Here are a few of our restaurant, bar, and other recommendations for each city!
Montreal Recommendations
Bars | Bar Desciption | Restaurants | Restaurant Description | Culture | Activity Description | Other Fun Activities | Activity Description | |
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Le Mal Necessaire | Good vibes, great tiki drinks, DJ on some nights (typically playing deep house / pop etc.) | Nouilles de Lan Zhou – Noodle Shop | $ – Great noodles, no fanfare, no reservations | Biodome | Like a zoo, but much much better. Tons of animals and walking through the simulated environments makes the experience much cooler | Cabaret Mado | Drag Show – great theme nights and fun crowds | |
Le 4eme Mur | Classy looking speakesy with deceptively strong drinks | Poutineville | $ – Honestly poutine is everywhere and it’s all good. This place probably has the most options though | Botanical Gardens | Beautiful garden to visit in the summer | BOTA BOTA | Beautiful spa right on the river. Come for the water circuits, stay until happy hour | |
Maison Cloakroom | Legit speakeasy in a tailor shop | Modavie | $$$ – Great food, great wine. What’s not to love? | Mont Royal | Short hike that ends in beautiful views of the city | Jean Talon Market | Great produce and food stalls. Grab your lunch and head for a nearby bench to enjoy | |
Soubois | Cool bar, fancy cocktails, good vibes | Tacos Victor | $$ – There are a few locations. Tacos are great and they have their own beer on tap | Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal | If picking one museum to visit while there, this is a great choice | Bagel tastings | Whether choosing to go on a food tour or just popping by a famous bagel shop (e.g. St. Viateur bagel), its fun to rank against the other city famous for its bagels | |
Club Pelicano | Great bar, cool concept (a swimming pool themed bar?) | Elena | $$ – Wood fire pizza optins, wine and coffee options to keep you fueled for the day or evening | Montreal’s Notre Dame | Beautiful from the outside, but if you get tickets to tour the inside the view is even more stunning | |||
Bar Renard | Another cute bar, close to gay village and makes for an easy itinerary for a night out | Maison Boloud | $$$$ – For a fancy night out, why not go to the Ritz? Price is considerably better than its sister restaurant in NYC and worth every penny | |||||
Cloakroom Bar | Cute cocktail bar right near McGill University | L’Orignal | $$$ -Farm to table, delicious, rustic. | |||||
Champagnerie | Exactly what it sounds like – a bar, but with champagne. If with a group, a great opportunity to saber a champagne bottle | Toque | $$$$ – Another splurge option. You won’t regret the tasting menu here either |
Paris Recommendations
Bars | Bar Desciption | Restaurants | Restaurant Description | Culture | Activity Description | Other Fun Activities | Activity Description | |
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21 Sound Bar | Hip hop / dancehall bar. Small space with a fun crowd. | Every French Cafe | This guide will be light on restaurant selections as every few blocks you will run into a non-descript French cafe with delicious food. | Eiffel Tower | Obvious, but worth stating. Definitely worth going to the top if you can (tip: take the stairs if physically able to avoid the long elevator line) | Seine river cruise | A fun way to see the sites, especially if you can book a small tour that will make it feel more intimate. Lovely at sunset | |
Wanderlust | Completely outdoor bar / club. Skews younger but is incredibly fun | Menkicchi | When you’ve had your fill of French cafe food for the day, grab some ramen and enjoy the people watching. Rue Sainte-Anne is filled with other Asian restaurant options if you want to mix it up. | Louvre | Equally obvious. Buy a skip-the-line ticket ahead of time to avoid spending over an hour trying to get in | Shopping in Le Marais | Great little shops to weave through and pick up a few new favorites. Also head to Marché des Enfants Rouges to see a local market and pick up a few items for dinner or a picnic | |
Le Tiki Lounge | Exactly what it sounds like, the downstairs area becomes a club once enough people are there | l’Huîtrerie Régis | Delicious raw bar right in Latin Quarter | Musee D’Orsay | Slightly less obvious choice and well worth the time to visit. Here you’ll find many impressionist paintings that make the museum famous | 38 RIV Jazz Club or Le Caveau des Oubliettes | Very intimate, located in a repurposed cellar with beautiful acoustics. Once you leave, you’re right near teh Seine and Notre Dame so it is perfect for a post-concert stroll | |
