Paris
Opened in late 2019, Populus is that easy-to-miss 'secret spot' that locals like to recommend. It's somewhat off the beaten track, in a surprisingly quiet…
Must-see restaurants in Western Europe
Friesland
On nippier days, kick back at this fish restaurant inside a historic garage at the old harbour. Its 1st-floor dining room and roof terrace dish up…
Paris
With dark timber furniture and painted plates and screened by lace curtains, Josselin takes its name from the eastern Breton village crowned by a 14th…
The West End
This fun and friendly original branch of The Breakfast Club chain has been successfully frying up since 2005. Full Monty or All American brekkies are the…
The Jura Mountains
Carve up pizzas or twirl hunks of bread in fondue beneath 17th-century stone vaults of this cellar restaurant, just off Poligny's main square. Menu…
Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green
Ostensibly a cheese shop with a few stools, at Loose Canon you can prop yourself up at the counter for a platter of cheese or Irish charcuterie, with a…
Strasbourg
Ah oui, there are crêpes and then there are proper Breton crêpes – and this nicely snug bolthole definitely falls into the second camp. Filled with a…
Jersey
This smart, family-run restaurant is as sustainable as it gets: its fish, meat, seafood and dairy are locally sourced, its wild herbs foraged across…
Paris
Traditional decor (exposed brick, patterned tiles) meets contemporary design (wave-form timber ceiling panels) at this striking wine bar. Cider-steamed…
Brixton, Peckham & South London
Along South London's curry corridor, Dosa n Chutny is the best of the South Indian restaurants in Tooting. The dining area is a slight step above no…
Estremadura & Ribatejo
After raging success in Alcobaça, the Punjabi owner of this excellent Indian restaurant snagged an even more intimate space in Leiria in the heart of the…
Estremadura & Ribatejo
A modern tasca adorned with photos of VW vans on the walls, this upper village hotspot is a great place to escape tourists and the menus that cater solely…
West Yorkshire
This chilled-out little cafe-bar exemplifies Hebden's alternative atmosphere, with a menu that includes a full-vegan breakfast, brie-and-grape ciabatta,…
Tomar
At this charming backstreet eatery you can partake in the elegant dining room or the breezy, intimate courtyard below. Speciality, well-presented fish…
The Alentejo
Trendy Comporta Café sits right on the main beach and is an idyllic little spot for everything from cocktails to an elevated beach lunch. Kitchen…
Mértola
This welcoming two-room restaurant serves up excellent traditional plates, all made with care. Grilled pork ribs, fried squid with garlic, fava beans with…
Isle of Wight
When a beachfront pub is this bedecked with pirate paraphernalia, ships' lanterns and lifebelts, you tend to be wary of the meals. No need. The seafood…
Killarney
Decorated with fittings from a convent, an orphanage and a school, this Celtic-themed restaurant doubles as the de facto town museum, with Jonathan Fisher…
Whitby
The Magpie flaunts its reputation for serving the 'World's Best Fish and Chips'. Damn fine they are too, but the world and his dog knows about it and…
Old Town
No trip to Edinburgh is complete without exploring the narrow closes (alleys) that lead off the Royal Mile. Lucky you if your explorations lead to this…
Chamonix
Making stylish use of a 100-year-old mule stable (the faux cowhide recalling its rustic origins), the Cauldron offers Savoyard cuisine with a twist, in a…
The Lake District
This smart gastropub sits atop a grassy knoll near the Bowness shoreline and offers superior pub grub: think focaccia pizzas, sea bass with pak choi and…
Marseille
Scotch and spanking-fresh seafood come together in this outpost of the Auld Alliance (the long-standing friendship between Scotland and France, cemented…
Southern Corsica
The atmospheric old-stone interior of this wine-bar-turned-restaurant is packed to the rafters with sausages and cold meats hung up to dry, cheeses, jars…
The Lake District
The definition of a neighbourhood bistro: it's a locals' favourite and if you come more than once you'll probably be greeted by name. It's a tiny space…
Ribeira
The name bacalhau (dried salt-cod) should give you an inkling as to the star of the menu here. Snag a table on the walls to gaze at the river while…
Biarritz
This is one of those places, hidden down an alley and in a cave-like building, that's so discreet that only a local could have pointed it out to you…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Christian Constant’s sleek concept space is devoted to cocottes (casseroles), with a buoyant crowd feasting on inventive seasonal creations cooked to…
South Devon
Hike to the top of town to visit this diet-defying deli-cum-cafe with a smorgasbord of goodies. Choose from Devon hams, chorizo, zesty salads, olives,…
Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri)
Breakfast first up, burgers at lunch, tea in the afternoon and tapas in the evening – Olif morphs to please throughout the day. The tapas has a distinctly…
Grenoble
Tipping French cuisine upside down (sometimes literally), little La Tête à l'Envers has an ever-changing menu that presents seasonal ingredients in…
Leith
Housed in the old Victorian fish-market building next to Newhaven harbour, this stylish restaurant and seafood deli serves up spectacular shellfish…
Orkney
The heart of the Westray community, this refurbished local pub is famous throughout Orkney for its popular fish and chips – whatever has turned up in the…
Portimão
On the waterfront near the Museu de Portimão, the Naval Club has a fancy upstairs restaurant, Restaurante do Cais, with unsurpassed views over the river…
Brighton & Hove
Situated between Brighton and Hove, Wolfox is a hip café and wine bar that’s worth walking to. Where possible they use fresh, local and organic…
The Beiras
With its pretty lace curtains, white tablecloths and woody decor, snug São Marcos is the very picture of an old-school Portuguese restaurant. In keeping…
Olhão
Just back from the seafront, this converted merchant's store has just 22 seats, so advance bookings are a good idea. Begin with award-winning olive oil…
The Douro
This welcome newcomer to Vila do Conde's main square serves delicious steaks and seafood alongside pasta and vegetarian dishes such as couscous with…
Latin Quarter
This tiny pit stop off rue Mouffetard is wonderfully cosy and a change from the usual humdrum tourist spots; the homemade soups, quiches, pastries and…
Portugal
Shake the table and your plate might just fall into the sea at this top seafooder perched above the saltwater pool in Azenhas do Mar. The sea views are…
