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

Spaghetto

Milan

Best movie theater in Milano. They screen really cool and diverse movies at literally every time of the day. Movies are not dubbed! You don’t have to hear your fav actors speaking with a weird Italian voice! Yes!! Another awesome thing about this place is that the lovely lesbian couple who run it got it from the local church. I have no idea how they manage to screen stuff like a death metal documentary there but I swear they do!

Illustration and comic book art museum. They have great exhibitions and workshops. The place where the museum is located is very nice. There is a cool funny statue, a little park with a tiny skatepark and a bar called Boom where you can enjoy happy hour sitting outside or on the rooftop.

The place is def not fancy and they only make pizza, but it's super delicious and it gives you an idea of what the Isola district used to be before hipsters and gentrification arrived.

It's a public swimming pool, but also a theater and venue that hosts various events. It's really a unique place, where beautiful 1930s Italian architecture meets contemporary art and happenings.

Triennale is home to the Italian design Museum and hosts some of the best exhibitions in Milano. They also have concerts and sometimes music events that start super late at night and in the morning. Outside in the garden there's a bar, amazing sculptures and a fountain by Giorgio De Chirico.

Probably the best gelato in Milano. Fucking amazing! Try salty pistachio!

It is the first fetish boutique in Italy opening back in 1998. Arianna and Martina are super nice and they have the best lingerie, toys and latex in Milan. What I love is that they also carry pin-up dresses and 50s inspired clothing.

Super fun and friendly place in the heart of Lambrate. They brew their own unpasteurised/unfiltered beer and have won many awards for it. They sell their craft beer to a lot of pubs in Milan, Italy, and abroad, but this is the original spot where it all started in the mid 90s.

I like Rob de Matt because food is good but it’s also a very cool concept/project. The association who runs it provides work and help to marginalised people. They have a big garden/outside area that is fantastic in the summer where you can have brunch outside in the weekends and they hosts lots of happenings.

If you love to be surrounded by books like I do, this is the place for you! It’s a wine bar/bistrot/second hand bookshop all together. You can go for lunch, aperitif, dinner or just drinks. They host poetry readings, stand up comedy nights, little concerts and you can take your drinks outside in the nice little square.

Spaghetto's Guide to Milan

Guillaume Schmidt

Amsterdam

A really beautiful shop owned by a beautiful brown lady. They have a really rare and diverse selection of dolls in all shapes, forms and colours. Unique and super nice. Colourful Goodies is situated in the north of Amsterdam.

I wouldn’t say it’s a business per say, but at the same time you can spend money there. It's important that Black Archives is here, it gets supported and that people can see it. It's Black history in [the] Netherlands. The shape and form that it takes in this country, and all the different parallels and historic touch points about the disgusting tradition of Zwarte Piet – it goes on and on. They are very active and do a lot of stuff, and there's always something to see over there. So that's definitely a recommendation.

It's like an alternative canal ride that shows you the history of Amsterdam through a different lens and a different perspective. Mainly the slave trade, so to speak. How did this beautiful city get so rich?

Super dope little bar in the west side of Amsterdam. A lot of fun people and always good vibes. I want to give an honourable mention to Pamela, who's actually around the corner. One of the owners, Lola, is a beautiful spirit. It's multiple owners but it's such a nice place and the best queer place in the city. If you're open-minded and you're a good person, you're cool, it's definitely worth a visit.

Lola Edobor is an Amsterdam-born restaurateur with Dutch and Nigerian roots. She is the owner of Pamela, a queer and BIPOC safe space in the city centre with plenty of high-quality drinks, music and food to satisfy your needs.

This unique store offers an extensive range of diverse and inclusive books. Books that function as mirrors so that children can recognise themselves, and windows so that they get a glimpse into the world of the other.

In the west side as well. Owned by the beautiful Shirley, that's our own spot – that's our local. Get a drink there – it’s good vibes – and just chill. Get yourself familiar with the Surinamese kitchen.

Another little jam you can't miss. Get yourself a nice little goat curry, get your reggae tunes and vibe the hell out.

Can't forget my cousin's beautiful place. Black haircare to the fullest. My cousin is a special person – good energy and good vibes – so check it out if you need to get your hair done. It’s a big recommendation.

Patta's Guide to Black-Owned Businesses in Amsterdam

Uèle Lamore

Paris

My little secret here! This library always has crazy sales on beautiful artbooks. I when I mean crazy I mean a book that was 100 euros is now 10 euros. Thanks to this shop my apartment is full of fancy books that make me look really smart.

This venue is actually inside a peniche boat located in one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Paris. I discovered so many indie bands there, such as one of my favourite groups: Kikagaku Moyo. 

