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The Best Italian Restaurants In Phuket

Joseph Gann
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The Best Italian Restaurants In Phuket

Even the most ardent, dogmatic chilli head, the one whose eyes widen at ‘Thai spicy’ and who takes great pleasure in reaffirming phed MAK, must concede that, once in a while, the craving for some slow-cooked San Marzano sauce hits like a freight train.

As recently as a decade ago, that craving would have been left to simmer until it caught on the bottom of the pan. Sure, Phuket’s reputation as a food destination has grown sharply in recent years, now a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and with a 60-strong Michelin Guide. But Phuket’s Italian food scene has only truly matured – slow fermented, properly proved and ready to hit the oven – in the last ten years or so. Chefs from Italy and local cooks with a copy of Marcella Hazan’s big one and a finely tuned instinct for flavour have both been drawn by the same combination of excellent seafood, sublime year-round produce and a captive audience of millions that first put the island on the tourist map.

Now, that scene extends well beyond the cardboard-pizza and spag-bol joints that once dominated the beachfront strips. From Michelin-recognised fine dining to six-table trattorias in Old Town shophouses, the island now offers the full range of regional Italian cooking, and a standard that can at times genuinely surprise. 

Should you be visiting the island and a craving for Italian food hits (it always does), then it’s to these places you should head; the best Italian restaurants in Phuket.

Five Olives, Bang Tao

Ideal for Michelin-listed pizza and pasta in a buzzy neighbourhood trattoria…

Five Olives is the restaurant that put Phuket’s Italian food scene firmly on the map. Just inland from the burgeoning hotspot of Bang Tao beach, you’ll find some of the finest Italian food in Southeast Asia. 

The restaurant, run by chef and owner Korn Kantapat Sinpradit and his sister Kwang, has earned a place in the big red book and now sits at 26th in the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2026 rankings – its fourth consecutive year on the list and a steady climb from 34th in 2024. Honestly, it should be higher; the nduja and stracciatella is as good as any pizza we’ve had in Bangkok, and we’ve had fucking loads.

It’s easy to see why Five Olives is held in such high esteem. On the restaurant’s convivial front terrace in a leafier part of town, the lapping of waves almost audible, some truly exemplary Italian food is being served.

The pizzas, first. They hit the table with a noticeable exhale, the canotto comically puffed and pleasingly uniform. You could imagine taking this one out on the Andaman for a bob about until a generous ball of burrata, imported directly from Puglia, threatens to sink the whole vessel. Peel off a slice and the pizza’s agreeable sloppiness announces itself. Halves of fresh Chiang Mai tomatoes and baby basil leaves certainly haven’t discoloured our memory of events here either.

But Five Olives has grown into something far broader than a pizzeria. On a recent visit, a clam acqua pazza was superb – briny, aromatic and generously portioned – while a seabass carpaccio showed a confident lightness of touch. From the pasta menu, the Carmatricianna (a carbonara-amatriciana hybrid) delivered the richness of both traditions into one absurdly delicious plate, available on paccheri, spaghetti or bucatini. Go for the latter. We’re fans of their nduja chilli mussels in tomato sauce too, with all the spicy, funky notes of the easy-to-pronounce Calabrian sausage offering the perfect foil to those sweet, plump mussels. 

Much of what makes the food here so good comes down to where things are from. Key Italian staples – the olive oil, the nduja, that burrata flown in from Puglia – arrive with the provenance intact, while the seafood and produce are as local and fresh as the Andaman allows. They do a damn fine steak, too. Whatever you do, don’t miss the gelato which is made in-house, followed by a glass of limoncello. Cheers to that, then.

Speaking of clinking glasses, the drinks list has enough personality to match the food’s big, bold flavours. Wines by the glass start at 350 baht for a Calmaggiore Prosecco or a Sicilian Nero d’Avola from Regaleali, with a compact but well-chosen selection that leans Italian and New Zealand across both colours. If cocktails are more your speed, the numbered signature list is worth exploring – the No. 7, a bourbon sour with Cinzano dry vermouth and ricotta cream cheese foam, is the kind of thing that sounds like it shouldn’t work but absolutely does.

Come on a weekend and you’ll find this place humming – we left at 10pm and tables were still filling up behind us. Some nights a DJ plays in the corner, low enough that you can actually hear your dining companion, but present enough to give the evening its shape. The front terrace benefits from a generous fan which is much appreciated in the height of Phuket’s busy season, but if you end up inside – where the air conditioning is strong – a light layer wouldn’t go amiss.

Five Olives’ sister restaurant Marni, on the peripheries of Phuket Old Town, is also well worth a visit.

Website: fiveolives.co

Address: 2/1 Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Acqua, Patong

Ideal for fine dining with Sardinian flair and a serious wine list…

Acqua is one of the island’s most exclusive (and expensive) restaurants, Italian or otherwise. A rare Phuket fine dining restaurant not housed in the bowels of a corporate hotel, here diners can survey the twinkling Kalim Bay from Acqua’s esteemed vantage point, luxuriating in the dining room’s clean lines and futuristic posture.

It’s certainly a leading contender for one of the most visually appealing restaurants in Phuket, even if the decor at times wouldn’t look out of place on Sky Atlantic’s mafia drama Gomorrah. Given some of the characters who’ve washed up on Phuket’s shores in recent years, perhaps the design is deliberate…

That’s not to say that the stunning backdrop pulls focus away from the food. Acqua’s success is down to its dedication to Italian cuisine, influenced by the traditions and culture of Southern Italy, in particular, with the special touch of chef Alessandro Frau’s native Sardinia gracing many of the dishes.

The chef’s philosophy emphasises the use of the finest ingredients, both local (Phuket lobster makes a welcome appearance in the Catalana-style salad) and imported (Siberian caviar, Japanese Amaebi prawns, and, of course, extra virgin olive oil and Parmigiano-Reggiano) treated with the utmost respect. It’s a winning formula, and one which has earned Acqua a place in every edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand since Phuket’s inaugural inclusion.

The wine list here is deserving of the setting, with Acqua a long-running holder of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. It stretches to over 450 labels, overwhelmingly Italian, with particular depth in Piedmont and Tuscany – the Barolo section alone covers over 20 entries and the Super Tuscan coverage is equally serious. Prices start at around 1,900 baht for a Valpolicella Classico and climb steeply from there, though it’s the mid-range Nebbiolo and Barbaresco bottles in the 3,000–5,000 baht bracket that represent the sweet spot for anyone who wants to drink well without the bill’s arrival becoming a moment of some dread. It’s comfortably one of the most impressive wine selections in Phuket – the food ain’t half bad, either.

A second branch has now opened in Bangkok, a testament to Acqua’s enduring quality.

Address: 324, 15 Phrabaramee Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Website: acquarestaurantphuket.com

La Gaetana, Phuket Old Town

Ideal for generations-old family recipes in a six-table Old Town charmer…

In the relentlessly gorgeous Old Town, La Gaetana has been open for over two decades, which in a place as transient as Phuket is a statement in itself. Owned by Gianni Ferrara, an Italian from Campania, and his Thai wife Chonticha, this cute six-table restaurant is the product of two cultures that both take hospitality very seriously indeed, and it shows the moment you walk through the door.

Though the welcome is full of the beaming smiles Thailand is so famous for, the menu is resolutely, traditionally home-style Italian, with the couple’s passion for Italian cuisine evident in proud pasta dishes that sit front row and centre of the menu here, many of which are inspired by traditional recipes passed down through several generations of Ferrara’s family. A family, it should be noted, that you feel very much a part of after a meal here.

On our last visit, the bottarga pasta from the specials board, ideally suited to linguine (the choice is yours here), was superb simplicity at its very best, full of umami and just the right level of sweet bitterness from perfectly golden garlic.

Should you be looking for a more elaborate spread, then it’s to that specials board you should head, with osso buco (done with actual veal here – a rare treat) and Hokkaido scallops both excellent, the latter an exemplary display of letting the ingredients shine, served seared with little more than a few rocket leaves and a drift of taut dressing.

Gaetana

Indeed, sometimes the most simple things are also the most memorable, and the eggplant-topped bruschetta isn’t something we’re going to forget anytime soon. Similar in taste profile to a parmigiana, it hit all the right notes; crisp, juicy, umami-heavy, yet ultimately refreshing. Speaking of memorable, the apple tart dessert is quite the spectacle when it’s served; order one and you’ll find out what we mean. Away from the plate, the homely room is a visual treat too, with sunflower yellow walls, old family photos, and trinkets from the owners’ pasts creating curiosity at every turn.

Though it’s certainly not a ‘hidden gem’ – La Gaetana is featured in the Michelin Guide – the restaurant’s intimacy will have you feeling like you discovered this place for the evening. All that said, booking in advance is very much recommended.

Address: 352 Phuket Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Website: La Gaetana | Phuket | Facebook

Red Sauce at Rosewood Phuket, Tri Trang

Ideal for farm-to-table Italian cooking with an admirable attention to sourcing…

Part of the Rosewood Hotel, Red Sauce sits pretty on Tri Trang beach, with Chef Luigi Troise, who cut his teeth as senior sous chef at BluHouse in Hong Kong, now at the stoves, continuing the restaurant’s focus on regional Italian cooking with a keen eye on local produce. The open kitchen invites diners to gather as they would in a traditional Italian home, and evenings here can begin the old-fashioned way with a vermouth board (bianco, dry and red, served with Italian light bites) before moving on to the food.

Expect copper-coloured shellfish soups that straddle the rustic and the refined with grace and style, designed to be paired with the restaurant’s house focaccia, this one studded with anchovies and served alongside burrata and a pesto throbbing with Thai basil. 

There’s a seriousness to the sourcing here that goes beyond the usual hotel kitchen supply chain, with duck from Klong Phai Farm, fish from a local eco-aquaculture operation and Thai artisan goat cheese from Little Goat Farm in Nakhon Pathom all featuring on the menu. That local influence extends into desserts, with a baba made with Phuket rum – it’s excellent, bracing and boozy, but comforting too. The menu has ambition beyond the island too, taking in handmade agnolotti del plin and a Margaret River Wagyu ribeye.

The wine list is compact but well chosen, with everything available by the glass (a Puglia Primitivo at 470 baht or a Chablis at 630) and pizzas start at 560 baht. For a Rosewood restaurant, the accessibility is a pleasant surprise.

Address: 88/28, 88, in Rosewood Phuket, 30-30 Muen-Ngern Rd, Tambon Patong, Kathu District, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

Website: rosewoodhotels.com

La Gritta, Patong

Ideal for simple Italian plates and Phuket’s best sunset terrace…

Perched on a cliff (though not too precariously, we might add) overlooking stunning Patong Bay, La Gritta is a romantic restaurant that has been serving carefully composed Italian plates for over a decade to islanders and tourists alike.

Housed in the Amari Resort, the restaurant is led by chef Giordano Roscini, a native of Amelia, Umbria, who brings his passion for regional Italian food to the table here; a table which, if you can snag one on the terrace overlooking the bay, is arguably the most beautifully positioned in Phuket. Just remember to douse yourself in mosquito repellent before buckling up.

La Gritta’s menu is a little more pedestrian than some of the other entries on our list, with bolognese, carbonara, a couple of pizzas and even a hamburger, but, honestly, we’re here for the vibes, and that view really is something.

Website: lagritta.com

Address: Amari, 2 Muen-ngern Road Beach, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand

ALTO at the Pavilions Phuket, Layan

Ideal for contemporary Italian dining with hilltop panoramas and strong Negronis…

Positioned at the highest point of The Pavilions Phuket, ALTO is twinned with the award-winning ALTO in Rome, and the pedigree shows. The kitchen is led by executive chef Arnaud Violtat, who boasts more than 35 years of experience across starred European kitchens, as well as stints in the US and Australia.

He brings a cosmopolitan precision to the menu, underpinned by a genuine commitment to local sourcing: organic Phuket heirloom tomatoes, sustainably farmed Thai wagyu from Nornuea Farm in Pathum Thani and the striking seven-coloured Phuket lobster all feature.

The food reflects that balance well. A smoked salmon and truffle potato, built on fingerling potato with truffle vinaigrette and caviar, is a composed, confident opener that sets the tone for what follows. The seared tuna alla Siciliana brings tomato, black and green olives, capers and frisée together with real assurance, while from the pasta section, the lobster fra diavolo lands a chilli-spiked tomato sauce against sweet Phuket lobster on fettuccini in a way that’s hard to argue with. If you’ve come hungry and you’re in the mood for something with a bit more presence, the Australian Black Angus tomahawk with béarnaise and beef jus is the move.

The setting helps, too. Panoramic views across Phuket’s lush interior to the Andaman Sea provide the kind of backdrop that commands a premium you don’t ever resent paying. The cocktail bar is a draw in its own right, with spritzes and Negronis at 400 baht and signatures like the Alto Royale – Phraya Elements rum, Martini Rosso, red wine and fresh ginger – leaning into the Italian aperitivo tradition rather than the generic tropical playbook. 

The wine list is more eclectic than you might expect from a hotel restaurant, stretching from a 540 baht Chianti Montalbano by the glass to serious Italian bottles from Gaja, Querciabella and Quintarelli, with enough French and Australian detours to keep things interesting. 

ALTO is open to non-guests, Tuesday to Saturday.

Website: altophuket.com

Address: 1, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Goodfellas at Courtyard By Marriott, Patong

Ideal for honest trattoria cooking steps from Patong Beach…

Goodfellas opened in late 2024 as part of the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket’s dining expansion (alongside the excellent Smokestack), and the name alone – plus its billing as solely a pizzeria – might tempt you to write this one off as a corporate hotel afterthought. That would be a mistake.

Chef James Emilio Richmond Gargiulo, raised in Reggio Emilia – a region celebrated for its culinary heritage – brings the heart of the Italian trattoria to Patong Beach. His early training in classic trattorias taught him the beauty of simplicity and fresh ingredients, and that sensibility runs through the menu here.

Pizzas feel more Italian-American in their crisp, burnished crust, but the real joy at Goodfella’s is actually found elsewhere on the menu. Meatballs in a rich tomato sauce were well-seasoned and suitably bouncy, coming in a sauce of real depth.

A pesto pasta was vibrant and just the right level of loose, topped with a generosity of pine nuts that would bankrupt a restaurant back home, while the aubergine parmigiana was a properly layered job, its enthusiastic caramelisation showing a chef cooking with instinct rather than from a hotel playbook.

The setting rewards you differently depending on when you visit. By day, the terrace catches the Andaman sun at a flattering angle; by evening, the adjacent beach club comes alive with live guitar, fire shows and a DJ, and Goodfellas sits at just the right remove – close enough to feel the energy, far enough to hold a conversation without raising your voice.

For Patong – where Italian restaurants can lean heavily on the tourist baht – Goodfellas is a really welcome addition.

Website: goodfellaspizzeriaphuket.com

Address: 44 Thaweewong Rd, Pa Tong, Phuket, 83150, Thailand

Bocconcino, Laguna

Ideal for Sardinian specialities and sunset drinks by the lagoon…

Bocconcino has been a fixture on Phuket’s Laguna dining scene since 2012, and chef Massimo Pettinau’s Sardinian roots are written all over the menu. The malloreddus with sausage ragù and aged pecorino is a Sardinian staple done in textbook fashion, the grilled pecorino sardo arrives with chestnut honey and fresh figs and tastes more of the Gennargentu than local limestone karst. A bottarga linguine with clams rounds out a pasta section with genuine regional depth. Back on the mainland, the pappardelle with venison ragù, a slow-cooked lamb shank and a vitello tonnato suggest a kitchen that takes its time where it matters.

The opulent, overblown setting plays its part in a big way. Bocconcino sits right on the lagoon at Boat Avenue, its terrace extending over the water, and at sunset it’s a genuinely striking spot, made all the more surreal by the restaurant’s own gondola, moored at a small pier and available for private dining, gondolier in striped shirt included.

Inside, a deli counter stocked with imported cheeses and cured meats sits near the entrance, with shelves of olive oils, vinegars and dried pasta lining the dining room. You can take a bag of produce home if the meal inspires. But the real surprise is the wine list, which is frankly staggering for a restaurant of this profile. Organised by Italian region with serious depth in Piedmont, Tuscany and Sardinia, it takes in Gaja Barbaresco, Ornellaia, Sassicaia and a Masseto at the top end, with Sardinian bottles from Argiolas, Capichera and Agricola Punica offering a nod to the chef’s homeland. A Coravin service on the better bottles means you can drink well without committing to a full one.

And since we’re by the beach, by the way, we’re off for a swim. Come on in, the water’s fine…

Website: bocconcinophuket.com

Address: 21 14 Lagoon Rd, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

The Best Restaurants In Chiswick

Joseph Gann
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0
The Best Restaurants In Chiswick

Last updated March 2026

There’s something about leafy, laid back Chiswick that makes you feel like you’ve truly left London, the West London neighbourhood’s village-cosplay extending from its name (the Old English for ‘Cheese Farm’) all the way to Strand-on-the-Green, where riverside pubs have perfected their pastoral performance.

A little smug, maybe, but undeniably beautiful all the same. And when the West London light hits the river just right, there really is no better place to be in the capital than here, staring at those refractions through a two-thirds full pint glass.

Chiswick is also a fine place to dine. These days, while the monthly cheese market still draws crowds to the High Road, W4’s culinary credentials extend far beyond curds and whey – though we’d strongly recommend timing your visit to coincide with that dairy-fuelled Sunday session if you can.

This is a part of London that manages to feel both connected and removed from the capital’s frenetic energy. The broad pavements of Chiswick High Road host a parade of independent cafés, artisan delis and restaurants that wouldn’t look out of place in Paris or Rome, while the quieter streets that branch off it harbour both ‘hidden’ gems and fine dining heavyweights.

With all that in mind and the scene somewhat set, here’s our rundown of the best restaurants in Chiswick.

La Trompette

Ideal for Michelin-starred dining without pretense…

Under Greg Wellman’s steady hand, La Trompette continues to deliver the goods that earned its Michelin star back in 2008. Part of the same esteemed restaurant group behind Chez Bruce and the now-closed Glasshouse (RIP – what a place that was), the dining room strikes an elegant note without fuss – crisp white tablecloths and golden banquettes setting the scene for cooking that sings. Come summer, the front terrace with its fold-back doors offers a delightful spot for lunch.

Images via @Latrompettechiswick

Wellman’s menu (a refreshingly straightforward £65 for three courses at lunch, £95 at dinner, with six choices for each) draws deeply from the well of British ingredients while casting occasional glances further afield. A recent visit brought a sweet, earthy Jerusalem artichoke veloute, garnished with little nuggets of chorizo picante, followed by a masterclass in meat cookery – perfectly pink Devonshire duck breast with celeriac puree and braised red cabbage. In autumn, the kitchen shows particular prowess with game – their roast grouse deserves circling on the calendar, quite frankly.

The wine list stands among London’s finest, particularly strong in Burgundy and the Rhône. Sommeliers here wear their knowledge with a refreshing lightness, as happy to guide you to a £7.50 glass as they are to discuss grand crus. Indeed, La Trompette proves that serious food doesn’t need to come with a stuffy attitude, and offers fine value for the calibre of cooking on display.

Website: latrompette.co.uk

Address: 3-7 Devonshire Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2EU

Villa di Geggiano

Ideal for transportive Tuscan dining…

Walking into Villa di Geggiano feels like stepping through a portal to the Italian countryside. The imposing villa seems to have materialised from a Tuscan hillside, complete with a gated terrace that provides welcome separation from the High Road’s bustle.

Inside, a sense of craftsmanship takes centre stage – custom furnishings and curated artwork (including some dead strange trophy mounts) lend an atmosphere that feels just a little regal, though fortunately, the tones are anything but hushed in here. It’s a boisterous kind of place, full of braying toffs, sure, but also families and folk who simply like to have a spirited conversation. The restaurant has its own coat of arms for some reason…

Images via @villadigeggiano.co.uk

It would all be a bit much if some reheated schiacciata (must see a doctor about that) hit the table within a minute of ordering, but fortunately, the kitchen delivers Tuscan specialities with conviction, with the wild boar pappardelle a faithfully rendered version of a classic. A 1.1kg bistecca alla Fiorentina is served confidently with just a green salad and some pan juice. For £120 and enough to feed several, it’s not bad value in this part of town. If you are looking to blow the budget, there’s even a section of the menu dedicated to the region’s revered truffles.

