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Originally from Mexico, Emmanuel Peña has become one of the most exciting chefs on Paris's dining scene. After cooking in some of the city's top kitchens, he opened Tarántula—a restaurant that reflects both his roots and his adopted home. It has quickly become a favorite among chefs, creatives, and in-the-know locals for its flavor-packed food and excellent cocktails (we’re partial to the martinis). Here are Emmanuel’s quick hits in Paris, follow him on AmiGo for more local recs.
• If I only had one meal in Paris, it would be at: Lao Siam, because it is the best restaurant in the world.
• Most tourists miss: Le Grand Bol in Belleville. Get the Vinegar Fish Soup.
• Restaurant that’s inspiring me the most right now: Eme Restaurant. One of the best restaurants in Paris at the moment.
• When I need a weekend away, I go to: D'une île, a country house in the heart of Perche's Natural Park with great wine and food by the Septime family.
Few reservations are more coveted in Istanbul than the one-Michelin-starred Arkestra. The restaurant is the creation of chef Cenk Debensason, who brought years of international experience back to his hometown to build something distinctly his own, set in a gorgeous villa from the 1960s and serving inventive à la carte dishes. We went in May, and Arkestra’s lamb shoulder was the best dish of the whole trip. Here are Cenk’s quick hits in Istanbul, follow him on AmiGo for more local recs.
• If I only had one meal in Istanbul, it would be at: Asmalı Cavit, because it feels like home. Its owner, Cavit Bey, his daughter, and many of the team members have been there for years. With its loyal regulars, warm hospitality, intimate atmosphere, and excellent food, it remains an institution where you can still feel the spirit of old Istanbul.
• Most tourists miss: Nato Lokantası. A traditional esnaf lokantası—a casual restaurant serving home-style dishes, originally created for local workers and tradespeople. It has been around since 1952.
• The restaurant that’s inspiring me the most right now: My recent meal at Sacha in Madrid was phenomenal. Honest food, genuine service, and a romantic atmosphere made it a truly emotional experience.
• When I need a weekend away, I go to: Büyükada, one of the Princes’ Islands, just a short ferry ride from Istanbul. I love eating at Eskibağ Restaurant there. It’s tucked away from the tourist areas and has a great view.
There are a lot of places to try pan bagnat (a traditional Provençal sandwich) in Marseille, but nowhere as good as Cécilia Bonacchi’s Boissonnerie. After two wildly successful years running a retro-looking sandwich stand in Les Goudes, Cécilia moved her sandwich operation to a tiny storefront, where she serves the aforementioned pan bagnat, alongside seasonal sandwiches like ricotta, fig, and arugula. It’s an essential grab and go lunch for a beach or hike day. Here are Cécilia's quick hits in Marseille and beyond:
• If I only had one meal in Marseille, it would be at: Monticelli, a small neighborhood restaurant where you’ll only find regulars. My go-to order is a half-and-half pizza, a green salad with garlic, a wood-fired duck breast, and a glass of Chianti. To finish, a small bowl of strawberries. It feels just like home.
• Most tourists miss: La Calanque, the small bistro-bar on the Côte Bleue, in one of the least-visited calanques. They serve a whole fish, perfectly grilled and seasoned with nothing more than coarse salt, for €25.
• The restaurant that’s inspiring me the most right now: Hôtel Le Manoir on the island of Port Cros embodies beauty in my eyes—and has been a source of inspiration for my garden shed!
• When I need a weekend away, I go to: I head inland to the Alpilles. I have lunch at Bistrot du Paradou, and on the way back, I stop at a farm to pick up seasonal fruits and vegetables, a few artisanal cheeses, and whatever else I need to put together a simple supper that evening.
Laila Aouba is the chef behind Le Soleil, a beloved Burgundy restaurant known for its seasonal small plates, warm atmosphere, and excellent natural wine list. Before taking the helm at Soleil, she worked at Paris favorite Au Passage, and today creates menus that celebrate the best of each season (think fresh goat cheese salad with melon, cured ham, and walnut oil). Beyond the kitchen, Laila is a true insider when it comes to Burgundy and the French countryside more broadly, with a deep knowledge of the region's most soulful addresses. Here are Laila's quick hits in Burgundy and beyond:
• If I only had one meal in Burgundy, it would be at: Crème Café Comptoir in Beaune for an early or late lunch. I would sit at the counter and enjoy their beautifully sourced food, exceptional wines, and excellent coffee, all curated with care.