This place is both a venue and a bar. It has a really laid-back atmosphere and there is always some kind of exhibition going on at the same time. You can have drinks at the bar, eat something nice and then go see a show all at once. Great during daytime as well to relax!

I'm a big cocktail drinker, and one you talk of cocktail bars, one might imagine this sterile, quiet, super stuck-up spot. Well, first time I went to Blue Bird I thought I had entered a crazy town (in a good way), it has this 70's retro western feel to it. The atmosphere is really exciting and the bartenders are some of the funniest people I know. Go there past 9pm for some action!

Another bookstore located between the Marais and Republique neighbourhoods. They have a big selection of indie magazines, and rare books. Pro tip: you can negotiate the prices depending on what you are buying!

Paris is all about chilling and the Coulee Verte is made just for that. It is an abandoned system of train tracks that circle the city and have been rehabilitated as a walking spot. There are many entrances all over the town to access it, I recommend getting to the tracks by the Bastille entrance and walking all the way to Bercy.

If you ever want to buy an instrument, head to this historical street located in Pigalle where all the shops of vintage and new gear are. From synths to guitar pedals, there is a shop for everything.

A Guide to Parisian Culture with Uèle Lamore

Vicky Grout

London

Multi-storey bookshop in Soho where I always end up spending way too much money

Amsterdam based streetwear brand Patta’s own London store

Formerly Plan B, Phonox has been the spot for underground dance nights and raves.

An indoor plant shop in Hackney, feels like you’re in the palm house in Kew Gardens.

The best store for photo/art books and magazines

The spot for streetwear and cute homewares.

One of my go-to film labs, and Terry is a sweetheart.

New and vintage records, always manage to find some gems whenever I go in.

Women’s streetwear and trainer store (for tiny feet and tiny garms)

Vicky Grout's London Guide

Isaac Kimbugwe

When I first moved to Amsterdam from London back in 2014, the first people who showed me the ropes in the city were Daily Paper co-founders Hussein Suleiman, Jefferson Osei, and Abderrahmane Trabsini who grew on to become my family. In 2016 Daily Paper’s first flagship store opened and since then has served as more than just amazing clothing, but also a hub for ingenious people from all walks of life to come together, hang out and share similar passion points. What makes this place unique is that you'll always feel welcome and directly get to know the people behind the brand.

Foam is an internationally renowned Amsterdam museum that exhibits all genres of photography in a beautiful canal-side setting on the Keizersgracht. The museum presents ever changing exhibitions and all kinds of photographic genres are shown, such as historical photographs, art photographs, news photos and fashion photographs. As well as displaying a wide variety of works, it acts as a creative hub where photographers can meet and participate in forums and symposiums. I first fell in love with this place when my good friend Mirelva Berghout, who is project cordinator at Foam invited me to enjoy a special viewing of the exhibition Gordon Parks - I Am You.

What you might get to know from me is that I’m all about supporting friends and their ventures, no matter the industry. You’ll most likely catch me hanging at friends' stores, offices, exhibitions, restaurants etc. This usually takes me over to Mendo located in the Berenstraat, which is one of the 9 Streets in the heart of Amsterdam. My close friend (Gunifort Uwambaga) is the publisher and co-owner.
Mendo is a candy store for book aficionados. It has a comprehensive stocklist of streetwear and fashion coffee table books that are both super informative and look great out on display. As I’m always in and out of London and Paris, my last pick up was the collection of ‘The Streets of…’ It's a series of books that offer a contemporary take on the classic city photo-book and contain: The Streets of: New York, London, Amsterdam and Paris. 

The Fitting Room is home to one of my favourite contemporary fashion and streetwear brands, ØLÅF Hussein, who marries technical features and sharp minimal silhouettes. Located in Amsterdam’s bustling 9 Streets shopping district, this beautiful space is on the ground level of an early 17th century warehouse with existing wooden ceiling beams, herringbone flooring plants and comfortable furniture. This is all intended to give the store the feeling of a living room and embody the timeless design of the modernist movement.

To be honest, Amsterdam Chinatown is one of the areas of Amsterdam I dread to go simply due to…. tourists, yet I find always myself there for Zeedjik 60. A multi-brand store of Amsterdam's finest young and independent labels: Bonne Suits, The New Originals, SMIB and Secluded Clothing

Best pancakes in town and another cool spot I and my friends like to hang. You can find a signature Daily Paper pancake on the menu as well. 

A Tremaine classic… a wavey 1.5 with the grain, skin fade and a beard shape up. At the back of the Daily Paper store you’ll find a barbering concept titled Day Studios. It's a one of a kind full men's grooming experience. The store is redesigned to emphasise a concept where fashion and barbering come together to give you a 360 experience. 

