Best Bites Around the World:
As you have probably realized by now, Nisheet and I love food. But, more than that, we love snack foods. Sure, sitting down to a 3 course meal down a secret alley in Paris can be a heaven on earth, but snack foods are what we are best at. They are cheaper than a real meal, and give us a chance to try more variety! Here are some of our favorites and what we consider to be the best bites around the world. Of course, this list will be updated (or expanded) as we travel to new places and sample new bites.
Number 1.
Chez Albert
You will be hard pressed to walk a block without finding a waffle shop in Bruges, but I can say with utmost confidence that Chez Albert has the best waffles in Belgium! It’s a sweet, sticky, crunchy, soft, deliciousness… and you can hold it in one hand. Don’t be a tourist and load it with crazy toppings. Just order it plain and let the natural waffle-ey goodness do its magic.
Location: Bruges, Belgium
Blog Link: Day in Bruges
Number 2.
Wow Bao
These baos are just WOW! Order 2-3 baos (hot steamed buns filled with goodness) for a snack or a light meal. You can get fillings such as the spicy Kung Pao chicken, Thai curry chicken, or BBQ pork. My favorites are the Teriyaki Chicken and whole wheat edamame. To finish it off, get a chocolate bao containing gooey chocolate and ginger. If you want a drink with an extra kick, try their ginger soda.
Location: Chicago, IL
Blog Link: Christmastime in Chicago
Number 3.
Fritland
Frites (fries for the Americans) are the go-to snack in Belgium and Fritland is one of the best places around. These aren’t your everyday McDonald’s fries. Frites are fried twice in hot oil, served in a cardboard cone, topped with your choice of various mostly mayo-based sauces, and eaten with tiny little forks. The lines at Fritland can be rather long, sometimes extending across the road to the next block. But guess what? There is also a line inside that is usually way shorter, and you can still order your frites to go. Another tip, order your sauce on the side so you don’t get a mound of it on top with nothing left for the poor frites at the bottom.
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Blog Link: Brussels, Belgium
Number 4.
La Boqueria
La Boqueria, or the market, in Barcelona is paradise for snack-aholics. There are stalls after stalls selling chocolate, quiche, ham, sandwiches, and other treats. The best buy? Juice! Yes, for only a measly euro you can get freshly squeezed juice in just about any flavor you want. My favorite was strawberry orange but you really can’t go wrong with anything.
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Blog Post: La Rambla and Gothic Quarter
Number 5.
HopCat
HopCat is a home-town favorite place to get a great pint of beer and some mouth-watering burgers. But if you need a bite to go with your craft brew, try the crack fries. They are named that for a reason. They are super addicting…like crack..Get it? Not that I would know. Seriously! HopCat is in fact so serious about their crack fries that each year on January 25th, they hold a Crack Fries eating competition to celebrate their anniversary.
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Number 6.
Cours Saleya
This is actually a market and not a restaurant, but it is a must for some delectable bites. My favorite is the socca. When I was there, a sweet old lady was frying up the chickpea flat bread and serving it up in cones as fast as she could. The best parts are the crispy edges.
Location: Nice, France
Blog Post: Nice, France
Number 7.
Balkan Grill Walter
This is a hole in the wall eatery down a tiny alley, but they serve the best Bosna is Austria. Never heard of Bosna? It is a piping hot sausage(s) on a crispy, grilled, white bun and topped with condiments such as mustard, ketchup, onions, and curry powder. Yes it sounds pretty simple but trust me it’s super delish.
Location: Salzburg, Austria
Blog Post: Germany and Austria
Number 8.
High Noon
Tucked away in the Albuquerque Old Town, High Noon serves up one heck-of-a tasty bite. Brie empanadas. Need I say more? I probably got you just with those two words… but just in case you were wondering, they serve empanadas drizzled with raspberry sauce and topped with roasted garlic and an apricot-green chilli chutney.
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Number 9.
Hopleaf Bar
Ok, this might not be as “snacky” as the others on the list, but a peanut butter and jelly sandwich isn’t exactly a meal in my book. And, no, I’m no suggesting you eat an ordinary PB&J for you afternoon snack in the windy city. Hopleaf takes it to another level with the CB&J. Home-made cashew butter, fig jam, and raclette cheese is melted between two pieces of crispy sourdough. Oh my!
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Number 10.
Dover Castle’s Great Tower Cafe
English aren’t known for their food, and you typically don’t find the best bites in a castle cafe, but I kid you not, this was the best scone I have ever eaten. And, it was probably only a little bit due to the fact that I was eating in a freakin’ castle courtyard built in the 11th century.
Location: Dover, England
Blog Post: Dover
Number 11.
Hellas Bakery
Expect this Greek bakery to be busy any time of the day as it is the most popular in town, and for good reason. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you order here but my favorite is the baklava cheesecake. It is light and creamy with a sweet, crunchy, baklava topping. Add the frothy iced frappe and you will have the perfect way to wash down the sweet pastries while keep it cool on a hot and sweaty summer day.
Location: Tarpon Springs, Florida
Blog Post: Tarpon Springs, Florida
Number 12.
Chez H’anna
Middle Eastern food might not be the first thing that pops in your head when you think of Paris, but just trust me on this one. The falafel pita topped with eggplant will be one of your favorite snacks from this city. It’s a bit tricky to eat it on-the-go, but dig in anyway and enjoy it while taking in the Parisian sights.
Location: Paris, France
Blog Link: Paris, A Day in Pictures
Number 13.
T-Magic
I can’t get enough of bubble tea, and unfortunately for me, there aren’t many places near my apartment that sell it. That is why when i’m in New York, I go to T-Magic Every Single Day! I love this place so much that I have been known to go through an entire 10 punch card in one trip. Try the Thai milk tea with tapioca and you will know why.
Location: New York, New York
Blog Post: Visiting the Bro in New York
Number 14.
Alberto’s Cheese and Wine Bistro
Hidden in the French Market beside a praline shop and across from a guy shucking oysters, you will find the most amazing muffaletta. Because it is freshly prepared in a little food stall, you might have to wait a while. But when you bite into the layers of olive salad, salami, ham, and cheese inside a toasted sesame bun, you will know it is worth it.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Blog Post: New Orleans 3 Day Adventure
Number 15.
Cafe Beignet
Skip the line of tourists standing on a sidewalk at Cafe du Monde. They might have been the best at one point, but they seriously lack in quality and service these days. Instead, grab a beignet at Cafe Beignet. These scrumptious sugary treats of fried goodness are the perfect afternoon bite at this cute little quaint cafe.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Blog Post: New Orleans 3 Day Adventure
What are your best bites around the world?
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