I’ve stayed at PURO hotels in Krakow, Wroclaw and Gdansk and while they all have their own unique identity, Warsaw Downtown feels like the flagship of the group.

Location

PURO Warszawa is well-located in the city’s buzzing downtown area, surrounded by fabulous restaurants, shops and cultural institutions. The wonderful National Museum in Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science and Warsaw Centralna Station are within walking distance, while The Old Town and the Royal Route are 25-minutes walk.

Design

Designed by Jems Architekci, this modern, eight-story building with a glass facade is unmissable and contrasts with the neighbourhood’s historic tenement buildings. It features 148 rooms and suites and has so many amenities and social spaces that it feels like an urban resort.

The lobby

The open-plan lobby, designed by De Salles Flint, is a stunning space to relax or work in with plush sofas and armchairs, large communal tables topped with art books and a cosy nook behind screens. Black and white maps of Warsaw and touches of marble perfectly complement the concrete and mid-Century wood panelling of the room.

Like all PURO hotels, there is a there is a free coffee machine in the lounge, so guests can enjoy a hot drink around the clock.

Check-in

We were checked in swiftly and our room was ready for our arrival. Service from guest relations at PURO Warszawa was satisfactory, but didn’t quite match the warmth and care we experienced at other PURO properties.

The room

Our Classic Plus Room was light and calming, designed in a tasteful palette of soft grey and white with oak timber floors and a striped Golran 1898 hand-tufted Persian rug.

Room features include a walnut wood desk and a gorgeous peach velvet chair, a large flat-screen TV with Chromecast, Bang & Olufsen speaker, kettle and a mini fridge with complimentary mineral water daily.

A particularly luxurious design feature is the stunning fitted wardrobe and storage unit, resembling a vintage travel trunk with elegant leather handles. Unlike some hotel rooms, there’s a storage solution for all of your belongings, so it’s well-suited for longer stays.

The king-size bed with high quality linens, stylish wool throw and a sumptuous mattress by Swedish brand Hilding was extremely comfortable.

Everything in the room is operated by iPad, including lighting, temperature, calls to the reception and spa and housekeeping requests. It’s a cool touch, however at some PURO hotels, this system malfunctions and needs to be reset by staff (the perils of relying entirely on technology). Luckily, everything ran smoothly here and the air-conditioning was powerful.

The bathroom

The modern-retro tiled bathroom has a powerful walk-in shower, luxuriously thick towels, bathrobes and slippers, and full-size bathroom products by Polish organic skincare brand, Alba 1913.

Prisma Spa

Prisma Spa is perfect for unwinding after travelling and access is included in your stay. There’s a well-equipped fitness room, a spacious sauna and steam room and two treatment rooms for massages and facials. On selected days and times, guests can book free mini treatments such as hand massage, peeling and rasul (subject to availability).

Dinner at Magari

When a flash rain storm changed our dinner plans, the front desk staff swiftly secured us a table at Magari, the hotel’s modern Italian restaurant. This proved to be serendipitous, as we enjoyed a decadent dinner without even stepping outside.

We feasted on meatballs and burrata, followed by a fantastic fillet steak with potato gratin and red wine reduction and strawberry and white chocolate pavlova for dessert.

For cocktails and bites, there’s the fabulous Loreta rooftop terrace bar with views of the Warsaw skyline and weekend DJ sets.

Breakfast

We didn’t have breakfast in the hotel, as we couldn’t resist eating at nearby Bistro Charlotte most mornings, however the buffet breakfast I’ve had at other PURO hotels is high quality and varied.

Overall

Puro Warszawa is a luxurious residence with thoughtful touches that make it stand out from the rest, plus an unbeatable location. Complimentary activities like mini spa treatments, yoga classes, city walking tours and art museum tickets really elevate the experience and connect you more with the hotel. I would definitely stay there again to discover more of Warsaw.

All photos by Chérie City

The post A Wonderful Stay at PURO Warszawa first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.

SOKU

Lawrence Norman (North East Chef award winner and former sous chef at Michelin-starred Hjem) and partner Alana Whenary launched SOKU after travelling around Asia last summer and they’ve quickly built a loyal following with pop-ups around town and a cool collaboration with Meat:Stack.

For a limited time, they’re cooking up an exciting menu of sharing plates with flavours from across Asia, using exceptional seasonal produce.

The Lockup

The Lockup is an absolute gem with a cosy, contemporary dining room and an upstairs roof terrace for cocktails and bites with views over Ouseburn Valley. It’s definitely the best place to spend the summer months on the Quayside.

The dishes

We visited for lunch and ordered a selection of small plates to share. The first dish to arrive was sesame prawn toast, yuzu mayo, prawn hot sauce, spring onion, katsuobushi. This was the most luxurious prawn toast I’ve ever had with chunky pieces of fresh king prawn, intense sauces and pungent katsuobushi (bonito flakes) shaved so thin that it literally waves and curls.

Crispy pork som tum salad, bitter leaves, peanuts, fish sauce was aromatic and refreshing. The salty, crispy pork was lightened by the bitter leaves and fresh mint and the light dressing was zesty and delicious.

Rump steak, green peppercorns, barbecued vegetables and SOKU sauce was an absolute delight. The top quality, tender steak had a smoky flavour and was cooked perfectly medium-rare on a bed of sweet, slow-cooked peppers and onions and finished with crispy shallots.

The steak went nicely with a big bowl of SOKU fries, nahm jim, crispy shallots. The hot, golden fries were smothered in a tangy, sweet and sour nahm jim sauce and topped with more crispy shallots – so addictive!

The cooking at SOKU is bold and uncompromising – every dish we tried was well-crafted with punchy, complex flavours. The food is on the rich side, so be sure to order a salad or veggie dish for freshness and balance. I’m looking forward to seeing what SOKU does next (hopefully their own restaurant) and who will be cooking for the second half of 2025 at The Lockup.

SOKU will be at The Lockup in Newcastle until the end of July. For more information and booking, visit: www.instagram.com/lockupouseburn

All photos by Cherie City

The post Lunch at SOKU at The Lockup Ouseburn first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.

Here are some Manchester travel tips to add to your list:

Explore the neighbourhoods

Manchester is known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the worker bee emblem on its coat of arms can be spotted all around. Its architecture reflects the city’s rich manufacturing history, mixing Victorian neo-gothic styles with converted red brick warehouses and textile mills, railway viaducts, docks and canals.

The Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter is Manchester’s creative hub and the place for brunch, drinks and shopping. It has an independent community feel and is filled with interesting street art and wall murals.

Canal Street

Further downtown, there’s nowhere quite like Canal Street in the iconic Gay Village. It was known as a meeting place for lesbian women and gay men in 1950 and became a vital part of LGBTQ+ history, hosting the very first Pride event in 1985. Soak up the atmosphere at the bars lining the canal and visit the Alan Turing monument in Sackville Gardens.

Chinatown

Also nearby is Chinatown, where you can indulge in traditional dim sum, roasted meats, baked goods and bubble tea (go for a Mulberry Blast at HEYTEA). It’s the second largest Chinatown in the UK and the third largest in Europe, so it’s worth a visit.

Eating Out

Medlock Canteen

Medlock Canteen on Deansgate Square is inspired by American diners and Parisian bistros yet it still feels very Manchester. It’s known for its juicy rotisserie chicken, house-butchered steak, New York deli-style sandwiches and the famous staff dinner for a tenner (be quick before it sells outs). It’s also home to the best Sunday roast I’ve had in years!

