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!

The b-movie fan Mecca! Dvds, vhs tapes, posters, action figures, gadgets, collectables, movie soundtrack albums etc. Lots of Italian horror and cult movies. I just love it!

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

Farhot

Hamburg

Guess there’s always a rich and a rotten side in the area around any train station. Well, at least in Germany. This one’s defo not the posh side – sex shops, backyard mosques, junkies, pawnbrokers, and you won’t spot too many blonde folks around here. But you can find lots of great Middle Eastern food joints like Akdeniz Tantuni.

Doner Kebab might be the most popular Turkish food in Germany but to me, Tantuni, which is also a type of kebab, is defo in a yumminess league above. If you love kebab, try this!

Feels and tastes like home. This restaurant is named after the Hindu Kush mountain range that stretches through Afghanistan, so if my mom doesn’t have time to cook up something delish on a Sunday, this is where I get great Afghan cuisine.

I just love Vietnamese street food! Lately many places that offer pho and such have been popping up around town but to me this is definitely the best place to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in Hamburg. Normally, you’d find me at their branch close to the main train station.

Good movies are a blessing and one of my main sources of inspiration. I’ve watched countless great movies at this art-house cinema right in the heart of the university district. Hope they’ll be able to open up soon because I miss that big screen feeling.

Want to get away from the city and just enjoy some peace in nature? Then just grab a bike and cycle along the Dove Elbe, which is the rough, untouched lower part of the Elbe River. Ok, I really think I’m getting old.

Hamburg has always been big on trade and is home to the world’s biggest warehouse district. Here, you can see how goods are delivered and maybe get a discount on oriental rugs if you buy them directly from wholesalers like my dad. The classic architecture of the warehouses is a great contrast to the ultramodern Hafencity buildings.

Greasy! That’s what this little Korean food joint is. Doesn’t really look inviting at all but the food is damn delicious. If you love deep fried food chicken as much as I do, then this is the place to go. Oh yeah, and make sure to check out our KABUL FIRE “DEEP FRIED” PLAYLIST for some extra crispy beats!

If you’ve been feasting on too much greasy food during your stay in HH city and feel the need to burn off some calories, I recommend hitting the Gorilla Gym. From boxing to Yoga. For grown-ups and kids.

Explore Hamburg with Farhot

Pablo Nouvelle

Zurich

An Italian enclave at the very end of famous Langstrasse. Paninis in every variety. Everything in this store is a 100% Italian. The ingredients, the amazing antipasti and the songs playing from the radio. How can something so simple be so good.

Zürich might be one of the most decent but surely not the biggest place on earth. If you want to get an overview first put on your fast shoes and head up to Käferbärg, which offers a little escape into the woods and a beautiful view over the city, the lake and the incredible alps. Make sure you set out for the trip in the late afternoon to catch the golden evening sun.

Close to my studio, this little restaurant has become my go to place if I want to treat myself for lunch. Honest meals, affordable and made with love.

Escape the city and climb the little mountain overseeing Zurich. Best to bring your bike and enjoy one of the many single trails and downhill tracks down the 400 meters altitude.

A beautiful bath to dip in the lake with a little beach and a tower out in the water to climb and jump from.

Claudio the soul of Sacci Bar will take care of your needs and make sure you won’t leave town without having tasted the best Negroni or natural wines there is.

Fancy a fancy dinner? Go to Kle. You’ll eat exclusively creations you’ve never experienced before. All vegan.

A small concert venue with one of the best bookings of local and international acts.

Jump from the bridge into the cold waters of the Limmat and drift down to Obere Letten. Have a Margarita at the rooftop of Primitivo Bar whilst watching people and go to a concert in the evening at the near by Parkplatz.

Best see and to be seen place on a Sunday afternoon. Visit the lovely Cafe Bonheur or bring your own and sit around the fountain.

Best cinema in town with the latest independent films and the most charming bar to linger around.

Discover Zürich with Pablo Nouvelle

FYI Chris

London

Best burritos in Peckham? They may well be... Big flavours from the little Filipino food truck.

Some of the best food spots under one roof. Steamer is the undisputed dim sum and noodle lunch spot, Copeland Jerk also top tier munch and big ass portions.

One thing London does well is green space. Go fishing, have a BBQ (although getting a plot can be hectic). Usually some heated footy on a Sunday - it's got the lot.

