highlightCategory: Eat

Get your fill of the world’s best cuisine

Eat aboard Solaré

Sydney has never exactly been shy about showing off, but now it’s really flexing. Just when you thought the Harbour had enough icons, along comes Solaré, a 150-foot superyacht that moonlights as a restaurant, cocktail bar, and beach club.

Step aboard and you’re instantly transported, if not to Capri, then at least to a sunnier, looser version of Sydney where spritzes arrive before you can ask, and the harbour views practically hurt your eyes.

Chef Pablo Tordesillas (of Totti’s Bondi fame) has crafted a coastal Italian menu that reads like a love letter to seafood and indulgence. Expect bug-stuffed pasta, raw tuna dressed up in bergamot oil, and caviar on potato crisps that would make your fish and chip shop go out of business (and fast).

But food is only half the fantasy. Solaré sprawls across three levels, each with its own personality. Down below, the Dining Room seduces you into multi-course marathons. One deck up, cocktails and share plates keep the Terrace buzzing. And up top? The Sun Deck, a Mediterranean-inspired playground where daybeds and DJs compete for your attention. There’s even a martini trolley that sidles up like a butler in a Bond film.

With interiors straight out of a retro Riviera dream and bold Aussie art splashed about, Solaré is Sydney’s new playground. All you need is a booking, a big appetite, and maybe a pair of oversized sunglasses and you’ve completed the fantasy.

Ēthos opens at Alsahwa Estate

Forget clinking cutlery and overzealous waiters with tasting menus that you need help figuring out. At ēthos, the newly opened restaurant on the Alsahwa Estate in the Sunshine Coast hinterlands, the vibe is less ‘performance’ and more ‘permission to exhale’.

Nestled among wild botanicals and dam-fed paddocks, ēthos doesn’t scream luxury; it hums soul. Designed by Alex Zabotto-Bentley (AZB Creative), the space is a tactile love letter to nature. Think rough-hewn timbers, antique bread tools, and bathrooms that may or may not deserve their own design podcast (spoiler alert: they do).

And while the interiors are worth swooning over (hello, Ghanaian woven pendants), the real seduction happens on the plate. Hatted chef Sophie Phipps (formerly of Spice Bar) has created a Mediterranean-leaning menu rooted in Alsahwa’s spray-free gardens and local producers. No foam. No fiddly bits. Just flavour, clarity and a menu that feels like a warm hug, just with olive oil on top.

It’s the first public offering from Alsahwa Estate, a 30-acre regenerative agritourism haven founded by Jo Walker. More goodness is coming, including long lunches, garden picnics, and wellness happenings designed to nourish your body, your mind and your Instagram feed.

Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am till late, ēthos is less about dining out and more about tuning in. If you come for the food, you’ll end up staying for the feeling. And you might even take a bathroom selfie or two, but we won’t judge.

Trisara has dropped five new culinary bombshells

Just when we thought Trisara couldn’t get any fancier (Michelin stars, ocean views, sustainable everything), they’ve gone full culinary Taylor Swift and dropped five new restaurants. Because apparently, one can never have too much caviar… or goat satay.

The first one is La Crique, and if you’re imagining the French Riviera dressed up for a Thai beach holiday, then it’s exactly that. It’s all oysters, herb-crusted lamb, and millefeuille so delicate it needs its own ‘do not touch’ sign. Chef Notty (real name, serious talent) helms this seafood seduction station with the elegance of a man who’s seen PRU’s Michelin star and thought, “Sure, I can top that.”

Next is the Thai Library, which is pretty much the soul food sanctuary you didn’t know you needed. It’s home-style Southern Thai with a sexy twist. Think grandma’s recipes, but your grandma now has a tasting menu and uses sustainable goat. Highlights include tom som soup aged 100 years and crab so fresh it may still be able to pinch you.

Onto the next, NOÉ on the Beach is members-only meets “pass the rosé.” Exclusive to hotel guests, it’s where you go to sip ocean-inspired cocktails in your designer swimwear and pretend you don’t know how emails work.

7.8° North Bar is all shaken, stirred, and sultry. Italian charm, classic cocktails, and latitude references to impress your date.

And then there’s Cielo & Spice, a Silk Road fever dream serving tandoori chicken, river prawn pasta, and brunch with jazz hands. Literally. Live jazz. On a deck. Overlooking the Andaman.

Our pro tip? Pack your stretchy pants. Phuket’s new foodie paradise isn’t just a vibe, it’s five.

