Casey MQ

Toronto

Fresh pressed juices and cold cut bánh mì sandwiches from this local restaurant. A gem in Toronto and the owners are incredibly kind. Plus their instagram is amazing.

A great beach spot to suddenly feel a little removed from Toronto while maintaining a view from the city. There is a clothing optional area as well.

I do not drink coffee but if I did, from what I’ve heard, I would purchase from The Common. I regularly get a tea and croissant from there though. Currently takeout but in the past I have spent a lot of time hanging out in there.

This family run restaurant in Parkdale makes excellent Momos. Lovely place!

TECHNICALLY you could ride your bike from Leslie Spit through to Don Valley Trail but it would be a mission. It’s a beautiful bike ride though and Leslie Spit takes you to an outer point of Toronto where you end up looking right back at the city by the end of the epic trail.

The Lightbox is not open at the moment but I’ve always loved the programming and have gone on solo dates there many times!

This is a lovely fashion store in Toronto. Tightly curated selection of clothing and publications. The store really has it’s own demeanor.

A great place to find preloved books. There are three locations at this point in Toronto but most of my purchases have been at the Bloor location. I basically stand around the recommended reads for a little too long.

Which brings me to the Toronto Reference Library lol. Last year I spent a lot of time at this library on the fourth or fifth floor. The inside is gorgeous. I actually spent a lot of time working on ‘babycasey’ at this library.

I have only been here a few times at night but if you hope the fence which is not a particularly easy task - you can maybe get a few laps of swimming in!

Casey MQ takes us around Toronto

Desta French

London

Whenever I’m in the mood for Ecuadorian food, this is the spot. You have to try the ceviche there.

Latin village is like stepping into an actual indoor market in Colombia. I love it. It's filled with small local Latin businesses currently In litigations with the council who are trying to close it down so they build flats there. What’s new. 

Where I go to get my eyebrows slit when I’m in the mood. It's run by a pillar in the Latin community here, Ian (CHAMP) Hoyos.

Where I go for hair/nails. Really good empanadas and gossip. Run by my friend, STEPHANIE SANTIAGO, who is also a very talented Colombian, London-based Soul Artist.

Nice cocktails, food and a place to pick up a @LATINOLIFE magazine with all the latest news on Latin culture in the city.

Every Latino In London knows La Caleñita. It's a famous bakery where you can find all kinds of cheesy breads and yumminess.

There are a bunch of places to eat here and really feel the culture living alongside other ethnic communities which is so nice to see. You have to have a cholada from Brixton Village. It's tropical fruity icey buffness, you have to try it to understand.

La Vida Loca is another mini Latin Mall consisting of hairdressers, barber shop, nail parlour and masseuse on one floor and a Colombian bakery/restaurant along with other multi services for the community.

London's Latino Spots with Desta French

Michelle Li

New York City 

The best tofu in town. Growing up I used to eat sweet rice cakes every morning for breakfast, this place takes me back with their bai tang gao. It comes in different flavors but I like to stick to the classic white sugar one!

Bring a spicy friend. You choose your ingredients and they throw it in a Chinese dry pot together for you with the perfect blend of spices. The atmosphere inside is so cozy and nostalgic, as if you were in a Wong Kar Wai movie.

Lil store big bites. I love their chicken biscuit sandwich with gravy and cole slaw, if I'm feeling extra treat-y I'll grab a bag of beignets and eat them at the park on Forsyth Street.

A nice place to end a day in the Lower East Side. This cute coffee shop is the kind of place you go into for a snack but then see the table beside you eating something yummy so you end up having a whole meal."

So many good classic Szechuan plates here. Another spicy spot to bring a friend, Chinese food is for sharing so the bigger the group the better because you can try more dishes.

I used to work retail down the street in college and this was my go-to lunch spot. Their moussaka lunch special is SO special and the baklava is self-serve from tiny drawers that hold sheets of them. It's a light airy cafe that if you can snag a seat, do it and sit for a bit.

They're famous for their beef noodles but on days that I miss home I like to go in and just get a cucumber salad and lu ro fan, my comfort food.