No fuckin around, cheap tickets all day every day. Go to a horror film for peak experience. Fingers crossed they’ll be okay, I’m sure It’ll be rammed as soon as it is safe to open!

CD Base is a music spot in Holdrons Arcade, opposite Balamii. Get fresh mixtapes, afrobeat, dancehall, rap, R&B etc, catch a game of dominos (not sure what the buy in is). Maestro is a record shop with an extensive CD library too.

An OG Rye Wax food joint turned legit – some of the best tacos and nachos in London. DJ Morris whips up a fine cocktail too 😉

Another Rye Wax eatery that outgrew our basement, amazing authentic Vietnamese dishes from the nicest crew!

And if you pick up some munch from one of the spots above and want a place to cotch and get it down, why not visit the cats on Choumert Grove Car Park 🐈🐈.

Explore Peckham with FYI Chris

Eliza

"Getting lost in nature in the heart of the city"

"Filled with diverse human life and ambition and music and vibrancy. Go record shopping at If Music or walking the streets for the atmosphere"

"Vintage shops Emma Goldman, Found And Vision, and Trellik"

"Check Eat of Eden for the best vegan food"

"24 hr snooker and pool bar. There are a few dotted around London"

"Love cinema and this one shows everything, but not too commercial"

London with Eliza

ANEESHA

Mumbai

The timing was a bit unfortunate as Subko opened its doors to people just 3 days before the national lockdown in March. Kudos to the team for staying strong and pressing forward and still being able to build a solid follower base over time. What I really like about this place is that it is the only coffee shop in Bandra that has enough space and a good vibe, apart from the fact that they have partnered with Daniel Trulson from Bread and Chocolate in Auroville, Pondicherry for all the bakery goodies.

I appreciate the fact that the focus likes on export quality coffee from across various estates and regions in India and how they also want to build a creative community shedding light to so many talented people in the country.

This is a neighbourhood bar run by two very dear friends. It came to life in 2013, which was also the year I had moved back home from the UK and was the only place that was playing interesting electronic music. I was so disappointed as I was unable to find any place in Mumbai that played good music and when I stumbled upon The Daily I was so glad! Over time we also threw some of the best parties and although not a big space the compact and tight-knit vibe definitely creates some magic! A venue that has interesting tapped the best of both worlds i.e. food and brunches as well as gigs on weekends - I would highly recommend the Ravioli and The Elysium cocktail, it’s a definite go!

Ah, I have such a special bond with Mount Mary Church. I went to a Convent school and although not Catholic, we always had the option to attend the mass if we wanted to. And I always landed up at church with the rest. I felt at peace every time I visited. My friends and I used to often drive down late at night and go light candles at the altar opposite to the church and sit on the steps, just chatting or in silence. I pick this spot as it has been an integral part of my growing up years and it’s location in a beautiful and quiet neighbourhood adds on to the charm.

People are often surprised when they find out that I dig cricket. Another fact is, I can also throw down some Bollywood moves especially at a wedding. I guess not a lot of them have seen the Indian in me ;). Wankhede stadium has been home to some of the most amazing cricket matches I have witnessed. From One Day Internationals to T20, the electric energy of the crowd in the stadium is unlike any other. Witnessing a cricket game in Mumbai should definitely be on your list.

I went to college in the south of city which was a good 30-40 minute train ride from where I live. There is this old school Iranian ice cream parlour near my college that has been serving ice cream since 1953. The place is known for it’s freshest ice cream biscuits served as a thick slab sandwiched between wafer biscuits and wrapped in thin butter paper. Its most popular flavours, walnut crunch and kesar pista (Pistachios & Saffron) are also layered with bits of walnut and caramelised sugar. It’s a simple and humble looking place just the people who run it and they haven’t toyed around with their prices. This one is a hidden gem everyone must find.

Come here during Ramadhan! My best friend Nishrin is Muslim and every year during Eid she invites her close crew for a lavish Eid dinner. Something I always look forward to and super grateful to her for! Apart from that we also end up driving down to Mohammed Ali Road during Ramadan where you can get amazing street food and desserts. From Kebabs to Biryani to Malpua to Firnis to Nalli Niharis, everything is absolutely delicious.

