Good food plays a major role in the Basque Country: Nowhere else in Europe is the concentration of Michelin-starred chefs as high as it is here. But even if you don’t have a big budget for gourmet restaurants, you’ll find plenty of great spots in Bilbao that will make any foodie’s heart skip a beat. Here, I’ll introduce you to my favorite cafés and restaurants in Bilbao.
Bilbao & The Pintxos
But before you dive into the hustle and bustle of the many bars, you should familiarize yourself with the tradition of pintxos in Bilbao . Pintxos (in Spanish: pinchos) literally means skewers and are slightly larger snacks that are often eaten with a drink.
Originally, they were artfully stacked on large plates on the bar counter and each guest helped themselves as they pleased. The bill was then simply based on the number of wooden skewers that held each morsel together and were left on the plate at the end. This tradition has changed a little: Pintxos are often no longer completely open on the counter, but in glass cabinets, and there are also differences in price depending on the ingredient.
My recommendations for restaurants, pintxos and cafés in Bilbao
Finding good locations in Bilbao is not difficult. The quality is very good and the choice is huge. Here are a few of my favorites:
Baristas Club Right behind the cathedral and therefore in the heart of the old town. Good coffee, relaxed vibe – perfect for a coffee break while sightseeing.
La Olla de la Plaza Nueva & Toma y Daka These two venues are located directly on the Plaza Nueva in the old town. There is a huge selection of pintxos here. Simply stop off at a bar, try a few pintxos and move on.
Los Fueros Centrally located on the edge of the old town, yet somehow hidden away. Small restaurant with really great Basque cuisine made from fresh local produce. Highly recommended for a cozy evening with good food and wine.
By the way: As a vegetarian or vegan, it can be a little difficult in more traditional restaurants, as many dishes are prepared with fish (e.g. the popular bacalao) or meat. However, in a modern city like Bilbao, it shouldn’t be a problem to find good alternatives.
Food tours through Bilbao
Nevertheless, pintxos are a great way to eat your way through Basque cuisine for little money. You can stroll casually from bar to bar and explore Bilbao’s food scene.
A fun way to try pintxos is also a food tour through Bilbao, where you can get to know the tastiest specialties and learn more about Basque cuisine.
Where else you can find good places to eat in Bilbao
I won’t be able to list all the great places in Bilbao here – there’s simply too much on offer. Going out or eating out is a big part of Basque culture, so you will find bars and restaurants almost everywhere. Some streets have a particularly high concentration of eateries, so it’s worth taking a stroll and discovering them for yourself.
You’ll find plenty of restaurants on these streets and in these districts:
Poza Lizentziatuaren Kalea This street parallel to Gran Vía is particularly busy on Atletico Bilbao match days. The street leads directly to the San Mames stadium, whose glittering façade can be seen from afar through the street canyons.
Ledesma Kalea Calle Ledesma is conveniently located between Gran Vía, the Guggenheim Museum and the old town. It is also a pedestrian-only zone and one restaurant follows the next.
As a vibrant metropolis, Hamburg has a lot to offer in terms of gastronomy. You’ll find a brilliant mix of exotic cuisines, new concepts and endless creativity. The only problem: It can be hard to choose a location, because the choice is huge! To make it easier for you to choose for your next trip to Hamburg, I present my current favorite restaurants, bars and cafés in Hamburg in this food guide.
Pasta Autentica by Jill
Pasta Autentica by Jill is located just around the corner from Hamburg City Hall, yet tucked away in a small side street – the perfect spot for a city lunch between shopping and sightseeing. The store itself is not particularly large (reservations are a good idea!), the kitchen probably not either: The eponymous fresh pasta is namely made in the shop window on what feels like half a square meter in a corner of the guest room!
Pasta doesn’t get any fresher than this: The small pasta corner at Pasta Autentica by Jill
At your leisure, you can watch the cheerful pasta fairies as one ravioli after another is lovingly filled and only a short time later lands on the plates of the guests. This fact alone (and how incredibly neat they are in such a small space) would have earned Pasta Autentica by Jill a spot in my food guide – but it came to pass: my salmon ravioli in pistachio butter was so delicious that I was completely blown away. Absolute recommendation!
Among my favorite restaurants in Hamburg far ahead: Pasta Autentica by Jill
Frau Dr Schneider’s Grilled Cheese Wonderland
Bread, cheese and a grill: the most delicious things can be so simple! The pink Frau Dr. Schneider’s Grilled Cheese Wonderland gives grilled cheese sandwiches that little bit extra! My favorite was the Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese – the bacon jam made with their own recipe was so delicious! By the way, bring an appetite, such a sandwich is really a whole meal!
Admittedly, I’m not a very big fan of French toast: too buttery, too monotonous. I don’t know what possessed me to order a French toast at Marshall Street Coffee that day. Possibly, however, it was also the premonition that it would be really difficult to find something here that didn’t excite me.
Not only delicious, but also perfectly served: French toast at Marshall Street Coffee in Hamburg
In summary: French toast was great, the fresh juice too & great store anyway! Tip: Don’t be put off by queues at the door. It’s worth it!
As a port city, Hamburg was the first port of call for exotic goods from overseas centuries ago. So it’s no surprise that good coffee is easy to find: At the roastery in the Schanzenviertel, you can not only taste the in-house coffee, but also take it home with you.
The Elbgold roastery in the Schanzenviertel district
Mutterland
I only stumbled into the motherland by chance, because I had to kill a few hours at Hamburg’s main train station – and it’s not really inviting. Quite the opposite of the Mutterland, a real Hamburg institution.
Actually a delicatessen: in addition to delicacies from local manufacturers, there is also a great restaurant here. On the one hand, there is a take-away area with seating (a good opportunity to work), and on the other, a really good restaurant that is quite busy – be sure to try it out! There are also four other locations, including one in Eppendorf.
Either way, Wexstraße is a good place to go if you’re looking for a cozy atmosphere in Hamburg’s city centre. Here you’ll find cute stores, small restaurants and great locations such as the recently opened Mimosas Brunch Club.
Mimosa’s Brunch Club in Wexstraße
Mimosas Brunch Club is, as the name suggests, a great idea for an extensive brunch for two or with friends, but also for a small coffee break with delicious waffles. And if you can’t get enough of the fruity mimosas, there’s even a mimosas flat rate!
Tip: Despite new opening very popular, on weekends you should reserve!
With tacos it is such a thing, I think. Eating tacos completely drip and spill free just won’t work for me. Especially not with the tacos from La Casita, because they are so well filled!
Tip: The tacos are the perfect snack when the flea market takes place around the small snack bar on Saturdays, a really good flea market with lots of vintage treasures.
