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  • Tokyo & Osaka, Japan

    Japan is a world of it’s own and a must-see for any sushi-living globe trotter. Some of the best bars in Japan are in Osaka- including a favorite Bar Nayuta. And you might be surprised to learn the bar in Lost in Translation is not actually a physical bar, but a communal table at the Park Hyatt. We think the best tempura is at Tsunahachi in Shinjuku, Tokyo. And our biggest piece of advice is to learn a little Japanese before you go (Jess’s useful Japanese essentials are listed below).

    Traveling around Asia? Check out our complete Singapore Guide.

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

    Top Restaurants

    WAJO (Osaka)

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 9.5/10    Atmosphere: 10/10    Food: 9/10    Beverage Program: NA (Sommelier pairing was very good)

    Located on a high floor of the St. Regis Osaka, and overlooking the city below, this dining experience takes Teppanyaki to the next level. In semi-private to private dining rooms, you have a personal chef preparing delicious bites- ranging from cold appetizers to grilled meats and vegetables- on a mini-kitchen in front of you. Truly, if you want a fine-dining experience with good food- this is our top recommendation in all of Japan. (Jess isn’t the biggest steak person, and she ate every bite of her wagyu). We did the basic set menu with the sommelier pairing. It really doesn’t get much better than this.

    Musashi by Aman (Tokyo)

    Overall: Highly Recommend

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

    This was our favorite omakase in Japan. Master Chef Musashi takes great pride in his fish and seaweed quality, but especially cares about his rice (he beamed with pride when Jess mentioned she liked the texture). It turns out, he is famous for growing the rice himself. There was also a delicious eel hand roll that we are not sure we will ever forget. This quiet sushi bar is located in the highly luxurious Aman hotel (they only let hotel guests in, so if your reservation is at 7pm… you get let in at 7pm… however, if you simply ‘pretend’ that it is earlier, you sneak in and have a drink at their stunning bar beforehand). 

    Tsunahachi in Shinjuku Tempura (Tokyo)

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 8/10   Atmosphere: 7.5/10    Food: 9/10    Beverage: 2/10

    This walk-in only tempura spot was recommended to us by our hotel concierge as the ‘number 1 must-eat’. Two reasons we almost didn’t go: We don’t love the idea of fried food for a whole meal, and we are definitely not line people. But at the high recommendation, we decided to give it a try. We arrived in line before their 11am opening for lunch, which we recommend doing (the wait can be very long), and we were in the first seating. This was the best tempura we have had in our lives, and it was so light that we felt great afterwards. We did not feel that gross fried-food feeling, and I think that is a testament to the chefs (which you can watch from the counter) and their centuries-old recipes. Do not order the one burgundy- stick to sake.

    Oryori Hayashi Kaiseki (Kyoto)

    Overall: Highly Recommend

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

    This Kaiseki traditional lunch in Kyoto was so incredible that it’s hard to put into words. If we were in charge of giving Michelin stars away, we would certainly give this place 2. Tucked into a tiny building that feels more like a house, we were sat in a tiny room upstairs where you sit on cushions on the floor and drop your feet into a lowered section under the table. This is a multi-course sensory experience containing small bites of both raw and cooked traditional Japanese dishes. Fun fact: Gio was not a big uni fan before this, but the uni dish changed him. It is (and will probably forever be) the best uni either of us have ever had in our lives. 

    This is the only restaurant we visited in Kyoto. We hired a driver in Osaka and it took about one hour to get to Kyoto (be careful with your timing, however, with traffic it took us much longer to get back).

    Top Bars

    Bar Nayuta (Osaka)

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 9.5/10   Atmosphere: 8.5/10   Bar Program: 9/10

    This no-reservations bar is run by a creative/grungy Osakan with an Australian accent, and it is great. A bit difficult to find, it is best to search for the logo from their instagram and go from there, before tucking under a short door (an old Japanese bar tradition to keep people’s swords out of bars). There is no menu. The bartender listens to what you like a creates an herbal concoction of your dreams. It is like stepping into an apothecary and leaving happily tipsy. Make sure to buy him a drink (which is very common in Japan!)

    L&L Bar (Osaka)

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 9/10    Atmosphere: 6/10    Bar Program: 5/10

    We watched the World Cup here (and visited at least 2 other times because we loved it so much). This casual bar has the best service and no one ever seems to like sitting at the actual bar (many large groups sit at tables)- so we got two bar seats every night. This is a super popular local place, and the service is great- we still follow some of the bartenders on Instagram.

    Bar Qwang (Tokyo)

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 8/10   Atmosphere: 8/10   Food: 6/10 (fish cakes are a 9)   Bar Program: 8.5/10

    This basement-level bar in the Minato City area of Tokyo is incredibly charming. The bartender is a kind older gentleman who takes great care and caution with each of his cocktails, and his wife cooks up delicious bites in the back kitchen. We went two nights in a row.

    Bar B&F (Tokyo)

    Overall: Recommend

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

    This sister bar of the famous Benfiddich, which we were not fans of (exclusively for tourists). This bar has more locals, and an Irish-theme, which we enjoy. We visited during the winter, so the Irish music in this comfortable spot felt right. There is no menu, but there are English speaking bartenders. They have hard to find spirits we love such as Silent Pool and Martin Millers (our favorite!)

