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  • Barcelona, Spain

    Barcelona is one of our favorite cities in Europe and with good reason- it has something for everyone. From the best tapas restaurants to beach clubs and Irish pubs, Barcelona is always a good time. Some of our top Barcelona recommendations include a Korean BBQ spot (Seoul Nadri) and a Michelin Guide spot focused on fresh produce and seafood (PUR). We recommend staying in Eixample over Las Ramblas, and whiskey fans need to check out La Whiskeria.

    Traveling around? See our guide for other Mediterranean Port Cities.

    Don’t know what to pack? Here’s Jess’s Packing List.

    Top Restaurants

    PUR

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7.5/10    Atmosphere: 8.5/10    Food: 8/10    Wine List: 7.5/10

    This is a clean, sophisticated, and modern restaurant- boasting an open kitchen and a section of still-moving fish on ice. This Michelin Guide restaurant specializes in fresh seafood and produce, along with some excellent looking grilled meats. They typically also offer several vegetables, so we were able to try guisante lágrima (teardrop peas, the most precious peas in the world). We would suggest this restaurant for any age range, and they have bar seating overlooking the kitchen, which makes for a great date night. Online, it mentions that they have a separate bar, but it has been closed for years (as of 2024).

    Paco Meralgo

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7/10      Atmosphere: 7/10 (semi-private room)      Food: 7.5/10      Beverage Program: 6/10

    If you want a tapas dinner in Barcelona, Paco Meralgo is our top recommendation. They offer the traditional tapas, and an incredibly large menu- do make sure not to order too much fried food (it’s not super clear on the menu, so ask). We sat upstairs in the “attic” because we were with a larger party (which is part of why our ratings are probably lower than they could be). Reservations are a must, because this place gets busy.

    China Crown

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7/10     Atmosphere: 7.5/10      Food: 8.5/10      Beverage: 6/10

    Our entire family loved this Chinese spot nestled in the trendy Eixample neighborhood. Truthfully, we were surprised by this- we expected a quick and mediocre lunch to sate our Chinese food cravings- and we were greeted with amazing food and we almost didn’t leave. The peking duck was solid, but not our favorite dish0 we highly recommend the spring rolls, soups, entree proteins, and veggies. We even ordered seconds of the noodles. 

    Seoul Nadri

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8/10     Atmosphere: 5/10 (but 10/10 for Korean BBQ)      Food: 9/10      Beverage: 4/10

    This is our favorite Korean BBQ spot in Europe. It leans younger, there are no backs on the chairs, and the beverage situation is tricky (they do have “frozen” beer and soju, so there’s something fun to try). We loved it and visited twice (almost 3 times) in 4 days. If you’ve never been to Korean BBQ, you typically sit in front of a grill and cook your own meats (they also can cook it in the back if you want to sit at a grill-less high top). Plus, you get “banchan” (veggie sides) to eat along with your meat (along with spicy dips, kimchi, lettuce wraps, etc). Must orders at Seoul Nadri: Galbi short rib, Beef Bulgogi, and the bibimbap (we like to order this to start). Reservations are encouraged (unless you go early). They are closed Monday/Tuesday.

    Top Bars

    Solange

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8/10   Atmosphere: 9/10   Bar Program: 8.5/10

    Solange bar feels like stepping into a James Bond movie- and they have the elegant cocktails to match. We have returned to this bar every time we have visited Barcelona, and it always has great service and ambiance (while never being too busy, in our experience). In a city filled with top 50 bars that can get busy and a little overrated, this (non-top-50-bar) is our favorite high-end cocktail spot.

    La Whiskeria

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 9.5/10    Atmosphere: 8/10    Bar Program: 2/10 or 9/10

    This is a place for whiskey lovers and (pretty much) whiskey lovers alone. So, what were us 2 gin lovers doing there? It was an accident, sort of. We walked in at opening because we happened to walk by and it looked nice. We ended up staying because the service was great and despite not liking whiskey, we really enjoyed ourselves (they do have like, 3 gins). It is comfortable, spacious, and feels high-end. If you love whiskey, this is your place. Ask for Liv at the bar.

    More Restaurants & Bars...

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 8/10     Atmosphere: 7.5/10       Food: 7/10        Beverage Program: 7/10

    This is a 1 Michelin star Asian-tapas fusion restaurant, and we have been 3 times (which, in general, should say good things about this place). The rating above is an average of the last 2, most recent visits. Our last visit wasn’t great, but part of that is because we went with a large group with many questions, and the food wasn’t our favorite (but the menu has changed by about 95% every visit). Typically, there is some sashimi, asian ribs, and several dishes that require a few creative steps. Dos Palillos has counter seating (and bar seating up front) directly surrounding the kitchen where the chefs meticulously prepare their dishes. We would consider visiting again, but 3 times might have been enough.

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 7/10     Atmosphere: 6/10      Food: 7/10        Beverage Program: 6/10

    Dos Pebrots is the more casual sister restaurant of the 1 Michelin star Dos Palillos. It is pretty standard tapas items, with a wood fire oven (making chef’s counter seats hot) creating beautiful fish and meat dishes of much larger portion size. Be careful not to order too much, as many of the dishes are huge. 

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 8.5/10     Atmosphere: 7/10       Food: 6.5/10      Wine List: 7/10

    This 1 Michelin star tapas restaurant requires reservations well in advance, and works in tasting menu format only. It has a small indoor space, and offers beautifully and intricately prepared dishes. Now, our experience may have been different (and they change their menu a lot), but we found the food to be bland, so we didn’t love it. The service, on the other hand, was excellent.

    Overall: Maybe

    Not rating

    This is a members-only bar/lounge that Barcelona bartenders go to after work for a late night out (hours are 10PM-5AM). There is a pool table, friendly bartenders (it is a bartender bar of course), and it’s a bit grungy. If you need a late night spot near Las Ramblas, but aren’t interested in nightclubs, this is a good option. You can become a member at the door easily, just ask. 

    Overall: SKIP

    Service: 7/10    Atmosphere: 6/10    Bar Program: 1/10

    Ranked #1 bar in the world in 2024, Sips was at the top of our to do list, so we made a reservation. Turns out, the reservation for bar seating is for their ‘cocktail tasting experience’- all fine. And their cocktail tasting experience included “tastes” of drinks that looked thoughtful… but were all mostly made with sherry, and almost no other alcohol. There was just an incredible amount of sherry. And, no, it was not a sherry tasting (even if it felt like it). On one side… we can see fans of gastronomic dining, dreaming of being in the movie “The Menu”, kind of liking this experience (but still, maybe not the drinks). It just wasn’t for us. After they told us to “drink the cocktail from the bowl like soup” for the third time, we were eyeing the exit.

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 5/10     Atmosphere: 6/10     Food: 6.5/10        Beverage Program: 6/10

    We don’t often mention value places in these reviews, but if you are looking for sushi in a value place, Shunka is your spot (and this kind of explains the high ratings elsewhere online). It might be worth a stop if you are staying in Barcelona for an extended time. Skip the yaki soba. Order a bottle of sake.

    Hotels

    There are good and not-so-good elements of El Palace. The good: It’s located in central Eixample, the main lobby bar is very comfortable, the rooms are very spacious, and they have some of the largest and nicest bathrooms we have seen in Barcelona. The not-so-good: The pool is tiny, freezing, and service there is confusing. The gym fits 3 people max. The elevators are old and tiny. The nice restaurant has strange hours (including being open 1 hour for lunch while we were there?). And the communication inside the hotel is off (it took 48 hours and almost 10 phone calls/concierge visits to get water).

    If you want to stay on the busier (more touristy, but also quite walkable) Las Ramblas, Sonder DO Plaça Real is a solid option. It’s certainly better for younger travelers (there was either no elevator or it was broken during our stay, so we took the stairs up and down). But it is also super walkable to many great bars and restaurants. This hotel has a bit more of a bed and breakfast feel, with less amenities, but it is nice waking up in the morning overlooking the square of Plaça Real.

    The Mandarin Oriental in Eixample was fully booked out during our last visit to Barcelona, but this is likely where we would stay next time.

    Tourism & Travel Notes

    It has been many years and many moons since we ventured down to the beaches of Barcelona. Some of the tips still stand: Make sure you get a table reservation at clubs, or are on a guest list (which you can find a way to get on by looking a club up online). The lines get long. & If you want paella at a restaurant on the beach, many of these spots will offer cooking classes and let you cook them yourselves. But a lot of the beach restaurants can be quite touristy, so just expect that. Enjoy!

    There is a lot of pickpocketing in Barcelona. And do not follow strangers down alleyways if they offer to show you a great shawarma spot!

    Notable Places Visited & Not Reviewed

    Belushi’s: Do. Not. Go. Even if it’s the only place playing the F1 race you want to watch, just find somewhere else. Cecconi’s: Connected to Soho House, this is not a bad spot if you’re craving some standard Italian food. Irish Pub Temple Bar (on Ferran): A fun, late night was had here. We recommend. James Joyce Pub: Quaint and friendly Irish pub in Eixample, can get a little warm on hot days. Tandem Cocktail Bar: Skip it. Two Schmucks: We had an average time, but would like to revisit.

    favorite moments

    China Crown peking duck
    China Crown peking duck
    Late nights at Solange
    Late nights at Solange
    Seoul Nadri
    Seoul Nadri
    Seoul Nadri
    Seoul Nadri
    La Whiskeria
    La Whiskeria
    Teardrop peas!
    Teardrop peas!
    Irish pub puppy
    Irish pub puppy
    3 for 3
    3 for 3
    Two Schmucks
    Two Schmucks
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  • Mediterranean Cruise Stops

    It is hard to beat a summer on the Mediterranean. Whether you are traveling by land or by sea, here are some of the best restaurants  that Mediterranean port cities have to offer. Some of our top recommendations include Da i Gemelli in Portofino, Italy and Il Camino in Mallorca, Spain. Barcelona is excluded from this guide, as it deserves its own complete guide.

    View the full Barcelona Guide here.

    For travel packing recommendations, check out Jess’s Packing List.

