Syra, Barcelona: Beautifully branded coffee bar
Small but perfectly formed, Syra Coffee is just an archway in Barcelona’s Gracia district – but with standout branding like this, how could I fail to notice it!? The
Scout, London: Seasonal cocktail bar in Shoreditch
When The Talented Mr Fox (AKA Matt Whiley) opens a new bar in your ‘hood, you pay attention. With Peg + Patriot (Bethnal Green) and Talented Mr Fox (now
Canova Hall, London: Rugged restaurant & bar in Brixton
I used to live in Brixton. Now I don’t, and it’s changing faster than I can keep up with. Brixton has spawned countless foodie successes (both Honest Burger and
No.29 Power Station West: New all-day dining spot in the shadow of the Battersea icon
The oh-so-iconic Battersea Power Station is probably my favourite building in all of London. Currently undergoing extensive remodelling, us architecture-obsessed Londoners wait with baited breath to see how it
Henrietta Hotel: New boutique hotel in Covent Garden, from the team behind Experimental Cocktail Club
Experimental Group have a knack for producing fabulous hospitality establishments: What started as a hidden cocktail bar in London’s Chinatown has matured into something of an empire, with a
A Cevicheria: Clean and simple ceviche restaurant in Lisbon – with a giant octopus!
Because who doesn’t want to feast on raw fish beneath a giant octopus?! A Cevicheria was a must-see for me – house gin & tonics in giant globe glasses,
Bairro de Avillez: José Avillez’s authentic yet modern Lisbon taberna
Choose Bairro de Avillez if you appreciate iberico ham that melts on the tongue, white sangria by the carafe-ful, a hint of molecular gastronomy in the form of exploding
The Vincent: New all-day E8 dining spot with a dreamy #plant_problem
Five years ago, a team of restaurateurs transformed a boarded-up pub on Hackney Road into the East End institution that is the Sebright Arms. In search of a new
Little Quiet: The latest – and most clandestine – venture from Disappearing Dining Club
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there’s nothing more impressive than turning up to a totally unassuming front door on a super residential street, and then
Corner Room: Bethnal Green’s bright & beautiful brunch spot
It seems ridiculous to me that Corner Room has only just started serving brunch. The upstairs dining room within Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel is interior perfection, best enjoyed
Tiong Bahru Bakery: Cosy Singapore cafe with artisan coffee & matcha croissants
If a freshly baked bright green Matcha Almond Croissant and an artisan coffee from Common Man Coffee Roasters aren’t enough to tempt you into Tiong Bahru Bakery, then there
Palatino: Multi-course traditional Italian dining in Clerkenwell
One of the best things about traditional Italian restaurants is the sheer number of courses that are served as standard. Obviously I’m not talking about the pizzerias – but
Breddos Tacos: Speedy, cheap & cheesy Mexican in Clerkenwell
Breddos started out as a food truck in Hackney. Now (having been backed by the big dogs behind Hoxton Hotel and Tandoor Chop House) it’s got a permanent spot
Leman Locke: Stunning London aparthotel, a stone’s throw from Spitalfields
Self-described as a “design-led aparthotel”, Leman Locke is one of a new generation of London hotels that just makes so much sense. From the street, it might not be
Artist Residence Brighton: Quirky boutique hotel, full of character, street art & cocktails
The 19th-century townhouse façade on refined Regency Square is somewhat misleading as to what lies inside, as Artist Residence Brighton sits squarely in the current decade, as quirky and ‘street’ as
Martello Hall: Beautifully designed all-day hotspot in Hackney
Full disclosure: This is going to be an image-heavy post, because Martello Hall is, quite frankly, interior design perfection (well done Red Deer Design, you did good!). A three-storey
Tandoor Chop House: An explosive Anglo-Indian feast for the senses
Tandoor Chop House is a rather explosive feast for all the senses. From the immersive interior (with its wood panelling, scarlet leather booths and fabulous floor tiling), to the
Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile: Austin eatery with gift shop, perfect for al fresco brunch
Not gonna lie, Jacoby’s menu can be a bit off-the-wall (Red Velvet French Toast is literally a deep-fried slice of red velvet cake, which seemed a little OTT to