La Casita, Neuer Kamp 30, 20357 Hamburg (Schanzenviertel)
Blick Bar
If the typical fish sandwiches are too mundane for you, or if you are curious about a completely different variant, then I recommend a visit to the Blick Bar. Not only can you enjoy a beautiful view of the city of Hamburg here, but you can also get to the Elbphilharmonie’s viewing platform without having to wait – because the Blick Bar is actually the house bar of The Westin Hamburg, whose rooms are located above the concert hall.
Be sure to try the signature duo of a glass of champagne and a fish brioche and just take a break from sightseeing. And don’t worry, the Blick Bar is wonderfully unpretentious and relaxed despite all the luxury!
Blick Bar, Platz d. Deutsche Einheit 2, 20457 Hamburg (city center)
Planning a quick trip to Palma and interested in exploring Mallorca’s popular markets? The biggest markets are outside the city, requiring extra time to visit. Instead, here are some excellent alternatives right in the capital: the best markets in Palma!
Weekly Markets & Market Halls in Palma
A quick visit to Palma is a great opportunity to gather some delicious Mallorcan specialties like ensaimadas, sobrasadas, or Flor de Sal from Es Trenc. Or perhaps you’re craving fresh fruits and vegetables right from the farm. Luckily, Palma offers many spots to pick up fresh produce from local farmers. Besides the lively outdoor weekly markets, you’ll also find several indoor markets full of variety.
At Palma’s markets, you’ll find traditional Mallorcan goods such as popular wicker baskets in various sizes.
Mercat de l’Olivar
The Mercat de l’Olivar is located right in the heart of the city, between the lively Plaça d’Espanya and the pedestrianized Carrer Sant Miquel. The large market hall was opened in 1951 and is one of the most traditional in the city. In addition to the usual market stalls with fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and meat, you will also find small snack bars where you can eat cheaply, especially at lunchtime. Some fishmongers even offer to prepare and serve the freshly purchased fish right on the spot. In addition, you will find culinary souvenirs to take the mediterranean vibe home with you.
Mon-Fri 7am-2.30pm Fri 2.30pm-8pm partly open Sat 7am-3pm Gastronomy: Mon-Fri until 4pm
Here’s a handy tip: If you’re traveling by rental car or your own vehicle, there’s a parking garage located under the Mercat d’Olivar. It can get quite busy sometimes, but it’s really convenient, especially if you’re planning to buy in larger quantities.
MALLORCA
Interested in more insider tips and top spots? Click through the pages below for a quick overview!
The Mercat Pere Garau is situated in downtown Palma but is tucked away in a typical residential neighborhood east of the Avenidas, which locals refer to as Palma’s ring road. The Pere Garau district has a rich history as an immigrant area, offering an exciting blend of international cuisines and a diverse range of shops nearby the market hall—perfect even for those on a budget. If you want to experience authentic local life, this is the place to visit!
Tip: right in front of the market hall, you’ll find a lively open-air market that offers different items depending on the day. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, you can discover a great selection of clothes and shoes. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, it’s the perfect place to pick up fresh fruits, vegetables, beautiful flowers, and green plants.
Saturday is the busiest day at the Mercat de Pere Garau, with more stalls and a lively atmosphere!
Foodie Hotspot: Boira in Pere Garau (& Great Boutique Hotel!)
Hungry? Market-fresh cuisine is available very close to the Mercat de Pere Garau. At Boira, you can enjoy modern cuisine in an urban-Mediterranean ambience. By the way: the location belongs to the boutique hotel Nou Baleares* & is the perfect address if you’re looking for stylish accommodation away from the usual tourist areas among locals!
The Mercat ecològic de Palma in Plaça del Patins (also: Plaça Bisbe Berenguer de Palou) is one of the smaller weekly markets in the city. But at this market in Palma you will find only organic products! A great opportunity to stock up on fresh organic fruits and vegetables straight from the island.
Tue + Sat 8pm to 2pm
Tip: Nearby you’ll find a branch of one of Palma’s most popular coffee roasters! La Molienda on Carrer del Bisbe Campins serves the best specialty coffee and delicious brunch dishes.
Just around the corner, you’ll find Carrer de Bonaire, a charming street in Palma lined with small boutiques and excellent restaurants, still largely undiscovered by most tourists. Perfect for a little walk!
Discover the best hotels in the center of Palma
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Mercat de Santa Catalina
The Mercat de Santa Catalina is worth visiting not just for its market, but also for the vibrant neighborhood around it. Santa Catalina, centered around the lively market hall, is truly one of the trendiest areas in Palma!
The area features a succession of popular restaurants, with renovated house facades that give the former fishing village a distinctive charm. Additionally, there’s a historic old mill and breathtaking views of Palma’s port.
Let’s head back to Mercat Santa Catalina! You’ll discover a delightful array of Mallorcan delicacies and a variety of exquisite delicatessen specialties. The quality of the ingredients is so outstanding that even top chefs in town love to shop here. While the market is open six days a week, Saturday is unquestionably the most vibrant and bustling day, full of energy and lively atmosphere.
Mon-Sat 7am to 5pm
Markets Near Palma
Did you enjoy those locations? The island features many more fantastic weekly markets!
The picturesque farmer’s market in Sineu takes place every Wednesday.
Tip: Just outside Palma, the large Sunday market of Santa Maria is easily accessible by public transport from the city center. At Plaza España’s Estació Intermodal, simply take one of the trains (lines T1, T2, or T3), and you’ll reach Santa Maria station in about 20 minutes, which is conveniently close to the town center.
Or you can continue to Sineu (line T3) and on Wednesdays visit the oldest farmer’s market in Mallorca, which is one of the biggest attractions on the island. (Travel time from Palma approx. 50 minutes)
Vilnius is not only an interesting city with an extraordinary history, but also an absolute insider tip for foodies. In this article I’ll show you a few of my favorites among the numerous cafes, restaurants and bars in the Lithuanian capital, but a trigger warning in advance: your mouth will water!
Vegan food in Vilnius: Rosehip Vegan
Located diagonally across from the MO Museum, Rosehip Vegan is already in a pretty cool neighborhood. For me, it’s the perfect spot for an “after-art” lunch—especially if you can’t get enough of the amazing exhibitions! As the name suggests, Rosehip Vegan serves delicious vegan cuisine that’s also quite photogenic. The only downside is the huge portions, which make it hard to resist trying everything on the menu right away.
Tip: For coffee, I recommend you move to the Raštinė located on the opposite street corner.
Fresh and delicious: The vegan restaurant in Vilnius.