The Sunday set lunch menu offers two or three courses (£30/£36) and there’s plenty of choice. To start, we enjoyed crunchy smoked cheese croquettes with truffle mayo under a flurry of shaved cheese and a huge, insanely delicious roast chicken Caesar salad with parmesan and croutons.

For the main event, we went for the dry-aged beef and iron-aged pork with crispy roasties, red cabbage, carrots, seasonal greens, fluffy Yorkshires and rich gravy.

The quality of the meat was next level and the veggies were cooked with care to bring out lots of flavour, making it a truly decadent roast.

Gooey Bakery and Cafe

Gooey should be at the top of your list for brunch in the Northern Quarter and yes, it’s just as yummy as it looks on the ‘gram. This neighbourhood bakery and cafe is the place to come for all-day sandos, French toast cubes dripping in honey butter and giant stuffed baked goods.

It’s a casual, industrial space styled with flashes of neon and Keith Haring prints with an open plan bakery and kitchen and a counter laden with warm cookies, cruffins and doughnuts. You can order to take away, but it’s a lovely place to sit and refuel.

Sandos are the way to go and the two that we tried were unbelievable. The bacon sandwich with black pepper cured bacon, house-made ketchup and a fried egg on toasted shokupan was an absolute classic and the katsu sando with panko fried chicken breast, kombu cabbage and katsu mayo was lightly spiced and moreish – it’s hard to pick a favourite. A side of home-made hash brown stacks with ketchup are also a must!

There’s also a Gooey counter at Selfridges Trafford Centre and a kiosk at Ducie Street Warehouse for takeaway treats.

Fat Pat’s

What if I told you that some of Manchester’s best sandwiches are to be ordered online and collected from a tiny window down a dark alleyway? Fat Pat’s might not be the boujiest spot in town, but its outrageously big subs are the stuff of legends. They’ve got all of the American classics covered – hot honey fried chicken, shrimp po’boy, Philly cheesesteak or eggplant muffaletta.

We were blown away by the Philly cheesesteak with fresh-cut house steak, new bay seasoning, sauce Montreal, caramelised onions, cheese, crispy shallots, parmesan and chives. It’s gooey and satisfying with good quality meat and seriously intense flavours. Go for the combo with crinkle-cut fries and a drink and be aware that one is more than enough to share.

Siop Shop

For a sugar fix, head to Siop Shop, a quirky, colourful cafe on the corner of Tib Street in the Northern Quarter. All of the baked goods are made in-house and their doughnuts are super creative with interesting flavours and themes.

Foundation Coffee House

Take a break from exploring with a dose of caffeine at Foundation Coffee House. This Manchester-based independent coffee house has a bright, industrial aesthetic and there are now four outposts in the city centre (including Whitworth Locke).

Brunch is served all day with everything from toasted bagels and freshly-baked pastries to a full English and the signature Mancmuffin. They do an excellent flat white and strong matcha latte and you can try their single origin guest coffees.

Culture

Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester Art Gallery is a fantastic publicly-owned art museum with over 25,000 objects. Established in 1823, it houses an impressive collection of art spanning six centuries with a particular focus on Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art.

The current Unpicking Couture exhibition features pieces by Cristobal Balenciaga, Azzedine Alaïa, Christian Dior and Yohji Yamamoto and runs until January 2026. Best of all, Manchester Art Gallery is free for all and there’s no need to book tickets.

If you have more time in Manchester, be sure to check out The Whitworth, The Lowry and new cultural venue Aviva Studios.

Shop

Shopping in Manchester is a real treat and you’re guaranteed to find some exciting things to take home. In the Northern Quarter, you can find rare records at Vinyl Exchange, indie zines and art books at UNITOM, vintage and retro clothes at the famous Pop Boutique and lovely blooms at Northern Flower.

For high-end designers, there’s Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Mulberry and streetwear at This Thing Of Ours, Suzylovesmilo, KershKicks and END.

It’s also worth stopping by the Royal Exchange Arcade and Barton Arcade – two delightful, historic shopping arcades filled with independent boutiques and cafes.

Stay

Whitworth Locke

Whitworth Locke is one of the coolest places to stay in downtown Manchester with all sorts of home comforts right on the doorstep. Opened in 2018, this design-led aparthotel is housed in a stunning redbrick former cotton mill, expertly transformed by New York architects Grzywinski+Pons.

I’ve stayed at a few Locke properties in London and Edinburgh and Whitworth definitely has the best social scene. At the heart of the open-plan lobby is the light-filled Conservatory Bar where you can enjoy a cocktail or craft beer under a beautiful glass dome. There’s also an outpost of Foundation Coffee House, a co-working space and Shallows, a beauty and tattoo studio set in an abandoned swimming pool.

Our loft-style Locke Studio was very spacious and comfortable with warm, pastel pink interiors, exposed brick walls and large windows. Room features include a signature jewel green sofa, cosy queen-size bed, large flatscreen TV and a sleek black kitchen with complimentary tea and coffee.

The pink and blue tiled bathroom features a walk-in shower, thick cotton towels and full-size Salted Caramel Vanilla and Himalayan Hibiscus bath products by Kinsey Apothecary.

Whitworth Locke also has a gym and a communal laundry room, making it ideal for longer stays in Manchester. The central location, stylish interiors and lovely staff would definitely bring me back again.

All photos by Chérie City

The post How to Spend 24 Hours in Manchester first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.

Paper Island

What makes this hotel truly special is the story behind its unique setting. For 300 years, Christiansholm island was only used for military and industrial purposes, housing shipyards, coal warehouses and paper factories. Only in the past few years has it become accessible to all, following extensive development. The newly-named Paper Island (Papirøen) has become a popular hotspot by the waterside with urban housing, cultural institutions, shops, restaurants and Broens Street Food where you can find the famous Gasolene Grill.

Location

There’s no need to worry about being marooned on a remote island, as the hotel is very well-connected with a pedestrian and cycling bridge to colourful Nyhavn and Christianshavn metro is just a 15-minute walk away. In fact, it offers the best of both worlds – a peaceful, open setting by the water and close proximity to the city’s main attractions.

Christianshavn’s historic cobbled streets and picturesque canals are just moments away, as well as Freetown Christiania and idyllic Holmen. The hotel is also perfectly positioned for a night at the Royal Danish Opera House.

Design and architecture

25hours Hotel Paper Island boldy squares up to ‘old Copenhagen’ across the harbour with fearlessly modern yet whimsical architecture designed by COBE Architects. The hotel evokes the nostalgia of a Scandinavian summer house with seaside and maritime motifs, created by Gothenburg-based design team Stylt Trampoli.

The hotel

Glowing neon signs directed us towards the hotel in the dark and we immediately felt its warm, laid-back atmosphere. The open-plan lobby is adorned with sailboats and wooden oars and has a small shop selling cute souvenirs, snacks and even pick and mix sweets.

The reception reminded me of a boat rental shop at a childhood summer camp – very wholesome and sporty. On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Laura at the front desk and given plenty of information about the hotel and its facilities.

The cosy lounge feels homely and relaxing with a beautifully-decorated Christmas tree and a roaring fireplace. It leads on to the wonderfully-named Lobster Lounge, a cool space for meetings and events.