Dine with Le Petit Chef

Fancy dining with a chef so tiny, he could sauté a single pea in a thimble? This is Le Petit Chef at The London Cabaret Club, where your dinner companion stands a whopping 6 centimetres tall (proof that size doesn’t matter, especially in the kitchen).

Born in Marseille in 2015, this minuscule maestro has been wowing taste buds worldwide with his exceptional French cuisine. But don’t let his stature fool you; Le Petit Chef brings big flavours and an even bigger personality to your plate.

Using 3D projection mapping, this bite-sized buddy is projected onto your table, embarking on culinary escapades that would make even Gordon Ramsay blush. Watch in amusement as he battles lobsters and plays whack-a-mole with pesky intruders. It’s dinner theatre meets tech wizardry, with a dash of “Honey, I Shrunk the Chef.”

As you chuckle at his antics, your real-life courses arrive, mirroring the tiny chef’s virtual creations. Opt for Le Petit Chef & Friends Premium menu, and you’ll indulge in a four-course feast featuring delights like a basil and tomato salad, lobster ravioli, succulent beef tenderloin, and a matcha cheesecake that’ll have your tastebuds begging for more. And if you’re a vego, no problem. There’s a menu for you too, because even tiny chefs know the importance of inclusivity.

Put aside everything you thought you knew about a typical restaurant experience because this is definitely not that. It’s an immersive culinary adventure that combines art, technology, and a sprinkle of mischief.

So, if you’re ready to be entertained by the world’s smallest chef with the world’s biggest ego, book your table at the London Cabaret Club. Just be prepared to share the spotlight – and maybe your dessert – with a chef who proves that great things come in the finest of packages.

Enjoy a meal at Cavern Restaurant

If you’re ready to eat like you’ve never eaten before, then Singapore’s newest dining hotspot is literally taking things underground. Nestled within the lush greenery of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, this new cavern restaurant is not your average dining experience.

You’ll be seated in a cave-like space inspired by the Mulu Caves of Sarawak, surrounded by natural rock formations, with the soothing sounds of wildlife in the background. So, it’s basically like a date with Mother Nature, but with a ‘Stone Age burger’ or two.

But it’s the entire vibe of the place that makes it truly unique; a hidden gem (pun very much intended) in the heart of nature. You’re eating within the confines of a gigantic cavern, surrounded by epic rock walls that’ll make you feel like you’re dining in a secret lair.

Now, the food – oh boy. The menu is an impressive mix of local delicacies with an international twist, featuring everything from grilled meat skewers to decadent desserts. Each dish is designed to wow your taste buds and keep you coming back for more. Think sustainable, locally sourced ingredients plated with finesse (and a side of cave charm).

It’s not every day you get to dine in a space resembling cavern while sipping on a craft cocktail and wondering what the wild animals right outside the walls are doing. If you’re looking for something that’s equal parts “wow” and “yum,” this is your Singaporean spot.

 

Try the food from your fav Netflix shows

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino has done all of us a solid by opening the very first NETFLIX BITES restaurant in Las Vegas (it’s exactly what you think it is). Yes, the streaming giant is serving up a binge-worthy dining experience, where your favourite shows leap off the screen and onto your plate.

From the moment you enter, you’ll be greeted by masked guards straight out of Squid Game, setting the stage for a meal that’s as thrilling as a good season finale (no, Game of Thrones, not yours).

And the menu is nothing short of a plot twist.

Start with the ‘To All the Tomato Soups I Loved Before,’ a classic tomato soup with a heartbroken crouton for dipping, just like the kind of emotional depth you’d expect from a rom-com. Or if you’re feeling competitive, try the ‘Red Bite, Green Bite,’ where you spin a wheel to decide your fate and dive into fried chicken with dipping sauces inspired by Squid Game’s iconic suspense.

For something more sophisticated, the ‘Bridgerton Regency Tea’ is our pick and offers a three-tiered tea service with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries that represent different families from the show, making you feel like royalty while you nibble. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a side of Simon Basset.

And for dessert, ‘The Dessert Is Lava,’ features a chocolate mountain that erupts with molten lava, bringing all the drama of The Floor Is Lava to your tastebuds. Wash it down with a ‘Dalgona Rum Buzz,’ a creamy rum and coffee cocktail with a dalgona candy garnish straight out of Squid Game (okay we’ll stop mentioning it). And if you’re looking for a cocktail with a little mystery, the ‘Love Is Blind,’ drink comes in a customisable gold chalice you can even take home as a souvenir.

So, whether you’re a Stranger Things aficionado or a Money Heist mastermind, NETFLIX BITES is your ticket to a dining experience as entertaining as it is delicious.

