Amsterdam’s Hidden Gems

Blijburg

Blijburg is based on the eastside of the Central Station. Its large beach on the IJ lake is perfect for kids to run around in, which is a common sight during the day. At night Blijburg is trendy in a relaxed alternative sort of way with parties where Amsterdam’s respected DJ’s do their thing.

The restaurant offers food influenced by a mix of Spanish, French and African cuisine. Blijburg has a strong focus on organic and biological ingredients. It’s relaxed atmosphere and music make this one of the locals’ favorite city beaches. Blijburg is a 15 minute ride on tram 26 from Central Station.

Eating the Best Cookie in Amsterdam at Van Stapele Koekmakerij

Crumbly, warm, and still fresh from the oven: “the best cookies in Amsterdam” are often said to be those from Van Stapele Koekmakerij. Located down a little cobbled alley off Spui and close to Amsterdam’s main Begijnhof, you’ll smell this nostalgic sweet shop before you even see it. Often with a long line out the door and decorated in traditional wooden furniture, this is one bakery you won’t want to miss off your Amsterdam bucket list.

Amsterdam Best Place to Go

Rijksmuseum

One of the most popular places to visit in Amsterdam for art fanatics, this Museum goes back to 1809 when it was built to house the brilliant art and antiques of the nation in more than 250 rooms. There is also a huge library with an extensive collection of more than 35,000 books and manuscripts. Traditional handicrafts, medieval sculpture, and modern art styles are also on display here. You can hire an Amsterdam tourist guide or take a language guided tour of this museum.

Anne Frank House

This is one of the most popular historical Amsterdam attractions. There cannot be a trip to this city without a visit to this house first. Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who lived at the time of the Second World War. While hiding from the Nazis she left a diary that describes the hardships her community went through. This museum contains the building where Anne’s family remained in hiding.

Van Gogh Museum

If you are wondering what to see in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh museum is an ideal pick. 1.5 million visitors flock to the museum annually which makes it one of the most important art galleries in the world. Gogh’s tragic life and extraordinary talent make it the second most visited museum in Amsterdam. There are more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 700 letters from Van Gogh that are on display here.

 Begijnhof

If you are looking for some calm and serenity, this is one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam. It is one of the oldest hofjes and is primarily a group of historic buildings. It was originally a Béguinage and in present times is the site of two churches, the Catholic Houten Huys and the English Reformed Church. It has a secluded garden where one can enjoy a peaceful time as well as wondrous Mondrian-designed pulpit panels.

Vondelpark

Amsterdam’s most popular park, it allures thousands of tourists and residents everyday. It is home to many restaurants and cafés, including the Blauwe Theehuis, Café Vertigo, Vondelpark3, De Vondeltuin, and the Groot Melkhuis. There is a skate rental shop, an open-air theatre, and a rose garden with more than 70 types of roses in the park.

Heineken Brewery

This is one of the best places to visit near Amsterdam, especially if you are a beer buff. It started in 1864 and a tour around the brewery will help you understand the Heineken magic that works behind beer-making. We would recommend you buy a VIP tour where you can taste 5 different beer types with complimentary fromages.

Royal Palace of Amsterdam

Located in Dam Square, it is one of the most popular places to visit in Amsterdam on every tourist’s list. It was earlier a town hall but is now in hands of the state and used for Royal Official Dutch functions by the family. The palace remains opens to visitors throughout the year who love to look at the Citizen’s Hall at one of the best Amsterdam attractions.

Keukenhof

Famed as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof is one of the largest flower gardens in the world and is situated in South Holland. When you are exploring Amsterdam, you can easily head to Keukenhof as it just 40 mins drive away from Amsterdam. If are a lover of tulips you should visit the garden in mid-April. Don’t forget to add this place to your itinerary as it will completely bewitch you!

EYE-Film Museum

This is one of the most interesting places to visit in Amsterdam. It is located in a building that resembles a spaceship on the main waterfront of the city and is an expansive archive for Dutch films. Many screenings for international and Dutch films are organised here that are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

Dining in Amsterdam

The White Room

(With its tall columns and metallic flourishes, it would perhaps be more accurate to call this restaurant the “White and Gold Room.” Jokes aside, it’s considered the oldest restaurant in Amsterdam, having opened in 1885 inside the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky on Dam Square.

