Manarola
On a wave-kissed promontory overlooking the pastel-coloured houses of Manarola, this leafy terrace bar makes a magical setting for a sundowner. Great wine…
Must-see nightlife in Mediterranean Europe
Rethymno
A gathering spot for Rethymno's slightly older indie crowd, this relaxed, unpretentious bar is decked out in arthouse-film posters and modern-art…
Kaş
One glance at the gleaming La Marzocco machine (cost in Turkey €20,000!) in this spacious cafe and it's clear Linckia is totally serious. Drip coffee …
Meteora & Thessaly
Very simple, very friendly bar, with tables out in an alleyway that leads off the northeast corner of the large Plateia Riga Fereou. Inside, you’ll find…
Gozo
With more than 300 brews from around Malta and the world, the team at Gebuba are big beer fans. Seating is either on Nadur's pretty main square or amid…
Valletta
Almost 250 gins from around the world partner with traditional Spanish-style pinchos tapas at this stylish bar at the quieter southern end of Strait St…
Enna
Housed in a former chapel of the adjacent cathedral, Al Kenisa is Enna's best spot for an aperitivo, glass of wine or craft beer. Books and art prints are…
Alicante
Mind your head – actually, it's more like bend double – as you enter this intriguing cellar bar, presciently named 'bump on the head'. Once inside enjoy…
Beyoğlu
Stocking more than 300 Turkish wines and pouring an extraordinary 47 by the glass, this atmospherically lit cavern is the city's best wine bar. Regulars…
Fethiye
Fethiye's best specialist coffee shop, with imported beans that are roasted on the premises. There's a choice of specials (brews and drips include Chemex…
The Veneto
A cocktail bar in a palace, what’s not to like? Other than the glamorous environment and towering bar, there’s live jazz and cabaret. Most of the classic…
Beyoğlu
Getting our endorsement as the home of İstanbul's best cocktails, this place is so crowded on Friday and Saturday evenings that the action spills out of…
Macedonia
Follow the scent of freshly brewed coffee to this welcomingly off-kilter little cafe-bar, festively decorated in most of the primary colours. There is a…
Athens
Based in the former offices of famous, but now defunct, magazine Romantso, this diamond of a creative hub has multiple facets. It's an all-day cafe-bar,…
Athens
This lovely bar-restaurant is one of the reasons Petralona is considered a just-the-right-amount-of-cool neighbourhood. It has numerous rooms filled with…
Marmaris
Fredonia boasts a prime spot on the prom, and from its lovely front terrace you can gaze over the azure waters of Marmaris bay. Offers a full range of…
Southern Tuscany
Owner Magdy Lamei may not be a local (he's from Cairo), but it would be hard to find anyone else as knowledgeable and passionate about local artisanal…
Milan
In a city full of designer drinking dens, the Bamboo Bar literally raises the bar with its double-height windows offering up incredible city views. Expert…
Ávila
Situated in the 16th-century Casa de la Misericordia, this superb wine bar is standing-room only most nights, though more tranquil in the quieter…
Lecce
Just maybe Lecce's best Negroni cocktail is a fine reason to adjourn to Quanta Basta's outdoor tables for your nightly aperitivi session. Further…
Lefkada
Very friendly bar-cafe on the main pedestrian street, with pavement tables plus a quirky interior kitted out like a vintage grocery. The Greek sign is…
Cagliari
A bookshop, a bar, a bistro? Cucina.eat is pretty much all these things with its central bar and ceiling-high shelves stocked with wines, olive oils,…
Valencia's Beaches
It's difficult to know how to classify this former ice factory, converted with great charm into a sizeable multi-purpose space that does cultural events,…
Paros
Several tiny blocks south of the waterfront, in the shade of a huge eucalyptus tree, Santé is a good spot for coffee during the day, but things only…
Elounda
Well worth the uphill walk to the ancient village of Mavrikiano, this adorable drinking den does a roaring trade in bottled craft beers, quality local…
Perugia
This cool hang-out draws a steady stream of students and trendy urbanites throughout the day, for coffee and bagels at breakfast, light lunches, craft…
Thessaloniki
A lovely oasis of potted plants, geometric tiles, slanting coloured light, bentwood chairs and vintage ephemera awaits those who find Palermo, up an…
Beyoğlu
Serving coffee home-roasted at their facility in Hasköy, these sapiens have well and truly wised up to the science behind the brew. Choose from Aeropress,…
Çanakkale
Often bathed in sunshine, this hip cafe and roastery serves up excellent coffees, including very good lattes and flat whites. Secure a table outside or…
Bodrum Peninsula
This hip new addition to the Gümüşlük scene enjoys a shorefront location, and there's ample space for loafing and lounging with a coffee during the day…
Southern Tuscany
Overlooking a small harbour framed by slopes of colourfully painted buildings, Giulia is a popular locals' haunt. Its waterside terrace is a picturesque…
Southern Mallorca
A wonderful place to sample the wines of Mallorca (and further afield), this outpost of Robert Chaves' burgeoning Llum de Sal empire is strewn with…
Montepulciano
Established in 1868, Poliziano was lovingly restored to its original form 20 years ago and is the town's most atmospheric cafe. It serves excellent coffee…
Thrace
Cosy and always busy, this 'diskokafeneio' does coffee, drinks and DJs. The crowd skews young, but the schedule includes a big variety of cultural events…
Palma de Mallorca
Spangled with an upended cornucopia of bric-a-brac, blessed with welcoming, laid-back staff and capable of cranking the merriment up to 11, this is one of…
Lake Garda
Welcome to wine country. You can get straight off the boat and into vino-tasting mode at this no-nonsense bar in the centre of town that looks and feels…
Gozo
This is the social hub of the village and a glorious place to head for a sundowner, with views over the harbour. It fills up in the early evening with a…
Hania Province
Not only a good choice for a quick breakfast or snack, this smart modern waterfront cafe-bar is a great place for coffee and gets lively at night with…
Lecce
All you need to know about Salento wine will be imparted by the hip staff at this cool joint near the Santa Croce church. Taster glasses are dispatched…
Matera
A short walk from Piazza Vittorio Veneto but off the tourist trail is this warm and welcoming bar specialising in Italian craft beer. Four rotating taps…