Personally for me the South-East of Amsterdam is a refreshing view of the city that I feel many have not had the pleasure to visit and explore when they come here. Amsterdam Bijlmer is a place where different ethnicities not only understand the challenges that face them, but unite and help each other which reminds me of how I grew up in South London. With a mix of 100,000 residents from 150 ethnic backgrounds, predominantly African and Caribbean, I really feel at home whenever I’m here. Every Saturday the Ganzenhoef Bijlmer market takes place and I like to come here and get my African ingredients and flavours. There are also a number of Afro-Caribbean salons and stores catered to black hair and skin in the area where I like to pick up my oils and creams. 

8 Places to Hit Up in Amsterdam with Daily Paper's Isaac Kimbugwe

CHAII

Los Angeles 

This is always the first Persian food place I stop at when in LA, Attari Sandwich shop! It reminds me of Iran, so it’s very special to me since I don't often get to experience that. To start off, you have to try the mouth watering Eggplant dish (Kashke bademjan) then any of their delicious sandwiches - my two favorites are Sausage and Tongue. They have an amazing menu filled with yummy Persian food that you can enjoy in the cute outdoor area. Persian cream puffs (Noon Khamei) is a MUST for dessert.

The name says it all! When you go to Saffron and Rose Ice Cream shop in Westwood you must try the ice cream that the shop is named after, the Saffron ice cream. Mixed with pistachios, I don’t know anyone who could dislike this signature Iranian Ice Cream flavor, it’s a must try.. 

Feeling a little fancy? Then Darya restaurant is the place to go to have an amazing dinner. My favorite dish is Zereshk Polo Morgh (Persian Barberry rice with chicken) OR ANY of the dishes. If you’re new to Persian food then get a few different dishes and share. Some nights there is live music to enjoy while dining at Darya Restaurant.

Iran has such a rich culture and a long history in arts, music and traditions. Stores like Ketabsara (ketab = Book) are much needed to keep the Persian culture alive. I can never get enough of walking in a store that carries that much depth in the art and history.

This is definitely the spot to go for a casual hang out with your friends where you can enjoy Shisha food and board games. Open until 3am most nights and until 5am on weekends this is the perfect place to end up after going out for dinner to the movies etc. I think of this place as somewhere nice and chill and if I lived in LA I imagine i’d become a regular here. Shisha (Ghelyoun) is a big part of Persian culture. In Iran, my family always would have the Ghelyoun going after lunch or dinner over a cup of tea and snacks. It’s not about smoking, it's more the fact it brings everyone together.

I went to Cafe Glace with my cousin and my friends for the first time in 2019 when we were in LA to shoot music videos. Everyone is so lovely here and the food is amazing. I’ve had their gourmet Pizzas and sandwiches. Don’t forget to order some Chai (tea) after your meal. In Persian culture, we drink tea a lot. First thing in the morning, before and after meals tea is something that is always being made and poured into your glass. We also believe that tea is great for the stomach after meals to help with digestion.

If you’re looking for some quality hair products including amazing hair extensions and wigs then look no further, my uncle's store Santee beauty in Downtown LA. I love visiting my family when I'm in LA and my uncle has had so much success at his store in downtown where many celebrities go to get their hair  products from.

Explore Los Angeles' Persian Spots with CHAII

XL Middleton

We're starting at the home base since this is my record store. Located in the heart of Chinatown. It's a tiny spot; tiny like the record stores in Shibuya but I'd like to think it's cozy. We carry everything but with a strong slant towards funk/soul/boogie, modern funk, & Japanese city pop. Google says we're permanently closed but, shows you what they know. We've kept the storefront closed since the pandemic started but we are gearing up to reopen later this year. In the meantime, we do Instagram vinyl drops every Tuesday & Wednesday so you can get a little slice of LA record store culture from anywhere in the world twice a week.

If you're visiting LA and want to dig as soon as you possibly can after stepping off the plane, you can go here, it's just a few blocks away from LAX. Nice selection in all genres and they've been around for quite a while. I love that the shop has that old school, record store dive kind of vibe where it doesn't feel like the wax has been 'overcurated' and compared against every pricing metric on Discogs & eBay. Also you'll be close to the iconic Randy's Donuts - The local secret is that it's not just a famous place to take IG selfies, their donuts are actually great.

This is one of those spots that diggers in LA will hesitate to tell people about because they wanna keep the jewels to themselves. Digs are top notch even in the bargain bins. The guy who runs the shop is another old school dude who doesn't rely on internet prices as a reference, which makes the game fun in a way that it often isn't anymore.

