If you need restaurant recommendations for your next trip, you’re in the right place. This is our ultimate guide to global dining, according to CF Insiders.
We asked our global insiders to tell us all the best places to eat in their cities. Including fine dining, under-the-radar locations and local must-try spots, these are their recommendations from across the globe from Australia to Mexico, Shanghai to Saint Lucia, and beyond.
Where: Melbourne, Australia
Who: Rose Hood, founder of London-based café concept Farm Girl. Read Rose’s full Insider Guide here.
Where should we go for breakfast?
The Kettle Black. It serves such a yummy breakfast and has the best coffee.
Best restaurant for a long, lazy lunch?
Stokehouse in St Kilda for relaxed, fine-dining on the beach.
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Your favourite restaurant in town?
Chin Chin in the CBD for delicious pan-Asian cuisine and great cocktails with a good vibe. While here, take time to walk around the CBD and over the river to breathe in Melbourne’s evening energy.
And for dinner with friends?
Kisume is the best Japanese in Melbourne.
The drink to order at the bar?
Sake from Yokohama.
Where: Tulum, Mexico
Who: Isabella Cavallin and Jannine Vinci, the enviably-cool founders of swim and beachwear label Oséree. Read Isabella and Jannine’s full Insider Guide here.
Where should we go for breakfast?
If you’ve made it to an early Holistika yoga session, there’s no need to venture further afield. It serves fresh, healthy smoothies and acai or cacao bowls using local ingredients that make the perfect post-stretch complement. Matcha Mama is a casual roadside shack-style bar with similarly delicious options.
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
Libélula in Sian Ka´an is the kind of place you can stay all day. It serves authentic Mexican cuisine cooked outside on a grill or wood oven, and the beach club feels more private than some of the alternatives in Tulum.
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Your favourite restaurant in town?
Mestixa is an Asian restaurant that serves innovative dishes and the best cocktails. It doesn’t have a website – many of the best places in Tulum don’t – you can book a table via whatsapp.
And for dinner with friends?
Mezzanine is a hotel with a Thai restaurant that’s great for big groups because it serves the kind of food you can share between the table. The views here are incredible – the stretch of beach it overlooks is spectacular.
The drink to order at the bar is…
Mescalina Maracuyá. Every time.
Where: Oslo, Norway
Who: Ophelia Alickaj and Sara Vlatkovic, creators of Crystal Haze Jewellery. Read Ophelia and Sara’s full Insider Guide here.
Where should we go for breakfast?
Vandelay at Barcode has the most amazing breakfast. You can choose anything from eggs to pancakes.
Where can we find the best coffee?
At Stockfleths, they have several shops around town and the coffee is great. We are obsessed with their iced latte.
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
For a long and lazy lunch enjoy an amazing view of Oslofjord at Hanami.
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Your favourite restaurant in town?
Mon Oncle. Listen to amazing bangers from the 90s and eat easy French cuisine.
And for dinner with friends?
Atlas Brasserie for an amazing food experience and ambience. Next door you have the best drinks in town and a jazz club in the basement of the hotel. Basically, you have everything you need in one place.
The drink to order at the bar?
Gin & Tonic Monkey 47 or Cosmopolitan on the Rocks.
Where: Shanghai, China
Who: Chinese jewellery designer, Jia-Jia Zhu. Read Jia-Jia’s full Insider Guide here.
Where should we go for breakfast?
Any local neighbourhood breakfast stall which sells jianbing – a traditional Chinese street food similar to crêpes.
Where can we find the best coffee?
Luneurs on Hua Shan Road is an artisanal bakery with an interior made from natural materials.
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
RAC Shanghai for French Gallet and crêpes.
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Your favourite restaurant in town?
Jeju Izakaya, a tiny and exclusive restaurant run by Korean chefs. The space is intimate and has a cool concept.
And for dinner with friends?
Villa Le Bec by chef Nicolas Le Bec. It’s a 1924 villa that has been converted into a French bistro.
The drink to order at the bar?
Negroni.
