Our Food Team's Favourites - Best Restaurants

Meet your insider guide to the very best of our cities. Written by our in-house Restaurants & Bars Strategist, Therese Sweeney, this blog is packed with local foodie knowledge, hidden gems and must-visit recommendations. From neighbourhood favourites to the latest openings, Therese shares her expert picks to help you eat, drink and explore like a local during your stay.

For me, the joy of travel has always been about living like a local. Full immersion in a culture, and the easiest way, in my opinion, is through food and drink. A meal can tell you more about a place's history, its people, and how its culture has evolved than any guidebook ever could.

My approach is always twofold. First, I hunt for the hidden local spots, the ones that only take cash, where you'll need Google Translate to order, and where the room is full of regulars rather than tourists. But I also love seeking out the new generation of restaurants: kitchens run by chefs who are reinventing tradition, creating dishes that feel genuinely new while still nodding to their roots and sense of place.

It's all about balance. And if I'm honest, there's a part of me that wants to gatekeep these places, to keep them exactly as they are, tucked away and easy to book a table at when I next pass through. But after time spent eating and drinking my way around these cities, it's time to share the list. These are some of my favourite spots, and I hope our guests enjoy them just as much as I have.

Lisbon

Wherever I am in Portugal, breakfast always means one thing: a pastel de nata. Yes, it tastes incredible, but honestly, half the joy is in the ritual. Find a pastry shop first thing in the morning, catch the tray coming straight out of the oven, order a coffee, and eat standing at the counter like everyone else in the room.

In Lisbon, they take their lunch seriously, and it shows. This is a country that produces some of the best sandwiches in the world, and the bifana is right at the top of that list. For my money, O Trevo does it best. It's cash only, and mustard is absolutely non-negotiable.

For sunset, my go-to is Miradouro da Graça. There's live music drifting out over the rooftops, drinks flowing from the kiosks, and one of the best views in the city. When it comes to dinner, I split my loyalty between a few spots depending on the mood: Bar Alimentar and Pomme Eatery, both brilliant for modern small plates built around fresh, local produce, and Tasca Zebras if I'm after something more traditional. Another favourite is Praça das Flores, a lovely square just outside the busy centre, with some great bars and restaurants and unbeatable people-watching.

Porto

Porto has snuck up on me over the past year and become one of my favourite cities in Europe. It's stunning, and the food and drink scene more than lives up to the setting.

For brunch, it depends what you're after. Early is the spot for a proper sit-down; everything, bread and pastries included, is made in-house, and the menu genuinely has something for everyone. If you're on the move instead, grab a pastry from MiBa.

If you only do one thing outside the city, make it the Douro Valley Wine Tour. Breathtaking scenery, brilliant wine, an easy win. For lunch, Porto's most famous sandwich, the Francesinha, is unmissable, and Casa de Pasto O Golfinho and Café Santiago are both excellent for it (don't skip the fries). For something quicker, Gazela does a brilliant Cachorrinho, essentially a Portuguese spicy hot dog, perfect fuel for a day of sightseeing.

For sunset, take the cable car over to Jardim do Morro. The view across the city is spectacular, and the people-watching might be even better. Bosco is another favourite, equally good for a pre-dinner drink or a full night out dancing.

For dinner, there's a great spread of options depending on what you're craving. Solar Moinho de Vento is about as traditional Porto as it gets; the cod fritters and the rice with octopus or pork rib are the kind of dishes you'll be scraping the pot clean for. Genuíno, a natural wine bar with excellent small plates, is another favourite and sits right next to its sister spot, Generosa Pão e Pizza, ideal for a pie after a few drinks. For something a bit fancier, Pátio 44 serves beautifully done traditional Portuguese food with modern touches, backed up by genuinely excellent service.

And for drinks, Bacaro is worth the trip a little further out. €4 Aperols make it an easy stop, while nearby Fiasco is great for cocktails, pizza and vinyl music.

Vienna

Vienna is a city built on history and culture, and its food and wine scene is every bit as rich.

For lunch, Zum Schwarzen Kameel is a favourite, home to the best goulash I've ever had, and unbeatable for people-watching. For something lighter, Buffet Trzesniewski on Dorotheergasse is where the locals go for a mini beer and a snack; my order is always the egg and paprika sandwich. Alles Wurscht is another great option, a modern spin on the classic Würstelstand, the sausage stands you'll find dotted all over the city. These guys take the concept up several levels, serving Currywurst alongside signature dishes like calamari and beef tartare.

For dinner, Figlmüller on Bäckerstraße is the original, and it feels it: wonderfully traditional inside, with a classic schnitzel and all the trimmings the only order worth making. Kaffee Alt Wien is another favourite, exactly the kind of proper local spot you want after a long day of sightseeing, with warm, welcoming staff and a Kaiserschmarrn for dessert that I never skip. If you're after something a little more contemporary, Café Kandl has a brilliant wine list and excellent small plates, while Cucina Itameshi, an Italian-Japanese fusion spot, is one of the most fun and exciting places I've eaten in the city.

And for a drink to finish the night, Die Rundbar is my favourite bar in Vienna, full stop. Incredible wine list, great music, friendly staff, and the vibe is always exactly right. Honestly, what more could you want?