Vilnius is an exciting destination: Find out what else you can do in Vilnius in my big Vilnius guide!
The cute tea house: Pinavija
The icy wind whipped through the streets, I was cold, my feet hurt from all the sightseeing (because who would have thought that there really is so much to see in Vilnius!) and actually I just wanted to take a quick break when I stumbled into Pinavija.
But I could have guessed right away that there was another highlight waiting for me, because honestly: In Vilnius, one great location follows the next. Pinavija is a tea house, girl’s dream and cupcake heaven at the same time. In any case, I can highly recommend the mini quiche, but afterwards I was annoyed that I didn’t go for the sweet tartlets with the artfully swirled meringue topping – maybe you can make up for it for me?
Cupcakes at the tea house Pinavija.
Breakfast in Vilnius: My Favorite
I would love to show off a very special breakfast location at this point, but the truth is: I didn’t even make it out of my hotel. But that’s no wonder, because breakfast at Hotel Pacai* really is the kind of hotel breakfast that impresses.
Cozy & elegant: Hotel Pacai in Vilnius.
On the one hand, there is the really attentive and cordial service and the casual atmosphere despite the five stars that promise luxury emblazoned at the entrance, and on the other hand, the offer of a small, fine buffet and various à la carte dishes.
When it comes to buffets, I’m now part of the “less is more” team: rather a few, but good products, and I’m in breakfast heaven. In general, I didn’t want to leave Hotel Pacai again, and I can highly recommend it to you if you want to treat yourself.
Something sweet for in between, good coffee or just a place where you can answer some mails on your laptop in a nice atmosphere? In the cozy Italala Caffè you will find everything at once.
Sugamour: Sweets for night owls
Perhaps you should save your sweet tooth for a little longer, because just a few doors down you’ll find one of six Sugamour branches. Is already the facade pompously decorated – inside it continues with the finest petit fours and tartlets!
The interior design with thousands and thousands of teddy bears takes some getting used to, but somehow it’s also pretty cute. And perfect for night birds: the branch at Vokiečių gatvės is open daily until 11 pm, and even until midnight on Friday and Saturday!
Sweet delicacies late into the evening: Sugamour in Vilnius.
Alchemikas: Booze & Co.
At Alchemikas, I ended up hanging out with a few nice people—even though it almost didn’t happen. The extensive menu at this classic cocktail bar, perfect for cozy evenings, literally fills an entire book, and I had a hard time choosing between all the delicious, evocative cocktails. The good news: Somehow, everything sounded really, really good, and in the end, I was more than satisfied with my choice!
Amandus: Fine dining in Vilnius
In itself, it’s unusual that a Michelin-starred restaurant like Amandus is located in the middle of the alternative artists’ district of Uzurpis – but after an evening there, you won’t be able to stop marveling anyway. When chef Deivydas Praspaliauskas flambéed my already appetizing-looking duck breast to ultimate perfection right in front of me at the table, I was convinced: an evening at Amandus is my absolute Vilnius tip for anyone with a taste for good food. And yes, it really is affordable!
The tasting dinner costs 70 euros, which is really nothing compared to what you would pay for a meal of this quality in many other European capitals – and for a surcharge, there is an extensive wine accompaniment.
But if you have any preconceptions about the amount of food on your plate and all the fuss, I can reassure you: Firstly, I was more than full after the umpteen courses and explosions of flavor and secondly, the atmosphere at Amandus is pleasantly unpretentious!
While you’re on the island, you should definitely visit one of Mallorca’s many weekly markets. There, you can get a real sense of island life and feel like a true Mallorcan! I’ve visited the best and most beautiful markets on Mallorca for you, and I’ll also let you in on a few markets that not everyone knows about!
Farmer’s markets in Mallorca: A dream for cheese lovers!
By the way: Many of the items for sale are packaged so that you can safely take them home in your luggage. It’s the best way to enjoy a little piece of Mallorca at home!
Markets in Mallorca: Don’t miss this experience
Many markets, especially in larger towns such as Santanyi or Sineu, have become very touristy. Nevertheless, they are still a popular opportunity for locals to do the week’s grocery shopping. Besides shopping, the markets in Mallorca are great to meet up with friends.
Typical Mallorcan baskets: great for shopping at the market & a beautiful decoration for home
In many villages, the market is the event of the week! It’s the perfect opportunity to exchange the latest gossip over a caña (beer) or a café con leche in one of the street cafés. Almost every village in Mallorca still has its own market and a visit is always an amazing experience!
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Sineu
The farmer’s market in Sineu is one of the most beautiful on Mallorca and it’s also my personal favorite! Even though it can get quite crowded here. At the market in Sineu you can find everything from local products and handicrafts to clothing and farm animals such as chickens or goats for your own finca. The market stretches from Plaça Es Fassar around the unmissable parish church of Nuestra Senyora de Los Angeles through almost the entire city center.
Very pittoresque: The marketplace in front of the church Nuestra Señora de los Angeles
Are you planning a vacation in Mallorca? Here you’ll find all my tips for a trip to Mallorca away from Ballermann & Co. My tips for Mallorca
The market of Sineu can also be easily reached by public transport from Palma! From Plaza España you can reach Sineu within 40 minutes by train line T3 and the market is located near the station! You can find the current timetable here.
Come early: The market in Sineu is very large and stretches through the entire town center!A typical Mallorcan speciality: Sobrasada, the spicy paprika sausage
Tip: Shop for typical Mallorcan specialties like sobrasada and ensaimada and then watch the hustle and bustle from one of the sidewalk cafes in the small square in front of the church.
When: Every Wednesday from 9am to 2pm
Santanyí
The market of Santanyí is one of the most famous markets in Mallorca. Busloads of tourists set up shop here in high season to browse through the huge selection. Besides food, you can also find nice souvenirs. By the way, the market in Santanyí offers a particularly large range of fabrics!
When: Every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm
Buy fabric at the market in Santanyi: There you can also find the typical Robes de Llengües (tongue cloth)!
Every Sunday, the Felanitx market takes place in the eastern part of the island. Although the market is quite popular, it’s not overly crowded. In Felanitx, in addition to the weekly market, you’ll also find a market hall on Plaça Constitució! The Mercat Municipal is also open every morning from Tuesday through Sunday.