Le Comptoir General | Perfect for a warm day or evening, this open air bar has a cool vibe and fun drinks | La Bourse et la Vie | One of the city’s best bistros. Try the duck foie gras | Musee Quai Branley | This museum contains many paintings, scultures, and masks from various indigenous cultures in Africa, Asia, and the Americas | Black Paris Tour | Incredibly interesting tour (both half and full day options) which shows some of the areas of Paris that famous Black American figures frequented | |
Candelaria | Some of the best cocktails around and the tasting flight is a pretty good deal | Restaurant Granite | Will require a reservation but will definitely be worth it. The chef who opened this restaurant (Thomas Meyer) was previously sous chef at a 3 Michellin star restaurant | Notre Dame | Notre Dame is currently closed through 2024, but certainly it is worth a walk to Point Neuf and to the cathedral to see it from the outside | Luxemburg Garden picnic | Beautiful gardens and a great place to take a walk on your own or to pick up snacks and wine and have an impromptu picnic | |
Little Red Door | A cocktail menu that is a bit of a dice-roll as the ingredients are not listed for each drink. Fortunately, they are all delicious | Saint Chapelle | If you like cathedrals, this stop is near Notre Dame and also breathtakingly beautiful | Jardin des Tuileries | Sprawling gardens that are also beautiful to see (but often more populated than Luxemburg Gardens) | |||
Le Syndicat | Drinks made exclusively from Parisian spirits and liqeurs. The perfect place for an after-dinner cocktail | Arc du Triomph | Beautiful arch and you can go inside to see it from the top. A perfect way to burn some calories before enjoying some French bread | Foundation Louis Vuitton | Facility contains a permanent collection and has different exhibits in the year along with a beautiful outdoor space | |||
Moonshiner | Get the speakeasy experience and go to this bar tucked behind a pizza shop | Versailles | About an hour away but well worth it to see the sheer opulence and grandeur that photos can’t fully capture. Take the RER or split an uber with a friend | Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen | A cool flea market (if that is possible) in the 18th arr | |||
Le Bar | Great bar right in the heart of the city. Plus the name is easy to remember | Pompidou | Modern art museum in the heart of the city, the Pompidou center is an interesting building just to look at and walk through on its own. Pair that with the art inside and a rooftop to take in views of the city and you have a winner | Shopping in Champs d’Elysee | After going to the Arc du Triomph, try the shopping (window or otherwise) down this bustling boulevard | |||
Sacre Coeur | Both the architecture of this building and the location on a hill make it worth stopping by | |||||||
Rodin Museum | If you like Rodin, this is a picturesque place to view his work | |||||||
Shopping at Galleries Lafayette | A mall where you’re almost gaurenteed to find something you like | |||||||
Musee Picasso Paris | One of the great, smaller museums in Paris, this house contains several of Picasso’s important works |
Lisbon Recommendations
Bars | Bar Desciption | Restaurants | Restaurant Description | Culture | Activity Description | Other Fun Activities | Activity Description | |
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Lux | More of a club than a bar, but a great place to dance the night away when you’re in the mood | TimeOut Lisbon | A great foodhall to stop in for lunch. Pro tip: try the donut stall | Sintra Day Trip | Explore a town only about an hour away from Lisbon but with a much cooler climate due to the plant life. Don’t miss the spiral staircase. | Take Tram 28 | Take the iconic tram through the city | |
Bahr at Bairro Alto Hotel | Go for the views. | Any local sidewalk restaurants to count | The further you venture from the tourist spots, the more likely you are to find a great deal on both the cod (a Portugese staple) and the vino | Tagus River Cruise | Cruise down the Tagus River, having a glass of wine, andjoying the Belem Tower and other sites | Santa Justa elevator | Take the elevator for some of the best views in the city | |
Red Frog | Classic speakeasy vibes. Ring the bell (underneath the red frog) to enter. | Alma | $$$$ – If you’re looking for a fine dining experience, this is the place to go | National Tile Museum | FIlled with tiles that look more like paintings, truly showcasing the art of the process | Rossio Square | Enjoy the views near the fountain at Rossio Square | |
Tabernáculo by Hernâni Miguel | Come for the owner just as much as you come for the entertainment. Often a great place to meet new friends! | Prado | $$ – 100% Portugese dishes and the perfect place to go with friends | MAAT Museum | Contemporary art museum that features a lot of interesting exhibits | Afternoon at the beach in Caixcais | The town is easily accessible by train and there you’ll find a beautiful view that paids well with a margarita | |
