We’ve already taken you around Europe and America to show you some great places to eat and drink when you’re working away at a trade show, so in the third and final part of the Best Places To Eat And Drink When You’re Exhibiting series, we’re showing you round everywhere else in the rest of the world.
From Sao Paulo to Shanghai, there are plenty of places we think you should try that’ll satisfy your hunger whilst you’re away…
Guangzhou – The Churchill Bar
What we’ve started to realise is that other countries have the ability to do the ‘British Bar’ better than the British!
This bar is in the Ritz Carlton and does Fish and Chips that puts Harry Ramsdens to shame!
Sao Paulo – Attimo
A 15-minute taxi ride from TransAmerica Expo Centre is an Italian restaurant that will make any Interior Designer want to become a waiter.
The awards are distinguished but none more than Best New Restaurant by “Wallpaper” Magazine. You would think in Brazil I would pick a Steakhouse but this place would be my first stop after landing!
Singapore – Octapas
We’ve never experienced Chilli Crab like this before. Firstly it was the biggest crab we’ve ever seen never mind eaten, secondly the taste was simply amazing! Situated on the river at Clarke Quay this is a must!
Afterwards jump on a water taxi and head down to Boat Quay and on to Harry’s Bar. This was Nick Leeson’s favourite drinking hole (the guy who brought down Barings Bank).
Shanghai – Char Bar & Grill
These guys take steak so seriously that they give you options on what knives to use. And of course, what meal would be complete without 10 varieties of salt? Great views too! Follow this up with a few drinks up the road in Bar Rouge.
And get a lesson in how to spend money by the locals, Shanghai-style.
Cape Town – Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers & Ribs
Sometimes you just need that big stodgy bit of meat to make you feel replete, and if you want the best burger in Cape Town, Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers & Ribs is the place to be. A modern feel on the American Diner, give the Beirut beefburger a try. The sesame seed sauce (tahini) adds a real touch.
Don’t fancy a burger? We like the smoked bbq lamb ribs. So succulent, and served up in a mouth-watering sweet bar-b-que sauce.
Wash it all down with one of over 100 shakes that you can choose from, and leave feeling ultra burger’d out and immensely satisfied.
Singapore – No Signboard Seafood
Now this is the real deal – the authentic Singapore dining experience.
With an abundance of tasty crab dishes to choose from, The Blackpepper Crab in this place is absolutely unbelievable.
They’ve been dishing up crab dishes since the 1970s, where they started out at a stall in the Mattar Rd Hawker Centre, but had no name or signboard (hence the name that customers referred to them by!).
Fancy a tipple? Tiger beer. It has to be Tiger beer. You’ll find this place tucked away from the tourist area.
Lankawi, Malaysia – Bon Ton Restaurant
Wow. Now, this place is wonderfully different.
Not just one of the best restaurants on the island, but one of the best experiences too. An oasis.
It has a menu that’s a mix of west and east cuisine, and we were spoiled for choice. The local speciality, the Nyonya Platter is a delicious combination of Malay & Chinese food that relates back to the Spice Trade era. And the starter of BBQ rock lobster tails with satay sauce on a Guava salad absolutely awakens the taste buds in a way you don’t get anywhere else.
The setting, the interior, the cocktails, the service…”wow” is the only thing we can say about this place.
Mumbai – Goa Portuguesa Restobar
It’s always good to try the local food when you’re in a new place – but after a day on the stand and you’re hungry you just want to get some food in you.
Well – when in Mumbai, definitely do as the Mumbaians do – and come here. Typical Goan, a great ambience, and amazing dishes. The Goan Fish Curry was immense, and the Fish Fry was another dish that we’d order again.
We were even tempted to get up and dance to the live Goan music that they had on there too…but we didn’t want to embarrass the locals with our hot moves…!
Sydney – Icebergs @ Bondi Beach
Coming to Icebergs gets you on to Bondi Beach, and gets you in to one of the best places in Sydney to eat and drink.