When: Every Sunday from 9am to 2pm
By the way, Felanitx is also a nice destination to explore Mallorca! In and around Felanitx there is a lot to see:
Left: the Mercat Municipal in the center of Felanitx
Santa Maria del Camí
I don’t find the Santa Maria market particularly pretty, but it is perhaps one of the most authentic on the island. In any case, many islanders also visit the market of Santa Maria on Sundays in search of bargains on household goods, plants and clothing. You can also find regional fruits and vegetables here. Parking in the vicinity of the marketplace is almost impossible, but there is a large parking lot just outside the village center. A little warning for tender minds: At the market in Santa Maria also live animals from budgies, chickens to puppies are being sold, some of the not in very appropriate conditions.
When: Every Sunday from 9am to 2pm
Not as picturesque as the other markets, but a large, authentic offer: The market of Santa Maria del Camí
Esporles
The market in Esporles is a little insider tip. Not many tourists stray here, but the market stalls along the main street in the village center are really idyllic. A perfect stop when you are on the way to the Tramuntana!
Insider tip: The beautiful market of Esporles on the Passeig del Rei
Palma: Plaça dels Patins
In the center of Palma you will find a small farmer’s market at Plaça dels Patins. The special feature: The market is one of the few markets on the island that names itself an organic farmer’s market!
When: Every Tuesday and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm
Tip: If you want to really delve into the secrets of Mallorcan cuisine, I recommend this tour of a market in Palma that’s usually only visited by locals: ➜ Tour of one of the most authentic markets in Palma*
Consell
A different kind of market, but still worth a visit: The flea market in Consell is the largest flea market on the island. Here you can buy furniture from old fincas, records or one or the other vintage piece! Although the flea market is held in a barren industrial area, the vibe here is always quite nice because there are so many “real” vendors offering vintage finds.
At the flea market in Consell you can find real treasures!
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How to get to the markets & where to park
For the sake of clarity, I have omitted exact address details of the individual markets. But you won’t need them anyway! Most of the time, the market is such a big event that you just have to keep going towards the center of the village and you will automatically come across it.
Larger markets, such as those in Santa Maria or Sineu, also have a small parking guidance system to parking lots away from the market to handle the influx of visitors on market days. So you just need to follow all the other cars 🙂
Tip: If you want to see a lot on the island, I advise you to rent a car! They are not always cheap in high season, but the flexibility is worth it! You will see corners that would otherwise remain hidden from you! The markets are also usually easy to reach by car.
Popular on the island: fish in all variations
Getting to the markets in Mallorca without a car
You haven’t rented a car? Some markets, especially in the larger towns, can also be reached by public transport, for example in Sineu. However, depending on which corner of Mallorca you’re traveling from, it can be a pain to always keep an eye on the bus or train schedule. There are also some organized tours that go directly to popular markets or even beautiful locations around them:
Often colorful: fruit and vegetable stands with regional products
Which market is today in Mallorca?
Somewhere in Mallorca it’s always market day! You don’t have to wait for a certain day of the week, you can just look where there is a market on the island. For a better overview, I’ve sorted all the big and small markets by day of the week, so you don’t have to keep asking yourself: Which market takes place on which day of the week?
Monday
Caimari, Calvià, Lloret de Vistalegre, Manacor, Montuïri
Tuesday
Alcúdia, Artà, Campanet, Llubí, Porreres, Portocolom, Santa Margalida
Wednesday
Andratx, Bunyola, Capdepera, Colònia de Sant Jordi, Deià, Llucmajor, Marratxí, Petra, Port de Pollença, Santanyí, Selva, Sencelles, Sineu, Vilafranca de Bonany
Thursday
Ariany, Campos, Consell, Inca, Lloseta, Pòrtol, Sant Joan, Sant Llorenç de Cardassar, S’Arenal, Ses Salines
Friday
Algaida, Binissalem, Can Picafort, Llucmajor, María de la Salut, Pont d’Inca, Sa Cabaneta, Son Servera
Saturday
Alaro, Búger, Bunyola, Cala Rajada, Campos, Costitx, Esporles (first Saturday of the month), Palma, Portocolom, Santa Eugènia, Santa Margalida, Santanyí, Sóller
The markets in Mallorca are also great for shopping for culinary souvenirs! Don’t know exactly what to buy at the market? Then maybe my article about typical Mallorcan specialties will help:
What do you actually have to eat on Mallorca? What are typical Mallorcan dishes? In general, typical Mallorcan cuisine consists of the usual Mediterranean ingredients. All kinds of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, peppers and eggplants; fish and seafood; meat (including lamb) and, of course, lots of garlic and olive oil make Mallorca’s cuisine not only healthy but also varied. In this article, I’ll tell you which 10 Mallorcan specialties you shouldn’t miss out on.
#1 Ensaimada
As soon as you arrive at the airport in Palma, you will notice the hexagonal boxes hanging from delicatessens in every conceivable size: This is the traditional packaging of ensaimadas. (Tip: If you want to take one or more ensaimadas home with you, you’ll still have the opportunity to do so at the airport).
Ensaimadas are often packed in hexagonal boxes for transportation.
An ensaimada is a sweet yeast dough snail and is traditionally spread with plenty of lard and baked. So not for vegetarians! Ensaimadas are available plain or filled. Popular fillings include angel hair, vanilla or chocolate cream, dulce de leche or more exotic combinations such as sobrasada.
You can find delicious ensaimadas in many bakeries on Mallorca. In the Horno Santo Christo stores, you can not only buy ensaimadas, but also try them directly in a pleasant atmosphere with a café con leche.
#2 Frito mallorquin / Frit mallorquí
Frito mallorquin is one of the Mallorcan specialties that is not everyone’s cup of tea. The original version of this stewis made fromlamb offal (liver, lungs and heart). The offal is sautéed briefly with onions in plenty of olive oil, then chopped vegetables such as peppers, fennel, peas and potatoes are added and everything is braised. Frito mallorquín isserved as a main course, but can also beserved lukewarm in small quantities as tapas.
However, there are now also versions without offal or completely meat-free.
Mallorca is known for its almond blossom in February, which creates a sea of flowers in many places. No wonder that almonds also play a role in Mallorcan cuisine. The Mallorcan almond cake Gató d’ametlla is fluffy, light and consists almost entirely of eggs, sugar and almonds. Enjoy a slice with a scoop of genuine Mallorcan almond ice cream.
Best with almond ice cream: Gató de almendra, the Mallorcan almond cake
#4 Coca de Patata
Cocas de Patata are fluffy, sweet yeast rolls made from potato flour, dusted with powdered sugar and a delicious snack with coffee. The best cocas on the island can be found in Valldemossa! Here they are freshly baked from morning to late afternoon and you can often find lukewarm cocas fresh from the oven.
