Initially, I wanted to write city guides to the different cities I have spent extensive time in but quickly I realized that the only real recommendations I had were for food. So here is my city food list! It is just reflective of my own personal taste, and although I think I have pretty good taste, all of it should be taken at face value. The restaurants are ranked down from most fancy to most casual.
PARIS
I was born in Paris. My parents and I moved to Geneva but we kept our family home and most of my family remained living there. It is a place I have and always will continuously keep coming back to my whole life. But as with most places that are really familiar, one tends to not be as adventurous as one could. Up until recently most of my Paris culinary adventures have been our all time neighborhood restaurants and my cousins’ apartments. My embarrassed silence when people asked about my favorite restaurant in Paris pushed me to explore, to the great joy of my belly.
- L’Arpege (French/Vegetable centric) One of the best culinary experiences I’ve ever had. Really relaxed atmosphere despite the three Michelin stars. Outstanding food.
- Chez Savy (traditional French) Deliciously decadent portions of French classics. It's simple, it's generous and very tasteful. Great atmosphere at lunch.
- Coretta (International) Very good and inventive food. Cool interior. The brioche for dessert is the best thing you will ever eat.
- La Régalade (traditional French) A classic. Very good and simple traditional French food. Go to the original location in the 14th. The rice pudding is outstanding.
- Passerini (Italian) Perfect balance between innovative and comforting. Amazingly good.
- Grand Hotel Amour (French) Hip. Great food. Super nice location.
- Le Clown Bar (New French) Super cute location. Delicious Food. Perfect pretentious Parisian service (saying this as a quality, I love being slightly bullied by competent waiters. Slight Stockholm syndrome when it comes to restaurants.)
- Le Dauphin (French Tapas) Casual. Fresh. Delicious.
- Vivant 2 (new French) Super cool. Great food. Inventive yet simple dishes. Tiny. Mostly bar seating.
- Deviant (small plates) Same family as Vivant 2. Eat at the counter Great vibe. Good food.
- Da Graziella (Pizza) Best Pizza in Paris. Super cool atmosphere. Super friendly staff (I also like it when they’re nice .)
NEW YORK
I have spent most of my life traveling to New York. My sister used to live there and that’s where she gave birth to her first three kids. I have always loved the city although I grew a bit more ambivalent to it when I lived there for two years during my Master’s program. During this time I felt a little bit disconnected from the city and desperately searched for food that felt like a warm blanket. This is mostly what you will find on this list.
- Nomad hotel (International): Consistently good food. Pretty location. The chicken is a killer.
- Le Coucou (French): Beautiful location. Delicious and inventive food. I went there with no expectations and was very pleasantly surprised.
- Hart’s (New American): So good. Small menu, everything is delicious. Great wines.
- Red Rooster (soul food): Delicious food. Great Vibe on Friday evening but also great always.
- Café Mogador (Moroccan): Good food. Nice vibe. Williamsburg location has a super nice winter garden in the back.
- Casa (Brazilian): Delicious. Cozy. Intimate.
- Otway (Natural wine bar and restaurant): Inventive food. Very cute location.
- Miss Lily's (Jamaican): Oldie but goodie. Delicious food. Great vibe. Great music. Super hot waitresses. Go to the Soho location NOT the East Village one.
- Shake shack (burger): A classic. Consistent deliciousness.
- Miss Favela ( Brazilian): Good food. Amazing atmosphere. Especially during the Weekend Brunch. Caipirinhas, dancing and live music.
- Serendipity’s (desserts): An institution. A must go for children or adults with a sweet tooth. The frozen hot chocolate with peanut butter is to die for. So are the Sundays. Perfect place for a decadent “goûter.” Avoid during the weekends.
- The Crabby Shack ( seafood): Adorable crab Shack in Brooklyn. Delicious. Fresh. Very sweet owners.
- Joe Shanghai (Chinese): Very Good. Try the soup dumplings.
- Royal seafood (Chinese): Go for lunch. Real Chinatown experience. Super hectic, super fun, super delicious.
- Milon (Indian): Extremely cheap. Insanely fun. Decent Food. BYOB
- John's of Bleeker (pizza): Classical New York Pizza. Cool location. Great pie.
- Roberta's (pizza): Favorite Pizza joint in NYC. Super cool location. Delicious pie. Great patio in the summer.
- Doughnut plant (donuts): an oldie but a goodie. Love their doughnuts. Especially the cake ones.
- Levain cookies: Best cookies in NYC. Heavy. Buttery. Soft, dense but chewy. Delicious.
BUENOS AIRES
I moved to Buenos Aires in summer 2012 right after I graduated from college. It quickly became home. I only stayed six months but in this short period of time I met people I could call family and discovered a culture and atmosphere I felt completely attune with. Since then I have tried to go back every 1-2 years and every time the city still moves me in the same way. A few things to keep in mind: Italians migrated massively to BA so be ready to see a lot of Italian influence in the food. Gelato, pasta, Milanesa, Pizza, and don’t dare say that they taste better in Italy: the Argentinians make everything better (or at least that’s what they say) When going to a Parilla (steakhouse) obviously get a steak but do not limit yourself to steak alone, try the mollejas (sweetbread), morcillas (blood sausage), chorizo (sausage), etc… They are the best part.
