Best Meals of 2024

Honorable Mention Afternoon Tea on Virgin Atlantic Flight

This was a very unique experience. I was in Premium Economy so there wasn’t china or table cloth. The food was so much better than I was expecting. The finger sandwiches were tasty. The scone, clotted cream, and jam were yummy. The macaroon was in great condition. Although I normally wouldn’t have a hot drink on a plane, I was flying back to the US and having trouble staying awake. The tea with all the sugar and cream they gave me helped keep me up.

I enjoyed my flight but really hated the lighting. I think it’s part of the Virgin Atlantic aesthetic but I would only fly them again if the price was right because of it. I would love the option of changing the color of my overhead light. It would make it much more accessible. I know a lot of people in the neurodivergent community like colored lights and even find it soothing but I’m not one of them.

12. Chimney Cake, Budapest

There is some debate where this Pastry is from. The best I can tell is that it originated it in a Hungarian speaking region of Romania. Although You might not know it if you visited Prague. There was at least 2-3 times as many chimney cake shops in Prague than Budapest. I think because the tourism build up in Prague is based on their old town rather than being a cruise hot spot.

This Pastry is a dough that is wrapped around a rod and baked over coals. I chose a stall where I could see that was how they were making them and picked the traditional cinnamon sugar without anything inside like chocolate or ice cream. It was pretty good. The inside was a little doughy and it wasn’t too sweet. I’d get it again on a cold night or while walking through a Christmas market but more for the warmth and experience than the taste.

11. Beef Tar tare, Meinklang Hofladen, Vienna

I arrived in Vienna on a Saturday in the early evening. It was pouring rain so I found a cute place close by. It was across the street from one bus stop away from my hotel. I ate at the bar and the staff was so welcoming. He talked me through the menu and helped me pick a local wine and beef tar tare. It was the first time I had it and really good. The restaurant had the best vibe to it. It was the coziest neighborhood spot south of the busy streets of Vienna. It felt sophisticated but casual with simple but high quality food. It was just what I needed. If I lived in Vienna I could see myself coming a few times a week.

10. Cacio e Pepe, Mercato Mayfair, London

Mercato Mayfair is a food hall inside an old church. It’s absolutely gorgeous with wine cellar in the crypt and a rooftop terrace. I went on a Saturday so it was packed and there was nowhere to sit. Which was why I ended up sitting on the ground with my back to the altar. The pasta was good, although it would of been more fun going with someone at a less busy time. The noise in the main hall can be overstimulating but they have quieter areas like the crypt or the rooftop. There are a few restaurants with designated seating. I started with Cava and Charcuterie at a Spanish place.

9. Apple Custard Hand Pie, Fortitude Bakehouse, London

It was the cutest little shop right behind my hotel. I think there’s always a queue but the line moves fast and it’s a beutiful place to wait in the morning. They are known for their beignets and cinnamon rolls. Although the beignets I think are filled with cream. I got there 2 hours after they opened so beignets were not available. The hand pie I had was delicious though. It was golden and flaky dusted with turbinado sugar with perfectly baked apple and gooey custard. Definitely worth the wait!

8. Continental Breakfast, Flemings Mayfair Hotel, London

This is the most beautiful hotel breakfast I’ve ever been to. I always started with a pot of white tea. The best tea I’ve ever had and this started my search for white tea whenever I can find it. I’ve found white tea hard to find in the states. There are a few variations every day but I always started with fresh lemon curd and orange marmalade on toast and finished my breakfast with the most soft and dense pound cake I’ve ever had.

7. Kimbap and Kimchi, Manifesto Market Andel, Prague

This food court was such a fun place. The cocktails were creative and so good. My favorite thing that I ate though was the Kimbap and Kimchi It was so amazing. The best Kimchi I’ve ever had, granted I’ve never had it in a restaurant before.

6. Breakfast, Meinklang Hofladen, Vienna

I came back for breakfast one morning when the rain let up enough to walk the way there. I was a perfect start to my morning. The eggs were cooked just the right way to scoop them up with fresh sourdough. In Vienna customer service at restaurants sometimes felt a little detached compared to the US but the staff here was so warm and friendly, they even remembered me from a few days ago.

5. Breakfast, SOLID Rooftop Brunch Restaurant, Budapest

This was such a pretty restaurant on top of the hotel I was staying at. It is owned by the Michelin restaurant on the ground floor. Everything was simple, high quality and delicious in a way that is hard to describe. I had a citrus tea unlike anything I’ve had before in the cutest tea set. My breakfast was so good. The egg was perfectly done but the vegetables and greens with citrus yogurt topped with chili crisp was amazing. The combination of flavors was beyond tasty.

4. Cheese Souffle, KLM Business Class Breakfast

This was the the best souffle I’ve ever had and it was on a plane!

3. Breakfast, Dishoom, London

I wish I could have this at least once a week! I ordered the egg naan roll to try the orange saffron. It’s the best sauce I’ve ever had! I wish they sold it. I would fly back to London for that. The sauce was also amazing as a dipping sauce for my pork sausages. The Chocolate Chai is worth a second mention. I wish I could have it every morning. I have to go back!

2. Lamb Wrap, The Lebanese Sajeria, Amsterdam

This was mouthwatering! The spiced lamb was the best I’ve ever had! This would be my go to takeaway if I lived in Amsterdam. The Hibiscus tea was also the best ever!

1. Langos, Budapest

This is the best street food ever! It’s definitely a ‘hear me out’ snack and I only tried it because it was a local food. This is a fried bread topped with sour cream and shredded cheese, This sounds very heavy and I thought there was no way I would finish it because it was almost the size of my head. The bread is actually light, fluffy, and airy. The sour cream there is also different. It’s more tangy, creamy but thinner, and slightly sweeter. I ate the whole thing and it felt more like a snack than a whole meal. I’ve tried different toppings but stick with the traditional cream and cheese. It’s so much better. It’s a good thing I don’t live in Budapest or I would have it at least three times a week! I NEED to go back to Budapest just for the food.