Shay Lia

Ivory Coast

Abidjan

Le Cafe des Jardins is a new, very modern cafe with a western approach and design to it. It has that green, soothing and relaxing set up. There aren’t that many places like that in Abidjan. The food is absolutely delicious. I recommend the fish skewers or the salmon with peanut butter sauce. The desserts are all very delicious too! If you're looking for a young, refreshing restaurant with a European aesthetic and a more elevated dining experience, this is for you.

Le Café des Jardins

The Ivorian soil is so abundant. Every direction you look in, you see green. It feels like one big jungle so there are garden centres everywhere in Abidjan. They don’t have a specific name or a registered address (like many places in Africa) but they are definitely worth mentioning. It’s an affordable way to sight-see too! I took this picture at my favourite one, in the neighbourhood I stay in.


Public Gardens

Everyone who’s been to Abidjan knows about the CAVA. Translated from French, these four letters stand for “The Crafted Centre of the City of Abidjan”. It is the best place to buy authentic handcrafted gifts. It looks like a small village where all merchants and artists are selling fabric, sculptures, paintings, jewellery and more. It’s such a beautiful, colourful, charming and inspiring place to go. It exhibits the talent and identity of Abidjan so well and is also the perfect place to practise your bargaining skills!


CAVA

Domaine Bini is the place to disconnect from society. From the city of Abidjan, it will take about half an hour to get there. You’ll be welcomed in full nature by professional guides and a welcoming staff and can go on an educational walk in the woods where you will be introduced to the surrounding ecosystem. It’s a beautiful way to learn about how coconut palms grow; why rubber trees are bent and the cocoa circuit. After the hike you’ll be able to take a bath outside, covered in the natural clay of your choice. Then comes lunch - a selection of delicious traditional meals. They also have bedrooms if you decide to pay for 2 days! It’s a divine place to connect with Mother Nature and educate yourself while spending a good time with friends and family.

Domaine Bini

The historic town of Grand-Bassam is the first capital of Côte d’Ivoire. It is so well preserved and protected by UNESCO. Being there feels like travelling through time and going back to the late 19th- and early 20th-century. It is an incredibly charming and calm little town where you can spend the day walking around and wondering about the past. Grand-Bassam was the most important port, economic and judicial centre of Côte d’Ivoire when the country was a French colony.

The historic town of Grand-Bassam

The Equinox Fitness is a Fitness Centre located in Cocody. I love this place! If you want to stay in shape during your stay in Abidjan I highly recommend it. It has a huge, well equipped gym on two floors, a basketball court, a pool and a small spa. The best thing is that it’s never packed, so you don’t have to worry about Covid-19! I love that the coaches are very nice and helpful. It’s also very affordable considering all the services that also include full access to all the classes (afro dance, spinning, boxing, yoga etc.). A very friendly peaceful atmosphere with good music!! It will boost your mood!

Equinox Fitness Centre

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Top Spots in Abidjan with Shay Lia

Thailand

Bangkok

From the quality of food to the standout interior, this diner is full of beauty and charm. Home-cooked recipes from Trat, a coastal town in eastern Thailand near Cambodia, known for its seafood and curries. On my last visit there, I ordered the massaman chicken with durian, deep-fried sea bass with sweet
chilli sauce, and grilled tiger prawns with eastern-style seafood sauce. But If you desire a sweet after-meal, the desserts are good too!

Sri Trat Restaurant and Bar

The name of the restaurant definitely lives up to the taste! Try the salted crispy pork belly, Thai omelette with pork, and the yellow curry with shrimp. But a friendly heads-up, for those who aren't big on spicy food: many of the dishes pack a generous punch of heat.

Kajohn Authentic Southern Thai Cuisine

A hidden gem in Bangkok’s old town, aka the Charoenkrung area. Wua Tong is one of the many serving delicious Chinese cuisine. As it is made for meat lovers, I would suggest the Qingdao beef noodles, lo pek yan (radish meatballs), and stir-fried green beans with minced pork and dried shrimp.

Wua Tong Pochana

For all crab lovers, the crab meat garlic fried rice or mantis shrimp with chilli and basil is extremely delicious.

Here Hai

A real throwback to old-school Thai eateries, offering a getaway from the neighbourhood’s trendier and more modern dining spots. Try their legendary gai yang (ไกย่ า่ ง or grilled chicken), served with khao niao (Thai sticky rice) and Thai-style chilli sauce.

