Grey Lynn Firehouse – Auckland
Drawing on his experience in East London and heavily inspired by the vibrancy of Melbourne’s pub scene, Luke Jones knew his new venture would resonate with New Zealanders. Nestled on the border of the Ponsonby and Grey Lynn neighborhoods, this exposed-brick tavern occupies a former firehouse dating back to the 1880s. Its architecture stands out pleasantly in this urban area where timber-frame construction is traditionally the norm.
The interior design of this British-inspired gastropub was entrusted to Studio Tatami, a design firm with Japanese-New Zealand roots. In this dining room, which seats about forty guests, the charm of the old—marked by period fireplaces and authentic floors—skillfully blends with modernist furniture, beneath a superb burgundy-colored paneled ceiling. On the plate, the offerings are just as enticing. Chef Kereru Wilson, who has worked at prominent local restaurants such as Depot and Cazador, elevates regional classics while infusing them with elements of Māori culture.
Don’t miss the small sandwich topped with incredibly tender tuatua clams, best enjoyed with a pint of stout. The true star of the menu, however, remains the “Hockhetta,” a brilliant reinterpretation of Italian porchetta where roasted pork belly gives way to a braised shank, served with a fresh pea salad, apple compote, and a generous dollop of artisanal mustard. To round out the experience, opt for the house-brewed lager or choose from the extensive selection of local wines: it’s safe to say the owner has perfectly captured his customers’ expectations.
greylynnfirehouse.co.nz
Café Tempo – Tallinn
Already behind concepts that have become true institutions in the Estonian capital (the Barbarea restaurant and the Karjase Sai bakery), Kenneth Karjane is back with a particularly successful new project. Located in the heart of a former warehouse in Telliskivi—Tallinn’s most popular neighborhood for dining out—Café Tempo embraces its dual identity. From early morning, the place comes alive as a café-bakery, before transforming, once night falls, into a cozy spot dedicated to Levantine grilled dishes.
Among the gourmet offerings are a delicious charcoal-grilled Adana kebab, a beautiful socca topped with pumpkin satay, and chicken thighs delicately glazed with a brown butter sauce. All of this is generously served with barbari, an Iranian flatbread of irresistible lightness.
cafetempo.ee
Dévo – Marseille
“There isn’t just one facet of Marseille, but a multitude,” notes Axel Chay, a designer originally from Nîmes who has made Marseille his home. “As a port that has been closely connected to the Mediterranean and the rest of the world for over two millennia, the city is in a state of perpetual motion. ” It is precisely this effervescence that fueled the imagination of the designer and his wife, artistic director Mélissa, when they shaped the visual identity of their first restaurant: Dévo.
The restaurant’s aesthetic is a true homage to 1970s retro-futurism: a play of lacquered surfaces, wooden wall paneling, and custom-made stainless steel furniture. In the kitchen, Chef Ferdinand Fravega composes a delicious symphony at the crossroads of flavors, skillfully blending the gastronomic DNA of his native Provence with joyful Iberian influences, not to mention the essential Italian aperitivo culture.
devomarseille.com
Tassoni Tonics – Salò
The story of Cedral Tassoni begins in a small apothecary shop located in Salò, on the charming shores of Lake Garda. Originally, remedies made from local citrus essences were distilled there. The company took a major turn in 1921 with the creation of Cedrata, a sparkling, syrupy beverage made from the famous Diamante lemons of Calabria.
Boosted by iconic advertising campaigns in the 1970s, featuring Italian singing sensation Mina, the brand built a solid reputation as a product that is both authentic and delicious. As early as the 1930s, posters touted the merits of its elixirs by featuring families alongside a timeless slogan: “È buona e fa bene” (It’s delicious and good for your health). Even today, the magic continues, and production remains faithfully rooted in its historic workshops in Salò.
cedraltassoni.it