Connor Gibson

London

Theo’s Pizzeria is greater than the sum of its parts. The interior design lends itself to life's great pastime; eating lunch. Danish interior, white wash walls and natural light seeping through the floor to ceiling windows creates an ethereal atmosphere. The lunchtime special panuozzo; specifically the tuna with mozzarella and their fiery fermented chilli condiment is a steal for only a fiver, split an Aubergine Parm and you're looking at a killer lunch.

One of life's great pleasures is rocking up at St John Bread and Wine past 9pm for a late evening dessert and digestive. With a pudding menu that is almost the same size as the mains, it’s worth ordering a selection of British classics such as ‘steamed pudding and custard’ or the ‘Eccles cake and Lancashire cheese’ and a bottle of Gamay to start proceedings. Moving swiftly on to Fergronies or Manhattans is the move, there’s a sense of beating the system.

Hole in the wall joints are few and far between in London, if something is good then it’s usually trying to capitalise on the gentrification of an area. Surrey Quays is a culinary wasteland but La Chingada makes it well worth the visit. The owner hailing from Mexico City is producing suardero and al pastor tacos and molettes with fiery salsas and Mexican beverages. It’s cheap, it’s cheerful and more importantly, it’s legit which is something missing in other London Mexican establishments.

Filipino food in London hasn’t had a light shone on it yet but Budgie is doing amazing things from his hole in the wall restaurant in Brixton Market. His signature dish is Lechon; slow cooked rolled pork belly with glass like skin and stuffed with Lemongrass and other fine things. Budgie has a fine dining background so brings that precision and is really showcasing Filipino food in a casual setting.

There’s rarely a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than a bracing walk in Hampstead heath followed by a pint by the fire and a pork roll at the Southampton Arms. A proper boozer with tables full of regulars, this is a pub that does things properly. Independent Ales, warm pork and apple rolls, Mature cheddar and chutney sarnies, it’s as British as you can get.

This is what I would call the Soho double, it’s a hark back to old Soho and its Italian roots and is the perfect lunchtime combo. I Camisa & Sons is London's original Italian deli and is the perfect spot to grab a cured meat sandwich. Follow this up with a negroni at Bar Termini. Perch at the bar and get the perfect pour negroni, there’s a 20th century charm to the service and the feeling that you’re putting the world to rights.

Palace records situated in a side street off of Crystal palace high street is the epitome of digging culture. The owner buys in Job lot record collections, primarily of late 90’s, early 2000s deep house and techno. They give you the space to properly dig and find some gems and the owner is always on hand to give you a little nudge in the right direction.

Guide to London's Best Restaurants with Connor

Portland

Owner, Ian Williams, offers sneaker-themed coffee + 👟 detail shop ☕️.

🎧 The NW first & only Hip-Hop winery created by Bertony Faustin.

Delicious, authentic west African cuisine cooked by a native west African girl.

They serve authentic Jamaican Cuisine in the heart of Portland. And yes, they cater events!

A contemporary soul food restaurant that provides career development opportunities and is non-profit.

Based in Portland, this pop-up vegan supper club is curated by two Black queer artists, Chef Salimatu Amabebe and artist, Annika Hansteen-Izora. It was founded on the premise to rail and dance against the erasure of Blackness in the food and art worlds.

A mellow Ethiopian spot offering yummy traditional food.

A unique cultural experience where you can come learn how to cook African food or order some for dinner!

Fresh and delicious Haitian and Caribbean meals.

Everything to make you salivate: baby back ribs, brisket, chicken, cajun links, etc…

Private Chef/Caterer providing delicious food all throughout the PDX & Gresham area.

The BEST green juices and smoothies. Literally, the best.

Cannabis dispensary in the heart of Madison South neighbourhood.

Black co-owned florist. Flowers & weddings without rules.

Keeping it sweet and simple. Good coffee, good food.

Owner Anthony Brown and big smile brings unique food is unique in his bright blue cart with Southern and Mexican inspired fusion of just plain ol” deliciousness.