One of the newer shops in the city, and you'll definitely wanna keep up with them on the regular because you never know what they'll come up on next. One day they'll be rolling out a crazy jazz collection, the next it's all heavy Italo 12"s, after that a big stack of 90's R&B & hip hop LPs. If you go there on the right day you might see the homie Randy Ellis (CQQL Records/Hobo Camp) behind the counter.

When you come to LA, you can tell who is new to the city because they refer to parts of town like Echo Park & Silver Lake as the "east side." Nah, come to Sonido Del Valle and check out Boyle Heights, part of the actual east side. It's one of my favorite neighborhoods in town, love the old Victorian houses and the fact that the gentrification hasn't hit as hard here yet. This spot is run by the homie Rene, tell him I sent you when you go! Tons of great taco spots in the area too, take your pick. But after a dig at Sonido I might hit up Otomisan, old school Japanese restaurant right down the street from the days when Boyle Heights also had a big Japanese community.

Speaking of the east side, Record Jungle is located right on Whittier Boulevard just a few miles away from the famous cruising strip. This is a big store, not heavily curated but there's tons to choose from so you never know what you're gonna find. Recommend setting aside many hours to dig here.

Mainly a bookstore as you might've guessed by the name but their record section is no joke. The 7" section is fun to go through. Lotta table space and if you're lucky you can even score a chair to sit down while you go through their boxes. They're one of the better stores in town when it comes to having joints that you don't see in stores too often. You'll definitely also wanna check out the book tunnel, the old bank vault, and the other cool stuff they have to look at on their mezzanine.

Fingerprints, and the spot mentioned below, are both in Long Beach -- which is technically a separate city but still within LA County. It's very much a part of the fabric here, even if it does have its own vibe. Every time I go to Long Beach I always hit both of these stores up. They're kind of polar opposites which makes it fun - Fingerprints has the whole bookstore/record store/coffee shop thing going.

Fingerprints and Bagatelle Records are within walking distance of one another which is rare in LA. Bagatelle is all dusty stacks and tight spaces from floor to ceiling. You'll love the contrast between the two.

We're winding this down in the corner of LA I'm from - Pasadena. Technically its own separate city too but it's a 20 minute drive from downtown LA. When I was growing up, Poo Bah was located in a little converted red house so you'd walk into what was basically the living room and start digging through the bins. They've since moved to a proper storefront a couple miles away. Still got all the hallmarks of a great record store dive - nice prices, deep bargain bins, side shelves with cassettes, VHS tapes, and CD's. In the recent years they've done a lot of events revolving around the beat/producer community. The late Ras G was involved with the store pretty heavily. Dam Funk filmed part of his "Hood Pass Intact" video here too.

Here's a little Pasadena bonus for you to check out while you're in the area. Mainly a bookstore but they have a few bins of records, I recommend checking them out because they seem to carry a lot of weird, off the wall stuff, of all types.

The Ultimate Guide to LA's Record Shops with XL Middleton

Yuki Matsuda

Tokyo

It's a venue that has one of the best sound systems.

They are open until 3 am and they have the best late night food to take my mind off.

They always have really cool exhibitions and events.

I just love their authentic and very spicy Chinese dishes. Sometimes after doing a gig you just wanna eat spicy food with your mates.

Owned by one of my friends who has a very good taste in music.

It's a second hand book store. They have many great art books.

Tokyo with Yuki Matsuda

Sam Riddle

Detroit

Detroit is the birthplace of Techno and still hosts one of the most prestigious electronic music festivals in the world, contextually giving the city a rich history with record stores and DJ culture. Paramita is an unique record store that is also a wine bar and a steward in the Detroit beat scene.



Detroit is a potential gold-mine for the cannabis industry and will see an influx of jobs and industry in the city once marijuana is fully recreational. One disproportionate measure of the cannabis industry is that only 4.3% of the business is controlled by black owned companies. Furthermore, despite roughly equal usage rates, blacks in America are 3.73 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana. Viola is a black-owned business and my favourite medicinal dispensary in the city, owned by former NBA star Al Harrington.

Cliff Bells is a Detroit institution and my favourite brunch in the city. Pre-Covid you could drop in here on a weekend morning or afternoon to hear live jazz with a scene that feels like a time machine or out of a Fred Astaire movie, as the NY Times described it.

With iconic shoe collaborations (see: New Balance) and a pivotal place in the street wear scene, especially in the Midwest - Burn Rubber shaped culture through its employees and friends that include Big Sean, Jay John Henry, Cliff Skighwalker and more hometown heroes.

Sweet Water is across the street from my favourite concert venue in Detroit, St. Andrews Hall. It was a ritual to visit Sweet Water before and after concerts to grab a meal. I haven’t eaten meat regularly in almost three years, but I still dream about their Buffalo Wings.

