Hotel Les Deux Gares Hotlist SMITH

Hotlist


Where we tell our mates to eat, drink and sleep.

Fowl Restaurant Hotlist SMITH

FOWL

St James’, London

This sister restaurant to Fallow is a chicken shop like no other. Created by Chefs Will Murray and Jack Croft, the ‘beak-to-feet’ menu is full of surprises. From corndogs and spiced chicken wings to chicken fat creme caramel (yep - you read that right), each sustainably-sourced dish is paired with frozen cocktails.

We love: the frozen margaritas, chicken cornbread and herb butter.

instagram.com/fowlrestaurant
The Standard Ibiza Hotel Hotlist SMITH

The Standard

Old Town, Ibiza

The Standard has landed in Ibiza and it’s a treat. Head straight to the lift and make your way to the rooftop terrace bar (sorry another rooftop recommendation) for the best view of the Castle and Ibiza Old Town. Grab a cocktail and watch the sun go down. The staff here are awesome too.

We love: the ‘finger’ in the lobby, the umbrellas, the view and the cocktails.

instagram.com/thestandardibiza
Fat Pundit Restaurant Hotlist SMITH

Fatt Pundit

Covent Garden, London

This is the Indo-chinese place to be right now, if you can get a table, that is. Ideal for date night or a catch up with mates, each dish is designed to be shared and washed down with experimental cocktails. It's pretty simple and paired back inside, letting the food do the talking. Some great off piste wines too.

We love: Malabar Monkfish Curry, Shredded Chilly Venison and if you fancy something flaming, get the Snowflake Gelato Sizzling Brownie.

fattpundit.co.uk
Empire Empire Restaurant Hotlist SMITH

Empire Empire

Notting Hill, London

A celebration of all things Punjabi. Sister to our other fave, Gunpowder, the food here definitely brings some spice to Notting Hill. Think Tandoori hariyali king prawns, juicy goat seekh and guinea fowl jheela kebabs. It’s a vibe that matches the space, too, complete with a vinyl-only jukebox playing 70s Indian disco that’s heavy on the Asha Bhosle.

We love: the dreamy photo booth aesthetic and glittering disco ball lights as you munch on your prawns.

empire-empire.restaurant
Ceresio7 Ibiza Hotel Hotlist SMITH

Ceresio7

Milan, Italy

This place is magical. It’s like a living, breathing advert for “Milano da bere”. Glass walls and tropical plants frame the city skyline, leading to a rooftop bar for cocktails and people-watching.

We love: the bar menu feels like something out of a Wes Anderson movie.

ceresio7.com
Gallery Art Hotel Hotlist SMITH

Hotel Gallery Art

Florence, Italy

A playful hotel in the centre of Florence, set on the river close to Ponte Vecchio. Designed by Florentine architect, Michele Bönan, the space is designed to surround its guests with the best of Italian art and design. From guest-curated photography and textile exhibitions to changing sculptures outside the building itself, it’s a place that lets your creative mind wander.

We love: the iconic design pieces carefully placed throughout, the Salvatore Ferragamo influence and watching the world go by over the Arno river.

lungarnocollection.com/gallery-hotel-art/
Le Relais de Venise Restaurant Hotlist SMITH

Le Relais de Venise

Spitalfields, London

If you love a good steak, this is the place for you. Steak frites is the only option on the menu at this Parisian-born bistro, topped off with a signature peppercorn sauce and French fries just the way we like them. And if you can save room - the chocolate-drizzled profiteroles are the best in town.

We love: the walnut-topped green salad with the best mustard-vinaigrette dressing.

relaisdevenise.com
Cook Club Hotel Hotlist SMITH

Cook’s Club Corfu

Corfu, Greece

A bit boho, a bit playground, Cook’s Club Corfu is bang in the heart of Kommeno Bay. If you love your food and music, it's right up your street. DJs curate the soundtrack to your stay whilst the food options include some great Asian street food (hard to find in Corfu) alongside some more classic Greek options. They've spent a lot of time mastering their vegan and vegetarian dishes too – an easy to do with the produce being so good!

We love: eat what you like when you like, and it never gets boring.

cooksclub.com
Arome Bakery Hotlist SMITH

Arôme Bakery

Covent Garden, London

Where fine French pastry techniques meet Asian ingredients. Modern and minimalist warm wood deco presents you, with what we think is the best bakery in town. Must tries are the miso bacon escargot (pastry swirl – not buttered snail) and tropical pineapple and mango danish.

We love: the signature Honey Butter Toast. Worth it to witness the thick slice of fluffy Japanese shokupan milk bread being dipped in the thick gloop of honey butter before being toasted - humada humada.

aromebakerylondon.com
Max sandwich shop Hotlist SMITH

Max's Sandwich Shop

Finsbury Park, London

The 'hot sandwiches & booze' chalk board outside doesn’t do this place justice. Max has a formula - hot, cold, sweet, savoury, crunchy, soft - these sandwiches are more than just a sum of their parts. The Korean Gangster built from a hefty seven ingredients is a feat of sandwich engineering; which includes noodles and topped with ‘incredibly slutty gravy’. Knives and forks are scarce, sandwiches get brought to the table wrapped in paper and an elastic band, the coffee is black, and the tea is builders. ‘There ain’t no treat like breaded meat.’

We love: the sandwiches of course, the lo-fi menus giving 90’s mix tape vibes, the copywriting and the merch.

maxssandwichshop.com
Hotel Les Deux Gares Hotlist SMITH

Hôtel Les Deux Gares

Gare du Nord, Paris

A small and cosy hotel in Paris, close to Gare du Nord station. Designed by Artist Designer Luke Edward Hall ‘A hotel, or the home of a bohemian Parisian collector?’ This idea was central to Luke's concept and you feel this story-like quality, even in the tiny rooms. Walking into the lobby is like falling head first into a Wes Anderson film.

We love: the depth of the brand world, the clashing chair fabrics and the chocolate bear shaped treats in a jar on reception.

hoteldeuxgares.com/en
Ometesando Koffee Hotlist SMITH

Omotesando Koffee

Fitzrovia, London

First discovered on a trip to Tokyo, down a random back street – we were beyond excited when this landed in town. This is a very high quality Japanese coffee concept.

Things here are precise, practised, slow and controlled, serving what a lot of people say is the best coffee in London. A small space so not much room to hang out, go and appreciate the coffee – even if you have to take it away. Get into the right 'mindful' state before going.

We love:
the coffee, the perfectly square baked custard Kashi cake and the zen vibes.

ooo-koffee.com/london