Home of custom cakes & elaborate cupcakes, cookies... you name it.

BuzzFeed Tasty's Top 50 wings in the USA!

Southern-style cuisine fused with their Oregon roots.

A fun and tasty twist on your average healthy snacks. Perfect snacks for kids.

A soul food cart serving heart-warming dishes.

This publishing company all started with a book written by co-founder and CEO, Jelani Memory. As a black father with a blended family, racism was an inevitable topic of conversation. The increasingly popularity of this book developed into creating more books about complex topics such as feminism, cancer, gratitude, belonging and much more.

Their work and activism includes direct community education workshops, supporting the outreach of their continued advocacy as first respondents, and helping community members contribute through direct engagement and legislative value. They are focused on shifting cultural and systemic discrimination.

An amazing initiative which tracks the progress of the federal, state and local legislation which addresses police violence.

Founded by Cameron Whitten, a local Portlander, who has more than five years of experience in non-profit leadership and donation accountability. Cameron has served as the Executive Director of local nonprofits such as Know Your City, Brown Hope, and Q Center.

Black-Owned Businesses in Portland

HiedraH Club de Baile

Buenos Aires

Although it is a very recognizable tourist place, like la Ciudad Vieja in Montevideo, it preserves the melancholy and mystery of the city. There is an enhancement of the city to combine the most avant-garde art galleries with the riverside museums of typical artists of the area. The most beautiful art district and the charm of the city mixed with the stench of the river are a perfect combo for us.

This is the essence of the city of Buenos Aires itself and its Misa Criolla, the sensitive concept of our identity. It's a mix between Hogwarts and the Parisian amphitheater from "Interview with the Vampire" but with a Sudaka energy. You can watch the milonga dance under the candlelight and enjoy a glass of wine. It opens from Tuesday to Sunday and you will find the most suspiciously friendly characters here.

The best pizzeria in Buenos Aires and one of the obligatory stops when we bring a foreign producer. The ritual of eating a slice of muzza al corte and a deep-fried empanada is unique of Buenos Aires.

Other people would say that the renowned cemetery in Buenos Aires is La Recoleta, but for us the cemetery and La Chacarita neighborhood implies a beautiful universe of popular heritage. The Cemetery was created to house the enormous quantity of corpses resulting from the yellow fever that struck Buenos Aires in 1871 and that brutal energy is felt in its streets. You can visit the niches of Gilda, Gardel, Moura, Favio, Ferrari, and other popular artists of Buenos Aires and get to know the largest necropolis in the city. Also, on the outskirts of the Cemetery you will find a sanctuary of Gauchito Gil, a pagan saint to whom we usually bring offerings or ask for help, and on Saturdays in Parque Los Andes there are some very good fairs to buy trinkets.

It’s the city's largest and most biodiverse green space, in contrast to its location in the fancier area of the City. Also, it has a “hidden” side, in which it is a good spot to practice cruising behind the bushes. On weekends you can also drink a beer and eat a choripan in the carritos parrilleros at the entry and walk through la feria while people dance cumbia in the street. La combi completa!

Parque de La Memoria (Memorial Park) is a scenic landmark and one of the most beautiful historical monuments in the city. It is located facing the Rio de La Plata, the fatal destination of many of the people who disappeared due to the murderous actions of the last military dictatorship. In addition to its strong historical content, it has a very interesting contemporary art center and astonishment monuments. It is a solemn, beautiful and forceful space to be visited on a sunny day.

The Market was inaugurated at the end of the 19th century with the aim of supplying the necessary food to the new wave of European immigrants. The building retains its original internal structure, made up of metal beams, arches and columns with sheet metal and glass roofs. In addition to its architecture, it also preserves a certain charm of old customs and in its corridors, you can buy everything from meat, fish or vegetables to antiques, jewelry and decoration elements. It is also a gastronomic pole to eat regional or international food.