A library-esq used book store that boasts over an over 1-million book inventory across their two locations in Detroit and nearby suburb Ferndale. My father used to take me here as a kid and I would try my hardest to get lost in the maze-like-store so I could read until my heart was content.

Detroit has gotten a lot of attention for ‘ruin porn’; the trend of photographing delapitated buildings as if that was what represents the city. The Heidelberg Project flips that trend on it’s head a bit; as a city block-long outdoor community art exhibit that transforms discarded items into exhibits, sculptures and statements.

Coney Islands are kinda to Detroit as Waffle House is to Atlanta. There are so many great ones across all of Michigan including Lou’s in Detroit, Abe’s in Ypsilanti, and Sparty’s in East Lansing (where I went to college at Michigan State.) For this guide and looking at Downtown Detroit - the debate is American Coney Island vs Lafayette Coney Island, which sit next door from one-another. If you ask me its Lafayette all day.

Detroit with Artist Manager, Sam Riddle

Andrea Martina Specchio

Venice

My favourite place to have breakfast or 'merenda' (afternoon break). This tiny pastry and coffee shop is where I always start my day when I am in Venice. I discovered Tonolo many moons ago when I was in town often to visit my friends who were studying here. Every time, I cannot resist getting at least two pastries, if not more. 

My local restaurant crush! The food is WOW and the menu has a lot of veggie options. I love the warm atmosphere and the wooden walls, so I recommend booking a table inside.

This little old fashion bar is the king of 'tramezzini' – fresh sandwiches stuffed with different ingredients and TONS of mayo. This is my favourite lunch spot and my place-to-go to grab a 'tramezzino' for my trip back home before leaving Venice.

If you love books (and the smell of old books – something I could die for) visit this historical shop. A maze of bookshelves, vintage armchairs, old posters, retro postcards and tons of other random stuff – including a couple of resident cats!

Come here to have wine and fresh sandwiches with cold cuts. This is a spot where locals have their daily 'ombre di vino' (little glasses of wine) from 6am to 8pm… Venice rules!

Come here to hang out in the University campus area. Opt for a spritz at Bar Rosso or the 'cicchetti' ritual (aperitif in Venice style) at Ai Do Draghi. 

Just another excuse to go to Venice. Every other year, from April to November, Venice becomes a living exhibition of contemporary art with worldwide artists exhibiting their works in different areas of the town. The theme for 2022 is 'The Milk of Dreams': artists were asked to think of creative ways for a more sustainable coexistence between us as individuals and the universe we inhabit. 

An Insider's Guide to Visiting the Venice During the Biennale

CHICA Gang

Bilbao

Best tortilla in Bilbao! You have to try their Spanish tortilla, as well as their croquetas and “ensaladilla”. Pure bliss, everyone in Bilbao recommends this one for tortilla, one of Bilbao’s main dishes. No doubt.

Located at La parte Vieja, this is a unique place to have a ‘Marianito’, a special martini made by the family that owns the place, they have been doing these for more that 10 years, and for the locals, they’re just like family. I was introduced to this place right when I started living here and since then it’s one of the places from Bilbao I have in my heart.

If you want local food that tastes just like sitting at a Basque family kitchen, this is the place. Piparras, albóndigas and croquetas, served by the most enchanting , nice and welcoming women that make you feel home.


If you’re looking for an independent and local bookstore, these are two of the nicest ones I’ve found here [see spot below]. Lots of feminist, LGBT+ books, and self-published journals or books that are pretty unique. They also host events and are a big muscle of the city.


Bilbao has a beautiful river that crosses the city, there are some points to sit down and enjoying the view, in from of Bar Nervion, just after ANTI Liburdenda, you have a spot to sit, have a drink and a chat with the best view. 

A cute spot to grab a drink with the river in front of you. If you are lucky, you’ll catch part of the sunset over there. 

Where to Eat the Best Tortilla in Bilbao with CHICA Gang

TAKSU

Bali

Miller’s Records, located in the famous spot of umalas, a small shop taking on a vegas style look from the outside has a very wide variety of vinyl records. Being relatively new, this shop has already been a strong community because it does not only offer to buy but also possible to sell personal vinyl collection. Inside you'll see racks in different styles organized by its genres and year, making it easy to find and eye pleasing as some cool looking vinyl stacked up on frames. For most of its vinyl that isn't originally produced, they have a tag showing it’s been purchased there, price range starting even from 60k for some vinyl up to 2,7mill for collector items.