    Mallorca

    El Camino

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 7.5/10    Atmosphere: 8/10    Food: 8/10    Wine List: 6/10

    This delicious tapas restaurant is in the heart of old town Palma. There are tons of fresh daily specials, as well as a standard menu including pan con tomate and the like (do not miss out on the jamon iberico- possibly the best we have ever had!) For lovers of Sabor in London, El Camino in Mallorca is a must-visit. It is modern, trendy, lively, and the food is delicious. El Camino has two main seating options- a large and long bar overlooking the kitchen, plus high-top tables in the back. Reservations are strongly encouraged (and we would almost say required). If you have one meal in Mallorca- make it El Camino, you won’t be disappointed.

    There is a charming square less than a 2 minute walk from El Camino, which has several good bars for a drink on a beautiful day. We tried to go to Gibson Bar, but it was too busy and we ended up at Bar Nicolás next door. We would recommend going to this spot for drinks before a great lunch at El Camino.

    Cannes

    La Guérite

    Overall: Highly Consider

    Service: 6.5/10     Atmosphere: 8.5/10     Food: 7.5/10     Wine List: 7.5/10

    Ignore the bad google reviews, this place is worth a visit. El Guérite mixes a beach club atmosphere (live music eventually turns into a DJ around 3), with a charming and classy space that is suitable for older age ranges (which we recommend going earlier). Reservations are a must (send in a request through Seven Rooms and they will email you back). Don’t wear nice heels- the floor is sand- but do bring a bathing suit if you want to venture down their private beach and take the stairs down to the (icy!) water. The food is also good- the crudité was humongous, and our favorite item on the menu was the signature La Guérite pasta (excellent for cheese lovers).

    Getting there is an adventure- it is located on it’s own island, a 5-10 minute boat ride from Porto Canto, which is right in Cannes (but often on the other side of town from where cruise ships dock). You can arrive in your own small boat, alternatively the restaurant offers transportation in their speed dingies after you make a reservation, and they recommend you arrive at the port 15 minutes before your reservation time.

    Monte Carlo

    It is very important to know that there are an extremely limited number of taxis in Monte Carlo, and the city is on a steep hill. It takes about 45 minutes to walk uphill from the part of port closest to town, up the hill to the “central” area near the casino. 

    Uber/Lyft/etc is not allowed to pick you up in Monte Carlo. However, if you are arriving from an outside city (such as Cannes, for example), Uber is allowed to drop you off.

    Taxis generally need to be called 30 minutes before you need them, but sometimes restaurants can call them in quicker (here is the official government taxi company).

    This casino used to be a nice and elegant place to get a pre-dinner cocktail, but they have since removed the bar seats, added a minimal entrance fee for “tickets”, and dropped the once heavily enforced dress code. It is packed, there are ripped jeans and flip flops, and there is almost no seating. Since times have changed, we will skip this place moving forward.

    Overall: Probably Skip

    Not rating

    Buddha Bar used to be really cool 5+ years ago, and you can feel it. It’s a bit outdated and the food is just okay, but on a nice night it does offer a great outdoor terrace for hookah or a bottle of wine. We may or may not go back, but there are probably better places. If you go, do dress for a night on the town.

    Portofino

    Da i Gemelli

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8/10     Atmosphere: 6.5/10     Food: 8/10     Wine List: 7.5/10

    Portofino is not our favorite spot because it can get so packed with crowds of tourists (hence part of the atmosphere rating). However, it is absolutely worth getting off the boat to visit Da i Gemelli, an Italian restaurant that has been run for 8 generations and is now in the hands of the Gemelli twin brothers, Paolo and Matteo. It is right in the center of town, and the outdoor seating can get a bit sunny, but it is worth booking a reservation via email ([email protected]), and securing your spot for an outstanding lunch. The seafood is fresh, and we highly recommend asking for the price of a fish and ordering it baked with olive oil and potatoes. Skip mamma’s tomato pasta (sorry!) and make sure to get some fresh seafood apps (but be careful not to order too large of portions! ask for smaller ones). They also have a full wine list, with some good options.

    Villefranche-sur-Mer

    Olivula

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 8/10     Atmosphere: 7/10     Food: 8/10     Wine List: 6.5/10

    This is the perfect spot for lunch in Villefranche, and the google ratings do not lie- this place is good. We walked up that morning to secure a reservation for later that afternoon, but we would probably recommend making a reservation ahead of time (though it did not get busy on the Sunday we were there). This nice restaurant is located along a row of spots by the harbor, and it offers some excellent French-Italian cuisine with fresh ingredients. The risottos are the best we have ever had. 

    Eliott’n’Bobbie’s

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Not rating

    This is a very casual spot in the center of town offering burgers, chicken tenders, and nachos. Do not get the nachos. H0wever, the chicken tenders are outstanding, crispy, delicious, uniquely coated, and simply… great. We highly recommend ordering some chicken tenders as a snack (with some dry rosé wine), or taking a to-go order of tons of these little guys back to your boat. They’re even good room temp. We did both of these things and did not regret either. 

    Antibes

    Mamo Michelangelo

    Overall: Consider

    Service: NA     Atmosphere: 8/10     Food: 7/10     Wine List: 8.5/10

    This is the place to see and be seen, and the celebrity photos lining the wall certainly bolster that reputation. You can probably tell from the name that this is an Italian restaurant, and it has the stone-lined walls of the restaurant give that ambiance. We would recommend dinner for a more “sceney” vibe than lunch, and our service wasn’t great the time we went- but we have heard that it is typically much better (so we though it unfair to rate). They brought out a truffle pizza, which was delicious, but our favorite item on the menu actually turned out to be the side of penne all’arrabbiata. 

    Louroc

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 6/10     Atmosphere: 9.5/10     Food: 7.5/10     Wine List: 8.5/10

    This one-star Michelin restaurant has the attitude of a one-star Michelin restaurant, and the service ranged from a 10 to a 2, so we averaged it out at 6. However, this is probably one of the most luxurious and romantic restaurants in France. The view is outstanding, overlooking the ocean, the lighting is dim but there is no need to turn on a phone flash light, the ceilings are high, and the decorations are ornate. This all makes sense because Eden Roc is one of the nicest hotels in the world. We were with a large party, so we had to do a set menu, which was good overall (with the exception of the tiny cheese plate). You go here for the “experience” (we have heard that they make an outstanding rice dish at lunch though, so do keep an eye out for that).

    favorite moments

    El Camino in Mallorca
    El Camino in Mallorca
    Gio and Jess's sister on boat #1
    Gio and Jess's sister on boat #1
    El Guerite crudite
    El Guerite crudite
    El Guerite fruit plate
    El Guerite fruit plate
    Gio and Jess's dad swimming at El Geurite
    Gio and Jess's dad swimming at El Geurite
    Louroc at Eden Roc view
    Louroc at Eden Roc view
    The ship
    The ship
    Breakfast on ship
    Breakfast on ship
    Quaint streets of Antibes- would go back!
    Quaint streets of Antibes- would go back!
    Langostines at Da i Gemelli in Portofino
    Langostines at Da i Gemelli in Portofino
    Da i Gemelli portofino
    Da i Gemelli portofino
    Jess and her sister on boat #1
    Jess and her sister on boat #1
    Secret Trivia on boat #1 was a success
    Secret Trivia on boat #1 was a success
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  • Smaller Cities of Germany

    Here is our guide to some of the best restaurants and the best bars in three of the smaller cities of Germany, including: Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Frankfurt. Out of these cities in Germany, Frankfurt has our favorite restaurant- Restaurant Lohinger. Also, we think the Frankfurt airport is the best airport in Europe. While Frankfurt may not necessarily be a “smaller” city, we haven’t visited enough times for a complete travel guide (yet).

    Traveling around Europe? Check out our Paris Guide.

    Don’t know what to pack? Here’s Jess’s Packing List.

    Top Restaurants

    Restaurant Lohinger

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8.5/10    Atmosphere: 8.5/10    Food: 9/10    Beverage Program: 8/10

    After our first visit, this Austrian restaurant immediately became one of our top restaurants in Europe- and this is certainly our favorite restaurant in Germany. It is comfortable, cool, modern, and an excellent lunch stop. We highly recommend ordering the schnitzel- which is their prized dish- and the potato salad that comes with it is simple, clean and the best we have ever tasted. Additionally, the tomato pasta was phenomenal. There are a few menu items with Asian inspiration- including a starter salad with Matsuhisa dressing (for Nobu fans, you should know that this dressing is legit). 

    Gaffel Am Dom

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7/10   Atmosphere: 8/10    Food: 7/10    Beverage: NA

    Our top recommendation for a traditional brauhaus (brew house) in Cologne is this centrally located spot. The ceilings are high, the traditional tiny Kolsh beers are refilled endlessly (and kept track of by writing on coasters), and it is a more comfortable spot than many of the cramped brauhauses in the area. We enjoyed our currywurst!

    Top Bars

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    There is a cozy road in downtown Düsseldorf offering some of our favorite pubs in the world! Here are our recommendations: At Sutton’s Irish Pub ask for Mervin, skip Bei Fatty’s, at O’Reileys ask for Simon (who looks and speaks like he stepped out of Peaky Blinders), at McLaughlins ask for Danny. Then, at the end of your night, order a Pizza Diavola from Matteo’s, which is delicious and open until 4am. 

    More Restaurants & Bars...

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 7/10   Atmosphere: 6/10   Food: 7/10      Beverage Program: 6.5/10

    The Duchy is a hotel restaurant that boasts an impressive “fresh raw seafood” counter (with a tiny menu, ran by a tiny and talented chef). We highly recommend trying some of these creative dishes, and maybe skipping some of the menu standards.

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 6.5/10   Atmosphere: 6/10   Food: 6.5/10      Beverage Program: 3/10

    This cute and quaint sushi restaurant seems very good for sushi in Cologne, but compared to sushi restaurants worldwide, it’s nothing all too special. There is no sushi counter, and they only serve hot sake. However, it should be noted that the day we went the toro was amazing and the tuna clearly came in fresh that day. We would consider going back if we returned to Cologne.

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 6/10   Atmosphere: 6/10   Food: 6/10    Wine List: 8/10

    Go to this Italian restaurant for the wine list, which is the best we saw in our time in Germany. We went for lunch, and while we did not like the pastas (so sweet), we did see some locals ordering fresh fish and veggies, so we switched to that instead and enjoyed it.