The wine list leans heavily into Italian regions, unsurprisingly, with several bottles coming from the restaurant’s own Tuscan estate. For summer dining, the terrace here is one of Chiswick’s finest spots – especially with a glass of their house Chianti in hand and a conversation about the rising cost of second homes in Salcombe on the lips.

Website: villadigeggiano.co.uk

Address: 66-68 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 1SY

Napoli On The Road

Ideal for world-class Neapolitan pizza…

Michele Pascarella didn’t need his 2023 Global Pizza Maker of the Year award to prove his worth…Further confirmation arrived in 2024 when it was named the best pizzeria in Europe (outside Italy) by the influential 50 Top Pizza list – and then again in 2025, retaining the crown and also scooping Pizza of the Year for their signature Ricordi d’Infanzia. The restaurant now ranks fifth in the world.

A lemon tree bursting through the floor tiles and a central wood-fired oven provide the backdrop for pizzas that redefine expectations. Pascarella’s dough achieves that magical combination of lightness and character, emerging from the fierce heat of the oven with just the right amount of char. Sure, the space is small and can get noisy, but that’s part of the charm.

While the benchmark margherita is pretty much as-good-as-it-gets, there are some more creative touches that show Pascarella’s growing personality as a pizzaiolo first hand. The ‘Cheesewick’ sounds like it shouldn’t work – five cheeses (ricotta, fior di latte, stracciatella, parmesan crisps and Stilton) unified by Vesuvian cherry tomato jam. Yet somehow it achieves perfect harmony and, remarkably, isn’t too heavy. That’s down to Pascarella’s absurdly digestible dough, no doubt.

The pizza fritta (fried pizza) section is worthy of your time, too, with the double pepperoni and hot honey something of a revelation. Save room for bocconcini – the fried dough balls with Nutella and pistachio will live long in the memory.

*Big news: The acclaimed Napoli on the Road team has now opened their much-awaited Soho flagship at 140 Wardour Street. This expansive 100-seat restaurant houses traditional à la carte service upstairs, while pioneering London’s very first pizza-focused tasting menu in the basement – a seven-course Neapolitan fine dining experience featuring creative techniques and authentic flavours, complemented by Campanian wine pairings.*

Website: napoliontheroad.co.uk

Address: 9A Devonshire Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2EU

Read: The best pizzas in London for 2026

The Hound

Ideal for sophisticated pub dining in a storied setting...

With a crime rate so low there seemed no point in keeping it going, the 1872 Chiswick police station has found an unexpected new calling under the guidance of JKS Restaurants (the increasingly ubiquitous group behind Gymkhana, Hoppers, and BAO). That new calling is The Hound, a gastropub with a humble mission statement; to nail the minutiae of the ‘gastro’ part of gastropub, and to get all the things we love about pub dining just right.

The Victorian architecture provides a dramatic backdrop to this humble goal, with the space cleverly divided into distinct areas – a proper pub floor for casual drinks, two private dining rooms, a covered courtyard, and a sun-trap front terrace that’s worth booking ahead for during warmer months. There’s even footy on the tele.

Images via @thehound.london

Executive chef John Sparks, working alongside two Michelin-starred James Knappett of Kitchen Table, has created a menu that celebrates (even elevates, though we’re not meant to say that anymore) pub classics without stripping them of their comfort. Plates are marked out by their attention to detail: the lacy batter on the fish and chips that’s several shades bronzer than your chippy; the choice of Oxford sauce (homemade, of course) with the black pudding scotch egg; and the frankly cartoon-perfect hot dog, here made with Highland wagyu, and topped with house sauerkraut and Ogleshield cheese. 

The Hound is still proudly a pub at heart (at least, in the marketing material) so rotating cask ales sit alongside craft beers, while the wine list offers genuine interest at each price point, with several drops available by the glass and carafe. They pour a decent Guinness, too; pretty much a prerequisite for any self-respecting gastropubs in the capital these days.

Website: thehound.london

Address: 210 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 1PD

Annie’s

Ideal for romance, roasts and rococo excess by the river…

A short wander from Strand-on-the-Green’s riverside pubs, Annie’s has been feeding Chiswick’s romantics and roast-hungry families for the best part of a quarter century now. That kind of longevity in this industry doesn’t happen by accident – and stepping through the door, you quickly understand what’s kept the locals coming back.

The interiors are unapologetically maximal, with a magnetic pull that draws folk off the blustery street in winter especially. Exposed brick meets ornate gilded mirrors, cherubs take flight across the walls, fairy lights twinkle year-round, and floral arrangements compete for attention with velvet cushions in deep jewel tones. It’s the sort of space that could tip into kitsch but somehow lands on charming instead – a place your nan would adore and your date would find endearing. Upstairs offers a cosier affair, all low ceilings and the feeling of dining in someone’s particularly eccentric living room.

The menu trades in comfort without apology. A halloumi, roast squash and fig salad gets ordered at most tables, while the slow-roast pork belly with white bean and chorizo cassoulet delivers the kind of warmth you want on a grey London evening (can you tell we’re feeling a bit low today?). They’ve resisted the urge to overthink things. Instead, it’s cottage pie, sirloin with chips and béarnaise, sticky toffee pudding – all generous portions that mean you’ll rarely leave wanting more. Come back for the pork Milanese with linguine arrabbiata.

Sundays bring what many locals consider the area’s best roast, the sort that warrants a riverside walk afterwards, recently singled out by Hardens with their ‘High Quality Food’ accolade for 2025.

Weekend brunch covers the classics with the same unpretentious competence – eggs any style, a full English, smoked salmon bagels. The cocktail list gets genuinely creative, particularly during the 5-7pm happy hour on weekdays, and wines hover at sensible price points.

Website: anniesrestaurant.co.uk

Address: 162 Thames Road, Chiswick, London W4 3QS

Sushi Bar Makoto

Ideal for fine Japanese cuisine without the fuss…

Don’t let the modest frontage on Turnham Green Terrace and the canteen-like interior within Sushi Bar Makoto fool you – this tiny spot serves some of West London’s best value Japanese food. The space itself barely seats 20, which means weekday lunches offer your best chance of securing a table without a wait, but it’s worth the queue if you do pitch up at a busier hour.

The quality of fish here is impressive given the prices. Nigiri arrives precisely formed, each piece dressed appropriately – a touch of nikiri here, a whisper of wasabi there. The sashimi platters showcase the kitchen’s expertise with knife work (two chefs work continuously behind the counter, which is a reassuring testament to the freshness of the fish here), while the donburi bowls offer excellent value for lunch (most hover around £12-15).

Image via @sushi_bar_makoto

Beyond raw fish, their karaage chicken achieves that perfect crisp-juicy balance, while the teriyaki dishes demonstrate proper technique – the sauce glazed onto the fish or meat rather than simply poured over. Green tea comes with free refills, and the service moves at a pleasant clip without ever feeling rushed. What’s not to love?

Instagram: @sushi_bar_makoto

Address: 57 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, London W4 1RP

Read: Where to eat ramen in London

No. 197 Chiswick Fire Station

Ideal for all-day dining in an architectural gem…

The transformation of Chiswick’s former fire station (getting a bit concerned about the lack of emergency services here now) into a restaurant could have gone wrong in so many ways. Fire stations present unique challenges for restaurant conversion – their cavernous engine bays can feel cold and impersonal, their industrial fixtures and fittings can clash with dining ambience, and their heritage-protected status often limits renovation options. 

Instead, No. 197 has turned these potential weaknesses into strengths. The soaring ceilings and dramatic arched windows now create an airy, elegant atmosphere, while the vast space has been thoughtfully divided into distinct zones that flow naturally into each other, centered around an impressive oval bar that’s worth visiting even if you’re not staying to eat. 

Recently acquired by the Portobello Pub Company, No. 197 is part of the Darwin & Wallace collection – and no, we don’t mean the collection of letters, manuscripts, and other materials related to naturalists Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, but rather, a collection of unique neighbourhood bars with five locations across London.

The Chiswick outpost is a bright space that calls for an equally breezy menu, and the all-day menu here proves consistently reliable, if not groundbreaking, food. Brunchis the restaurant’s trump card. Their sweetcorn and courgette hash topped with a perfectly poached egg is a winner,, while the full English shows an understanding that this humble breakfast relies so much on sourcing – the bacon comes from HG Walter butchers just down the road, and the sourdough is from Bread Factory.

Later in the day, the menu shifts gear. Small, nourishing plates like roast squash with carrot and turmeric hummus make wholesome companions to their well-crafted cocktails (the house spritz, at £9, is particularly good value). More substantial dishes such as their chicken schnitzel with caper butter demonstrate the kitchen’s ability to handle classics with care and an unpretentious lack of frippery.

Images via @No197ChiswickFireStation

The hidden terrace at the back is one of Chiswick’s finest outdoor dining spaces – book ahead for weekend brunches, especially during summer months. The acoustics can get lively when busy, but tables in the back dining room offer a quieter experience.

Website: no197chiswickfirestation.co.uk

Address: 197-199 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 2DR

Le Vacherin

Ideal for classic French bistro cooking…

Tucked away on South Parade and fittingly for a district named after some cheese, Le Vacherin captures the spirit of a neighbourhood Parisian bistro without falling into pastiche. It feels almost too perfect, too apt, too carefully-marketed, with its retro affiches années vingt, draping white tablecloths and burgundy leather banquettes lining the western wall. It’s probably known as ‘our own little slice of Provence-en-Thames’ by some of the more insufferable denizens of Chiswick.

Images via @levacherin

All of this feels like it’s building up to a disappointing experience on the table, but Le Vacherin delivers on the French bistro classics in considerable style. From a commendably tight menu of just five starters and five mains, the cheese soufflé is no doubt a signature, arriving puffed and golden, light as air but rich with flavour, and more than deserving of its keen £12.50 price tag. Things get more interesting when Le Vacherin strays tentatively into more experimental territory; a technically precise foie gras and pheasant terrine comes with poached kumquats and pickled mooli, all light and shade, lift and vigour against the unabashed, earthy indulgence of the terrine. It’s superb.

The wine list leans heavily French but strays to ‘our neighbours’ when quality or intrigue demands it. There are several bottles hovering around the £30 mark, which isn’t bad going in 2026 London. Weekday prix fixe menus offer particularly good value – two courses for £29.50 or three for £36.50 at lunch, and a little more in the evening. That set menu includes classics like onion soup, snails with garlic butter, coq au vin and a Toulouse cassoulet. Whichever way you play it, don’t skip dessert;  the pastry section here, unsurprisingly, possess impeccable tekkers. 

Website: levacherin.com

Address: 76-77 S Parade, London W4 5LF

The Silver Birch *to permanently close – reservations now closed*

Ideal for modern British cooking that’s not afraid to get indulgent…

Chef Nathan Cornwell (nope, not Nathan Outlaw of Cornwall – must stop skimming), who cut his teeth at prestigious restaurants Le Champignon Sauvage and The Barn at Moor Hall, has turned this understated High Road restaurant into one of West London’s most downright enjoyable dinners. In keeping with the whole soft-pedal sophistication of Chiswick, the space whispers rather than shouts – natural woods, neutral tones, and dried flowers providing subtle punctuation marks.

Images via @silverbirchchiswick

Cornwell’s cooking lets ingredients take centre stage. His Devon crab with apple and dill on house-made sourdough crumpets demonstrates a delicate touch that’s increasingly rare in a dish that’s become ubiquitous, but even better is when the kitchen takes the brakes off and lets a certain opulent streak take over. Dare we say that there’s a sense of indulgence at The Silver Bitch that’s left the London food scene at large, best exemplified in a gorgeous plate of crisp, bubbled Iron Age pork belly. The breed, a cross between a Tamworth sow and a Eurasian wild boar, is prized for its thick layer of fat, and you know what that means? More crackling. The addition of a slab of foie gras on the plate isn’t necessary, but christ it’s welcome.

Even the bread service demands attention rather than resentment for filling you up too fast. Here, Guinness sourdough with cultured butter sets the tone and gets the crowds cooing. The wine list offers plenty by the glass for under a tenner, which is always appreciated in this economy, in this neighbourhood. Book ahead – tables here are increasingly hard to secure.

Website: silverbirchchiswick.co.uk

Address: 142 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 1PU

*Update, March 2026: The Silver Birch has sadly announced its closure after a five-year run on Chiswick High Road. The Michelin Guide-listed restaurant, which was named AA London Restaurant of the Year in 2024, served its final guests in March 2026.*

Though we’re full to bursting, we’re walking it all off down Kew Road next, on our way to check out Richmond’s best restaurants. Care to join us?

Where To Find The Best Banh Mi In Hanoi

Joseph Gann
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0
Where To Find The Best Banh Mi In Hanoi

Last updated March 2026

Like any big, bustling city, Hanoi has a lot of hungry people who don’t have time to sit down (except in motion, on a Honda Wave) and eat.

Enter the banh mi, Vietnam’s signature fast food and, in the eyes of many, one of the world’s greatest sandwiches. A gift that can be eaten at any time of day – for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and even as a snack – it’s a sandwich that has taken the world by storm, despite it only having been part of Vietnamese culinary culture for less than a century. 

Its origins have been well documented, traced back to the period of French colonial rule in Vietnam, which lasted from the mid-19th century until 1954. During this period, the French introduced the baguette to Vietnam, and over time, the Vietnamese adapted it to create their own version of the sandwich.

Though the banh mi as we know it today began to take shape in 1950s Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), it’s in Hanoi that, in our humble opinion, the very finest versions are found.

If you’ve ever had a banh mi on a pavement in Hanoi, you know it’s not just a sandwich – it’s an experience. Mid-morning, when the baguettes are crisp and fresh and the pre-work motorbike rush hour has dissipated, there’s nothing better; to be savoured in the bare bones cafe opposite your favourite stall, on a low slung stool, with a thick, sweet iced coffee. Heaven.

It’s a food for everyone, the banh mi – affordable, widely available, and endlessly customisable. It’s hard to think of a sandwich – or meal – more ideal than bánh mì. It’s one of those sandwiches where every element works in harmony to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

©Jaromir Chalabala via Canva

What Makes A Good Banh Mi?

So, what makes a good banh mi? For us, the most straightforward banh mi is also the best banh mi, allowing the quality of the bread, pate and cold cuts to shine. The ludicrously stacked affairs with a mixed grill’s worth of meat inside, plus mayo, three types of hot sauce, a random papaya salad and erroneous Thai basil that you’ll find in the UK? Those guys are not for us.

Prepared in moments, a good banh mi shouldn’t be overfilled, or overkill. A great one isn’t too sweet, nor too saucy. And if you look down to see the wrapper already stained in a kind of Marie Rose sauce, your bread discoloured an unappetitsing shade of pink, then be warned; you’ve got a dud in your hands. Often sold in front of backpacker hostels, this is the sweet, westernised style that dominates Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Steer clear.

Back to positivity and considering the best banh mi’s baguette itself, this isn’t your average loaf – it’s a French-inspired masterpiece that’s been perfected by Vietnamese bakers for the humid weather. Baked at a higher temperature than in Europe, it has a crunchy but yielding crust and should taste light and airy, with a toothsome chew and absolutely no hint of sourness or over-prove.

© Ryan Truong via Canva

While you can certainly order ‘dac biet’ or  ‘thap cam’ – the house special which usually has the works – this is generally more common in Ho Chi Minh City, where everything feels bigger and brasher. 

The baguettes in Vietnam’s most sprawling city tend to feature copious meats, herbs, and condiments. We’ve heard that in Ho Chi Minh City, some quote the 210 ratio – 70g bread, 70g cold cuts and 70g pickles and herbs – but in Hanoi, it’s a more minimalist affair; just how we like it.

No banh mi is complete without its signature pickled vegetables, which in Hanoi tend towards the sharper end of the spectrum, compared to Ho Chi Minh’s preference for sweetness. Either way, these pickles are the unsung heroes of the banh mi, cutting through the fatty meat and adding a zesty punch that refreshes, resets and keeps you coming back for more.

What truly sets a great Banh Mi apart is its balance. It’s a sandwich that should hit every note; salty, sour, spicy, and just a little bit sweet. And we’re after the very best in Hanoi…

Bahn Mi To Avoid In Hanoi

But first, much like your splayed open baguette, let’s go find some more filler…

If you’re looking for one of the best banh mi spots in Hanoi, then you’ll likely be thinking of heading to Hang Ca street in search of the lauded Banh Mi 25. Here you’ll find throngs of tourists collected under a neon ‘A LOAF OF SMILES’ sign, clutching their branded baguettes. Don’t be one of them. 

While Banh Mi 25 is certainly well-known across the city, this headliner doesn’t really hit the dizzy heights of the banh mi on our list, with the bread too crunchy and a little greasy on the exterior, the fillings a touch measly and unsatisfying. Perhaps we just visited on a bad day…

Ha Nguyen, a Hanoi resident we spoke to on our last visit, also advised us not to step foot in Banh Mi King, a chain with an uncanny resemblance to Burger King that has proliferated across the city in recent years, peddling sweet, subpar banh mi from comparatively swanky bricks and mortar premises.

Generally speaking, the smaller the operation, the better the banh mi, with many of Hanoi’s best banh mi served from a simple streetside cart with a big chunk of pate, a mise en place of a few tubs of cold cuts and pickles, and a bread warmer. Perhaps there’ll be a single, portable electric hob for the obligatory morning omelette, but that’s all. Seek out these places; it’s where the magic happens.

Where To Eat The Best Bahn Mi In Hanoi

Enough of the fluff (we didn’t do it to keep you here for longer, honestly), and with hit jobs complete, let’s get to it; here are the best banh mi in Hanoi.

*All of the banh mi on our list except Banh My 38 Dinh Liet clock in at 30’000 VND (around £1) or under.*

Banh Mi Pate, Hang Ca, Hoan Kiem (Old Quarter)

Banh Mi Pate at 11 Hang Ca, on the peripheries of the Old Quarter just yards from the supremely popular but ultimately disappointing Banh Mi 25, serves, quite simply, our favourite banh mi in Hanoi. 

The rig here is as humble as it comes – just a stack of bread, a portable oven, a huge brick of homemade pate, a few cold cuts and pickles, and a chopping board. But as we’ve said before, this usually promises culinary alchemy. And so it is here… 

Image via @BanhMyPaTeHa
Image via @BanhMyPaTeHa

It’s all about the baguette first and foremost, which here boasts just the right level of crisp exterior and giving centre. Order the number 4 on the menu, which is filled generously with lots of pate, a decent shower of pork floss, some pickles, coriander and hot sauce. Enjoy it on the smallest plastic stool known to mankind, a handful of which are scattered across the pavement in front of the simple setup, and luxuriate in Hanoi’s best sandwich. 

It’s so good, in fact, that we’ve included it on our rundown of the IDEAL 22 spots for street food in Hanoi. 

Address: 11 P. Hàng Cá, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

© Muc Photo via Cana

Phu Son, Giang Vo, Ba Dinh District

Showing size doesn’t matter when it comes to banh mi, both in the size of the operation and the size of the actual baguette, Phu Son specialises in one of our favourite banh mi offshoots; banh mi Hai Phong.

This is a specific style of Vietnamese sandwich that originates from Hai Phong, a major port city in northern Vietnam around two hours from Hanoi.

The baguette here isn’t much larger than a breadstick, and is as simple as it comes, filled only with pate and eaten with a piquant chilli sauce called chi chuong. The stick thin baguette is baked with the offal-heavy, garlicky pate and becomes crispy and giving. It’s also a spicy little number, just as residents of Hai Phong like it.

Close to the Temple of Literature, this one is well worth a quick pitstop. Order several.

Address: C6 P. Trần Huy Liệu, Giảng Võ, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Banh Mi Hoi An, Han Thuyen, Hoan Kiem (Old Quarter)

We’re loath to cite Anthony Bourdain as definitive evidence of where to find the best street food in any given place – whilst we love him as much as the next guy, there are plenty more authorities on the subject.

That said, when the TV celebrity visited the pretty city of Hoi An in Central Vietnam, he declared that Banh Mi Phuong was the best in town, if not the whole of the country. We’ve had this one a few times, and it’s certainly a great sandwich, but what’s perhaps more striking is just how good all the banh mi is in Hoi An, the famous baguette seemingly given the same care and attention in its assembly as the city’s acclaimed network of tailors give their suits.

