The Best Eats
Last updated Feb 13th, 2024
This is a list of my favorite places to eat in various cities around the world along with a short description of the place or what I like there. All restaurant names are linked to their website, or if they don’t have one, their Yelp page for more information.
I mostly made this for friends and family who ask for recommendations of things to go in these places when traveling I end up just giving them a list of places to eat instead.
“Mark […] probably has a pretty skewed perception of what food is supposed to taste like. After all, this is the guy who’s eaten meat he picked out of the trash” — Food & Wine Magazine, July 2017
San Francisco, CA
Plow
The lemon ricotta pancakes and house sausage are phenomenal.
Los Panchos
Best Pupusas in the USA.
Bi-Rite Creamery
My go-to is the Dainty Gent Sundae. Honey lavender ice cream, hot fudge, blood orange olive oil & maldon sea salt. Add whipped cream, trust me.
Pizzeria Delfina
Saffron arancini to start and a Panna pizza. Perfection.
Eats
Only open for breakfast. My go-to is the Waffle Bacon. All the juice here is fresh squeezed.
Hot Cookie
Cookies are always fresh. Nothing better than a hot Snickerdoodle cookie.
Humphry Slocombe
The Secret Breakfast ice cream is unlike anything you’ve ever had.
Memphis Minnie’s BBQ
Best pulled pork on the west coast.
Japanese Tea Garden
Super chill place to enjoy some tea and snacks. Costs $9 to get into the Tea Garden however, and you still need to pay for what you buy.
Outerlands
My favorite weekend brunch spot. Everything is good. They open at 9, but show up at 8:20 and put your name on the list — trust me.
La Taqueria
My favorite taco spot in SF. Get it “el dorado” style (crunchy taco wrapped in a soft shell).
The Melt
Cheap, quick grilled cheese. So so good.
Patxi’s Pizza
Surprisingly great Chicago style pizza in San Francisco
Straw
A very tiny carnival themed restaurant with one of the most bonkers menu I’ve ever seen. All the food here is awful for your arteries but amazing for your soul.
Trader Vic’s
A little pricey but this Polynesian inspired restaurant is incredible. I highly recommend the steak if you’re a meat eater. And don’t leave without trying multiple tiki drinks.
Happy Donuts
What appears to be an average donut shop on the edge of Chinatown is secretly very, very good. I’ve had many donuts here and they were all fantastic.
Hunan Home
Really fantastic old-school Hunan style Chinese food, right in the heart of Chinatown.
Washington, D.C.
Lupo Verde
The Cacio e Pepe is other worldly. Also, the free bread they bring to your table is insanely addictive.
Georgetown Cupcake
I don’t like cupcakes. Well, I didn’t think I did until I went here. Don’t play it safe with your flavor choices!
Le Diplomate
The steak frites was amazing. The Martinique Rhum Punch is the best mixed drink I’ve ever had in my life. They only get better the more you have.
Ice Cream Jubilee
Flavors change up constantly here. Be adventurous! They let you try samples.
Boston, MA
Regina Pizzeria
Only the location in The North End. I mean it. Do not visit any other location, it’s licensed garbage. Get a plain cheese pie (and a topping, if you must).
Galleria Umberto
Get here early, they close when they run out of food (around 2pm). Get the Sicilian slice. No, get two. Okay, two and a rice ball.
Santarpio’s
Solid pizza out in East Boston. Don’t forget to get the steak tips too!
Rino’s Place
This place only has 11 tables and doesn’t take reservations so you’re in for a long wait, but it’s worth it. Absolutely incredible Italian food here.
Southern Proper
Excellent southern food here. I came here for brunch and it was fantastic. I recommend “The Hojo”.
Mike’s Pastry
Mike’s sells a lot of Italian pastries, but you’re coming here for the Cannoli. I’ve eaten hundreds of Cannolis in my lifetime and there’s truly no place better than Mike’s.
Ogawa Coffee
Yes, it’s true, a tiny unassuming coffee shop in the financial district have incredible breakfast sandwiches and drinks. Skip Starbucks, come here.
New Haven, CT
Modern Apizza
Look, I don’t know what to tell you. I’m a New Yorker who rates this pizza a strong 9.6.
Milwaukee, WI
Mad Rooster Cafe
There aren’t many things in Milwaukee worth putting on a list, but this breakfast spot is one of them! The spicy chicken chorizo gravy they put on their biscuits & gravy is worth the trip to this otherwise miserable city.
Chicago, IL
Lou Malnati’s
As a New Yorker, I didn’t “get” deep dish until I visited Lou Malnati’s. There’s a time and a place, and that time and place is as soon as you get to Chicago.
Portillio’s
Italian beef sandwich “dipped”, chili cheese dog, chocolate cake shake and then whatever else you think you can still shove inside of your stupid fat face.