Dining

The hotel features three different spaces for refuelling at any time of the day. Tiger Lily takes a modern approach to south Asian cuisine and was created by the team behind Hamburg’s popular Vietnamese canteen O-Ren Ishii. Enjoy an array of sharing plates including fresh salads, spicy tom yum soup, Japanese ramen, aromatic Thai curries and smoky grilled meats. 

Nomad Day Bar is a chilled out, all-day cafe with Social Brew coffee and freshly-baked pastries where you can read delightful art books and watch the world go by. 

Victory is one of Copenhagen’s coolest cocktail bars and it just happens to be on the top floor of the hotel. What could be better than creative cocktails in a seductive space with enviable views over the city, just moments from your room?

The room

The hotel’s 128 rooms range from a cosy medium to the family-friendly gigantic with a separate living area and Schindelhauer bicycle. They all feature a unique room number sign, designed by local creatives.

Our large room on the seventh floor was an absolute delight with large, slanted windows framing spectacular views of the harbour and the Opera House. Curling up on the window seats with colourful cushions and watching the boats go past was ever so relaxing. It’s definitely worth upgrading to a large room and requesting a high floor for this perk.

The room is styled like a Danish seaside cabin with white wood-panelled walls, highlights of maritime blue and pine wood and beachy artwork above the bed.

Room features include a large Smart TV, music speaker, writing desk, plenty of storage space, air-conditioning, free wifi and a free FREITAG bag to use during your stay, which can also be bought on departure. Only the extra large rooms come with tea and and cofee facilities, however all rooms include a free minibar stocked with fritz-kola, beer, mineral water, local craft beer mixed nuts and a bar of vegan chocolate.

The king-size bed was extremely comfortable, covered in high quality linen with 25hour hotels’ signature cheeky embroidered pillows. A stuffed Danish cod was our jolly bedfellow for the night too.

The bathroom

The room is open-plan, so next to the bed is a large sink with underneath storage space and mirror and a powerful walk-in shower with glossy grey tiles (of course, the toilet is separate). The cotton towels are thick and wide and there are full-size organic aromatherapy bath products in stylish glass bottles by Soeder, a Swiss natural bodycare brand.

Breakfast

After a peaceful night’s sleep, we headed down to Tiger Lily for a leisurely breakfast (and wait out the morning storm). The breakfast buffet was generous and inviting, filled with scrambled eggs (or omelettes cooked to order), bacon and sausages, cured meats and local cheese, yoghurt, freshly-baked breads and flaky pastries.

25hours hotels tend to offer a local speciality at breakfast and here, it’s ebleskiver. These traditional Danish pancakes look like big snowballs, but they’re unbelieveably fluffy and light inside. I couldn’t resist a second round and was pleased to see them at the cafe (and at the Christmas markets in the centre).

There’s a self-service drinks bar with freshly-squeezed juices, artisan loose-leaf teas and filter coffee. You can also order a barista-made coffee and indulge in some bubbles. Breakfast is really good here, so I’d recommend adding it for the full 25hours experience.

Around Paper Island

After checking out, we decided to explore the island and ramble towards Refshaleøen, a former industrial site transformed into a cultural hub. Copenhagen Contemporary is a fantastic art space and we were blown away by the immersive exhibitions from Marta Minujín and James Turrell. Lille Bakery is perfect for a hearty lunch with some of the best sourdough rye bread in the city and there’s also local summer favourite La Banchina, Hart Bageri and Michelin-starred Alchemist.

You can also shop like a Copenhagener at GANNI Postmodern in Christianshavn, taste and buy fermented vinegars and oils for your own kitchen in the greenhouses at noma projects and marvel at Danish design at the magical ferm LIVING boutique just opposite the hotel.

To get around town quicker, rent a Schindelhauer bicycle from the hotel and take advantage of their curated cycling map.

Overall 

25hours Hotel Paper Island is perfect for travellers that love a quirky, memorable place to stay. The central location, excellent facilities and friendly service make it an ideal base for a fun city break all year round.

While 25hours Hotel Indre By has an ecclectic, bohemian townhouse vibe, the Paper Island house leans into the nostalgic holiday ambiance and it’s really hard to choose between them.

Are you tempted to stay? Use the code 25h_happynewyear for 15% off the best flexible rate when booking direct. For more information and booking, visit: www.25hours-hotels.com.

Chérie City was a guest of 25hours Hotel Paper Island

All photos by Chérie City

The post A Great Stay at 25hours Hotel Paper Island first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.

Location

Chef & restaurateur David Carter (of Smokestak & Manteca) has taken over two floors on Bedale Street overlooking London’s iconic Borough Market. Walk in through the casual, moody Agora souvla bar, past the open grill with meats slowly sizzling on the spit, and head upstairs to brighter, sleeker Oma.

The restaurant

At the heart of Oma is the busy yet zen open kitchen with a live-fire grill and a crudo bar with glistening whole fish and seafood (‘oma’ is the Greek word for raw, after all). Around it is bar seating and tables with floor to ceiling street views, which the front of house staff manage with charm and ease. There’s also a covered, heated terrace for watching over the hustle and bustle of Borough Market.

The chefs

David Carter is joined by Ecuadorian chef Jorge Paredes (formerly executive chef at Sabor) and Nick Molyviatis (previously head chef of Kiln). Their global food influences can be traced on the menu, making interesting additions to Oma’s journey through the Greek islands. 

The food

The dips and breads are an absolute must and the perfect start to a meal of sharing dishes. Hummus, masabacha and green zhoug was velvety and aromatic with lovely, crunchy chickpeas and a dusting of sumac. Babaghanoush, tahini and jerusalem artichoke crisps had a smoky flavour with a touch of zestiness and the golden artichoke crisps added texture.

The bagel-like açma verde was irresistable – fluffy and glossy with a gorgeous swirl of garlic and herbs. We also enjoyed the wildfarmed laffa – a lightly blistered flatbread made with plenty of olive oil to keep it moist.

I was immediately drawn to the lobster bisque börek and it was just as luxurious as it sounds. The pastry was unbelieveably crisp and oozing with a lavish shellfish sauce, finished with a flurry of grated cheese.

A staple of the Oma menu is their take on a Greek giouvetsi, a tomatoey orzo stew with meat or seafood, cooked slowly in a traditional clay pot. Wild red prawn giouvetsi, deep-fried prawn butter was just on the right side of decadent with rich flavours, tender orzo and six top notch scarlet prawns. It’s a real treat to find wild red prawns on a menu and the moreish orzo stew was a delight.

We passed over the crudo section of the menu, but in hindsight, a zesty gilt head bream ceviche would likely cut through the indulgent flavours with a touch of freshness. Otherwise, we ordered rather well for lunch and left feeling satisfied – for dinner, perhaps add some skewers or salads.

Impressions

Oma is the perfect restaurant for a special occasion with enticing dishes, accomplished cooking and inspiring surroundings. I will definitely be back to try Agora, which offers a few of the same dishes as Oma but with a focus on smaller skewers, wood oven flatbreads and rotisserie meats.

For more information and booking, visit: www.oma.london

All images by Chérie City

The post An Excellent Lunch at Oma London first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.

Not only is the iconic Europejski a true Polish landmark, but the hotel is significantly more attainable (as a special treat) than some Raffles properties that start at four figures per night. Since we were staying in Warsaw for five nights, we took time out from exploring to relax and fully immerse ourselves in the Raffles experience.