Ganesha Ubud is a very small distinguished library selling old vintage story books, comics, to postcard in Ubud making. Here you'll find the craziest old books you could have not thought of about Indonesia or anything relevant to Indonesia and its history, as they only sell old, rare, out-of-print books.

There will always be 2 very kind shopkeepers who you can ask for help, and they can tell you stories behind the books which are always fascinating. They also allow you to read some of the books (ones which are not sealed) daily as if it's a library. Their prices are relatively cheap for an amazing book you are yet to discover. Some as cheap as 10.000 rupiah for a small book with all the old 80’s indonesia postcard stamps.

Lab Rana is another small, cool shop located in Tamora gallery in the heart of Berawa. Labrana is the go to place to buy your films needs and develop them. It offers a lot of types of film and film cameras, without worrying which one is the best fit for your cause of photography, you could simply share and talk with them about what you want and need and they'll guide you through your best option for purchase.

Going there you'll meet the senior shopkeeper who has a tight film camera community trying to keep the trend alive.

Tinta Photo Solutions really lives up to its name. A small shop not far from Miller Records and the Bumbak area, Umalas. They give a lot of options with high standard quality prints and frames for your art or photo pieces. They have personally done me well with their offer of leasing their frames for an exhibition I'm doing, giving me ease on up-front payments. Very good hospitality. They have a complete catalogue of solutions when shopping for prints and frames, making it much easier to pick the right frame and print that fits your home's interior design. With with affordable prices, Tinta has helped the community so much building the art scene in out in Bali.

Bali Beach Glamping located in Tabanan close to the famous Pigstone Beach which is well known for surfing, a new getaway for camping with a pinch of luxury just opened. If you go there you’ll meet the Asela the manager who will show you around all the tents which have amazing beach views.

A local entrepreneur who is the boss lady of 2 thrift stores located in Tabanan. She started selling thrift tees in the traditional thrift market of Tabanan, and she gained her knowledge through technology/internet/social media and used them well. She is now known across Bali, even throughout Indonesia. Both of her stores are located in the village of Kerambitan, Tabanan. In the traditional market, you could see her store in the first traditional building(more like a big shack) around 150m in the back. With her joyful voice you could spot and know that it’s Bu Dolir. Price range starting from Rp.30.000 up to some collectable items for 2mill rupiah. There are more thrift stores available to explore in the rest of ‘Pasar kodok’ thrift market in Tabanan.

Segelas Kopi Ubud located in the heart of the village of Mas, Ubud. A small coffee shop across Ari Canti hospital offers not only great coffee but also a comfortable silent space to work with a touch of art and balinese culture. I've personally spent my time gathering inspirations and ideas in this spot. Owned and run by a young teen (GUSTRA I.B) the age of 19 has successfully built a solid coffee shop concept supporting not only local workers that has been WFH, but also educating about the value of art to its customers. My favorite menu is the Nasi Goreng Babi Kecap with the piccolo beverage, with the price for both totalling only $4.

The best item on the menu is the Chasumen with an added ajitama (half boiled egg, japanese style). With free flowing mineral water, expenses on beverage are not needed.

Thrifting & Shopping Local with TAKSU

PRIM

Our personal favourite obviously, boasting work not just from your favourites but across art, sports and most importantly culture. In creating our pop-up libraries and this bookshop, it's a snapshot into what a permanent PRIM bookshop could look and feel like. We want it to be an immersive space, giving room for queer and Black artists to discover, explore and showcase whilst also fusing literature with cultural activities from across artistic disciplines and inviting everyone to explore and discover with us.

New Beacon is literally the beacon, one of the most renowned bookstores in London to really help us dig into fiction and non-fiction by Black authors. They are the blueprint for PRIM, and have been serving the community for decades.


We love Round Table Books because it provides the fun environment we all needed as children and young adults. A place where we can look around at all the books and see ourselves. A great place to take your young ones.


Healthy remedies in abundance, this is a special store. Pempasie provides us with natural products for hair and body, culture, remedies, African art and reading materials we'll need to begin or maintain a holistic lifestyle. This is a special store that I've personally felt really excited by.

Crowned Independent Bookshop of the Year 2021, this bookstore has been around since 1948. With regular book clubs, authors events and a dedicated children's shop, it's another one that has truly been serving the community for a very long time.

A space not just for books but for learning history in a variety of mediums. Black Cultural Archives is so important because it is one of few heritage sites we have in London and in the UK overall. A visit here will leave you with more than books to talk about.

A queer-Black-woman-owned project inspired by resistance, imagination and care. We've always loved and been inspired by this project. Whilst they do not have a physical shop, much like us, they are often taking up spaces, as they did recently with their EcoFeminist Summit.