Indulge at Alchemist

Eighth place has never tasted so good.

Living up to every inch of its fantastical name, Copenhagen restaurant Alchemist promises an unforgettable culinary experience – probably unlike any other restaurant you’ve been to.

Born from the imaginative and boundary-pushing mind of head chef Rasmus Munk, and considering the restaurant’s three stories and mid-meal interactive performances, it’s little wonder it placed so highly on the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list.

Eating here is actually a minor part of the experience.

Art. Theatre. Science. Technology. No, we’re not listing all your most hated high school subjects. Alchemist draws on these elements to redefine dining and transcend physical surroundings.

You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s more art exhibition than restaurant. With fascinating projections lighting up the dining room’s domed ceiling (think floating jellyfish and the northern lights) and a seemingly endless parade of tasty treats to try (50 to be exact), a night here will put your IKEA dining table and homemade spag bol to shame.

A reservation isn’t for the faint of heart though.

Not only do you have to ‘buy tickets’ three months in advance, but each sitting lasts between 4-6 hours, so it’s not quite the scene for that awkward first date you have coming up or the important business dinner you’ve been putting off. It’ll also set you back a minimum of AU$1,173. And that’s without the wine pairing option.

Our advice? Bring an open mind, a stacked wallet and a healthy appetite.

English pub in Muscat

An English pub that features some of the biggest sporting events on their screens – but make it in Oman.

Muscat, the capital of Oman, is quite the hot spot – and we don’t mean just in temperature. Social media has certainly helped more people around the world see the beautiful attractions like Mutrah Souk and Mutrah Fort plus Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque to name a few and put the city on their bucket list. Outdoor adventurers also love exploring the wadis that are an easy drive from the city.

But what if you’re enjoying your holiday in town at the same time a huge sports match is on? Never fear, Duke’s is here. Located within Crowne Plaza (IHG Hotel), it is one six dining areas and by far the one with the best view (for screens and sunsets). Renovated in 2022, Duke’s has become a well-known favourite for locals and tourists alike and has been the place to be during global sporting events, particularly with the FIFA World Cup.

Being an English-style pub, you can count on classics like bangers & mash, steak & Guinness pie as well as fish & chips being on the menu, the latter being very popular. You’ll find Middle Eastern flavours throughout the menu too, with dishes like the Omani Spiced Kingfish Fillet. We also recommend the baked camembert to share – or not share – depends on the mood you’re in.

If you’re at Duke’s in the coolers months between October – February, look up when sunset is and lock in a reservation on the terrace for that time to take in one of the best sunsets in town.

Level 8 Los Angeles

We separate travel experiences by category on this website: do, stay, drink and eat. Level 8 probably ticks all four of these boxes, and then some.

It’s the new behemoth that has transformed downtown Los Angeles.

 

It’s sprawled across 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space on level 8 of the brand new Moxy Hotel and AC Downtown Hotel, right across the road from where the Lakers play.

It’s a labyrinth that includes a Japanese restaurant, a South American restaurant, burlesque, an opulent poolside party area that looks like a modern Great Gatsby scene, and a luxurious Mexican church-themed bar that includes a confessional booth, which you’ll surely need to visit more than once. There’s even a 24 hour supermarket downstairs.

The cool thing about Level 8 is that it’s everything you need in one – a night out from dinner to a raucous party, to a filthy club boogie and right through to kick ons – without ever leaving the building.

Rokumon

A Venn diagram, with Japanese food as a circle on one side and trains on the other, and you’re in the crossover in the middle.

We’ve tried to simplify this complex, intricate relationship in the diagram below:

The Rokumon is the crossover; a classic style of Japanese train that travels from the quaint city of Karuizawa to Nagano City, a total of two hours, and serves genuinely mouth-watering fare – easily the best food get lost has ever had on a train.

The train is stunning, and there’s a big local vibe coursing through the carriages. For instance, it utilizes timber sourced locally and classic Japanese furnishings which give a luxurious, exclusive feeling, whichever of the three classes you’re in.

It serves local beers, and gets it’s wines from the Nagano area too; it doesn’t get much better than drinking a wine in your own private little booth as you amble past the vineyards where the grapes in that wine were grown.

But then they bring out the food, and it does get better! In an 11 (11!) course meal, get lost were served things like tateshina pork and Shinshu mushrooms, paprika mousse and Shinshu salmon, roast beef, plus a fruit compote which we genuinely think we could get addicted to.

If you’re travelling from Kariuzawa to Nagano, the Tasty Train is the only way to do it.