Location

Raffles Europejski Warsaw is located on the prestigious Royal Route, next to the Presidential Palace and the Polish National Opera. It also overlooks the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Saski Gardens and is a short walk from the picturesque Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

The hotel

Hotel Europejski was built by Italian-Polish architect Enrico Marconi and opened to much fanfare in 1857. It quickly became the place to stay and socialise and has famously hosted Marlene Dietrich, The Rolling Stones and the Kennedys. Most of the neo-Renaissance building was decimated during the Second World War and was subsequently rebuilt and turned into a restaurant. Following a major five-year reconstruction, it reopened as Raffles Europejski Warsaw in 2018.

The lobby

Despite the hotel’s grandeur, the entrance is discreet and fuss-free. The marble lobby is awash with vibrant colours and you’re immediately met with decorative touches like a neon sculpture, fresh flowers and ornate chandeliers.

Set designer Boris Kudlicka and Warsaw-based architects WWAA have created joyful interiors that celebrate Polish art and craftsmanship. In fact, the hotel boasts a collection of almost 500 works by 120 contemporary Polish artists.

Dining

Walking through the lobby promenade, you will find the Michelin-listed Europejski Grill and the signature Long Bar, home to the Warsaw Sling (a local spin on the famous Singapore Sling created at Raffles Singapore in 1915).

Also not to be missed is Lourse Warszawa, a bijou patisserie serving exquisite cakes, hand-painted chocolates, ice cream, biscuits and preserves. Raffles reimagined Swiss confectioner Laurent Lourse’s historic literary cafe (Fryderyk Chopin had been a regular), continuing its story as one of the best places for afternoon tea in Warsaw.

Shopping

At the other side of the lobby is the Europejski Boutiques luxury shopping gallery with Poland’s first Hermès store, alongside Brunello Cucinelli, HE Concept Store and Aston Martin.

Check-in

On arrival, our bags were swiftly taken care of and we were warmly greeted by the reception staff. We took a seat at the desk to check in and were offered a choice of two rooms – a Raffles Room on the second floor or a Deluxe Room on the pavillion side of the building. After taking a spin around both rooms, we were drawn to the Deluxe Room, as it had high ceilings and lots of daylight flooding in from the large windows.

The room

Our Deluxe Room was an absolute dream, designed in cool, neutral shades with sumptuous fabrics and beautiful parquet floors. The focal point of the room is the magnificent king-size bed with a statement headboard and Art Deco bedside lamps, custom-made linen and plush down bedding.

Room features include a large flatscreen TV, work desk with a Raffles writing set, a selection of books curated by the Art Collection Manager, Nespresso machine and kettle with teas, minibar and complimentary mineral water.

After going out for lunch and a stroll through the Old Town, we came back to a beautiful birthday cake with strawberries, fresh cream and delicate flowers from Lourse Warszawa. It was absolutely delicious and such a lovely surprise!

A 24-hour butler service is also included, however we didn’t require much assistance. Our butler did come to the room to oversee our room service order and helped us turn off the audio in the bathroom, so they’re clearly very attentive.

There was also a dedicated turndown service, preparing the room for sleeping with cotton mats and embroidered slippers by the bedside, drawn curtains, dimmed lighting and a refresh of the bathroom area.

The bathroom

We were also wowed by the Art Deco-style marble bathroom with a separate soaking tub (lavender bath salts included), powerful rainfall shower, double sink, underfloor heating, thick cotton towels and face cloths and plush bathrobes.

The bathroom products by exclusive French perfumer Blaise Mautin were also a joy to use, with subtle, harmonious notes of bergamot, petit grain, sweet orange and vetiver.

The spa

One of the reasons we chose Raffles Europejski Warsaw was its fabulous, award-winning spa, which is available to guests everyday. It’s one of the most luxurious, well-maintained spas I’ve ever visited with a serene ambiance and excellent facilites.

The spa has six treatment rooms and restorative treatments using products by Sisley and Aromatherapy Associates. The water circuit includes a heavenly endless upstream indoor pool, powerful sauna and steam room, tropical experience showers and ice fountain. There’s also a state-of-the-art gym, open 24-hours a day, spacious changing rooms and cosy relaxation rooms with bottles of still and sparkling water.

Room service

For the ultimate birthday indulgence, we ordered room service burgers and watched movies. After running around exploring the city’s restaurants every night, it felt like such a treat to slow down and chill out.

The Europejski black angus steak burger came with free-range bacon, burnt shallots, Polish Gouda and sour cucumbers in a brioche bun with a generous portion of hot, crispy French fries – definitely one of my favourite burgers ever.

Breakfast

After a blissful night’s sleep, we headed down to Europejski Grill for a delicious breakfast. The continental buffet had plenty of choice and was neatly presented with home-baked bread and viennoiserie (the best almond croissants I’ve ever tasted), cured meats and fish, artisanal cheese, sliced fruit, yoghurt and cereal.

The full Raffles Europejski Breakfast also includes a main dish and side to order – we went for organic Eggs Benedict and Eggs Royale with sides of avocado topped with dukkah.

There are no theatrics such as the live cooking stations and mimosa trolleys that you often find in five star hotels, but all of the food is high quality and locally sourced and there’s a welcome calmness to the dining room.

Check-out

When we managed to tear ourselves away from our cocoon to check out, we were very kindly given chilled bottles of water for the journey and a big box of hand-painted chocolates from Lourse Warszawa. What could be better than that?

Impressions

Raffles Europejski Warsaw is an incredibly beautiful hotel with superior amenities, however it’s the staff that really make it shine. I’ve never felt so welcome and valued in a hotel before and they made my birthday unforgettable with so many thoughtful touches. I promised to come back and I really meant it – there will always be something to celebrate!

For more information and booking, visit: www.raffles.com/warsaw

All photos by Chérie City

The post A Great Stay at Raffles Europejski Warsaw first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.

Krakow may be the second largest city in Poland but it is by far the most popular destination for travellers and it’s easy to see why – it simply has it all! Not only does the Polish zloty exchange rate make it ideal for cheap holidays, but this fascinating city is very walkable, modern, friendly and safe.

Dating back to the 7th century, Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland and was once the country’s capital. It was named the European Capital of Culture in 2000 and is a UNESCO City of Literature, so it has plenty to offer for a weekend break.

The flight

We chose flights from Newcastle Airport and the journey couldn’t have been easier, as we sailed through the newly-upgraded security area in just a few minutes (it was awarded Best Small Airport 2023 for a reason). The departure lounge was buzzing and jolly with mostly couples and groups of friends ready to board their flights to Krakow with Jet2. Boarding was remarkably quick and efficient and the plane seats were nice and comfortable, so the 2 hour 30 minutes flight time flew by.

Krakow Airport is easy to navigate and the best way to travel into the city is the airport train, which arrives at the Central Station in just 20 minutes. Uber and Wolt are also very cheap, convenient options.

The hotel

We stayed in the centre of Krakow for three nights and were booked into PURO Krakow Stare Miasto with Jet2holidays. This fabulous design hotel is conveniently located next to Central Station and the modern Galeria Krakowska shopping mall, plus there is a tram stop just on the doorstep.