Mambo | Black-owned lounge in Lisbon with good drinks and good vibes | Café de São Bento | $ – Great for a late night meal before heading to a bar in Barrio Alto | African Arte Lisboa | African art museum featuring sculptures and masks from all over the continent and islands | LX Factory | Filled with restaurants, artist cubicles, and cute shops. Arrive hungry and spend a couple of hours here | |
49 da ZDB | Great place for a live DJ set in Barrio Alto | BouBou | $$ – Coming for the tasting menu, stay for the wine | Fado | A uniquely Portugese experience, many restaurants in Lisbon offer Fado music with evening dinner seating. Be aware that that in some restaurants (especially those with pre-fixe meals), guests are expected to stay the entire time | Embaixada Lisboa | Like a mall, but much better. Here you’ll find art, clothing stores, and even a bar all in an 18th century mansion | |
Páginas Tantas | Jazz bar also in Barrio Alto | Jesus é Goês | $$ – Delicious Goan food served tapas style | Jerónimos Monastery and pastries | Tour the expansive monestary and treat yourself afterward with pastéis de Belém – the most famous desert in the area. Be prepared to wait but the line moves quickly | |||
Majong | Not all cocktail bars in Lisbon are created equally – this one doesn’t disappoint | Praça do Comércio | This central square is a must visit and pretty hard to miss. Don’t expect amazing food in this area as it is very touristy, but expect good vibes | |||||
African Lisbon Tour | Naky’s tour is a must – seeing and understanding Portugal’s role in the transatlantic slave trade helps to place the opulence of the old mansions into perspective | |||||||
Visit Pink Street | Exactly what it sounds like – very IG friendly location for a cute shot of Lisbon |
Barcelona Recommendations
Bars | Bar Desciption | Restaurants | Restaurant Description | Culture | Activity Description | Other Fun Activities | Activity Description | |
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W Lounge Bar | Great bar at the W hotel with ocean views and cool cocktails | Cova Fumada | $$ – Very cute and one of the oldest restaurants in Barceloneta. Perfect stop on the way to or from the beach | La Sagrada Familia | Probably the most famous Gaudi design in the city | La Rambla | No trip is complete without walking the streets | |
El Xampanyet | Bar dating back to the 1920s. A great place for snacks and happy hour | Bar Cañete | $$ – Great stop for tapas in the Gothic Quarter | Park Guell | Beautiful park with multiple of Gaudi’s designs making for a fun place to enjoy a picnic | Mercado de La Boqueria | Vibrant market with great meat, fish, and fresh produce, but go in the morning for the best experience | |
Bar La Plata | Come for the anchovies, drinks, and the scene | Restaurante Martínez | $$ – Not all paella is created equal, even and perhaps especially in Barcelona. Stop here for a classic paella | Picasso Museum | Compared to the Paris version, this museum has a massive amount of Picasso’s works spanning many years | Barceloneta Beach | Enjoy a beach day in the middle of the city | |
Old Fashioned Gin Tonic & Cocktail Bar | A great stop for a drink post Casa Mila | Bar Brutal | $$ – Great wine options and Catalan cuisine | Barcelona Cathedral | Stunning 13th century cathedral | Gothic Quarter | Beautiful old city, perfect for sunset or a nightime stroll | |
Paradiso | The cocktail bar to go to if you’re near Barceloneta | Restaurante Mano Rota | $$ – Retaurant combining Catalan and Peruvian cuisine | Barcelona museum of contemporary art | Mix the history of the city with contemporary art | Vineyard tours in nearby towns | A great day-trip option to get out of the city | |
La Burnessa | Bar hop between here and First Cocktail Bar | ElDiset | $$ – Wine bar with open faced sanwhiches and charcuterie | Casa Mila | What started as an apartment building is now a place to see exhibits and admire Gaudi’s architecture from up close | |||
La Whiskeria | The name says it all – A whiskey and cocktail bar | Bostik Murals | Barcelona’s first museum of urban art features some stunning murals and a great way to see local artists | |||||
Hemingway Gin & Cocktail Bar | Hemingway-inspired cocktail bar in an intimate setting | Arc de Triomf | Catch a glimpse of this colorful arch as you walk the streets of Barcelona | |||||
Poble Espanyol | Expansive architectural museum. Stop by the magic fountain on your way to our from! | |||||||
Cartagena Recommendations
Bars | Bar Desciption | Restaurants | Restaurant Description | Culture | Activity Description | |
