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Cosy pub run by the Schwinzerl family and frequented by a complete cross-section of Graz society. Excellent traditional food. Try the Grauburgunder wine; the Most (cider; a typical product east of Graz, but rarely served in pubs in the city); the knödel mit ei (fried slices of semmelknödel with egg and parsley - a work of art); the frankfurter mit saft (poor man's gulasch- just the gravy, with a pair of frankfurters); the gulasch proper. And if you want a serious dessert (smallest serving is for at least two people) try the gibance ("kipp-an-tse"), a fat pancake oozing with creme fraiche and jam - it's a local legend.
The coffee is also very respectable. Order a verlängerter (say "eee hett gairn an kafay, an ferlengerten bitte").
A wonderful Graz institution, hanging in there in an age of yuppification.
It’s on Mariahilferstrasse, which is the street parallel to the river and one block away from it, behind the Kunsthaus (blue bubble). Stroll across the blue pedestrian bridge by the "island" and head through the nearest gap between the houses - the pub is at the back corner of the house on the left.
Mariahilferstrasse 16;
Tel: 316 71 20 08;
Tram stop: Südtirolerplatz;
Closed on Thursdays and Fridays, otherwise (unlike many establishments in Graz) it is open all day, including public holidays.
Google map: tinyurl.com/qmuesn
Zip across the bay to this small town for great views, lots of cheap restaurants and welcoming people.
Take the catamaran from the ferry terminal to the left of Praca de Commercio facing the sea.
Portuguese food at its finest. They should have at least one Michelin star, but apparently the French do not think Portugal is part of Europe.
As you arrive, you are installed in an ante room with antique furniture where pre-dinner drinks and amouse bouches are served. One is presented with the menu and once your meal is ready you are seated in the small adjoining dining room (ten or twelve tables, I think).
The seafood is out of this world, particularly the codfish, but last time I was there they prepared a pork loin with a fennel and prune sauce that was magnificent. Very good selection of wines, both local and from other European countries. Desserts are very dangerous indeed.
The place (an old house in a small square) is beautiful. The pace is relaxed. I have had memorable meals there. Expensive but not to excess.
Travessa de Amoreiras 1, close to Jardin de Las Amoreiras and the big shopping mall; tel: 21 388 5376;
Metro: Rato;
Open Mon-Fri 1-3pm; Mon-Sat 8-11pm (reservations required)
Having just scored the grand slam of culinary awards, newcomer Nu's awards are richly deserved. The wine list is phenomenal, and it is fast gaining a reputation for its excellent cocktails (Jay Jones is the resident mixologist). The service is second to none and the food a dream. The only downside is the eclectic interior, thankfully there is a patio with an amazing view. Order a Windsor and watch the sun set. Pure bliss.
1661 Granville St, Vancouver;
tel: 604 646-4668
www.whatisnu.com/
Originally a place for Alentejans to meet, this restaurant has a lovely Moorish courtyard. Go upstairs for a cheap beer, and have a nosey in the crumbling ballrooms, and at the great tiles in the restaurant. It looks private, but just go in from the street - a small door and some tiny stairs lead you into the courtyard. The restaurant is nothing special. It's located in a muddle of tat shops and fish restaurants with pushy waiters outside trying to tempt you in to their overpriced places.
Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 58,
behind the theatre in Rossio
Charming little restaurant right next to the Cathedral on the main square, Parque Calderon. They specialise in local fare, so it’s a great place to see how many different dishes made from corn you can eat at one sitting. Always busy, especially at lunchtime, it’s a slice of real Cuenca to go with your cafecito.
Benigno Malo 8-59 and Simon Bolivar;tel: (593-7) 2834-159
Food is not Lisbon's strongpoint, but savour the glorious custard cream pies at the cafe Antiga Confeitara de Belém.
Rua de Belém 84-92;
tel: 21 363 7423
This has been Luxembourg City's favourite bar for more than two decades. The Interview has outlived many trends and though the years may go by, it hasn't lost any of its attraction. Customers vary according to the moment you get there, from busy bankers in the morning having an espresso and a croissant before work, students hanging out after school to a cosier nocturnal crowd of artists, bonvivants and intellectuals. Excellent Italian coffee prepared for you by Yannis, the friendly Greek owner. Occasional art shows and live gigs. Access to the Upstairs Restaurant, which specialises in Asian and vegetarian cuisine (1st floor).
Rue Aldringen, next to the Central Post Office and the bus station
Lisbon is famous for its excellent seafood restaurants. This one is really worth trying, booking is essential as it's quite small inside. Friendly service and excellent value for money.