    More Restaurants & Bars...

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Cannot rate, too variable

    There are hundreds of bars in this Tokyo neighborhood, where you can walk from street to street and stop into whatever bar calls to you. A few bars will have signs saying ‘no foreigners’, and that should be respected. Be mindful of Japanese customs, if a bar is silent- it generally wants to stay silent… if a bar is loud- feel free to have fun being loud as well.

    Overall: Worth A Stop

    Service: 8   Atmosphere: 7  Beverage Program: 7

    One of the few Tokyo bars that will actually let you tip, Bar Logue is a small and dark spot with good drinks and bartenders. Snacks are served at most Japanese bars, along with your drink. The snacks here are great- smoked duck and smoked Gouda with a perfect, tiny chocolate fudge piece.

    Directions- take the stairs to the 3rd floor 3F when you see the street poster for Bar Logue. 

    Overall: Worth A Stop

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

    A tight classic cocktail bar with an experienced bartender, the smell of cigars.

    Directions- 3F look for yellow sign with bar name and follow inside to the elevator on your right. The first thing they will ask is for a cover charge (like most Tokyo bars). Say yes then take a seat.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 8/10     Atmosphere: GOTH   Beverage Program: 5/10

    Honestly, this is worth going to just for the story.

    Overall: Highly Recommend… if you like street food

    Cannot rate, highly variable

    Memory Lane is a famous road of many hawker-like shops within a small and charming street. We went on a Wednesday and had a great time, but imagine it would get very busy on weekends. Most shops have a small counter with an open kitchen, and barely any wiggle room. Simply find a shop you like, signal how many seats you want, and every one will slide down to make space for you (this is expected of you, too). This street is not for the faint of heart- there are cockroaches and public toilets and probably a lot of things we were lucky not to see. The locals love it though, and a tip is to look for a shop with many businessmen enjoying their meals. We would go back in a heartbeat.

    This was our favorite spot, make sure to order the tiny crunchy shrimp, and try to speak as much Japanese as you can (it is polite, and they also don’t speak English).

    Overall: Worth A Stop… if you love Irish Pubs

    Not rating

    We had a great time here, and it is a nice spot for a drink when you’e bored in Osaka. Ring the bell and you buy everyone a the bar a drink.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 6/10   Atmosphere: 7/10   Food: 7.5/10   Wine list: 4/10 (limited)

    This Shinjuki City Chinese restaurant is perfect if you get a little tired of sushi. We would recommend skipping the peking duck, and making sure to order the soup dumplings. There is a language barrier, but the staff is helpful and does try their best. Overall, the food is good- after all, we did go twice.

    Overall: Recommend

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

    It may seem silly to go to a Nobu when in Japan, but after so many omakases it is truly wonderful to order sushi a la carte. This is not our favorite Nobu (which is a tie between Malibu and Cabo), but it is definitely good. And they have more sakes outside of the Nobu-only selection, which is a plus.Lunch does last call for food at 2pm and drinks at 2:30pm, you can order their dinner a la carte menu at lunch if you ask for it.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 6/10   Atmosphere: 6/10   Food: 9/10   Beverage Program: 3/10

    Who would have thought it took a trip to Tokyo to find one of the best pizzas we have ever had? Not kidding. The world being small, the chef-owner trained in pastry at the Culinary Institute near where we live. The pizza crust proves this. It is really, really good. This casual pizza spot is reminiscent of childhood pizza arcades, and it gets very busy, especially on weekends.

    Overall: Worth A Visit… if you’re bored and have low expectations

    Service: 9/10    Atmosphere: 3/10    Food: 6.5/10   Bar Program: 5/10

    We found this bar out of desperation on a very cold and windy day in Osaka, when not much was open. It is located on the basement, 2 floors down, and you can see the signage by a giant Monster energy drink ad sign (which should explain the atmosphere ranking). But Rudy… oh Rudy. Our entire time in Osaka was changed for the better by entering this bar. In addition to giving us great recommendations for the city (including L&L Bar), Rudy joined us in several drinks as we tried Israeli wine and ate some of the best hummus of all time.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 9.5/10   Atmosphere: 6.5/10   Food: 8/10   Beverage Program: NA (Sake pairing was enjoyable)

    Hosted by the kindest and most adorable sushi chef (he jokingly made us a baby maybe 3cm sushi roll when we said we were starting to get full), Sushi Minazuke offers one of our favorite omakase experiences in Japan. While the rice did lean a little vinegar-y, it was certainly the most fun omakase we’ve experienced in Japan. We did get lost trying to find it: Go to the address and you will find it on the left side, in the front of the building, on the ground floor.

    Hotels

    After watching Lost in Translation, it’s hard not to be tempted to stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku. It was a nice hotel, and the gym was lovely (the pool was really just used as a lap pool)… but it definitely felt more like a business hotel and the walkable area matched that. We probably wouldn’t stay again, mostly because the bar in the movie does not have an actual bar counter (the one you see in the movie is a communal high top). 