Green Street Smoked Meats
You’re going to want to try everything. You should.(But if you have to go for one thing, their pulled pork is truly outrageous)
Yolk
Excellent breakfast spot with a bunch of locations throughout Chicagoland. Very innovative food and drink options here, all of it delicious.
Jennivee’s Bakery
This hidden bakery has the best Tres Leches cake I’ve ever had in my life. I’m sure their other stuff is good too, but it doesn’t matter, get the Tres Leches cake.
Firecakes Donuts
Chicago has a very strong donut culture and I’m here for it. Firecakes sell some of the most fresh and flavorful donuts that I’ve tried. Their ice cream donut sandwiches are really good too!
Garrett Popcorn Shops
This is kind of a touristy thing that you shouldn’t feel shameful for going to. Get yourself a bag of the Chicago Mix (caramel and cheddar popcorn mixed together), take it to the Riverwalk and enjoy this incredible snack.
New Orleans, LA
The Ruby Slipper
Get the Chicken St. Charles and a mimosa. Also, you’re in New Orleans so you can take an extra mimosa to go, so do that.
Jimmy J’s Cafe
Biscuits and gravy, yes please.
Cafe du Monde
You kind of have to stop here for beignets. Hop on the to-go line, it’s way quicker.
Red Gravy
This is an Italian restaurant that serves really unique breakfast combinations (they close at 2pm).
Baltimore, MD
Bond Street Social
Great place to come with a group of people. It’s a sharing menu, so all the plates are small and are picked at amongst your group. The chicken and waffles are the best I’ve ever had.
Woodberry Kitchen
Local, seasonal menu that changes every few weeks. The food here is crafted with incredible care and very flavorful. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful.
The Charmery
Tiny little ice cream spot that, given the lines in the evening is quite popular. I tried a bunch of different flavors and my favorite is “Saturday Morning Cartoons” which tastes like the bottom of a cereal bowl.
Page, AZ
Big John’s Texas BBQ
I speak in hyperbole a lot but this is genuinely the greatest BBQ I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. If you’re ever visiting Horseshoe Bend, please eat here.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Van Stapele Koekmakerij
They sell one thing. The best cookie in the world. It’s a gooey fudgey thing with a marshmallow-ish center. You want it.
Lo Stivale d’Oro
Honestly the best Italian restaurant i’ve ever been to in my entire life. It’s run by an Italian woman with her mother and son and I cannot recommend it enough. Try the lasagna and a prosciutto pizza.
Paris, France
Le Saint Regis
While in Paris I never stepped foot in a restaurant that so perfectly captured the essence of Paris as this place did.
Le Relais de l’Entrecote
They serve Steak Frites and nothing else. The butter herb sauce they pour on top is straight crack. Try the house wine!
Barcelona, Spain
Federal Cafe
Trendy hipster spot filled with lots of locals. Really solid breakfast option if you’re in the neighborhood but don’t go out of your way.
Granja Dulcinea
I had the churros, drinking chocolate, catalan cream, and rice pudding and it was all absolutely bonkers. Amazing dessert spot.
Caelum
This is a super special spot. A lot of the items here are made by nuns in the local monasteries. Enjoy some cakes, pastries and cava. Ask to be seated downstairs in the dungeon.
Da Greco
Fancy Italian restaurant with incredible food. It’s absolutely gorgeous inside, especially up on the 3rd floor. Reservations are recommended unless you show up right when they open.
Brunch & Cake
Healthy breakfast options. Bright, colorful food (which is highly Instagrammable, if that’s your thing). I recommend the ricotta & oat pancake and a multifruit smoothie!
London, UK
The Rum Kitchen
Excellent Jamaican spot with amazing jerk chicken and excellent drink menu.
The Diner
This is very American of me, but I loved this place. They also happen to serve the absolute greatest cream soda in the history of cream sodas.
Arôme Bakery
There’s going to be a line, but it’s absolutely worth it. You absolutely must get the honey butter toast and the egg custard tart. You can get other stuff, it’s all great. But if you leave without those two things, you failed.
Nando’s
Nando’s is a fast casual chain, but oh my god is it good. Their chicken and their sauces are top tier, and luckily in London you’re never too far from one.
Park Room — London
There’s no shortage of places to get afternoon tea in London, but this place was really great. Everything served during the service was excellent, and it’s relatively more low key than places downtown.
Chin Chin Ice Cream
Get the burnt butter caramel ice cream and then come and thank me.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Barrachina
They claim to have invented the Piña Colada. Whether or not that’s true, they’re really good, and not sweet like their American counterpart. The Chicken Breast Manchego is crazy good.
Señor Paleta
Pretty great paletas (ice pops). Go down the street and eat them in the park!
La Bombonera
Absolutely beautiful restaurant. Came here for breakfast, it was excellent. Note: They don’t have English menus here.