In contrast to the cocas de patata, the coca mallorquina is a hearty specialty. Coca Mallorquina is a kind of thin pizza without cheese, but topped with lots of vegetables, especially peppers. This vegetable pie is eaten cold or warm, as a snack or as a small starter. Attention vegetarians: Traditionally, the dough is made with lard.
Hearty cocas are often found in bakeries and cafés as a snack between meals.
#6 Sobrasada
Sobrasada is a type of spicy, hot paprika sausage that is eaten without the casing like a spread on bread. My favorite way to eat them is on a fresh slice of bread, a few drops of honey on top and toasted in the oven for a few minutes – delicious!
Sobrasada is often available as “picante” (spicy) or “dulce” (sweet).
The spicy sobrasada bell pepper sausage is a great souvenir from the market.
You can also buy sobrasadas (and other Mallorcan products such as cheese, olive oil and ham) at the many great markets on the island, such as the market in Esporles.
Pa amb Oli translates as “bread with oil” and is as simple as it is delicious. Rustic farmhouse bread is toasted and then spread with olive oil, Ramillet tomatoes and garlic.
Ramillet tomatoes are a special variety of tomato on Mallorca. They are often sold hanging with a panicle and have a particularly firm skin. For Pa amb Oli, they are simply cut open and the cut surface is grated over the bread. Pa amb Oli is available in different variations. Olives and cheese are often served with it.
Pa amb Oli here topped with tortilla.
#8 Tumbet
A Mallorcan tumbet is a delicious, hearty vegetable dish that vegetarians will also enjoy. Potatoes, eggplants, bell peppers, and onions are sautéed in plenty of olive oil, topped with tomato sauce, and then braised in the oven. Tumbet is served as a side dish with meat and fish, as a cold appetizer, or as a complete main course.
Garlic belongs in every tumbet!Mallorcan cuisine: Mediterranean dishes with lots of vegetables.
#9 Sopas mallorquinas
No, that’s not a spelling mistake, a sopas mallorquinas is always referred to in the plural 🙂 Strictly speaking, it is a rich stew with white cabbage and pork, served on thick cubes of bread. A traditional peasant dish that will keep you going all day!
Not always appetizing, but delicious: typical Mallorcan stews.
#10 Arroz brut
Another stew: arroz brut (dirty rice) is usually served in a clay pot and consists of rice, broth, vegetables, meat and offal, which gives the stew its color. Another rice dish that you will also find veryoften on Mallorcais the famous paella.
Bonus tip: Paella
Paella is not, strictly speaking, a typical Mallorcan dish andoriginallycomesfrom the area around Valencia. However, you will also find many restaurants in Mallorca that serve paella! And because a paella can be a huge event, depending on its size, and really brings the Spanish way of life to life, I highly recommend you try a paella! Especially if you like seafood, you’ll be delighted!
Huge paellas are a culinary experience!Mallorca is a dream for fish and seafood lovers!
Tips for eating in Mallorca
As you can see, Mallorcan cuisine is very rich! Many types of fruit and vegetables come directly from the island, and you can taste it! So much grows on Mallorca: oranges, lemons, olives, almonds and more!
I also highly recommend visiting one of the many markets – and if you are self-catering in your accommodation and enjoy cooking, you will be delighted with the island’s great produce!
I developed a fondness for Jorge Amado in Paraty! Not the writer, but the cocktail. (I’ll tell you what the author Jorge Amado is all about afterwards). Few drinks embody the taste of summer, the sea and palm trees so much. If you like caipirinha anyway, you’ll love Jorge Amado as a caipirinha alternative. And so that you too can bring a little bit of Brazil home with you, I have brought you the recipe from Paraty.
With a Jorge Amado in your hand, it’s easier to dream of Paraty.
Tips for a good Jorge Amado
The right sugar
I don’t know why this misconception is still so widespread, but a caipirinha isn’t made with brown sugar. The same goes for the Jorge Amado, which is basically just a variation of the caipirinha. In Brazil, they don’t use brown sugar in caipirinhas!
Conventional white sugar is used, but this is typically always obtained from sugar cane and has a slightly different taste to our household sugar. However, white cane sugar is now also very easy to find here, e.g. at dm or in organic markets. By the way, sugar is not spared: Jorge Amado as well as “normal” Caipirinha are drunk super sweet in Brazil!
The right passion fruit
Brazilian passion fruit is really hard to find in Germany! Unfortunately for me, because I’m really addicted to it. Passion fruit in Brazil is much larger, elongated, yellow, relatively sour and very intense. If you eat too much passion fruit, you will get tired quite quickly, as it has a sleep-inducing effect.
In our latitudes you are more likely to find the small purple ones, if at all. These have less flesh, so you will need to use two fruits for the recipe above.
The main ingredient: Gabriela
Gabriela is the signature cachaça from Paraty. Unlike conventional sugar cane schnapps, Gabriela is also infused with cinnamon and cloves, which makes Jorge Amado particularly aromatic.
Many discos around Paraty produce Gabriela, like here at Pedra Branca.
Outside of Paraty, gabriela is rarely available in stores in Brazil (or here), but thanks to the internet you can have the main ingredient for the Jorge Amado delivered directly to your home!
Jorge Amado: Cocktail from Paraty, Brazil
Wooden mortar
1 lime
1 yellow passion fruit ((if you use purple ones, use two!))
4 cl Gabriela
2 tsp white cane sugar
Crushed ice
Dice the limes and pour into a large caipirinha glass.
Halve the passion fruit, place the flesh in the glass and add the sugar.
Pour over the gabriela.
Crush with a wooden mortar until the juice comes out of the lime pieces.
Fill the glass completely with ice and stir with a long cocktail stick or stirring spoon. Cheers!
Drinks
Brazilian
Cocktail
You can find out more about Paraty, its beautiful old town and dreamlike surroundings with secluded islands and waterfalls in the middle of the jungle here:
Paraty is world-famous for its picturesque old town!
The story behind Jorge Amado
Jorge Amado is one of Brazil’s most important authors. His works are often set in Bahia, are very passionate and deal with social injustice and the Brazilian attitude to life. The book Gabriela like Cinnamon and Cloves* was filmed in Paraty decades ago. Paraty used to be an important center of sugar cane cultivation and still has many disceries today. This is how the special Cachaça Gabriela, a sugar cane schnapps with cinnamon and cloves, was created.
When I’m not traveling, I’m cooking! My favorite thing to bring back is recipes from the road, like this original recipe for red and green curry paste from Thailand! The right curry paste is the essence of a good Thai curry!
In addition to chili peppers, a curry paste contains many different herbs and spices.