Malaysian breakfast! I love to go and get a bunch of snacks, sweets, and cute fancy toasts.

This well-curated shop has pieces that are quirky and unique, they inspire you to want to break out of your style comfort zone and try to wear some more color or a new silhouette. It's a very persuasive store.

An LES (Lower East Side) institution at this point. A lot of NYC girls are always shopping here for their oversized wool coats, blanket scarves, and plaid blazers. There are a lot of knick knacks and familiar brands, but you'll always find some new designer from Europe in here.

My go-to for when I'm in a bind and need to pick up a cute gift for a friend. Also a great place to go if you're looking for special home goods.

The purveyors of finding great younger brands and designers. I always pop in this store when I'm looking for some inspiration for upcoming shoots, it's a great way to see what is up-and-coming in the fashion world.

NYC's Best Spots to Eat and Shop by Michelle Li

Ashlee Constance

Barbados

The BEST bakery on the island. I always get a jampuff, a horseshoe and apple crumble. Don't forget to try their salt bread, it's a must have in Barbados, they're the base of cutters. Cutters can have in fish, fishcakes, ham, cheese... find one before you leave.

Only the rain can keep me from heading to Browne's beach on the weekend. While you're there get a snowcone.

A sweet rum shop with a sweet view. My go-to place for a Sunday evening beer and some karaoke. It's right by the beach so normally I'll go in the water for a nice sea bath, order some food, watch the sunset and head home.

It's really all about the sauce but the rotisserie chicken and chips are pretty good. Perfect place to find a big food and catch a local vibe.

There's local fruits and vegetables, art and a thrift store upstairs. When I'm in Bridgetown, I always try to pass through to buy some stuff and support local vendors. Try to find the lady outside roasting corn, it's really good.

Oistins is where you should be on Friday nights and you must go to Lexie's while you're there. Ideal spot to catch some new and old Bajan vibes, drink some rum and lime. It's also my official line dancing spot.

Calming beach spot, one of my favourite places to go when I need to breathe. During low tide, the natural pools are sooo refreshing. Ask around for the rum shop on the hill, for some sick views.

Off the Beaten Track in Barbados with Ashlee Constance

Amsterdam

This is the spot for anyone who is serious about tea. The owner Amanda is a real authority in the tea world. She has been appointed by the Chinese government as the European ambassador of Pu-erh tea. Formocha also does traditional tea ceremony and the upstairs seating area is a real oasis within the Jordaan area. They specialise in tea from China, Taiwan and Japan.

Is a 'by reservation only', vegan ramen restaurant - don't be put off by the 100% plant based ramen. It is incredible.

The real ones in Amsterdam know this is THE late night dining spot. Tell me where else you'll be able to get a Hong Kong style Typhoon Shelter Fried Lobster and some Tsingtaos in the AM's.

An amazing Korean florist, they also host workshops on floral arrangement techniques.

Hands down the best Chinese supermarket in Amsterdam.

Assort is a Japanese hair salon with locations all over the world. The staff are the best and are extremely creative.

Great Filipino bakery, their ube cake is banging!

A hidden gem, some of the best sushi in Amsterdam. They also make their own ice cream.

Honestly one of my favourite spots in Amsterdam, really tasty Malaysian food. Everything on the menu is great but their Sambal Lady Finger's (Okra), Laksa and Hainanese Chicken Rice are must haves.

Asian Owned Businesses in Amsterdam 

Simran Randhawa

The queues are always crazy for dinner, so try get there before 6:30PM (LATEST). It's sooo worth the queue, some of the most authentic Malaysian food in London. You gotta get the roti (duh) and mamak mee noodles to share.

It's a major major trek, but honestly forget Dishoom; this is the BEST spot for Indian food in London. PERIOD.

Best place to grab lunch, healthy and light and SO peng.

Best place to stop for coffee and cake, the owners are SO lovely and they always have different cake flavours on rotation to keep it fresh. Also if you go during warmer months make sure you try their soft serve!!! It's SO good!

