Lists of Places I Liked
Antigua Guatemala / Athens / Berlin / Bilbao / Budapest / Buenos Aires / Copenhagen / Cusco / Granada / Grottole / Lima / Madrid / Medellín / Mexico City / Porto This page is inspired by Malte Müller’s Repository of recommendations, where I have found several gems to visit while traveling.
Antigua Guatemala
Breakfast
Lunch
Rincón Antigüeño 14° 33.33′ N 90° 43.92′ W Tasty and affordable Guatemalan food. Perfect for lunch, though usually there is a line — it’s that popular.
Dinner
Toko Baru 14° 33.312′ N 90° 43.776′ W Por Qué No? 14° 33.138′ N 90° 43.866′ W This is probably the smallest restaurant I have ever been in. The ground floor is a tiny kitchen and two seats on a bar, above there is a mezzanine (you have to climb up a ladder, no space for stairs) directly under the roof where they somehow fit a few tables. Pappy’s BBQ 14° 33.312′ N 90° 44.124′ W
Cocktails
Ulew 14° 33.498′ N 90° 44.082′ W This bar has no menu — you just tell them what you like and they make something up. Sounds like a risky concept, but thanks to the skillful bartenders it works splendidly. We had the best time there and you can tell everyone working there is having tons of fun too. La Casa del Ron 14° 33.438′ N 90° 43.848′ W Even though it is basically a sales room for Guatemalan rum, they have a surprisingly good selection of cocktails.
Athens
Coffee
behold theman 37° 59.208′ N 23° 44.088′ E An awesome, alternative coffee shop, inspired and paying hommage to the early expressionist Bauhaus. InLoveAgain 37° 58.638′ N 23° 43.794′ E
Breakfast
The Black Salami Microbakery 37° 59.16′ N 23° 44.286′ E Their roast beef sandwich is to die for. They sell out quickly, so make sure to come early.
Lunch
Tasty Corner 37° 59.328′ N 23° 43.362′ E A down-to-earth Greek grill restaurant for the local crowd. It’s definitely a neighborhood spot — it might not be Instagram-worthy, but it’s sure to make you happy. Ekiben Kitchen 37° 58.428′ N 23° 43.962′ E My recommendation is the Soy Chicken bowl with robata grilled chicken thigh. Ikigai Market at the same location sells high quality Japanese products, like woodbarrel aged soy sauce.
Dinner
Oxo Nou 37° 59.142′ N 23° 44.094′ E A restaurant close to Exarchia square that is specialized in Cretan cuisine. Everything we had there was mindblowing and we returned several times. Ama Lachei 37° 59.28′ N 23° 44.208′ E Restaurant in a converted school building with a beautiful courtyard, serving amazing Mediterranean food.
Drinks
Au Revioir Bar 37° 59.94′ N 23° 43.998′ E Athens’ oldest bar, designed by Aristomenis Provelengios. It is worth a visit for the interior alone.
Cocktails
Baba Au Rum 37° 58.644′ N 23° 43.788′ E Try the “Style It Takes”: Metaxa, aged Rhum, Italicus and Strega. The Clumsies 37° 58.734′ N 23° 43.782′ E My favorite drink off the current menu was “The Dark Side of the Moon” (Whisky, pear, strawberry, caper, rose geranium and black lemon).
Shopping
Trabala Studio 37° 57.768′ N 23° 43.38′ E A family-run Ceramics studio selling gorgeous cups and mugs. I regret not having bought more.
Berlin
Breakfast
Dinner
Gazzo 52° 29.472′ N 13° 25.548′ E Come for the sourdough pizza, stay for the soft serve with olive oil, sea salt and shortbread.
Cocktails
Bilbao
Budapest
Pastries
Lunch
Belvárosi Disznótoros 47° 29.886′ N 19° 3.384′ E Pick a marinated meat at the counter and have it freshly grilled, then choose from a variate of sides, salads and pickles. Budapest’s equivalent to Hamburg’s “Kleine Pause”.
Cocktails
Seven 47° 29.892′ N 19° 3.882′ E Very knowledgable staff and an extensive selection of rum. I love their flights, tasting menus with three spirits. Black Swan 47° 29.946′ N 19° 3.912′ E Knock on the door to be let in. Great selection of tequila. Rumpus Tiki Bar 47° 29.976′ N 19° 3.558′ E Tiki Cocktails, done right. Don’t be deterred by the decor, just lean into it.
Buenos Aires
Copenhagen
Breakfast
Apotek 57 55° 41.22′ N 12° 35.148′ E Run by interior design studio Frama. A bit pricy, but everything is an aesthetic feast.
Lunch
Jagger 55° 42.144′ N 12° 35.01′ E Hija de Sanchez 55° 40.134′ N 12° 33.51′ E Taqueria by Rosio Sanchez.
Dinner
Høst 55° 41.004′ N 12° 33.972′ E Warpigs 55° 40.11′ N 12° 33.594′ E Amazing BBQ with homemade sauces, and a soda fountain with loads of fun flavors like blueberry and black cherry.
Art Museum
Cisterns 55° 40.17′ N 12° 31.446′ E Very cool exhibition space in an old underground water reservoir from 1859.
Cusco
Granada
Lunch
Aliatar 37° 10.464′ N 3° 35.964′ W Sitting at a stainless steel counter, you can order small, made-to-order sandwiches from a long list. La Casa della Pasta 37° 10.386′ N 3° 35.778′ W Choose your type of freshly made pasta and a homemade sauce or pesto.