It’s one of the places to be, and last time we were there Paris Hilton bought us a drink!
The bistro style menu is lovely. Fettuccini Chilli Prawns (finished with baby spinach, garlic, chilli, lime juice and parmesan cheese) accompanied our bottle of Vasse Felie dry white wine, together with a side of herb bread.
But you’re here for the view of Bondi which is simply stunning. Don’t JUST visit Bondi Beach – take in Icebergs too.
Hong Kong – Ebeneezers Kebab House
Tucked a little way off the tourist trek but close to the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station, Ebenezer’s serves good, simple Asian food in a nice environment.
Open late, it looks little funky from the outside, something 50s-American-burger-diner-ish perhaps, but the huge menu is full of Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine.
The kebab lover inside you would love the lamb and chicken mixed kebab, or the spicy donner kebab. Washed down with the ice-cold beer on tap.
The chicken tikka biriyani comes highly recommended and has an unbelievably fresh taste; and there’s a large pizza menu too.
Tokyo – Han No Daidokoro Kadochika
You’ve got to come here if you find yourself doing an exhibition in Tokyo.
It’s a fab place, with a great atmosphere, and the beef is sensational. Ask the “Beef Boss” to take care of you, and you’ll never think of beef in the same way again.
The beef was the best we’ve had, tender and perfectly prepared for cooking quickly over the Korean style grill at your table.
There’s a fantastic selection of Korean and Asian food on the menu here, plus a bbq option which is very popular. Rated number two of 83,726 Restaurants in Tokyo, and rated the best out of 4,673 Restaurants in Shibuya on Trip Advisor…and we know why!
Johannesburg – Fishmonger
Situated in the Thrupps Centre in Illovo, Fishmonger offers a wide variety of shellfish, fresh line fish and sushi; as well as a few non-fish dishes too.
If you love fish, we think it’s well worth a trip here after stepping off your exhibition stand, where you’ll be well looked after and well fed.
A nice, relaxed atmosphere, we loved the Squidheads as a starter (fried crispy), and plumped for the whole baby kingklip with roasted veg, and hake in batter for main courses and – like a fish – we were hooked! We’ve been back a few times since, and will definitely go back again.
Johannesburg – The Butcher Shop & Grille
Yes – we’ve included ANOTHER Johannesburg restaurant! We had to – we just couldn’t mention one without the other!
The Butcher Shop & Grille is situated in the Nelson Mandela Centre, and is known for it’s prime cuts on the menu which are the same as you’ll find in their shop. Top quality meat.
Game Carpaccio is thin slices of raw springbok, dressed with truffle oil, parmesan, rocket and chillies. It’s a dish to try, alongside the Garlic snails!
Their signature steaks are huge, and due to this can take some time to prepare. But they’re worth the wait.
With a varied menu, you don’t want to bury your head in the sand here – try the pan-friend Ostrich Fillet with cranberry sauce. You won’t be disappointed!
Rio De Janeiro – Marius Degustare
Picture an Aladdin’s Cave, a Junk Shop and some of the most mouth-watering gastro food. All weaved together a short walk away from Copacabana beach. You’ve got Marius Degustare.
Unique, this place is a must-see – even if you don’t like food you have to come here for the ambience. For random selection of crash helmets, guitars, plates, work tools, cars (yes, full size cars) and umbrellas which form the deco.
The Buffet is luxurious and huge, with a big selection of salads dishes, and traditional Brazilian food. Their menu has an abundance of seafood and beef to choose from, and a lengthy list of desserts too.
When you arrive, bring an appetite with you…you’ll need it!
We go out and eat at these places because we design and build exhibition stands all around the world, and we travel with them to make sure that when they go up, they’re as fantastic as you expect them to be.
Give us a call today to speak to us about your next exhibition stand project. We might just be the people you’re looking for! T: +44 (0) 113 244 1300