33km from the city of Buenos Aires, Tigre is one of the most important tourist destinations in the province and is the weekend getaway for many Buenos Aires residents. There is the lower Delta of the Paraná River, one of the largest in the world. On its way it drags a large volume of sediment that is deposited forming clay, sand and silt banks that continually grow and give rise to islands. This complex water system, of more than 350 islands that divide the course of the waters, contributes to giving its shape to the landscape, and also shapes the lives of its inhabitants who have the river environment as their main means of communication by boats. It is a unique ecosystem in the world and a great adventure to navigate its waters and spend a weekend in its stilt houses. Super recommended!

It is a crowded place on weekends, but if you can go during the week it is a very nice place for doing sports, rollerblading or cycling, running or simply to sunbathe and enjoy the air of the city smoking a joint.

Buenos Aires with HiedraH Club de Baile

Burro Studio

Milan

It looks like a beautiful greenhouse but it’s a restaurant and a bar. A piece of heaven in Milan

Plants, gin, more plants, gin again but mixed and special gin. Well, it’s not just that. The food? Amazing. The place? Beautiful. Your date could fall in love here - but beware, it may be with the gin

You know the tiny winery full of antique, super rare bottles in a small town in Tuscany where you can sip extraordinary wine and take a bite of homemade bruschettas? Ok this is the thing, but in Milan

We present you your new food addiction: cotoletta alla milanese. Try it here and your transformation in a real local will be completed by saying 'uè grazie figa' instead of a regular thank you at the end

Brunch. A sunny day, the nature surrounding you, the comfort food. It’s not an Instagram picture, it’s this place. Make a call and remember to book a table to enjoy your brunch in the garden!

Someone - well, pretty much everyone - say they make the best pizza in Milan, the only one that tastes like a ticket for Naples

The place in Milan for contemporary art since 1954. Exhibitions of international artists happen all the time, so you can’t miss

For the last 25 years Fondazione Prada has championed contemporary art and culture through its innovative and experimental program. A visit is mandatory not only for the exhibitions and stunning architecture, but to IG story your time at Bar Luce which will make it seem as if you're in a Wes Anderson movie

It's a mainstay in the streetwear scene since its launch in 1989. If you’re a real streetwear addict this is basically a pilgrimage destination

Burro Studio's Guide to Milan

Andrea Martina Specchio

Venice

Fav 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 2 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 fav 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 6 AM to 8 PM…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. 

Venice with BeMyJourney's founder Andrea

Sita Abellan

Murcia

Every room of this place feels like it kind of hides a story, like if you were going back in time. It’s a very special place in Murcia.

When I visit Murcia I always make sure I pass by this place. I love coming here especially on Sunday mornings and watching the view of the city in nature. It’s a very relaxing place.

There is no other place more beautiful than The Cathedral for me. It’s style combines gothic with barroco. It’s a must see.

The best ensaladilla rusa in Murcia!! Marineras is one of my favourite “aperitivo” dishes. Simple and so tastyyyy with a glass of wine.

And because I enjoy eating and I do it well, one of my favourite places in Murcia to eat. They have many typical Murcia dishes.

This heavy metal bar was part of my teenage years in Murcia. I spent so many afternoons, nights and even days in this place. Just listening from punk to heavy. This place was kind of significant for me when I was younger since I got so many references from it.

Discover Murcia with Sita Abellan

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

Top Cuvée

Having the shop around the corner means we've not got this epic wine list available for the restaurant. The casual vibe, combined with the good music and incredible food really makes it the perfect place to enjoy the best natural wine selection in not just London but the UK. Top of my list atm is the De l’Aube - an absolute banging Pinot Noir - while it’s been nice to drink at home it really is a wine to drink in a restaurant.

Best for a noisy boozy dinner. Make sure to book as there aren’t many tables and those who have one will happily spend the whole night getting through Nick Branham’s varied and genuinely exciting menu. If you’re feeling lucky you can rock up and try nab one of their terrace tables held for walk ins.