Again, it's probably a little out the way (though I think they have one near Trafalgar Sq) but pop in here if you want amazing, cheap, filling Indian food. 90% of my food pictures on my gram are from here, and 2 people could easily eat for less than £20. Bargain.

London with Simran Randhawa

Riaz Philips

OG Bakery. Hardo bread, patties, spiced bun, bulla cake and more FRESH out the oven.

Well refined and modern take. Head down on Wednesday nights for a Afro-sonic soundscape of live music and sing-a-longs.

West London’s finest with a wall mural of signed celeb customers that deserves to be Grade II listed.

Be prepared to queue out the door at lunchtimes and weekends (for a reason). A daily changing menu of every Jamaican fave.

South London’s roti answer bringing Trinidad to our town with wraps, doubles and indo-trini sweets to send you into a food coma.

North London’s premier roti takeout spot. Meat-eaters and vegans both easily pleased.

Keep it simple. Jerk pork, lamb or chicken or a mix of all. Best jerk in town easily.

Be ready to wait and don't even think about asking the ladies where your food is. Go large mix. Infamous peppered steak and fry fish with sides.

One of the most incredible grocery shops in town, with hand-built rasta coloured shelving. Takeout round the back using their fresh ingredients.

Riaz Philips' Top Caribbean Spots

Gilles Peterson

Out of curiosity for me, I’ll always go to Cafe Oto. The music played there is really Avant Garde and improv, but I personally find that really interesting these days.

If you're okay with the West End's sort of touristy, theatre-going audience, Ronnie Scott’s is pretty good. They get decent people in and you can sit down and watch world class music. And to be fair, at a place like Ronnie Scott’s, the stories are incredible. I’m so glad it is still around and they care about it. I know it's probably not the most fashionable or edgy answer and not everyone can afford to go - but it’s a bit of a date spot, somewhere for special occasions.

I think Atlantis is really good because they’re not online. I love John who works there and I've been spending a lot of time at the shop recently. You will genuinely find a gem there because someone hasn’t googled it and found online. You can actually find some really great stuff, so I'd say my favourite record shop as of late has definitely been Atlantis.

Brawn was the first restaurant in London that I felt had a community feel. In places abroad like Germany, Austria, France, or Japan, I've always found that there was a real close association between the winemakers and DJs - a real kind of community.
In London, I felt like there isn’t always that kind of community... Until I met Ed Wilson, Chef and owner of Brawn. We get on like a house on fire. He's amazing. His restaurants are amazing and the food is too. He's humble and is an incredibly rare Chef that's so knowledgeable about wine.

I really rate the guys at Noble Rot. It’s run by really brilliant people who have an incredible magazine which has become a monthly mag, almost like a cult thing. It’s about wine and they’ve sort of changed the whole landscape of wine understanding. Both their restaurants are really good and quite old-fashioned and so I big them up.

I like what the crew behind Primeur have done. I even had my birthday party here.

I've got to give Fink's a bit of credit. I'm a shorts guy so will come here for an espresso or piccolo.

West Reservoir is a good little walk. It’s an amazing spot. Feels like suddenly you're in the country - you’ve got the reservoirs, the swimmers, the church in the background. Coming back from Arsenal, if you’re going to a game and then go all the way back there at night time, it’s amazing.

Gilles Peterson's Favourite Spots in London

Tiny's Pizza

Berlin

It’s a very lovely spot, right on Paul-Lincke-Ufer. The bakery is really good, I think it’s been rated one of the best in Berlin so the croissants and baked goods there are really delicious.

This is kind of a general spot in the summer, people just try and catch as much sun as they can, with a beer or with wine and you kind of just find whatever space you have, maybe you run into some friends, maybe you meet someone new. That’s kind of the energy, it’s very casual.

It’s really nice to go on bike rides, also through the forest that is attached to it. And this island (Insel der Jugend) specifically is really lovely because there’s an outdoor cinema there, you can rent boats, there’s a little späti to pick up snacks or something to drink. And then there’s this one little spot, kind of like a boardwalk, where you just find people picnicking and sprawling out and the sun sets right along that view.