Based in Oxfordshire, African Books Collective is an African-owned, worldwide marketing and distribution outlet for books from Africa – scholarly literature and children's books. Love the ethos here, which brings works we couldn't readily get here directly to us. An incredibly needed service.

8 Black-Owned Bookstores in London with PRIM

Naomi Accardi

Where we all get our hair done (they are great at crazy colors).

The tattoo shop of the “cool” kids of Milan. I don’t go here but they do cool residencies sometimes.

Similar to five guys in style but it’s not a real fast food chain. It was opened by somebody in the Milan scene. Nice burgers, cool environment.

Chinese restaurant I love. Mad cheap, AWESOME Food.

It's a coworking/restaurant and hang out spot, they make open sandwiches that are banging (it’s in Chinatown).

Incredible Tuscan food (a bit expensive but definitely worth it).

Cheap home made food, cash only. Like grandma’s kitchen.



Typical Milano food, I bring all my guests here for real local food (higher end but worth the money).

Iconic streetwear store and distribution company in Italy.

Best magazine and book selection (close to Prada foundation).

They make their own gin, the owners used to work in fashion and design. It’s an incredible place for late night drinks.

Vintage/flea market + lots of food trucks, music. It happens once a months but they have now extended it to every weekend. It’s set in an old factory - you need LOTS of time here.

It's a squatted building where they organise different art shows, photography exhibitions, different music nights. The worst stuff goes on here but it’s a staple in Milan culture. It’s very fun!

Naomi Accardi's Guide to Milan

Sama Beydoun 

Beirut

Best hidden spot for a good coffee in the heart of the city. You can grab coffee during the day and catch some live music at night. Ask for Youssef, he'll tell you all about the space or he’ll hit you up with some special recommendations. My favorites are the ginger lemon honey tea or the iced doppio, that you can ask the waiter for, it’s off the menu.

Exquisite brunch or sandwiches with beautiful sunlight if you’re sitting outside. I often pass by for coffee too. If it gets crowded it extends onto the facing staircases, for a drink literally on the streets on Beirut. Ask for Antoine, he’s the sweetest and the funniest, he’s usually there until the afternoon, probably singing along to the music spreading his joie-de-vivre.

For film photographers and printmaking lovers, I develop my films at the Beirut printmaking studio, hidden in an alley in Gemmayzeh. Tarek opened this space to gather artists, photographers and creatives, where they can take different printmaking, developing and darkroom classes. Ask him about the names of the cats. You’re in for a ride.

If you’re looking for a special gift or a souvenir, Plan Bey is the ideal stop. Posters, books, prints and many projects that carry so much of Beirut’s visual identity and spirit. The selection of artists is amongst Lebanon’s finest in the contemporary art scene. If you take the stairs you get to the coffeeshop too, it’s beautiful.

Souk el Tayeb is a farmer’s market that happens every Saturday where you can buy vegetables from the farmers themselves. Fresh, fair, colorful, and so tasty. There’s also stands with delicious recipes and innovative projects reviving or revisiting some culinary Lebanese traditions. You must try Em Ali’s manoushe, you will not regret it.

For an afternoon meeting, an evening date or a late night drink, Molo never fails me. “Molo” is the name of the owner herself, who’s often serving you your food or your “Mexican beer” (light beer with lemon juice and salt, delicious). She can always recommend the latest addition to the menu. It has a great outdoors sitting area in the Badaro neighborhood, where you’ll have plenty of choices for the bar that will follow.

Ballroom Blitz is definitely a must if you’re a nightlife lover and a club hopper. It’s located in an industrial area, where more than one club are located. The 3-room experience offers different styles with their respective selection of fine DJs. You won’t come out before you can’t stand on your feet anymore, still wanting more. A cherished space-space for sure.

When you come out of Ballroom Blitz in the middle of the night completely famished, jump to Jabbour, nearby, to grab one of the best Shawarmas in town. Special tip: Ask the man making you the sandwich to add some grenadine molasse to it. An explosion of taste.

For a proper Lebanese lunch or dinner, locals eat at Mezyan, in the Hamra neighborhood. I can’t even begin to count all the things on the menu that are worth trying: Cashew Halloumi, Eggplant Fatté, Batata Harra, Fattoush, obviously hummus. Oh and a pitcher of Araq of course. Choose a night with live music, it often ends up being a party.

For proper sunset and sea view, get ready to trespass the metal fence from the Corniche (don’t panic, everyone does). Grab a snack, a hot drink as it gets windy and choose where you would like to sit, vue-sur-mer. The blessing of living so close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Explore The Creative Underbelly of Beirut with Sama

a l l i e

This is the spot where I purchased my crystal singing bowls. The atmosphere is so inviting, and they have an amazing selection of tarot decks, crystals, ritual oils, candles, and homemade goods by local artisans. Their staff is super knowledgeable and it’s possible that they have the best selection of dried flowers and medicinal herbs in the entire city.