    We can’t imagine a better hotel in Osaka than the St. Regis. And while everything did smell a little like cigarette smoke, everything in Japan smells a little like cigarette smoke. We would definitely recommend this hotel. The bar is lovely and we enjoyed every restaurant.

    Not recommended.

    This is definitely the busiest and one of the most outdated Ritz Carltons we have stayed at. The TV had a VCR player. The piano bar was highly enjoyable.

    We stayed at the Grand Hyatt or a quick stop at the end of our time in Japan. It was fine, the check-in process was difficult, but the room was lovely and there was a lot going on. However, this part of the city (Minato) has a lot of traffic, so getting to the airport was incredibly difficult.

    We would recommend looking into the Aman Tokyo, which had a lovely bar and restaurant (Musashi). It looked to be one of the nicest hotels in Tokyo, with great quality design and security. Additionally, we did not go to the Marunouchi area, but they have several luxury hotel options and we heard good things about the area as a whole.

    Tourism & Travel Notes

    It is important to note that the train from Tokyo to Osaka requires 2 tickets. You need 1 ticket to get into the station, and a separate ticket for your actual train. We did not know how to do this and we still do not know.

    If you are a tall, large person (like us) it is important to know that there are many, many places in Japan that you simply… might not fit, literally. You will be uncomfortable. There are certain things that may not work for you (Memory Lane, many bars, some elevators, train seats, traditional kaiseki rooms…). Consider this as you plan your trip to Japan.

    There are a few things we learned about Japanese culture while we were there. It was really helpful to learn/memorize a bit of Japanese beforehand (Jess forgot her iPad and the plane had no TV’s, so she was left with her downloaded Japanese podcasts and learned en-route). Tipping can be considered offensive in many places, but almost every bartender will let you buy them a drink– and they’ll drink it with you! Stay off your phone, especially in restaurants. You must ask sushi chefs if it is okay to take a picture. Also, in high-end omakase settings, you are expected to eat every bite of sushi placed in front of you (this includes the standard pickled mackerel)- if you don’t, you might stop being served. If you do get soy sauce- dip fish first. Obviously, do not rub your chopsticks together. Also, it is very uncomfortable for many Japanese people to say no– so if you want to sneak into a bar at the Aman, for example, being slightly pushy (but respectuful) does work.

    These pronunciations are simply Jess’s way of pronouncing/hearing what is being said- they are certainly not spelled correctly or even phonetically correct- but when spoken how it is written out, it is clear.

    Hi, thank you, excuse me, (get attention)- “Domo arigato”

    Yes – hi

    No – iye

    Excuse me – Sumi ma same

    Please- oneg ay shi mas

    Thank you- arigato cosai mas (Tokyo)….. Oh kai-knee (Osaka)

    See you later- matanee

    Goodbye- sayonara

    Check- okai kay (,oneg Ay shi mas)

    Delicious!- oyshi!

    Very delicious! – metcha oyshi (apparently this is very bad Japanese though)

    That was delicious- gotso sama deshda

    2 people- ni men

    Is that okay?- ee desca?

    This please- Cordei ku da sai

    I humbly receive- Eeee te dai ke mas

    Help me- paskete kuda sai

    Bathroom? – toilewa toko desca?

    Where is ___? – ___ toko desca?

    Good morning- Ohio

    Good afternoon- konichiwa

    Good evening- kon ban wa

    Hi- Yah

    Don’t speak Japanese- no homo okari ma sang

    I don’t understand- wakari ma sang

    English?- engowo?

    I’m sorry- comen na sai

    Credit card- credito cardo… 🙂

    English menu- Engano menu

    Wi-Fi- Wi-Fiwa ari musca

    Password- passwordawo… 🙂

    I’ll take one- Sorewo kuda sai

    Non-smoking- king en

    What is this? – Correva nan desca?

    You’re welcome- doi deshi mashde

    Nice to meet you- haji me mashde

    How to eat? – tabe kata wa?

    What do you recommend? – Nani ga ossu su ne desca?

    Let’s eat- eatah dakimas

    That is delicious- totemo oishides

    Water- mizu

    Two- (g)ni

    How do you say- nan te imasco

    And/also- tO

    Glass- curasai

    Umm…- edo..

    It is here- tokorai desca

    Notable Places Visited & Not Reviewed

    TOKYO- Bar Benfiddich: It took forever to get a seat, and once we sat we were surrounded by Americans. The cocktails were standard. Shinjuku Makoto: Quality neighborhood omakase, but we were way too jetlagged to rate fairly. Spirits Bar Sunface: 10th floor directly above Benfiddich, good tequilla and rum bar but we were only there for a quick drink. Yakiniku Ikuta: Avoid. Irish Pub An Solas: Standard Irish pub. Brussels Beer Project: Nice casual gastropub next door to an Udon place that smelled amazing but the line was too long for us. Tusk: Average bar with good popcorn. Sushiya Ichiyanagi: We almost never say awful things about a place, but we have nothing but awful things to say about this place. Definitely do not go. OSAKA– Captain Kangaroo: Average bar. Banjara: Decent Indian food with good poppadom, but iffy service. Bar Fort Horse: Cocktails in the subway station, not bad.