Curry paste in Thai cuisine
The curry paste adds the right amount of spice to the curry! After it is fried in the pan, the aromas of the spices such as chili, lemongrass, coriander and many more exotic ingredients unfold. The spiciness is then regulated with coconut milk: The more coconut milk, the milder the curry. Then vegetables and meat/tofu are added.
Recipe for red and green curry paste
Green and red Thai curry paste (Nam Phrik Kaeng Khiaw Whaan + Kaeng Ped)
Original curry paste recipe from Thailand!
7 small green chili peppers ((for green curry paste))
1 tbsp dried red chilli peppers (for red curry paste)
4 garlic cloves
2 shallots
1 stalk of lemongrass
1 piece of galangal (approx. 2-3 cm long)
1 handful of fresh coriander
3 kaffir lime leaves
1 piece of fresh turmeric ((approx. 2-3cm long piece))
1/2 tsp white pepper ((whole))
2 tsp coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp shrimp paste
Peel the garlic cloves, galangal and turmeric.
Chop the garlic, shallots, lemongrass, galangal, coriander, kaffir lime leaves and turmeric into small cubes. (For green curry, add the green chili peppers).
Roast the peppercorns, coriander seeds and cumin seeds briefly in a pan without oil.
Place all the ingredients (except the shrimp paste) in a mortar and grind everything until a paste forms.
Finally, add the shrimp paste and grind everything in a mortar until the paste is fine.
This quantity is enough for a curry dish for 2 to 3 people, depending on the desired degree of spiciness. You can also make a little more in advance: The paste will keep for a few days in the fridge if well sealed.
Where can you get the ingredients?
While you can now find turmeric and lemongrass in conventional supermarkets, it is difficult to find other exotic ingredients. In any case, you will find everything in the standard range of an Asian store.
You can also find most of the ingredients for a fresh curry paste in Asian stores.
Tip: You can usually find frozen kaffir lime leaves in the freezer.
Not that you can’t find good pizzerias almost everywhere in Italy. But once in Naples, you should definitely stop by L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele. Here you can get the best pizza in Naples, oh, even the best pizza in the world! At least that’s what pizza connoisseurs say. Da Michele is no longer an insider tip for the best pizza in Naples: celebrities such as Maradona, Bill Clinton and Julia Roberts have dined in this traditional pizzeria. The latter ate pizza here for the movie “Eat, Pray, Love”, and just like the island of Bali, which also appears in the film, the Da Michele pizzeria in Naples was given a new boost in popularity by the movie.
Neapolitan pizza is a little different from traditional pizza: the edges are still relatively crispy, but the dough is generally much softer. They don’t skimp on the tomato sauce either. This can make eating a little more adventurous. Especially if you want to eat your pizza in large pieces with your hands instead of piece by piece with a knife and fork.
Spoilt for choice: Pizza Margherita or Pizza Marinara
The menu at Pizzeria Da Michele in Naples is simple: there is none! Why should they, there are only two types of pizza! For almost a hundred years, only two traditional Neapolitan pizzas have been served here: Pizza Marinara and Pizza Margherita. The Marinara pizza contains no seafood, but tomato sauce, garlic, oregano and olive oil. The Margherita pizza consists of tomato sauce, mozzarella, a little fresh basil and olive oil. These two varieties are the most traditional, original pizzas in Naples. And Da Michele in particular doesn’t serve anything else.
The best Margherita pizza in the world?
And the taste: you have to try it! The tomato sauce is juicy and fruity, with the light mozzarella cheese and the soft dough in the middle… and everything together tastes so passionately sun-kissed! It’s fascinating how you can conjure up such a delicious pizza from so few ingredients.
At L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele in Naples, you can watch the pizzaiolos baking pizzas.
Despite the hype, despite the sometimes long queues outside the door: the atmosphere is unpretentious, people shout loudly, chatter, bake pizza, knead dough and simply squeeze themselves into one of the small tables, or simply join others if necessary. The ambience is like the menu: Simple, but good! And affordable.
It is not possible to reserve a table in advance. If all the tables are occupied, you get a waiting number from one of the waiters at the entrance and simply wait outside in front of the restaurant. The numbers are then called out loudly.
Saigon Street Food – this has become a household name even back home in Berlin. So a street food tour in Saigon* or Ho Chi Minh City seemed pretty obvious! Vietnamese cuisine is so diverse, so fresh, so full of new flavors, and within Southeast Asia, it’s a flavor all its own. In Saigon in particular, the choice of street food stalls, small snack restaurants and roadside food stalls is almost endless.
Vietnamese are sociable and love food, people are constantly chewing on something somewhere, (unfortunately disposable) bowls filled with goodies change hands and you really wonder how the majority of the population here can still be so slim. Because Vietnamese cuisine is not always easy! In Vietnam, too, people fry for all they’re worth, and sugar is consumed just as excessively.
Street Food in Vietnam – a culinary adventure
One thing in advance: you might not want to try many dishes served in the streets of Saigon in general. Unless you’re really into experimenting. Vietnamese cuisine is often praised for its French influences and thus exciting combinations – and at the Vietnamese at home in Germany it is always delicious. But what is often overlooked: In Vietnam, people really do eat everything.
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Vietnamese love meat, so much so that vegetarians sometimes have a hard time finding a vegetarian dish. Vegans even more so. And on the one hand very commendable, but for the European (or at least my) palate quite unusual, here really everything is eaten from beef, pork, chicken, fish, seafood, and even frog or snake: From fillet to the most bizarre offal.
At the really authentic stalls you don’t get far with English, there is no map even in Vietnamese. Often you don’t dare to try something – you never know… For this reason and because I still really wanted to try some (but not quite so) exotic street food in Saigon, I went on a street food tour in Saigon*– and it was great! Sam, who was traveling with me, showed me the wackiest corners of Saigon and let me sample fantastic food (with no unpleasant surprises).
What is the difference between summer rolls and spring rolls?
While in this country spring rolls are deep-fried rolls and called summer rolls rolled in soft, light rice paper, for Vietnamese everything is simply spring rolls! Summer rolls seem probably rather an invention of the West. So we started off with one of the freshest spring summer rolls to roll yourself that I have ever eaten. Fresh herbs and lettuce that it just cracked.
Bánh Tráng Nướng: Vietnamese pizza
Vietnamese have invented their very own version of pizza. It doesn’t really have anything to do with an Italian pizza except for the shape, but it’s still a popular snack. Rice paper, a cream that is supposed to represent cheese, various sauces and mayonnaises, sliced sausages – somehow all sorts of things end up on the Bánh Tráng Nướng Pizza. Which amazingly then even tastes! In addition, there was then Nem nướng, grilled sausages – garnished with the obligatory fresh herbs, which must not be missing anywhere.