Tapas
Tapas are served automatically when you order a drink in a bar in Granada. These places excel: Minotauro 37° 10.638′ N 3° 35.772′ W Los Altramuces 37° 10.386′ N 3° 35.55′ W Their diverse tapas plates are large enough that if you order two or three drinks, you won’t need dinner. La Sitarilla 37° 10.404′ N 3° 36.21′ W The exterior and interior is … challenging, but don’t be fooled: the tapas, usually a type of stew, are exceptional.
Wine
Casa de Vinos La Brujidera 37° 10.542′ N 3° 35.784′ W They have a huge list — changing daily — of wines and sherries sold by the glass. Make sure you don’t miss their food either!
Grottole
Co-Living
Wonder Grottole 40° 36.108′ N 16° 23.136′ E Wonder Grottole is an amazing project, establishing sustainable tourism in Grottole. We stayed at Wonder Casa for tree weeks, and I couldn’t recommend it more.
Coffee
Barzolletta 40° 36.036′ N 16° 23.064′ E The town’s true center.
Lunch
Sandwiches from the Deli Counter of Carrefour 40° 36.186′ N 16° 22.8′ E Theresa makes the best sandwiches. Ask for Mortadella, spicy Spianata and Mozzarella.
Dinner
Bar Trattoria Quaranta 40° 36.15′ N 16° 22.89′ E Whatever you do, do not miss out on Elena’s homemade pasta. Her “Pasta con i peperoni cruschi” might be the best pasta I’ve ever had.
Cocktails
The Garrison Speakeasy 40° 36.012′ N 16° 23.136′ E
Lima
Breakfast
Cocktails
Shopping
Madrid
Medellín
Coffee & Breakfast
Pergamino 6° 14.478′ N 75° 35.766′ W Pergamino serves the best coffee I ever had. I am usually an Espresso guy, but their V60 pour-over is divine.
Mexico City
Tacos
There are so many great taco stalls in Mexico City that you probably don’t need recommendations. Nonetheless, these were our favorites: Taqueria Miranda 19° 25.656′ N 99° 9.084′ W Our favorite taqueria overall. It’s a small stall in the middle of the street, preparing different types of tacos, but their Al pastor is the best I had in Mexico. On a buffet with lots of sides you can finish off your taco to your liking. Beautifully, everything is done on a basis of trust: You eat your taco standing on the street among a diverse crowd, maybe get another one, and in the end go to a guy and tell them how many you’ve had and pay. Tizne Tacomotora 19° 25.062′ N 99° 9.348′ W Spezializing in tacos with smoked meats — which are magnificent — their charred avocado is also worth trying. El Torito Feliz 19° 25.968′ N 99° 9.042′ W The kindest man, selling quesabirria tacos from his little stall. Taquitos Frontera 19° 25.134′ N 99° 9.45′ W Offering a big selection of tacos and tortas, I specifically recommend the Cochinita pibil. The Pozole is also great. Carnitas Lupillo 19° 25.518′ N 99° 9.246′ W Our favorite carnitas. Pollos Poncho 19° 25.08′ N 99° 9.606′ W Chicken tacos aren’t very common in Mexico City. Pollos Poncho makes great ones.
Coffee
Lunch
Also see (1) Tacos. Omusubi House 19° 24.786′ N 99° 9.852′ W A small tienda selling freshly rolled onigiri with a blend of Mexican and Japanese flavors.
Dinner
Taverna 19° 25.794′ N 99° 9.186′ W Part of Proyecto Público Prim this restaurant is worth a visit for the interior alone, but the food and cocktails also deliver. Tirasavia 19° 25.77′ N 99° 9.12′ W Chef Allan Feldman offers farm to table food of the highest quality. Make sure to also check out “Cinco Pies”, their Speakeasy bar and art gallery in the same location. Min Sok Chon 19° 25.47′ N 99° 9.99′ W A small, unassuming restaurant, preparing fantastic Kroean food.
Cocktails
Shopping
Mise En Print 19° 25.05′ N 99° 9.342′ W Definitely a labor of love: This little coffee shop also sells art prints, magazines and books about food culture. Super well curated selection! Loose Blues 19° 25.668′ N 99° 9.516′ W Part vintage fashion and art shop, part restaurant inspired by Japanese culture.
Porto
Coffee
For some reason all coffee shops in Porto seem to close at 17:00. Early 41° 9.156′ N 8° 37.068′ W Alto 41° 9.156′ N 8° 37.092′ W
Breakfast
Protest Kitchen 41° 9.174′ N 8° 36.858′ W “Average vibe, ordinary food, drinkable coffee”
Dinner
Lareira 41° 8.928′ N 8° 36.918′ W I had a bit of trouble getting warm with Portugese food, but Lareira won my heart. CURB 41° 9.144′ N 8° 37.2′ W Minimalist menu, beautiful classic burgers.
Beer
Catraio 41° 9.066′ N 8° 37.038′ W Make sure to go through the bar, up the stairs into their beautiful garden in the backyard.
Wine
Gito 41° 9.036′ N 8° 36.864′ W Natural wine by the glass — with a daily changing selection — and good cheese. Capela Incomum 41° 8.946′ N 8° 37.074′ W An old chapel turned into a winebar.
Drinks
Candelabro 41° 8.994′ N 8° 36.786′ W Laid-back atmosphere, good simple drinks.
Shopping
Ó! Galería 41° 9′ N 8° 37.056′ W Well curated selection of high quality artprints (many riso printed!) from Portugese artists.