Where: Saint Lucia, Caribbean
Who: Team Great Britain sprinter, Imani-Lara Lansiquot. Read Imani-Lara’s full Insider Guide here.
Where should we go for breakfast?
I would suggest Café Ole in the Rodney Bay Marina. It’s a friendly coffee shop on the boardwalk.
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
Stonefield Villa Resort’s Mango Tree Restaurant. It has a stunning close-up view of Petit Piton, coupled with a peaceful pool setting. The food is great too. The chefs use only fresh, local ingredients using herbs, fruits, and vegetables grown on the property or across the island. The menu has lots of local favourites including catch of the day with green fig mash.
And for dinner with friends?
Orlando’s Restaurant in Soufriere. It’s a cosy and welcoming restaurant serving gourmet Caribbean food.
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A must-try spot for date night?
Rock Maison at Cap Maison – it’s located on a private wooden deck overlooking the sea, with just a table for two and a champagne zip line bringing your drinks down to you.
Your favourite restaurant in town?
Big Chef Steak House in Rodney Bay.
The drink to order at the bar?
Anything with local Saint Lucian rum. My favourite is ‘Ti Punch’, a spiced rum, lime, and honey mix. However, you could also try something a little less sweet, like a Chairman’s Spiced mixed with cranberry juice.
Where: Ibiza, Spain
Who: Ibiza’s resident summer DJ, Magdalena. Read Magdalena’s full Insider Guide here.
Favourite hangover brunch?
Passion Cafe has the best detoxing smoothies, and healthy brunch options with eggs as well as great comfort food like burgers and halloumi.
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
For beachside food and a magical atmosphere, Amante cannot be beaten; they do great fish, paella and vegetarian options. Bambuddha is the place to go for glamorous Asian fusion food, tasty sushi and a lot of typically Ibicencan quirky history. There are so many spots for delicious food in Ibiza, you won’t get stuck.
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Your favourite restaurant in town?
A must for meat-lovers is Restaurante Asador Can Pilot. It is local and low key, situated near Ibiza Sonica offices where I do my radio shows sometimes. It is really delicious, you can grill your meat at the table. Order entrecôte meat for two or more people with their tomato and onion salad, some potatoes or bread – and of course the Ibiza classic condiment aioli, olives and a full bodied white wine. Salut!
Unmissable bars are…
Ibiza is more about laid-back all-day beach clubs and late-night restaurants than pure bars in the sense you might get in London or New York. El Chiringuito, Cala Bassa Beach Club, Cotton Beach Club and Sunset Ashram are some of my favourites.
Where: New York, USA
Who: Super-blogger, Estée Lalonde. Read Estée’s full Insider Guide here.
Tell us your favourite secret spot to eat in New York?
Get a bagel at Nagle’s Bagels and grab a coffee next door at Little Zelda.
Your favourite restaurant in town?
Definitely Five Leaves for the ricotta pancakes – I refuse to leave NYC without eating them.
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Any other restaurants we should visit?
Roberta’s Pizza is a must. Colonia Verde is absolutely delicious as is Dumpling Man – the Doughnut Plant carrot cake doughnuts are really something special.
Favourite bars?
Union Hall is a really chill spot if you want to hang out and maybe even catch some comedy shows. I also recommend Primo’s.
Where: Paris, France
Who: ‘It’ girl, Jeanne Damas. Read Jeanne’s full Insider Guide here.
Where should we go for a long, lazy lunch?
Le Square Trousseau. This used to be my parents’ restaurant – the place I grew up in. It has a beautiful view of the Square Trousseau and you can take a stroll afterwards to the Marché d’Aligre.
Your favourite restaurant in town?
Clamato, a rustic seafood restaurant, or the elegant bistro, Clown Bar. I love the food and ambience at both.
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And for dinner with friends?
Aux Deux Amis is charming and cosy.
A must-try spot for date night?
À L’Épi d’Or, it’s a quintessential Parisian bistro with authentic vintage interiors.