A viewer will definitely love the old world vibe of this place, especially the beautiful dated ticket windows. Gaiety Galaxy is a G7 multiplex, a place where I have grown up watching movies. Their Samosas are to die for and they used to serve us popcorn from Hoggers Park which had this authentic unique taste that one got addicted to! The most enthusiastic crowd is found here. The crowd doesn’t shy away from hooting welcoming and cheering on their favourite mega star during songs, special entries or major twists/suspense which unfolds. You may even find some dancing away in the aisles. You will find a lot of celebrities dressed down or wearing a Burkha often visit the cinema to see the reaction of the crowd to the film they are starring in. Of course we have a lot of modern multiplexes in Mumbai now but it is always fun to catch a movie here every once in a while!

The best thing that I love about the Dome is the view. It overlooks Marine Drive and is a great place for brunch because you end up spending time until the sun goes down and that is the best part! It is a rooftop restaurant and bar, part of The Intercontinental Hotel on Marine Drive, so it is definitely one of the posh places. From sundowners to a quiet dinner with a loved one to brunch with friends, I definitely rate this as the go to bar if you’re in a good mood to treat yourself :)

As I run a music and culture agency in Mumbai, I have spent a lot of time putting together artist tours. This is a studio space available for rent mainly for movies and ad shoots, but we have organised a couple of events here which have been exceptional and memorable. This includes the likes of Seth Troxler, Parra for Cuva & Juju and Jordash. A lot more heart and effort goes into such events because you are producing them from scratch unlike putting up a club night where a lot of things are already in place. Both have their charm no doubt!

I know I have exceeded beyond 10 spots but I can’t not include The Yoga House in my list. This place conducts yoga classes and has a cafe on top and is the most peaceful place to spend your day. You could work out of here or read a book (I have also ended up taking a nap) that’s how serene this place is. I highly recommend their tartines and the max protein cottage cheese burger! All the health conscious ones are going to love this!

Mumbai with DJ, Aneesha 

Collard

Gorgeous Italian spot, candle lit and romantic as romantic can be. Forest green decor and seating for either an intimate date or group date. It’s usually pretty full in there so I’d advise you to book in advance -- but it’s worth it. Recommended dish: Lobster Linguini with a side of Quail Eggs.

Perfect day time date spot in Belsize Park North London, a breakfast menu with a Persian influence. Lovely service, get to see a few actors and actresses that live around the area which is cool but just don’t be weird, practise your nonchalant “too cool for school, yeah whatever famous person”- nod in the mirror. Close proximity to Primrose Hill park also which is a staple date location. Recommended dish: Baked Eggs.

The finest of fine dining, beautiful restaurant, decor levels on a thousand. Would recommend for relationship daters. Probably a bit over-blown for a first date experience unless the person you’re trying to court has a great pallet for French cuisine and loves a glamorous atmosphere. Recommended dish: Black-legged Chicken to share & Escargot for the side.

My girlfriend coined this spot “The Thinking spot” she took me there all the time and said it’s where she does all her best thinking. Pull up in the car and chat for hours in front of the bird decorated lake or take a stroll down the lake side. It really is a beautiful and calming spot inside such a popular Royal Park. I recommend going at night to avoid having to weave around large crowds.

This is the low key pre-drinks date spot you hit for if you’re about to go out for drinks (my Londoners know what I’m on about) -- the drinks before the drinks. Lounge-y and quiet, Polo Bar is perfect for conversation and shaking off nerves before you go out for the “after drinks” at a restaurant or club once were allowed back in them.

Why not look at some art if you’re both into it? This particular gallery is situated in central london so it’s surrounded by an array of food spots and makes the whole dating experience a lot more eventful. Doing something is cool. Always incredible exhibits on show here also, from artists like Reginald Sylvester and Coco Capitán.

For the film enthusiasts the Curzon Bloomsbury is the perfect cinema for a movie date. It’s a smaller and more boutique feel as opposed to the usual cinema experience elsewhere. There’s a boatload of great restaurants and cafes in the Bloomsbury area to eat at before or after the film if it’s all going well, and if it’s not then it’s only 5 mins from tube station.

London's Finest Date Spots with Collard

Lordkez

Johannesburg

This is a collection of shops, restaurants and galleries all in one space in Johannesburg. My favourite spot to go to when I am there is called "Peachy" they have incredible "Asianesque Wings" that you need to try out. They also have live music which is always great, especially when it is Jazz!