Sabai Jai Gai Yang

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Ethiopian Records 

Ethiopia

Addis Ababa

Order the ye tsom firfir (fasting firfir). It is the best thing and come with friends, you won't be able to finish it on your own.

Mimi's Firfir

Their green juice is my personal favourite and the place is filled with artwork, most of it made by ZELALEM MERGA and Tesfahun Kebru.

Shifta

Come early if you want to get those precious seats inside so you can experience the live music up close.

Fendika Cultural Center

Anytime you want somewhere that has fresh air, greener around Mexico/ Mekenissa Zoma Musuem is the place, take a book and take time for yourself. Also take your time to explore the entire space.

Zoma Museum

Found next to Washa Mikael Rock Hewn Church. A walk up the hill with a nice view. Go during the day.

'Melata Gara' or Bold Hill

Found in the neighbourhood of Goma Kuteba and in front of the Ministry of Health. Take your time exploring the space.

Oda Medemer Africa Art Space

Inside or out, the national theatre is filled with history.

Beherawi Theatre

My current neighbourhood, Kazanchis, where Fendika is situated. Sundays are the best days to work around anywhere in Addis.

Kazanchis

I like barber shops, even though I haven't cut my hair in more than 10 years and I only go there for a trim or for my beard, because like anywhere else in the world, the barber shop conversations are lively. I used to go at least twice a month to another called Finfine Hotel Barber’s with my dad, I have very fond memories of that place.

Balderas Condominium Barber

Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Records 

Greece

Athens

This is one of the underground spaces that I am running. Feel free to come as you are. There is no dress code, you can express yourself as you like.

Cantina Social

BEqueer is a club with drag queen performances. Always a cute crowd to party [with].

BEqueer

More than a welcome and safe [space] for queer people. All of us, we always party in this venue/club.

Astron Bar

This club has the same vibe as BEqueer, but with more focus on the performances.

Koukles Club

The Best Queer Bars in Athens, Selected by George Kanis

Spain

Barcelona

We love La Central. It’s a really nice breakfast spot. They have delicious food, for instance pan con tomato which is really Catalan. They also have nice coffee. The special thing about this place is that it’s an actual book store.

La Central

Carlos & Matilda is the project of our dear friends. It’s a dedicated designer cocktail spot in the middle of the Gothic area. They’ve got a beautiful terrace.

Carlos and Matilda

This is my friend Anna’s place. Her artist name is Pannks and she’s an independent nail artist from Barcelona. She’s really affiliated with the whole underground urban scene of the city, working with all the underground urban artists.

Pannkks Nail Salon

La Huella is our workout spot. It’s where we started building up all this muscle haha. Thanks to our trainer, Danny. It’s our go-to spot for personal training and crossfit.

La Huella

INST Berlin is where we come to do our hair. It’s created by Adrian Alban, who’s a really good friend of ours. It’s become the spot in the city to get your hair cut.

INST Berlin

The Joan Miro Foundation is named after iconic painter Joan Miro. They are exhibiting a part of his incredible work. It’s also a beautiful venue from which you have incredible views of the city. We also recommend walking around Montjuïc park which is around the building.

Fundació Joan Miró

What To Do in Barcelona During Primavera Sound with Lexa

Ashleigh Kane

United Kingdom

London

Beginning as a project space in 2011 before transitioning into a commercial gallery four years ago, Arcadia Missa actively champions young and contemporary female artists such as Phoebe Collings-James, Reba Maybury and Amalia Ulman

Arcadia Missa

Anchored in its German and American roots, this multi-city gallery often hosts works from some of the biggest artists in the world; John Waters, Barbara Kruger and even Kraftwerk

Spruth Magers

Sadie Coles is a veteran of the London art scene and known for her connection to the YBAs - mostly Sarah Lucas. It has an incredible roster of international artists, with Martine Syms being a favourite of mine

Sadie Coles HQ

Guest Projects is tucked away just around the corner from Broadway Market’s hustle and bustle (aka chaos). Founded by Yinka Shonibare, it offers the extremely rare opportunity for artists to have free access to the London space for a month. Here, multidisciplinary practices combine for residencies, parties and even supper clubs

Guest Projects

Situated inside Piccadilly Tube Station and has done shows with Harley Weir, Ryan McGinley and more. The gallery never actually opens or closes, all the art you need to see is in its shop window

Soft Opening

The ICA is a melting pot of both emerging and established underground artists that cover film, photography, performance, and installation, as well as talks, lectures and panels. Keep an eye out for its Friday night programmes which is when they host progressive events, club nights and other happenings