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 6/10    Atmosphere: 6.5/10    Food: 7.5     Beverage Program: 5/10

    We enjoyed the sushi at this spot in Düsseldorf’s Japanese district, but most people seemed to go for the ramen, which we didn’t try but would suggest ramen lovers try out.

    Hotels

    The Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof is a historical hotel in a great, central area of Frankfurt. However, the hotel is really old (including tiny, scary elevators that shake) and it is boiling hot (the AC in the rooms do not work so we had to sleep with our balcony doors open). Next time, we would stay at the Sofitel, which some businessmen in our hotel recommended instead.

    Another older hotel in Germany, Excelsior Hotel Ernst is centrally located directly across from Cologne’s cathedral. This appeared to be the best hotel in Cologne, so we would recommend it. We also really enjoyed the hotel bar, which had a bit of a classic boat/ boys club feel, plus a good club sandwich. There is apparently a good sushi restaurant inside the hotel, but it was closed during our visit.

    We stayed at the Breidenbacher Hof Düsseldorf, and it was in a great, centrally located spot that we really did enjoy (specifically because it is walkable to the street with all the Irish pubs!) The gym was small but had the basics, and the pool was large but in a very heated space. The rooms were more modern and spacious than many of the other spots in Germany, the beds were very comfortable, and we would stay there again if we returned to Dusseldorf.

    Tourism & Travel Notes

    Carnival in Cologne is a quirky, costume-clad which opens at 11 minutes past 11 on the 11th of the 11th month November. It is wacky, and locals dress up for literal months at a time in traditional costume, and they are incredibly committed to it. If you go to Cologne during this time of year (and many other times where carnival is resumed), you will likely find yourself very confused. But also, finding opportunity for a lot of fun.

    Starting in November and ending early January, the winter markets in Germany are absolutely worth a visit. There is cheese, there is mulled wine (which is arguably disgusting), there are carols, and performers, and ice skating, and joy! We recommend it.

    Frankfurt airport officially gets the designation of our favorite airport in Europe. It is efficient, it is easy, and the food options inside of KLM’s main terminal are good (the small little circle immediately upon entry is the place to be. The bar is nice and there is an Italian spot with fabulous breakfast paninis and Aperol Spritz- this is where Jess spent the morning of her 31st birthday! If you have to spend it in an aiprort, Frankfurt is not bad at all.)

    Notable Places Visited & Not Reviewed

    Frankfurt– Burbank, Via Monte, and The Sekai: We were looking forward to these restaurants, but had to cancel our reservations due to jetlag. Let us know how they are! Oscar’s: Surprisingly fresh salads, but an average hotel restaurant vibe. Zukaya: Dark and moody. The service was great and the food was pretty good despite some weird menu items (we were too jetlagged to truly enjoy). Cologne– Brauhaus Fruh Am Dom- Cramped and crowded, skip. Hans Stube- Average food, kind of uppity ambiance, decent wine list. Düsseldorf– 20 Restobar– Skip, not very good food. Concept Reisling– Fine wine bar in market for a sip of local stuff, but not worth going out of your way for. Mayur India– Skip, curry very sweet.

    favorite moments

    Restaurant Lohinger in Frankfurt- the best
    Restaurant Lohinger in Frankfurt- the best
    Sunrise in Frankfurt
    Sunrise in Frankfurt
    Frankfurt airport is wildly impressive
    Frankfurt airport is wildly impressive
    Winter market in Cologne
    Winter market in Cologne
    Fresh raclette at winter market in cologne
    Fresh raclette at winter market in cologne
    Peaky Blinders!
    Peaky Blinders!
    Gio enjoying Kolsch Gaffel Am Dom
    Gio enjoying Kolsch Gaffel Am Dom
    Currywurst at Gaffel Am Dom
    Currywurst at Gaffel Am Dom
    Mulled wine at winter market in Cologne
    Mulled wine at winter market in Cologne
    Restaurant Lohinger in Frankfurt- the best
    Restaurant Lohinger in Frankfurt- the best
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  • Cotswolds & Bath, England

    The Cotswolds are having a well-deserved “moment”, and if you have done research on the Cotswolds, you understand just how spread out the area is. Our favorite spot is Castle Combe, a tiny town with two pubs and one castle/hotel The Manor House- which we highly recommend. A quick 30 minute drive from The Manor House is the larger city of Bath- home to Roman spas and infamous for hen parties- but also host to one of our favorite bars in the UK: The Dark Horse.

    On a UK tour? Check out our very complete London Guide.

    Don’t know what to pack? Here’s Jess’s Packing List.

    Top Restaurants

    Castle Inn Pub

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8/10    Atmosphere: 7.5/10    Food: 9/10    Beverage Program: 4/10

    Maybe we are biased because Jess had the best dish of her life in this tiny pub in the middle of a very romantic and quaint town (it was the seasonal homity pie… think cheese and leeks and fresh garden peas in a perfectly buttery flaky crust.) This restaurant is part of The Manor House, located just down the cobblestone road and in the corner of town. Reservations are required (yes, for a pub, but it’s brilliant), and you’ll be surprised to find that the ambiance is much more up-and-coming-small-restaurant than that of your traditional pub. The wines are limited, but it’s the food that counts here.

    The Scallop Shell

    Overall: Highly Consider

    Service: 7/10    Atmosphere: 7/10    Food: 7/10    Wine: 6/10

    Before you see the score and feel like there’s a chance you could get away with skipping this place, don’t (instead, make a reservation for the downstairs section). Here’s why: the fish and chips are amazing, airy, and crispy- possibly the best we’ve ever had. Plus, as much as we don’t want to admit it… we didn’t love the food in Bath. Scallop Shell is the best bet. And, somehow, despite not loving the food scene, we still loved Bath and we would go back in a heartbeat. The city is charming, the spas and bath waters do seem to have a healing charm, and (here’s the real reason) the bar scene is incredible.

    Friend’s Takeaway

    Overall: Highly Consider

    Service: 9/10    Atmosphere: 2/10    Food: 8/10   

    We never thought we would put a to-go shawarma spot in our ‘Top Restaurant’ list, however Friend’s deserved it. A year after our trip to Bath, we still remembered these delicious gyros and the incredibly sweet service of one of our favorite late-night shawarma spots in the world. Go to Dark Horse bar, then go here after.

    Top Bars

    The Dark Horse

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 10/10    Atmosphere: 8/10    Bar Program: 9/10

    There is no explanation for why we did not have this on our travel plans in the first place. Maybe the photos made it look too— well— dark. But being on the World’s Best Bars radar, we should have known better. Turns out, we found this place by wandering around the cobblestone roads, seeing a group of people being turned away by a bouncer outside of a seemingly unmarked door, and then asking what the deal was. Reservations are required, but we were able to make one for later that night, which turned out to be the right call. The Dark Horse is one of our favorite bars in the UK, and it would rival almost any bar in London (other than The Connaught). We went two nights in a row. Trust us, it’s worth a stop. Note: They do not take bar seat reservations unless you ask very nicely.

    Full Glass Bar

    Overall: Highly Consider

    Service: 9.5/10   Atmosphere: 10/10   Bar Program: 9.5/10

    Located in The Manor House, this small and cozy bar is basically like having your own personal bartending staff in your living room (if your living room had an antique fireplace, oak paneling, leather-bound books, and plush seating). For history buffs: this is where Margaret Thatcher sat and wrote her memoirs. For cocktail buffs: they offer over 100 types of gin. For us: There is almost nothing wrong with this place unless, say, you hate gin and relaxing environments. If we built a house right now, we would have a room modeled after this. Also, this place can be fun, depending on the hotel’s guests. We had all the CFO’s of the UK’s top football teams stop by for a nightcap on their first night in, and many great stories were shared. It was one of our top nights ever. (They usually close when the last guest goes to bed.)

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    Overall: Consider

    Service: 6/10    Atmosphere: 5.5/10    Food: 7/10    Wine List: 7/10

    This 6-year-running Michelin star restaurant is located inside The Manor House in Castle Combe, and if you are in Castle Combe you should 100% go. On the greater scale of worldwide Michelin restaurants, this would not make our top 20. Part of this is our fault (honestly, we spent quite a bit too long sampling the 100+ gins the hotel has to offer in their cozy bar just down the hall before we made our way to the meal). This is also partly because it’s similar to many other Michelin-starred joints: medallions of meat, cheese cart at the end, the whole shebang. The restaurant was mostly empty, and there was no music. However, there were very memorable dishes… everything with butter (the UK and Ireland have some of the best), so if you are a butter fan, this is certainly up your alley (seaweed butter on the fish dish, a beautifully buttered bread and pastry, etc.)

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Not rating

    When it comes to Bath, there are drinking holes down nearly every alley in the center of town. A favorite walk-in bar of ours is The Bath Distillery Gin Bar (formerly Canary Gin Bar), which offers unique gins in a slightly crowded bar with a slightly mature crowd. Weekends in Bath can be quite filled with Hen and Stag parties, and this place generally stays away from that.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7/10     Atmosphere: 5.5/10    Food: 6.5/10   Beverage Program: 6.5/10

    It’s a little hard to give good ratings to an afternoon tea, because we are not big dessert people… and, as much as we try, we are not huge tea drinkers. That being said: The afternoon tea service at The Royal Crescent is very likely the best tea service in Bath. And the finger sandwiches were very good. We do wish the room was a little livelier and that the view was better (it’s just a back garden in the hotel), but we would still recommend doing this in Bath. It’s something interesting to do.

    Overall: Recommend (but not for everyone)

    Not rating

    Outside The Manor House’s Castle Inn Pub, there is only one other pub in Castle Combe. It is called The White Hart and it is certainly worth the short walk to explore this cozy drinking hole. However, fair warning— the owners are a lovely married couple. They express their feelings very directly through their incredibly dry sense of humor. We liked it. It’s not for everyone. They pour chili on chips here and it’s delicious.

    Hotels

    If you are going to Bath, we recommend staying at The Gainsborough Hotel. It is in a central location, and the spa is one of the few locations to provide direct access to the infamous thermal “bath” waters. The spa is a reason to stay at the hotel- it offers a stunning pool and a variety of “treatment” rooms with red light therapy, shaved ice, saunas, steam rooms, and more. The bar is small but comfortable. The whole hotel kind of smells like the spa.