- Tegui(international): great location. Upscale. The restaurant is hidden behind a door covered in graffiti. Since my first visit it got elected best restaurant in Latin America. Quite overhyped but still worth going.
- Happening (steak): A bit pricey but my favorite steakhouse in the city. It's just too good.
- Nuestro Secreto (steak, pasta): Do not get turned off by the fact it is in the Four Seasons. The food is insanely good, the location is beautiful and it's not madly expensive.
- Osaka (fusion Peruvian/Japanese): Fresh seafood, great Pisco sours. Go to the one in Puerto Madeiro.
- Il Mattarello (Italian): One of my favorite Italian restaurants in BA. Casual, delicious, true homemade cooking. The original location is in La Boca (mind you, maybe don’t wander around here on foot at night) but they also recently opened a new location in Palermo Soho. Less charming but food is still delicious.
- Chan Chan (Peruvian): Modest but delicious. Very low-key, not the sexiest neighborhood but the food and the vibe are great.
- Oui Oui (brunch): good and cute
Must-eats:
- Ice creams all day, every day! (Freddo, Fratello, Rapanui, this list could go on forever…)
- Choripan (Argentinians take on hot dogs) You can find them pretty much everywhere but the best one is supposed to be at el Puestito del Tio)
- Medialunas (Argentinian croissant) My favorites are from La Imprenta or la Casa de Greta
BERLIN
Berlin is the city I am currently living in. I first moved here in 2013 and came back at the end of summer 2016 after two years in New York. I could not think of a better city to be living in and in the past couple years it went from a rather sad place culinary-wise to very exciting. Every week there’s a new pop-up or food event happening so check Facebook or Instagram to stay in the loop. Otherwise, here are some of the restaurants I like to go to.
- Horvath (New Austrian): Delicious food. Great wines. Relaxed atmosphere. Lovely team. Somewhat classic but in the best way. Deserves its 2 Michelin Stars.
- Ernst (New German with a strong Japanese influence): Exceptional in its simplicity. Incredible flavors. Highest product quality. Tiny location. No fuss. Open kitchen.
- Nobelhart und Schmutzig (Germanish): If you must try a Michelin restaurant in Berlin this is the one. Ingredient focused. Innovative. Very good food made by very passionate people.
- Shiori (Japanese): Possibly the best Japanese in the city. Eight course set menu. Only one sitting per day. Food is incredibly refined, fresh and delicate.
- Panama (International): My favorite restaurant in Berlin. Incredibly refined and innovative food. Amazing wine card. One of the most beautiful restaurants in the city.
- Grill Royal (steakhouse): Another Berlin institution. Great steak, great vibe. To see and be-seen type of place.
- Katz Orange (Germanish): Incredibly unique location. Super high quality ingredients. Very good meat.
- Mrs Robinsons (international cuisine): Incredibly delicious innovative food. Great wines. Amazing team.
- Barra (international, sharing plates, natural wines): Perfect for a date. Delicious food. Very interesting wines. Super cozy vibe. Do not skip dessert.
- Jolesch (Austrian): Favorite Schnitzel in town. Must order the Kaiserscharm for dessert. Great food, Great wines, great location.
- St Barts (gastropub): Amazing food. Great wines. Great atmosphere.
- Jaja (wine bar): Natural wine bar. Very cute location. Very good, simple French food.
- Themrock (international): Hole in the wall. One choice of Appetizer, main and dessert which changes daily. Always delicious. Amazing vibes, cool location.
- Lebensmittel in Mitte (German): Ultimate favorite lunch place. Rare place in Berlin to try real high quality German food.
- Salumeria Lamuri (Italian) Only open for lunch. Beautiful location. Delicious Pasta.
- Yafo (Israeli): Good, generous food. Great atmosphere. Loud and full of life.
- The Tree (Chinese noodle): Delicious Chinese noodle joint. Super cute location. Great for lunch.
- Gazzo (Pizza): Very good Pizza. High quality ingredients. Exceptional dessert. Good atmosphere.
- CocoloRamen Kreuzberg (Ramen): Great location. Good Ramen. Perfect for lunch.
- Imren (Doner): Favorite Döner in the city. Better than Mustapha’s and a lot less wait.
- Malafritta (fried Calzone): Hole in the wall. Desserts are not to be overlooked. Its fried pizza, I think all is said.
- Markthalle Neun (market): Indoor food market. Every Thursday they have Streetfood Thursday which allows people to try food from many different food trucks. It can get pretty crowded but worth the visit. On Friday and the weekends there are less food trucks but I find it more pleasant.
- Jones Ice-Cream (Ice-cream): Delicious. Favorite ice cream in Berlin.
- Albatross (Bakery): Very good pastries. Best pain au chocolat in Berlin
- Zeit Für Brot (Bakery): Most delicious cinnamon rolls.