This is where you can rent out some paddle boats. It’s quite fun being on these little paddle boats. Actually driving the boat yourself is a different experience and with a close circle of friends it’s very funny but hectic as well.

It’s a really cute restaurant, kind of tucked away in the centre of the city. We have a big garden, a really big outdoor space for seating and for people to enjoy themselves. In the summer there’s a big emphasis on music and having DJs perform here.

Tiny's Pizza’s Guide To Summer in Berlin

Sarah Ben Hafsia 

Tunis 

Stop by to do some shopping at this flea market

Known for its fruit pie served with green tea.


This is a second hand store for design artefacts and vintage pieces, located at the owner's terrace in Radès.

Grab a seafood plate at this restaurant in my favourite area, La Goulette, which is known for its architectural gems and avenue full of restaurants. Watch 'A Summer in La Goulette' by Férid Boughedir to understand the full experience of the area. 

A old hotel that comes on top of a hill and has a very beautiful sunset on the northern suburb of tunis. Also known to only serve beer with olives and peanuts.


It is known for being touristy but it's definitely a must-see for its view, the art galleries, the architecture and the "bambalouni", a sweet famous tunisian donut. 


Tunis with Sarah Ben Hafsia

Phony Ppl

They serve Trinidadian food and whatever you get you cannot go wrong. With your rotis you can get tamarind sauce, chicken, pumpkin and pepper sauce if you like spice. If the line is long do not be discouraged, it's worth the wait. Get doubles and aloo pie too.

If you're feeling doughnuts, these are great.

In the Bushwick area our homeboy owns this store for clothing. He recently did a Paris Fashion Week too.

Everybody knows about Central Park, but this even better. You can play soccer here and at the back of the park there's a drummers circle with hoola hoopers that you can get involved with.

These guys close at around 2 in the afternoon because they distribute their product all around town. They make different fresh fruit combinations like mango and cranberry muffins and then the next day it'll be like pineapple. They sell out all the time.

If there are any musicians who wanna know where to go - come here. They have the kind of selection on sale that is specifically for working musicians and people wanting to buy stuff.

A lot of our guys get a lot of work done in here. If you're trying to get inked up they're super trustworthy, super nice people and very talented.

Phony Ppl's Travel Guide to Brooklyn

Carl Jan Cruz

Manila

It's a great 'one stop shop' experience that's composed by amazing galleries, stores, and restaurants: Toyo, Panaderya, Sidechick, Aphro, ArtinFormal, and Bellas Artes Projects to name a few

World's oldest China town. Amazing food and supply finds

For those chill times you only want 'one drink' 

Filipino multi brand Tropa Store and Hoodwink are here along with other contemporary int'l brands and outlets like Archives

Amazing block parties and an emerging community of creatives. Celine Mallari and Jao San Pedro's works are to be seen here too

No exaggeration - the best caramel cake in town

Carl Jan Cruz' Best Spots in Manila

Sister's of Sound

Los Angeles 

Peruvian ceviche and amazing roast chicken.

The best bakery in LA! The Canales and Almond Croissants are a must.

Mom and Pop breakfast spot on York. No frills, just really good hearty breakfast. 

Thousand Layer Pancake egg, cheese, basic and chilli. 

You need to try the Chicken Rice Porridge!

Yonette Alleyne of Caribbean Gourmet’s hot sauce!

Cycle there along the LA river and order the best breakfast in East LA.

Food Joints in LA with Sisters of Sound

Melanin Unscripted

Tokyo

Uzochi: I went on my bday and it was such a great experience. Definitely something you have to experience in person to understand how amazing it is.

Ameya: Probably my favourite ramen spot. Get the tom yum ramen or green curry ramen.

Uzochi: Great American style sandwich shop that also has great milkshakes. They have a sit down restaurant and also a take away which I frequent at least once a week. Their Arms Patty Melt is my favorite thing on the menu.

Ameya: Also another good brown spot if you want to get mittai, and other authentic Indian sweets. It’s a bit overpriced but considering no one else does it like them - it’s worth it.