PURO is a popular Polish boutique hotel group, known for its cool design aesthetic, tech focus and ‘home away from home’ social spaces. I’ve previously stayed at PURO hotels in Wroclaw and Warsaw and this one certainly didn’t disappoint (there’s also another PURO in the city’s Kazimierz neighbourhood).

Our Classic Room on the second floor was cosy and calm with retro wood panelling, plush red furnishings and large windows letting in plenty of natural daylight. The double bed was extremely comfortable with high quality linens and there was a large flat screen TV – perfect for crashing out after a long day of exploring.

The bathroom also had a powerful walk-in shower, fluffy towels and lovely, full-size bathroom products by Polish skincare brand Alba 1913. Everything in the room is operated by iPad, including lighting, temperature, calls to reception and housekeeping requests.

Each morning, we enjoyed a wonderful buffet breakfast in Hint restaurant with everything you could want to start the day well. I particularly liked the selection of dishes made fresh to order including avocado and poached egg on toast, a Croque Madame and blueberry porridge. There is also a free coffee machine in the lounge (a PURO signature), so you can enjoy a hot drink at any time, day or night.

Here are some of the best things to pack into a long weekend in Krakow…

Krakow Old Town

The historic centre of Krakow was established as a merchants’ town in the 13th century and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s full of charm with cobbled streets, Cracovian street lamps, pastel-hued buildings and horse-drawn carriages.

At the heart of the Old Town is the impressive Rynek Glowny, one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe. Among the popular restaurants, pavement cafes and colourful historic houses, there are a number of monuments to look out for.

The Renaissance-era Cloth Hall was once the centre of commerce for travelling merchants and today you can still find interesting local products including Polish pottery, amber necklaces and woven textiles. The upper floor of the hall features the Sukiennice Museum, housing the largest permanent collection of 19th-century Polish painting and sculpture.

On the main square, you can also find St Mary’s Basilica, the Old Town Hall Tower and Rynek Underground Museum. Also, look out for Eros Bendato (known as ‘the head’), a striking bronze sculpture by Polish artist Igor Mitoraj (1944-2014).

Planty park

Planty park encircles the historic centre with 3km of urban greenery and benches to sit and watch the world go by. It reminded me of parts of New York’s Central Park and is the perfect spot to refuel over coffee and pastries.

Interesting sights along the way include the Barbican fortification, Krakow University’s Collegium Medicum, the baroque Juliusz Slowacki Theatre, idyllic water fountains and the Jadwiga and Jagiello monument.

Wawel Castle

Wawel Royal Castle sits majestically at the top of Wawel Hill, overlooking the Vistula River. The castle was originally built in the 11th century in the Gothic style and was later developed by King Casimir III the Great and extended around around the imposing Italian-styled courtyard.

The Renaissance palace is now a museum comprising five separate areas, including the State Rooms, Crown Treasury and Armoury, Royal Private Apartments, Lost Wawel and the Exhibition of Oriental Art. The museum features an extensive collection of Italian painting, ceramics, porcelain (look out for the playful pug vases), goldsmith’s work, clocks and armour.

You can also venture down into the Dragon’s Den, climb to the top of the Sandomierska Tower, visit the royal gardens or catch a live concert in the courtyard. There’s so much to see that you should plan to spend at least half a day here.

Wawel Castle is free to visit on Mondays from 10am to 4pm, however you need to pick up timed entry tickets for the areas you want to see on arrival at the ticket office.

Kazimierz

Kazimierz is Krakow’s historic Jewish quarter and from the 14th to the 19th century, it was an independent city of its own. It’s now a hotspot for cool restaurants, cafes and bars, however its cultural heritage remains present. Here, you can see the Old Synagogue (dating back to the 1400s), Hebrew wall murals, the Galicia Jewish Museum and listen to klezmer bands performing at the traditional Jewish restaurants lining picturesque Szeroka street.

Kazimierz is also home to bohemian Jozefa street filled with art galleries and cafes and Schindler’s List Passage, a small alleyway used as a filming location for Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning Schindler’s List.

Plac Nowy is the beating heart of Kazimierz with restaurants and bars lining the square. In the daytime, it’s home to quirky flea markets selling menorahs and vintage cameras and at night, it’s where everyone goes for late-night munchies.

Zapiekanka, a popular Polish version of a French bread pizza, is sold with a number of toppings from a former fish market building. You can also find enormous kebabs, shawarma and falafel smothered in hummus – a great cheap eat in Krakow.

Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow MOCAK

Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow MOCAK is a fantastic contemporary art gallery in the modern Zablocie district. It focusses on art from the last two decades, across all mediums, and the building itself (designed by Claudio Nardi) is quite spectacular.

We loved the Food in Art temporary exhibition with sculptures of golden junk food and patchwork apple cores as well as the Weaves exhibition with intricate woven maps of the world and transformed Persian carpets.

If you’re a guest at PURO Krakow Stare Miasto, you can pick up free tickets to MOCAK at reception – a perk not to be missed!

Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology

Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology celebrates the art and culture of Japan with an impressive permanent collection and interactive exhibitions. Opened in 1994 by Andrzej Wajda and Krystyna Zachwatowicz, Manggha was originally part of the National Museum in Krakow before being granted museum status in its own right.

This stunning building, designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, is perched on the bank of the Vistula river and boasts great views over the city.

The current Background exhibition explores the world of manga, anime and video games with comic books and prints from animation company Studio Ghibli and video game designer Hideo Kojima. Hiroshige: A Journey into the Woodblock Print showcases the work of Japanese ukiyo-e master Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), who left behind over 5,800 works. We had the chance to create our own woodblock prints on postcards, which made fun souvenirs.

It’s worth planning a visit around lunch or afternoon tea to try the excellent Cafe Manggha. We loved the Japanese teriyaki sets with steamed rice, miso soup, edamame, pickles and fresh fruit, washed down with a pot of hojicha roasted green tea and an iced matcha latte.

Krakow street food

Krakow has a fantastic food scene with everything from cheap and hearty street food and traditional Polish cuisine to hip neighbourhood spots and fine dining restaurants. Of course, a trip to Krakow wouldn’t be complete without trying some of the local street food delicacies.

Obwarzanek Krakowski

The famous obwarzanek Krakowski is an absolute must and can be found at bright blue carts around the city’s parks and main streets for a mere 2 zloty. What makes them so special? These golden, braided bread snacks look like a cross between a bagel and a pretzel (but are regarded as neither, so don’t make this faux pas) and are finished with salt, poppy or sesame seeds.

The obwarzanek dates back to the 1600s and was given PGI (Protected Geographic Indication) status in 2010, meaning that it is unique to the region and cannot be copied. They’re baked twice a day in the Malopolskie Province and only stay fresh for a few hours, so be sure to grab one right away.

Oscypek

Head to Krakow’s charming Maly Rynek (Little Market Square) and be dazzled by the stalls of tempting Polish street food. Here, you can try oscypek, a delicious smoked cheese made of salted sheep milk from the Tatra mountains. Enjoy them grilled and doused in cranberry sauce – the contrasting sweet, sour and smoky flavours really work.

You can also find enormous grilled Polish sausages and pork knuckles, home-made iced gingerbread and Polish sweets.

Paczki

If you love doughnuts, try paczki and be prepared to have your mind blown. Paczki dough is richer than regular doughnuts, making them lighter and more fluffy. Dobra Paczkarnia on central Florianska street offers paczki in an overwhelming number of fillings, finished with a choice of glaze or powdered sugar. I reccommend trying the chocolate rum and apple cinnamon flavours – you might even want to take a box for the flight home.