The wine list mixes well-known and surprising bottles, including many natural wines. Guests have the option to add wine pairings with the tasting menus.)

Librije’s Zusje

Librije’s Zusje is like a posh cocoon—gray walls, plush chairs, white table clothes—hidden away inside the Waldorf Astoria and overlooking a garden. The intimacy is a fitting ambiance for the sister restaurant to the renowned, three-Michelin-starred De Librije (“zusje” literally means sister in Dutch), in the northeastern city of Zwolle.

Vermeer

Vermeer offers a simple choice between four, five and six courses. The ingredients are all seasonal, so the dishes vary daily. Our Sommelier has selected forty top wines specially chosen to compliment your menu. For the wine connoisseur there is also a very well-stocked wine cellar, representing the whole world of wine.

Moon

Moon is the kind of place you go to impress a date or a client: Chef Jaimie van Heije’s multicourse tasting menus have as much wow factor as setting on the 19th floor of the A’DAM Tower, with panoramic views of the city.

Proeflokaal A. van Wees

This brown cafe, in operation since 1973 on the Herengracht, is located inside a former distillery dating back to the 19th century.

Sandwiches, salads, soups, bar snacks, and fondue made from Dutch cheese.It’s the perfect place to refuel with a snack or drink while shopping in the Nine Streets.

De Vier Pilaren

Just across the Marriott hotel near the Leidseplein,in a little beautiful park (het Leidsebosje) stands the typically Dutch Poffertjes & Pancake house. The “poffertjeskraam” used to travel the carnivals(funfairs) of Holland,but is now (almost 20 years) a favorite among tourists & locals forPoffertjes & Pancakes.For the pancake. It’s been used: *organic flour *fresh fruits*Dutch cheese *Dutch bacon/ham only.

Gastrobar

(Much like the cuisine, the design at Ron Gastrobar is stylish yet accessible—clean lines, neutral tones, and an open kitchen. It’s the brainchild of chef/owner Ron Blaauw, one of the most well-known culinarians in Amsterdam. In 2013, he closed his two-Michelin-starred restaurant and reopened this more easygoing spot in its stead. Since then, the Gastrobar has been setting the tone for Amsterdam’s unpretentious, next-gen dining scene.Ron Gastrobar attracts a discerning crowd of enthusiast eaters of both the local and touristic variety.

De Kas

De Kas has its own greenhouses and garden near the restaurant, where we grow vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. We also have a large field about 10 kilometres from Amsterdam in the Beemster region, where we grow seasonal vegetables outdoors.

With 8-metre high glass it provides spectacular views during the day and is beautifully lit at night. Our advanced heating and air conditioning system makes it a pleasant place to enjoy a meal in both summer and winter.

The Acropolis

Few sights in the world compare to Athens’ Acropolis, with its Parthenon temple perched high on a rocky crag keeping watch over centuries of civilization. The Acropolis is one of the world’s most breathtaking ancient ruins. A reminder of the glory of ancient Athens, the Acropolis was the center of the ancient city and functioned as a citadel in its protected hilltop location.

National Gardens and the Zappeion

Located next to the Greek parliament, the National Garden is a large green space behind the Temple of Olympian Zeus and home to the Zappeion. If you have had enough sun during your day of sightseeing, this is a quiet, shady place to relax and cool off. Inviting trails lead through tall trees and offer a reprieve from the busy streets. It’s also a free attraction in Athens.

Ancient Agora: Ruins of the Marketplace

The ancient Agora was the marketplace and the center of everyday life in ancient Athens. For an impressive view of the Agora from afar, head to the north wall of the Acropolis or the roads from the Areopagus.

The best place to enter the Agora is at the north gate off Adrianoú Street (near the Church of Saint Philip). The Greek word “Agora” means to “gather and orate,” indicating that this site was a location of public speaking. The Agora was a place of administration and commerce as well as the meeting place of the Agora tou Dimou, a civic decision-making group. Athletic events and theater performances were also held here.

The Roman Agora & Hadrian’s Library

Adjacent to the Ancient Agora is the site of the Roman Agora. While it may all seem like one site, these buildings were constructed later, and construction eventually moved on to the site of the Ancient Agora. One of the easily recognizable sites here is the Tower of the Winds.