    favorite moments

    Bar B&F
    Bar B&F
    Tokyo streets
    Tokyo streets
    Toro at Sushi Minazuke
    Toro at Sushi Minazuke
    Sushi Minazuke has the sweetest chef!
    Sushi Minazuke has the sweetest chef!
    Loving WAJO Teppanyaki
    Loving WAJO Teppanyaki
    Gio happy at WAJO Teppanyaki
    Gio happy at WAJO Teppanyaki
    WAJO Teppanyaki Strawberry dessert with the freshest strawberries of all time!
    WAJO Teppanyaki Strawberry dessert with the freshest strawberries of all time!
    Japan has the cleanest ice
    Japan has the cleanest ice
    Watching the World Cup at L&L
    Watching the World Cup at L&L
    Being touristy in Kyoto
    Being touristy in Kyoto
    Stunning private room at Oryori Hayashi Kaiseki in Kyoto
    Stunning private room at Oryori Hayashi Kaiseki in Kyoto
    Bar Nayuta
    Bar Nayuta
    Gio very excited about Murphy's Irish Pub 'by the bar a round' bell
    Gio very excited about Murphy's Irish Pub 'by the bar a round' bell
    Jess very happy at Bar Nayuta
    Jess very happy at Bar Nayuta
    One of our favorite bartenders at L&L
    One of our favorite bartenders at L&L
    Delicious little shrimp at Memory Lane
    Delicious little shrimp at Memory Lane
    Our favorite spot on Memory Lane
    Our favorite spot on Memory Lane
    Continue Reading

  • 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

  • Miami, Florida

    Jess’s family lives in Miami, so we are there a lot, and we specifically spend most of our time in Brickell, which is in downtown Miami. There are two essential restaurants in Brickell, Miami: Osaka and Il Gabbiano. Everywhere else can wait.

    Craving the beach? Check out our Maui Guide.

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

    Top Restaurants

    Osaka

    Overall: Highly Recommend

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

    If the idea of torched foie gras on a piece of sushi excites you, then Osaka is the place of you. Nestled in downtown Brickell, this Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant offers some of the best food in the world in a comfortable, lively setting. This is the one restaurant we try to visit multiple times, every single trip to Miami. They are closed Mondays and reservations typically open up six-weeks out (and they fill up), so best to book early. However, the bar seating is usually first come first serve, and they offer the whole menu there as well as some incredible signature cocktails. The bartenders are lovely as well (but don’t go without trying at least a little food). Also- heads up- this is a rich meal.

    Il Gabbiano

    Overall: Highly Recommend

    Service: 9/10    Atmosphere: 9/10    Food: 8.5/10    Wine: 8.5/10

    Il Gabbiano is one of the best places in Miami for lunch. This is partly because of the view and partly because it has some of the best Italian food in the area (this is the location we chose to celebrate our wedding, after all). They start you with a little parmesan, a little salami, some bread (try the long crispy crackers), while you sip on your Aperol Spritz and enjoy the ocean breeze. This is the perfect place to order fresh seafood and pasta, and spend an afternoon. We prefer lunch over dinner, and they stay open between meals- which is great for a late and long lunch. They are closed Sundays and take reservations by phone or email (Andrea is a good server if you want to request someone). If you are on a boat in the area, they have a dock where you can be dropped off and picked up.

    Uchi

    Overall: Recommend

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

    Yet another Uchi outpost with consistently good sushi and service. Uchi restaurants are always a solid choice. Reservations are recommended, and the happy hour (which is not usually our thing) is one of the best in Miami.

    Top Bars

    Delilah

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

    This might be our new favorite spot for a pre-dinner drink in Brickell. Owned by Bieber with outposts in LA and LV, this Miami Delilah has live music every night starting at 7 (elegant jazz piano and old-school vocals) in a tastefully designed environment (think an art-deco yacht club). The bartending staff is very professional, and they have a solid wine list if you would rather start your evening off with a great bottle (and maybe a snack). It opens at 6pm and is closed Mondays. We highly recommend making a reservation, even if it is not busy, just to make check-in easier. It’s a great place to take friends or coworkers for an early drink- careful, we heard it gets packed at night and becomes almost nightcluby (so we’d stick to opening time).

    The Bar

    Overall: Highly Recommend

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

    With one of the best lychee martini’s we have ever had (#1 goes to Mr. Chow Beverly Hills), The Setai offers a perfect location on South Beach with a wonderful bartending staff and comfortable bar seats. Make sure to get there early to secure a spot and dress to impress.

    Sexy Fish

    Overall: Worth One Visit

    Service: 7/10   Atmosphere: 9.5/10   Food: 2/10  Beverage Program: 7/10

    There is a reason Sexy Fish is in the bar category, and that is the food quality. However, Sexy Fish’s design is certainly one of a kind and absolutely worth a visit to see. Also, it is pretty fun at night. It is worth making a reservation by the bar around 9pm or later (call to request the bar area) and getting a bottle of champagne, watching the crowd and admiring the impressive architecture. On weekends there might be a minimum.