Trứng Cút Nướng Phô Mai: Grilled quail eggs with cheese
Why quail eggs are so popular in Vietnam is for a very simple reason, Sam revealed to me. A whole hen’s egg would be far too much as a portion for a small cupcake like the ones in the mini bowls – and would be too filling. Slowly, I discovered the secret of the Vietnamese diet, which seemed to eat all the time: Always small portions instead of huge dishes.
In the pale glow of streetlights, we were now sitting somewhere in the middle of Saigon on the side of the road on our kindergarten stools, like those used in abundance at street food stalls in Vietnam, eating our quail egg muffins called Trứng Cút Nướng Phô Mai and Bánh Xèo, stuffed pancakes. And here again lots of fresh herbs, which Sam explained to me individually (and whose names I also immediately forgot again, because I was only busy with amazement).
Chè Bưởi: Dessert in Vietnamese
I have no idea what Sam was handing me – it was called Chè Bưởi and she translated it as “sweet grapefruit soup.” Somehow it was sweet, creamy, fruity and fresh at the same time; just the right thing at night 30 degrees air temperature.
Book Street Food Tour in Saigon
Street food tours like this take you to very remote corners of the city that I probably never would have gotten to see without Sam. They are usually advertised as “Students show you street food in Saigon” and in fact Sam was a student who knows a lot about street food mainly because she only lives in a small room and actually eats out all the time – just like many students in Ho Chi Minh City.
The spots are spread all over the city and you are driven from spot to spot on a scooter. Helmets are provided. A great opportunity to experience the crazy traffic in Ho Chi Minh City first hand! In addition, the tours are very individual and personal, because there is a guide or driver for every guest.
I wonder if this travel blog won’t change into a food blog after all? In any case, I ran across a lot of delicious delicacies in Salzburg again. With so many good cafes and restaurants in Salzburg offering delicious cuisine, it’s hard to choose. Therefore, I’ve put together a few very impressive Salzburg restaurants and locations – you won’t stay hungry in Salzburg for long, I promise!
By the way: If you are planning a trip to Salzburg, you should also take a look at my big guide with the most important sights! ➜ To the big Salzburg guide
The Mozartkugel: Round, sweet and typical for Salzburg
In Salzburg, everything revolves around Mozart – and the Mozartkugel. When in Germany, you’ll immediately think of the Mozartkugeln in the red shiny packaging, but in Salzburg there are a few long-established confectioners who produce Mozartkugeln according to their own recipe and in part still completely by hand on site.
The truly original Mozartkugeln can be found at the Konditorei Fürst, whose flagship store is located on the Alter Markt directly across from the historical Café Tomaselli, Austria’s oldest coffee house. But also the small Café Habakuk in Linzergasse, for example, makes the most delicious Mozartkugeln, 100% handmade.
Salzburger Nockerln: 3 mountains for dessert
Salzburg is surrounded by three local mountains, the Kapuzinerberg, the Gaisberg and the Mönchsberg – and if you can’t remember that, just order Salzburger Nockerln in a restaurant. At the latest after seeing this huge powdered sugar dusted soufflé on a cherry sauce, you’ll remember it forever. Each Nockerl stands for a snow-covered local mountain. But be careful: Salzburger Nockerln are always served in only one size, supposedly for two people, but as a dessert they are easily enough for nine! Salzburgers are not stingy with their food portions!
A bit more upscale, but with down-to-earth, modern cuisine: K+K on Waagplatz serves classics like Wiener schnitzel, but also vegan curries. Upstairs you can sit in a traditional ambience with lots of wood, downstairs there’s a freshly renovated bar in the cozy cellar vault!
The portions are not quite as spectacular as elsewhere, but of very high quality.
Seven Senses at Hotel Stein
The Hotel Stein, founded in 1399, is Salzburg’s oldest hotel and was recently completely renovated with great attention to detail and an abundance of art. Salzburg is often described as the most Italian city north of the Alps, a reputation to which a Venetian architect contributed in the 17th century. At the Hotel Stein, this connection between Salzburg and Venice is being revived under the motto “Salzburg meets Venice” —and of course, I couldn’t contain my excitement, especially since I’d just been to Venice two weeks ago and had fallen so in love with the city.
If your budget allows, you should stay here – this hotel is so cozy!
On the other hand, if you don’t want to splash out quite so much, simply enjoy the magnificent view on the terrace of the hotel’s own rooftop bar Seven Senses with an Airone Spritz (an Italian bitter somewhere between Ramazzotti and Aperol, which is only available here in Salzburg and the surrounding area!) You won’t regret it!
Bärenwirt
Quaint, classic, delicious. The name almost suggests it, but the addition “for the hunger (Bärenhunger) of a bear” in some dishes on the menu makes it clear: If you do not get full at the Bärenwirt, you are beyond help. My recommendation: beef goulash with football-sized dumplings. If you are really hungry!
Augustiner Bräustübl at Kloster Mülln
Growing up in the Ruhr area, between coal furnaces and breweries, beer always reminds me of home. On hot summer days I love a freshly tapped, cool beer as much as a fine Aperol Spritz. No need to mention that I felt at home immediately at the Augustiner Bräustübl.
You drink your beer from bucket-sized clay mugs here, pick one from a shelf yourself and hold it under cool water so that the beer stays nice and cold. You can buy food at one of the stalls inside, where you can buy everything from Leberkäse to finely sliced radish to sweet pastry like Schaumrollen – or you can bring your snacks from home, which I think is absolutely brilliant. Only beer must be bought on site, otherwise you can picnic here as you wish. And the atmosphere in the beer garden couldn’t be better: Young people sit here next to old people, original Salzburgers next to tourists, people in traditional costumes next to fashionistas, and everyone enjoys the extremely drinkable Augustiner.
Herr Leopold
Finding an open coffee house on Sundays away from the usual tourist attractions is not so easy. Salzburgers love their coffee house, but apparently not on Sundays. So you take what comes, and the Mr. Leopold is the most beautiful emergency solution of all. Foodies will be delighted with Buchteln and Strudel, fresh from the oven and bathed in creamy, warm vanilla sauce – and design junkies should take a look at the stylish wallpaper in the ladies’ room after the wonderful interior design. Definitely worth a visit.
Ludwig Burger
At Ludwig Burger you get probably the best burgers in town. Everything is homemade, from the burger to the ketchup(!). And the vegan mushroom patty is so good that even I as an absolute meat lover would immediately switch a regular burger for it.