    Our first time in the Cotswolds, we stayed in the village of Castle Combe at the romantic castle hotel The Manor House. This memorable castle has all the ‘quaint-ness’ of a bed and breakfast mixed with the perks of a high-end hotel. The property feels a bit like stepping into a fairy tale. They offer a Michelin-starred restaurant, a nearby gastronomic-focused pub, golfing, tea, clay pigeon shooting, and a fully stocked (gin focused) bar that stays open “‘til the last guest goes to sleep.” This is one of the most memorable places we have ever stayed, we have sent family members there, and we highly recommend it.

    The Vineyard is Napa vitner Peter Michael’s property in Newbury, a town in the Cotswolds. The nearby town was a little rough around the edges… and we left early, which probably says enough. 

    The next time we go to the Cotswolds, we will likely just return to The Manor House… however, if you want more options: Hampshire’s Four Seasons is just outside of central London (we were scared away a bit by how kid-centric the property is). We’ve also heard good things about the Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire (which you can book through the Soho Friends option if you’re not a Soho House member).

    The most famous hotel in Bath is The Royal Crescent, which we might consider more seriously next time (though we did like The Gainsborough).

    Tourism & Travel Notes

    On our first Cotswolds trip, we also stopped by Cardiff in Wales (about an hour drive from The Manor House). We stayed at The Parkgate Hotel, which was very business-y but seemed to be the best option in the downtown area. We didn’t stay long enough to merit a full post for Wales (and we’re likely going to Wales next year, so we can do a full post then), but we do have two great recommendations: Best Bar- The Dead Canary (Aka Here Be Dragons), Best Restaurant- Purple Poppadom (get an Uber because it’s not in the best area, but this family-owned Indian joint makes some of the best curries we’ve had).

    It takes about 1.5 hours to train from Paddington Station in London to Bath. And it’s about a 30 minute drive from Bath to The Manor House in Castle Combe. We recommend spending time in both spots. Uber is available, and your hotel can arrange private transportation if you prefer.

    Our first visit, we took this route:

    Paddington (London) -> Cardiff -> Castle Combe -> Bath -> Paddington (London)

    From London, we took a 2-hour train from Paddington Station to Cardiff (a five-minute walk from the city center). It only took about an hour to get to the Cotswolds from Cardiff— we hired a driver (Raj was great. He drives a roomy Mercedes V class. Here is his email: [email protected]). Then, we took another driver (this time through Nexus Transportation) for the 30-minute drive to Bath. We trained 1.5 hours back to London. The trains were comfortable & timely.

    Notable Places Visited & Not Reviewed

    Bath: Amarone: Randomly had some good wines but the food wasn’t memorable. The Chequers (Sunday Roast): Really tight quarters and the kid next to us had the stomach flu, so it wasn’t a great time.The Mint Room: Out of the way and average Indian food.  Noya’s Kitchen: Uncomfortable seating, and limited drink and food menus that were different from online. Newbury (Cotswolds): We’d skip Newbury. Castle Combe (Costwolds): We reviewed everything! Told you it was tiny 🙂

    favorite moments

    The Manor House
    The Manor House
    Streets of Castle Combe
    Streets of Castle Combe
    Jess's favorite dish of all time- Homity Pie from Castle Inn Pub
    Jess's favorite dish of all time- Homity Pie from Castle Inn Pub
    Gio very very happy at the bar at The Manor House
    Gio very very happy at the bar at The Manor House
    Bybrook dish with seaweed butter
    Bybrook dish with seaweed butter
    The Scallop Shell's fish and chips
    The Scallop Shell's fish and chips
    Irish coffee in the streets of Bath
    Irish coffee in the streets of Bath
    Screen Shot 2024-05-08 at 1.01.38 PM
    The Dark Horse bar- one of our favorites
    The Dark Horse bar- one of our favorites
    Screen Shot 2024-05-08 at 1.02.34 PM
    Such a big smiler, that guy
    Such a big smiler, that guy
    The Royal Crescent tea
    The Royal Crescent tea
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  • Venice & Florence, Italy

    Florence and Venice are two of the pillars of Italian tourism, and they have a lot to offer everyone. Here are some of our favorite bars, hotels, and restaurants in the two cities, as well as a few pieces of travel advice for getting around Venice.

    Traveling around the Mediterranean? Check out our Guide to Mediterranean Port Cities.

    Don’t know what to pack? Here’s Jess’s Packing List.

    Top Restaurants

    Osteria Enoteca San Marco

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 9/10     Atmosphere: 7/10      Food: 8/10      Beverage Program: 8.5/10

    If you are going to Venice for one meal- eat here. Located on an alley called Calle Frezzaria (they are number 1610), this cozy local somewhat modern trattoria is a triple theat- with good wine, good food, and good service. Matteo and Fabio own and run this place, and on our last trip to Venice both of our families went multiple times. If there is a downside, it is that the AC is not super consistent, and there can be mosquitos (but both of these things can happen all around Venice… and even after knowing this- we still went back the next day). The menu changes, but last time we loved the veal entree and the pigeon appetizer (we’re not big fans of pigeon, but dipping the homemade bread in the pigeon sauce was our favorite bite).

    Trattoria Canonica

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 5/10 (quickly an 8 if you order good wine)   Atmosphere: 3/10    Food: 6.5/10    Wine List: 9.5/10

    Do not be thrown off by the absolutely brutal google reviews- go here for the wine list. It is about 50 steps from San Marco square. It is touristy. But they have a literal hidden wine vault across the bridge (a family member may offer to show you) with practically a wall of Masseto and much more. Even before seeing that, we knew they had one of the best wine lists we have ever seen (selection 9/10 and value 10/10). Go in the afternoon for a nice bottle of wine, and don’t expect a lot other than that… but do enjoy yourself. If you are hungry, order the lasagna (we upped the food an entire point just because it was so good).

    La Giostra

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8/10     Atmosphere: 7.5/10      Food: 8/10      Beverage Program: 7.5/10

    If you have one dinner in Florence- eat here. Owner Saldano is a quirky prince with the most amount of jewelry you will ever see on a person, and chatting with him makes this restaurant a must-visit every time we are in Florence. The food can also be phenomenal. Jess loves the boar ragu. Reservations are required. 

    Trattoria 13 Gobi

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7/10     Atmosphere: 7/10    Food: 8/10    Wine List: 8/10

    Located in central Florence, Gobi is the best place to get angel hair pasta with red sauce (a family favorite). This rustic, underground setting provides a comfortable and traditional atmosphere, and the wine list is great. Reservations are essential.

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    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 9/10     Atmosphere: 9.5/10      Food: 6.5/10    Wine List: 8/10

    The restaurant at the Aman Hotel is as beautiful as you would expect, and the service also meets the high-end hotel’s luxury standards (George Clooney got married at this property). While the food fell short, we would still recommend a dinner at the restaurant (it usually takes a lot for us to say that, but it’s easy to say here). Get dropped by a water taxi (they’ll call a return for you) and enjoy the stunning high ceilings, paintings, and design. If possible, go to the equally beautiful bar for a nightcap.

    Overall: Maybe

    Not rating

    This is a small, rustic and very famous trattoria, and it has been pumping out Italian food for decades. Da Ivo is a Del Dotto family favorite, so we are not going to rank it… but Jess doesn’t love it. If you do go, make sure to book a reservation well in advance, and do not go with a group larger than 4 (even if there is a bigger table available). Be cautious of them trying to sell you a different wine than the one you ordered, and don’t order the clams (the steak however, was very good). The bathrooms are child-sized, so hold it.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 8/10     Atmosphere: 9/10    Food: 7.5/10    Wine List: 9/10

    We really loved our dinner at Quandri. Overlooking San Marco square (after all the tourists are gone), this is one of the most romantic spots in Venice. We had an excellent server, great wine, and great company in a stunning setting. The food is modern Michelin-y without being too pretentious. If you’re on the edge about this, go.

    We highly recommend spending an afternoon with an aperol spritz in San Marco square. There are tons of restaurants to choose from, almost none of which have great food, but they do provide a perfect location for people watching and enjoying a nice day outdoors. Be careful of the birds, they will steal food right out of your hand.

    Hotels

    The only hotel we’ve stayed at in Venice recently was Hotel Danieli, which we likely won’t return to. The concierge service was frustrating (leading us to almost miss our flight because they gave the boat we ordered to someone else), and there are many annoying tour groups in the lobby (so large groups of tourists can take pictures, while blocking the door so hotel guests have a hard time getting in and out). The bar is okay and the bartenders are nice, and the rooms are relatively comfortable. It is a busy hotel. Rooftop breakfast may be a plus for some.

    A bit outside of the main part of Florence (a 15 minute walk), The Four Seasons Firenze is currently our top hotel to stay at in Florence. The property is huge, the gym is spacious, and the rooms have high ceilings and great bathrooms. While we would recommend skipping the Michelin restaurant, we highly recommend spending afternoons at the bar here, as it is one of our favorite spots. There are also several bars and restaurants walkable (such as La Giostra), that make this semi-far away location worth it.

    Venice: After having dinner at the Aman hotel, it would certainly be the first place we would look if we return to Venice. The bar is stunning and remains open late for hotel guests. The grounds are beautiful. It is very high-end and in a great location slightly outside the main tourist hub, with helpful concierges (that gave us a tour).

    Tourism & Travel Notes

    You may have noticed that we have not posted much content on Florence here, and that is because we have not been in a few years. We do not want to provide information that is out of date. Still, we have been many MANY times, and we get a lot of requests for Florence tips- so we have included our top 2 restaurants and favorite hotel, because friends and family have visited more recently and they ensure us our favorites are still great.

    Getting from the airport to Venice requires an additional boat. We highly recommend booking a private transfer service online or through your hotel. A private driver will pick you up at the terminal and drive you about 5 minutes to the water boat area (there is often a long line for water taxis that you can cut by getting private transfer).

    If you have any health conditions at all (that may lead to you needing a visit to the hospital) do not go to Venice. As you can imagine, a city underwater does not have great infrastructure for transporting people quickly. Getting an ‘ambulance boat’ to Hotel Danieli took over 40 minutes. Plan accordingly.