Anyway, back in Hanoi, and Banh Mi Hoi An continues this tradition with an exemplary, generously proportioned sandwich. Be warned; there are several with this name across the city and some are better than others. We’re at the one in the Old Quarter, on Pho Han Thuyen, luxuriating in the signature barbecue chicken banh mi, a surprisingly spicy rendition owing to the kitchen’s superb homemade chilli oil. A refreshing iced tea offers the perfect counterpoint.

Address: 27 P.Hàn Thuyên, Phạm Đình Hổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

© ImpakPro via Canva

Banh Mi Pho Hue, Pho Hue, Hai Ba Trung District

It’s been said so often that it gets a little tedious, but it’s still also true; when in an unfamiliar town, look for queues of locals and you know that’s where the best street food is found.

Proving the point emphatically is Banh Mi Pho Hue, just a little outside the Old Quarter in Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung district, where a steady stream of motorbikes waits for a profoundly prosaic banh mi that is one of the city’s most popular.

It’s a celebration of the simple things at Banh Mi Pho Hue. The aunty’s mise en place is as follows… Stacks of warm baguettes. A massive brick of homemade pate. A few slices of Vietnamese pork loaf (essentially spam). A bowl of pork floss. Cucumber pickle. Butter. Dairylea. Chilli sauce. There’s also a pan set-up should you want to add an omelette to your banh mi. If it’s the morning, you should do just that.

Assemble your desired sandwich from that selection, and eat outside the shophouse leaning against a tree, because the dining area is full of parked motorbikes. Lovely stuff.

Address: 118 P. Huế, Bùi Thị Xuân, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội, Vietnam

© hxyume via Canva

Banh Mi Pate, Le Quy Don, Hai Ba Trung District

Not to be confused with the Banh Mi Pate on Hang Ca that opened our list, another of our very favourite banh mi in Hanoi is found a little out of the city centre at 16 Le Quy Don, just off the dike road that acts as flood defence against the adjacent Red River.

Boy this is fine banh mi, the pate generously spread and seriously peppery, the filling taking up a good two thirds of the whole thing, the excellent bread merely the shell that holds everything in place. Order the banh mi thap cam (everything), and enjoy a thin, made-to-order omelette, batons of spam, that pate, and plenty of pickles. The odd obligatory coriander leaf, for health, seals the deal.

Address: 16 P. Lê Quý Đôn, Bạch Đằng, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội, Vietnam

© Bonnie_Phan Getty/Canva

Banh Mi Ba Dan, Lo Su, Hoan Kiem (Old Quarter)

Another brilliant banh mi on the outskirts of the Old Quarter is Lo Su’s Banh Mi Ba Dan, one of the city’s oldest and most celebrated baguette slingers.

These guys have been doing their thing for over forty years, and that expertise shows in the gracefully, swiftly prepared banh mi here. Boasting a satisfyingly crunchy shatter on the baguette, it is – once again – the simplicity of the offering at Ba Dan that leads to gastronomic perfection. 

In fact, it’s one of the most paired back setups you’ll see in the city – just a block of pate, a pile of pork and chicken shavings akin to those shorn off a rotating kebab or gyros, a bowl of pickles, and one solitary squeezy bottle of house hot sauce. 

When the elements are so few and the experience so deep, it should come as no surprise that the sum of this banh mi’s parts has been truly perfected. An exquisite, perfectly balanced banh mi and one which stands as a benchmark of just what this beloved Vietnamese sandwich should be.

Address: 34 P. Lò Sũ, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Quan Thit Xien Nuong Ba Nga, Quang Trung, Hai Ba Trung District

Now for something a little different, for we fear we’re going to overdose on pate if we carry on like this…

On Quang Trung street, a pretty thoroughfare that connects Lenin Park with Hoan Kiem Lake, Banh Mi Ba Nga are knocking out a variation of banh mi that’s less well established here in the UK but is one hell of a crowd pleaser; the glazed skewer variety.

Here, sweet, succulent skewers are grilled on a streetside portable barbecue to order, the diligent chef turning them without pause so the marinade catches just right. Once they’re ready, a warm baguette is sliced through the centre and used both as the gloves to pull the meat off the skewer and as the recipient of that meat. Long strips of fresh cucumber and wisps of coriander are all that’s required here, the smokiness of the barbecue bringing enough flavour and textural intrigue. Oh, except, of course, a spritz of hot sauce; it would be a crime not to add a little heat to this guy…

Available to takeaway as all banh mi are, you can also eat this one in front of the shophouse on a hastily assembled plastic table and stool setup. If you do so, you’re in for a treat; the skewers are served alongside crisp, sweet honey bread, all on an attractive metal plate.

Hey, what’s a guy got to do to get a beer around here? Not a lot, bro; just ask for one…

Address: 31 P. Quang Trung, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Banh My Pho Co, Dinh Liet, Hoan Kiem (Old Quarter)

Dinh Liet has got to be one of the most downright enjoyable streets in Hanoi. Peeling off from Hoan Kiem lake and leading to the rowdy Bia Hoi Corner, a stroll down this street brings with it a sense of anticipation and a night of possibility. 

But not before you fuel up on one of Hanoi’s most popular banh mi. At Banh My Pho Co (sometimes called Banh My 38), the signature is a decadent one, and an undeniably gorgeous one at that. Here, a minute steak is flash fried in plenty of oil before being mixed with some agreeably soggy chips (and an omelette, if it be your will) and piled into a crusty baguette. 

Sure, there’s an artery baiting amount of grease to this guy, and you’ll be paying a premium of around triple the normal prices (80’000 VND, equivalent to £2.50, compared to the usual 30’000 VND, say), but you’re not going to be eating it every day, now are you? Or, are you? 

Address: 38 P. Đinh Liệt, Hàng Đào, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Facebook: @banhmy38dinhliet

Banh My Mama, Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem (Old Quarter)

Tucked away down an alleyway just around the corner from St Joseph Cathedral and always buzzing Ly Quoc Su street, Banh My Mama is that very rare thing; a banh mi place that’s hugely popular with tourists but also, actually, really rather good. 

It does no harm that the Mama in question is one sound, charming lady, but even if we were getting a thorough dressing down from the chef we’d come back for more when the banh mi is this good. 

This one is flattened by a panini press in the more modern banh mi style, which we’re not always keen on, but the quality and balance of the fillings here makes it worthwhile.

Go for the pate thit if you know what’s good for you; a porcine combination of cold cuts and pate that feels indulgent but not too heavy. Or, in the morning, Banh My Mama’s pate trung (pate and egg) is a fine version of a Hanoian breakfast staple.

Address: 54 Ly Quoc Su Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam

Read: Where to eat the best banh mi in London

Banh My Duc Long Kebab, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem (Old Quarter)

The latest craze in Vietnam is the doner kebab (assumed here to be German) banh mi, and when you get a good one, they are certainly a satisfying few bites.

These panini-pressed, wedge-shaped sandwiches come with shavings of kebab meat, plenty of ketchup and mayonnaise, and an overzealous amount of purple cabbage. Sure, they might be pink, purple and puerile, but they do also hit the spot. Try a good version at Banh My Duc Long Kebab in the Old Quarter.

Address: 5 P. Lương Ngọc Quyến, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Ordering A Bahn Mi In Hanoi

Some Key Phrases

  • Hello: Xin chào (sin chow)
  • One Bánh Mì, please: Cho tôi một bánh mì, làm ơn (cho toy mot banh mi, lam on)
  • Thank you: Cảm ơn (gahm un)
  • How much is it?: Bao nhiêu tiền? (bow nyew tee-en)
  • No spicy, please: Không cay, làm ơn (khong kai, lam on)
  • Very spicy, please: Thật cay, làm ơn (tat kai, lam on)
  • One more, please: Cho tôi thêm một cái nữa, làm ơn (cho toy them mot kai nua, lam on)

Specify Your Preferences

  • Spicy: If you like it spicy, say “cay” (kai).
  • Chà bông (pork floss)
  • No Coriander: If you don’t want cilantro, say “không rau mùi” (khong rau moo-ee).
  • Extra Pate: If you want extra pate, say “thêm pate” (tem pah-teh).
  • Bánh mì đặc biệt – fully loaded

And with that, we’re off to book another holiday to Hanoi; we’re hungry!

Where To Eat The Best Pho In London: The Best Vietnamese Restaurants

Joseph Gann
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0
Where To Eat The Best Pho In London: The Best Vietnamese Restaurants
Ideal for slurping superlative noodle soup all over the city (and your shirt!)…

Last updated March 2026

A good bowl of phở, with its broth both clear and rich and its noodles giving just right, can restore and rejuvenate even the most worn out soul. A great bowl can cleanse. It can complete.

But the very best bowl? Some might argue that’s a hard thing to find in London. Enjoyed at street stool level and seasoned by both the revving Vespa fumes of a previously parallel dining partner and decades of the same family’s same stockpot, there’s arguably no dish in the world better enjoyed at the source.

In recent years, however, London’s pho scene has expanded and evolved to meet an ever diversifying, discerning demand, and the city’s diners are now blessed with some truly excellent options of this most celebrated of noodle soups.

Whether you’re looking for an austere, savoury bowl of Northern-style pho, garnished simply with little more than sliced spring onions, or a Saigon-adjacent version heavy on the herbal accoutrements, spice and sweetness, then you’ll find it here, at these places serving some of the best phở in London.

Hai Cafe, Clapton

Ideal for soulful Northern-style pho done right…

There’s something about the rarity of the pho served at Clapton’s Hai Cafe that makes it even more appealing. Nope, we’re not talking about the slices of raw beef added à la minute to their pho boi tai chin, so it cooks just a little in the bubbling, lucid broth. Rather, we’re referring to the distinct lack of any actual pho on Hai Cafe’s main menu, which instead pulls its focus on southern-style curries, bun noodles and bánh mì.

But, cast your eyes up to the blackboard and on occasion (fairly regularly, to be fair) you’ll find an elusive pho or two gracing the specials. The bowls here draw from Northern pho sensibility, with the Hai in the cafe’s name coming from Hai Duong, a city that sits pretty much equidistant between the Vietnamese capital Hanoi and the northern industrial powerhouse Haiphong.

So, that means a light but deeply savoury beef broth, redolent of charred ginger, smoky black cardamom and star anise, sweet from bone marrow rather than excessive amounts of yellow rock sugar, and with a clarity uncluttered by frivolous additions like Thai basil or sawtooth coriander (you’ll get a side dish brimming with them, though). 

The chicken version, here with several bouncy chicken dumplings bobbing about merrily, is equally soul-cleansing. For the vegans in the squad, deep fried tofu does the necessary. A squeeze of lime and a couple of fresh slices of long red chilli is all you need. Ask for sriracha here – or worse, hoisin sauce – and expect a scolding from Mama Hai.

Better, we think, to be scolded by that superlative soup, whose aroma is impossible to resist as soon as a bowl hits the table.

Open evenings only, Thursday to Saturday.

Address: 120b Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0QR

Website: hai-cafe.com

Sông Quê Café, Kingsland Road

Ideal for our favourite bowl on the ‘Pho Mile‘…

On London’s so-called ‘Pho Mile’, Kingsland Road in Dalston, there are more solid Vietnamese cafes and restaurants than you can shake a chopstick at (sorry, that’s a naff joke).

Reminiscent somewhat of the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where thoroughfares are organised by the single item that’s sold on each – Bucket Street, Silk Street, Silver Street… – if you’re after pho in London, it’s to Kingsland Road you should head.

But ubiquity doesn’t necessarily lead to the very finest Vietnamese food you’ll find in the capital, with arguably the focal point of the country’s culinary scene now found over in Deptford. 

There is a notable exception, however, and that’s Song Que Cafe, which is considered by many to be Kingsland Road’s (and perhaps even London’s) best Vietnamese restaurant. This place gets packed like Ho Chi Minh City’s Dong Van Cong Street at a red light, with weekends especially tough to get a quick table in the brightly lit, canteen-like space. 

Like a great vat of pho broth that’s been bubbling for hours, Song Que is worth waiting for. Now in their third decade, the pho here is top notch; a crystalline broth dappled with beads of beef fat as the best pho broths are, and freshly blanched noodles with a little chew and plenty of give (pho noodles cooked al dente is, quite simply, a crime). We always go for the combo beef here, the peppery tripe and gelatinous tendon lending so much viscosity to the soup. The chicken pho here, lighter and fresher and ideally suited for curing basically all of your ills, is fantastic, too.

The Song Que team opened a second site in January 2026, Song Que Pho Bar, on Commercial Street in Spitalfields. If you can’t face the Kingsland Road weekend scrum, it’s a welcome alternative.

Address: 134 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DY

Website: songque.co.uk

Eat Vietnam Bar-B-Grill, Deptford

Ideal for a rich and unctuous broth in London’s Vietnamese Quarter…

We’re heading to Deptford next, the epicentre of some of the most downright delicious Vietnamese food in the country, and to Eat Vietnam, a family run joint which hums with activity every day of the week. Yes, you will need to book come the weekend.

Though the menu is extensive and crowd-pleasing, it’s the pho we’ve landed in SE8 for, and it’s a bowl of life-affirming nourishment you’d too be foolish to miss.

Here, the chefs use beef knuckle and beef knuckle only for the majority of their 24-hour simmered broth, the marrow giving generously to the gently bubbling liquor over the course of that day. Beef shin – with more marrow exposed – is added in the final third, its meat picked off the bone for the signature pho bo chin. The result is an opaque soup and a mouth-feel that’s a little more unctuous and fulfilling than the other broths on our list, and no worse for it, if the mood (and weather) dictates it.

The welcome presence of some crispy banh quay (deep-fried, donut-like sticks inspired by Chinese youtiao) on the menu makes dipping and dredging the final thimbles of that beef broth a real pleasure.

And if you need even more reason to visit, the restaurant donates 10% of its tips to charities in Vietnam. 

Address: 234 Evelyn St, London SE8 5BZ

Website: eat-vietnam.co.uk

Cafe Mama Phở, Deptford

Ideal for a second bowl of the good stuff in Deptford…

We couldn’t leave Deptford without a bowl of Cafe Mama Pho’s superlative chicken pho. While the beef version of Vietnam’s national dish does seem to get the majority of the plaudits, its poultry-based cousin is equally life-affirming, particularly if tender, gamey thigh meat and a little offal is deployed.

At Cafe Mama Pho, a short hop from Surrey Quays Leisure Centre, both those caveats are satisfied, and it’s a glorious bowl of the good stuff, all gentle aniseed notes and a graceful silkiness from the poached, skin-on chicken thighs gift of its fat. 

The move here? Order ‘tron’ (dry) style, which means the broth comes on the side, the bowl of noodles and poached chicken given richness and succour with roasted peanuts and deep-fried shallots. Add a few spoonfuls of broth and mix – it’s a deceptively simple variant that’s always a balm to Hanoi’s most hot and hectic days. If London is feeling the same, this is what you should be ordering. 

Of course, there’s beef pho here too, as well as a generous bowl of pho dac biet (special). Whilst this title would usually indicate a veritable feast of beefy bits, from tendon to tripe, brisket and meatballs, here Mẹ has gone all in, with beef, chicken and prawn making an appearance in the bowl. 

Cafe Mama Pho is walk-ins only at the Deptford original and gets busy. Be prepared to queue. The team have since expanded, with branches now open in South Kensington and Bloomsbury, too.

Address: 24 Evelyn St, London SE8 5DG

Website: cafemamapho.co.uk

Viet Grill, Kingsland Road 

Ideal for a heady mix of carefully cooked pho and carefully crafted cocktails…

A slicker operation than some of its neighbours on Kingsland Road – there’s wine, they serve cocktails and accept cards – Viet Grill is the sister restaurant of Old Street and Soho’s Cay Tre (who also do a great bowl by the way), and does one the best phos on the strip.

The noodle soup here is marked out by a ‘have it your way’ attitude, giving diners the choice of Northern or Southern styles of the dish, whether you’re going for a ‘Saigon Pho’ of pho tai nam gau, or a ‘Hanoi garlic pho’, tai lan-style, which sees thin slices of steak and whole garlic cloves wok-fried ultra-hot and smoky. The subsequent deglazing of that wok brings with it an umami-laden gravy into the bowl – magic. 

Either way, an abundant plate of herbs and beansprouts is served on the side and there’s hoisin on the table rather than in the bowl, the debate over which region’s rendition is better put to bed, for now. It’s a bowl that might put you to bed, too; it’s bloody massive!

Address: 58 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DP

Website: vietgrillrestaurant.co.uk

Rao Deli, Borough

Ideal for Borough-based bowls of heartwarming noodles and broth…

Though most of the hungry head to the Borough and London Bridge area to hit the world famous market and its adjoining restaurants, there’s much joy to be found beyond the high footfall, low stakes food places there.

If you’re looking for the best pho in London, you might instead want to make for Borough High Street, head up towards Elephant and Castle, and set your course for a bowl of pho as imagined by Vietnamese chefs and entrepreneurs Trang Nguyen and Nhan Van Mac.

You may have seen the team popping up at various food markets across the city, slinging their excellent banh mi, noodle salads and, of course, pho. In fact, the word ‘rao’ in Vietnamese refers to an on-foot food seller who traverses the streets with a bamboo pole slung across their shoulder, carrying various homemade parcels of deliciousness from charred corn to rice crackers and beyond. 

That said, it’s at the bricks and mortar location of Rao Deli that we’re settling in for a steaming bowl of the good stuff, done in the Hanoi style without garnish or fanfare. Order the beef combo and dig deep into the bowl for chewy nuggets of tendon, that fibrousness a prized texture in the motherland. Having soaked up plenty of broth and contributed a little of its own gelatine, a good ol’ chew on the tendon reveals layers of flavour not divulged through slurping alone. It’s heaven. 

For those still with an appetite to slake, resist the urge to return to Borough Market and queue for hours for Padella. Instead, the bun thit nuong (a noodle salad of barbecued, salty sweet pork belly, herbs and crushed peanuts) here is exemplary.

Address: 304 Borough High St, London SE1 1JJ

Website: raodeli.com

Pho District, Ravenscourt Park

Ideal for hearty beef noodle soups on King Street’s Vietnamese strip…

On King Street, where several Vietnamese restaurants have made their home alongside a well-stocked Thai supermarket with imported, often esoteric ingredients hard to find elsewhere, Pho District stands out for its deeply satisfying, straight-as-a-die bowls of noodle soup.

The stretch has become something of a destination for those seeking out Vietnamese cuisine in West London, with options ranging from quick-service spots to more traditional sit-down affairs… Does the ‘district’ in the name refer to that proliferation? Or the formal names of different areas of Ho Chi Minh City? Or, something else entirely?

Who knows? What we do know is this is fine pho, indeed. Don’t be thrown by the menu’s modest description of their signature bowl as ‘Beef Stew (New)’ – what arrives at your table for a keen £13 is unmistakably a bowl of pho, complete with all the hallmarks of careful preparation. The rich beef broth, built on a foundation of slow-braised brisket, carries the deep savouriness that only comes from patient cooking. Fresh herbs and carefully chosen spices lift the whole affair, while properly cooked rice noodles provide that essential silky backdrop.

The restaurant itself is a welcoming space, with just a couple of large murals of the twinkling lanterns of Hoi An as backdrop, where the focus is squarely on the food rather than frills. It’s the kind of place where you might find yourself lingering over the last spoonfuls of broth, already planning your return visit. And with several other Vietnamese spots within walking distance, you could easily make an afternoon of exploring this pocket of West London’s Vietnamese dining scene, each bowl of pho driving you on rather than weighing you down.

That’s the beauty of this most restorative of noodle soups.

Address: 216 King Street, London W6 0RA

Website: phodistrict.co.uk

Bà Ba, Peckham

Ideal for southern-style pho with deep family roots in SE15…

The original Banh Banh in Peckham, where many Londoners first fell for a properly made bowl of southern Vietnamese pho, has been reborn as Bà Ba. Still run by Kevin Nguyen and his siblings, still at the same address on Peckham Rye, and still rooted in family recipes from the Nguyen matriarch Nghiem Thuy Hong, a chef in Saigon before the family moved to the UK in the 1980s.

