L'Eixample
Named for the owner's Val d’Aran hometown, this stylish space with black-and-white floors, pine-green booths and bottle-lined walls offers next-level…
Must-see restaurants in Mediterranean Europe
San Lorenzo & San Marco
Be it breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee or cocktails, this industrial-styled space lures Florence's hip brigade. The concept store is a fashionable one…
La Latina & Lavapiés
Casa Lucio is a Madrid classic and has been wowing madrileños since 1974 with its light touch, quality ingredients and home-style local cooking such as…
Bologna
Often touted as Bologna's best restaurant by in-the-know culinarians – especially locals – this unassuming neighbourhood trattoria is both a rousing good…
Modena
In business since 1963, this fabulous, affordable little lunch spot is tucked into a single wood-panelled room at the northern edge of downtown Modena…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
This neighbourhood trattoria is renowned for its unswerving dedication to Roman soul food. Though its decor is contemporary, the menu is unrelentingly old…
Madrid
A slick but casual tapas bar, Estado Puro serves up fantastic tapas, that push the boundaries of traditional recipes. It's known for many things, among…
L'Eixample
Hotshot chef Carles Abellán runs this basement tapas haven known for its gourmet renditions of old faves, including the bikini (toasted ham-and-cheese…
Santa Maria Novella
A local favourite for its simplicity and correct prices, around since 1973. From sunrise to sunset, this brick-vaulted, 13th-century cellar gently buzzes…
Cappadocia
Tolga and his family have swung open the doors to their home – surrounded by their organic garden and overlooking Ayvalı's deep gorge – to offer a taste…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Authentic pizza, super-thin and swiftly cooked in a wood-fired oven, is what this traditional Roman pizzeria on one of Monti's prettiest streets has done…
Modena
Modena’s covered municipal market cradles a cornucopia of local delights. Foodies should head straight here for Bible-sized hunks of parmigiano reggiano,…
Madrid
This Madrid landmark (since 1839) is an elegant treasure trove of takeaway gourmet tapas downstairs and six dining areas upstairs that are the upmarket…
Chueca
The place to come for a real paella, not the tourist version too often found in Madrid, La Barraca has been serving down-home Valencian cooking in the…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
A citywide poll for the best croquetas (croquettes) in Madrid would see half of those polled voting for Casa Julio and the remainder not doing so only…
Santa Croce
Iconic Florentine chef Fabio Picchi draws on his past experience working in Japan to give Tuscan staples an oriental twist
Barcelona
Worth a trip out to El Poblenou in itself, this beautiful Kiwi-Hungarian-owned cafe epitomises the area's newfound allure. White-brick walls, floor-to…
Milan
As the sibling of pasticceria (pastry shop) phenomenon Pavè, you can expect great things from this contemporary gelateria with its marble-topped counter…
L'Eixample
With cornflower-blue paintwork and fresh produce on display, Auto Rosellon works mostly organic ingredients sourced from small producers and its own…
El Raval
Get to El Pachuco early or jump on the wait list – this tiny, narrow and deservedly popular mezcalería/taquería gets completely packed with a low-key…
La Macarena & Alameda de Hércules
The atmosphere at this slow-food restaurant in boho Macarena is arty and relaxed, with an open kitchen, mismatched furniture and colourful paintings by co…
L'Eixample
Enter the realm of the ‘Five Senses’ to indulge in jaw-dropping eight- or 11-course tasting menus of small, experimental dishes concocted by chef Jordi…
La Macarena & Alameda de Hércules
Fashionable and much recommended by locals, Azotea is one of Seville's stable of modern eateries with culinary ambitions. Its pearl-grey Scandi-inspired…
Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
Don't expect fancy tricks from this 'Black Cat' – just excellent, traditional fare. Once you’ve tried the homemade tagliolini (ribbon pasta) with spider…
Chueca
A cross between a Parisian bistro and old-school upmarket Madrid restaurant, this prestigious Chueca place is popular with a well-heeled, knowledgeable…
Barcelona
Now led by its fourth generation, family-run Quimet i Quimet has been passed down since 1914. There’s barely space to swing a calamar (squid) in this…
Barcelona
At the flagship cafe of this Barcelona caterer, luxury ingredients – smoked salmon, premium charcuterie and cheeses, high-grade olive oils, carefully…
Barcelona
With its grand ceiling and scented gardens surrounding a main terrace dining area, La Balsa is one of the city’s premier dining addresses, founded in 1979…
Madrid
Perched atop the lavish Casino de Madrid building, this temple of haute cuisine is the proud bearer of two Michelin stars and presided over by celebrity…
Southern Rome
Headed by a Danish-Italian chef Tommaso Pennestri, this mellow trattoria pays its respects to staunch Roman classics (think carbonara and tripe) but is at…
Triana
No day in Triana would be complete without a stop at this exquisite patisserie. With its traditional wood and tiled interior, it sets the perfect backdrop…
Athens
At this modern-day pastomageireio (combo tavern-deli) tables are set alongside the deli cases, and staff offer complimentary tasty morsels while you're…
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
When you've been in business since 1938 you must be doing something right. This is the real-deal meze experience and locals lap it up. We recommend you…
Milan
Take a creative culinary voyage from Japan to Italy with Yoji Tokuyoshi at the helm. One-time sous-chef of world-renowned Osteria Francescana, this…
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
Run with breathtaking speed and grace by Laura and Lucia, 'The Gourmand' is unmissable. Lunchtimes heave with locals and savvy students who flock here to…
Milan
Try not to argue over the frolla con ganache, an insanely good tart filled with dark chocolate ganache and topped with crunchy cacao nuggets. After all,…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
It’s difficult to overstate how popular this place is among people in the know in Madrid’s food scene. The seasonal menu prepared by chef Juanjo López…
El Centro & El Arenal
Sharp decor, young staff in black T-shirts, cool tunes and an international menu, this is a fine example of the modern tapas bars that Seville so excels…
Venice
A strange mix of local drinking den and surprisingly adventurous restaurant, Bakán has bucketloads of atmosphere – with old beams and soft jazz inside,…