An incredible wine list, great spot for lunch if you're looking to drink something special with a menu afforded equal love. They always have something great on the record player also.

A butchers/restaurant/wine cave, need I say more? Jimmy has an insane collection of wines in the cellar and always worth asking about what's not on the wine list to get something special he's been sitting on. This is without a doubt my favourite spot in London for a steak and glass.

Best for late dinner and the 4am license means it's easy to get loose there with Charlie + the crew. Very popular within the hospitality industry for post-shift knees up and some of the best chicken wings and wine around.

Legendary Peckham rooftop with a focus on Italian juice. If you’re looking for views to go with your booze you could do a lot worse. Cracking pasta too.

Another southside winner with a great list, perfect for one glass which always turns into three. Tucked away in Brixton Village Market they have a bottle shop and intimate restaurant next door, the staff are always great and will really help you find your way around a list. Their newer spot Levan in Peckham is also exceptional.

Hidden Wine Bars Across London with Top Cuvée

CXLOE

Sydney

Icebergs is Sydney's most instagrammed location! Its located at Bondi Beach and overlooks the infamous Bondi lap pool. You can have a sit down meal overlooking the beach or enjoy a cocktail down below by the pool. There are often beach parties thrown here so definitely have a look for any upcoming shows before you head down!

The Arms is a beautiful outdoor venue right by the water in Sydneys Northern Beaches. The view is an amazing feature about this place but you can also bring your DOG which is the selling point for me. You're not allowed pets in many dining areas in Australia so this is a go to spot for me and my pup.

If you're feeling fancy, Opera Bar is a must as it overlooks the beautiful Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. I grew up playing gigs here until I had enough to move over to the states to start my own career :)

This is one of my favourite places to go in Sydney when I'm needing some puppy love. This is a no kill shelter and all the animals are free to be walked and played with!

Mediterranean is one of my favourite types of food so if you're also a lover of this you HAVE to go to Emma's Snackbar. It's located just outside Sydney CBD and this is where the hub of bars, music venues and shopping is located. They have the best food, it's fast and inexpensive!

A perfect place to go for pre drinks in Sydney's city is The Winery. The name speaks for itself! If you're a lover of good wine and atmosphere this is the place to go. Any and every wine you could ask for and the best homemade pita bread with pumpkin hummus on the planet. It's also located in Surry Hills which is a vibey place to go if you're looking for a cool underground bar or opp shop!

Sydney with CXLOE

Tato Giovannoni

A staple on the World’s 50 Best Bar list since just after their opening, Florería is currently number 5 in the world, reflecting the huge growth on the Argentinian cocktail scene. The new menu is inspired by colonies and native towns, and from that, my favourite is Yamanas. Old Tom Gin, blue spirulina, earl grey, rose hip and patagónico king crab with pine mushroom bitters.

Probably one of the only bars that you can go to experience the golden era of Buenos Aires. Go here for the classic; a Clarito, the Argentine twist on the dry martini.

This relatively new bar from the younger generation of Argentinian bartenders is a great place to end the night. Trendy, hip music is played here throughout. Ask for a Milkisilin.

The third bar from the Ginoteria family, this new bar is in Chinatown, and in safe hands of old guard bartender of Pablo Pignata. It’s the only fast food style bar in Argentina, serving up gin & tonics, negronis and dry martinis. Fast, easy, simple and full of good vibes.

The newest bar from Ines De los Santos, this bar has great ambience and interiors, with a beautiful bar and food from Maximo Lopaz May. Inspired by French Vietnamese culture.

Also on the World’s 50 Best Bars list is Presidente. It’s super trendy and elegant, and a great place to go at any time of the day. Their list of signature and classic drinks is fantastic.

A must for any visit. Danzon was the bar that helped to nurture new talent and put Argentina on the world stage again for cocktails. The bar opened in 1998 and it’s still an amazing place to go. It was also the first wine bar in Argentina, with a beautiful restaurant, great cocktails and modern deco. My first job as a professional bartender was here.