Judah Food Market

Judah Food Market in Kazimierz is a great spot for some tasty street food, especially when it’s sunny. Local food trucks offer bites such as zapiekanki, hot dogs, pierogis, loaded baked potatoes, gourmet burgers, chimney cakes and barista coffee.

Krakow restaurants

The Black Duck

For an indulgent Cracovian feast, look no further than Czarna Kaczka (The Black Duck) in the Old Town. As the name suggests, their speciality is roasted black duck, served in different ways, alongside traditional Polish dishes. We went big and ordered the whole roasted duck stuffed in Galician style, served with Silesian dumplings, roast potatoes, red cabbage and cranberries with both mushroom and blackcurrant sauces. 

Our lovely waitress ceremoniously cut through the duck with scissors at the table and the red fruit stuffing tumbled out – it was absolutely epic. The duck was so tender and worked perfectly with the fluffy dumplings, tart fruits and creamy sauce. I would make a pilgrimage back to Krakow for the duck alone. 

Bufet KRK

Bufet KRK in Kazimierz is one of Krakow’s hottest restaurants (for now, as least) and luckily we managed to score a table for lunch. It’s a new concept from Przemyslaw Klima, co-owner and head chef at two-Michelin-starred restaurant Bottiglieria 1881.

Bufet takes a modern approach to nostalgic childhood dishes, using high quality local produce. We started with golden, crunchy croquettes with pork cheek, Cheddar and kimchi mayo and refreshing chicory with nuts, Jura Bleu cheese and gooseberry.

They were followed by excellent Duroc pork schnitzel, burnt butter and capers and lamb sausage, green peas, mint and plum barbecue sauce, accompanied by some decadent French fries with truffle mayo and Parmesan.

Be sure to leave room for the heavenly Karpatka with rhubarb – it’s a must! The cooking and service was of a very high standard and I can see Bufet gaining Michelin Guide recognition in the near future. 

Molam Thai Canteen & Bar

If you’re craving authentic South-east Asian flavours, head to Molam Thai Canteen & Bar, a lively eatery awarded with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Inspired by Bangkok street food, Molam offers authentic sharing plates from all four regions of Thailand, alongside creative, aromatic cocktails. 

We grazed on flavourful pad see ew (stir-fried rice noodles), grilled pork belly in Haeng Lae glaze. grilled chicken thigh with Nahm Jim Jaew dipping sauce and pik gai tod chilli wing with sweet fish sauce glaze. Everything we tried was deliciously rich and punchy, however it’s worth adding a salad to bring a touch of freshness.   

Nolio Pop

On the first night, we hopped on the tram to try Nolio Pop, a modern pizzeria in lively Kazimierz. We had the most fantastic cacio e pepe fried pasta with Parmesan sauce and potato croquettes with smoked mozzarella and nduja mayo, followed by delicious, authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas topped with burrata, basil oil and salami.

Nolio Pop is open until 11pm/12am everyday and no reservations are needed, so it’s perfect if your flight arrives in the early evening.

Krakow is the perfect destination for an affordable, exciting city break and there’s so much to see and do around the city. I would love to go back and see the magic of the Christmas markets on the main square.

Have you visited Krakow on a city break? Where are your favourite places to visit?

Chérie City was a guest of Jet2holidays, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

All photos by Chérie City

The post A Wonderful Weekend in Krakow with Jet2 first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.

Here are some recent discoveries to add to your list…

Ox and Finch

Ox and Finch is one of Finnieston’s hottest restaurants, retaining a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand for over ten years. Chef patron Jonathan MacDonald (previously head chef at Formula One) returned to his home city to open Ox and Finch in 2014 and has built on his success with popular Southeast Asian restaurant Ka Pao in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Just around the corner from Kelvingrove Park, this Sauchiehall Street bistro has a casual, urban-rustic feel with cosy leather booths and an open kitchen to watch the chefs at work. The menu is equally relaxed with well-priced, creative small plates designed for sharing. Seasonal Scottish ingredients are expertly enhanced by Mediterranean and Asian flavours.

I dined solo and enjoyed a few dishes for a light(ish) lunch. Confit duck salad, tahini dressing and pistachio dukkah was an aromatic twist on a bistro classic with tender morsels of meat, bitter leaves, fresh herbs and a crunchy pangrattato.  

I also loved the rich, melt-in-the-mouth pan-fried pork belly with charred, wilted radicchio and sharp rhubarb. Somehow, I chose two dishes with bitter elements, but a rather majestic, chocolatey dessert proved to be balm for the tastebuds.

Bare Bones chocolate blancmange with malt cream and salted honeycomb was absolute bliss with contrasting gelatinous, airy and crunchy textures. It rounded off a joyful, interesting meal with friendly service – I’ll definitely be back for more!

SHUCKS

SHUCKS is a fabulous Scottish seafood bar and restaurant from the team behind Brett and Michelin-starred Cail Bruich. The two-floor eatery on leafy Hyndland Road feels glossy and new with a bold nautical palette of blue, mustard and burnt orange (reminding me of Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic). It’s unpretentious yet there’s an air of decadence with the promise of fresh lobster, oysters and Champagne from the trolley.

Head chef Shaun Haggarty’s menu showcases the finest produce from across Scotland (sourced from the Glasgow Fish Market) and flirts with Japanese, Indian and Mexican influences. I tried the lunch menu, which is excellent value with two courses for £25 or three courses for £30.

Shellfish chowder was rich and pungent and came with grilled bread and velvety brown crab butter for next level dipping. It’s rare to find a lobster roll on a set menu and this one was actually one of the best I’ve ever tasted (even if it technically included prawns). The generously-packed prawn and lobster roll was so luxurious and had a sweet, smoky flavour from the grilled corn and lango mayo. Crispy, golden tater tots finished it off perfectly!

I headed to Byres Road for dessert, but there’s a rather tempting giant pistachio profiterole, crème brûlée or affogato.

Chaakoo

Chaakoo first brought the ever popular Bombay cafe concept to central St Vincent Street in 2016 and it now has another restaurant in the West End and one in Edinburgh. It echoes the OG Dishoom in both menu and style (think sepia family portraits, smoked mirrors and cosy booths), however it’s significantly lighter on the wallet.

We managed to get a balcony table at the split-level city centre restaurant (it’s constantly busy, so booked ahead) and enjoyed an indulgent Indian feast. It’s all about family style sharing dishes with a tantalising offering of fried pakora and samosa, curries, biryani and Irani kebabs cooked in the open kitchen’s tandoor, robata and traditional khule grill.

Everything was high quality and generously-sized but the stand out dishes were the crispy fried vegetable pakora, velvety butter chicken with lots of tender, slow-cooked meat and the incredible chicken tikka smoked on whisky chips with a cooling homemade mint chutney.

Chaakoo also offers great value lunch deals with a choice of Thali trays or a grill and curry set meal – perfect for a quick bite.

Paesano Pizza

Great Italian food is easy to find in Glasgow, thanks to the enterprising spirit of the city’s large Italian community. Many arrived from mostly from Tuscany in the 1920s and set up successful businesses including ice cream parlours, cafes and pizza restaurants. The new Neapolitan pizza wave hit Glasgow, like most major cities, and is said to have been spearheaded by Paesano Pizza, whose first pizzeria opened in 2015 in Merchant City (there’s now another in the West End).