Institute of Contemporary Arts

A stone’s throw from Peckham Rye Overground is the Hannah Barry Gallery. An incredible influence on the city’s contemporary art scene – particularly in pushing interest South-East. After hitting the gallery, climb the stairs at Peckham’s multi-storey carpark and experience Bold Tendencies. It's a not-for-profit art and cultural programme that takes place each Summer, organised by Barry, and featuring both local and international commissions. Bold Tendencies is also where you’ll find Simon Whybray’s 'hi boo i love you', the pink staircase which is actually a long letter to a long distance girlfriend

Hannah Barry Gallery

The Chisenhale Gallery in East London is an innovative contemporary space that regularly commissions artists to “pursue their most ambitious work to date”. The gallery is refreshingly progressive in the work and artists it shows. It also produces limited editions, so be sure to check out the shop and invest in the next generation's work

Chisenhale Gallery

The Tate is literally next to my office, which is maybe why I have an affinity to it, despite also a lot of conflict with some of its practices. If you want to buy one of your fave artworks, likely Tate will have a postcard of it or something similar... I’m a sucker for collecting images and ephemera, so this is my first stop

Tate Modern

Ashleigh Kane's Top London Gallery and Museums 

V_drmgm

France

Marseille

Mame Diarra is a Senegalese restaurant in the heart of Noailles. If you are with a group of friends, looking for a cool spot to eat before a long night, this is the spot. Amazing food, generous portions, big tables and a huge screen constantly playing the latest West African music videos from YouTube. 

Mame Diarra 

Whereas most natural wine bars tend to be interchangeable products of cultural homogenisation, La Passerelle seems to care little about the new standards of the hip bourgeoisie. Started over twenty years ago by a group of friends, La Passerelle looks more like a literary café at the crossroads of Mediterranean cultures, where musicians, artists and pretty anyone come for a good chat (and a lot of wine). 

La Passerelle

If a diner and a PMU (French sport bar) blended together, this is what it could look like; casual and welcoming, good fun but nonetheless a super cool spot to eat, drink, mingle and unwind. Meghan, the Scottish owner, will serve you her simple yet delicious take on Mediterranean cuisine, unless you’re here to play pool in the backroom while drinking demies and pastis.

Bonnies

This must be my more mature, simple yet elegant, to go to spot. The one that allows you to wear your favourite pair of white trousers. La caravelle is a lowkey cocktail bar established above some restaurants of le vieux port. They have jazz bands and musicians playing every week, very decent drinks and a cool balcony with a great view.. but what I like the most is the laid back, hushed yet vibrant atmosphere that does feel like being on a 16th-century wooden boat.

La Caravelle

Many hyper-controlled venues have been cosplaying as rave lately. Metaphore is what a real DIY space looks and feels like. Started almost ten year ago, this semi-legal warehouse hidden in the middle of an industrial area offers multiple spaces to dance, chill and socialise. The dark room is properly lightproof, equipped with a well balanced function one system that allows night long dancing away from the outer world. This is a place for experienced and respectful partygoers where you will meet the local underground community as much as people from around the world. Saturday nights are usually club nights, open to a wide range of sounds. Sundays are dedicated to live music, from more acoustic and melodic to more experimental and electronic performances.

Metaphore Collectif

L’arraché is the Marseillaise equivalent of a Chicago jazz bar during the prohibition. When raving or clubbing feels a little too much, going to l’arraché can be a great option. This underground bar, associatif. nearby la plaine hasn’t changed much over the past thirty years. Low ceiling, big smoke, crackling bi-bop tapes selected by one of the two sixty year old Corsican owners while the other one is handing you your bottle of beer, some people dancing, some playing chess, and literally everyone smoking. As some Time Out journalists would say - this is a ‘unique experience’, just make sure to shower before bed.

L'Art Haché

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Glasgow

My local spot and an off-grid gem owned by my pal Paul, who’s full of passion and incredible knowledge. He makes coffee machines, and grows and roasts his own beans. I get schooled every time I come in and I love it.

Alfie Coffee

A quick 15 minutes from my studio is the famous Barras Market. We’re not here to shop for treasure but for my favourite doughnuts: six sugar donuts for £3.50.

Danny’s Do-Nuts

On the other side of town is Ottoman Coffee House. Probably one of the most unique spots in Glasgow that isn’t so well-known. It’s run by two brothers – Imran and Irfan [Akhtar] – and sits in the Glasgow Society of Musicians building. I’d recommend getting the mixed grill and Kyoto drip coffee.

