Seoul

It’s a modern Korean restaurant with Makgeolli pairings. If my friend visits me from abroad, I definitely want to take them to this place. You can try Korean food here easily and beautifully. They have a ‘by-the-glass’ tasting where you can try different Korean liquors paired with the food. I recommend it! My favourite dish is the ‘squid sundae,’ which comes in ink sauce and butter crumbs on top. If you choose based on your favourite ingredients, you can’t go wrong.

I heard that a lot of foreigners come to Korea looking for Dakhanmari (a whole chicken soup). Dakgomtang is a similar dish, but it’s a bit easier to eat. Koreans are crazy about the soup and rice combo. Here, you can order a dish called Dakgopjil, which is tender chicken skin and meat served with the soup. You can either eat it as a side dish or mix it into the soup – whatever you prefer. If you’re curious about what Koreans really eat daily, you should try this place!

It’s an organic-style café and wine bar with large windows, great for reading or chatting. The music selection is great, and the food is delicious too. The vibe changes between day and night – both are worth experiencing. The daytime is laid-back, while the evening feels more romantic. Sometimes they host parties at night, and enjoying the music with their ‘shiso gin tonic’ or ‘roasted sweet potato with ice cream’ makes for an unforgettable night.

Just a bit north of central Seoul, where the museums and the old city gates are, you’ll find this retro café with an ‘80s vibe. At night, they play music on LPs, creating a unique atmosphere. Their drip coffee is great, and their special ‘Himalayan Masala Chai’ – a spicy milk tea – is really interesting. It’s definitely worth trying.

Every weekend (Thu to Sun), they host a variety of events. They have a system that records DJ and artist performances, and the space is really friendly, so it’s easy to connect with people through the music. They also run a YouTube channel where you can check out mixes and shows from different people. I’ve hosted parties and performed here myself, and it’s always been a lovely experience.

It’s one of my favourite clubs in Seoul. They host a lot of curated parties and pull in a diverse crowd from the underground scene. The vibe is super chill, with a rooftop overlooking the Sang-su area and a separate dancefloor downstairs, so you can go back and forth between them and take breaks as needed. Some nights you’ll see breakdancing battles, and other times they’ve got hot dogs on the rooftop. It’s a fun spot, and even Peggy Gou has shown up for a surprise set!

It’s a book café/library for adults. They mainly feature graphic novels, but don’t worry if you don’t speak Korean – there are plenty of photo books, art books, and English titles available too. There are lots of interesting reads. You can enjoy a coffee or a drink while you read in a comfortable setting, and you can even buy any books you like.

It’s a bar and café run by a web magazine that’s all about South Korea’s underground scene. If you check their schedule ahead of time, you might catch local DJs doing special radio shows. They also have events like ‘Tekken tournaments’ and ‘record flea markets’ from time to time. It’s a great spot to grab a drink before you head out to the clubs in Itaewon on a weekend night. Plus, the bartenders are friendly.

It’s not in Seoul, but it’s pretty close and totally worth the trip. It’s a fantastic spot for enjoying classical, jazz, and opera. They play music on LPs and vintage gear, and you can move around the big space to see how the sound changes and how the view outside shifts. The place itself has a really cool vibe, and the view of the Imjin River is stunning. They don’t allow outside drinks and don’t sell anything but water. The atmosphere is so beautiful that I once dreamed of having my wedding here!

It’s not in Seoul, but it’s a great spot nearby where you can really enjoy nature. It’s a lookout point where you can camp and even stay overnight with a view of North Korea. The view changes a bit with the seasons, and it’s just a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the lookout, so it’s super easy to get to. I think it’s perfect for bringing some coffee and snacks and just chilling out for a few hours.

Squid Sundae and Potatoes with Ice Cream: NECTA’s Guide to Seoul’s Best-Kept Secrets

Chuck George 

Milan

A cozy corner spot with a great selection of natural wines by its proprietor, Emanuele. The space is intimate enough to go for a first date but casual enough to kick back and have a few glasses with friends. I drop in occasionally when looking for a particular bottle from the winemakers on offer.

I started coming every Sunday when I moved into the neighbourhood. Unlike many of the new bars cropping up, this one is special. What it lacks in pretentiousness, it makes up for with its welcoming team. I always have a Guinness on draft and don’t snooze on the table snacks.

Founded by Chef Yoji Tokuyoshi, Bentoteca is immensely creative Japanese kitchen utilising Italian ingredients that is followed up equally by its selection of wines. I like to bring friends from out of town here because It’s the one thing that should not be missed. If it’s your first time, go for the Omakase.

Born in the 1930’s, this Milanese patisserie and cafe exemplifies a historic period. Traditional, but elegant, the space hosts a large outdoor seating area to sip a cocktail, smoke cigarettes and people watch. Before I moved out of the neighbourhood, I spent my mornings on the sidewalk sipping coffee and chatting with friends.

A Roman kitchen housed in an unstuffy, classically adorned space. It’s my weekly go-to since I am always craving carbonara or cacio pepe with a small beer. Always full of locals which adds to its charm. Sit outside in the warmer months, but get there early.

A historically important restaurant in Milan for its cuisine and family-run atmosphere that was recently purchased and reopened by Italian fashion brand Loro Piana. In creative circles, it is also the place to be and be seen. Go for the legacy, stay for the Spaghetti limone e peproncino. Lovely space with limited seating and thankfully, no reservations.

A neighbourhood gem, Terroir has a well-curated selection of products from small Italian producers by its esteemed proprietor Gabry. My recommendation is to go in the evening, have a glass of wine and some meats and cheeses that you may select from the refrigerated shelves and they’ll prepare for you. Probably my favourite place to head for some me time and a glass or just to run into friends.

Located on a tree-lined street Porta Venezia, Union Fade has a nice selection of Americana from denim and work jackets to boots and accessories. Some of the best pieces are hanging up high so be sure to look up for some treasures.

Led by a trio of creatives that hosts a number of brand activations, dinners and occasional workshops. Tune into their IG for community happenings @spaziofonte.

What’s An Italian Fashion Week Without Food? Milan’s Best Eating Out Spots with Chuck George 

Great crowd, good drinks and delicious small plates. It's a cozy bar and a perfect meeting point to have some good chill time.

Amazing place to eat the best burger at Chuck's or a great katsu at Katsusanderia and take a wine from Enoteca/Naturale. It's a collective of incredible spaces lined up side by side on a sidewalk. I highly recommend it.

Very tasty small plates, a judiciously experimental menu selection, easy/chill mode, nice people and an isolated place, away from other places where can exist on its own.

The overall experience of the place and the pizzas are very good, the gastronomic best version of traditional pizza and a very good wine selection, the interior design is really cool as well.

Traditional food with a modern twist, a great experimental restaurant in zone Navigli. 

Great fusion tapas, cozy atmosphere, good wine, easy mood. It's perfect because it's in Nolo and after Silvano you can go to any bar around and meet nice people. Especially in fashion week it's full of creatives.

Great aperitivo, tasty and unique plates, good drink!

Milan's best paninoteca and it's also the first one ever.

One of the best bars to socialize and have a drink during fashion week, it's an old school Milanese bar with its famous negroni sbagliato.

Good place to go in fashion week, with very tasty wines and especially delicious plates.

One of the most preferred bars on Saturday nights. A good melting pot and meeting point for locals and guests.

Great small bites, traditional patisserie, cute backyard, a great spot for having small and quick meetings.

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