    Notable Places Visited & Not Reviewed

    Venice: Al Covo: We personally did not enjoy it. Harry’s: Every time we have tried to go to Harry’s, it has been absolutely packed. Please let us know how it goes for you, maybe get there before opening time.

    favorite moments

    Great wines and great service at Quandri
    Great wines and great service at Quandri
    Rooftop at Hotel Daniele
    Rooftop at Hotel Daniele
    Trattoria Cannonica lasagna + wine
    Trattoria Cannonica lasagna + wine
    Trying new wines at Trattoria Cannonica
    Trying new wines at Trattoria Cannonica
    Gio in one of the rooms of Trattoria Cannonica's secret cellar
    Gio in one of the rooms of Trattoria Cannonica's secret cellar
    Jess's dad enjoying wine
    Jess's dad enjoying wine
    Lunch wines at Osteria Enoteca San Marco
    Lunch wines at Osteria Enoteca San Marco
    Lunch at Osteria Enoteca San Marco
    Lunch at Osteria Enoteca San Marco
    Aman library
    Aman library
    Venice at night
    Venice at night
    Gio and his dad on a water taxi
    Gio and his dad on a water taxi
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  • London, England

    We visit London about 3 times a year, and no, private clubs aren’t really our thing. What we love about London lies in the amazing restaurants, proper hotels, and great bars. Nothing beats a rainy day in a pub with a pint of Guinness, right? We generally stay in or near Mayfair. And despite all of our visits, we have yet to find our favorite hotel (we review 10+ top London luxury hotels below). But we do know this: No trip to London is complete without a martini cart at The Connaught Bar, a counter seat at Cubé sushi, and some great Indian food (our favorite is Kanishka).

    Traveling to Europe? Check out our Paris Guide.

    Don’t know what to pack? Here’s Jess’s Packing List.

    Top Restaurants

    Bentley’s

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 9/10     Atmosphere: 8/10     Food: 8/10      Wine: 7.5/10

    If you have one lunch in London, Bentley’s is the place to go. Make a reservation and request seats at the oyster bar, and sit with some of our favorite servers in London (when our favorite left after 12 years, we were happy to meet Federico, who is also very good). They have beautiful oysters (skip the natives), plus the best grilled lobster with almond butter in the world. The Catalan fried oysters are a must. Skip the pastas, and get the fish & chips instead. Their wine list has several good options from around the world, including quite a few white Burgundies (our favorite pairing for seafood).

    Kanishka

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8.5/10    Atmosphere: 7/10     Food: 9/10    Beverage Program: 6.5/10

    For some of the best Indian food in Mayfair (from Benares’ original 2-star chef), we love a good Kanishka lunch. We like to request to eat at the far side of the bar- which they don’t usually do, but they will make an exception if you ask. Dheeraj is our favorite bartender. Everything we have eaten there we have enjoyed. Must orders include the Chicken Tikka Pie, the broccoli starter, the shrimp curry, and a side of raita. We also love whichever dish includes quail (it used to be the quail tart and now it is something else, but we hope the chef brings back the tart!) We have never been for dinner, but we do try to go for lunch at least once every trip to London- this is our favorite Indian restaurant in the UK, by far.

    Sabor

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8.5/10    Atmosphere: 8.5/10     Food: 8.5/10    Beverage Program: 7.5/10

    This Spanish tapas restaurant has a well-deserved 1 Michelin star. Sabor’s kitchen staff knows what they’re doing (reminding us of The Bear series), and the ambiance is like a lively restaurant in the Basque region of Spain. We have only been to the downstairs portion of Sabor, but we loved it so much we went twice in 72 hours after our first visit. Walk in and give the lovely hostess your name for ‘The Counter” and while you wait for seats, hang out by ‘The Bar” on the right hand side- where you can order several items off the menu and relax with a drink, or just stay all night. Of 4 visits, only one was “just okay”. Make sure to order the jamon iberico, even if it is not listed on the menu. 

    Cubé

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8/10    Atmosphere: 7/10    Food: 9/10   Beverage Program: 6/10

    This tiny little neighborhood sushi spot serves not only our favorite sushi in London, but our favorite salads. Using the freshest, crispiest seaweed available shipped in from Japan, Cubé is certainly worth the visit. Reservations definitely required. The sake selection is good. Make a reservation at the sushi bar (and if there are 2 of you, request the end seats closest to the door)- but do not sit outside because the tables are very slanted due to the curb of the street. The two head sushi chefs are named Masa and Yama and they work alternating nights- both are fantastic (Masa makes our favorite handrolls and Yama makes our favorite nigiri).

    We do not recommend the omakase, instead, we recommend ordering a la carte. We go so often (usually twice per trip) that we have written down what to order, just for you (this is our exact order for the 2 of us):

    First off: Order some sake, they can give you recommendations but we usually get the Fukucho

    Round 1: Seaweed salad + Cubé salad no bonito + Tako Kimuchi (a must-get)

    Round 2: Spicy tuna roll (no shiso) + 2 piece tuna akami + 2-4 piece chef’s choice nigiri (obviously not makarel)

    Round 3: Handrolls with no shiso- usually either Spicy Scallop or Foie and Eel

    Cornus

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 9/10    Atmosphere: 8/10    Food: 9/10   Beverage Program: 9/10

    This much anticipated restaurant opened in summer of 2024, and we highly recommend booking a reservation now, because it seems quite likely they’ll get at least one Michelin star. And, yes, it’s Michelin star style food. This isn’t always our thing, but there is something great about trying it when a restaurant gets it right. We went for an a la carte lunch at the bar (everyone else sat at tables) and enjoyed everything. The food is technical, fresh, and seasonal. Think fresh-baked bread, seafood, wild mushrooms, etc. The staff were as professional as possible, and the wine list was solid, especially for London. This is a good one.

    Top Bars

    The Connaught Bar

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8/10    Atmosphere: 9.5/10    Bar Program: 9.5/10

    Usually rated in the top of The World’s 50 Best Bars, The Connaught bar deserves it. They do not take reservations but they do hold seats for guests staying at the hotel. Otherwise, make sure to go exactly at 4:00 PM to get a seat as the place fills up every night (closed Sun). Their famous drink is a simple martini- gin or vodka- prepared in front of you on a martini cart, with essences of your choosing. Most of the staff is Italian, and the hostesses are generally accommodating (if you want to switch tables, just ask). Pretty much all the bartenders know what they’re doing (Marco is a recent favorite). No trip to London is complete without a stop at The Connaught. 

    Update: Recently we have noticed that they have been holding more and more tables empty for hotel guests, and the service is getting a little annoying (like telling you a time limit as you sit). For the best time, we now only go at 4PM opening on weekdays.

    Kwãnt Mayfair

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8.5/10    Atmosphere: 8/10    Bar Program: 8/10

    Ranked in the world’s Top 50 bars, Kwant is a great stop for a cocktail. We loved their bar seating- which is essentially a giant rectangle with 6 bar seats spread-out and the bartenders work between them- it feels a bit like a modern communal kitchen for cocktails. Go early to snag a seat, and enjoy. The bartenders seem to enjoy chatting with everyone and sharing recommendations in the area. They do not take reservations, and they offer some fine dining snacks. We usually go around 5-7pm, and it has not been busy.

    Artist’s Bar

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 8/10    Atmosphere: 9/10    Bar Program: 8/10

    The Artist’s Bar at The Dorchester is in a stunning lounge-setting with flowers and chandeliers galore. If you want vintage liquor, you can find it here. You can also find talented bartenders up to make anything.

    The Emory Bar

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 9/10   Atmosphere: 9/10     Beverage Program: 8/10

    There is one reason why we can’t highly recommend this bar, and it is because it requires a key card to get in (even though it does allow non-hotel guests in). And that whole element makes it tricky. That being said, we did go right around the time it opened, so that may have changed since then (Aug 2024). But it is certainly a top bar in London, and worth trying to find someone in the lobby of the hotel who will escort you upstairs. You have a beautiful view of the city, incredibly comfortable bar seats, and top-notch service.

    More Restaurants & Bars...

    Overall: Highly recommend

    Not rating

    You will not regret visiting Audley Public House for their elevated filet o’fish sandwich (which they call a fish finger sandwich). It is a 10/10. This comfortable and clean pub is in the heart of Mayfair, and they are credit card only.

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 7/10    Atmosphere: 5/10    Food: 8/10   Beverage Program: 6/10

    Barrafina is a Spanish tapas spot (similar to Sabor, above) and Adelaide St. is their only location that takes reservations online (as of 2024). The food is solid and the txistorra (sausage tortilla) is a must, in addition to the iberico secreto. But the seating is incredibly tight and the atmosphere will be ruined forever if anyone in the restaurant orders the lamb kidneys. 

    Overall: Recommend

    Most Recent: Service: 8/10    Atmosphere: 7/10    Food: 9/10   Beverage Program: 6/10

    Previous Visit: Service: 4/10    Atmosphere: 6/10    Food: 7/10    Wine List: 7.5/10

    Benares is a tricky one, because both of us have visited at least 3 times and it is pretty inconsistent, especially with service. However, after our last meal, this one Michelin star Indian restaurant deserves a spot on our top restaurant list- every dish was incredible and the service was great. We do recommend a visit.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 6/10   Atmosphere: 8/10    Beverage Program: 6/10

    It’s a little hard to rate this place because its an escape room/axe throwing/beer pong playing/full bar… spot? It has a bit of everything (and we like that you can take your drinks into the escape room with you). It is essential to make reservations online, especially on weekends because it gets packed. But it’s pretty fun, especially with a group. 

    Overall: Recommend (if you’re in Marylebone)

    Service: 7.5/10    Atmosphere: 6.5/10    Food: 7.5/10   Beverage Program: 8/10

    This Marylebone restaurant offers very traditional Italian food in a charming half-market/half-restaurant spot. If you prefer American-Italian with lots of sauce, then this is probably not for you. But if you value olive oil and fresh mozzarella, definitely check out Briciole. Aside from the mozzarella and olive oil, we also enjoyed the pork ribs with green beans, plus the prosciutto and the wine list. Also, they have a very stunning private room in the back for larger groups.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 8/10    Atmosphere: 7/10    Bar Program: 7.5/10

    A lovely bar in Brown’s hotel. Every time we have gone, it has not been busy at all… which is a huge plus (for us, at least). This bar is in a great location and- in addition to it’s creative pop-culture inspired cocktail list- the talented bartenders are happy to make anything. Alessandro is particularly good.

