Eating the World

Chefs and industry insiders share their favourite restaurants and wine bars in some of the most underrated food cities around the world

- By Coco Marett

In certain circles, travelling for food has long meant collecting Michelin stars rather than connecting with local culture. But increasingly, travellers of all backgrounds are focused on discovering dynamic dining scenes that show off native ingredients, celebrate diversity and let them experience the city like a local. The following destinations are on the radar of the most discerning diners-naturally, Tatler approves.

BERLIN, GERMANY

Berlin's reputation as a hot dining destination is picking up speed faster than a techno beat at Berghain, thanks to an eclectic mix of street food, casual-cool eateries, vegan kitchens and fine dining.

There's an emphasis on ingredients sourced from local farmers and foragers, like at the innovative Lode & Stijn, helmed by chef Lode van Zuylen who "strictly rejects factory farming"; or the cult-favourite bistro Mrs Robinson's, whose menu spells it out loud and clear for diners: "F**k industrial agriculture; farm regeneratively or die."

But according to Jeff Claudio—a chef who moved to Berlin from Hong Kong, where he worked as sous chef at Belon then at Yardbird—Berlin’s magic lies in its hidden gems—namely restaurants that celebrate the city’s richly multicultural population. Berliners have even coined a term for it: “Multikulti”, short for multikulturell (multicultural). It’s a term that denotes the city’s accepting attitude towards the different cultures and religions that make up modern-day Berlin.