Hit List

A personal shortlist of places worth eating at — from neighbourhood spots to destination dining.
Collected over years of travel, kitchen work and time spent at tables around the world.
Updated occasionally.

Australia

Brisbane

Mosconi - James St

An elegant, upmarket wine bar suited to everything from a romantic night out to a solo bowl of handmade pasta and a glass of wine. Chef Cat Anders cooks with confidence and consistency, backed by a thoughtful, well-curated wine list.

Stanley - Howard Smith Wharfs

Modern Cantonese dining beneath the Story Bridge. From handmade dumplings to whole coral trout, the food is bold and generous, with Chef Louis Tikaram delivering flavour-driven cooking at its best.

Mid Town - South Brisbane

An intimate spot ideal before or after cocktails. Small plates are handled with care, making it an easy place to settle in and stay longer than planned.

La Lune - Fish Lane

A tucked-away wine bar with a serious cellar and confident food emerging from a compact open kitchen. A genuine local favourite with plenty of personality.

Sunshine Coast

Samila Gaeng – Maroochydore
A small Thai restaurant delivering some of the most confident, flavour-driven food in the region. Adam and Ying cook with depth and care, without shortcuts. Limited seating — book ahead and order widely

Market Bistro – Maroochydore
Refined, classic dining with white tablecloths, precise cooking and a wine list that rivals much larger city rooms. Ideal for special occasions or an unhurried long lunch.

Mapleton Public House – Mapleton
Worth the drive. A thoughtful reimagining of the classic pub, led by Chef Cam and backed by produce from their own nearby farm. Not a traditional pub menu — generous, produce-led cooking done properly.

Embla – Russell Street
A benchmark wine bar. Relaxed, instinctive and consistently excellent — the kind

Melbourne

South Melbourne Market – South Melbourne
A Melbourne institution for oysters, seafood and the city’s iconic dim sim. Strong producers, excellent bakeries and plenty of reasons to linger — a place that still feels rooted in how locals eat.

Embla – Russell Street
A benchmark wine bar. Relaxed, instinctive and consistently excellent — the kind

Supernormal – Flinders Lane
A modern Melbourne classic that remains consistently relevant. Refined, approachable and always worth a visit when in town — if you can get a table.

Tipo 00 – Little Bourke Street
An intimate room focused on beautifully executed pasta and thoughtful wine. Service is confident and warm. If it’s full, their sister restaurant next door, Osteria Ilaria, is well worth considering

Serai – Racing Club Lane
Bold, fire-led cooking with Filipino influences

Saudi Arabia

Riyadh

Najd Village – Multiple Locations
A classic Saudi restaurant serving traditional Najdi cuisine. A must-try experience — come with friends, expect generous portions, and be prepared to sit on the floor.

Section B – Multiple Locations
A well-executed burger chain that consistently delivers. Casual, reliable and popular for a reason.

Sobhy Kaber – Riyadh
Authentic Egyptian cooking built for sharing. Order widely, but make sure the stuffed roasted pigeon is spoken for early.

Smokey Beards – Riyadh
Slow-cooked American-style barbecue done properly. A solid option when the craving for smoke and comfort hits.

Myazu – Riyadh
One of the city’s early international Japanese restaurants and still among the best. Polished, consistent and well judged.

Mama Noura – Multiple Locations
Still one of the best shawarma stops in the city. Fast, dependable and always satisfying.

Maqsaf – Riyadh
Simple, affordable sandwiches and snacks done well. Easy, flavourful and well worth a stop.

United States Of America

Los Angeles

Totoraku – West Los Angeles
Small, private and deliberately discreet. Good luck finding it — and even better luck getting a seat. Those who do are rewarded.

Providence – Hollywood
A three Michelin-starred seafood restaurant from Chef Michael Cimarusti. Precise, disciplined cooking that rewards time and attention. Well worth the experience.

Jitlada – East Hollywood
A long-standing Thai institution and a cornerstone of the LA dining scene. Bold flavours, high energy and always a good night out. Say hello to Jazz if you’re lucky.

Kazunori – Multiple Locations
Hand rolls, done properly. No reservations, no fuss — line up, order, eat. Simple and satisfying.

Sushi Park – Sunset Boulevard
Tucked into a strip mall and intentionally low-profile. Serious sushi in a quiet room, without distraction.

Nozawa Bar – Beverly Hills
A tiny omakase counter hidden behind Sugarfish. Beer and omakase only. Focused, restrained and quietly excellent.

Matsuhisa – Beverly Hills
The original Nobu. Go for lunch, keep it simple, and let the classics do the talking.

Hong Kong

Sushi Kuu – Central
Exceptional sushi from Chef Satoru in a relaxed, welcoming room. Sit at the bar and watch the precision unfold. Be cautious if the sake starts flowing — nights here can run long.

Mott 32 – Central
A globally recognised restaurant set within a former bank vault. The Peking duck is the centrepiece and worth ordering without hesitation.

Kam’s Roast Goose – Wan Chai
Roast goose hanging in the window, served simply with rice and greens. No explanation needed — don’t walk past.

Tim Ho Wan – Multiple Locations
The original pork bun specialists. Order at least one. Preferably two.

Yat Lok – Central
A no-frills spot for barbecued meats. Inexpensive, fast and reliable, with several locations across the city.

Mak’s Noodle – Multiple Locations
Comforting bowls of soup noodles done properly. Affordable, delicious and a favourite with locals.

The Peninsula Hotel – Tsim Sha Tsui
For something more refined, the afternoon high tea remains a classic. Elegant, indulgent and unhurried.

Duddell’s – Central
Two Michelin stars and consistently polished cooking. If the all-inclusive Sunday lunch is still running, gather a group and make an afternoon of it.

Mainland China

Guangzhou

Dagefan – Guangzhou
A pigeon-focused restaurant showcasing a regional specialty done with confidence and care. Don’t be put off — the cooking is deeply flavoured and memorable. Reservations help, otherwise expect a short wait.