    Overall: Highly recommend

    Service: 8/10   Atmosphere: 7/10   Food: 8/10   Beverage Program: 6/10

    This Indo-Chinese restaurant in Soho serves delicious food, much of it spicy. The restaurant itself is narrow, casual and has a bit of a hipster vibe to it. We have only been once for lunch, and it was quiet and mellow (we heard it gets very busy at night). We will definitely be back.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7.5/10    Atmosphere: 7/10     Food: 8.5/10    Beverage Program: 7/10

    Gouqi offers Gio’s favorite second course of peking duck in the world. Peking duck must be ordered 48 hours in advance, upon placing a table reservation. The manager was lovely and he seemed to really care about both the customer’s comfort and the food quality. We sat in their semi-private dining section and it was great (we have learned peking duck can be a little big for bar seating at times!) It wasn’t very busy when we went, but we ate early.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 8/10    Atmosphere: 7/10    Bar Program: 7/10

    The Green Bar at Hotel Café Royal is a nice spot for a pre-dinner drink, and opens at 4PM most days (12PM Saturdays). They are busy on weekend nights, but quiet most other times. The bartenders are the best part, and seem genuinely excited for people to sit at the bar (most customers seem to prefer the lounge chairs)- seek out Roberto and Blair. Also, highly recommend the buttermilk fried chicken bites.

    Overall: Consider

    Service: 8.5/10   Atmosphere: 6.5/10     Food:  6.5/10     Beverage Program: 7/10

    Bet some of you scrolled straight to this review. This 2-starred Michelin Indian restaurant is probably the top 1 or 2 restaurants people consider when booking a trip to London. And they do have 2-star service. The wine list was surprisingly average, but they did have a neat gin menu. The food is certainly above-average Indian food, and we’d imagine that some people would rate it higher than we did… but we found it heavy on the cilantro, and honestly a little unmemorable aside from that. (They don’t ask about spice levels, and the dishes do lean spicy, which some people might care about.) Ambiance: The decor was nice, but they had incense burning the entire time which did impact the meal, and doesn’t really give off a 2-Michelin feel to us. It is important to request booth seating if you are a 2-top because the 2-top tables are way too small. Anyways! Maybe go. Once was enough for us, but we are happy we went.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7.5/10    Atmosphere: 8/10     Food: 6.5/10    Beverage Program: 8.5/10

    The food is a bit hipster and not quite our thing, but there is no denying that Hide’s impeccable design makes a great location for lunch or a drink. We sat at Hide Below, which is the bar located downstairs, but it offers the same menu as upstairs. We recommend the cheese plate. Riu at the bar is enjoyable.

    Overall: Highly recommend

    Not rating

    If only this place were open later to bring beautiful hot dogs into our lives after a long night out, we would have eaten many more our last trip. These are really good hot dogs, standard, toasted bun, yummy toppings (Jess says mustard only is the way to go). It is located right in Picadilly circus and is (for some unknown reason) usually not busy. They do sometimes close earlier than it says online, so don’t miss out.

    Here’s the address

    Overall: Skip

    Service: 7/10   Atmosphere: 7.5/10     Food:  6.5/10     Beverage Program: 5/10

    This is one of the more disappointing meals that we have had in London, mostly because we had very high expectations for this 1 Michelin star restaurant equipped with counter seating only and promising asian fusion. Honestly, it was just okay. Out of 12 courses, we only really enjoyed 2. Probably the most frustrating part was the sake “master”, who either ignored our requests for dry sake or didn’t really know what he was doing. Lots of warm, sweet sake was chugged down that night to accompany the mostly ‘eh’ food.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 4/10    Atmosphere: 8/10    Food: 8.5/10    Beverage Program: 7/10

    Located near St. James, this Chinese restaurant offers amazing peking duck and a stunning bar (which you cannot eat at), but at the time we visited they were severely understaffed. We are sure this has changed by now, so please do report back if you visit.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 6/10    Atmosphere: 7/10    Food: 7.5/10    Beverage Program: 7/10

    This Mayfair Indian staple is a solid choice for good Indian food in a really beautiful setting, but we do recommend Kanishka and Benares over Jamavar, which at times can feel a little cold rather than warm and welcoming.

    Overall: Highly recommend

    Service: 8/10   Atmosphere: 8/10   Food: 8/10   Beverage Program: 6/10

    For modern/hipster Thai food of quality… line up at either noon or 5pm for Kiln’s opening service. This restaurant is one big long bar, some of which in front of the open kitchen (which can get a bit hot). We highly recommend the clay pot.

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8/10   Atmosphere: 8/10   Food: 8/10   Beverage Program: 7/10

    Guy Ritchie’s pub. Totally worth booking a table for dinner upstairs, but they take reservations well in advance and do fill up quickly. Their seasonal menu rotates and is shown online, but it pretty much always leans gastropub-y. It’s a solid spot and we will be back.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 7.5/10    Atmosphere: 7.5/10     Food: 8/10    Beverage Program: 8/10

    While not as perfect as Milo’s in Las Vegas, this Greek restaurant offers a delicious and healthy lunch in a comfortable setting. We recommend picking out a fish (prepared with olive oil, lemon, and capers), and getting a side of grilled veggies. Skip the dip appetizer. We have enjoyed our meals at the bar, and the sommelier seems to know what he is doing. However, if you are only in London for a short period of time, we would skip Milo’s for something more unique (any of our Top Restaurants listed above).

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 7.5/10    Atmosphere: 7.5/10    Food: 7.5/10    Beverage Program: 8/10

    This well-designed restaurant offers Chinese food in Mayfair, and the peking duck is pretty good. This seems to be the type of place locals go for celebratory business lunches.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 7.5/10     Atmosphere: 8.5/10     Food: 7.5/10     Bar Program: 7/10

    Novikov London is broken into 4 parts- the entry bar (skip), Asian restaurant (go), Italian restaurant (never been), and downstairs lounge (eh…). In order to get past the strict bouncers at the front door, you will need a reservation to one of Novikov’s 2 restaurants (or at least, you need to pretend you do). Novikov is definitely a scene, and if you are looking for a vibey night out in London, this is our top recommendation. We always said Novikov Miami had better food, but our recent visit to Novikov Asia changed our mind- everything was excellent and the service was top notch (some favorites were the gyoza, the incredibly fresh nigiri, the beef entree, and the fruit plate for dessert). They present their sake creatively in a way that always keeps it cold. We used to like the lounge but the service there has been incredibly lacking in the past few years, so we would skip that. Dress to impress.

    Overall: Recommend

    Not rating

    This late night arcade bar is in the center of Soho and it is honestly such a blast to visit. Tons of neon spray paint. Tons of old-school games. The crowd leans 20-40 age wise.

    Overall: Skip

    Service: 4/10   Atmosphere: 8/10   Food: 4/10   Beverage Program: 6/10

    Park Chinois is a modern supper club. They offer dinner and a show (singers, dancers, acrobats, you name it) in the downstairs section of Club Chinois- which provides the full experience. We don’t love the food (which we assume is the same in the restaurant upstairs), but it can be worth grabbing bar seats and catching glimpses of the show from a distance, if you are looking for an interesting stop.

    Overall: Recommend

    Not rating

    This is a super fun and chill spot to spend a weekday afternoon (weekends and nights get busy). It’s well kept and clean, indoors with fun decor, and the bar is always running.

    Overall: Recommend (if you’re in Marylebone)

    Service: 6.5/10    Atmosphere: 7/10    Food: 7.5/10   Beverage Program: 7/10

    This Marylebone Asian spot offers solid dishes in a comfortable, trendy atmosphere. The rolls are saucy, making a good spot for the more modern saucy sushi lovers. 

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 7/10   Atmosphere: 7/10   Food: 9/10   Beverage Program: 7/10

    While we are not the biggest breakfast experts, it is safe to say that the breakfast at The Connaught is almost reason to stay there (you do not need to be a guest to eat there, though). Gio had the best hashbrowns and eggs benedict of his life. Jess highly recommends all the juices, but would suggest skipping the omelette. 

    Overall: Skip

    Service: 6/10   Atmosphere: 6/10     Food:  3/10     Beverage Program: 6.5/10

    This is the new hot spot in Mayfair, offering Italian food, hard-to-secure reservations, and celebrity sightings (they are also owned by the same group as Park Chinois). Anyways, we had super high expectations for this. But the food is potentially worse than what you would find at an average country club. There are no windows in the restaurant (the decor is a little Cipriani-esque), and they spray a strong perfume scent through the restaurant that kind of mixes with… you know, the food. I think we just expected more. That being said, the bar is pretty. 

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 8/10   Atmosphere: 7.5/10   Beverage Program: 7/10

    Our favorite bar in Claridge’s, the only thing that would make it better is if it had more bar seats (there are 3). The service is lovely, and the cocktails are classic and great. Ask for Marc, he’s one of our favorite bartenders in London.

    Overall: Recommend

    Not rating

    There are two reasons why we are not rating The Toucan- 1. We had an exceptionally good time and the bias level would be through the roof and 2. We know it would be impossible to have that great of a time again. This locals pub in Soho pours one of the best Guinesses in town (and Jason Mamoa is a regular). We try to visit every trip now. Tip the bartenders double.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7.5/10   Atmosphere: 8/10     Food:  7.5/10     Beverage Program: 7/10

    This pub next to The Langham hotel is classy, clean, and organized. Their food menu offers a variety of food (the cheese toastie is very large) and they offer several different beers and a variety of gins. If you are looking for a higher-end pub to spend an afternoon, we do recommend this posh pub.

    Hotels

    The Bulgari Hotel in London is lovely, but it does not compare to The Bulgari Paris (our #1 hotel in the world). While the pool is almost an exact replica, the gym and other facilities are more outdated and the service leaves something to be desired (though housekeeping was wonderful!) The spa is nice, and the pool gets busy because of this (an issue we haven’t experienced in Paris). We did not enjoy the Italian restaurant, but the breakfast provided the best omelette Gio has ever had in his life.