The rebrand hasn’t shaken what matters. The classic beef pho (£14.75) is built on a broth that’s been simmered long and slow, sweet with star anise and cinnamon, and served with a generous side plate of Thai basil, sawtooth coriander, bean sprouts and sliced chilli for the full southern treatment. The cornfed chicken version, lighter and a little more fragrant, is just as good. Beyond the bowls, sticky fish sauce wings, bo la lot and crispy banh khot prawn pancakes round out a menu that makes a strong case for ordering far too much.

The Nguyen family’s Vietnamese cooking credentials received a significant boost in early 2026 when their sibling restaurant Lai Rai, a snack-and-cocktail-forward canteen just down the road on Rye Lane, became the first Vietnamese restaurant in the UK to earn a Michelin Bib Gourmand. There’s no pho at Lai Rai (it’s a different beast entirely), but the recognition speaks to a family who know southern Vietnamese cooking inside out.

Address: 46 Peckham Rye, London SE15 4JR

Website: babapeckham.com

Green Papaya, London Fields

Ideal for unique innovative pho with influences from Xi’an…

We end our tour of London’s best bowls of pho in London Fields, at Green Papaya, whose Xi’anese (Chinese Xi’an province and Vietnamese) cuisine has been gaining a devoted following in this corner of Hackney in recent years. 

It’s an intriguing proposition, with Dan Dan and Mount Qi noodles rubbing shoulders with bun and pho on a hugely enticing menu. We’re here for the latter today, which delivers in spades, the oxtail used in the pho broth adding an opulent, well-rounded quality to the soup. The pho thai nam, a combination of long-simmered, fatty brisket and just-dunked, thinly sliced sirloin, is the highlight here.

Address: 191 Mare St, London E8 3QE

Website: green-papaya.com

Now we’ve traversed London in search of its best pho, care to join us for a selection of Ho Chi Minh City street food favourites? Go on, you know you want to…

10 Top Tips For Clearing Out The Clutter Before You Move House

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10 Top Tips For Clearing Out The Clutter Before You Move House

Can you hear that? It’s the sound of old football sticker albums hitting the scrap heap. It’s the sound of the once used, now rusty pasta maker meeting its own maker (the bin). But more than anything, it’s the sound of heart strings being tugged across the land, as items of sentimental value are thrown away.

Instead, turn it into a tune of decluttering clarity, with a simple, methodical approach. Here’s how to play it right; our 10 top tips for clearing out the clutter when you move house.

Give Yourself Time

Foresight is a valuable thing. Combine it with a much needed ruthless streak, and this whole process of shedding a little domestic weight might not be so difficult after all. So, start the decluttering process at least two months before you move to get yourself well and truly ahead.

If you’ve been living somewhere for 10 years, do you really think you’re going to be able to get through all the things you’ve accumulated the weekend before moving day? Such a clearout is a process, and requires a little-by-little approach to prevent it from becoming overwhelming.

Measure Your New Space Before You Pack

Before you box anything up, get the measurements of your new place and compare them to what you’ve got now. That oversized sofa might not fit through the door. The chest of drawers might block a window. As Get Man and Van, an affordable man and van in London, advise, one of the most common moving day headaches is furniture arriving that simply doesn’t work in the new layout. Measuring up beforehand gives you another clear reason to let things go, and saves you hauling items across town only to leave them on the kerb.

Get Rid Of Items Before You Move (Not After!)

It makes no sense to bring clutter with you. There’s the packing it away, the transporting it, and the unpacking, only to realise you’ve no space for it in your new crib and it’s surplus to requirements anyway.

Then, there’s another trip to the skip to make. Negate the need for all these redundant extra journeys and that superfluous weight by being completely ruthless before you move. Every step of the moving process will be easier and lighter for it. The more ruthless you can be in your decluttering, the less truck space you occupy and ultimately the sooner furniture movers take to complete the job – saving you money.

Read: The transformative power of having a clean home

Does The Item Bring You Joy?

If you’ve been bingeing on tidy guru Marie Kondo’s YouTube channel, then you’ll know that unless an item sparks joy in your heart, you should let go of it. Nope, not disrespectfully throw it in the bin. But rather, carefully consider each item, hold it close to you, and see if you envisage a future together. If you don’t, then it’s best to bid a kind and gentle farewell to that particular culprit of clutter and move on. Yep, the KonMari method, as its known, can certainly help here.

Create A ‘Maybe’ Box

Sometimes, the decision to keep or discard an item isn’t as straightforward as we’d like. For such items, create a ‘Maybe’ box. This is where you can temporarily store items that you’re unsure about. The rule is simple: if you haven’t used or missed the item after a set period (say, six months), then it’s time to let it go. This approach allows you to make decluttering decisions without the pressure of immediate finality, making the process less daunting.

Digitise Your Memories

In the age of digital technology, there’s no need to hold onto physical copies of everything. Old photos, letters, and documents can take up a lot of space and are susceptible to damage over time. Consider digitising these items to preserve them better and free up physical space. There are numerous services available that can help you scan and store these memories securely online. Remember, the goal isn’t to erase your past, but to make it more accessible and less cluttered.

Involve The Family

Decluttering shouldn’t be a solitary task, especially when you’re moving house. Involve your family in the process. Make it a fun activity where everyone gets to decide what they want to keep, donate, sell, or discard. This not only lightens your load but also gives everyone a sense of participation and ownership in the move. Plus, it’s a great way to teach younger family members about the importance of organisation and letting go of unnecessary items.

Adopt The ‘One In, One Out’ Rule

Once you’ve successfully decluttered and moved into your new home, it’s important to maintain the state of uncluttered living.

Ideally, you should adopt the ‘One In, One Out’ rule when settling in to your new home. For every new item you bring in, one item should leave. This helps to keep your possessions at a manageable level and prevents the accumulation of clutter over time.

It’s a simple, yet effective strategy to ensure your new home stays as serene and clutter-free as the day you moved in.

Have A Carboot Sale Or Donate To A Charity Shop

Sustainability and a deep regard for our environmental impact has never been more vital. Simply commiting items to landfill in the name of a clearout, in the current climate, can feel pretty callous and irresponsible. Instead, embrace what some have coined a ‘circular’ attitude to goods, and donate anything and everything you can to a charity shop or sell it on at a carboot sale. In doing so, you’ll reduce the demand for new stuff. We know it’s only a small gesture, but every little helps, right?

Get Professional Help

Or, you could commit to doing things in reverse. Instead of decluttering, and throwing stuff away, you could only pack up the items you need for moving and leave the rest to a professional home clearing service or waste removals company. This is basically a declutter, but in reverse, with a dedicated company doing the hard work of physically moving the stuff, as well as finding a legal way of disposing of it. The nuclear approach, some might say, but we did say it was high time to be cutthroat.

How To Keep Your Granite & Quartz Kitchen Worktops Clean

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How To Keep Your Granite & Quartz Kitchen Worktops Clean


When considering a comprehensive kitchen makeover, we think it’s fair to say that worktops and surfaces are a consideration more functional than fun. Sure, you might get a little hot under the collar about the prospect of a new AGA, and pulses may begin to race when you consider the latest KitchenAid, Nutribullet and air fryer. 

There’s certainly some glamour to be found in the purchase of new chef’s knives and a sharpening stone, too, but worktops? Nope, we’re left pretty cold. We can only assume you’re the same.

But be honest for a second; what’s the first thing you see when you walk into a new kitchen? That’s right; in your eyeline and dominating the visual space of most kitchens are, you guessed it, worktops.

It pays, then, to make sure yours are as sparkling clean and spotless as possible, particularly if you’ve spent good money on a luxurious granite or quartz counter.

All kitchen worktops need to be cleaned and properly maintained to maximise both their durability and aesthetic potential, but when considering granite or quartz, it’s absolutely essential you keep them clean. Today, we’re exploring how to do just that…

How Do I Keep My Granite Kitchen Worktops Clean?

Granite is one of the most durable materials in the world, and if you choose to have a granite worktop installed, you will likely never need a replacement worktop again. Of course, that means the material commands a higher price, but with the right care and cleaning, granite does represent a worthwhile investment.

As they are so tough, granite worktops are extremely resistant to scratching, cracking and heat. However, this does not mean they can not be stained. It is recommended that for everyday cleaning of a granite countertop, use warm or hot soapy water with a clean soft cloth then simply dry with a microfibre cloth. Do not use any harsh chemicals that can damage the stone. 

Granite is a porous material and any exposure to acidic liquids like lemon juice, beetroot, and wine may dull the stone surface. Be particularly careful when using these ingredients or similar. Generally speaking, granite countertops should be resealed once a year, to ensure that they last. The good news is that this can be done yourself, if necessary. 

Check out WikiHow’s useful guide on how to seal granite countertops here for more on that.

How Do I Remove Stains From Granite Countertops?

Daily cleaning is enough to keep your granite countertop in good condition the majority of the time, but if you do still manage to stain it (hey, we’re all a little clumsy sometimes), you will need to do a bit more of a deep clean to ensure that staining isn’t a more permanent fixture of your kitchen. 

Applying some baking soda paste can help remove the offending stain. Simply mix with water and apply to the stained area and scrub with a soft cloth and dry with a microfibre cloth. If the process doesn’t remove the stain, try again and leave the paste in place overnight or even for a few days. Then rinse and wipe the granite with a soft cloth to hopefully reveal a stain-free surface.

Read: 10 professional home cleaning hacks

How To Keep Quartz Kitchen Worktops Clean?

But what about granite’s countertop cousin quartz?

Fortunately, quartz kitchen worktops don’t require any special cleaning if you take care of it daily, which only requires a few minutes of your time. For daily cleaning, all it takes is a soft microfibre cloth with a splash of washing up liquid and warm water to wipe down the countertops and remove any detritus and debris.

If any stains remain, spray the surface with window cleaner and wipe away with a microfiber cloth. Your quartz countertops will look brand new! However, just like granite, never use bleach or other harsh chemicals on your countertops and avoid abrasive cleaners or sponges. Anything that’s rough or gritty could damage the finish.

One thing to watch out for with quartz is prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Over time, UV rays can cause discolouration, particularly on lighter-coloured surfaces. If your worktops sit near a window that gets a lot of sun, it’s worth keeping them covered when not in use or considering blinds to limit exposure.

It’s also a good idea to use trivets or heat pads under hot cookware; while quartz handles heat reasonably well, sudden temperature changes can occasionally cause surface damage, particularly around seams and edges. If you’re unsure whether your kitchen layout might cause any of these issues, it’s worth consulting a quartz worktop specialist who can advise on placement and care before installation.

The good news is that because quartz is not porous and completely solid, there is no need to have your countertops resealed – therefore in terms of maintenance, quartz requires less than granite.

So, Which Is More Durable?

Both worktops are extremely durable and there isn’t much difference in the strength of them. However, if you wanted to choose sides – and let’s face it, that’s why you’re here –  then quartz is actually harder. 

While both are heat resistant (that is unless you take a blowtorch to them) and can withstand the heat of pots and pans without any damage, as mentioned above quartz is also nonporous scratch-resistant, and practically maintenance-free, giving it the edge in the durability stakes.

Cost is worth factoring in, too. Granite tends to vary more widely in price depending on the rarity of the stone and the complexity of the cut, while quartz, being engineered, is generally more consistent in pricing. Both sit at the premium end of the worktop market, but if long-term maintenance costs matter to you, quartz’s lower upkeep requirements could make it the more economical choice over a decade or more.

Either way, we can’t wait to see your new kitchen in all its glory. Can we expect an invite for dinner anytime soon?

The Bottom Line

Granite and quartz are both excellent choices for a kitchen worktop, and you’re unlikely to be disappointed with either. Granite offers natural beauty and near-indestructible toughness, but it does need annual resealing and a bit more care around acidic spills.

Quartz, meanwhile, edges ahead on convenience: it’s non-porous, requires less maintenance, and is marginally harder. Whichever you go for, the key to keeping them looking their best is simple – regular cleaning with mild soap and a soft cloth, and steering well clear of harsh chemicals.

Organised Home, Optimised Mind: How Decluttering Can Improve Your Life

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Organised Home, Optimised Mind: How Decluttering Can Improve Your Life

We know what you’re thinking; another article about decluttering. Isn’t the internet starting to look a little, shall we say, cluttered with articles on the streamlining practice.

But we could argue that such pieces are necessary, as the vast majority of the UK population have found themselves looking around their home and contemplating, ”How have I collected so much… stuff?!”

It’s only natural to pick up more possessions than we know what to do with as we go through life: trinkets from favourite holidays, toys and books when kids arrive, any number of hobbies started and not committed to…

But if you find things getting on top of you, then it can start to have an impact on your wider life, both physically and mentally, and as such, it’s important to take the appropriate action when the burden of clutter begins to weigh heavy. In doing so, you can optimise your approach to life and start living it in a clean, crisp and clinical fashion. Here’s how to do just that…

What Effect Does Clutter Have On Your Wellbeing?

A 2016 study in the United States found a clear correlation between a cluttered home and the subjects’ own mental well-being.

The study’s professor Joseph Ferrari says that focusing on personal relationships over personal possessions is the key to a happier life and clutter can block this.

In an article published in 2019, he told the BBC: “Clutter is not a good thing. We are living in this society where our wants become needs.’

‘What we need to do is let go of things. I tell people, do not collect relics, collect relationships.” We couldn’t agree more.

Tidy Home, Tidy Mind

Perhaps the biggest benefit that comes from a de-clutter is the additional space. Yes, it’s obvious. Yes, it’s a cliche. But we’ll say it nonetheless; ‘tidy home, tidy mind’. Indeed, the minimalist approach feels like it frees up the mind of clutter, too. 

With more space to move freely, they’ll be less things to bump into and less distractions – a particular bonus if you work from home and are suffering from a dip in productivity.

The Physical Benefits Of A Good Declutter

Of course, the benefits of decluttering don’t only exist in the mind. There are physical advantages to living in a streamlined space, too.

Aside from the obvious elimination of trip hazards from around the home, decluttering can also reduce the risk of pests and bugs finding a safe place to nest in your property, as well as reducing mould and mildew, which can trigger allergies. 

Then, as Web MD posits, it’s easier to prepare sanitary, healthy food in a clean, uncluttered kitchen, and potentially more comfortable to sleep in a tidy bedroom. What’s not to love?

Indeed, the benefits of a good night’s sleep are well-documented, with a restful eight hours helping us approach the following day more productively.

A cluttered bedroom and messy bed could prevent you from getting your fill of snoozing, so it’s easy to see how the two go hand in hand. 

The Emotional Journey Of Decluttering

Decluttering isn’t just a physical task; it’s an emotional journey that can evoke a range of feelings. Encountering sentimental items can trigger memories and emotions, making the process both cathartic and challenging. Embrace the sentiment attached to certain items, but remember their true value lies in the experiences they represent, not the objects themselves. Consider if a photograph or a written note could serve as a more space-efficient memento.

Celebrate your progress by setting small, achievable goals and rewarding yourself, whether it’s with a relaxing bath, a favourite treat, or a night out. If the emotional weight becomes too much, seek support from friends, family, or decluttering groups. Sharing experiences can provide comfort and encouragement.

Focus on the future, visualising the life you want in your newly decluttered space. Imagine the freedom, clarity, and peace that will come with a tidy home. This vision can motivate you to stay committed and embrace positive changes.

Decluttering is a transformative journey leading to a more organised, peaceful, and fulfilling life. By managing the emotional aspects, you can navigate this journey with grace and emerge with renewed clarity and purpose.

How To Start Decluttering Your Home 

So we’ve covered the ‘why’, now what about the ‘how’?

  • Get in the right mindset: You need to be sure that you are decluttering for the right reasons. Remember, part of this process will see you let go of things that you have previously deemed indispensable to your life. This means celebrating your ruthless streak whilst simultaneously managing to avoid adopting a careless mentality to your possessions.

  • Label your storage: Once you’ve sorted everything into keep and go piles, label your storage boxes by category — seasonal items, kids’ stuff, things earmarked for the charity shop. It sounds obvious, but a clear labelling system is the difference between a one-off clearout and a lasting habit. Companies like Positive ID Labels can supply custom-printed, colour-coded labels in any size or shape, which certainly beats scrawling on masking tape with a Sharpie.

  • Make plans for unwanted things: Whether you plan a carboot sale, a Depop obsession, or a favourite charity shop nearby, having a destination for everything in the ‘no’ pile will make it easier for you to go through with parting with these items when it comes to clearing out the clutter. Knowing what your end goal is can help you make big decisions.
  • Keep Things Sustainable: Preparation is essential for decluttering. This also represents a more sustainable way of doing things than simply contributing half of your home to landfill. So, speaking of sustainability, simply commiting items to landfill in the name of a clearout, in the current climate, can feel pretty callous and irresponsible. Instead, embrace what some have coined a ‘circular’ attitude to goods, and donate anything and everything you can to a charity shop or sell it on at a carboot sale. In doing so, you’ll reduce the demand for new stuff. 
  • Set a time limit for decisions: Go through things methodically, judging items on their individual merits. However, don’t agonise over it. If you haven’t said yes within a certain timeframe – say five minutes – then it can’t be that important…
  • Create ‘clutter-free’ zones: Once you’ve completed your clear-out, it’s vital to put processes in place to help maintain your new clutter-free life. Were certain surfaces, worktops or tables clutter magnets in the past? Make them clutter-free zones and concoct forfeits for anyone in your home that breaks the rules…

Hey, we never said this thing would be easy, after all!

And whilst you’re here, streamlining your life in a sensible, sustainable way, check out these tips on how to start afresh without abandoning everything.

How To Keep Your Décor Timeless & Trend-Proof 

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How To Keep Your Décor Timeless & Trend-Proof 

Here’s a surprising statistic that should command your attention for a wee while; the building and construction industry makes up about 40 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, according to a report by the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF), as reported in Business of Home Magazine.

Hang on, we haven’t got to the surprising part yet. That is, as the report outlines, that ‘’Over the course of an average building’s life span, the carbon footprint of its interiors will equal if not exceed that of the structure’s construction.’’

Trends come and go, that much has always been true. But in recent years, an increase in ‘fast furniture’ as a response to those changing trends has only contributed more to landfill, with the problem only set to worsen. 

The solution? In terms of both sustainability and style, is to seek out durable, long-lasting furniture that’s timeless and trend-proof. Here’s how to do just that.

Use A Grounding, Neutral Colour Palette

One of the best ways to ensure that you’re not being swept up and away on the flow of fleeting trends is to maintain a neutral colour palette at home.

Doing so enables you to change the entire room’s vibe by changing the accents and décor pieces, without having to invest in a slew of new flatpack furniture items each and every time you fancy an aesthetic shift. 

Using neutral colours, such as whites and greys for walls, floors and larger pieces of furniture, makes redecorating and refurbishing much easier, creating a blank canvas of sorts, ideal for further flashes of inspiration, but without introducing a colour scheme which could quickly become dated.

Generally speaking, more than three different tones in one room can be overwhelming (unless you’re going for a maximalist vibe), so try to stick to just two shades at most. A formula of sorts, for the mathematically inclined, could read: cream sofa + white chair = one tone. 

Remember that if you’re struggling with inspiration for your colour palette, pick up some free paint samples and give them a trial run on the wall before making any more finite decisions; it’s much cheaper than an entire tin of paint but gives a good representation of how things might look.

Read: Throwback interior design trends that have stood the test of time

Don’t Make Your Television The Focal Point 

Let’s be honest here; a truly timeless interior design wouldn’t feature a TV at all. In the modern world, particularly in the living room, that’s not quite so feasible. 

The answer? To conceal your TV in place, or have it wall-mounted so it becomes less of a focal point. 

Some people will install furniture items like cabinets with doors that can hold a TV. Others may use recesses in the wall and cover them up. A third option is to disguise your television when not in use by getting it wall-mounted behind a sliding cabinet door that can be closed to hide the television.

Deploy More Natural Materials

The vast majority of furniture items that fall under the fast furniture umbrella are made from synthetic materials, so if you want your room to feel classy and timeless, then you might want to look to the natural world to provide the answers. 

The added bonus, of course, is the longevity of such materials. Real hardwood floors and furniture made from high quality wood will stand the test of time, both in terms of durability and being trend-proof, whilst granite countertops also look and feel the part. 