This fantastic space plays tribute to tiki culture, run by Ludovico de Biaggi, one of the youngest new talents. It’s the same group as Danzon - great food, good music and always full of energy.

This amazing venue pays tribute to all the Argentinian classics. The owner is strict with what he serves and that’s just one of the reasons we love him - you’ll find no beers and no sodas here. Ask for a Ferroviario, or any classic you fancy. It’s a great place to start the night in a beautiful part of Buenos Aires.

Latin America's Top Mixologist Shares The Best Cocktail Bars in Buenos Aires

BAYLI

New York City 

Le Paris Dakar is an incredibly cozy coffee shop with a super clean and modern design. It is owned by the most beautiful Senegalese family and they have the best homemade cold brew and croissants in all of New York City. I promise you!

Kiki’s is my absolute favorite spot to go for dinner in NYC. Whether I’m going out on a sexy date night or having a girls night out with friends, Kiki is a perfectly lowkey environment with spacious seating and low-lighting. It is very well priced for such an amazing and 1-of-1 menu. It’s a Mediterranean restaurant that is owned by a beautiful and brilliant Greek woman, who the restaurant is named after. The best part about Kiki’s is they have really delicious and inexpensive wine carafes.

GUSH is a party that happens in unique, secret locations all over the city. GUSH parties feel like a safe space for queer-identifying people especially femme-identifying people and that is a rare commodity even in the most “liberal” city in the world! The parties last all night and include incredible DJ sets and performances by all different types of queer artists. It gets super hot and steamy at GUSH parties. If you attend you’ll probably have one of the best nights of your life! 

Cafe Select is the perfect place for a breakfast meeting. The staff is always incredible and it’s just a beautiful restaurant with a great menu and cozy seating. It’s in the heart of Soho so it’s the perfect place to start your day off if you have a busy work day in the city.

I live in the Fort Greene area of Brooklyn and a big part of my morning routine is taking early walks through my neighborhood and into Fort Greene Park. It’s a super peaceful walk and the park is always filled with locals and dog-walkers but it somehow never feels crowded. There is always an empty bench, in Fort Greene Park, to rest on while you eat your breakfast or people watch or meditate.

Pioneer Works is a gallery and artist-space that focuses on empowering community through art and sciences. They have really cool events that include inspiring exhibits that show incredible artists in their mastery and innovation, as well as educational panels that touch on social and environmental awareness and activism.

D70 is my go-to studio whenever I need to get high quality vocals or production. They’re one of the only studio’s in NYC that hold a large live room (called Studio A) that can host a whole orchestra, which I’ve done there with them for my Orchestral Version of “Sushi For Breakfast”! Their staff is incredibly eco-aware and covid-safe, making sure that each guest is temp checked before entering and has their own reusable water bottle while using the studio. If you’re in NYC and looking for a place to record I would most definitely recommend Dimension 70!

Explore Brooklyn with Local BAYLI

Anastasia Kristensen

Copenhagen

Great summer spot, which has finally opened this summer. The outdoor area is super cute, there’s space to seat, have a delicious bite and drink and then go in front and have a dance to some of the most excellent DJ's from around the world. I closed the opening day and it was so much fun.

Have discovered this second-hand market recently and it’s a gem. Located in the heart of the vibrant Nørrebro area the market. The vision of organisers to put an end of the awful consumerism mindset of buying mindlessly and never recycling. Everyone can book a stand and the place offers fantastic vegan friendly food trucks too. Many of the sellers are participating exclusively for charity purposes, which makes the experience of shopping way more meaningful.

If you are looking for a rare and more luxurious end of second hand, Lidkøb Østerbro is the one. Danes are stylish people and have accumulated loads of beautiful items throughout the decades. Here’s the place to shop them. A bit pricey but I’ve never left this place without finding something extremely pretty there.

A very popular go to spot for drinks, and particularly natural wine. Absolute must when in Copenhagen.