This is one of my favourite second-hand bookshops in Toronto. Going in there is like a warm hug. It also feels kind of like stepping through a time machine into the past. You can always find something unique no matter what genre you're looking for, and they have an incredible esoteric section with some really rare finds. If you're looking for anything to do with divination, spiritualism, mysticism and beyond, this is your spot.

If you want to meditate, decompress and get your life, go to Allan Gardens. It’s one of the most stunning botanical gardens to stroll through or sit in and take in the beauty. There's so many different species of plants and flowers to admire, a gorgeous fountain, massive glass ceilings allowing the sun to pour in, and even a turtle pond. When the energy of the city gets overwhelming, this is a great place to recharge.

Jump on the ferry for 15 minutes and you're on Toronto Islands. Check out Wards Island Beach, Gibraltar Point Beach, or Hanlan's Point (our only clothing optional beach). The Island is an easy way to delve into nature while still being really close to downtown Toronto. It's incredibly peaceful, and you feel like you're way further from the city than you actually are.

"The Spit" was initially conceived of as a breakwater to protect Toronto's bustling shoreline.This is where I go when I need to connect with nature in a deeper way. It almost feels like a secret, because it's so quiet and vast in its scope. There's so many different trails, twists and turns you can take, so it's sort of like a “choose your own adventure” vibe. A lot of the shores are filled with rebar and construction debris, which add this trippy sculptural element to the rocky beaches. Love being here on bike or on foot, and there's always some new hidden oasis I discover every time I go.

If you have time for a day trip, it takes under 2 hours to drive to Allenwood. We don't have a lot of sandy beaches with great swimming in and around Toronto, so this is one the best spots to venture to nearby. It's so beautiful, and you can walk for a mile across the water's edge. The sunsets are phenomenal. It feels more tropical than anything you'll find in the city.

Yes, I have two botanical gardens on this list! This one is a favourite because although there are greenhouses on the premises, most of the gardens are situated outdoors. There are some hidden waterfalls, winding paths, open fields, and manicured gardens that give off big “Alice in Wonderland” energy. Connecting with nature is one of the most integral parts of my spiritual practice, and these gardens have that transportive quality that helps me tap into the expansiveness of myself.

Find Your Zen in Toronto with a l l i e

Nestled in the heart of Château Rouge, a predominantly African neighbourhood, you will fall in love with House Château Rouge. They design everything themselves, from backpacks and T-shirts to Bissap and Air Jordans from a recent Nike collaboration. The brand empowers artists from across the African continent and is challenging the perception of traditional ‘luxury’.

A regular spot for our Parisian community. L'embuscade serves up some of the most delicious Afro Vegan food. Inspired by West and central Africa, with some hints of Soul Food, L'embuscade serves up an Afro Vegan menu unlike no other. Everything takes good, but our favourite dishes are the Kentucky Fried Cauliflower and Doudou Jack Burger. The prices are low and affordable.

Mama Jackson is located near Paris’ Gare de Lyon train station and is an all around ode to Black American culture. From the music playing over the speakers to the art hanging on the walls. Go there to eat some seriously tasty fried chicken - we recommended trying the Waffle Rasta Burger which is a delicious stack of fried and pulled chicken with plantain.

Présence Africaine is a pan-African quarterly cultural, political, and literary magazine, published in Paris, France, and founded by Alioune Diop in 1947. In 1949, they expanded to include a publishing house and a bookstore on rue des Écoles in the Latin Quarter of Paris, which has a multitude of incredible books centred around race and colonialism to (un)learn from.

GUMBO YAYA is a Southern American inspired halal restaurant in Paris. Serving up some of the best halal fried chicken in Paris, this restaurant is known and loved by Parisians and visitors alike.

Jah Jah by Le Tricycle serves vegan cuisine but not only. You can also taste Jamaican flavors matching the two Rastafari founders, Coralie Jouhier and Daqui Gomis. Jah Jah gets inspired by the world as a whole and makes your taste buds travel across the world.

Long-stewed and spicy Caribbean, Creole and Cajun dishes. You can stay up late and dance here too.

Silwet is a sustainable slow fashion label which focuses on “silhouettes” instead of collections. “Silwet” is the Creole transcription of the French word “silhouette”. The name was chosen in tribute to founder Lenny Guerrier’s, Haitian roots.

Baba Zulu is an incredible soul food restaurant. Order the Chicken and Waffles!

One of the best nail salon's in Paris for nail art.

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