If you have stone walls, you may even choose to expose them to let their natural appeal shine out onto the rest of the room, unimpeded, which is both on-trend right now, and timeless in its appeal.

Embrace The Subtle Power Of Neutral Wall Art

Incorporating neutral wall art is a key strategy for creating a timeless and trend-proof interior. Opt for artwork that features neutral tones such as beige, white, black, and grey, which blend seamlessly with a neutral color palette and complement any room. Abstract art, minimalist line drawings, and monochromatic photography are excellent choices that add sophistication without overpowering the space.

Additionally, consider pieces that incorporate interesting textures and materials, like a textured canvas, framed fabric art, or wooden sculptures, to add visual interest and depth. Go further; mirrors with simple, elegant frames in neutral tones can also enhance natural light and make a space feel larger, contributing to the overall timeless appeal.

When hanging wall art, balance is crucial. Avoid overcrowding a single wall and instead spread pieces evenly across the room to create a harmonious look. Tailor your wall art to the function of the room; for example, a large statement piece above the sofa in the living room, a calming piece above the bed in the bedroom, or a series of smaller, cohesive pieces in the dining room.

A gallery wall featuring a collection of neutral art pieces can become a focal point, allowing you to showcase your personality while adhering to timeless design principles. By thoughtfully selecting and arranging neutral wall art, you can enhance the enduring elegance of your interior design, ensuring your home remains stylish and inviting for years to come.

Consider Wallpaper As A Long-Term Investment

Paint is the default, but wallpaper has a staying power that often gets overlooked. A well-chosen design in a muted, textural finish can ground a room for years, adding depth and character that a flat coat of emulsion simply can’t match.

The key is to treat it the same way you would a sofa or a dining table — as a considered purchase, not an impulse one. Steer towards subtle patterns, natural textures and tonal palettes that will not feel like a time capsule in five years. Grasscloth, linen effects and gentle geometrics all have a track record of ageing well, while anything too loud or too tied to a specific moment tends to date fast.

According to the team at Wallpaper Sales, one of the most common mistakes people make is choosing a wallpaper based on how it looks on screen rather than how it sits in the room. Their advice is to order samples first and live with them on the wall for a few days under different lighting conditions before committing. Good wallpaper, properly hung, will outlast several rounds of repainting — so it is worth getting right the first time.

Classical Balance & Symmetry

Sure, a quirky, chaotic space may look funky and ‘now’, but we’re here to consider timeless styles, and let’s face it, a certain amount of symmetry can look pretty nice, too.

The latter can be achieved by dividing the room into either two parts or four parts and then balancing the elements in each part. This creates visual depth and stops one piece from becoming too overwhelming. For example, try balancing out a floor to ceiling window with a large, floor to ceiling cupboard or closet. 

Indeed, timeless room designs have one, overriding thing in common – balance. This can be achieved by employing clean lines and not overcrowding a space. This applies to maximalist aesthetics, too; balancing out all your trinkets, keepsakes and miscellaneous items is the key to avoid an overly cluttered look.

On the other hand, with no balance present, your room can feel too bare! Balance enables the eyes to rest and stops you from becoming overwhelmed within a space, and this poised, almost regal aesthetic is as on-trend as it ever was.

The Enduring Power Of Natural Light

Dark, dingy, and depressing? It’ll never catch on.

Indeed, perhaps the most enduring interior design trend of all is that which embraces natural light, promoting its flow and maximising its potential. For more on doing just that, check out our tips on how to allow more natural light in your home. You won’t regret it!

Land Of The Rising Gears: Japan’s Most Spectacular Cycling Routes

Editorial Team
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Land Of The Rising Gears: Japan’s Most Spectacular Cycling Routes

There’s something rather magical about exploring Japan on two wheels. Perhaps it’s the way morning light filters through bamboo forests as you pedal along quiet country roads, or how the glittering Pacific appears suddenly around a bend in coastal Hokkaido.

In a country where ancient tradition harmonises with cutting-edge modernity, cycling offers the perfect rhythm to experience both worlds – fast enough to traverse diverse landscapes, yet slow enough to absorb every nuance of Japanese culture that might otherwise slip by in a bullet train blur.

Japan presents a cyclist’s paradise that remains surprisingly undiscovered by Western tourists. From perfectly maintained roads winding through volcanic landscapes to dedicated cycling routes connecting rural villages, the Land of the Rising Sun offers unparalleled adventures for cyclists of all abilities.

Today, we’re exploring some of Japan’s most spectacular cycling destinations, with recommendations on routes, journey lengths, must-see sights, and places to rest your weary legs. Strap on your helmet, fill your water bottle with green tea, and join us as we pedal through Japan’s most breathtaking scenery…

When Is The Best Time To Go On A Cycling Holiday In Japan?

The ideal time for cycling in Japan falls within two distinct seasons: spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November). Spring offers the legendary cherry blossom season, with pink petals carpeting the countryside, while autumn transforms the landscape into a blazing tapestry of red and gold maple leaves.

Avoid the rainy season (June to mid-July) when downpours can be persistent, and the sweltering humidity of summer (July-August), particularly in central and southern regions. Winter cycling is possible in southern areas like Kyushu, but the northern regions become snow-covered and best left to other adventures.

Japan’s climate varies dramatically from north to south, so pack accordingly. A lightweight waterproof jacket is essential year-round, and layers are your best friend for adapting to changing temperatures as you climb mountains or descend to coastal plains.

Rental bikes are widely available in major tourist destinations, with options ranging from city cruisers to high-end road bikes. Most cycling-focused regions now offer convenient luggage forwarding services, allowing you to pedal unencumbered while your suitcase meets you at the next accommodation.

Now, let’s clip in and explore Japan’s most rewarding cycling routes.

The Shimanami Kaido

Ideal For: Casual cyclists and architecture enthusiasts

The Shimanami Kaido ranks as Japan’s most famous cycling route, and for good reason. This 70-kilometre spectacular connects Honshu and Shikoku islands via six smaller islands in the Seto Inland Sea, crossing each span on dedicated cycling lanes that run alongside (but safely separated from) vehicle traffic.

What makes this route truly special isn’t just the engineering marvel of its bridges, but how each island offers distinct character and attractions, from citrus groves and sandy beaches to traditional pottery villages and contemporary art installations.

Photo by Jan Bouken: https://www.pexels.com/photo/the-shimanami-kaido-in-japan-8193003/

Cyclists can comfortably complete the full route in one day, though a leisurely two-day journey allows time to explore the islands thoroughly. The terrain remains largely gentle with a few moderate climbs onto the bridges, making this accessible to cyclists of nearly all fitness levels.

Bicycle rental stations at both ends and on the islands allow for one-way trips, with excellent signage throughout. For overnight stays, consider the design-forward Cyclonoie guesthouse on Omishima island, which caters specifically to cyclists with secure storage and maintenance facilities.

Culinary Specialties Along The Way: The route is famous for fresh seafood, particularly grilled sea bream and octopus, along with Setouchi lemons and locally-crafted craft beers that make for perfect post-ride refreshment.

The Northern Alps Traverse

Ideal For: Mountain lovers and endurance cyclists

For those seeking a more challenging adventure, the mountainous routes through Japan’s Northern Alps offer epic climbs, breathtaking descents, and scenery that rivals Europe’s most celebrated alpine passes.

A recommended route starts in historic Takayama and makes its way through the prefecture of Nagano, covering approximately 230 kilometres over 4-5 days. This journey takes you over several passes exceeding 1,500 metres in elevation, with the iconic Venus Line providing some of Japan’s most dramatic mountain vistas.

Cyclists should prepare for serious climbing, with some gradients reaching 10% or more. Your efforts are rewarded with pristine mountain lakes, steaming onsen (hot spring) towns, and forests that transform spectacularly with the seasons. Wildlife sightings of macaque monkeys and even the occasional black bear (from a safe distance) add to the adventure.

Accommodation options range from traditional ryokans in onsen towns like Kamikochi to cyclist-friendly guesthouses in Matsumoto. One distinctive highlight is staying at Shirahone Onsen, where the naturally milky-white hot springs provide perfect therapy for cycling-weary muscles.

Culinary Specialties Along The Way: Mountain regions offer hearty fare like soba noodles, hoba miso (local vegetables and miso grilled on magnolia leaves), and seasonal wild mountain vegetables that taste extraordinarily revitalising after a day of climbing.

The Wakayama Coastal Route

Ideal For: Spiritual seekers and coastal scenery enthusiasts

The Wakayama peninsula south of Osaka offers an extraordinary blend of spiritual pilgrimage routes, dramatic Pacific coastlines, and tranquil rural villages seemingly frozen in time.

A recommended 140-kilometre route follows sections of the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage path (adapted for cycling) and the stunning coastal roads of the Kii Peninsula. This journey typically takes 3-4 days, connecting sacred sites of the UNESCO-listed Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.

The terrain varies from gentle coastal riding to moderate inland climbs, with short challenging sections that might require dismounting for all but the most experienced cyclists. What makes this route special is the seamless blend of natural beauty and spiritual heritage, from the towering Nachi Falls to the grand Kumano Sanzan shrines.

Photo by Susann Schuster on Unsplash
Photo by Dino Johannes on Unsplash

Accommodation highlights include temple lodgings (shukubo) at Koyasan, where you can join Buddhist monks for morning meditation, and traditional minshuku guesthouses in fishing villages where your dinner was likely swimming that morning.

Culinary Specialties Along The Way: Wakayama is renowned for its tuna, bonito flakes (katsuobushi), and umeboshi (pickled plums), with mehari-zushi (rice balls wrapped in pickled mustard leaves) making perfect cycling snacks. The higher elevations of the peninsula also produce excellent sencha tea – Japan’s most popular green tea variety – and many small producers offer tastings where you can sample this revitalising brew between rides.

It’s worth sorting an eSIM plan for Japan before you travel, too – rural Wakayama’s mobile signal can be patchy, and having reliable data means you can navigate pilgrimage trails, check opening times for remote shrines, and find those tucked-away tea farms without relying on sporadic Wi-Fi.

The Hokkaido Dairy Loop

Ideal For: Nature lovers and those seeking wide open spaces

Japan’s northernmost island presents a cycling experience utterly different from the rest of the country, with vast plains reminiscent of European countryside, dramatic volcanoes, and significantly fewer people.

A popular 300-kilometre route circles through eastern Hokkaido’s dairy country, starting and ending in Kushiro, passing through the picturesque Akan-Mashu National Park and the flower fields of Biei. This journey typically takes 5-7 days, offering a sense of remoteness rarely found elsewhere in Japan.

Cyclists enjoy wide, well-maintained roads with minimal traffic, making this region particularly appealing for those who prefer tranquility over tourist hotspots. The terrain alternates between flat farmland and moderate hills, with a few challenging climbs into volcanic areas that reward with otherworldly crater lakes and steaming fumaroles.

Wildlife encounters make this route especially memorable, with potential sightings of Hokkaido red foxes, tancho cranes, and even abundant deer. Accommodations range from dairy farm stays to lakeside hotels with natural hot springs and sweeping views.

Culinary Specialties Along The Way: Hokkaido is Japan’s dairy heartland, offering exceptional ice cream, cheese, and butter. Don’t miss the fresh seafood, particularly crab, uni (sea urchin), and scallops, along with the island’s signature soup curry and remarkably refreshing local beer.

The Kyushu Hot Spring Circuit

Ideal For: Relaxation seekers and cultural explorers

Japan’s southernmost main island offers a unique cycling adventure where every day’s riding culminates in soaking travel-weary limbs in some of the country’s finest natural hot springs.

A suggested 180-kilometre circular route from Fukuoka takes you through Kyushu’s volcanic heartland, including the otherworldly landscapes of Aso-Kuju National Park, the historic hot spring town of Kurokawa Onsen, and the picturesque countryside of Oita Prefecture. This journey typically takes 4-5 days, with the option to extend into the ceramic towns of Saga Prefecture.

The route features several challenging climbs through volcanic terrain, but the promise of therapeutic mineral waters at day’s end makes the effort entirely worthwhile. What sets this route apart is the incredible variety of onsen experiences – from riverside rotenburo (outdoor baths) hidden in bamboo forests to historic bath houses dating back centuries.

Accommodation typically centres around traditional ryokans with their own hot spring facilities, where you’ll sleep on futon mattresses and dine on multi-course kaiseki meals featuring local specialties.

Culinary Specialties Along The Way: Kyushu is famous for its tonkotsu ramen, charcoal-grilled chicken (yakitori), and pristine vegetables grown in volcanic soil. The region’s sweet potato shochu (distilled spirit) offers welcome refreshment after a day in the saddle.

Piecing Together Your Own Grand Tour of Japan

For the truly adventurous cyclist, combining elements of these routes into a comprehensive exploration of Japan represents the ultimate two-wheeled adventure. While logistically challenging, the country’s excellent train network (most of which accept bagged bicycles) allows you to connect these diverse regions into one epic journey.

Bike tours might start in Tokyo, heading north to explore Hokkaido’s wilderness, before returning south to tackle the Northern Alps. From there, train connections would take you to western Japan for the Shimanami Kaido, followed by the spiritual routes of Wakayama, before finishing with the hot springs of Kyushu.

This comprehensive adventure would cover approximately 800-1,000 kilometres of cycling over 3-4 weeks, offering an unparalleled insight into Japan’s diverse landscapes, cultures, and cuisines. The best approach is to ride the highlight sections in each region rather than attempting to cycle every kilometre between them.

The Bottom Line

Japan offers a cycling experience like no other – a perfect fusion of natural beauty, cultural depth, and impeccable infrastructure. Whether you’re conquering mountain passes in the Japanese Alps, island-hopping across the Inland Sea, cruising around Tokyo, or soaking in hot springs after a day’s ride through volcanic landscapes, cycling provides an intimate connection with this fascinating country that few other forms of travel can match.

The Japanese concept of ‘omotenashi’ (wholehearted hospitality) ensures warm welcomes throughout your journey, even in remote areas where foreign faces remain uncommon. For cyclists seeking adventure beyond Europe’s well-travelled routes, Japan represents the perfect next frontier – challenging, rewarding, and utterly unforgettable.

The Best Pizzas In Bangkok, From Neapolitan To New Yorker

Joseph Gann
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The Best Pizzas In Bangkok, From Neapolitan To New Yorker
Ideal for when those pizza pangs ping in Thailand’s capital…

Last updated March 2026

How times have changed. Only a few years ago, you were lucky if a pizza in Bangkok boasted mozzarella, marinara sauce, and a properly leavened dough, rather than cheddar, ketchup and some oddly sweet sliced white. 

These days, the 480°C heat of Neapolitan wood burning ovens competes with Bangkok’s own sweltering temperatures just off the streets of Sukhumvit and beyond, as skilled Italian pizzaiolo make this wonderful city their home and young Thai chefs put their own spin on this beloved dish.

Still, if you’ve decided to forgo your usual som tam in favour of a margherita this evening, this pizza proliferation has made the paradox of choice more omnipresent than ever.

We’re here to help you separate the finely ground durum wheat from the chaff, with our guide to the very best pizza in Bangkok, from Neapolitan to New Yorker and beyond.

Peppina

We had to start here, at Peppina. Here, it’s real-deal Neapolitan pizzas, with authenticity the driving force behind the restaurant group’s (there are now six in Bangkok) continued success.

In fact, Peppina is one of Southeast Asia’s only AVPN certified, Napoli-style pizzeria, with the quality of the ingredients shining most strikingly in the most simple of pizzas, the marinara, with the sweet/tart interplay of the imported San Marzano tomatoes satisfying every craving for ”Western food” you’ll have in Bangkok. 

Peppina bangkok pizza
Images via Peppina
Peppina bangkoks best pizza

Of course, you don’t have to order in such an austere fashion; there are some real gems to be found in Peppina’s Special Selection section of the menu, too. We particularly like the restaurant’s pizza carpaccio, with the fresh, creamy stracciatella and a smart squeeze of lemon lifting the dish to dizzy (and surprisingly refreshing) heights.

The pasta at Peppina is excellent, too. For us, the best bowls of pasta stay true to two pillars of all great Italian food; number one, the pasta should be the star, and two, the accompanying adornments must be fresh, of clarity, and celebrate the raw ingredient. Peppina follows both thoughtfully.

Their house favourites, which include an excellent vongole veraci and a paccheri pasta with slow cooked pork cheek ragu, are both well worth the visit, even if pizza isn’t your thing.

That clarity of ingredients is found just as keenly in the superb cocktails here; the house negroni delivers every time. This is, quite simply, the best pizza in Bangkok.

Facebook: Peppina

Address: Peppina (Sukhumvit Flagship Branch): 27/1 Sukhumvit 33 Alley, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Pizza Massilia

Thailand’s top entry in the increasingly influential Top 50 Pizza awards list (we’re not just plundering that list here, honest), Pizza Massilia has just been named Best Pizzeria in Thailand 2026 for the fifth time, is currently ranked 6th in the Asia Pacific region and 22nd in the world.

What started life as a food truck has now become an ambitious mini-empire, with a flagship bricks-and-mortar restaurant on Ruam Rudee, a second branch in a small food court in Sathorn and the original pizza truck on Soi Sukhumvit 49. All boast enormous dual pizza ovens built by expert pizza oven maker Stefano Ferrara. 

Pizza Massilia pizza slice in bangkok
Pizza Massilia shop front
Images via Pizza Massilia
Pizza Massilia best pizza

This sense of confidence and aspiration extends to the pizzas here. Whilst Peppina seems to work best when deploying a ‘less is more’ approach, at Pizza Massilia, it’s all about true indulgence in topping form. Though the pizzas are nominally Neapolitan, plenty of luxury French ingredients make their way onto the menu. With that ethos in mind, go for the foie gras, fior di latte and organic figs, followed by a long, satisfied lie down.

Website: pizzamassilia.com

Flagship restaurant: 15, 1 Soi Ruamrudee Community, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Sathorn Branch: 163 2 ซอย นราธิวาสราชนครินทร์ 5 Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok 10120 Suan Luang, Bangkok 10250, Thailand

Pizza Truck: 40 ซอย สุขุมวิท 49 Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Pizza Mazzie

Now for something different over in the trendy Ekkamai district, Pizza Mazzie is run by New Yorker Jon Spearman, with the pizzas here an interesting hybrid of American and Italian sensibilities, ingredients and technique. 

Pizza Mazzie where to find the best pizza in Bangkok
Pizza Mazzie where to find the best pizza in Bangkok
Images via Pizza Mazzie
Pizza Mazzie where to find the best pizza in Bangkok

The oven here is the revered ‘low dome’ Acunto, built in Naples, and the dough is light and airy, owing to its super slow-fermentation process. It arrives blistered and burnished in all the right places, with Spearman’s refined approach to toppings (he believes that there should be no more than three, as a rule) meaning the pizzas at Mazzie are surprisingly delicate. 

Our go-to order is the Brooklyn classic cheese (restrained in that it uses just two cheeses, fior di latte and grana padano) which in less capable hands could be a little burdensome, but here it’s sensational. 

Biodynamic wines and craft beers complete the package, making Pizza Mazzie an incredibly convivial place to spend an evening. And spend many evenings here we have…

You can read our review of Mazzie here for more.

Website: pizzeriamazzie.com

Address: 17 Park Lane Soi Sukhumvit 63 Road, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110

Maru Maru Pizza

Not to be confused with Pizza Maru Korean Pizza & Chicken fifteen minutes up the green line in Central World, Maru Maru Pizza is something else entirely. This, this is a self-styled ‘pizza garage’ at the very east end of Sukhumvit where things otherwise get a little non-descript, a place where Neapolitan pizza meets vinyl culture, and the music you’re hearing is as considered as what’s coming out of the wood-fired oven. It’s putting Phra Khanong on the map, somewhat. In the eyes of the city’s culinary cognoscenti, at least.

The setting is half workshop, half dining room, with steel, timber and concrete softened by good lighting and bottles lined up with intention. There’s a DJ booth opposite the open kitchen, and the reassuring flicker of a classic cupola doing its work, and on any given evening you might drift from modern soul into Japanese jazz, or catch Balearic rhythms threading through the space.

The pizzas are broadly Neapolitan in style, though a little crisper, the pock marks a little blacker. The menu splits into three sections: classic pizzas (your margheritas, your marinaras), Maru’s Pizza (house specials like the smoked pork belly, cherry tomato and chilli), and Maru Maru Pizza, which rotates seasonally and can get quite experimental.