On the edge of the Roman Agora is the ancient Hadrian’s Library, founded by Emperor Hadrian in AD 132. Even later, during Byzantine times, three churches were built near the site of the library.

Olympieion: Temple of Olympian Zeus

Dedicated to Zeus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, also called the Olympieion, was the largest temple in ancient Greece. Though the Parthenon is better preserved, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was an even more monumental structure in its day. The temple dates to the sixth century BC but was not completed until the second century AD by the Emperor Hadrian. In front of the Olympieion, not far from the entrance, stands Hadrian’s Arch at the end of Dionysiou Areopagitou.

Panathenaic Stadium & Olympic Stadium

Ancient Athens’s largest building, the Panathenaic Stadium, has a capacity for 60,000 spectators. Constructed around 335 BC during the era of Herodes Atticus, the venue hosted the Panathenaic Games.

where runners competed in races around the track. The 204-meter-long track was designed with four double herms, where runners would turn in the races.

Panathenaic Stadium & Olympic Stadium

Ancient Athens’s largest building, the Panathenaic Stadium, has a capacity for 60,000 spectators. Constructed around 335 BC during the era of Herodes Atticus, the venue hosted the Panathenaic Games.

where runners competed in races around the track. The 204-meter-long track was designed with four double herms, where runners would turn in the races.

Athens urban street life distilled

There is a small street called Melanthiou in the area of Psiri, in the center of Athens. In the last few years, this area transformed from a drug area into a cyclists’ joint. One of the pioneers of this movement is Welsh Gareth Jones, who came from London to open a bike store here.

At Melanthiou street you will find everything and everyone who has ties to biking philosophy in the city: the bike store VCA, Handlebar cafe, the Bondex cyclist couriers, along with Silver 925 graffiti store and creative design studio Pi6. You can come and drink your coffee while your bike is being fixed or eat something at very low prices. The best time to visit Melanthiou street is in the evening when people are gathered at small tables by the road and it all creates a single company.

The Diomidous Botanical Garden

The Diomidous Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden of the eastern Mediterranean. It was founded in 1952, and in 1975 it was opened to the general public. In its area of 470 acres, you can find trees and bushes can be found from all over the world, as well as plants mentioned in Greek mythology and history, like the myrtle of Aphrodite and Socrates’ hemlock.

Our local Andreas recommends a picnic under the shade of the trees, in one of the outdoor monastery-type tables, where you can meet other groups or families rolling around on the grass.

Theatre of Dionysus

Heralded as the world’s first theater, these ruins are often overlooked as they reside in the shadows of the Acropolis.

THIS SITE IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED by tourists to the region who opt to visit the more well-known Acropolis. However, the significance of this ancient site can’t be understated.

Nestled along the slopes of the Acropolis in Athens are the ruins of the Theatre of Dionysus. The structure dates back to the 6th century BC and is believed to be the first theatre ever constructed. It was originally developed as a site for religious practices and festivals dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine and plays.

Tower of the Winds

An ancient octagonal weather station named for the eight Greek gods of wind. Most ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN ATHENS are old temples, but this ancient structure had a scientific purpose. When it was constructed at the end of the 2nd century BCE, the Tower of the Winds included sundials, a clepsydra (water clock), and a weather vane, effectively making it the first meteorological station in the world.

Pnyx

Named after the well-preserved Thission (ancient temple of Hephaestus), Thissio is blessed with a small wooded park and some less frenetic streets that offer numerous quieter places to stay and eat. Largely pedestrianized Apostolou Pavlou Street runs between the Acropolis and forested Filopappou Hill, well worth climbing for more great panoramas, until it merges with Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. This leads to the up-and-coming area of Makriyanni, whose centerpiece is the magnificent new Acropolis Museum. Opposite the museum is the entrance to the southern slopes of the Acropolis, while the eponymous metro station nearby is at the top of Makriyanni Street, another strip of touristic cafés and restaurants.

National Archaeology Museum

Founded in the 19th century, Athens’ National Archaeological Museum is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the greatest antiquities museums in the world.

The museum is housed in an impressive Neoclassical building with 8,000 square meters of exhibition space. On display are five permanent collections with more than 11,000 exhibits, offering a comprehensive overview of Greek civilization from prehistory through the classical period to late antiquity.