Toronto, Canada
Wanda’s Pie In The Sky
Excellent pies! I had the Sour Cherry but they all looked so incredible.
Rasta Pasta
Sincerely perfect Jamaican food.
Montreal, Canada
La Cornetteria
You have to try the traditional Cornetto stuffed with custard. It’ll change your life.
Drogheria Fine
A takeout container full of gnocchi for $5. Can’t beat it! It’s absolutely incredible and my favorite thing I ate in Montreal. FYI despite what every website says, they don’t start serving until 11:30am.
Phuket, Thailand
Kan Eang @ pier
Absolutely gorgeous outdoor restaurant with great good. The wait staff will not let you pour your own water. Go at night!
Willemstad, Curaçao
Pirate Bay
Pretty chill spot on the beach. Good food, great drinks.
Rome, Italy
Antico Forno Roscioli
An incredible bakery serving up all kinds of baked goods but the real winner here is a pizza with thinly sliced potatoes, rosemary and olive oil on top. The best snack in Rome.
Florence, Italy
Ara: E Sicilia
Arancini is an Italian stuffed rice ball. I eat a lot of them, and I can tell you the ones they sell are absolutely incredible.
Trattoria 13 Gobbi
A beautiful restaurant serving up incredible food. Highly recommend the super simple bowl of rigatoni with sauce and buffalo mozzarella. It was the most memorable dish I had during my time in Italy.
Osteria Santo Spirito
Cacio E Pepe is my favorite pasta dish ever and this restaurant, hands down, has the best I’ve ever had. I tried a few other dishes here and everything was incredible.
Iceland
Steikhúsið
Iceland isn’t really known for their steak, but wow, this place was absolutely excellent. Top tier cuts of meat, excellent sauces (you must get the creamy pepper sauce), and reasonably priced (for a steakhouse anyway).
Brauð & Co.
Excellent little bakery that sells excellent cinnamon rolls, pretzels and breads. Stock up here on some carbs before you go out hiking.
Faxi Bakery
This is a little cafe essentially in the middle of nowhere that sells the best donuts I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. No hyperbole.
Deig
Great little spot to grab some pastrys and coffee for breakfast. I can’t speak on the bagels, as I didn’t have one, but everything else is great!
Naples, Italy
Da Attilio
There’s a lot of pizza in Naples, but Attilio Bachetti is a master of his craft. Everything here is amazing, but my personal recommendation is the “Carnivale” pizza.
Osteria Donna Teresa
Mom & Pop owned restaurant with no menu. You get a choice of soup or pasta, then a choice of fish or meat. Super special place that reminds me of my grandma’s Sunday dinner.
Pintauro
Sfogliatelle is a staple of Naples. It’s a pastry filled with orange flavored ricotta and Pintauro serves them up fresh, warm, and delicious.
Hawaii (Maui)
Huli Huli Chicken
This Huli Huli Chicken, served from a tent in Koki Beach Park is hands down the best chicken I’ve ever had in my entire life and that’s not an exaggeration.
Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
A tiny little stand on the side of the road to Hana serving up delicious hot banana bread. I don’t even really like banana bread but this was incredible.
Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse
Truly excellent BBQ here at Fat Daddy’s. I recommend the pulled pork!
Wow Wow Lemonade
Very extensive menu of lemonades, açaí bowls and the like. They’re all super fresh and flavorful. (They’ve got a few west coast USA locations as well!)
Ma’alaea General Store
This quickly became our go-to spot for a quick breakfast or lunch right across the street from the harbor. The chicken katsu here is to die for.
Hawaii (Big Island)
Willie’s Hot Chicken
Excellent fried chicken in a super-vibey spot. We came here around sunset and enjoyed our juicy flavorful chicken as a live band played. Nice spot!
Huggo’s On The Rocks
Very solid food and tasty drinks at this restaurant right on the beach. Great spot that seems more quiet and low key than others in the area.
Hawaii (Oahu)
Donut King
This is a very small and unassuming donut place in a strip mall that kind of blew me away. They close when they run out, so get there early. Remarkable (but basic) donuts here.
Tea Home
I had a LOT of bubble tea in Hawaii and this place was far and away the best. Excellent tea brews, fantastic flavors — everything here is really fresh and tasty.
Leonard’s Bakery
This place is famous and for a good reason. Their malasadas (Portuguese donuts filled with various flavored custards) are unbelievable. Be prepared to wait, everything is made fresh to order!
Kith Treats
Kith Treats is super unique in that they grind up various cereals into a powder and mix them into soft serve ice cream. You’d have to go and try it to understand, but trust me. Try “The Bam Bam”. They have a bunch of locations around the world.
The Sunrise Shack
Some of the creamiest most delicious smoothies I’ve ever had. They also sell other things, but at least try a smoothie!
