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What is the best restaurant you’ve ever eaten at?

182 replies

PosyPrettyToes · 15/12/2023 20:28

Just ate some delicious pho for dinner and it reminded me of a tiny place a few streets away from my childhood home. (Rural, EU foreign country) There was a little Vietnamese family run restaurant and it was the most INCREDIBLE place. They didn’t speak anything but Vietnamese, and while my dad spoke a little, it wasn’t very good and most of the diners spoke none at all. There was no menu either, they had a card with vegetables on you could point at if you were a vegetarian, you’d sit and delicious food would just start appearing. It was always packed, and they never turned people away - if there were spare seats on your table you’d get budge up gestures and be joined by whoever just came in. I loved that place! We used to eat there every week as a family.

From what my dad understood, the couple who ran the restaurant moved over with their adult daughter who was some kind of wealthy banker, and they were supposed to be retired but they got bored so they started the restaurant. We later understood all the waiting staff were their grandkids and all spoke the local language perfectly well but the grandparents thought it was fun to bamboozle the locals Grin

OP posts:
Bpickle1 · 15/12/2023 21:03

Gymkhana in Mayfair, Cafe China in New York or the Sichuan government provincial restaurant in Beijing :)

Palmasailor · 15/12/2023 21:06

Forn de st joan Palma de mallorca

TravelInHope · 15/12/2023 21:11

Veda Restaurant, Connaught Place, New Delhi. Non-veg tasting menu.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 15/12/2023 21:12

I've eaten at so many amazing restaurants.

My standout is Lone Star in Barbados for lunch. Duck ragu and rose wine, but it was 2004 so no idea if its still any good!

And my all time favourite is Prawn on the Lawn, ideally sitting at the high bench on stools while it pisses down with rain outside.

Mummypete · 15/12/2023 21:12

Other notable mentions -
Clos Maggiore (although a long time ago so not sure what it’s like now)
Kin & Duem London Bridge
Tamarind Mayfair
10 cases

thenightsky · 15/12/2023 21:15

Taverna El Glop in Barcelona.

Theravadu in Leeds.

FatMumSlimDad · 15/12/2023 21:16

I've eaten at some fancy and renowned places around the world.

But actually none of the "impressive" ones rank in my top 3. (Mainly USA, NYC/LA, but also some London musts according to business lunches etc.)

#1 was a fish restaurant in Paris which was somewhere near l'Opera but was years ago and try as I may to find it again I think it might be gone.

#2 which does still exist is Jiko in Walt Disney World. Have eaten there a few times and always impressed with both the service and food.

Puppylucky · 15/12/2023 21:17

Ooh I remember the Square! Not the best restaurant ever but very nice!

2phat2phaf · 15/12/2023 21:17

Sat Bains

sprigatito · 15/12/2023 21:18

A tiny restaurant in the Jewish quarter in Rome. We sat outside. I've never tasted such amazing food before or since.

Previousreligion · 15/12/2023 21:18

A sushi restaurant in the Middle East. I've tried to find sushi as good ever since and it's never come close. I rarely have it now to avoid the disappointment!

tootrueblue · 15/12/2023 21:23

Gordon Ramsey's Maze Grill in London. Fantastic steaks

LadyDaisy42 · 15/12/2023 21:24

Le Gavroche. Over 10 years since we were there and can still remember how amazing everything was. Shame it's closing.

BinkyBeaufort · 15/12/2023 21:25

A small restaurant in a side street in Lucca. Went there on the first day of our holiday for lunch, which was simply heaven, then spent the rest of the week trying and failing to find it again.

Laiste · 15/12/2023 21:30

Langans in Mayfair was my first really nice restaurant experience.

The hotel in Sorrento Italy where DH and i had our honeymoon was AMAZING. 10 nights of pure culinary joy beneath big shiny silver cloches 😍

Jibberty · 15/12/2023 21:35

Tough one.

I can't pick between Lasarte in Barcelona, Messina in Marbella or Chez Bruce, Wandsworth Common.

Hattie1970abc · 15/12/2023 21:39

Restaurant Monte, Rovinj, Croatia. Lovely area for foodies and very scenic too.

underneaththeash · 15/12/2023 21:42

LadyDaisy42 · 15/12/2023 21:24

Le Gavroche. Over 10 years since we were there and can still remember how amazing everything was. Shame it's closing.

My favourite too.
second fav Le Manoir.

Mytholmroyd · 15/12/2023 21:47

Cafe Paradiso in Cork - vegetarian fine dining. I am not a vegetarian but this really opened my eyes to how fabulous vegetarian food can be and made a big impression - I still tell people about it years later!

QuitChewingMyPlectrum · 15/12/2023 21:49

6 by Nico - phenomenal!

mrsbyers · 15/12/2023 21:49

Joel Robouchon in MGM Vegas been a couple of times now and just perfect service and food

Jellykat · 15/12/2023 21:50

In the 70s there was a Creperie towards the Worlds end bit of The Kings road.
It was called Asterix, and my dad used to take me there (we lived in Battersea).. not only the best Crepes ever, but we'd get off the bus at Sloane square, and walk the whole length of the Kings road, so i'd be starving by the time we arrived.
My dad died in 1977, so those memories of sitting in Asterix eating crepes, are treasured!

dastidlydaschel · 15/12/2023 21:52

Opheem in Birmingham. Amazing food and every friendly good staff.

Enjoyed The Coach in Marlow, the breakfast there is amazing!
Was disappointed with TK Bar and Grill at the Corinthia.

Gallagher's steak house in NYC was fantastic

Recycledblonde · 15/12/2023 21:55

Core in Kensington ~ absolutely fabulous.
Other than than The Black Duck in St Crepin. France

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