This was published 1 year ago
Best restaurants and bars of 2023: Traveller's 10 picks to line up for
By Ute Junker
Monk, Barcelona: The hospitality group behind the world's best bar have opened a new venue, hidden behind a 24-hour supermarket.Credit: Irene Fernandez/Monk
One of the best things about travel is the chance to discover new places to eat and drink. These are some of the new openings we can't wait to try.
PARIS: Le Gainsbarre
Cafe by day, piano bar by night, channelling the spirit of legendary French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg tout le temps? That sounds like a place we would love to hang out in, and it is coming to Paris' 7th arrondissement soon. The upcoming opening of Maison Gainsbourg will not only give fans the chance to visit the musician's former home, but will also provide an opportunity to relax in this vibey venue, with food courtesy of the team behind the popular Cafe Laperouse. See maisongainsbourg.fr
KYOTO: Noma Kyoto
Credit: Amy Tang
Copenhagen's acclaimed Noma restaurant, repeatedly crowned best restaurant in the world (and recently having announced its closure in 2024), is packing up its bags and moving to Japan – temporarily at least. Chef Rene Redzepi regularly hosts pop-ups in far-flung destinations, including a previous stint in Tokyo, and during this 10-week residency at the Ace Hotel Kyoto from March to May the Noma team will deliver a special menu inspired by Kyoto's traditional kaiseki cuisine. No surprise that the residency, which coincides with cherry blossom season, has already sold out, although you can still sign up for a waitlist. See noma.dk
COPENHAGEN: Koan
In Noma's absence there are still plenty of great restaurants in the Danish capital, including a newcomer from Kristian Baumann, whose 108 was one of the city's best. Since shutting that restaurant in 2020, Baumann – who was born in Korea and adopted by Danish parents – has been showcasing Korean-inspired cuisine in a series of pop-ups under the name of Koan. The restaurant finally gets a permanent home this year, right near the Little Mermaid statue, and diners will have the option of pairing each course of the tasting menu with a Korean rice wine. See koancph.dk
SINGAPORE: Brasserie Astoria
Chef Bjorn Frantzen will soon open another Singapore venue, Brasserie Astoria.Credit: Frantzen Group
Swedish celebrity chef Bjorn Frantzen made a name for himself in Singapore with Zen, his acclaimed Nordic-Japanese finer diner. Coming next year is a more casual outpost, Brasserie Astoria, housed in the Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall. The new restaurant, due to open by the middle of the year, is a spin-off of Frantzen's Stockholm outlet of the same name, which serves comfort classics such as pasta, pizza and Caesar salad. See frantzengroup.com
NEW YORK: The Highlight Room
There is never a bad time to be soaking up the New York skyline and a new rooftop bar in the Lower East Side gives you plenty of opportunity to take in the lights while savouring a Negroni. The Highlight Room atop the Moxy Lower East Side hotel has a garden-like setting, complete with foliage unfurling from the ceiling, as well as a lush outdoor terrace that is perfect for the warmer months. When it is chilly outside, relax in one of the plush banquettes instead. See taogroup.com
LONDON: New Colagreco restaurant
The Raffles group is known for working with top chefs, including Anne-Sophie Pic at its Singapore flagship, so it's no surprise that they have lined up one of the biggest names around for the new Raffles London at the Owo. Mauro Colagreco, whose three-Michelin-star restaurant Le Mirazur is considered among the best in the world, will helm the as-yet-unnamed restaurant at London's new Raffles property, set to open later this year. See raffles.com
BARCELONA: Monk
Monk's cocktails have a distinct tendency towards the dramatic.Credit: @monkbcn/Instagram
They nailed it with their Paradiso cocktail bar – accessed through a hidden door inside a sandwich bar – which was recently crowned the best bar in the world. For their brand-new project, Monk, Barcelona's La Confiteria Group have chosen an equally low-key location, this time nestled in behind a 24-hour supermarket. Two more things Monk shares with its older sibling: a cool playlist and cocktails with a distinct tendency towards the dramatic. If you love a bit of smoke billowing from your glass, you will be very happy here. See monkbarcelona.com
AUCKLAND: Bossi at the Pacifica
Salume boards, panzanella salads, ricotta-stuffed cannoli: when Deli di Bossi opened earlier this year in the CBD, its deft rendering of Italian classics made it an instant hit with Aucklanders. Turns out that was merely the teaser for the main event, Bossi at the Pacifica, which has just opened its doors. Set in Auckland's tallest residential tower, restaurateur Jenna Carter is again drawing on her Italian heritage to ensure that Bossi at the Pacifica offers a sense of community as well as authentic Italian cuisine cooked with heart. See bossi.co.nz
FUKUOKA: GohGan
With its hot springs and magnificent scenery, the island of Kyushu is a favourite with Japanese tourists. That may be why two of Asia's top chefs have picked Kyushu's largest city, Fukuoka, to launch their first collabo'ration. Housed in the new riverside 010 Building, GohGan has Gaggan Anand, the powerhouse behind Bangkok's influential Indian restaurant Gaggan, team up with local hero Takeshi "Goh'' Fukuyama, whose restaurant La Maison de la Nature Goh is known for Japanese-French cooking. The result promises to be delicious. See 010bld.com/en/gohgan-e/
LOS ANGELES: Isla
Brian Bornemann and Leena Culhane have turned their tiny Santa Monica raw seafood restaurant, Crudo e Nudo, into a local landmark, and their second opening has been eagerly awaited. They have announced the name – Isla – and the food direction, Mediterranean fare prepared on a woodfired grill. The one piece of news Los Angeles food fans are still waiting on: exactly where and when Isla will open its doors. See isla-la.com
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.