Princesa

Caparica, Portugal

Princesa is a beach restaurant filling a historical gap in the Lisbon / Cascais region: think inventive and flavourful dishes served in a cool, nature inspired setting, striking the right balance between relax and hip… Overlooking the expanse of the beautiful beaches of Caparica, Princesa reminds us of some of the nice places in Mykonos or Ibiza, without losing its cool and Portuguese heritage. That said, stick around as the sun sets and the places does become as happening as those other destinations…

Restaurant / Beach

Hífen

Cascais, Portugal

Hífen can be misleading from outside: what looks like a traditional and old fashioned Portuguese restaurant is actually one of the most interesting additions to the Cascais scene (can we already talk about a scene ?). The modern and surprising restaurant is split between a happening downstairs, with louder music and high tables, and a more quiet upstairs with one of the best views of the fishing port of Cascais. The food is delicious: based on sharing, it is inventive, mixing unexpected flavours together. Very successfully.

But one question remains: why do Portuguese restaurants, even those we prefer, need to have a TV ? Could certainly do without.

That said, Hífen is a great place for inventive food and good time.

Restaurant

O Picadeiro

Cascais, Portugal

The restaurant is quite simple, but serves good traditional Portuguese food. The real find here is where the O Picadeiro is located. In a horse riding heaven, surrounded by large expenses of woods, sand dunes, pines everywhere and traditional stables scattered around the domain. The place is taken care of by people who are passionate about horses, not business people trying to make a quick buck from tourists. Genuine, peaceful, authentic. The place reminds us of Argentina (even though we have never been to Argentina !). To top it of, the school for the kids is the right balance between teaching the right technical skills while providing a relaxing and fun environment. 15 minutes away from Cascais, the Centro Hipico Quinta da Marinha is a beautiful experience.

Restaurant / Equestrian Centre

Um Plateau

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

One of the great surprises in Luxembourg, Um Plateau is a refreshing discovery: interesting interior design with great character, inventive carte serving flavour-ful dishes without being pompous, welcome outdoor terrasse for alfresco dining and a beautiful selection of wines.

Restaurant

Charlie Bird

New York City, US

Charlie Bird is a serious restaurant, serving solid Italian seasonal dishes, which doesn’t take itself seriously. Love the playful design and typical-Soho vibe. The outdoor patio and wine selection are not to be missed either.

Restaurant

Bambou

Paris, France

Bambou will take you back to the colonial times in Asia. The huge space, formerly the location for a fabric manufacturer, is a trip across all corners of Asia. From the main restaurant space on the ground floor, to the cocktail den on the lower ground floor, to the terrasse and open air bar…

Restaurant

Villa Cimbrone

Ravello, Italy

Perched at the very top of a cliff overlooking the infinite blue sea ahead, Villa Cimbrone offers the ultimate experience on the Amalfi Coast. Combining an incredible site, a history of having hosted illustrious names of the arts and science (Greta Garbo, Virginia Woolf,…) and a restaurant serving the most amazing casarecce pasta, Villa Cimbrone will take you back to a time we all miss. The view from the edge of the park, where the sea and the sky melt together, will certainly help you travel back to that time…

Restaurant

Queen of Hoxton Rooftop

London, UK

This is not a place you go to for the food. This is a place you go to for the setting, a quirky rooftop at the border between the City and Shoreditch, surrounded by high-rises. A place you go to for the “efficient” cocktails and for the vibe on a nice spring / summer evening. A different experience…

Restaurant/Bar

Landeau Chocolate

Lisbon, Portugal

Talk about “pure play”. Landeau serve only 1 thing: a chocolate cake. They are not a chocolate cake specialist with a whole selection of cakes to chose from. They only have 1 recipe. Just 1 cake. But not any cake. This is one of most incredible chocolate cakes we have ever had. They have 2 locations in Lisbon but we recommend the one in LX Factory: the Meatpacking District / Shoreditch equivalent of Lisbon. Great vibe all around to enjoy your cocoa fix.

Restaurant / Cafe

XVA Art Cafe

Dubai, UAE

The XVA Art Cafe is situated in the Hotel of the same name. The XVA serves Middle Eastern vegetarian dishes in a traditional setting, sparked up by modern design, art and colours. The internal courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy a book or nice company while sipping on the signature limonade. Note that the cafe doesn’t serve alcohol.

Restaurant/Cafe

Comptoir 102

Dubai, UAE

Comptoir 102 is a welcome haven of quiet and freshness in the usually bustling Dubai. Focused on healthy and traditional recipes, Comptoir 102 is perfect for an informal bite in the middle of a busy day. The fact that it is also affiliated to a cool concept store doesn’t hurt either.

Restaurant

Es Torrent

Ibiza, Spain

Es Torrent is not your typical Ibiza beach restaurant. No DJ here. No party. No branded fashion line. Es Torrent is a very small fish restaurant, on a secluded beach on the south coast of the Island. Amazing food in a serene environment. Both for lunch or dinner. But getting to Es Torrent needs to be deserved: only a small and steep dirt road winding through the forrest will get you there. Finding it may not be easy. But well worth it.

Restaurant

Es Moli de Sal

Formentera, Spain

Literally perched on a deserted rock, this fish restaurant serves the freshest sea-food, in a simple but breathtaking setting. Accessible from sea or land, to try when on the beautiful island of Formentera.

Restaurant

Murver

Istanbul, Turkey

Murver combines traditional turkish, middle eastern and mediterranean cuisine with a breathtaking location. The interior is very welcoming with the open kitchen (don’t you love to see the chefs at work) with a beautiful outdoor terrasse overlooking the Bosphorus. With the food, the type of combination you love to find when visiting this incredible city.

Restaurant

Pomona's

London, UK

California cooking inspired, Pomona’s is not your usual London / Notting Hill restaurant. The combination of healthy “but” tasty dishes with a beautiful private garden for alfresco lunching / dining make a for a great neighbourhood restaurant.

Restaurant

Mazi

London, UK

Mazi is a modern, fresh and welcoming Greek restaurant in the heart of Notting Hill. The dishes even though inspired by traditional recipes are executed with a creative flair without being pretentious. And in the summer, the outdoor garden would get you to forget the actual location of the haven.

Restaurant

E&O

London, UK

In a city where everything changes all the time, here is an institution which has kept its game for more than 15 years. E&O mixes pan-asian dishes (from truffle sea bass sashimi to more traditional pad thais and curries) in a sophisticated but cool atmosphere, helped by the constant buzz in the bar area.

Restaurant.

JK Place Capri

Capri, Italy

Subtle luxury in on one of the most magical islands.

Hotel

Farol Hotel

Cascais, Portugal

Former private residence turned modern quirky hotel perched on a cliff. With 2 restaurants (with a preference for the Mediterranean one).

Hotel

Pastis

New York City, USA

An institution in the Meatpacking District, Pastis just reopened. Finally. This quirky French bistro always has one of the best buzz in town. To be enjoyed, in particular on a sunny and lazy day for lunch.

Restaurant