The Miller Street restaurant is big and boisterous with pizza pies flying out of the open kitchen at speed and Negronis knocked back with gusto. The pizza-making, however, is much more serious, as the all-Italian team of Pizzaioli follow the traditional Napoletana process and everything is sourced from Italy. The dough is proved for over 24 hours and heated at 500 degrees in the artisan wood-fire pizza oven built specially in Naples.

The pizza we tried was quite a beast with a huge amount of toppings, almost verging on too much. The dough was light and chewy with a nicely blistered crust and finished with plenty of juicy tomato sugo, creamy fior di latte and fresh basil. With excellent pizza starting at just £7.90 (the most expensive being under £13), it’s the perfect spot for a fun night out in Glasgow.

Kember and Jones

Kember and Jones is a popular neighbourhood cafe, deli and bakery on Byres Road in the West End. It’s known for its all-day brunch dishes, gourmet sourdough sandwiches and tempting home-made cakes. They also produce their own coffee beans and operate an off-site coffee roastery.

I stopped by for a warming hot chocolate made with dark chocolate flakes and a slice of the most decadent vanilla chai cake.

Tantrum Doughnuts

Stepping out of Glasgow Central Station, what could be a more welcome sight than an artisan doughnut and coffee shop? Tantrum Doughnuts is home to the city’s best hand-crafted doughnuts and it’s become a real local success story.

Owners Iain and Erika started their doughnut business at food markets and festivals, drawing on their pastry and hospitality industry skills. Their first shop opened in 2015 in the West End and there are now three locations across Glasgow.

What makes Tantrum stand out from the rest? They work with local producers to offer creative, seasonal doughnuts finished with home-made fruit jams, custards and toppings. The flavours are all tantalising and range from a simple birthday cake ‘old fashioned’ ring to the bestselling crème brûlée with Madagascan vanilla bean custard and a crunchy torched sugar top.

Having tried a few different flavours, my favourites were the glazed pistachio and hibiscus topped with candied nuts and milk and cookies dusted with chocolate crumble. It would be crazy not to grab a box to take home on the train.

Have you tried any of these Glasgow eateries? Where are your favourite places to eat out in Glasgow?

All photos by Chérie City

The post Great Places to Eat Out in Glasgow first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.

The hotel

Set across six floors of a newly-restored building from the 1800s, the hotel is illuminated with a warm, golden glow. With a cute hot chocolate cart and pastel pink bicycles lined up in front of the cinema-style entrance, it was instantly clear that this grande dame was going to be a winner.

Location

The hotel is nestled on a corner of central Vesterbrogade within walking distance of the Tivoli Gardens, the bars and restaurants of the Meatpacking District and Central Station. Its convenient location makes it the perfect choice for first-timers in Copenhagen, as well as seasoned visitors wanting to explore nearby Vesterbro and Frederiksberg.

Design

Inside, the hotel feels like an intimate townhouse with a series of lounges with cosy sofas, marble coffee tables, art books and plush rugs. We visited in December, so there was a stylish Christmas tree by the window and rose-tinted baubles and paper stars hanging from the ceiling.

A terracotta-tiled conservatory, with striking murals of the lady herself sipping a Martini (I’m guessing), leads out to a leafy courtyard garden and pergola for meetings and parties. There’s also a seasonal rooftop bar for dinner and drinks with a view.

Check-in was quick and friendly and we were kindly given a free upgrade to a Superior Room on the first floor. Even the hallways are pretty with pastel pink walls and a jazzy black and white striped carpet.

The Room

Our room was an absolute beauty, designed in a calming, natural colour palette with plenty of daylight and space. It was also very quiet and peaceful, especially considering it’s in a busy part of town.

The king-size bed was ever so comfortable, covered in high quality cotton linen with plump pillows, a decorative patterned headboard and art prints above. Needless to say, we slept blissfully every night (no overheating, hard mattresses or noisy corridors here).

Other room features include a large flat-screen TV with streaming access, music system, cosy sofa and armchair, work desk, vases and ornaments by HAY and a sleek, goose-neck Bodum kettle with coffee and Yogi herbal teas.

A fun touch is the vanity table with a light bulb mirror and a cute ‘Joanne’ pink organza scrunchie for getting ready in style. These feminine accents certainly give the hotel more character and set it apart from the rest.

The room feels truly homely as everything functions well and has been thoughtfully designed – there’s no ‘putting up’ or ‘making do’ at Joanne’s.

The Bathroom

The gorgeous mushroom-tiled bathroom has a powerful walk-in shower, luxurious underfloor heating, thick and fluffy towels and deliciously-scented full-size bathroom products made exclusively for the hotel.

Joanne’s restaurant

We didn’t eat at the hotel on this occasion, as we had dinner plans at nearby Propaganda and wanted to try Hart Bageri for breakfast. However, next time we would make time to visit the hotel’s stunning restaurant, Joanne’s. The design is warm and maximalist with boho furnishings and artefacts inspired by travel.

The menu is contemporary Italian with crowd-pleasing burrata, salumi, pasta and risotto paired with Negronis and spritzes.

The hotel has a 24-hour gym and regularly yoga classes, however a sauna or steam room would really take it to the next level.

The Grand Joanne is a chic yet easy-going hotel where you can feel comfortable and well cared for. If you’re planning a city break in Copenhagen, make sure you stay chez Joanne.

For more information and booking, visit: grandjoanne.dk

All photos by Cherie City

The post An Amazing Stay at Grand Joanne Copenhagen first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.

Barcelona is still very good value for such a popular major city with an abundance of fresh, Mediterranean produce, so you’re guaranteed to eat well. Here are a few top places to add to your list…

Albé Barcelona

Albé means ‘my heart’ in Lebanese and the name perfectly fits a place with such feeling and warmth. This stylish Eixample ‘gastrobar’ has an upscale, romantic feel with a dimly-lit, plant-filled atrium and a brighter, more relaxed bar area.

Chef Pachi Rodriguez expertly weaves Lebanese and Catalan flavours, creating an enticing menu that’s made for sharing.

We started with a luscious gin and basil cocktail and grazed on velvety smoked labneh with zaatar, eggplant dust and Lebanese bread. This was followed by some bite-size snacks – fresh and delicate red prawn from Palamós baklava, Albé’s signature falafel and the most indulgent wild boar brioche with royal sauce.

Iberian cheek over French toast, demi-glace, smoked sour cream and pickled turnip was an absolute delight, as was the fragrant, rich acorn-fed duck magret with freekeh, bimi and bigarade sauce. We also loved the beautifully-presented charred cauliflower with browned and smoked butter.

We finished with the most decadent chocolate cake with cardamom and orange blossom caramel. It was such a memorable meal with exemplary service and fabulous dishes – I’m still daydreaming about it right now.

La Pepita

La Pepita is the kind of neighbourhood tapas bar that you always hope to find on a trip. It’s so popular among locals (and the guests at Seventy Barcelona opposite) that there’s a queue almost every night, however Mini Pepita has recently opened a few doors down to squeeze everyone in.

It has a bustling, unpretentious vibe with industrial-style interiors and cute graffiti from guests on the walls. Traditional tapas dishes are reimagined with Asian and French influences and creative flavours run through every dish on the menu.