    E11even

    Overall: Highly Consider… but only if you want to stay up until morning

    Service: 8/10   Atmosphere: 10/10  

    While we are almost hesitant about putting this on our ‘elevated’ travel recommendations, we just can’t help ourselves. This is likely the only nightclub we will ever recommend, let alone visit. Yes… this is a nightclub, not a bar. And, no, there are no mixologists or anything of the sort. Imagine Cirque du Soleil, mixed with Spearmint Rhino Vegas, mixed with 1Oak back in it’s heyday. Round up a large group of friends and get a table. Stay on the lefthand side once you enter. Things start picking up after 11pm. You can order chicken nuggets to your table, too.

    More Restaurants & Bars...

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Not rating

    We’re not rating this because we haven’t been in a bit. Still, Ball & Chain is our recommended place for a cubano and Cuban music. Located on Calle Ocho, this indoor & outdoor venue provides ample space for dancing and makes some excellent mojitos. If you want the full ‘Miami’ experience, it is worth a stop.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Not rated

    If you’re craving an afternoon bite and want a good cocktail to go with it (using fresh juice only), bartaco in Wynwood offers great small plates and a wide array of tacos (Jess loved her shrimp taco and mini caesar salad). This is a casual setting, with comfortable bar seating.

    Overall: Maybe Worth A Visit

    Service: 3/10     Atmosphere: 7/10    Beverage Program: 6/10

    This South Beach outpost is a good spot to start an adventurous night out. The crowd leans younger, and this is a mostly outdoor spot. You are certainly not guaranteed a seat, but it can be a fun stop. We do generally go every time we venture to South Beach, so that says something.

    Overall: Maybe

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

    Cafe La Trova is consistently in the World’s 50 Best bar list (in 2024 it is 24th). This traditional Cuban spot on Calle Ocho does roll out some perfectly balanced cocktails, but it is pretty limited to traditional Cuban drinks, so we wouldn’t personally put it in our top 50. Rum lovers will be happy, as will people who like live music and dancing late in the evening. However, the bar stools are very uncomfortable and the bar staff isn’t wildly friendly. If you do go, go for happy hour when it is less busy and make sure to order the delicious ‘focaccia lechon sliders’ (skip the other bites). For a similar vibe, we prefer Ball & Chain.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

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

    This 1 Michelin-star Korean BBQ joint in Miami Design District is a meat lover’s paradise. We went for lunch and ordered the ‘butcher’s feast’, which is a sampling of a variety of (mostly dry aged) cuts and left us well past full (and unable to eat any more meat for a while). They do all the cooking for you, on a grill in front of you. The wine list is not a good value, but the bar program looks interesting. We might return, and the rating might improve. Here is what we would do differently next time: Simply order the bibimbop (the best), marinated short rib (our favorite meat), and the standard sides (most importantly the red leaf lettuce with ssam-jang) + kimchi (a must).

    Overall: Worth A Visit

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

    Located in The Standard Hotel in Brickell- we kid you not- Fi’ila has some of the best pizzas in Miami. Stop for lunch and snag a bar seat overlooking the wood-fire oven, and make sure to ask for the pizza crispy.

    Overall: Recommend

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

    Another Brickell restaurant, Hutong offers (so far) our favorite peking duck in Miami. We prefer it for lunch, as it is less busy, and the bar is a very comfortable place to eat. In addition to the peking duck, we recommend the xiao long bao… but do skip the dumpling that is black with gold leaf on it.

    Overall: Recommend

    Service: 7/10   Atmosphere: 8/10   Food: 8/10    Beverage Program: 6.5/10

    This Wynwood spot is trendy and usually very busy, so recommendations are necessary. They have a few locations around the world (Mexico City is our favorite) and this is definitely a top one. The Korean Fried Chicken is a must, but we have never had a bad dish on the menu. The bar is comfortable but small, so it fills up fast.

    Overall: Recommend

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

    Mastro’s is one of the new kids on the block in Brickell, and it might become one of our regularly visited spots. This indoor & outdoor venue is great on days with good weather, as it is next door to Il Gabbiano and sits overlooking the water. The bar is comfortable and there is often live music. The downside is that a majority of the tables are extremely close to each other, so if you don’t want to sit at the bar that might be a problem. When we went, the bartenders were new but enthusiastic. We recommend the Italian chopped salad. We also suggest making a reservation, unless you are looking to pop by for a quick drink around opening (5pm every day).

    Overall: Worth A Visit

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

    Novikov has two outposts- London and Miami- and we enjoy both. The Miami location is focused on seafood and asian cuisine, and we prefer visiting for lunch (dinner service can get packed, but that can also be fun!). This is another Miami restaurant where we have never had a bad dish.

    Novikov Miami might be the only restaurant that we tell you: do not get bar seats. While we are sure there are some good bartenders… we have somehow had very bad luck 6+ times. Stick to a table, and make sure to secure a reservation (even if you think it’s not busy). The table servers are good, as is management.

    Overall: Recommend

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

    What can we say? When we love a place… we love a place. If you can’t make it to a full dinner at Osaka, it is worth stopping by the bar to try a delicious cocktail and a snack. We recommend the tuna foie.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

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

    While we prefer their old location, River Oyster Bar still provides the same fresh seafood in downtown Brickell, and it is a good spot for a casual lunch in the area.