My fav spot to wind down and chill. This side of the lakes isn’t overly used but it has the most calming and peaceful effect.

If you look for more advanced and sophisticated Ruby is the place to visit. Centrally placed and has an amazing dark wooden interior inside. definitely ask for "One In, One Out" when there. The menu changes frequently.

My most favorite pizza is actually a vegan pizza; Pow vegan pizza is something I'm always up for eating. I always order either Moscow or Nairobi :))

Anastasia Kristensen's Perfect Summer Spots in Copenhagen

Los Angeles 

Mori's new sushi spot does the best omakase! Founder Mori is a Michelin starred chef who makes his own plates and ceramics and even grows his own rice. We adore him! The quality and dedication to sushi is seriously present, and every dish from the house tofu, to the soy sauce blends, and rice chosen, shows his legacy.

Market Song is a must hit small, bustling stop for updates on traditional Thai street foods. Go to Jitlada for super authentic best hole in the wall. It's a fun spot.

San Gabriel Valley is a Chinese Neighbourhood with over 100 incredible food spots which are all amazing. But if you had to pick one make sure you hit up Chendu Taste.

Make sure to order the Bento boxes from Hayato. They bang.

K town's KBBQ. The price is right, great food and atmosphere.

Mark & Johnny Houston def fit. Having grown up in L.A.’s Koreatown in the 1980s, brothers Mark and Jonnie Houston have created a time warp that takes guests back a few decades. Expect a quintessential soundtrack as well as live performances and special guest DJs. There are four karaoke suites available for groups of 10-20, a dance floor, and break room-style snacks.

Random store for all things design driven. Go to for cool gifts.

Asian Owned Businesses in LA

Cafe con Libros (coffee with books) is an intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop. Through their choice of books, programming and great coffee, they endeavour to create a vibrant community space where everyone; specifically female-identified folx, feel centered, affirmed and celebrated.

LICHEN NYC is location in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a design shop that’s helping to democratize design and proselytize more under-the-radar participants. Founded by Jared Blake and Ed Be the two have curated an exceptional archive of accessible vintage and contemporary furniture.

Brooklyn Blooms was planted in 2017 in the neighbourhood of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn with a mission to serve it’s neighborhood and the surrounding communities with uniquely curated blooms while maintaining sustainable practices.

Harlem's 1st 100 percent African American owned craft beer bar. Their mission is to invest in their local community, to offer great beers "made by us and for us" and expand access and enjoy good times together, in their own way.

Brooklyn Clay Industries is a ceramics studio that holds pottery classes and workshops. The owner Reuben King, a native of Dominica, grew up with pottery-making as a time-honored tradition that he wishes to share and inspire creativity.

Byas & Leon is a heavy hitting local spot with distinct taste. They specialize in sustainable fashion & craftsmanship, while also serving as an Afro Caribbean cultural hub.

Founded by friends Shelby Macklin and Banna Nega in 2015, Glazed NYC is a community-based lifestyle brand focused on providing high quality, classic accessories that bridge the gap between function and glamour.

Designed in Brooklyn and handcrafted sustainably with artisans spanning Nairobi to NY, these shoes give anyone who wears them an extra spring in their step.

A little more mainstream but they're all about Black excellence.

Owned and run by Telsha Anderson, this beautiful store is completely designed to cater to the women-identifying community in NYC. It also has fabulous clothes.

Brooklyn's Best fried chicken! They are doing delivery or you can stroll down and pick up.

Bed Vyne is an independent brewery, cocktail bar and liquor store in Bed-Stuy, BV feels more like a family cookout than your standard bar.

A social and wellness club designed to celebrate people of colour, online and in real life. It's one of the first coworking and social spaces curated by young people of color for other young people of color.



Make Manifest is a retail and community space in the heart Bed-stuy Brooklyn. Designed to insure growth of local & independent businesses. The artistic platform strives for economic equity and an environmental consciousness.

A well stocked wine shop determined to give Brooklyn quality wine at a quality price.

