The debate over the best pasties in Cornwall is as lively on Facebook as it is on Falmouth High Street on a Saturday morning. The foodie scene here is growing fast, but food snobbery doesn’t really stand its ground among the locals. Having grown up in Falmouth, and as a frequent visitor, my top tip is always where the pasty holy grail is to be found.

For me, and most of Falmouth (to which I am related), the source is W.C. Rowe. Rowe’s has several outlets – including one at either end of Falmouth High Street – and is the favourite with locals, even though its started “mass producing” in recent years.

It’s mostly down to the perfect blend of spices, light pastry and nice, lean chunks of steak. They also stick to tradition, so no chocolate and banana pasties here, thanks.

Get there nice and early to avoid disappointment and as the tourists run the length of the high street looking for Greggs, snigger knowingly as you wander down to the quayside with your delicacy in hand. And if you want to grab pasties and get down the beach without facing the high street at a weekend, or it’s a bit too late to chance it, the Rowes factory is behind Asda on the main route into town and you can get them REALLY fresh there. The locals won’t thank me for telling you that!

www.wcrowe.co.uk
Pasty & Savoury Bakery
W.C.Rowe (Falmouth) Ltd
Bickland Industrial Estate
Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4TA
01326 377348

Falmouth
23 Arwenack Street, Falmouth TR11 3JA 01326 312991
16 Killigrew Street, Falmouth TR11 3PN 01326 316939
2 The Kings Hotel, Market Street, Falmouth TR11 3AB 01326 316552
Old Hill Falmouth TR11 2PR 01326 316935

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A traditional mehana on a side street in Varna, lovely Bulgarian food including amazing kebabs (try the lamb shaslik!) and of course cheap to boot. The trance background music you can ignore! Was on business in Varna and really wanted to try some local food. I wasn't impressed by the offerings in and around the main square, but was taken there by my local contact, would never have found it otherwise.

Difficult one this - it was dark... Go down Bratka Skorpil Street (Hotel Splendid is on the corner, Cathedral should be behind you) then take the first left after the large villa.

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Barril 1800 is almost an institution in Rio de Janeiro. Because of its localization, in the front of Ipanema beach, or maybe because it's been there for decades receiving everybody with great food and beer and lots of courtesy.

People go there straight from the beach, creating a casual environment. They serve traditional Brazilian dishes in huge amounts of food for great prices. And, last but not least, the sight of Ipanema beach is breathtaking. Don't miss it!

Avenida Vieira Souto, 110
Ipanema - Zona Sul - 2523-0085

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Have a taste of Greece in Bayswater. The cafe serves real Greek coffee, baklavas, tyropita and many other traditional Greek snacks.

31 Moscow Road Bayswater
London W2

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Authentic, traditional home cooking - this great restaurant feels almost a deliberate antithesis to the dives of San Antonio. Restaurants like this are hard to find on such a tourist-dominated island, so it's definitely worth checking out if you're staying anywhere nearby. An Ibizan dish of lamb stew with saffron potatoes was beautifully tender.

C/ Cervantes no 4 - near the old church in San Antonio. Tel 971 34 62 52. Closed Tuesdays.

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Souk Cuisine is run by the very friendly Gemma Van de Burgt, in English. She met us in Jemaa el Fna square at 10am and took us around the souks. As she knew all the stall-holders we were able to learn a lot from them and take photos, which can otherwise be quite difficult.

We bought the ingredients then went back to her house which is properly set up for up to five people. We learned to cook about six traditional dishes, including ones not found in restaurants. It was a whole day's entertainment for about £20 including lunch and wine - amazing value and the most fun thing we did.

info@soukcuisine.com
www.soukcuisine.com
+212 73 80 49 55

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A traditional bräuhaus, with a lively atmosphere at the weekend, and especially around Oktoberfest time. In the summer, there is a small beer garden too, and you can get traditional Bavarian food in the evening. Try the Hefe Weisen Dunkel (dark) beer for a change from the typical lager-style beers.

Kapuzinerplatz 5, not far from Goetheplatz underground station
www.eat-out.net/restaurant-muenchen/ph113319-paulaner-brauhaus

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This is one of those country pubs where, upon first entering after a long day's hike, you wonder whether you've mistakenly barged into someone's front room. Sure enough, you do have to keep the house rules in mind: live music only (no jukebox); make an effort to chat with the regulars; and number one, real ales only. Anyone asking for a lager top or a snowball or something will be greeted with a disdainful stare that could dry up Lake Coniston...

But play the game at this very independent family-run venue and your reward will be a fine selection of beers at rock-bottom prices and a genuinely hospitable local atmosphere, where the folks know everything about the area and will give you far more tips than this site ever can. Lastly - if you're lucky - beyond the usual bar meals at lunchtime, plates of free pub nosh have been known to come out from time to time to help soak up the ale.

Foxfield, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA20 6BX
Tel: 01229 716238
Off the A5092 or opposite Foxfield station
www.princeofwalesfoxfield.co.uk

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Not to be confused with the more commonly found tuica, which is a mere 40% proof, this version of the traditional local plum brandy whups you with a staggering 60-80% (it's double distilled).

Imbibe with caution from miniature beer mugs before, during and after meals. Try not to finish the bottle because it will be swiftly replaced - this is the Balkans, don't forget.

On every table, especially the local 'pension' style guesthouses.

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This is Rome's oldest 'gelateria' (ice cream shop). They make the most delicious ice cream, so creamy and so many different flavours to choose from. Buy an ice cream and go to Piazza della Rotonda (where the Pantheon is) and enjoy it while watching the world go by. Not to be missed, not even in winter!

via Uffici del Vicario, 40
www.giolitti.it/

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Get up early enough on 1 May and you're in for a riot of English tradition at its best. Revellers from the previous night's balls join city folk, morris dancers and tourists to listen to the eerie Hymnus Eucharisticus that echoes from the choirboys who ascend Magdalen Tower for the occasion. Meanwhile, the drunker and more foolhardy of the students (often dressed in black tie) leap from Magdalen bridge into the murky waters of the river Cherwell below.

Outside Magdalen college tower, High Street near the Plain roundabout.

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