From that latter section, a Thai-influenced gaeng kua goong pizza didn’t quite land and seems to have quietly disappeared from the menu, but the stronger offerings here are the ones that stay closer to Italian foundations. The burro rosso is both the most simple and arguably the signature; it brings butter, anchovies and garlic together in something closer to garlic bread than pizza. It’s bloody good.

The natural wine list runs deeper than you’d expect from a warehouse. Bottles start around the 1,900 baht mark and climb to nearly 3,000 baht, with a decent selection by the glass if you’re not committing to a full bottle.

The pizzas here aren’t huge, so if you’re hungry, order accordingly.

Instagram: @marumarupizza

Address: 14 Sukhumvit 67 Alley, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110

Pizza Mania

If you’re looking for a truly American style pizza, then you should check out Pizza Mania, just off Asok BTS Station in Bangkok’s downtown. 

The pizzas here are thin-crust and crisp, and generously topped with a whole raft of meats, shellfish, and even pasta sauces (Carbonara pizza? Check. Bolognese sauce pizza? Check.).

Pizza Mania deep pan pizza
Pizza Mania deep pan pizza
Images via Pizza Mania

Yep, this one wouldn’t pass the Nonna test, sure, but if you get that very specific itch – often brought on by a hangover, admittedly – that only an American pizza can scratch, then Pizza Mania is a very satisfying slice, indeed. 

Look out for the restaurant’s monthly deep pan Detroit style pizzas, which are properly indulgent and too infrequently on the menu, in our humble opinion. Make them a regular thing, guys!

Website: pizzamania.co.th

Address: 120, 3 Soi Sukhumvit 23, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Via Emilia

Next up we’re heading to Bangkok’s Sathorn district, to Via Emilia, which aims to faithfully recreate the food and hospitality of Italy’s famous Emilia Romagna region. It’s pure escapism, and sometimes, after a hectic and hot day in Bangkok, it’s just the kind of place you want to sink into.

Though this tribute to a region that encompasses the foodie meccas of Bologna, Modena and Parma focuses on all the main food groups (pasta, risotto, cheese, salami… You get the jist), the pizzas at Via Emilia certainly aren’t an afterthought.

Made in the Bolognese style (no, not topped with ragu, but rather, with thin and crispy crusts), the dough is naturally leavened and left to ferment for 72 hours, resulting in an enjoyable lightness and depth of flavour. The parma ham and burrata, which is added fridge-cold once the pizza is cooked, and is subsequently refreshing, exemplifies this light touch. Delicious.

IDEAL Tip: We know this is an article about pizza, but you’d be a fool not to order the strozzapreti con le canocchie on your visit – hand twisted pasta with mantis shrimps in tomato sauce – yes, please.

Website: viaemiliabangkok.com

Facebook: Via Emilia

Address: 1040 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 17, Lane 5, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120, Thailand

Il Bolognese

Speaking of regional Italian restaurants that do a mean pizza, Il Bolognese is – and does – just that. This trattoria has been a stalwart of the Bangkok dining scene for over a decade, knocking out Italian comfort food, top-notch pizzas and pouring very drinkable claret to the weary masses in an elegant dining room that feels like a film set, so faithfully furnished it is.

Images via Il Bolognese
Il Bolognese best pizza and pasta bangkok

Read: 10 IDEAL travel tips for surviving Bangkok

Indeed, you may well forget you’re in Bangkok during your leisurely lunch here, with the Partenopea pizza (essentially, a margherita) a relative steal at under 400 baht. Whether or not you actually want to forget you’re in one of the world’s most exciting cities is another matter. Anyway, on to the next pizza…

Website: ilbolognesebangkok.com

Address: 139/3 ถนนสาทรใต้ ซอย 7 Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand

Pala Pizza Romana

Pala Pizza Romana pizza bangkok
Images via Pizza Romana

A very different proposition at Pala Pizza Romana, and our list’s first dalliance with Roman pizza. Here, the metre long, rectangular pizza al taglio sits in the window on a paddle, a pala, enticing Bangkokians inside to grab a slice (or should that be ‘square’?) for a very reasonable 90 baht. 

The base is thick, with a crisp bottom and fluffy middle, similar to focaccia and very much in the Roman style, with toppings restrained but refined. The capricciosa here is particularly fine.

Alongside their pizza offering is a good selection of pasta and other dishes. Their fritti (deep fried) offerings are particularly good – think suppli, classic crocchette and our fritti favourite – the Amatriciana, filled with tender as you like cured pork cheek. Squisito!

Website: palapizzabangkok.com

Address: Room 1 BTS/MRT Soi Sukhumvit 23, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Chef Bing’s Pizza

We promised young Thai chefs putting their own spin on pizza in our introduction, so we had to include Chef Bing’s Pizza, which has quite the following over in Lumphini.

We say ‘had to’, but the New York style pies here more than deserve their inclusion on merit alone, and the inventiveness of the toppings here is certainly a refreshing change.

New York style pies bangkok by chef bing
Image via Chef Bing

Run by Navapan ‘Chef Bing’ Puangpakdee, who moved from Thailand to New York at the age of 7, there are some pretty out-there pizzas on the menu here, including one – the kor moo yang pizza – which repurposes the beloved Thai streetfood staple of grilled pork neck into a gorgeous pizza topping, finessed further with sawtooth coriander and toasted rice powder. Trust us; it works!

Website: chefbing.com

Address: 924/5 Soi Ruam Rudi 2, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Nonna Nella By Lenzi

We return to something more traditional to finish, to a restaurant that sits on the other side of Lumpini Park to the aforementioned Chef Bing; Nonna Nella By Lenzi.

The only place on our list to be featured in Bangkok’s Michelin Guide, it’s the quality of the ingredients that sets Nonna Nella apart. All the hams and cheeses are produced on chef Lenzi’s farm, and other ingredients such as the tomatoes for the superb pizzas are 100% organic and hand-selected by the chef himself.

pizza near lumpini park
Image via Nonna Nella by Lenzi

Those pizzas, by the way, boast a thinner, crisper crust than their Neapotlian counterparts, and are generously adorned with that excellent produce from the Lenzi family farm. It’s a wonderful way to finish our list of Bangkok’s best pizzas. Now, excuse us, we need a lie down for several days.

Website: nonna-nella.com

Address: 83, ออล ซีซั่นส์ เพลส, 20 Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

PST (Pizza Studio Tamaki)

One of Tokyo’s most celebrated pizzerias has now made its way to Bangkok, bringing its unique Tokyo-Napoli hybrid style to Sukhumvit 49 with a quiet but confident January 2025 opening. In a suave, expensive-feeling room which feels more suited to one of Bangkok’s Michelin-starred experiences than humble ol’ pizza, PST’s are anything but.

Characterised by their distinctive use of Okinawa salt, which is thrown into a specially commissioned Japanese wood-fired oven before each pizza is cooked, lending a subtle yet compelling salinity to every bite, these are precise, skilful pizzas that still manage to keep that cherished lack of uniformity – blisters, bubbles and all – that mark the planet’s truly great pizzas.

The dough at Pizza Studio Tamaki undergoes a meticulous 30-hour proofing process, resulting in a crust that’s wonderfully light and airy, with a pleasant salty-sour tang. Their signature Tamaki pizza (priced at a premium 590 baht) showcases this perfectly, topped with smoked mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, sheep’s milk cheese and fresh basil. For something with a bit more kick, the Nduja brings a welcome hit of spice from its namesake spreadable salami, which is produced for the restaurant back in Japan to a bespoke recipe.

The attention to detail extends beyond the pizzas; their PST Meatballs – a blend of pork and wagyu beef slow-cooked in tomato sauce – are a must-order, as is the showstopping matcha panna cotta finale, which uses green tea from Uji, Kyoto, offering a distinctly Japanese twist on an Italian classic.

Instagram: @pst.bangkok

Address: Town Hall, Sukhumvit 49, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

90 Grams

Taking its name from the precise weight of sourdough required for the perfect pizza, this newcomer to Silom opened in late 2024 but has already carved out its own niche in the city’s competitive pizza scene.

Housed on the second floor of The Quarter Hotel, 90 Grams specialises in both traditional Neapolitan pizzas and inventive focaccia-style variations. Their margherita (a relatively affordable, but relatively small, 190 baht) arrives with a crust so comically canotto’d that it’s almost risen on itself and subsumed the toppings. Christ, it’s light, digestible work though, and you could take two or three down quite comfortably in a single sitting.

The signature focaccia pizzas are more sizeable. The mortadella version (a more sizeable 520 baht), topped with four types of premium cheese, wild rocket and pistachios, is particularly noteworthy. The space stays open until the wee hours (2am most nights), making it perfect for those post-midnight pizza cravings. The addition of sparkling wines by the glass makes this an excellent spot for a casual evening out, whether you’re starting your night or ending it.

Instagram: @90gramsbkk

Address: Silom 18, Suriyawong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Still hungry? Next up, it’s the best burgers in Bangkok. A food coma is incoming.

8 Of The Best Sunday Roasts In South London

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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8 Of The Best Sunday Roasts In South London
Ideal for a Sunday well spent with real roasties and lashings of good gravy…

Last updated March 2026

Poetic license with specificity of location acknowledged just this once, it’s time to explore South London’s best roasts. Because let’s face it, on the Sabbath Day, when hangovers and Sunday Scaries loom and linger, it’s quite the treat to defer responsibility to the city’s best chefs for your favourite meal of the week.

Sunday roasts, the quintessential British celebratory feast, are best enjoyed in a traditional British pub, preferably in front of a roaring fire, with good British ale and even better friends. Although no roast will ever compare to your mum’s, if you live in South London, these 8 come pretty close.

Harwood Arms, Fulham

Served 12pm to 8:15pm

One of only two Michelin-starred pubs in London the Harwood Arms has held its star since 2010, and for good reason. Co-founded by Brett Graham (owner of 3-Michelin starred The Ledbury) and Mike Robinson in 2009, and tucked away in Fulham’s backstreets, this isn’t your typical gastropub – though you’d be forgiven for thinking so at first glance. 

The warm wooden interiors and unfussy British comfort create a cosy, countrified haven, while subtle touches like ostrich feather lampshades and a deer’s head on the wall hints at something rather special. In summer, strawberries and radishes grow on the rooftop, ready to supply fresh ingredients to the kitchen. The wine list is seriously impressive, ranging from English sparkling wines to Georgian reds and even the premium delights of a 1988 Bordeaux.

Head chef Joshua Cutress crafts a set Sunday menu showcasing seasonal British ingredients, with two courses at £64 or three at £79. Start with their legendary venison Scotch egg at £12 – an absolute must – or try the vegetarian Glamorgan version. The roast selection, served for two to share, features Belted Galloway sirloin (£7.50 supplement per person) with horseradish cream, or perhaps Iberian pork (from Graham’s own pigs) with apple sauce and crackling. Since this is a place famed for its game cookery, the smartest order might be the slow-cooked deer shoulder, wrapped in bacon and served with a punch perfect horseradish cream.

Each roast arrives with Yorkies, roast potatoes, baked carrots, cauliflower cheese and seasonal greens, just as it should be. Save room for their sophisticated desserts – the apple parfait with shortbread and hazelnuts was a triumph on a recent visit.

Book well ahead – this place fills up fast, especially for Sunday service.

Address: Walham Grove, Fulham, SW6 1QP

Website: harwoodarms.com

The Canton Arms, Stockwell

Served 12pm to 3:30pm

Since 2010, The Canton Arms has been a beacon of exceptional, ultra laidback pub dining under the guidance of Chef Patron Trish Hilferty and Charlie Bousfield. Part of a small independent group including the Anchor & Hope in Waterloo (more of them soon) and The Clarence Tavern in Stoke Newington, this pub has a particular claim to fame in the wet sales department – their house-made Vin d’Orange, crafted throughout the year but particularly special during the winter months when blood oranges and bitter Seville oranges are in season. It’s such a good drop, and one we return to time and time again.

While the front bar bustles with locals enjoying their real ales, the dining room serves up some of South London’s finest seasonal fare to folk who have made the journey especially. Their rare roast Dexter beef comes in at just short of £30, and is served with crisp roasties, green beans and watercress. But it’s their sharing dishes that truly shine – the rabbit and smoked ham pie for two costs £58, while their legendary seven-hour Salt Marsh lamb shoulder with potato and olive oil gratin (£145, feeds five) is worth gathering the troops for.

Don’t skip their starters – the brown crab and Westcombe cheddar tart is sublime, and the house cocktails deserve attention too, particularly the assertive Bloody Mary and their house-made Canton damson gin Negroni. You could, of course, order both…

Finally, Canton Arms desserts are a must. Their sticky toffee pudding served with clotted cream is a sticky, brooding affair that will leave you sated in body and soul – not exactly ready to take on the week ahead, but certainly soothed enough to find some relaxation in your Sunday evening.

Address: 177 S Lambeth Rd, SW8 1XP

Website: cantonarms.com

Read: 7 steps to the IDEAL roast beef Sunday lunch

The Camberwell Arms, Camberwell

Served 1pm to 5pm

Since 2014, this Victorian pub has been transformed into something rather special under Chef Director Mike Davies, who cut his teeth at the legendary Anchor & Hope (we keep promising: more of that place in a moment). While the decor remains understated – think stripped wooden floorboards that click-clack pleasingly under high heeled foot, and the occasional chalkboard to remind you where you are – the food speaks volumes.

Their individual roasts are where things get interesting. Saddleback pork with hispi cabbage, apple, tarragon and crème fraiche slaw comes in at £28, while a dry aged Hereford rump with horseradish crème fraiche will set you back £20 for a single portion. The sharing options are when things get celebratory – try the slow cooked Romney lamb with mint and pinenut sauce at £58 for two, or Sladesdown Farm chicken with curly kale and Pecorino crème fraiche at £50. There’s also a sharing pie of beef, ale and bone marrow at £45, if you fancy going just a little off piste with your Sunday lunch.

Either way, begin with a Bloody Mary (£8.50) and an order of scotch bonnet pork fat on toast (£7) or beer onions on toast with Comte (£7). It’s a punchy, no-nonsense way to start a meal that’s going to get very filling, very fast.

Address: 65 Camberwell Church St, Camberwell, SE5 8TR

Website: thecamberwellarms.co.uk

Read: 10 of London’s best gastropubs

The Anchor & Hope, Waterloo

Served 12pm to 3:15pm

Phew, we finally got there…

Established in 2003, this Waterloo institution sits conveniently close to The Young Vic Theatre. The oxblood walls and weathered wooden tables set the scene for what’s to come – skilled but unpretentious cooking that won’t break the bank. In the two decades since it first opened, reassuringly little has changed, making it a perfect pre- or post-theatre destination.

The atmosphere remains decidedly unfussy – wine is served in tumblers rather than traditional glasses, maintaining its proper pub credentials. Colourful artwork hanging on the walls by Aldous Eveleigh lends a modern edge. The drinks selection includes craft beer on tap from Brewpoint brewery, and wine by the glass starting at an eminently reasonable £4.75.

Anyway, we’re here for Sunday lunch, so let’s focus our attentions on that. The Anchor and Hope’s roast aged Swaledale beef rump at £35 is thoughtfully put together, blushing and generous, and arriving with gratin dauphinois (because it doesn’t always have to be roasties, right? RIGHT?), beetroot, watercress and horseradish.

The sharing plates are where the kitchen truly flexes its muscles. Or rather, rests its muscles while the oven does the hard work of slow cooking larger joints to giving, gutsy perfection. Try the suet-crusted Swaledale chicken, bacon and leek pie at £68 for two, or the seven-hour lamb shoulder with roots and gratin dauphinois (because who needs… Hang on; we’ve said that bit) at £80 for two. 

The wild venison and hazelnut faggots with red wine, roots and ceps at offer something delightfully different. They’re served with mash. At this point, you realise there isn’t a single roast potato on the Anchor and Hope Sunday menu, but the food is so good, so handsome and so generously seasoned, that it doesn’t even bother you.

Address: 36 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8LP

Website: anchorandhopepub.co.uk

Roast, Borough Market

Served 11:45am to 6:30pm

True to its name, this Borough Market stalwart takes Sunday lunch seriously. Under Executive Chef Thomas Cooney’s watchful eye, the Roast kitchen champions seasonal and sustainable ingredients via the medium of, erm, roasting, all with stunning market and St. Paul’s Cathedral views to boot.

Their 42-day aged Hereford beef comes in at £36.50, complete with a braised beef croquette, horseradish sauce and a viscous, glossy gravy. The Herdwick lamb saddle is the same price, and arrives with braised lamb shoulder and mint sauce, while the signature Saddleback pork belly at £30 includes all the trimmings plus pigs in blankets. Decisions, decisions…

For something truly special, their Shorthorn beef Wellington at £45 with truffle mash potato and madeira sauce is worth every penny. Vegetarians aren’t forgotten – there’s a nut roast that we’re assured is a satisfying thing. It’s paired with maple roast carrots, braised red cabbage, and tenderstem broccoli.

Don’t skip their truffled cauliflower cheese to share at £12 – it’s legendary. Don’t skip our full review of Roast, either.

Address: The Floral Hall, Stoney St, SE1 1TL

Website: roast-restaurant.com

The Laundry, Brixton

Served 1pm to 6pm

The striking red-brick Victorian building that houses The Laundry is a local landmark, with ‘SANITARY STEAM LAUNDRY’ still proudly emblazoned across its facade, promising an afternoon that’ll freshen you up rather than fuck you over. Which is kind of what you want from a leisurely Sunday lunch, don’t you think?

It’s a gorgeous, historical spot for a Sunday roast south of the river. The building served as a commercial laundry for 119 years before its thoughtful transformation, with many original features preserved, including art and books from its previous life.

Enough of the history lesson, if you can call it that, you’re here for the roast. The Laundry’s 28-day aged Hereford sirloin just tips the £30 scale, and comes with creamed horseradish and a flamboyantly risen Yorkshire pudding. The meat is served a perfect pink, with enough of a fat cap for real depth of flavour to be imparted. It’s superb.

Equally good is the rolled roast pork belly and its perky apple sauce, again £30. It boasts a crisp and crunchy border of crackling that would have local resident Jay Rayner getting a little hot and steamy under the collar. Vegetarians are well-served with a roast squash and sage tart that’s given intrigue via miso caramel chestnuts. At £24 it’s not cheap, but it’s a vast improvement on a half-baked nut roast. 

The drinks selection is enough to have you pulling a sickie on Monday morning – their house cucumber-infused Margarita and a marmalade-fired Old Fashioned both slip down far too easily. For the abstainers, there’s local kombucha alongside creative non-alcoholic options like a Virgin Wasabi Mary.

All roasts arrive with exemplary roast potatoes, glazed carrots, minted peas and – crucially – bottomless gravy (we’ve tried to push our luck with this one, but the wait staff were unflappable in their generosity). Whatever you do, add on the macaroni cheese with cheddar and gruyère gratin for an extra tenner, then retire to their heated terrace for another of those sweet and citrusy marmalade Old Fashioneds.

Address: 374 Coldharbour Ln, SW9 8PL

Website: thelaundrybrixton.com

No. Fifty Cheyne, Chelsea

Served midday to 6pm

While technically just across the river, some things are worth walking on water for. This Chelsea gem serves up award-winning roasts under Executive Head Chef Iain Smith’s direction. Overlooking the Thames and Cheyne Gardens, with scenic views of Chelsea Embankment Gardens and the iconic Albert Bridge, No. Fifty has experience hosting royals and stars of the stage and screen, but that doesn’t mean the vibe is stifling or exclusive. Quite the opposite in fact; there’s a pleasing din to Sunday lunch service here, the mood buoyed and brightened by hanging foliage, plenty of natural light, and a bustling bar that overlooks the dining room.

Cumbrian chicken arrives succulent and golden, while the 42-day aged Hereford beef is a study in perfect timing, sliced thick and arriving a perfect pink. Their signature Saddleback pork belly brings with it crackling that shatters just so, but it’s the showstopping Shorthorn Beef Wellington that draws the most admiring glances from neighbouring tables, that pesky natural light spotlighting it a little too well. It’s a premium £69, but it’s worth every penny.