Joloff Restaurant has become a local go to for Senegalese flavours made in Brooklyn.

Cafe Rue Dix explores West African and French heritage through its food, drinks and decor.

Haitian-American café and cocktail bar, CAFE ERZULIE, partnered with an existing flower shop so that both local businesses could flourish.

Ode to Babel is a small bar and lounge in Prospect Heights that has a become a true neighbourhood space.

Black Owned Businesses in New York 

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

Raven

Berlin

IMO, some of the best food in Berlin… Koempul is a family owned, Indonesian restaurant by Eberswalderstr. The menus has quite a bit of fish and meat, but the vegetarian dishes can be made vegan by subtracting the egg. Try the Gadogado salad with peanut sauce.

Handmade Italian food and a great selection of natural wines. The staff is super friendly too. Love this little place for when I’m feeling a little bougie… and thirsty.

Food, drinks, atmosphere and cute people. NK staple.

Usually always something happening at this dive bar in Mitte. Live shows, films, DJs. Top music if you’re into Kraut-rock, new wave, indie etc.

Hand picked vintage and second hand clothes, close to Rathaus Neukölln U-bahn station. Good selection of shoes. I always find things here. They have men’s clothes as well. The owner is really helpful and will always help you find something.

Was happy to randomly have lunch with a friend here one day. Have been back plenty of times. The veggie pho is vegan and super tasty. Also inside the spot is really cute!

Late night bar. Dark, candle lit, One of my favourite bars in the city.

Brazilian cafe near Görlitzer Bahnhof. Vegan options and the price is really good. The food tastes like a proper home-cooked meal.

Berlin's Bars, Vintage Boutiques and Hidden Restaurants with Raven

Octa

This restaurant is run by my good friend Tim Ligtenberg and they make a fantastic Neapolitan. It's also my go-to spot on Friday evenings, as Tim always has a DJ or two spinning in their outdoor space in Mitte's Hackescher Hof, where I can be sure I'll run into at least a few friends before heading to the next event.

A small, quiet wine bar in Neukölln – the perfect stop for a chilled glass of orange wine on my way home from the office. They also offer a limited selection of authentic Italian goods, such as my very favorite Nocellara olives and bread sticks.

This local nut and dried goods store has a couple of locations around Berlin, but I like to frequent their shop on Karl Marx Straße for familiarity. In addition to their wide selection of traditional Lokum (aka "Turkish Delight") they also offer a huge selection of roasted nuts and dried fruits – I recommend their candied hibiscus, or the sesame roasted almonds – my go-to snacks since the first time I entered their store.

Probably the best way to describe Hopscotch is as an oasis. In addition to a sprawling selection of non-western English-language literature, emphasizing diaspora narratives and marginalized experiences, Hopscotch hosts workshops and events for a general audience.

To be frank, I haven't had a chance to visit the SAVVY Contemporary space, but that is only because of lockdowns hindering the accessibility of cultural institutions. SAVVY's focus, as an arts center, classroom, and communal space, is on interrogating notions of the "West" and "non-West" to attempt to deconstruct some of the firmly held social constructions surrounding such notions. SAVVY founder Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung was recently appointed as the new director of the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin to take effect in 2023, which is a huge deal – especially in Germany, where visible examples of Black cultural architects are very limited.

Berlin is home to a huge selection of swimming lakes and ponds. Sadly I have a deep connection to the Ocean, but since Germany is largely landlocked, lakes will have to do. Bernsteinsee is one of my favorite places to go swimming, but at around an hour's drive outside the city, it is a rare visit for me. The vibe there is just very clean, very quiet, and SANDY – which is not the case for all of the lakes in Greater Berlin.

Octa's Favourite Spots in Berlin

Blue Hawaii

Montreal

A spa out on the water overlooking the old port. Beautiful views. Good at all times of the year.

Fine French dining. Best steak frites in Montreal. Stunning ambiance. Wonderful wine list.

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