We loved the snack size steak tartare, piquant patatas bravas and the moreish red shrimp croquettes with romesco sauce.

Sautéed beef tenderloin with Café de Paris sauce, eggplant and baba ganoush was tender and aromatic, however the standout dish was the unbelievable Can Pepi fried chicken with sweet and sour green curry vinaigrette and tangy pickled cabbage.

It’s essential to leave room for a heavenly matcha green tea cheesecake with cherries in syrup and ginger ice cream. Cocktails are also reasonable and generously-sized – go for a classic Negroni or Aperol spritz.

Sartoria Panatieri

Sartoria Panatieri was named the Best Pizzeria in Europe 2023 by 50 Top Pizza Europa and the hype is thoroughly deserved (BAEST in Copenhagen came second).

This modern, industrial-chic pizzeria in Eixample fires up Neapolitan-style pizza with a difference. Instead of typically importing ingredients from Italy, it uses the finest seasonal, organic produce sourced from local Catalan farms.

Chefs Rafa Panatieri and Jorge Sastre worked in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants including Portal de Echaurren and Nectari before meeting as part of the Roca brothers’ team in Barcelona. They later realised their dream of a unique, sustainable ‘farm to pizza’ concept with two restaurants in Gracia and Eixample.

The burrata stracciatella, tomato and basil pesto pizza was an absolute joy – juicy, aromatic and indulgently creamy with a chewy, blistered crust. Also, don’t miss out on some exceptional salumi made in-house – we loved the thinly-sliced roasted porchetta with sucking pig hollandaise sauce.

Xiringuito Escriba

Is there anything better than sharing a magnificent paella overlooking the beach? Our dreams came true at Xiringuito Escriba, a casual restaurant opened by Joan Escribà on Bogatell Beach in 1992 that specialises in rice, fideuà and fresh seafood.

In the mood to try a bit of everything, we went for the surf & turf paella. We munched on some croquetas and watched the hourglass with anticipation as our rice simmered away in the oven.

When it arrived it was enormous with a majestic whole scampi and bountiful, lightly scorched chicken, pork ribs, mussels, cuttlefish, vegetables and mushrooms. We were given a wooden spoon to pull away the gloriously caramelised socarrat at the bottom of the pan.

The paella was so hearty and satisfying, however if you find room for dessert, Escribà has long been known for fine pastries.

Doppietta

For a fun night of gorgeous fresh pasta, salumi and spritzes, look no further than Doppietta in the cool Sant Antoni neighbourhood. This lively modern trattoria from the team behind Benzina (just next door) focusses on specialities from Brescia, chef Nicola Valle’s home city in northern Italy.

Doppietta is above all known for its magnificent sharing plates of artisanal salumi with all of the fixings. Choose your own selection of three or five Italian cheeses and cured meats and it will be sliced to order at the in-house salumeria and presented at the table with little pots of olives, marmellata, pickled vegetables and freshly-baked bread.

The fresh pasta is also fantastic, served family style for sharing. Both the indulgent gnocchi with red shrimp, peas and lemon and cavatelli with white chicken ragu and pecorino really hit the spot. Be sure to leave room for the delicious chocolate salami and refreshing orange and ginger sorbet.

El Xampanyet

There may be a queue down the street for a seat at El Xampanyet, but it’s totally worth the wait! This traditional tapas bar in El Born, next to the Picasso Museum, has been around since 1929 and is much-loved among locals and visitors. It’s not exactly a hidden gem, but inside you can revel in the unchanged atmosphere of ‘old Barcelona’.

Colourful ceramic tiles and vintage signs adorn the walls, the tiny marble tables hold just a few plates and the bar is filled with tasty snacks. El Xampanyet is named after its own house Cava, which is a steal at just a few Euros a glass.

For a light lunch, we went for super fresh prawns cooked in lots of garlic and olive oil, gooey tortilla and slow-cooked chickpeas with pork rinds. The food is fantastic and the staff are so warm and friendly – it’s definitely one to add to your list.

Four Corners

The Hoxton Poblenou really knows how to please its hotel guests and locals, serving up epic Detroit-style pizza and tempting Italian-American sides.

Four Corners on the ground floor is many wonderful things – a slice shop with adjoining bodega, an outdoor pizza terrace for those balmy evenings and a breezy, relaxed dining room.

We started with a big bowl of Caesar salad with chicken and some chunky mozzarella sticks with spicy arrabbiata sauce. The vodka meatball pizza was unbelievable with plump meatballs, lots of juicy red sauce, fresh basil and a mix of cheddar cheese, Pecorino and Parmesan, giving it a mega cheese pull and crunchy edges.

The small pizza (four slices) is more than enough for two people, making it excellent value – what more could you want?

Xuba Tacos

Xuba Tacos in Eixample is known as the best taqueria in the city and it’s easy to see why. In 2021, two Michelin starred chef Antonio Sáez and hotel director Raul Salcido (both formerly of Hotel Arts Barcelona) teamed up to put their own modern spin on Mexican street food.

There’s a good selection of traditional tacos and quesadillas, plus creative chef’s specials with sirloin steak, fresh tuna, roast duck, foie gras and truffles. Handmade blue corn tortillas are piled high with tender spit-roasted meats, fresh veggies and herbs and authentic Oaxaca cheese (add as much spicy salsa macha as you can handle).

It’s hard to pick a favourite between the grilled beef steak tacos with red sauce and avocado, al pastor with marinated roast pork, pineapple, spring onion and cilantro and the grilled chicken quesadilla. Guacamole and blue corn chips are also a must!

Enlagloria Salad House

If you’re craving some greens after all of those croquetas, head to Enlagloria Salad House for a speedy, healthy lunch. This high end salad house chain by entrepreneur Gloria Rodés is Barcelona’s answer to sweetgreen, offering seasonal composed salads and a ‘create your own’ option.

Go for a vitamin-rich miso salmon bowl with artichokes and quinoa or the signature kale Caesar salad with tender rosemary chicken, crispy chickpeas, Parmesan and hemp seeds – so delicious. There’s also a free water station with chilled filtered still and sparkling water to keep you hydrated.

Vitrina Barcelona

Vitrina Barcelona is an indie coffee shop on the ground floor of Magatzem 128, a petite design hotel in Eixample. Hotel guests can roll downstairs for a light breakfast or afternoon caffeine fix, however it’s also a popular neighbourhood spot for locals with their laptops or a quick take-out coffee.

The strong matcha lattes are fantastic, as well as the home-made almond babka and vegan iced lemon and poppyseed cake.

At lunchtime, you can enjoy a hearty sourdough grilled cheese or loaded avocado toast.

L’Atelier Barcelona

L’Atelier Barcelona is a world-class bakery and pastry school run by renowned pastry chefs Ximena Pastor and Eric Ortuño. With sleek, futuristic interiors and a counter laden with exquisite treats, L’Atelier is the perfect spot for afternoon tea or an elevated coffee and croissant breakfast.

We tried the signature cornet croissants – one stuffed with lemon meringue and the other with raspberry, mascarpone and vanilla glaze – and they were so deliciously crisp and bursting with flavour.

Have you been to any of these Barcelona eateries? Where are your favourite places to eat out in the city?

All photos by Chérie City

The post Great Places to Eat Out in Barcelona first appeared on cheriecity.co.uk.