The drinks list impresses with an extensive range of spirits and cocktails – try their signature Cheyne Rose (vodka, rose liqueur, lychee juice, and egg white) at £9.50, or their Burnt Pear Old Fashioned at £10. As a digestif, the house limoncello is just the right side of bracing. 

Dogs are welcome on leads – a proper Chelsea touch. Interestingly, these guys offer their roasts on Saturdays too. 

Address: 50 Cheyne Walk, SW3 5LR

Website: fiftycheyne.com

The Great Southern, Gipsy Hill

Served 12pm to 8pm

This beautifully restored Victorian corner pub, a stone’s throw from Gipsy Hill station, puts a strong emphasis on well-executed roasts while keeping prices surprisingly reasonable for South London. The building, dating from the mid-1800s, has an intriguing past – in a former life, it was a boxing gym, and the pub takes its name from a steam (there’s that word again) train. 

Serving their roasts from 12-8pm, The Great Southern offers both craft and classic options at the bar – think a nicely poured Guinness alongside rotating real ales and ciders. For the commuters among us, there’s even a live feed of train times from the nearby station to save you fumbling with your phone.

While perhaps less refined than some of the other roasts on our list, their Sunday offering is a bargain in this city and in this economy, including a choice of roast leg of lamb, roast chicken, or roast rump beef, all for twenty quid or under. For the particularly hungry, their ‘mega roast’ at £24 offers a generous sampling of chicken, pork belly and beef on one plate. You know you want to…

That family-friendly pricing includes kids’ portions at £7.50, and the enormous beer garden makes this perfect for family Sunday lunches. You know what? We might just stay here a while…

Address: 79 Gipsy Hill, Norwood, SE19 1QH

Website: thegreatsouthernpub.co.uk

Where To Find The Best Steak In Phuket

Joseph Gann
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Where To Find The Best Steak In Phuket

The mouth-puckering relishes, the brow-beading curries, the irresistibly cute kanom jeeb and the crisp folds of freshly-slapped roti… Phuket has some of the world’s most diverse food at sandy, dusty street level. Here, you’ll eat handsomely for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and feel no guilt about how you pushed your stomach to the brink of explosion. Because, let’s be honest, you know that the explosion allows for more eating later.

But sometimes, just occasionally, the clarion call of a properly barked, blushing steak, flaked salt rather than fish sauce, and a glass of something inky drowns out even the nok ka wow’s dawn chorus. For those times, the island delivers too. With that in mind, here’s where to find the best steak in Phuket.

Wagyu Steakhouse, Surin

Ideal for choosing your cut from the fridge, your knife from the box and your wine from the Coravin…

Phuket has dozens of flash, black card-baiting steakhouses where the beef is flabby, the diners taut and the prices bloated. Wagyu Steakhouse bucks this trend not brashly or boldly, but in a more seductive way, somewhere closer to Bangkok’s suave occasion dining than the thickening sickly sheen of the island. The approach pays off; the restaurant has been listed in the Michelin Guide for the last three years.

Part of the refined Twinpalms Surin Beach resort, the restaurant is elegant and precisely designed: dark wood panelling, plush leather seating, a dimly lit two-storey interior. Upstairs, an Art Deco bar glows with burnished fittings beneath muted lighting. Start here with an Oaxaca Cooler, a sharp, herbaceous mix of tequila, yuzu puree, lime, egg white, cucumber and shiso, then descend, just a touch wobbly, into the bowels of the operation.

Downstairs, the flickering dining room, its floor-to-ceiling windows crowded with monstera peering in from the darkness, opens onto a display fridge of prime cuts and an oyster bar. It’s a space where faces soften, intimate shadows are cast, and you can imagine spies eavesdropping on increasingly loose-lipped conversations.

This is where the ritual begins. You’re led by hand across the room to the fridge. If you prefer to gawp and point rather than read a menu, you can choose your steak now, relying on instinct. Behind the counter, chef Nok (Khanitta Rawangsee) leads an all-female brigade – the “women of wagyu”, as one neighbouring diner neatly put it – gracefully working an imposing Josper charcoal oven and a beechwood grill. The results carry deep, clean smoke without bitterness.

Back at the table, and a box of steak knives from five different renowned bladesmiths is presented so you can choose the right tool for the job, the implication being that you are a man of some discernment and you’ll know just what to do here. It’s a clever touch, but only works because the steak that follows can bear the scrutiny of your decision.

We had a Japanese Miyazaki Wagyu A5 striploin, fatty, rich and creamy white when raw, alongside a USDA Prime Black Angus tenderloin that had been dry-aged to a much darker crust. The former was cooked closer to medium, as it should be, to let the fat properly melt and self-baste the steak. The tenderloin, thick and proud, was served blushing. The difference could not have been more pronounced in two cuts from the same family (not the actual same family, but you know what we mean). Both were superb, the dichotomy the point; one so marbled it melted at 37°C, the other rewarding a bit of chewing (it’s a hard life) with undulating, funky depth.

Wagyu Steakhouse, Surin
Wagyu Steakhouse, Surin
Wagyu Steakhouse, Surin

For those who want to taste even further across the marbling spectrum without committing to a single cut, the Wagyu Discovery Trio offers USDA Prime Black Angus, MB4 and MB8 tenderloins side by side, and at 2,500 baht it is a genuinely cost-effective way in.

Speaking of tasting across the spectrum, a choice of eight sauces includes a nahm jim jaew that nods to the kitchen’s Thai roots, alongside bordelaise, bearnaise, chimichurri and a fresh green peppercorn with brandy. Yes, we can’t remember the other three because the room was dusky and the Sassicaia was flowing. Anyway, we got them all, and what a treat it was to use the chips as cutlery for dredging. Thick cut, not too hard fried, and with a grating of truffle because, well, why not?

The wine list is formidable, running from a glass of Teorema Cabernet Merlot at 490 baht through Ornellaia and Opus One, all the way to Mouton Rothschild at 109,000 baht a bottle, with the Coravin system allowing by-the-glass access to some serious vintages.

End the evening upstairs at the bar, bookending the night with another stiff drink and, if the mood takes you, a Partagás Serie D4 in the outdoor cigar lounge. We’ve established you’re a diner of some discernment by now, after all. Just don’t fall in the hotel pool on your way out.

Steaks from THB 890/100g.

Website: wagyuphuket.com

Address: Twinpalms Phuket Resort, 106/46 Mu 3, Choeng Thale, Thalang, Phuket, 83110, Thailand

Sizzle Rooftop, Patong

Ideal for sunset steaks with uninterrupted Andaman Sea views…

Lodged in the hills above Patong at Avista Hideaway, Michelin-recommended Sizzle is the sort of place where an evening starts with sunset cocktails and grazing plates and ends three hours later with a theatrical limoncello you had no intention of ordering.

It is the views, first and foremost, that keep you here for so long: expansive, rare uninterrupted panoramas over the Andaman Sea towards the horizon, the kind you never want to leave. The dining room behind you is totally open, no walls, the sea breeze doing the necessary cooling. Exquisite. 

But the views disappear into the sunset – they always do – so the food and vibe need to be good enough to keep you enthralled. On the latter note, Simona is a wonderful host, warm but subtle, and she sets the tone for the whole experience. The food side of the bargain is covered by chef Alvaro Puerta, from Almería, who brings a certain Spanish swagger to the menu, threaded through in ways that feel innate: Iberico croquetas with 24-month ham and aioli, a particularly lucid gazpacho, and a way with grilled fish that carries the confidence of someone raised on the Mediterranean coast.

All this light, bright foreplay gives the main event room to breathe. We went for the Australian Black Angus ribeye, and it arrived with nothing but a puck of garlic butter melting over it and a little rectangle of deep-fried polenta. A brave move to keep things so unadorned, but it let the beef do the talking; a gorgeous steak, dry-aged until touching on that funky, blue-cheese territory that only serious aging achieves.

For those seeking more spectacle (views not enough for ya?), a 1.4kg Black Angus tomahawk serves two to three and requires advance ordering when you take your seat. Sauces include blue cheese gorgonzola, bearnaise, bordelaise and a Japanese BBQ glaze, if you do want to jazz things up, but sometimes it’s nice to just let the quality of the product shine. In this instance, the view, the steak, and a limoncello that for some reason is billowing over dry ice are providing more than enough to feast on. Drink it all in.

Steaks from THB 2,200.

Website: sizzlerooftopphuket.com

Address: Avista Hideaway Patong, 39/9 Muen-Ngern Rd, Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Five Olives, Bang Tao

Ideal for a Fred Flintstone Fiorentina when the group can’t agree on a steakhouse…

Five Olives is not a steakhouse, let’s be clear. It is a Michelin Guide-listed Italian restaurant in Bang Tao, ranked in the Top 50 Pizzerias in Asia-Pacific for three consecutive years and, just recently, at its highest-ever position of number 26 in the 2026 ranking. It also does fantastic pasta. Hey, maybe Five Olives doesn’t even know what it is?

It’s all things to all people, is what it is, and does it all very capably indeed. Founded by chef Korn Kantapat Sinpradit and his sister Khun Kwang, the restaurant occupies an elegant space in the Boat Avenue Park and Playground complex, about 700 metres from bustling Boat Avenue. The space has high ceilings and a large outdoor terrace where the massive fans are always spinning, and sits just far enough from Boat Avenue to feel like a breath of fresh air. Khun Korn also runs the sister restaurant Marni, which shares the same pizza pedigree, equally as beloved for its Canotto-style Neapolitan pizza with those signature puffy, blistered rims.

But it’s the charcoal-grilled Fiorentina steak that we’re at Five Olives for. A close to 2kg cut served with roast potatoes, corn salad and beef jus, it is, quite simply, one of the best things you can eat on the island if your mind has turned to purposefully rare beef and no amount of gaeng massaman neua can pull you back in the other direction.

The Italian approach to steak, letting the quality of the cut do the work with minimal intervention, is at odds with the sauce-driven hotel steakhouses you’ll find more of in Phuket, and it’s all the better for it. There are a couple of other steaks on the menu too, a Black Angus picanha, a ribeye and a charcoal-grilled tenderloin, all served with homemade green sauce, but the Fred Flintstone, comically large Fiorentina is without doubt the one. A glass of Nero d’Avola from Sicily at 350 baht is the right companion.

If you have a group that cannot agree on a steakhouse, Five Olives is the diplomatic choice: the steak lovers get their Fiorentina, everyone else gets some of the best Italian food on the island, and nobody compromises.

Steaks from THB 990.

Website: fiveolives.co

Address: 2/1 Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Read: The best Italian restaurants in Phuket

Char’d Grill, Karon

Ideal for ditching your shoes & dining with your feet in the pool…

Voted Asia’s Best New Hotel Restaurant 2024 at the World Culinary Awards, Char’d (part of the Avista Grande Karon) bills itself as a first-of-its-kind, dine-in-water steakhouse and seafood grill with flame-to-table gastronomy. Their words, not ours, and a hell-of-a-lot of hyphens, too. Pedantry aside, the trepidation is real: you take your shoes off, lower your feet into the pool, and wonder if this is going to be a bit, whisper it, naff?

But a cool current comes in from the sea, something close to giddiness sets in, and by the time the menu hits the table you’re kicking and splashing like a carefree kid. It sets the tone: this is a restaurant that wants you to have fun and, it turns out, eat well too. At Char’d, everything centres around a Kopa charcoal grill oven, and you can taste the smoke in every cut. You can smell it too, floating out across the swimming pool and seasoning the air, senses getting discombobulated like synaesthesia as you’re ankle deep in water and the Sea Breeze goes to your head. 

Working that grill is Chef Nair, who has cooked his way through India, Dubai, Ireland and beyond, and the accumulated mileage shows in a menu that leans Californian, with a surf-and-turf energy that ties the whole thing together succinctly. That means that Phuket lobster and imported premium steak share equal billing and there’s a fair amount of theatrics, which is all good once you’ve succumbed to the frivolity of it all.

The steak itself, an Australian Black Angus ribeye, had perfect cuisson, and you really taste the charcoal. It is paired with a thick, almost emulsified chimichurri and a viscous peppercorn sauce. Both are good, but neither are really needed, the steak buttery enough to be its own thing without accoutrement.

In all honesty, rules had gone out the window by this stage (we’re dining in a swimming pool here!) and an expertly made lobster bisque became the dipping sauce of choice: deep, rich, and without a hint of sucking a two-pence piece. Gorgeous.

The fun doesn’t end with your feet in the water. Sword-like steak knives are laid ceremoniously from a wooden box at your table. A paloma infused with local aromatics arrives in a particularly massive khan, an ornate Thai ceremonial bowl, and looks gorgeous. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the space is lit up with a live fire dance show. Shackles off, it took a heroic act of restraint not to dive in by the end of the meal.

Steaks from THB 1,599.

Website: avistagrandephuketresort.com

Address: 38 Soi, Luang Phor Chuan Rd, Karon, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Smokestack BBQ & Grill, Patong

Ideal for American-style smoked brisket, low-and-slow barbecue, and a showboating tomahawk…

Smokestack sits directly across from Patong Beach at the Courtyard by Marriott, and it is doing something different to every other restaurant on this list. This is American-style barbecue done with an admirable conviction: fruit wood-smoked meats, low-and-slow cooking, house rubs, and a chef, Christopher Tuthill, who graduated from the California Culinary Academy and has spent years between San Francisco and Hong Kong honing his approach to butchering, curing, smoking and grilling. 

The massive, element-beaten smoker outside the semi-open kitchen, the haze of hickory that drifts all the way out to sea and catches the nose of sunbathers like a freshly baked apple pie on a windowsill, the cornbread served with a beef tallow candle: it all signals a place that takes its smokehouse credentials seriously.

The reason Smokestack earns its place here is the 240-day grain-fed Angus beef brisket, which is superb: deeply smoky, yielding, with a bark that has real bite to it, served with house pickles and a choice of signature sauces including a Carolina-style vinegar and an Alabama white. A wedge salad with iceberg, bacon, cherry tomatoes and blue cheese dressing cuts through the richness and a glass of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione at 950 baht is a worthy match for the smoke.

For those after something more classically steak-shaped, the charcoal-cooked section offers a grain-fed Australian ribeye and an Angus tenderloin, both served with a side dish and thyme or pepper jus. The grain-fed flank steak at 870 baht is a steal. And the wagyu tomahawk, a 1.4kg showpiece at MBS 7, is here for the table that wants all the stragglers on Thaweewong Road to admire their massive bone. 

Hmmm, not sure why we went there quite honestly…

Steaks from THB 740.

Website: smokestackbbqandgrillphuket.com

Address: 44 Thaweewong Rd, Pa Tong, Phuket, 83150, Thailand

Benny’s Cocktails & Grill, Bang Tao

Ideal for a candlelit steak night with live jazz…

Founded in 2015 by Benedikt De Bellis, an Italian who has lived on Phuket long-term after a career in luxury hotel and restaurant hospitality across Europe and Asia, Benny’s sits at the southern end of Bang Tao Beach, away from the resort cluster. The inspiration comes from the American bars of London that thrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries: warm, convivial, candlelit garden tables beneath tropical greenery, a place where staff remember your name by the second visit.

The steak menu is tightly edited. A dry-aged Black Angus cowboy steak, marbling score 3 and aged 30 days, serves four to six and needs 40 minutes on the grill for medium-rare, so order it with intent. The pure-breed Wagyu ribeye, dry-aged 20 days, is recommended rare to medium-rare and delivers rich, buttery flavour. There’s a grass-fed tenderloin for those after something leaner. All steaks arrive with fresh salad and peppercorn sauce – and by this stage we’ve got to say, it’s quite nice to have the paradox of choice removed sometimes. 

The tableside Caesar salad and steak tartare, both prepared with a fair amount of flamboyance, are signature moves worth ordering for the spectacle as much as the eating. Wednesday is steak night, paired with live jazz from 7pm. Dinner and a show, indeed.

Steaks from THB 1,120.

Website: bennysphuket.com

Address: 5/6 Soi Had Bangtao cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Best Thai Beef Steakhouse, Phuket Old Town

Ideal for a fairly-priced taste of Thai beef in Phuket Old Town…

Firstly, cap doffed to the name on this one. But you’ll be pleased to hear there is substance behind the search-engine bait. Sitting on Dibuk Road in ever-gorgeous Phuket Old Town, opposite Wat Mongkol Nimit and a short walk from the photogenic Romanee Street, Best Thai Beef occupies a characterful old house with a weathered wooden facade that are ten a penny in the old town, but elsewhere would be a total selfie-magnet. Inside, a long and welcoming dining room is half-occupied by an open kitchen, and the first thing the chef will do is walk you to the front display fridge. Well, you might as well play your hand early in situations like this, no?

The focus here is Thai Wagyu, a crossbreed of Japanese and Australian wagyu from the northeast of Thailand, presented in both standard and dry-aged options. Cuts are scored by marbling and priced per 100 grams, so you can scale up or down depending on appetite and budget. A 500g New York steak, marbling score 2-3 and aged 45 days, is cooked judiciously, pink throughout, tender, with a clean beefy flavour uncluttered by heavy saucing. The dry-aged rib eye and T-bone are also worth considering, and the dry-aged bacon fried rice offers a different accompaniment to another Caesar salad. 

This is not a place that trades on glamour or ceremony. It is a good steak restaurant at prices that feel fair for the quality, in a neighbourhood that rewards a post-dinner walk through some of Phuket’s most handsome streets. You know what? We might wander off now, we’ve had enough of your company.

Steaks from around THB 300/100g.

Facebook: @bestthaibeefphuket

Address: 5 83000 Phuket Rd, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Putting the surf in, erm, surf and turf, join us as we check out the best places for seafood in Phuket next. 

6 Of Europe’s Most Gorgeous Hidden Gems To Visit In 2026

Travel Team
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6 Of Europe’s Most Gorgeous Hidden Gems To Visit In 2026
Ideal for a holiday on the continent (hopefully) without the crowds…

Yes, we know. ‘Hidden gem’ is one of those travel phrases that’s been stretched so thin it barely means anything anymore. Every destination with a cobbled street and a decent sunset has been called one at some point.

But the underlying impulse – wanting to travel somewhere that hasn’t been entirely swallowed by overtourism, somewhere you can actually sit down for lunch without a 45-minute wait – that still holds up.

From Paris to Prague and Barcelona to Berlin, Europe’s most famous cities are magnificent, but they’re also heaving. These six offer culture, beauty and character in equal measure, minus the crowds and the queuing. So while we’ll spare you the breathless ‘best kept secret’ routine, and instead present these; our six European destinations that remain, for now at least, genuinely less crowded alternatives to the continent’s big hitters.

Corvara, Italy

Ideal for Dolomite drama without the Val Gardena traffic jams…

Most British travellers heading to the Italian Alps default to the bigger, better-known resorts in Val Gardena or Cortina d’Ampezzo. Corvara, a village of barely 1,400 people at the head of the Val Badia in South Tyrol, tends to slip under the radar entirely. That’s a mistake. Sitting at 1,568 metres, surrounded by UNESCO-listed Dolomite peaks, Corvara is the main hub of the Alta Badia region and one of the most spectacular settings in the entire Alpine arc.

In summer, the hiking is extraordinary. The Sassongher summit (2,665m) rises directly above the village, trails wind through the Puez-Odle Nature Park, and the cable car up to Piz Boè – the only 3,000-metre peak in the Sella Group – opens up a landscape that looks more like the surface of the moon than anything you’d expect in northern Italy. For cyclists, the Sella Ronda Bike Day closes the four Dolomite passes to traffic entirely, handing the roads over to two wheels.

Back in the village, there’s a hotel facility in Corvara at the Col Alto that makes a comfortable base, and the food scene across Alta Badia is remarkable for a valley of just 6,000 people; three Michelin-starred restaurants sit within a short drive, alongside traditional Ladin mountain huts serving up hearty local cooking.

Piran, Slovenia

Ideal for Venice vibes at a fraction of the price (and none of the crowds)…

Slovenia’s entire coastline stretches just 47 kilometres. Blink and you’ll miss it. But tucked at the tip of a narrow peninsula on the Adriatic sits Piran, a town of around 4,000 people that looks and feels uncannily like a miniature Venice. That’s no coincidence: Piran spent over 500 years under Venetian rule, from 1283 to 1797, and the architecture tells the whole story. Narrow alleys thread between stone buildings, a bell tower modelled on St Mark’s Campanile rises above terracotta rooftops, and the car-free old town has a pace of life that feels decades removed from the resorts next door.