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service: 5.5/10    Atmosphere: 7.5/10       Bar Program: 6/10

    This rooftop bar above the East hotel is a great location for afternoon drinks, assuming the weather is nice.

    Overall: Highly Consider… if you want to sing Blink 182 remixes at the top of your lungs

    Service: 3/10    Atmosphere: 7.5/10  

    Located in Coral Gables, and definitely a younger spot, the bar is a perfect place for drinks with friends (and is pretty much standing room only). Everyone is usually friendly and happy to be there, and the DJ is well-known for blasting music Millennials have been craving to hear for far too long.

    Overall: Worth A Visit (if you are on Key Biscayne)

    Service: 8/10    Atmosphere: 6.5/10    Food: 6.5/10   Wine Program: 8.5/10

    A 15 minute car ride from Brickell and located on Key Biscayne, Vinya is one of Jess’s family’s favorite places. This wine store/restaurant hybrid offers pretty good food and a unique wine shop, so you can pop a bottle there and enjoy a cheese tray before venturing back to the city (or the Ritz Carlton, down the road). They have a high-end wine room, where we treated ourselves to a delicious 2010 Cheval Blanc. Don’t forget the normal shelves though- Jess’s dad took home several bottles of 2010 Solaia that someone underestimated the value of.

    Hotels

    Hotel Beaux Arts is really in the perfect location in downtown Brickell, walkable to all of our favorite restaurants. Located in the upper floors of a Marriott, Hotel Beaux Arts is a separate boutique hotel that offers art-themed suites (we stayed in the Miro and it was lovely). In addition to the great location, they also have good gym facilities (though a nice hotel bar is definitely lacking). If there is a downside, it is that the pool area is not great (it was closed for a private function when we were there, so we could only see it out the window). However, because of the quality of rooms and the perfect location, this is our top choice.

    Brickell is our favorite area to stay in Miami, and the Four Seasons is in a great location. If you are looking for a hotel with a great pool and gym facilities, this is your place. The pool service is excellent (but not at the actual pool bar, better to get loungers). The gym is the Miami Equinox, which gets busy… but is large and has all the equipment you need. Downsides: The rooms are outdated (especially the carpet), the bar isn’t great, there’s a brunch on Sunday which draws large crowds, and the shower pressure is so high it’s painful.

    A fifteen minute car ride from downtown Brickell is Key Biscayne, where Jess’s family lives. The Ritz there is great for a beach vacation- offering everything from beach access to tennis courts. The ocean view suites have a memorable view, for sure.

    Not recommended.

    Aside from location, the best thing about EAST Hotel is its rooftop bar. Gio and I really did not enjoy our stay there, for a list of reasons, but mostly due to the service (they put us in the wrong room and wouldn’t change it) and very small annoying details (ex. if you take the stairs, your room key will only let you into your own floor- not the gym or lobby- otherwise you will be locked in the staircase).

    For those that enjoy booking with the SLS group, it should be noted that they have 2 very different hotels in Brickell- The one on 1300 S Miami has our absolute favorite pizza in Florida (at Fi’lia restaurant), but the hotel itself is… unique (think mirrors on the ceilings above the beds). The SLS LUX is classier.

    If you are looking for South Beach hotels, The Setai has come highly recommended by friends (though many of the rooms are small). The bar is amazing, and it is the perfect vibe for a high-end South Beach stay. (In the past, we stayed at the COMO, which has since closed).

    Tourism & Travel Notes

    Our top recommendation for places to stay in Miami is in downtown, specifically Brickell. We have found it to be the nicest area, especially if you choose hotels close to restaurants such as Il Gabbiano. Wynwood is an up-and-coming design district, famous for it’s graffiti artwork and modern restaurants such as Kyu and Uchi. South Beach is a little too wild and crowded for us, so we rarely visit unless we are going to a specific new restaurant for a night out.

    Do not expect amazing service in Miami because a 20% Auto-grat is included almost everywhere (check your bill), so there is no real incentive to provide great service. We especially notice this with bartenders. However, newer restaurants and newer staff seem to provide better service as a trend. And, if you go into Miami with low expectations for service, many places will pleasantly surprise you (or at least meet your expectations).

    Lyft is much better than Uber in Miami (and usually at least half the price).

    Many Miami locals highly urge to avoid taxis due to safety concerns. It is much better to use Uber, Lyft, or hire a private driver.

    For private transfers throughout Florida and within the greater Miami area, Jess’s family recommends Legacy Car Miami. Their email is [email protected], and they can be called or texted anytime at (305)399-3780.

    If you are going to a nice restaurant in Miami, adhere to the world-wide dress code of no sandals and no shorts… but also beware of shoelaces at night. It is a ridiculous rule, but we have noticed that in Miami (and sometimes London), a ‘no shoelace’ dress code is enforced.

    Jess and her family did a graffiti experience through Wynwood Art Walk Tours, and they had a lot of fun creating their own graffiti art (you can purchase your own canvas to work on and take home, if you ask). Jess’s sister and mom also highly recommend the graffiti golf cart tours, which are a nice way to explore the Wynwood art scene.