Rua Portas Santo Antao, 142/144 (on the same street as the Coliseu dos Recreios, behind Restauradores Square)
tel: 21 346 4401
Possibly the best ice cream in the world! A must.
Just take the train from Cais do Sodre in Lisbon to Cascais, which takes about 30 min. Once you get there it's a two-minute walk to Santini.
Av. Valbom, 28;
tel: 21 483 3709
Catalan style restaurant with lots of atmosphere. Try and sit outside. The food is very good, especially the sole and the gambas. It isn't very expensive.
7 Rue Voltaire
Tel: 04 68 82 10 00
This fantastic cake shop is a stone's throw from the Vatican, and it has fantastic cakes and a great sweet, tea and coffee selection, plus good sandwiches.
Worth a visit and half the price of nearby restaurants etc.
55 Via Ottaviano (nr Vatican)
This is a nice and lively brewery pub. The beer is served in tiny glasses, but not to worry: empty ones are contantly replaced, until you cover your glass with your beermat to signal you've had enough.
They also serve nice local food.
During daytime they do guided tours of the brewery itself, but you'd need to arrange that beforehand (and you need at least 15 people).
Calwer Straße 31, just across from the shopping mall 'Calwer Passage,' in a pedestrian area in the city centre;
tel: 0711-2224944-12;
www.calwereck.de;
S-Bahn: Stadtmitte, then take the Rotebühlplatz/Calwer Straße exit
This colonial-era hotel in Aswan, about 80 miles south of Luxor, is famed for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile. The glamour has faded but it remains a lovely retreat from the heat and hawkers where you can take scones and tea on a palm-fringed balcony.
Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel, Abtal El Tahrir Street, Aswan;
tel: 00 20 97 316000
The general advice from locals in Belgrade on eating out is "if you want to eat a proper meal you will need to pay a decent price." Here are some of my recommendations:
Madera on Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra, just by Tasmajadan Park (and with a beautiful view overlooking it). Recently renovated, it’s a huge place, so most probably always has tables available. National cuisine and international.
If you want a more intimate atmosphere "A Klub" (national cuisine but the emphasis is on internatonal) is very posh, fancy, and romantic. It’s next to the Slavija Square, at 17 Makenzijeva Street.
If you're a shopaholic, this is the store for you. Reputed to be the largest department store in Europe, KaDeWe has six floors stocked with everything you could want. Don’t miss the 6th floor, which is a gourmet heaven: you name it, they've got it - all types of food and drink of the finest quality from all over the world. An absolute must.
Tauentzienstraße 21-24, Berlin-Schöneberg;
Nearest underground: Wittenbergplatz (Lines U1, U2 and U3). Walking distance from Bahnhof Zoo railway station or the well-known street Kurfürstendamm;
www.kadewe-berlin.de/index2_engl.php
Every city deserves a high point, a look out, a place to be amazed by the city. Melbourne has Mount Dandenong, the perfect place for a restaurant, viewing platforms and television signal towers. The view gets better at night with all the lights. Parking (which used to be free) now costs.
Observatory Rd, Mount Dandenong;
tel: 9751 0443;
www.skyhighmtdandenong.com.au
From its humble beginnings as Australia's first shopping centre, Chadstone (Chaddy to the locals) has grown to be one of the largest (in size) and is the largest in sales turnover in Australia. It is now known as Australia's 'fashion capital' centre. It has masses of off-street parking and a huge variety of stores.
1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone;
Buses from all suburbs head there. Nearest railway station, Hughesdale, is a 10 min walk away;
tel: 9563 3355;
www.chadstoneshopping.com.au
A legend among pastry lovers, this place invented Pasteis de Belém (or pasteis de nata as they're called everywhere else) and it's hard to beat their claim to make the best ones (the recipe is kept secret). Have them with coffee in the maze of rooms at the back, sprinkled with cinnamon and icing sugar from battered metal shakers, or take them home in a tube with little sachets. They won't keep for more than a day - but no-one can resist eating them that long anyway.
Rua de Belém 84-92;
tel 21 363 74 23.
www.pasteisdebelem.pt;
Tram 15, trains from Cais do Sodré, many buses
A brilliant restaurant which is part of the Chapito artists' complex. Located near the castle, the outside terrace has stunning views over Lisbon and the River Tejo. Food is excellent, has vegetarian options and is reasonably priced.
Costa do Castelo 7;
tel: 21-888 18 34
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