This is one of the best places I have been to in Johannesburg. The food is incredible, the music is so nice and the overall aesthetic of the place is amazing, in fact, I shot some scenes for my music video "Sunday" in the venue. When you go there you need to ask for Katlego Mlambo, he is the head chef - award winning type of guy.

This is a really cool place to go chill on a Saturday afternoon, it is a food and drink market that happens in the city, great views, good music and tasty food is always a good combination.

My favorite part about these gardens is the river with the fish, I like feeding the fish, it is so peaceful and green. Oh, they also have ducks and ducks are really cute. Sometimes, you just need to sit under a tree and breathe in fresh air with your shoes off, this is the perfect place for this.

This is an old school cinema based in Braamfontein, which is near Johannesburg city centre. They showcase indie films there, both local and international. It's really great to spend an evening watching indie films and eating popcorn, I feel so vintage when I do that.

This place is really cool, it is a lifestyle centre made up of over 100 empty shipping containers filled with different fashion and retail stores, there are also some really cool coffee shops with great doughnuts, they sometimes have live music too, if you watching live music you need a glass of wine. South Africa has the best wine.

This rooftop is on the 15th Floor of a designer hotel in the middle of Johannesburg City Centre, the views of the city are incredible and the sunsets are even better. If you ever find yourself in this beautiful venue you have to try the Oysters, they are unbelievable.

Explore Johannesburg with Lordkez

Melodic Distraction

Liverpool

Don’t watch the Trip Advisor reviews, Festival Gardens is still a spot in the summertime. Tucked away off the main trail of Otterspool Promenade, the gardens have gone a bit unloved in the last few years. The trees and plants may be reclaiming the land in parts but it all adds to the slightly mysterious vibe of the place.

It may not be in Liverpool but most in this part of the world visit at least once a year. Hilbre Island is only accessible by foot when the tide’s out and takes around an hour to reach by walking across the sand. There’s always some cool wildlife to run into when you’re out there and you can even spot the seals bobbing their heads up from the sea in the summer months.

Art, film, technology and culture all come together at FACT. It’s an interactive gallery, cinema, cafe and learning space all rolled into one. They support loads of great local artists in the city and there’s always something to get involved with.

Our favourite spot for preloved records in Liverpool. Dig Vinyl is a lovingly curated treasure trove of second hand slabs of wax. Belter rock, new wave and reggae sections, backed up by a load of dancefloor cuts and super friendly staff behind the counter on every visit.

It’s a bar, a coffee spot, a gig venue, a winter garden and a boss record store. Phase One is the latest venue from the folks behind the historic Liverpool club, The Jacaranda. We’re here for three months, thanks to the support of Dr. Martens and the good folks at Phase One, as we fundraise for our brand-new studio space. We’re looking to raise £35,000 to build our new, permanent home out of two shipping containers at The Tapestry in Liverpool’s Fabric District. The pandemic may have slowed things down but there is no doubt that the team at Phase One have big plans for the future!

A small and vibrant club and garden down on the North Docks of Liverpool. Nestled away among derelict warehouses, getting there is a challenge upon a first visit but the reward is worth the cab ride.

A hugely passionate crew runs the place and the club is a real labour of love. Who else can say they’ve hosted Moodymann in a 175 capacity venue, eh!?

A small, intimate club with a great soundsystem and booking policy. What more do you need to know? A go-to for students, locals and older heads alike. Any given week can host everything from jazz bands to house, techno and jungle DJs. 24KS have been fighting their own battle against gentrification for some time now - and we can’t think of any regular folks on the ground who aren’t 100% behind their right to stay!

The best outdoor bar in town during Liverpool’s long winter months. Handmade bric-a-brac furniture, mulled drinks and a tiny but punchy little event space, The Kazimier Gardens and adjoining ‘Stockroom’ gig venue are locally beloved.

The jewel in the crown of Liverpool’s Sefton Park, the Palm House is a Victorian era greenhouse filled with tropical plants from around the world.

It regularly hosts weddings, corporate events and functions but from time-to-time you can see a wicked gig in there the likes of Norman Jay, Slick Rick and even a Boiler Room takeover.

The newest spot on our list, Nomad is a lockdown baby. Opening after the first UK lockdown lifted; its coffee and light bites have proven super popular with the residents of the ever-busy Smithdown Road.

Head down all week for coffee, or book a table for a good Sunday lunch (often in the form of a homemade lasagna!)

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