Museum of Cycladic Art

In the Kolonáki quarter, the Museum of Cycladic Art was created in 1986 by the Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris Foundation. The shipowner Nikolas P. Goulandris was a well-known patron of the arts and cultural life in Athens. Goulandris’ own collection forms the core of the museum’s exhibits.

Visit the seaside: wave watching at Piraeus

One of Athens’ hidden gems is its seafront. Hardly anyone ever thinks to go there. Head to Piraeus, and take your time strolling along the seafront, watching the waves kiss the shore and local children chase their shadows. It’s a calm and beautiful spot, a world away from central Athens with only 20 minutes spent behind the wheel.

Church of the Holy Apostles

On the site of the ancient Agora, the Church of the Holy Apostles was the only building left standing when this entire quarter of Athens was demolished to excavate the Agora archaeological site. Built in the 10th century, the church stands above a nymphaion (sacred spring).

Belvedere Complex

The Belvedere is an integral part of Vienna’s historic scene, consisting of several palaces and an orangery that dates back to the late 17th century. It consists of the Baroque palaces, the Lower and Upper Belvedere; palace stables and the Orangery, all set in a Baroque-style park. Prince Eugene of Savoy had the complex built for this summer home. During the French Revolution, the palaces served as home to French royalty fleeing their country. The Belvedere is stunning to look at during the night when it is all lit up, and well as provides great views of Vienna.

Burggarten

The Burggarten is a once-royal garden that is a bit of England in Vienna, as it is patterned after English gardens. The Burggarten was the court garden for the Hapsburg rulers. One Austrian ruler, Kaiser Franz II used to work in the garden, which is now a place where people can enjoy outdoor lunches on pleasant days. A memorial to that great Austrian composer, Mozart, can be found in one corner of the garden, while the Palmenhaus, a magnificent glass palm house, is located in the northern part. The left part of the Palmenhaus houses the Schmettlerlinghaus where visitors can see tropical butterflies and even bats.

Graben

Graben is one of the most famous streets in central Vienna. The word Graben means “trench” in German, and dates back to an old Roman encampment in the Austrian capital. Back in those days, Vienna was surrounded by a city wall, with a trench alongside of it. The trench was later filled in and became one of the first residential streets in Vienna. Craftsmen originally lived in wooden houses on the Graben, but it gradually evolved into a market place and later residences for the city’s elite. Today it is an up-scale shopping promenade, with many local specialties such as Wien Porzellan

Vienna State Opera

No visit to Vienna is complete without going to see an opera. The city is synonymous with the majestic art form and the Vienna State Opera is the perfect place to go and watch a performance.

Opened in 1869 on the Ringstrasse, much of the opera house was destroyed by a bomb during the Second World War and it was rebuilt in 1955 in the form of the elegant high Renaissance building we see before us today. The interior is equally opulent, with its marble staircases, luxurious lobbies and the breathtaking auditorium itself.

With numerous operas, ballets and classical concerts being performed daily, the Vienna State Opera has something for everyone to enjoy.

Albertina

Located in Vienna’s Innere Stadt, the Albertina hosts an amazing collection of artworks, including drawings, paintings, and sculptures.

Once part of the city’s old fortifications, the Albertina has stood since the 17th century and was renovated into a palace before becoming an art museum. Home to one of the most extensive and important print rooms on Earth, the collection is wonderful to explore. Masterpieces by da Vinci, Bruegel the Elder and Toulouse-Lautrec are on display.

In addition to its delightful permanent collection, temporary exhibitions ensure that this is a place worth returning to for both locals and tourists.

Prater

Prater is a large public park located in Leopoldstadt. Its huge green spaces make it a popular spot among locals and tourists alike. While many people visit to relax and unwind amongst the greenery, an amusement park, museum, and even a disco are situated within the park. While wandering around the park, make sure to take a ride in the huge Ferris Wheel that towers over Prater – the views are breathtaking.

Naturhistorisches Museum

Vienna’s Natural History Museum is one of the most important of its kind in the world and is remarkably home to over 30 million objects.

The 39 exhibition rooms cover everything from precious stones and dinosaurs to prehistoric art and stuffed animals. Visitors will learn a lot from its fascinating displays and exhibits. Just as stunning as the extensive collection is the beautiful palace itself, featuring elegant galleries, staircases, and lobbies. Built in the late nineteenth century, the Natural History Museum is located on the Ringstrasse and is identical to the Kunsthistorisches Museum which lies directly in front of it.