Ottoman Coffeehouse

Best pizza in Glasgow without a doubt. It’s got a small menu but everything is next level.

Frank’s Pizza & Subs

Right round the corner is Crownpoint Studios where Sadeo is based. We’ve got two floors of incredible space and light. We really love how industrial this area is, it’s safe and a fun spot to be in.

Studio Sadeo at Crownpoint Studios

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DJ Lady D

United States

Chicago

Giant is a tiny restaurant on Armitage Avenue in Humboldt Park. The small open-air kitchen functions like watching an episode of "The Bear" if it were a real place. I usually try to sit at the chef's seats to watch their exquisite ballet. The food is delightful, and the flavours divine. It's well worth the trouble of getting a table here. Let your spirit run free with this menu and try a little of it all. 

Giant

Sultan's Market is a staple in Wicker Park and a tried and true friend to the community. They have two locations - another in Logan Square attached to a dance club called Masada, where they do House, Amapiano, and other music events. You can't go wrong with either for budget-friendly, home-made, Mediterranean food. The tried and true lamb, falafel, rice, and chicken shawarma do it for me every time. Lentil or chicken soup on a chilly day for just a few bucks. Salad Bar for when you're being "healthy". A familiar friend and a warm hug are what this place is to me.

Sultan's Market

Rockwell Bottles Shop & Coffee is a hybrid coffee shop selling boozy beverages in Lincoln Square. Not really a bar - but more a space where friends can hang out, or you can work from and then come home with a few bottles from the store's carefully curated selection of craft beer, wine, and sake. Aesthetically, just a gorgeous space with uniquely wonderful finds. It's pretty and perfect. Love this spot! 

Rockwell Bottles Shop & Coffee 

Bronzeville Winery is a soulful restaurant in Bronzeville, the cultural capital of Chicago's great migration. Attention to vegan and vegetarian offerings makes this a place anyone can enjoy, whether for dinner or a quick stop during happy hour. I go time and again for the shrimp and grits, plus they serve one of the best Sunday Brunch menus anywhere. Their extensive wine list is a standout feature, but they have a full-service bar too. DJs spin mostly vinyl, setting the tone between soul, neo-soul, and chillaxing music most nights - housey, sexy, and everything in-between. BW is a regular stop, and I truly vibe with this place. 

Bronzeville Winery

Chengdu Bistro in Wicker Park has the best dumplings outside of SF, period. The busiest time is all the time, so getting a table here without a reservation means you have to be patient. It's so worth the wait, though. Although I enjoy the meaty dishes, the veggies are some of my favourites—string beans, bok choy, and the various mushroom dishes are all memorable. Even better: it's BYOB! My recommendation: make a reservation.

Chengdu Bistro

Noriko is an even tinier hand-roll sushi spot below another restaurant named Perilla. I love sushi, and this teeny-weeny spot takes the art of the hand roll to the next level. Almost impossible to get into, the best bet is the online platform OpenTable or going alone. No more than three are recommended, and two is ideal. Yup, a great date-night if you're trying to impress and want oodles of cool points. This dimly lit triangle of a restaurant will have you (and them) eating out of the palm of your hand.

Noriko Handroll Bar

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XL Middleton

Los Angeles 

We're starting at the home base since this is my record store. Located in the heart of Chinatown. It's a tiny spot; tiny like the record stores in Shibuya but I'd like to think it's cozy. We carry everything but with a strong slant towards funk/soul/boogie, modern funk, & Japanese city pop. Google says we're permanently closed but, shows you what they know. We've kept the storefront closed since the pandemic started but we are gearing up to reopen later this year. In the meantime, we do Instagram vinyl drops every Tuesday & Wednesday so you can get a little slice of LA record store culture from anywhere in the world twice a week.

Salt Box Records

If you're visiting LA and want to dig as soon as you possibly can after stepping off the plane, you can go here, it's just a few blocks away from LAX. Nice selection in all genres and they've been around for quite a while. I love that the shop has that old school, record store dive kind of vibe where it doesn't feel like the wax has been 'overcurated' and compared against every pricing metric on Discogs & eBay. Also you'll be close to the iconic Randy's Donuts - The local secret is that it's not just a famous place to take IG selfies, their donuts are actually great.

Soundsations

This is one of those spots that diggers in LA will hesitate to tell people about because they wanna keep the jewels to themselves. Digs are top notch even in the bargain bins. The guy who runs the shop is another old school dude who doesn't rely on internet prices as a reference, which makes the game fun in a way that it often isn't anymore.