Ameya: Kind of a childhood sushi spot that I grew up going to. The seared salmon here is really good and is a safe bet especially when my friends abroad come to visit and are apprehensive of raw fish.

Uzochi: This place has all the games you could imagine- roller skating, badminton, basketball and lots more. They also have very reasonably priced food and drinks, making it a place you can easily spend your whole day at. Located in Odaiba, which also features many shopping malls and is also the location of TeamLab PLANET.

Ameya: I think this is my favorite Tempura spot. They even have tempura egg!! Everything is made fresh in front of you and it’s not too oily.

Uzochi: A very good brunch spot with great sourdough pancakes. The atmosphere and vibe is very relaxed and is a perfect way to spend your Sunday morning.

Ameya: If you like South Indian food I recommend going here. The cheese dosas or masala dosas are really good.

A Guide to Tokyo with 'Women of Colour Japan'

Tom Brown

Of course, come check us at Cornerstone. We pride ourselves in championing the best of British fish and seafood, always working with local suppliers. Make sure to always start with some oysters with seaweed hot sauce and try one of our hake kievs filled with whatever’s at its best that season. And don’t forget to say hello!

Best restaurant in London. Maybe the world. Everything is perfect about it. The food is incredible. The vibe. The music. The setting. Lee (chef owner) is the best guy in the world. Honestly can’t talk this place up enough. Lamb offal flatbread will change your life. There are so many iconic dishes actually, but this lamb offal is the one...

A huge inspiration for cornerstone prior to us opening, and has definitely inspired many many more than us. Stripped back shoreditch beautifulness through everything. The food is an absolute masterclass in keeping it simple and letting the produce do the magic. Every cook in the uk could take a leaf out of James Lowes’ book.

Right... this is a bit different because John doesn’t ACTUALLY have a restaurant at the minute... but he will, and he does many pop ups that are incredible. Literally everything he cooks blows your mind. One of the most talented chefs I’ve ever met.

I can’t say anything about this place that hasn’t been said before. It’s an institution. One of the most important place to gastronomy, not just in Britain.. but the world, of the last 30 years. People will be chatting about Fergus, and what he did for food, for the next 100 years.

It’s not a coincidence that the chefs that run all these restaurants are also beautiful, amazing, warm people as well.. Nieves is no different. The love and passion she pours into every dish and detail of this restaurant shows so much. The pinnacle of Spanish food in London (if not anywhere outside of Spain).

Big shout out to our east east east London neighbours in Stratford. Allegra is without a doubt the boujeeiest (that’s a word) spot in Stratford... maybe even in East London. Patrick Powell’s cookery is unbelievable on every level. Doing serious bits in our little neighbourhood. East come on.

The ultimate London pub. No poncey “gastropub” bullshit. Just everything done the way it should be and perfection for it. The terrace overlooking Hackney road in the sun is one of the best spots in London... also an unrivalled Sunday lunch. Epic.

Tom Brown's Top Restaurants to Dine in London

Kranium

Jamaica

They have the BEST Ice Cream in the Caribbean.

You feel his spirit and appreciate him for what he’s done for reggae and Jamaica.

A must-visit; you have to jump in the water.

One of the best getaway resorts on the island.

Jamaica with Kranium

Gina Hargitay

A reaaaally good ital place. They do the most delicious breakfasts and ackee sandwiches... 

Is a bit overrated, but they do really have a beautiful sunset view.


Jamaica Inn is also a beautiful (but quite expensive) hotel with beach access. 

Inside the Island Village is a must. It's a Jamaican brand of Ice cream that originated from Devon House in Kingston and it's my favourite. 

Also come here for the freshest seafood. Both locations are right next to the water with fresh caught fish served then and there.

It is this cool place with lots of rivers and waterfalls and you can cliff jump and stuff. 


I've actually never been but i've heard good things, I would say it's worth a visit. 

Sugar pot beach is the place on that end of the island where my friends and family usually go, it's quite beautiful. 

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