Last updated Summer 2024

MISC.

All-stars all over the map.

★ - All-time favorite / ✸ - Changing menu / Must-orders are bolded

Amsterdam, NL (1) • Barcelona, ES (1) • Chicago, IL (2) • Lisbon, PT (2) • Los Angeles, CA (3) • Madrid, ES (1) • Nashville, TN (1) • Paris, FR (1) • Rockport, MA (1)

  • The kind of restaurant experience you dream of while traveling in a foreign country. You can’t help but feel like Anthony Bourdain at this authentic Portuguese tasca filled with locals, even if you wait 2+ hours like I did. 

    ✸ Order notes: Piglet pastry, deep-fried rabbit, Portuguese sausage, “handjob” cod salad, octopus rice, peri peri shrimp, salame de chocolate ice cream sandwich. 

    Website (booking) / Instagram

  • If you can beat the line, you’ll get your hands on the best Taiwanese food in LA. 

    Order notes: Smashed cucumber, scallion pancake, pan-fried pork buns, three cup mushroom, dan dan noodles.

    Website / Instagram

  • A True lobster shack on Cape Ann, known for their “no-nonsense, no celery lobster rolls.” 

    Order notes: Lobster roll.

    Website / Instagram

  • I’m still waiting for a brunch restaurant to blow my mind the way this De Pijp gem did. Every dish is beautifully plated and pushes the flavor boundaries of the first meal of the day. 

    ✸ Order notes: Poached eggs with hollandaise and potato rosti.

    Website / Instagram

  • A restaurant that has garnered a great deal of attention, both good and bad (IYKYK). Regardless, I think Horses is outstanding in almost every department, even if it’s a little pretentious. For more insight, read Jason Stewart’s piece on Taste.

    Order notes: Bread and butter, amberjack with soy and brown butter, cornish hen, off-the-menu pasta, sheep’s milk cheesecake.

    Website / Instagram

  • I was both intimidated and suspicious of this barbeque behemoth at first glance. I thought, “This gigantic barbeque chain can’t be that good,” but it was!

    Order notes: Pulled pork shoulder sandwich, sliced beef brisket, mac n cheese, cornbread. 

    Website / Instagram

  • A rustic cafe brought to life by two Brazilian, coffee-loving friends. This was my favorite breakfast I had in Spain.

    Order notes: Cantonese-style scrambled eggs, banana bread.

    Website / Instagram

  • A glamorous take on classic Chicago dining nestled in an old cobblestone courtyard. 

    Order notes: Vodka rigatoni, coal-roasted chicken, key lime pie.

    Website / Instagram

  • Raw cement and warm candlelight make the perfect atmosphere to complement the innovative menu that changes bi-weekly.

    ✸ Order notes: Aged mimolette and carrot jam, spiced cauliflower and raïta, sweet potato ricotta ravioli, fennel with smoked pistachio and stracciatella.

    Website / Instagram

  • Crowds congregate on the corner of Abbot Kinney for this Venice fan-favorite with a locally sourced, vegetable-forward menu. 

    Order notes: Charred snap peas, Japanese sweet potato, cucumber salad, beef cheek bolognese orecchiette.

    Website / Instagram

  • A Michelin-rated Israeli restaurant with particularly outstanding vegetarian dishes. 

    Order notes: Challah and tahini, cauliflower shawarma, chicken shawarma, balagan de chocolate.

    Instagram

  • A River North staple whose bright, airy interior reflects the light and simple Mediterranean menu. 

    Order notes: Hummus with lamb ragu, charred eggplant, green falafel, mushroom kebab.

    Website / Instagram

  • These heavenly custard tarts are all over Lisbon but this was by far the best one I had. This spot is outside of the city center so make a stop in the MAC/CCB Museum while you’re in the area. 

    Order notes: Pastel de Belem (add cinnamon). 

    Website / Instagram