Record Recycler

One of the newer shops in the city, and you'll definitely wanna keep up with them on the regular because you never know what they'll come up on next. One day they'll be rolling out a crazy jazz collection, the next it's all heavy Italo 12"s, after that a big stack of 90's R&B & hip hop LPs. If you go there on the right day you might see the homie Randy Ellis (CQQL Records/Hobo Camp) behind the counter.

Paradise City

When you come to LA, you can tell who is new to the city because they refer to parts of town like Echo Park & Silver Lake as the "east side." Nah, come to Sonido Del Valle and check out Boyle Heights, part of the actual east side. It's one of my favorite neighborhoods in town, love the old Victorian houses and the fact that the gentrification hasn't hit as hard here yet. This spot is run by the homie Rene, tell him I sent you when you go! Tons of great taco spots in the area too, take your pick. But after a dig at Sonido I might hit up Otomisan, old school Japanese restaurant right down the street from the days when Boyle Heights also had a big Japanese community.

Sonido Del Valle

Speaking of the east side, Record Jungle is located right on Whittier Boulevard just a few miles away from the famous cruising strip. This is a big store, not heavily curated but there's tons to choose from so you never know what you're gonna find. Recommend setting aside many hours to dig here.

Record Jungle

Mainly a bookstore as you might've guessed by the name but their record section is no joke. The 7" section is fun to go through. Lotta table space and if you're lucky you can even score a chair to sit down while you go through their boxes. They're one of the better stores in town when it comes to having joints that you don't see in stores too often. You'll definitely also wanna check out the book tunnel, the old bank vault, and the other cool stuff they have to look at on their mezzanine.

The Last Bookstore

Fingerprints, and the spot mentioned below, are both in Long Beach -- which is technically a separate city but still within LA County. It's very much a part of the fabric here, even if it does have its own vibe. Every time I go to Long Beach I always hit both of these stores up. They're kind of polar opposites which makes it fun - Fingerprints has the whole bookstore/record store/coffee shop thing going.

Fingerprints

Fingerprints and Bagatelle Records are within walking distance of one another which is rare in LA. Bagatelle is all dusty stacks and tight spaces from floor to ceiling. You'll love the contrast between the two.

Bagatelle Records

We're winding this down in the corner of LA I'm from - Pasadena. Technically its own separate city too but it's a 20 minute drive from downtown LA. When I was growing up, Poo Bah was located in a little converted red house so you'd walk into what was basically the living room and start digging through the bins. They've since moved to a proper storefront a couple miles away. Still got all the hallmarks of a great record store dive - nice prices, deep bargain bins, side shelves with cassettes, VHS tapes, and CD's. In the recent years they've done a lot of events revolving around the beat/producer community. The late Ras G was involved with the store pretty heavily. Dam Funk filmed part of his "Hood Pass Intact" video here too.

Poo Bah Records

Here's a little Pasadena bonus for you to check out while you're in the area. Mainly a bookstore but they have a few bins of records, I recommend checking them out because they seem to carry a lot of weird, off the wall stuff, of all types.

The Battery Books & Music

The Ultimate Guide to LA's Record Shops with XL Middleton

Wekaforé

Home of Barcelona football club. The past few times I've gone to see them has been ridiculous because they're too good. During the day it's packed and there are thousands of people on the streets

Camp Nou

There’s a museum up the stairs which is cool. If you go running at night time up to the Montjuic there’s the Olympic stadium, which was renovated in 1989 for the Barcelona Olympics. It’s quiet and it's beautiful.

Montjuic

Twice a week, a select few people are invited to partake in an Egosex rehearsal in their studio in Poblenou. The band classifies their music as ‘Jungle Trance Blues’ and is best when heard live

Egosex Live Room

A place for all the young fashion designers in Barcelona trying to realise their ideas. Martin and his team are the most passionate and down to earth catalysts in the city behind the curtains

Good Decisions Studios

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GUAPDAD 4000

Oakland

Brazilian / Asian / soul food fusion spot. I know the chef personally and this food is VERY well prepared and upscale.

alaMar

THE FILIPINO SPOT WITH HANDS DOWN THE BEST CHICKEN WINGS. GOTTA GET THE G FIRE CHICKEN WINGS. NO EXCUSES!

Lucky Three Seven

A dimly lit, very sexy, very tucked away sushi spot. Believe me when I say this is some of the best cuts of fish in the whole of the Bay Area

Akemi

This is a nod to secret speakeasy spots. The hidden restaurant, the bar and the wings and burger are amazing and not to be missed.