towering layer cakes. The signature hot chocolate is served in a silver jug with pots of fresh whipped cream and you can visit the counter for a refill.
We paired our hot chocolate with a slice of Cherry Christmas – a decadent, bright red cake with cherries, Christmas spices, mascarpone and an almond base.
We enjoyed La Glace so much that we went back the next day for another warming hot chocolate – it’s hard to resist!
The American Pie Co.
Stumbling across an authentic American pie shop in the middle of Copenhagen was a joyful and unexpected discovery and the aromas of apples and spice lured us in. The American Pie Co. – a cosy cafe and bakery on the corner of Skindergade – has a 1920s diner-meets-apothecary vibe with a big American flag and vintage pie pans adorning the walls.
There is a tempting array of both savoury and sweet pies at the counter – in classic flavours like pumpkin, cranberry, chocolate peppermint and brandy butterscotch.
We ordered a slice of Bourbon pecan pie and Salted apple caramel pie with big glasses filled with hot apple cider. Both pies were absolutely delicious and a good contrast and the hot apple cider was spicy and tangy without being overly sweet.
Slices of pie are also available for take-out and you can order whole pies in advance – I did wonder if we could sneak one back on the plane!
Have you been on a foodie trip to Copenhagen? Where are your favourite places to eat?
Eating out in Copenhagen can get pricey, but look out for those set lunch menus and you can eat very well. Odette is a cosy restaurant in the heart of Copenhagen’s old town and its home-made pasta is fantastic. We had the most delicious pasta dishes and garlic bread to share… ?? Bucatini, eggplant ragout, salciccia, marjoram and Parmesan. ?? Ravioli, pumpkin, ricotta, sage and Pecorino. ?? Bread made from Oland wheat with garlic and thyme. #copenhagen#foodie#denmark#pasta#pastatiktok#restaurant