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Cafe Havana | Cute bar (although tight quarters) and typically a great band | Carmen | Highly recommended restaurant for a special night out. They offer both tasting menu and an a la carte menu options | Explore Old City | Walk through the old city with highlights including the old city walls (which you can walk on top of) and all the plaza squares (Plaza de la Aduana, Plaza Santo Domingo) | |
Mirador Gastro Bar | One of the best views of the city, with delicious cocktails too | El Bistro | A mix of caribbean flavors — and everything is delicious | Calle de Cochera del Hobo | One of the mst photogenic streets in old town with many pastel colored houses and ornate doors | |
Seven 7 Times | This is more of a club than a bar — and perhaps sensory overload — but it is a fun time | Alma | A great place for a more romantic meal (or a date with friends!) | Explore Gestemani | Lots of street art and a main town square (Plaza de la Trinidad) which often has a lot of activity | |
Pink Dolphin | Great aesthetics (very Instagrammable) and great drinks | Convento de la Popa | A convent located at the highest point in the city. This is an ideal place to get a great view of Cartagena | |||
Champeta clubs | Champeta is a style of dancing originated in Cartagena’s barrios |
San Juan Recommendations
Bars | Bar Desciption | Restaurants | Restaurant Description | Culture | Activity Description | Other Fun Activities | Activity Description | |
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ARYA Rooftop | Great views in San Juan and delicious calamari | Tasca El Pescador | $$ – $$$ All the food is delicious but you can’t go wrong by selecting a whole fresh fish here | Museo de las Américas | A colorful museum with many exhibits – a great way to beat the heat and enjoy the art | La Placita | A square with multiple bars, restaurants, and people watching opportunities. At night, there may be a band playing and folks dancing in the street | |
Casa de Montecristo | If there is a cigar lover in your group, take them here | Peko Peko | $ – If it isn’t too hot outside, stop in for ramen | Old San Juan | Walk the streets and be sure to visit the fort | Bacardi Tour | A historical tour that ends in cocktails? What’s not to like | |
La Factoria | It’s been listed as one of the World’s Best 50 bars in the past and is definitely worth the trip for an afternoon or evening cocktail | Cocina al Fondo | $$ – $$$ A great Miramar restaurant with fresh and local food options | El Yunque Rainforest | Expansive rain forest with beautiful views and the sound of coqui (a frog with a unique croak) will fill the air | |||
Vieques | Small island off the coast of PR with wild horses and night kayaking opportunities | |||||||
Beaches | Many beach options, including: Condado, Carolina, Ocean Park, or Isla Verde are a few favorites nearby. |
Guatemala Recommendations
Bars | Bar Desciption | Restaurants | Restaurant Description | Culture | Activity Description | |
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Ulew Cocktail Bar | Cute bar with unique cocktails and presentation | Sobremesa | Art gallery + restaurant. Food is contemporary with french, italian and spanish influences | Mayan Ruins | Recommend getting a guide to get the most out of the experience, especially if you can find one that is Mayan descendent. Walk around the ruins and learn about how the society functioned, governed etc. | |
La Sala | Bar + dancing | Frida’s | Mexican food, decor inspired by Frida Khalo | Pacaya Volcano | Hike or take a horse (offered on site) to the top of the volcano and enjoy a pizza prepared there. View can be hit or miss due to clouds but a great experience either way | |
Por Qué No? | Quirky and cute, probably a good happy hour spot | Messón Panza Verde | Award winning restaurant, known for its live music nights | Lake Atitlan | Beautiful and relaxing lake, with the option of taking a boat to go visit different towns, purchase souvineers and interact with locals | |
Las Palmas | Great spot for food and dancing (Cuban) | |||||
Palacio Doña Leonor Restaurant | Located in an old colonial house with lots of beautiful architecture. Food is internationally influenced | |||||
Caoba Farms | Farm to table food | |||||
Fonda De La Calle REAL | Typical Guatemalan food in an upscale restaurant | |||||
Nairobi Recommendations
Bars | Bar Desciption | Culture | Activity Description | |
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Bar Next Door | Nice vibe frequented mostly by locals, good food | Safari Park Hotel and Casino | Great dinner show featuring dancing and acrobatics all while enjoying unlimited food options | |
Havana Bar | Located in Westlands with a wide variety of options. Eat and drink to your heart’s content while dancing to latin music | Safari Tours | Closest option: Nairobi National Park Best option if time allows: Masai Mara | |
Sky Lounge | Swanky rooftop bar with great views of the city | |||