The heart of the town is Tartini Square, an elegant oval piazza named after the violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who was born here. The 14th-century Church of St. Francis of Assisi sits within the Minorite Convent, where monks still chant in summer. Climb the medieval town walls for panoramic views across the Gulf of Trieste, or walk out to the lighthouse at the peninsula’s tip for one of the better sunsets on the Adriatic.

The food is Istrian: strong Italian influence, superb seafood, local Malvazija white wine and Refošk red from vineyards just inland. Prices run roughly half what you’d pay in Venice for a comparable meal. Trieste airport in Italy is just 40 minutes’ drive away, or it’s a 90-minute trip from Ljubljana, making Piran an easy add-on to a wider Slovenian trip that takes in Lake Bled and the Julian Alps.

Pietrapertosa, Italy

Ideal for breathtaking, cascading hilltop scenery…

Found on the slopes of Monte Impiso is the small village of Pietrapertosa, built into the rock face of the Lucanian Dolomites. Although the village is small, there is plenty to do when visiting. The zip line between Pietrapertosa and neighbouring Castelmezzano, the Volo dell’Angelo, or Flight of the Angel, sends riders across the valley at speeds of up to 120 km/h, and is one of the most thrilling experiences in southern Italy. From there, make your way up to the Saracen Fortress for the best views of the surrounding rock formations and the cascading countryside below.

There are several religious sites scattered across this stunning village, including the Chapel of Our Lady of the Cave and the hermitage of Our Lady of Olive Trees. A great alternative to Rome or Naples, Pietrapertosa still offers all the historical and natural beauty you could want, with a fraction of the visitors.

Read: The top 10 foodie destinations in Italy

Mechelen, Belgium

Ideal for medieval architecture and sipping Belgian beer in the sun…

Located between Brussels and Antwerp, Mechelen is an easy hop from either city but attracts a sliver of the tourists that descend on Bruges or Ghent. That’s what makes it worth the trip. The town is home to the Burgundian Hof Van Busleyden, a beautifully restored 16th-century palace, the towering St. Rumbold’s Cathedral and its 97-metre bell tower, and the Margaret of Austria statue commemorating the regent who made Mechelen the administrative capital of the Low Countries in the early 1500s.

It’s a strong choice for families too. The Planckendael Zoo and Toy Museum will keep children occupied, and the town’s compact centre is easy to navigate on foot. While the little ones explore, you can settle in with a glass of Mechelen’s acclaimed beer, Gouden Carolus, brewed at the Het Anker brewery in the town centre since the 15th century.

The Faroe Islands, Denmark

Ideal for magnificent hiking routes, raw unspoilt nature and an isolated getaway in the best possible way…

Faroe Islands
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The Faroe Islands are a Danish archipelago of 18 rocky, windswept islands situated between Norway and Iceland. With a population of around 55,000, outnumbered significantly by the sheep that graze across the islands’ treeless hills, this is about as far from a tourist trap as Europe gets. The Faroes consistently rank among the safest places to visit in the world, and the landscapes are extraordinary: think sheer sea cliffs, grass-roofed villages clinging to hillsides, and waterfalls that tumble directly into the ocean.

The Múlafossur Waterfall on Vágar Island, which drops from a cliff edge straight into the sea, is one of the most photographed sights in the North Atlantic, and the cliff lake of Sørvágsvatn, which appears to hover above the ocean from certain angles, is well worth the hike. For those who love exploring raw, rocky terrain, the Faroes deliver in a way few places in Europe can match.

Direct flights from Copenhagen take just two hours.

Perast, Montenegro

Ideal for laid back coastal living complete with heritage and history…

One of Montenegro’s smallest coastal villages, Perast is home to fewer than 300 people and has just a single main road running along the waterfront. This idyllic settlement sits on the Bay of Kotor, a fjord-like inlet that cuts deep into the Montenegrin coast, and was originally a port trading between the Ottoman Empire and the Venetian Republic. Despite its size, the village has 16 churches and 17 palazzos, a remarkable concentration of Baroque architecture for a place you can walk from end to end in ten minutes.

A visit here isn’t complete without a boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island built from sunken ships and stones over centuries by local sailors, topped with a small church filled with votive paintings. The neighbouring natural islet of St. George, home to a Benedictine monastery, completes the picture. Perast is one of those rare places where the beauty feels effortless and entirely unmanufactured, one of Europe’s most compelling corners, and still largely overlooked.

The Bottom Line

Tourist traps be damned; Europe isn’t only about the big hitters. The continent is full of places that reward the curious traveller willing to look beyond the obvious, and in 2026, with overtourism dominating the conversation from Amsterdam to Zagreb, there’s never been a better reason to seek them out.

A Long Weekend In Rio de Janeiro: Copacabana, Caipirinhas, Sugarloaf & Samba

Editorial Team
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A Long Weekend In Rio de Janeiro: Copacabana, Caipirinhas, Sugarloaf & Samba

Few cities let you start the day at the summit of a mountain and end it in a samba club at 3am. Rio de Janeiro doesn’t make you choose. You can have the beach and the rainforest, the colonial architecture and the brutalist concrete, the early morning hike and the late night caipirinha. Most cities ask you to pick a lane but Rio lets you have all of it, sometimes in the same afternoon.

Three days is enough to do the city justice without it feeling like a sprint. March to June is ideal: warm enough for the beach, cool enough for hiking, and free of both the Carnival crush and the worst of the summer humidity. Base yourself in Zona Sul (Copacabana or Ipanema) and you are never more than 20-30 minutes from anywhere in the city by Uber. Once installed, here’s how to make the most of a long weekend in Rio de Janeiro.

Day One: Historic Centre & Getting Your Bearings

Morning: Start in Centro, Rio’s historic heart, where the city’s colonial past is concentrated into a few walkable blocks around the Uruguaiana and Carioca metro stations.

This is a neighbourhood best explored with context. A private tour with a company like Rio Cultural Secrets is a smart way to orient yourself on day one. Their Carioca-born guides run customisable itineraries covering everything from the landmark highlights to deeper cultural walks through Little Africa, the port zone district around the UNESCO-listed Valongo Wharf and Pedra do Sal where Afro-Brazilian heritage runs deep. They also cover Santa Teresa, Tijuca Forest and nightlife tours, so it is worth looking at their full range before deciding which day to book them for.

Whether you go with a guide or explore independently, the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura on Rua Luís de Camões is worth seeking out. Founded in 1837 by Portuguese immigrants, this 19th-century library houses 350,000 volumes in dark wood bookcases that rise four storeys beneath a stained-glass skylight and iron chandelier. Time magazine named it one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, and it gets a fraction of the foot traffic of Rio’s more famous landmarks. Entry is free. It is a five-minute walk from Uruguaiana station.

Real Gabinete Português de Leitura/ Photo by J. Balla Photography on Unsplash
Photo via confeitariacolombo.com

Lunch: Break for lunch or afternoon tea at Confeitaria Colombo on Rua Gonçalves Dias, two minutes from Carioca metro. This grand belle époque cafe has been operating since 1894, its interior decorated with Belgian crystal mirrors framed in rosewood, Art Nouveau stained glass and marble-topped tables. It was once a regular meeting place for politicians, poets and musicians, and the building itself is classified as cultural and artistic heritage of Rio de Janeiro. The pastries and coffee are the main draw, though the upstairs restaurant serves a weekday lunch buffet and a Saturday feijoada. Open Monday to Saturday 11am-6pm.

Afternoon & Early Evening: From Centro, take the metro Line 1 south to Ipanema/General Osório (around 20 minutes, R$7) and settle into Zona Sul for the rest of the afternoon. Ipanema and Copacabana are both famous, but the stretch of rock at Arpoador between them is where Cariocas gather for sunset. Crowds form on the rocks facing west, someone brings a guitar, and when the sun drops below the horizon on a clear evening, the whole crowd applauds. It sounds contrived on paper. It is not.

Dinner: For dinner, Galeto Sat’s in Copacabana has been serving spring chicken and picanha since the 1960s. It was one of Anthony Bourdain’s favourites in the city, and you can see why: no frills, no fuss, just good food done well.

Photo by Kseniia Lobko on Unsplash

Day Two: Landmarks, Santa Teresa & Lapa After Dark

Morning: Get to Christ the Redeemer early. The cog train departs from Cosme Velho station (Rua Cosme Velho 513, a 10-minute Uber from Copacabana or metro to Largo do Machado and a short taxi from there). The first train leaves at 7:20am, and you should arrive at least 30 minutes before your timed slot. Book tickets online well in advance; morning slots sell out days ahead during peak season, and walk-up queues can run to several hours. The 20-minute train ride winds through Tijuca Forest to the summit of Corcovado, 710 metres above the city. The views over Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf, Ipanema and the sprawl of the Zona Norte beyond are extraordinary, but only if you arrive before the tour buses. Allow about two hours for the full visit.

The cog train takes you back down to Cosme Velho the same way. From there, it is a 15-minute Uber east to Praia Vermelha at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain for the cable car. It runs in two stages: first to Morro da Urca (220 metres), then to the Sugarloaf summit (396 metres). A fast-pass ticket is a worthwhile investment. The regular queue during high season can stretch to two hours, and you will want that time for the views rather than the line. There is a cafe and small exhibition space at Morro da Urca if you want to linger between stages.

Late Lunch: From Sugarloaf, it is a 15-20 minute drive uphill to Santa Teresa for a late lunch at Aprazível. This Michelin-listed restaurant sits among the trees on the hillside, with terraces that look out over Centro, Lapa, Guanabara Bay and the bridge to Niterói. Chef Ana Castilho’s menu is rooted in regional Brazilian ingredients: free-range chicken with Minas Gerais sausage and pepper jelly, ceviche in tucupi sauce with plantain chips, and tropical fish that changes with the season. The restaurant brews its own beer and stocks a long list of natural wines. Open daily (except Mondays) from midday. Book ahead.

Aprazível

Afternoon: After eating, walk downhill from Santa Teresa (around 15 minutes on foot, mostly steps and cobblestones) towards the Selarón Steps. Chilean artist Jorge Selarón began covering these 215 steps with colourful tiles in 1990, initially using scraps from construction sites and funding the work by selling his own paintings. Over more than two decades, visitors from across the world donated tiles, and the staircase grew into a mosaic of over 2,000 pieces from more than 60 countries. Selarón worked on it until his death in 2013, and the steps are now maintained by volunteers. They connect Santa Teresa at the top to Lapa at the bottom, which makes them both a landmark and a practical route into Rio’s best night out.

Evening: Lapa is Rio’s nightlife epicentre. The streets around the Arcos da Lapa (the 18th-century aqueduct that dominates the neighbourhood) fill with people, live music and street food from Wednesday onwards. Rio Scenarium on Rua do Lavradio is the best-known venue: a three-storey former antique warehouse stuffed with vintage gramophones, chandeliers and old cinema seats, with live samba and forró bands playing across the floors. Doors open from 7pm Wednesday to Friday, 8pm on Saturdays; arrive before 10pm to avoid the queue and secure a decent spot near the stage.

For something less polished, Carioca da Gema on Avenida Mem de Sá runs traditional samba in a smaller room where the music does all the work. The two venues are a five-minute walk apart along a strip that includes plenty of smaller bars and street-side botecos where you can fill the gaps with caipirinhas and pastéis from the vendors on Rua Joaquim Silva.

Lapa is well-trafficked along the main streets, but avoid wandering into unlit side roads late at night, and Uber back to Zona Sul when you are done. The metro stops running around midnight.

Day Three: Nature & Winding Down

Morning: Tijuca Forest is one of the largest urban rainforests in the world, and it sits right inside the city. From Copacabana, it is around 25-30 minutes by Uber to the main park entrances depending on traffic. Public transport is limited once you are inside the forest, so a car or ride app is the most practical way to get between viewpoints.

The Vista Chinesa lookout offers panoramic views across Rio from a Chinese-style pagoda at 380 metres, and the Mesa do Imperador (Emperor’s Table) is a calmer vantage point where the Brazilian royal family once picnicked. Both are accessible by road. For hikers, the trail to Cascatinha Taunay, the tallest waterfall within the city at around 30 metres, takes about an hour each way through thick tropical canopy. Toucans, capuchin monkeys and blue morpho butterflies are all common sightings if you go early and keep the noise down.

If you want a different perspective entirely, tandem paragliding flights launch from Pedra Bonita, a ramp at 520 metres inside Tijuca National Park, and land on the sand at São Conrado beach. No experience is needed, flights last 10-20 minutes depending on conditions, and the aerial views over the coastline, Pedra da Gávea and the forest canopy are hard to beat. Several operators run daily from sunrise to sunset; book a day ahead.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, head to the Jardim Botânico. From the forest it is a 15-minute Uber south, or you can take the metro to Jardim de Alah and walk about 10 minutes. Founded in 1808 by the Prince Regent Dom João, the gardens house over 8,000 plant species across 140 hectares. The avenue of imperial palms near the entrance, planted over 200 years ago, has become one of Rio’s most recognisable images. The orchid collection alone runs to over 600 species. It is the kind of place where an hour disappears without effort.

Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro/ Photo by Samuel Wesley Silva on Unsplash

Alternatively (or additionally, if you have the legs for it), Parque Lage is right next door at the foot of Corcovado and free to enter. Its centrepiece is a 1920s mansion with a cafe courtyard pool surrounded by forest, and it functions as a visual arts school.

Early Dinner: Round out the weekend with feijoada at Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa (a 10-minute Uber uphill from the gardens). This long-standing boteco is known across the city for its version of the slow-cooked black bean and pork stew that functions as something close to a national dish. Pair it with a cold chopp on the terrace and let the weekend wind down from there.

Where To Stay

Zona Sul is the obvious base. Copacabana Palace has been the grande dame of Rio hotels since 1923 and sits right on the beachfront, though the price tag matches the reputation. 

For something more contemporary, Hotel Fasano on Ipanema Beach has a Philippe Starck-designed interior and a rooftop pool with views across to the Arpoador rocks. 

At the more accessible end, Hotel Arpoador sits right between Copacabana and Ipanema and puts you within walking distance of both beaches and the sunset crowds. Whichever you pick, staying in Zona Sul keeps you on the metro line and close to everything in this itinerary.

Copacabana Palace
Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro

The Bottom Line

Three days gives Rio the space it needs. You are not sprinting between landmarks but moving through distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own rhythm. Book Christ the Redeemer tickets online well in advance, buy the fast-pass for Sugarloaf, and use Uber over public transport after dark. The metro is cheap and runs efficiently between Centro and Zona Sul during the day, but ride apps are the better option for hillside neighbourhoods like Santa Teresa and anywhere inside Tijuca.

Rio is a city that rewards both early mornings and late nights. The trick is knowing which day calls for which.

Onwards, upwards and, erm, northwards; we’re heading to Manaus next for 48 hours in its balmy embrace. Care the join us?

Not Just For The Office: How AI Can Actually Help At Home

Editorial Team
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Not Just For The Office: How AI Can Actually Help At Home

Most of the conversation around AI still centres on the workplace. Automating reports, drafting emails, streamlining workflows. And fair enough, that’s where the money is. But if you’ve been dismissing AI as something that only matters between nine and five, you’re missing a trick, because some of its most practical applications are the ones that can make everyday home life run a little more smoothly.

According to a Pew Research Center survey from 2025, 62% of adults now say they interact with AI at least several times a week, though the majority of that interaction still happens through work tools or search engines. The domestic side of things remains comparatively underexplored, which is a shame, because it’s arguably where AI can save you the most time with the least friction. Here are some of the most genuinely useful ways to put it to work at home.

Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping

If the nightly “what’s for dinner?” spiral is something you recognise, AI meal planning tools are worth a look. Cooklist lets you scan barcodes or import receipts to build a live inventory of what’s actually in your fridge, freezer and pantry, then suggests recipes based on what you’ve got and flags ingredients before they go off. It’s meal planning that starts from reality rather than aspiration, which makes a significant difference to whether you actually follow through.

Samsung Food (formerly Whisk) takes a different approach, using AI to generate personalised weekly meal plans based on dietary goals and preferences, while also letting you save recipes from anywhere on the web and turning them into organised grocery lists. The appeal of both isn’t the technology itself so much as the fact that they remove the single most draining decision of the day, and do it before you’ve even thought about it.

Household Task Management

Running a household involves a relentless cycle of small tasks that individually take minutes but collectively eat hours. AI-powered task managers like Todoist now include features that go well beyond a basic to-do list. Its Ramble feature, launched in early 2026, lets you speak naturally about what needs doing and converts your ramblings into structured, prioritised tasks with deadlines attached.

Think of it as dictating your domestic brain dump into something that actually gets acted on. Need to book a boiler service, pick up a prescription, chase the electrician and remember your niece’s birthday? Say it out loud, and it sorts itself.

DIY & Home Maintenance

This is where AI has come on significantly in the past year or two. Rather than trawling YouTube for a fifteen-minute video that spends twelve minutes on preamble, apps like AI Repair let you photograph the problem — a leaking tap, a cracked tile, a boiler error code – and receive a step-by-step repair guide tailored to the specific issue, complete with tool recommendations and estimated difficulty level.

General-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini are also surprisingly capable here: describe the fault (or upload a photo), and you’ll typically get a clear, jargon-free walkthrough that would have taken twenty minutes of forum trawling to piece together a couple of years ago. For anything structural, electrical or gas-related you’ll still want a qualified professional, but for the kind of jobs that sit on your to-do list for months because you’re not sure where to start, these tools can be the nudge you need.

Managing Your Kids’ Screen Time & Schoolwork

If you’ve got children old enough to be using AI themselves, it’s worth understanding the landscape from the other side.

A Pew Research Center survey from late 2025 found that roughly two thirds of US teens now use AI chatbots, with around three in ten doing so daily, and a significant chunk of that usage is for homework. Running the odd essay through an AI detector can give you a rough sense of how much of the thinking was done by your child versus a chatbot, though it’s worth noting that no detector is completely reliable (particularly with polished or formal writing, which tends to trip false positives).

The better long-term strategy is probably having the conversation about when AI is a useful research tool and when it’s doing the learning for you, but a spot check now and then doesn’t hurt.

Smarter Energy Management

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (now in its 4th generation) is one of the clearest examples of AI doing something genuinely useful at home. Powered by Google’s Gemini models, it uses machine learning to build a personalised heating schedule based on your behaviour, adjusting for weather conditions, occupancy patterns and even how quickly your specific home heats up or cools down.

It monitors your HVAC system for early signs of faults and suggests micro-adjustments to save energy without sacrificing comfort. The result isn’t dramatic in any single week, but the cumulative savings over a year are meaningful, and the reduced faff of manually programming schedules is a bonus in itself.

Worth noting for UK readers: Google announced in 2025 that it would stop launching new Nest thermostats in Europe, so it’s worth checking current availability if you’re considering one.

Sorting, Selling & Decluttering

One area that doesn’t get much attention is how useful AI can be when you’re trying to clear out. The most intuitive chatbots like Claude can identify items from photos and suggest realistic resale values, the best platform to sell on and even draft your listing description. If you’ve ever spent an afternoon photographing old furniture, staring at eBay and wondering what to write, it’s a genuine time saver. Some users are also using AI image search tools to identify unmarked vintage items, antiques or collectibles that might otherwise end up in a charity shop bag.

Plant & Garden Care

If you’ve ever killed a houseplant through sheer ignorance rather than neglect, AI can help with that too. Planta uses AI to build personalised watering and care schedules for every plant in your home based on species, pot size, light conditions and even the time of year. Point your phone camera at a struggling plant and it’ll diagnose the issue, whether that’s overwatering, insufficient light or a pest problem, and tell you exactly what to do about it. It’s not going to replace a good gardener, but it’s a lot more reliable than guessing.

The Bottom Line

None of this requires any particular technical know-how or expensive kit. The best domestic uses of AI tend to be the least glamorous ones: the meal you didn’t have to think about, the dripping tap you fixed without a callout fee, the evening you got back because your shopping list wrote itself. If AI is going to earn its place in everyday life, it’ll be here, not in the boardroom.

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