Gelateria Pasticceria Badiani
Badiani is at the high end of Florence gelaterias. The large shop opened in 1932 is perfectly designed, with a curved wooden counter presiding over a kaleidoscope of flavors and colors. It's been using the same recipe—cream, milk, sugar, and eggs—for decades. The gelato is made fresh daily, and the menu's flavors are extensive. Try Buontalenti, one of the signature flavors, which mixes egg cream and chocolate. Buontalenti is named after a Florence architect who lived during the Renaissance and is known as the inventor of Italian gelato.

Pasticceria Dolci e Dolcezze
Dolci e Dolcezze is one of the best patisserie shop of Florence. It can be defined as a real cake boutique. Its owner is a self-taught woman who uses only high-quality ingredients like the Corman butter from Belgium or the Valhrona chocolate, but also seasonal fruit of the highest quality, bought at the Mercato Centrale, and wild fruits from the Pistoia mountains. Among its specialties are the chocolate cake and the wild fruits crostata (pie). A must-try pastry in Dolci e Dolcezze is the Strawberry Tart which is a delight for the palate and the eyes. Dolci e Dolcezze's menu has been expanded recently with savory recipes for lunch or a snack of excellent quality.

Martin Berasategui
While Arzak is a sentimental favorite, the reigning master of Basque fine dining is Martín Berasategui. This three-star Michelin restaurant has a deep regard for the Basque traditions while updating and innovating its menu to stay current. If you want one splashy meal while in Sebastian, this is the place.

La Bottega a Rosano
La Bottega a Rosano is a popular coffee shop cum grocery store in Rosano, 15 minutes east of Florence by taxi. It is a rare gem near a monastery. In the past, it was an old post station used today as a bar cum coffee and grocery shop. Behind this place, you can discover one of the best locations for local food. The grilled meat here is the queen of their menu. There are also varied vegetarian dishes on the menu. The raw materials of this place are sourced locally from the farmers nearby. One of the popular dishes here that deserves special mention is their simply delicious, Cibreo, a traditional Tuscan specialty made with chicken giblets.

Trattoria Cammillo
Trattoria Cammillo is a traditional restaurant on the south bank of the Arno, run by the owners since 1945. Its lovely decor and framed artwork from patrons on the walls make this place exotic and cozy for the diners. The menu here is long and consists of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes that change with the seasons. Cammillo serves juicy Florentine steaks with porcini mushrooms which are massive in size. These gorgeous steaks are grilled on a wood fire at the back of the eatery. They also serve perfectly cooked Spaghetti Alla Carrettiera with fresh cherry tomatoes and spring garlic, and exquisite Cervello Fritto Con Carciofi ( fried brain with artichokes) which are the must-try dishes of Cammillo.

Chocolat Madrid
Madrid's favorite treat is chocolate con churros. Unlike the churros we might be used to, most of the churros Madrid don't come with cinnamon and sugar. Instead, they are accompanied by a cup of hot chocolate. Chocolat is one of Madrid's most famous churrerías where you can indulge your craving for the sweet treat, and before leaving, buy a bar of their homemade chocolate. The Chocolat has been a neighborhood favorite for nearly 20 years and is famous for the quality and purity of its chocolate which barely contains sugars. Juan Alfonso, the owner of the place, prepares this high-quality artisanal chocolate and its famous churros and Porras churros with great care each morning in the kitchen.

La Cuchara de San Telmo
Unlike many Pintxo bars in San Sebastian, everything here is made from scratch. It gets crowded in the cute, narrow bar and things can take a while so get a "cana" (beer) or Manzanilla (dry sherry) and take your time - it is worth it. Everything is on a chalkboard and indeed you should order everything.

Rekondo
Traditional Basque cooking with great seafood and a beautiful grill. It features one of the most comprehensive Spanish (and French) wine lists in the world, and at very reasonable prices. The marvelous host/owner Lourdes, and her father still work the floor with a team of friendly, passionate, and long-time employees. Have a drink on their beautiful outdoor patio which is an oasis of calm up on the hill. The classic Basque clams with rice is featured in the photo from Ray Harris.

Shengyongxing Restaurant
The first Shanghai outpost of one of Beijing's better-known roast duck restaurants, Shengyongxing, is known for being particular about its ducks. Diners receive a copy of each duck's identification card when it arrives for tableside carving. It gives details of the duck's origin and stats meant to show its high quality. Diners can order the roast duck as an individual portion, whole, or topped with caviar. The rest of the menu covers contemporary Chinese fine dining, centered on luxury ingredients such as abalone, Wagyu beef, and sea cucumber, and a handful of traditional Beijing dishes such as gongbao chicken and zha jiang mian. The space is outfitted in modern, minimalist Chinese design and presents a sweeping view of Lujiazui just across the river. Sheng Yong Xing also has an extensive wine list selected by Meiyu Li (former winner of China's Best Sommelier Competition). Service here is in Chinese, though the entire menu is printed in both Chinese and English, including wine pairing recommendations.

Xinrongji
The first Xin Rong Ji restaurant opened in 1995. Inspired by the idea that authentic ingredients make the best delicacies, Xin Rong Ji has always sourced its own ingredients, using proprietary fishing boats, farms, and more to ensure unimpeachable quality and taste. The Michelin-starred restaurant from Shanghai serves lip-smackingly sublime versions of toothsome Taizhou cuisine. Seafood from China’s east coast is the focus, but their formidably refined Peking duck carved tableside is not to be ignored. Crisp, paper-thin skin is presented with individual servings of steamed wrappers and condiments.