Cantinho do Avillez
Portuguese chef José Avillez has five restaurants in the Chiado area, including one with two Michelin stars. But Cantinho do Avillez was his first. It's still a favorite for its great food and simplicity based on Portuguese flavors. Some good examples: the homemade tuna with lime and ginger, the deep-fried green beans with lemon, salt and tartar sauce and the black pork with manioc flour and black beans. His versions of the traditional "prego" (steak sandwich) are also worth trying.

Manteigaria
This small bakery and café in Camões Square only sells addictive custard tarts (pastéis de nata) and it is ruining our waistlines! These tarts are just perfect: buttery and served warm, then sprinkled with cinnamon. It's a small place, but it has a large glass window to the kitchen where you can watch the fabulous bakers do wonders with the puff pastry and the custard. They’ll even pose for photos. It's open every day until midnight and queues are often worse at night.

Shanghai Cafe Deluxe
Shanghai Café Deluxe in Chinatown has largely been named as the best place for xiao long bao, aka soup dumplings, in Manhattan. The handmade wrappers are folded around flavorful, meaty fillings to form the familiar purse shape dumplings. The food is cheap, served quickly and tastes great. In particular, the crab & pork soup dumpling boasts a rich interior that combines the delicate ocean taste of crab essence with the heady taste of pork, and when dipped in the black vinegar and ginger elevates the entire experience. Shanghai Café is worth a visit for any soup dumpling aficionado.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Serving dim sum since 1920, Nom Wah offers some of the best Chinese small plates in Manhattan. As a historical institution in Chinatown, Nom Wah’s vintage style, great value and delicious food has kept generations coming back for more. Although it still remains true to its roots, the restaurant underwent renovations in 2010, injecting a breath of fresh air and promising to keep it dominating the dim sum scene for years to come. The various types of dumplings are cooked to order and delicious, providing an authentic taste of Cantonese cooking. The highly recommended dishes include Shrimp Shu Mai, “The Original” egg roll and delicious roast pork buns. If you’re after delicious dim sum in NYC, Nom Wah is the place to go.

Kaaloa's Super J's
Janice cooks this Polynesian masterpiece in her home. Taro leaves picked from her garden and used as little pockets to wrap pork, which is seasoned and steamed to perfection. The Kalua pork and cabbage is great as well, but do not leave the big island without trying this luxurious plate in humble surroundings.

Pepe In Grani
Pepe in Grani, situated 50km from Naples, has become a world-renowned pizza destination. Franco Pepe, the mastermind craftsman behind his delicious pizzas, has painstakingly perfected his closely guarded recipe. Combining ancient techniques and ideal flavors, he has created a masterpiece. He researches and studies the ingredients each day, then develops the dough according to the strength of the flour, the humidity and the temperature. The no-fuss Margherita does not over-complicate the process, but focuses on the finest ingredients, expert skills and Franco's passion to make a delicious, thick-crust pizza. With a combination of light dough and local produce, the Margherita at Pepe in Grani celebrates Italy at its best.

La Villa French Restaurant
Escape the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City in a romantic villa about 20 minutes from downtown. French chef Thierry Mounon works magic in the kitchen, while his elegant Vietnamese wife, Tina, charms guests and oversees a team of attentive wait staff. Dine in the parlor, with high ceilings and beautiful artwork, or in the garden overlooking the pool. The menu, which changes about twice a year, reflects Thierry's southern French roots. Order a la carte or select one of the degustation menus and ask the chef to recommend paired wines for each course. Try the duck foie gras terrine with figs poached in muscat and salted honey caramel, served with a thick slice of toasted homemade bread. The cheese trolley is a showcase of beautifully-arranged imported French cheeses and accompaniments. The apple calvados Camembert, when available, is a must. La Villa seats only 50, so make sure to reserve in advance.

Pizza 4P's
A pizza-mad Japanese financier has hit on a winning combination with Pizza 4Ps, a Japanese fusion pizza restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City's Little Tokyo district. Using artisanal cheese from his cheese factory near Dalat in Vietnam's cool Central Highlands, Yosuke Masuko's team at Pizza 4Ps make Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas for the Vietnamese palate. Think salmon miso cream pizza, tuna curry pizza, okonomiyaki and a colorful pizza topped with six types of Vietnamese flowers. Thankfully it's possible to order a half-and-half pizza to taste more of the varieties. There are a selection of classic Italian pizzas, as well as pasta and salads. The appetizer menu includes a platter of house cheeses as well as an interesting take on a traditional Tuscan snack, Cavaccino, a thin bread served with prosciutto and a chickpea dip. Not leaving enough room for dessert would be a travesty at Pizza 4Ps. There are a multitude of options, including dessert pizza (affogato or raspberry and ice cream), a heavenly tiramisu or cake from Star Kitchen, the Japanese cooking studio above the restaurant. The restaurant is a rabbit warren of small spaces, with counter seating for solo diners, a pizza oven-shaped room and a spiral staircase leading to a larger dining area. Pizza 4Ps turns away scores of people every day, so make a reservation several days in advance.

Cafe Casa Veroes
This hidden, open-air café tucked away in the leafy backyard of a house-turned-museum also is home to Caracas’ tastiest pabellón – a traditional Venezuelan dish. Arrive early and enjoy Casa Mendoza gardens. Then sit down and savor this spicy, juicy masterpiece. White rice, fried plantains (tajadas), black beans (caraotas) and shredded beef are layered in a circle, accompanied by avocado pieces and white shredded cheese. A big fried egg tops it off, highlighted with sea salt.

Fresh Fish Delivery
Hamburger lovers in Caracas look forward to the weekend to meet with Jim Smith at Fresh Fish Delivery. This specialized seafood place in the Altamira neighborhood boasts original sushi dishes and shelves full of take-home delicacies from around the world. On weekends, tables are loaded with generous breakfasts. During lunch, three hamburgers become the stars: The Merritt, the Rybovich and the Jim Smith. The real protagonist, the life of the party, is the Jim Smith, a hamburger with béarnaise sauce that surrounds fresh green asparagus on ground sirloin, mixed with strips of juicy bacon and caramelized onions. All hamburgers come with truffle salt fries.