Where: Sydney, Australia
Who: Nicky Zimmermann, co-founder of luxe swim and resort-wear label, Zimmermann. Read Nicky’s full Insider Guide here.
Where should we go for breakfast?
Bills in Bondi – they do the best ricotta hotcakes.
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
You can’t go past lunch at Icebergs – the food and service are great and the view is spectacular.
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And for dinner with friends?
Seans in Bondi – it is cute, homely and right across the road from the beach. I love the relaxed feeling you have when dining there. The food is also extremely delicious.
A must-try spot for date night?
Alberto’s Lounge is a great little Italian speak easy place bursting with charm and character.
Your favourite restaurant in town?
Bennelong which has iconic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
Who: Fine jewellery designer, Roxanne First. Read Roxanne’s full Insider Guide here.
Where should we go for breakfast?
Truth Coffee Roasting at 36 Buitenkant Street. Or, if you fancy something a little more substantial, I love Kleinsky’s Deli. Don’t forget to stop and admire the view, sometimes I don’t believe it’s real.
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
Babylonstore to explore one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley. Book a table at Babel, their fine dining restaurant; it’s pared back and the food is all farm-to-fork, and delicious. Spend the afternoon wandering around the grounds taking in the wonderful vegetable and fruit gardens and the on-site farm shop, glasshouse and vineyards.
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Your favourite restaurant in town?
Between Us is a beautiful restaurant owned and run by the most gorgeous twin sisters, Jess and Jamie. I am completely obsessed and equally impressed with both of them and their wonderful restaurant. The ambiance and food is a ten out of ten. Housed in an original cape building surrounded by orange trees, it’s simple but exquisitely chic.
And for dinner with friends?
The Duchess of Wisbeach, it’s hard to describe this restaurant but, perhaps you could think of it as an unapologetically kitsch wonderland. It’s eccentric and wonderful all at the same time; the food is good, the drinks better, and the later you stay the more colourful it becomes.
Where: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
Who: Greek, Israeli and Danish descent jewellery designer Orit Elhanati. Read Orit’s full insider guide here.
Where should we go for breakfast?
To the terrace at the Norman Hotel. Locals love it and go there for special occasions, it’s a perfect place to enjoy an amazing brunch with loved ones.
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
BAR51 is located near the beach, which is where you want to be at noon in Tel Aviv. It serves a fresh menu of seafood-based dishes and great wine.
Your favourite restaurant in town?
Port Sa’id for a chilled vibe with incredible food, or Mashya for exquisite fine dining.
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And for dinner with friends?
If you want to choose an authentic dining experience known mostly to locals, go to Shtsupak. It’s not fancy, yet the fish and seafood are delicious. It’s also close to the beach and to the chic Ben Yehuda street.
The drink to order at the bar?
Lemonarak at the Hummussaria. But be sure to stop by The Lucifer, too. After pushing a large heavy door open you enter a dark, smoky room with a super cool bar and crowd. It’s very chilled out.
Where: DUBAI, UAE
Who: Faiza Bouguessa, founder of eponymous Dubai-based fashion brand Bouguessa. Read Faiza’s full insider guide here.
Where should we go for breakfast?
My all-time favourite is Lana Lusa, I go there almost every day. The avocado toast is delicious, and the pastries are too. I also love the breakfast at Tashas Al Jalila, it’s a great place to go with kids. If you wish to try an Arab breakfast, head to Three by Eva.
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
To embrace the Arab lifestyle and food, go to the Al Fahidi district which is the cultural heritage site of Dubai. Have lunch at the Arabian Tea House, or try XVA Café for a healthier option.
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And for dinner with friends?
I love to go to Ninive, they serve delicious food from many Middle Eastern countries. The restaurant is picturesque with beautiful décor, and is in the heart of Dubai.
Your favourite restaurant in town?
La Cantine du Faubourg which serves French cuisine. The vibe is great and the food is exceptional. When I want something more intimate I book at Gohan, an authentic Japanese restaurant hidden behind a door at La Cantine.
Main Image: Amante Ibiza
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Any Questions or Tips to add?