    Notable Places Visited & Not Reviewed

    Carbone: This South Beach outpost is our least favorite of the Carbone spots (Vegas is #1). There are better places in Miami. Skip. Edge Terrace: The Four Seasons bar is fine for a stop, but the service can be extremely hit or miss. Joe’s Stone Crab: We have not been in a long time, but it can get touristy. Katsuya: We prefer other sushi spots. Komodo: Oily peking duck. Mr. Chow’s: Not the best Chinese food, but they make a great lychee martini. Nikki Beach: Deeply avoid. Rusty Pelican: Not very clean. Taqueria El Mexicano: Used to be a favorite, but after renovations and restaffing, we are afraid they’ve passed their heyday. Zuma: We always have such a hard time with Zuma menus and figuring out what sounds good to us, this is no exception. Restaurants on Key Biscayne: Not much worth venturing out for aside from Vinya, but if you are staying on KB don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, and we will send you a shortlist.

    moments

    Soft shell crab in chili at Hutong
    Soft shell crab in chili at Hutong
    Gio enjoying Sexy Fish
    Gio enjoying Sexy Fish
    Sexy Fish
    Sexy Fish
    Fi'ila pizza
    Fi'ila pizza
    Another stunning dish at Osaka
    Another stunning dish at Osaka
    They love fire at Osaka, Miami
    They love fire at Osaka, Miami
    Hutong's peking duck
    Hutong's peking duck
    Celebrating our wedding with Mackenzie and Fernando at Il Gabbiano
    Celebrating our wedding with Mackenzie and Fernando at Il Gabbiano
    Osaka, Miami
    Osaka, Miami
    Jess's uncle enjoying the great service at Il Gabbiano
    Jess's uncle enjoying the great service at Il Gabbiano
    Jess's dad enjoying Il Gabbiano's patio
    Jess's dad enjoying Il Gabbiano's patio
    Il Gabbiano's capellini alla arrabiata
    Il Gabbiano's capellini alla arrabiata
    Jess, Mackenzie, and Carolyn enjoying E11even
    Jess, Mackenzie, and Carolyn enjoying E11even
    Jess and Noni (at 90 years old) getting ready for dinner!
    Jess and Noni (at 90 years old) getting ready for dinner!
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  • 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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  • Austin, Texas

    Austin is full of everything that makes Texas over-the-top, and it is also full of some pretty amazing food. Don’t miss out on the speakeasy Here Nor There, which requires an app to make a reservation. One of the best restaurants is Uchi- a sushi restaurant group that always delivers (and Austin is our favorite location). We recommend staying on the South Congress side of Austin.

    Can’t get enough of America? Check out our Miami Guide.

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

    Top Restaurants

    Otoko

    Overall: Highly Consider

    First visit- Service: 8.5/10    Atmosphere: 9.5/10    Food: 10/10    Beverage Program: 8/10

    Second visit- Service: 9   Atmosphere: 9.5   Food: 8    Beverage Program: 8.5

    Started by Uchi alum Yoshi Okai, this 12-seat omakase restaurant is next door to the South Congress Hotel and serves a multi-course sushi and kaiseki menu that will actually leave you full (yum, tempura). 30 minutes before your reservation, you are automatically booked at the attached cocktail bar, which serves great drinks in a dark and trendy space. Tickets are released on the first of the month on a rolling 3-month basis. They do book up immediately.

    Red Ash

    Overall: Highly Consider

    Service: 9/10    Atmosphere: 7.5/10    Food: 9.5/10    Wine: 8.5/10

    A lively wood-fire Italian restaurant that offers unbelievably good food. We tried a large selection of the menu and loved every dish. Do be careful with large parties as it is a very loud restaurant. Reservations are necessary (and they were closed for repairs last time we were in town, so hopefully you will be luckier). Call for a reservation if there are none online.

    Uchi

    Overall: Highly Consider

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

    For consistently good sushi and service, Uchi restaurants are always impressive. Our first time at an Uchi was at the Austin location, and it was one of our favorite experiences in the city. We have visited three times and our original review holds up. No dress code, casual and busy scene. Reservations are recommended.

    Terry Black’s 

    Atmosphere: 8/10   Food: 7.5/10

    Terry Black’s BBQ is America’s #1 buyer of prime beef. We learned this from a sweating but smiling pit master who is happy to talk to anyone that walks by. Online, it will tell you that Terry Black’s opens at 11 am, but on a Friday at 10:50 am (to avoid lines), we learned that it actually opened at 10:30. If you do get stuck in line, you can drink a beer while waiting. This place is always full by 11:30 am. Also, they have WIFI and air conditioning. Do avoid the dry cornbread.

    Top Bars

    Here Nor There

    Overall: Highly Consider

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

    One of the hardest reservations in Austin, this speakeasy requires you request a reservation to their ‘semi members-only’ spot via their ‘Here Nor There’ app (which is easier to do than it sounds). Their cocktail menu changes often and the drinks are great. We recommend you visit before dinner, when you can get more attention from the busy bartenders. To find: Go to the exact address provided on the app, look for a black and white designed wall and enter the nightly code into the keypad).

    Garage

    Overall: Highly Consider

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

    Literally beneath a garage, this bar mixes steampunk with 60s glam. We recommend making a reservation. 