• Most tourists miss: I Bravi Ragazzi in Nuits-Saint-Georges, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria. The vegetarian pizzas are outstanding, and the welcome is always warm.
• The restaurant that’s inspiring me the most right now: Maison Ailhon in the southeastern French countryside. Owners Lucie and Clément are true gems of the industry. Every visit is deeply moving, I am always struck by the sincerity and beauty of their intentions.
• When I need a weekend away, I go to: The Jura region. Auberge de Bellevie is my refuge there, where the team creates an atmosphere that feels entirely like home.
Over the years, Ola Szwarc and Nadim Amin have become two of the most connected figures in Vienna's creative community. Their restaurant, Rosebar Centrala, is a favorite among locals for its seasonal cooking, natural wines, and laid-back atmosphere, which has made it one of the go-to spots for creatives to mix and mingle. Here are Ola and Nadim's quick hits in Vienna, follow them on AmiGo for more local recs.
•If we only had one meal in Vienna, it would be at: We would go for something very representative of Viennese cooking and head to Herknerin. Steffi, the owner and chef, is a local legend, and her dumplings are the best in the country.
•Most tourists miss: In the summer, go swimming in one of Vienna's many public baths or in the Danube. We love Krapfenwaldlbad and Gänsehäufel, but also the Neue Donau on the island in the Danube. Afterwards, head to the Thai Picnic that pops up beneath the U1 Donauinsel station (mostly on weekends) for papaya salad, fermented sausages, and mango sticky rice.
•The restaurant that’s inspiring us the most right no: Villa Mas in Catalonia is absolutely incredible. Impala in London is amazing as well.
•When we need a weekend away, we go to: Eggerhof in South Tyrol to recharge, drink amazing wine, and maybe drive up to Merano for a meal at Pramol Alto.
One of the best recent openings in Athens is ΖΙΓΚΟΑΛΑ, a chilled out foodie favorite lauded for its old-school vibe and classic Athenian taverna feel. It comes from Athens local Konstantinos Dagritzikos (and his head chef, Vasilis Hamam), who was inspired to create a neighborhood classic that honors Greek tradition but infuses it with a modern sensibility. It’s a place where food, wine, and music converge (and we particularly love to sit at the bar, which overlooks the open kitchen). Here are Konstantinos' quick hits in Athens, follow him on AmiGo for more local recs.
•If I only had one meal in Athens, it would be at: Kostas Souvlaki for hands-down the best souvlaki in the city, and the one I would take to a deserted island with me (one time I actually brought one 500km in a sous vide bag to Thessaloniki to deliver it to a friend of mine). There's something about the decades-old, cast-iron griddle that Kostas uses that turns the souvlaki into something nearly divine.
•Most tourists miss: The neighborhoods beyond central Athens. Some of the city's best restaurants, tavernas, and local bars are tucked into residential areas rarely visited by visitors. I love Galini Pizzeria in Sepolia for Canadian-style pizza, Nikos Kalavrytinos in Labrini for handmade gyros and souvlaki, Lesvion Ouzeri in Galatsi, The Original Peinirli Ionias in Nea Ionia, and Zarkadoulas Fish Tavern in Nikaia.
•The restaurant that’s inspiring me the most right now: I wish I had a super niche rec somewhere halfway around the globe, but the restaurant that's inspiring me right now is a simple ouzeri in Metaxourgio called Πελεκάνος. It has great local produce exclusively from Tinos island and laid back vibes. A great example of how one can create something special with just a little means and a good idea.
•When I need a weekend away, I go to: Chalkida. It's a one-hour drive from Athens (or a one-hour scenic route via train). My dad was born there and I've spent most of my childhood summers there. There's something about this place that really resonates with me and every time I visit I feel like I'm in my comfort zone. It has nice places to eat, swim, walk, etc.
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