    Claridge’s has been one of the top luxury hotels in London since the 1800s. While they have a few options for bars and restaurants, our favorite spot was The Fumoir, which was intimate and cozy (but it only has 3 bar seats in addition to standard seating- we still prefer it to Claridge’s Bar). Our first room was nice, but we did not love the layout (Mayfair balcony room). We preferred the Superior Room, and it is important to get a room in the main wing, because the add-on wing is very easy to get lost in and quite far from the main lobby. The indoor pool was relaxing, but only sat 4 couples. The gym has everything you need, and is comfortably sized. They are famous for their afternoon tea, and the lobby gets busy during this time. While this is our top recommended hotel to stay at in London, it is because we haven’t found one we truly loved yet.

    While The Connaught Bar is one of the best in the world- and the breakfast at this hotel is superb- we would not stay here again. For starters, our shower was broken the whole time and rather than switch rooms they kept telling us it was fixed when it wasn’t. The lobby is quite small, and the spa facilities are just okay (the pool is nice but its very hot in the room during the winter). The gym is alright- pretty much what you would expect. However, the concierge team here is efficient. Guests get priority access for all bars- which is very convenient during the busy weekends- and they responded to each of our emails within 5 minutes.

    Do not recommend.

    Corinthia was definitely the busiest and probably the least hospitable hotel we have stayed at in London. In addition to losing our bags for a short while after check-in (and damaging a well-known music producer’s equipment who was complaining next to us), they gave us a room that was a different layout than the blueprint offered online and at least 1/4 smaller. Trying to upgrade proved an insurmountable task. The pool/spa area was interesting, and the gym was nice. Unfortunately, the lobby was just too busy with people visiting for tea and taking photographs- we had to maneuver our way around groups to enter/exit the hotel (one of our ultimate hotel pet peeves).

    We actually quite enjoyed our stay at Hotel Café Royal, which borders Mayfair and Soho. They have a very hospitable bar staff at Green Bar downstairs, and the front desk check-in was charming and easy. We stayed in a Grand Deluxe room overlooking Piccadilly Circus and it was perfectly comfortable. The pool has adult and children hours, and the gym provides additional fitness classes that we will have to try next time.

    Hotel Ham Yard is in Soho, very close to Mayfair. It is walkable to a lot of our favorite places, and the rooms are spacious, but we have a hard time recommending it. The design reminds Jess of preschool and we had to switch rooms as the first one smelled like something had died in it.

    Marylebone is a trendy part of London, just south of Mayfair. When we visited, we stayed at The Landmark Marylebone, which does look a bit nicer in pictures than it does online. The service wasn’t great, they lock the back entry at 10pm, and the pool is not nice. However, the rooms can be spacious and the Mirror Bar is comfortable.

    The Rosewood London is in Holborn– a 15 min taxi east of Mayfair. While the hotel was very nice, we do prefer to stay in Mayfair. It should be noted that they were very amenable to upgrades upon arrival. We upgraded to a Premiere Suite and it was spacious. The bathrooms are designed well with nice marble. Scarfes Bar attached was really great, but as it was booked out for private events 2/3 nights we were there, we find it impossible to recommend.

    This Hilton hotel has our favorite actual room in London- room 105. If you can get it, then it is worth staying at this St. James hotel, which is only a 15 minute walk from Mayfair. It is a stunning circle room overlooking Trafalgar Square, with large windows and a spacious bathroom. The hotel itself is average overall.

    The Langham hotel in Marylebone provides five-star hospitality with a clean and modern design. Slightly north of Mayfair, some of our favorite restaurants are walkable from here (Cubé is a 10 min walk). We really enjoyed the room layout of the Junior Suite, and the Deluxe room in the main wing (very important!) is also comfortable. Make sure to stay in the main building, as the old wing is a trek and has significantly worse rooms (including some with bathtubs only and no showers). The Artesian Bar here is one of the top 50 in the world (but not our favorite).

    The Peninsula in Belgravia is one of the newest (and nicest) hotels in London, but we honestly wouldn’t return because there is not a nice enough hotel bar. But, otherwise, the service was 10/10, the bathrooms are huge, and they have a convenient service closet for laundry etc. The complimentary hotel cars were amazing and we used them often in the rain (they will go anywhere under 1.5 miles). Downsides: Pool was closed when we were there, pillows were really bad, lobby fragrance leans stronger than most, and… the bar situation is the real problem. They have a rooftop bar but its not really nice and gets packed.

    Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair– we love the bar, we just haven’t stayed yet because the rooms we would want are very small. Friends and family have recommended both The Ritz and The Dorchester, but we have not stayed at either. We took a tour of The Mandarin Oriental, but the lobby was so stuffed with perfume and crowded that we realized it was not for us. Jess’s dad recommends the St. James in Mayfair as his top London hotel.

    Tourism & Travel Notes

    London is super walkable (especially in Mayfair, where most of our favorite places are). But… it would be hard to deny that some of the best taxi drivers in the world are in London. Unlike other big cities, London cab drivers must take a topographical test to be allowed to drive there- this means they all memorized every street in London and over 20,000 landmarks. They also usually have a great sense of humor. If you can’t find a cab and aren’t too worried about bicycle safety- hop on one of the lit-up bicycle carts and blast the music after a night on the town. Ubers are also available.

    A note on trains: Paddington Station is a great hub for getting around England. There aren’t really “restaurants” to eat at, but there are several cafes where you can grab a baguette or beer before your train ride.

    We have found Mayfair to be quite safe. More caution is needed in Soho after the sun goes down, and on our last trip we were told to avoid Chinatown at night due to gang violence, so we thought we would share that with you all.

    Notable Places Visited & Not Reviewed

    Annabel’s: This doesn’t count as ‘visited’ but by the time we got the invitation to go, we decided we didn’t really want to (woops!). Artesian Bar: A top 50 bar in The Langham hotel that is “just okay”… it is not bad, but we wouldn’t go out of our way to return. Bethnal Green Tavern: If you’re over in Shoreditch area, our friends work at this hipster-bar. Ask for Jake. Canton Blue: Located in the Peninsula, it was our least favorite Chinese restaurant in London, purely food and service wise. But we did like the dumplings. Cecconi’s: Average Italian, but not bad. China Tang: The Dorchester’s high-end Chinese. The peking duck tasted and looked burnt. Cipriani: Definitely not our preferred Cipriani location, there is no sommelier and our waiter was pretty lost in all ways. We won’t be back. Ikeda: They cancelled our reservation only a few hours before. Ixchel (Chelsea): Worth a visit for the margaritas and flour tortilla fish tacos, but don’t go out of your way for it. J Sheekey: We found it to be a little overrated and we greatly prefer Bentleys. Kahani: There were some really good bites, but Jess was terribly jetlagged so we unfortunately could not enjoy this Indian restaurant as much as we wanted to. Kai: Avoid. Do not understand the star. KOBA: Not good Korean BBQ, we’d skip it. Mayfair Chippy: Okay food, okay service. Min Jiang: We went here for peking duck many years ago but we only remember the view. We will need to try again. Red Room: This champagne bar in The Connaught is not really our style. We do actively try to avoid it. Sachi: Yep, definitely avoid it. Scotts: One of Bentley’s biggest competitors. We went, and it was one of the biggest disappointments during our time in London due to both the food and service. Sette: It was not good the night we went- but it was also very busy with loud children and the server had powder on his mustache, so you can take what you want from that. Sparrow Italia: Disappointing. Could also be improved by allowing space between tables so you don’t feel piled on top of each other. Sumosan Twiga: Definitely avoid. Titu: Super cute dumpling spot (very tiny) with delicious dumplings, great for an afternoon snack. Trishna: Sister restaurant to Gymkhana, this Indian spot in Marylebone actually made us not want to try Gymkhana. Sweet and not great food in a tight space. The Ivy Asia: Avoid. UMU: We left early. At best it was average sushi that was warm. Not sure about that 1 Michelin star. 

    favorite moments

    Indian food at Kanishka
    Indian food at Kanishka
    Imperial Treasure peking duck
    Imperial Treasure peking duck
    Lobster with almond butter at Bentley's
    Lobster with almond butter at Bentley's
    Jess happy at The Donovan bar
    Jess happy at The Donovan bar
    Paddington Station
    Paddington Station
    Eel foie hand roll at Cubé
    Eel foie hand roll at Cubé
    Cube salads!
    Cube salads!
    The Toucan pours a great Guinness
    The Toucan pours a great Guinness
    Bar hopping!
    Bar hopping!
    Artist's Bar at The Dorchester
    Artist's Bar at The Dorchester
    Gio's chef's kiss at Cubé
    Gio's chef's kiss at Cubé
    Delicious apps at Gouqi
    Delicious apps at Gouqi
    Our favorite bartender at Claridge's The Fumoir
    Our favorite bartender at Claridge's The Fumoir
    Best coffee at Milos
    Best coffee at Milos
    Fatt Pundit
    Fatt Pundit
    We definitely recommend the Spanish oysters at Bentleys
    We definitely recommend the Spanish oysters at Bentleys
    Jamon Iberico at Sabor
    Jamon Iberico at Sabor
    Kiln's claypot dish
    Kiln's claypot dish
    The Connaught Bar
    The Connaught Bar
    Continue Reading

  • Paris, France

    Paris is the ultimate European destination, and it has everything: food, wine… and our our absolute favorite luxury hotel in the world: The Bulgari Paris. If you aren’t staying there, enjoy a beautiful meal at the hotel’s Il Ristorante, or go all out French-Michelin at Le Cinq across the street. You can thank us later.

    Traveling around? Check out our London Guide.

    Don’t know what to pack? Here’s Jess’s Packing List.

    Top Restaurants

    Il Ristorante

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8.5/10   Atmosphere: 8/10    Food: 9.5/10    Beverage: 9/10

    Located on the first floor of our favorite hotel (The Bulgari), Il Ristorante is a wonderful fine-dining Italian experience from chef Niko. In a calm and relaxing atmosphere, Niko makes incredible dishes and the sommelier is happy to help with unique recommendations. The Spaghetti e Pomodoro is not your every-day pasta, and you cannot cannot miss the lasagna (it is the best we have ever had and we are big lasagna people). Last time we visited we ordered the antipasto al’italiana- which arrived in multiple courses- and we certainly recommend this for the adventurous. The veal milanese is outstanding. We have been for both lunch and dinner and both were great (long and leisurely is the way to go). This is a must-visit when in Paris.