    More Restaurants & Bars...

    Overall: Maybe…

    Not rated

    A comfortable oyster bar with good bar seating. The first time we visited, it was a rainy day and lovely. The second time, it was in the depth of summer and they turned off the AC at 2pm to rush everyone out. They have one decent white burgundy on the menu, but otherwise the wine list is very limited.

    Overall: Recommend

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

    For a very causal Vietnamese-fusion lunch, this the the place to go. Reservations recommended.

    Overall: Worth A Visit (if you like tiki bars)

    Service: 6/10    Atmosphere: 7.5/10    Bar Program: 7.5/10

    When it comes to Disneyland-like tiki bars, no one does it better. We would probably have rated it higher if we liked tiki drinks (woops)… but it was a really fun spot, especially with a group. Reservations mandatory. 

    Overall: Worth A Visit

    Service 6     Atmosphere 7    Beverage Program 7

    Reservations are needed for this plush & lounge-like cocktail bar located in the middle of downtown Austin. We enjoyed but have only been once.

    Overall: Maybe…

    Not rated

    A good spot for a rooftop cocktail on a beautiful day, but it can get windy. The entrance is outside of the Marriot, in a separate elevator from the lobby.

    Overall: Average

    Service: 6   Atmosphere: 6   Food: 6   Beverage Program: 6

    Not bad for a hotel bar, but unless you want to see the hotel (famed as a ghost hotel), then there is no real point in going. They used to have a delicious queso, so hopefully it is back on the menu if you do visit!

    Hotels

    The first time we visited Austin, we stayed at the Fairmont downtown. It was a very large hotel, and our room was comfortable, but we kept finding ourselves in other areas of the city. This meant lots of time in Ubers when we would have rather been walking. The bars were comfortable but quite outdated.

    We have also stayed at South Congress Hotel, closer to some favorite spots. The best part of this hotel was the location and the bars (especially the pool bar during hot afternoons). It is directly next door to Otoko- one of our favorite restaurants. Overall, the hotel was fine but we would probably not stay there again… it seemed to come with the trendy paradox: it may look nice, but that doesn’t mean it works (this includes all of the hotel’s water, which was out one day for about 5 hours). It is also important to note that if you book a poolside suite on the pool level, you cannot access the pool from your suite. Still, the bartending staff was lovely. 

    We have also stayed in the Lone Star Suite at The Driskill, which is their largest room at 620 sqft. The room itself was spacious and lovely, but the elevator was a little frightening and we prefer the South Congress side of town.

    The Proper Hotel was beautiful when we had lunch at their Mexican restaurant (we do not recommend). If you have visited The Proper in Santa Monica, you know what to expect- stunning design in neutral colors. Jess’s dad stayed at the Omni downtown, and recommends it. Both of those hotels are downtown, and we prefer the South Congress side of Austin (it is safer and a little less seedy)- Soho House would be worth looking into.

    Tourism & Travel Notes

    Our top recommendation for a tourist activity would be Wonderspaces Art. This interactive art gallery/adventure is 30 mins from downtown Austin and perfect for escaping a hot afternoon. If art galleries aren’t usually your idea of a good time- they also have a full cocktail bar and a virtual reality experience that makes the whole adventure worth it.

    Austin is a relatively safe city, but over the years we have noticed an increase in their homeless situation, especially downtown. Ubers are accessible and easy, which we highly recommend taking at night. The South Congress side of town also has seemed safer on our visits.

    Notable Places Visited & Not Reviewed

    Midnight Cowboy: Pulling a Southern manners card here- if we have nothing nice to say, we shall say nothing at all (the first time we went, the cocktails were good… I’ll give them that). Sammie’s: The pasta was decent, but the wine list was offensive (Tig in the thousands?) Comedor: A Mexican brunch/lunch spot with great fish tacos and a decent dry riesling on the list. However, the mimosas were warm, the service was iffy, and everything except the fish tacos was meh. Guero’s Taco Bar: We can only recommend the good queso and The Purist margarita. La Piscina at The Proper: Okay Mexican food at the ever-beautiful proper hotel, but the real problem was all of the tables are too tiny to fit their giant (and only okay) fajita specials. Whisler Bar: Exactly as out Uber driver described it- a busy… vampire cowboy bar. It is an experience requiring a lot of alcohol. They do have a good food truck.

    favorite moments

    Jess loving Wonderspaces
    Jess loving Wonderspaces
    The boys at Tiki Tatsu-Ya
    The boys at Tiki Tatsu-Ya
    The family entering Here Nor There
    The family entering Here Nor There
    Excellent crab with sea salt at Uchi
    Excellent crab with sea salt at Uchi
    Crunchy little guy! At Otoko
    Crunchy little guy! At Otoko
    Jess's mom very entertained by the art exhibit
    Jess's mom very entertained by the art exhibit
    Delicious uni at Otoko
    Delicious uni at Otoko
    Jess's dad and sister admiring the BBQ pit at Terry Blacks
    Jess's dad and sister admiring the BBQ pit at Terry Blacks
    Gio very happy with the tempura at Otoko
    Gio very happy with the tempura at Otoko
    Screen Shot 2023-12-23 at 4.27.21 PM
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