Posted on Friday, 8 February 2019

Food is a key part of any holiday - but so are great coffee and dazzling cocktails. Here we bring you some of our favourite new restaurants, cafés and bars - just about to hit their stride in 2019: Think elegant eateries and super-cool bars - with a few alluring coffee shops in between.

Best new restaurants for 2019

Philly Wing Fry, Union Market, Washington DC

Gourmet Philly cheesesteaks are the main dish at Philly Wing Fry, alongside, as you might imagine, chicken wings - cooked in chicken fat no less.

The cheesesteaks comprise 50-day-old dry-aged ribeye, topped with melted provolone cheese, pickled onions and garlic mayo.

The wings are glazed with a sweet, spicy concoction and are accompanied with waffle fries made more delicious with hot berbere - an Ethiopian spice.

Philly Wing Fry's tantalising eats are delivered under the watchful eye of chef Kwame Onwuachi, an award-winning pioneer of the fast-casual concept.

You'll find this eatery in the much-loved foodie Mecca of Union Market, DC.

Mr Percival's, Brisbane, Australia

Heading to Australia? If you visit Brisbane, be sure to hit up Mr Percival's, a new and rather chic beachclub-style eatery specialising in all things seafood.

Mouth-watering eats include caviar, oysters, lobster and spanner crab - all sourced (and indeed sauced) in Australia.

There are also some land-based dishes, including lamb cutlets with spring peas and corn-fed chicken with grilled radicchio. Grilled leeks and hazelnut vinaigrette are available for vegetarian visitors.

Metronome, Manila

This French-focussed gourmet restaurant is part of Manila's burgeoning food scene, delivering impeccable dishes in a laid-back setting.

The head chef is Miko Calo, who hails from the famous Parisian food school École Grégoire-Ferrandi. She learned her skills in Joël Robuchon restaurants in London, Singapore and Paris, probably giving her a taste for travel.

Located in the well-to-do business district of Makati, Metronome offers a la carte and tasting menus.

Best new cafés for 2019

Baristart Coffee, Singapore

This chain started in Hokkaido, Japan and has finally arrived in Singapore. The café uses high-grade milk brought all the way from Hokkaido itself - produced by Brown Jersey cows. Also expect stunning Japanese latte art.

PASCAL, Stockholm

The second of Pascal's Stockholm cafés, this one is located on Sodermalm. Alongside fantastic coffee, don't miss the famous toasted rye bread with sliced avocado, or the custard-filled croissants. The breakfast sandwiches made with sourdough buns are also a must-try.

Lilipep, Barcelona

If you're in Barca this year and fancy some staggeringly good cake, head over to Lilipep. Enter through a rather off-beat barn door and enjoy the spacious high-ceiling interior, bedecked with old comic strips. Oh yes, and the coffee is good, too.

Best bars for 2019

Monkey Bar, Berlin

It's worth ascending the 10 floors to the Monkey Bar (there's a lift), housed inside the Monkey Hotel in Charlottenburg. Enjoy the rather zoo-like interior, splendid G&Ts and excellent views of the real monkey house in the zoo below. Avoid sunsets and evenings if you don't like queues - as it can get real busy in the Monkey House.

Bar Hemingway, Paris

While this bar is by no means new, it has had a big face lift. The new look retains the old-world charm of the venue, which was famously liberated from the Nazis by the legendary Ernest Hemingway. Think leather banquettes and bar stools as you order a Clean Dirty Martini or a Ginger Ale Champagne!

La terra de Oscar, Madrid

This opulent rooftop bar affords mesmerising views over the Spanish capital, located as it is in the heart of the city, near Gran Via. Alongside the Balinese beds there's a pool, which opens every day in the summer.

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