KunstHausWien

Designed by esteemed architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the KunstHausWien is mesmerizing to behold due to its eclectic exterior – sure to look unlike anything you’ve ever seen before; straight lines hardly feature at all.

The interior is equally bewitching to wander around with its undulating floors, and Hundertwasser’s art pieces are fascinating for their unique look and design. Temporary exhibitions mean that many local residents return time and time again to this special museum.

Parliament Building

Located on the Ringstrasse, the elegant Parliament Building was built in Greek Revival style. It is here that the Austrian Parliament holds its sessions. Classic Greek architecture was decided upon due to democracy’s link with Ancient Greece; its brilliantly white columns and marvelous bronze statues are wonderful to behold, while the lovely Pallas Athene Fountain stands in the foreground of the building. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Vienna, the Parliament Building is well worth visiting for its spectacular design and importance to the country.

5 Best hidden gems in Vienna

If you already know the typical sights in Vienna and want to experience something a bit different on your city trip to Vienna, then you’ve come to the right place.

Kahlenberg – The most beautiful viewpoint in Vienna

Whenever we asked people for their favorite spot for the best view of the city, we always got the same response: the Kahlenberg. The 480-meter-high summit is located to the northeast of the city and offers a great view of Vienna.

On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Carpathians in neighboring Slovakia. Especially at the weekend, many Viennese flock to the Kahlenberg.

Only a few hundred meters from the Kahlenberg lies the Cobenzl. This hill, officially called Latisberg, also offers a great view of Vienna.

How to get there: Take the U4 to the terminus at Heiligenstadt. From there, take bus number 38A, which stops at the Cobenzl first and then continues to the Kahlenberg.

Danube Island – The green heart of Vienna

The Danube Island is a 21-km-long and up to 250-meter-wide artificial island on the Danube. It was originally created in the 70s and 80s as a flood barrier and is now the most popular local recreational area in the city.

On the Danube Island, you can hike, bike, skate, or simply escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a picnic.

The Danube Island is the perfect place to take children: There’s a beach, a climbing park, a huge water playground, and the world’s largest trampoline park.

Danube Canal – Graffiti and beach bars

The Danube Canal is the arm of the Danube that flows right through the middle of the city. It separates the 2nd district (Leopoldstadt) from the 1st and 3rd districts.

There’s lots of graffiti and street art along the Danube Canal, and in recent years many great beach bars have sprung up. Locals are especially fond of Tel Aviv Beachand Strandbar Hermann.

Das Loft – The coolest skybar in Vienna

Das Loft is a great bar with an absolutely outstanding view of Vienna. The bar is located on the 18th floor of the Sofitel and is a real experience. Not only is the view great, the cocktails are really good too.

In addition to a bar, Das Loft also has a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Both the bar and the restaurant are usually pretty crowded, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation before you go.

Franziskanerplatz – Viennese coffee house culture straight out of a picture-postcard

Franziskanerplatz is a small square in downtown Vienna. It’s just as beautiful as the rest of the city center, but still there’s something very special here: the Kleines Café.

At first glance, the Kleines Café – which literally means “small café” – seems very inconspicuous, and in fact it isn’t as huge an attraction as the famous Café Sacher, but that’s what makes it so special.

The café is cramped and smoky and looks as if time stood still decades ago. So if you want to visit a typical Viennese café away from the tourist crowds, then the Kleines Café on Franziskanerplatz is the right place for you.

10 Best restaurant in Vienna

Vienna’s culinary scene is as rich as its cultural calendar: it thrives on the delicacies of Austrian cuisine and borrows from international influences, such as nearby Italy and Germany. The restaurants in the former imperial capital reflect this, offering traditional, stunning food that ranges from the classic wiener schnitzel and Sachertorte to insider treats, such as Frittatensuppe or Tafelspitz. We take a gastronomic tour of Vienna to bring you its 10 best cultural restaurants.

Skopik & Lohn

Originally intended to open in New York, Skopik & Lohn is located many thousands of miles away in Karmelitermarkt, an artsy area of Vienna’s second district. This restaurant is both serious and playful about its food, drink and atmosphere, cleverly combining the elegance of Austrian fine dining with the laid-back feel of a 1920s NYC bistro (think Viennese favourites, such as wiener schnitzel). Designed by Austrian artist Otto Zitko, its interior is dramatic, with chaotic black splashes dashed across the ceiling in stark contrast to the neat, white-clothed tables underneath.

Figlmüller

This place offers a few typical Austrian main dishes, but people visit here for one reason only – the wiener schnitzel. Figlmüller is already an institution in Vienna and popular among both locals and tourists alike. It is furnished in an original Austrian pub-like decor and waiters still wear traditional smoking jackets. All of these elements lend a special antique and elegant charm to the whole experience of this restaurant.

Pfarrwirt

Considered one of the oldest taverns in Vienna, enjoy your wiener schnitzel in a building that dates back to the 12th century. Pfarrwirt’s saying, ‘a wiener schnitzel is a wiener schnitzel’, makes an allusion to its simplicity. Located in Vienna’s 19th district, where the city’s historic vineyards are, it is an ideal place to have dinner after a long walk in the hills.

Zum Schwarzen Kameel

This restaurant, bar and pâtisserie offers Viennese and international cuisine along with more than 800 wines from national and international estates. Here is where you’ll find a variety of typical Austrian dishes, from schnitzel to apfelstrudel. You can also opt for a drink at the bar, which is a great place to meet, day or night. The restaurant also produces its own tasty produce, including marmalade, chocolate, oils and pasta, which are for sale in the neighbouring shop.

Café Dommayer

Enjoy one of Vienna’s most celebrated cakes inside of one of the city’s most traditional cafes. The Sachertorte at Dommayer is quite simple, remaining as true as possible to the original recipe. Dommayer is one of the city’s most prized coffee houses and it is known for upkeeping Viennese tradition. Located around the corner from Schönbrunn Palace, it’s a lovely place to grab a coffee and a slice of Sachertorte, or a larger meal, after a day spent wandering the Imperial grounds.

Motto am Fluss

Boasting picturesque views along the canal, Motto am Fluss is situated inside a glass covered building designed to resemble a naval vessel. The menu is made up of a mix of gourmet Austrian and international dishes, with many classics like beef tartare, salmon fillet and wiener schnitzel. A classier option, as opposed to some of the more casual eateries along the canal, this restaurant is perfect for formal occasions.

Silvio Nickol im Palais Coburg

Located in an old Palais in the centre of Vienna, the interior of this two-star Michelin restaurant boasts classic stone walls combined with modern design, giving Silvio Nickol im Palais Coburg a unique feel. Each meal is made with precision and you can choose between five, seven or nine-course menus (meat, fish and vegetarian options are all on offer), which can be ordered with or without wine.

Erich

A subterranean bar-slash-restaurant in the cool 7th district. Erich is tucked away down the side of Sankt-Ulrichsplatz, and it’s easy to walk past it – but you’ll be glad you didn’t. From breakfast tacos to salmon poke bowls and dairy-free sundaes made in collaboration with Veganista, Vienna’s first all-vegan ice cream parlour, it ticks all the boxes around the clock.

Mama Liu & Sons

Great value dim sum, hot pot and noodles in a loft-style dining room – it’s easy on the wallet, but a night at Mama Liu & Sons still feels like a treat.

The fried and steamed dumplings are a standout, and it’s worth saving space for less obvious dishes like smacked cucumber and homemade tofu balls. The huge, hearty hotpots easily feed two – choose between a vegan version, a seafood one and a meat feast. If you’re travelling solo you can park yourself at the bar with a cocktail and a 10-piece dim sum set for under €20.

The Palmenhaus

Vienna’s world-famous botanical hothouse (think Kew with a fancier roof), overlooking the stately Buggarten gardens, is home to an all-day brasserie. The menu is Austrian-meets-Mediterranean, with a strong selection of wines by the glass, expertly mixed cocktails and desserts to die for. Frond memories guaranteed.

Where else can you tuck into dumplings surrounded by loads of lush tropical foliage? It’s especially inviting on a chilly day: follow up one of the hearty lunch specials (mushroom ragout, strozzapreti with veal bolognese) with a slice of warm almond-and-chocolate