    Le Cinq

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8.5/10    Atmosphere: 9/10    Food: 8.5/10    Beverage Program: 8/10

    When it comes to three-Michelin starred restaurants, Le Cinq certainly tops the list (or, at least, comes very very close). Gio’s dad- Dave- recently told us he had a dream about eating at Le Cinq again. This is high-end, top-tier French food done right, located in George V Four Seasons in the 8th. A strict dress code is enforced. Men must wear jackets, but they are welcome to remove them upon reaching their seats. Save room for the cheese selection.

    Shang Palace

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 7/10    Atmosphere: 7.5/10    Food: 9/10    Wine: 8/10

    Located in the basement-level of the Shangri-La in the 16th, Shang Palace consistently offers one of the best peking ducks in the world. And this is why you go: for the food. Also, Jess highly recommends the red rice roll appetizer if you are looking for something unique.

    Top Bars

    Bar Les Ambassadeurs

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 9/10   Atmosphere: 9.5/10   Bar Program: 9.5/10  

    Located in Rosewood’s Hôtel de Crillion, this is our favorite bar in Paris (and in Paris, we do love a good hotel bar). It is very extravagant, with high ceilings, comfortable bar seats, and ornate decor a la King Louis XIV. They used to have a clarified cocktail on the menu that was Jess’s favorite cocktail in the world, but it has sense been replaced on the new seasonal menu. We usually go right when they open around 5PM. Do not hesitate to order the truffle comté grilled cheese, it is incredible.

    Le Bar

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 8/10    Atmosphere: 8/10    Bar Program: 8/10

    At the Four Seasons George V in the 8th, Le Bar is an intimate cocktail lounge with great service. The vibe feels like it belongs amongst men’s clubs in London. It is important to note that it does get very busy, so do have a backup in the area.

    Le Bar Kléber

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 8.5/10    Atmosphere: 9/10    Bar Program: 8/10

    Another stunning bar with high ceilings and ornate design located in The Peninsula Hotel, this is worth visiting for the service and stories of the artwork alone.

    More Restaurants & Bars...

    Overall: Maybe

    Service: 7/10   Atmosphere: 7/10   Beverage Program: 7/10

    Located in Le Réserve in the 7th, Le Gaspard is comfortable and the bartenders have many vintage liquors they want to share… If you go, please help us out– there is a brown and tan colored globe on the bar top that we spent hours trying to figure out, if you can tell us what the colors signify, we’ll owe you a drink.

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8.5/10   Atmosphere: 7/10   Food: 8.5/10  Beverage Program: 2/10

    In a clean and comfortable setting tucked behind Avenue George V, DokiDoki rolls out some of the best handrolls we have had. The fish and seaweed are quality- and we love the focus on handrolls alone. The beverage menu is literally along the lines of ‘sake, beer, wine’, but they do offer one of each. The bar is the only seating- with immoveable round stools with no backs. We recommend asking for light rice so you don’t get too full.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7/10    Atmosphere: 9.5/10    Food: 7.5/10   Wine: 7/10

    It’s not every day you eat inside the top of the Eiffel Tower. The experience is definitely once in a lifetime, and the bread starter was so delicious we might never forget it (it is actually worth filling up on). It should be noted that not all of the seats are comfortable, the ceilings are quite low, and there is really only a view from window tables. To access the restaurant, walk to the bottom of the Eiffel tower and follow signs for the elevator that says Jules Verne (do not buy a ticket). The waitlist is worth trying- that is how we got our reservation.

    Overall: Worth A Visit (for the view)

    Service: 3/10   Atmosphere: 9.5/10   Food: 6/10   Wine: 7/10

    One of the best-kept secrets in Paris. This is probably because of the service, which is worse than the stereotypical Parisian spot… and the hostesses, who will use any excuse to turn someone away (the man in front of us with a full Gucci sweatsuit, for example, was turned away for dress code violations). Once, we were seated at a tiny table in between two large groups, and when we asked to sit somewhere else (9/10 times people in Paris will ask to move tables)… with much fuss, we were eventually brought through the entire restaurant… to the same table. Life is only slightly easier when you make a reservation here (which we recommend).

    Why do we deal with the bad service? Because the view is one of the best in Paris, directly next to the Louvre under stunning columns. We are not even “view people,” but it is hard to beat a nice spring breeze and a bottle of wine here.

    Overall: Probably Skip

    Service: 8/10   Atmosphere: 6/10   Food: 6/10   Wine: 7/10

    If private dining is essential for you, the chef’s table at Ducasse is very private and is located underground with a window to the kitchen. Other than that, it is a little difficult for service to always be available down there (without hovering), and the food was reminiscent of other Michelin spots. The coconut dessert was memorable.

    Overall: Recommend… if you are in Paris for a while

    Service: 7/10   Atmosphere: 6/10   Food: 7.5/10   Wine Program: 8/10

    This French bistro-wine bar-gastropub hybrid offers one hundred wines on Coravin, plus a brick-sized book for the bottles in the back. This is a very casual spot, and the comfortable bar seats can be reserved for dinner. Do not miss the pâté- its the best Jess can remember having.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service 5.5/10     Atmosphere 8.5/10   Food: 8.5/10    Wine: 7.5/10

    A stunning restaurant for Chinese food and good peking duck inside of The Peninsula. While we prefer Shang Palace for Chinese, this is a good and more modern second option.

    Overall: Possibly Visit

    Service: 7/10   Atmosphere: 5/10   Food: 7/10   Wine: 9/10

    With an incredible wine list, it is hard not to be tempted to go to Nakatani. While the food wasn’t incredibly memorable for us, it was a very high-end experience of Japanese-French fusion and deserving of its one Michelin star.

    The Bulgari Bar

    Overall: Skip It

    Service: 3/10    Atmosphere: 6/10    Bar Program: 6/10

    Yes, we are obsessed with the Bulgari. However, if there is an Achilles’ heel to this near-perfect property, it is the bar (and that we still consider it our favorite hotel in the world says a lot about everything else the Bulgari has to offer). Put it this way- the bar staff here is the type that loves doing very long team meetings exactly when the bar gets full and everyone is ready to order another drink. It should also be noted that the stunning onyx bar is very, very bright. Those with sensitive eyes, skip this one.

    Hotels

    You knew this would be first. The Bulgari Hotel in the 8th of Paris is our absolute favorite hotel in the world. It has everything from incredible service to a world-class restaurant (Il Ristorante) to a stunning pool, well-equipped gym facilities, spa, and luxurious design with every single detail well thought out (bedside phone chargers, for example). Everything about The Bulgari is high end, from the furniture to the enormous pillow menu. The doormen are lovely and helpful, and so are the housekeeping and concierge staff. On our last visit, they packed us gourmet sandwiches for the train ride. It is generally not very busy, which is a good thing. 

    Le Meurice is within walking distance of the Louvre, which is always a good focal point. The rooms at Le Meurice were lovely, the breakfast was in a stunning gold-leafed room, and the view from our balcony looked directly over the park (another guest’s room in the same category had a courtyard view, so it is worth asking about). The gym is tiny but clean, with several state-of-the-art machines. The bar at the hotel was open late most nights, often with live music and always with friendly bartenders. The concierges at Le Meurice were incredibly helpful upon arrival. It does get quite busy.

    The rooms of Hotel Berrière are spacious and it is a great place to stay when Paris is very busy, as it is located right across the street from the Four Seasons and down the road from The Bulgari. While it is not as luxurious as the other two, it is very comfortable and the concierge staff is very helpful. 

    We recommend many restaurants and bars at both The Four Seasons George V and Le Crillion, and the hotel rooms both come highly recommended by friends. They are certainly worth looking into.

    Tourism & Travel Notes

    Ubers are very easy to get in Paris.

    This might come as a surprise, but our favorite way to see Paris during nice weather is- undoubtedly- on a rickshaw taxi (motorized bike for hire, whatever you would like to call it works for us). You can find these lined up outside any tourist site. There is truly nothing better than spending a lovely summer afternoon slowly winding around traffic, the wind blowing in your hair, under the shaded roof of one of these lovely rides. Hold your purse tight, find a driver who will let you connect your own music via Bluetooth, and voila!

    We would not recommend short connections at Paris airport, which takes forever to get through. There is also not a lot to do in most terminals (if you walk though one and see an oyster bar in front of you- that is the only place to get a drink in that terminal, so snag a seat).

    If you are traveling within the EU, there is no need to arrive at the train station early. There is nothing to do, and you may find yourself wandering to cafes outside of the terminal and across the street until your platform is announced (about 20 min before departure). If you are training to the UK, do arrive early as you will need to go through double customs.

    Notable Places Visited & Not Reviewed

    Drouant: It was our server’s first day, the food was cold. Miss Ko: Just average. Bar de L’Escadrille: The owner showed up with a large group and started playing very loud, very unique Russian karaoke. Le George: Our experience + the food wasn’t very memorable, but we might give it a second chance.

    favorite moments

    RIP to Jess's favorite drink of all time that is no longer on Les Ambassadeurs menu
    RIP to Jess's favorite drink of all time that is no longer on Les Ambassadeurs menu
    Truffle comté grilled cheese at Les Ambassadeurs
    Truffle comté grilled cheese at Les Ambassadeurs
    Spaghetti e Pomodoro at Il Ristorante
    Spaghetti e Pomodoro at Il Ristorante
    Fatty tuna at DokiDoki handroll bar
    Fatty tuna at DokiDoki handroll bar
    The Bulgari Hotel pool
    The Bulgari Hotel pool
    Bar Les Ambassadeurs
    Bar Les Ambassadeurs
    Gio enjoying The Bulgari Bar
    Gio enjoying The Bulgari Bar
    View from a Bulgari hotel room
    View from a Bulgari hotel room
    A memorable coconut ice cream dessert from Alain Ducasse
    A memorable coconut ice cream dessert from Alain Ducasse
    Gio, Mackenzie (Jess's sister) and her husband Fer in a rickshaw taxi!
    Gio, Mackenzie (Jess's sister) and her husband Fer in a rickshaw taxi!
    Shang Palace Peking duck
    Shang Palace Peking duck
    Cheese selection at Le Cinq
    Cheese selection at Le Cinq
    Gio enjoying Le Gaspard Bar
    Gio enjoying Le Gaspard Bar
    The infamous globe with color coding we cannot figure out!
    The infamous globe with color coding we cannot figure out!
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