Café Würfelzucker
After I already landed here on my first visit, I had to have another apple strudel at Café Würfelzucker: hand-pulled, freshly steamed and served in the coziest ambience right on the Salzach. Yum.
Pauli Stubm: rustic and cozy
The Pauli Stubm is a very cosy, iconic restaurant tucked away in a small alleyway in the old town and serves really hearty food! There’s a night-time establishment two doors down, if you know what I mean… and I mention this because even restaurants like this just look pretty here in picturesque Salzburg.
A few houses further on, at number 30, is the house of Salzburg’s last executioner from the medieval ages, by the way, for those who like to get a little spooky.
More insider tips for Salzburg
By the way: Salzburg, as an old city of churches, has even more spooky stories to share! If you’re interested, just book a spooky tour with Sabine—she knows just about every macabre medieval tale there is and tells them in a highly entertaining way during a tour that’s a little out of the ordinary. I highly recommend it!
Are you more interested in the small and quirky secrets of Salzburg? There are plenty of them in this historic city; I was also quite amazed! Then hop over to my article about churches in Salzburg – there are some interesting spots that you won’t find in a travel guide so quickly!
If you are only in Salzburg for one day, then I recommend my guide Salzburg in one day – and you can see the most important sights in Salzburg in short time!
Note: This article was produced in collaboration with Tourismus Salzburg.
Chicago is an absolute foodie paradise! Endless restaurants, bars, and cafés! Do people think you can only get bad food in the U.S.? Not in Chicago… researching this Chicago Food Guide was really no trouble at all. I have to admit that I often have a hard time finding good food in the U.S. Burgers and the like are certainly okay every now and then, but constantly eating fried, oversalted food, with little fresh fruit and vegetables and no variety in flavors, gets boring in the long run. In big cities, you can still find alternatives—expensive as usual, but not very spectacular or worth the price. Chicago, on the other hand, is a paradise for anyone who loves good food and drinks: here, one great restaurant follows another, just like the fantastic bars with excellent bartenders. I’ve put together a small selection for you here: My Top Restaurants in Chicago—Classics and New Trends!
1) Gino’s East: The Original Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
The Deep Dish Pizza is probably the most famous Chicago dish. Invented by Italian immigrants, deep dish pizza is as much a part of Chicago as the Willis Tower. You really shouldn’t leave Chicago without trying a Deep Dish Pizza once. At the same time, the Deep Dish Pizza is so very different from the traditional Italian pizza.
It’s smaller and thicker, similar to a quiche, and secondly, the toppings are placed in a different order, almost exactly the other way around. The dough is yellowish because it’s made of corn flour and is more like a mixture of puff pastry and shortbread. The cheese goes on the bottom of the pizza, tomato sauce and other toppings on top. Cut the pizza into quarters, and when you lift the pizza slice, the abundant cheese pulls oodles of strings.
Tip for pizza fans On this food tour, you will learn all about the famous deep dish pizza and can try different varieties: Bookyour pizza tour here*
Gino’s East has been one of Chicago’s institutions when it comes to deep dish pizza since 1966! The special thing about this location is not only the pizza, but the fact that every guest is lent a sharpie with the pizza, with which he can immortalize himself somewhere on one of the walls in this restaurant, which extends over several floors! And nothing is painted over! The probability is therefore very high that you’ll find your piece of art at the next visit!
There’s also real American food in Chicago! Located right at the end of the famous Route 66 (the beginning is on the parallel street, as both streets are one-way), Lou Mitchell’s is a classic American diner. The food is authentic, heavy as usual, and perhaps therefore not everyone’s cup of tea. However, what impressed me much more than the food (and that’s why I included it here in the list) is the absolutely authentic American diner atmosphere with the vintage interior. There’s really no better place to start a road trip along Route 66!
As with the pizza, I didn’t know that there was a Chicago-style hot dog, which is available on every corner in Chicago and is much more popular than the traditional versions with fried onions or sauerkraut.
The beer garden at Navy Pier has a particularly tasty hot dog! You get a fantastic view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline for free. By the way, the Chicago hot dog has all kinds of fresh stuff on it: diced white onions, lots of tomato chunks, pickles, mustard and pickled vegetables. The bun is sprinkled with poppy seeds, the sausage is made of beef only. Colorful and delicious! Plus, ketchup is an absolute no-go on the Chicago-style hot dog!
Yes, I really did it: I ate frog legs. And what can I say? They taste like chicken! Of course! 🙂 Hugo’s Frog Bar is the Chicago institution for frog legs, the French influence has left its mark in Chicago. Hugo’s is a bit more high-priced, but also unbeatable when it comes to quality. I love to eat fish anyway, seafood like crabs and mussels rather less, but at Hugo’s I even ate king crabs with pleasure.
Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, by the way, is owned by the best steakhouse in town, Gibson’s (right next door), and also serves the best Black Angus beef if you’re not into seafood. My filet was divine! The ambience is also classic American. Large bar, lots of dark wood, tables with checkered tablecloths and attentive service. Be careful with the desserts: One serving is easily enough for five – or you can take the rest in the doggy bag and still invite guests for coffee the next day.
A Soho House is always a guarantee of a nice cafe as well. In Chicago, you’ll find The Allis on the first floor of Soho House, nice for coffee, breakfast or afternoon tea. The decor is something between an English library and an American clubhouse, cozy but zero dusty. Drink coffee and be amazed.
6) Dove’s Luncheonette: Chicago Blues & Soul from the 70s
Another diner. This time, however, a successful symbiosis of retro look and modern Tex-Mex cuisine. The interior with wood paneling and jukebox immediately transport you to the 70s. In addition, the cuisine is modern: No overloaded plates, as you might be used to from Mexican cuisine in the USA, lots of fresh ingredients and unusual combinations.
Dove’s Luncheonette is located in Wicker Park just below the Damen CTA station. By the way, there are lots of exciting places to eat in the area, and right around the corner is Milwaukee Avenue, a really nice shopping street where you can find smaller boutiques, but also bigger stores like Urban Outfitters. Perfect if you don’t feel like shopping malls or the hustle and bustle around Michigan Avenue downtown.
Chicago has much more to offer, of course, but I think this is a nice sampling that represents well the range of possibilities. Discovering on your own is also fun – here are a few more areas where you can find great places to eat:
West Loop: a former industrial area, around Fulton Market and along Randolph Street you will find a lot of great places to eat and drink, also a nice nightlife area. Once a year, the “Taste of Randolph” food festival takes place with lots of music and food from the surrounding restaurants.
Wicker Park: around the Damen station, along Milwaukee Avenue and Division Street.
around Logan Square
and of course Downtown
More articles about Chicago and Illinois at a glance:
