Bodyism | London

I am obsessed! You know, we live in a time where people are conscious about their body and living and eating healthy. Body awareness is just something people are interested in nowadays. At least I am. I am not trying to overdo the whole health thing but I try to use my common sense and like to try places that are focused on being healthy. Bodyism is such a place and does it in a great way thanks to its founder James Duigan (best known for working with Elle Macpherson.. rephrase THE BODY haha).
This little cafe has a few stools and tables for sitting down and a studio in the back where you can probably get one of the best work-outs in London (haven’t tried and tested…) All food in their cafe is organic, gluten-free and they only use refined sugars. The clean and lean coffee is probably the best alternative to normal cappuccino I have ever tasted.. I actually liked it MUCH better then my daily take-away skinny latte from Starbucks. Bit expensive though. The shop/cafe looks gorgeous. Very LA. It’s all plants, healthy food, design lamps, stools, yoga pants and books. I like it! 222 – 224 Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2RH | Tube: Notting Hill Gate | £££ | Website

Daylesford | London

Another place in Notting Hill that deserves a little bit more attention from OLBB. Especially since it is probably the place I have lunch most often… It is basically a very expensive farmshop with delicious, beautiful organic products and also a cafe. You can get take away coffee, cookies and cakes or enjoy a delicious lunch in the back or at the front counter overlooking Westbourne Grove. Downstairs and next door is a shop with interior items that are beautifully made. The sell really nice baby / children toys, blankets, kitchenware etc. The place looks very stylish, organic and fresh and is located in my favourite street in London so it it definitely a winner!! I absolutely adore their chicken salad and ginger, carrot, apple juice…   208-212 Westbourne Grove, London | £££ | Tube: Notting Hill Gate | +44 20 7313 8050 | Website 

Hally’s | London

This is my new go-to brunch place in London. It’s located in Fulham, just off Parsons Green, but I felt like I was on holiday somewhere in California! The menu was exactly what we were hoping for with options like Avocado on sourdough toast with chilli and lemon, Eggs Florentine, Grilled Chicken Ceasar salad, Beef Burger.. I went for the Salad of lentils, halloumi, butternut squash, avocado and chorizo which was really tasty. They also do Mimosa’s which is one of my favourite weekend drinks! The interior is primarily white with vintage white washed wooden floors and a white brick & wooden wall, cool lighting, and their simple Bentwood chairs are decorated with cool summery colours. The perfect place for brunch with friends, lover or family. Oh and they don’t take reservations. 60 New Kings Road | +44 (0) 203 302 7408| Tube: Parsons Green | Website | ££

Toos & Roos | Amsterdam

When you are visiting another city you can sometimes feel totally lost (or grumpy) when you simply want to have a cup of coffee, breakfast or sandwich and can’t find the right place because you keep on walking into the wrong streets where there are just shops…I will share this ‘easy’ place with you that is in the middle of ‘the 9 streets’ (=negen straatjes =shopping feast in Amsterdam) so you won’t miss it!
I had a perfect little breakfast here the other day; It was sunny so I had a table outside and I was enjoying my butter croissant and cappuccino while watching people cycle past… Ideal. The couple next to me had started the day earlier than myself and were having lunch. I mention this because the sandwiches they ordered looked freakin’ amazing… Too bad I was just eating a croissant.
Anyway..sweet staff and a nice breakfast deal; Fresh Jus d’orange, a coffee (in whatever form you want it), a croissant with butter and jam for €6,95. Toos & Roos is almost next to the Hotel I always stay in (The Ambassade Hotel) so I will definitely go back and check out their sandwiches and salads one day! Herengracht 309 | Tram: Spui | €€ | Website

Rose Bakery | London

Well, when you bump into your ultimate favorite rock star in a lunch place it is surely quite understandable that I am going to say that I like this place (A LOT)! Elton John Oh Yeah! Luckily I am still standing because of the delicious lunch I had so I can tell you all about it. The bakery originates from Paris and has great salads, quiches, soups and cakes on the menu that are all freshly made. The bakery sits on the Top floor at Dover Street Market in the middle of a designers clothes shop. It gets pretty crowdy (people queue to be seated) so I would advise you to go early. They squeeze everyone next to eachother on big sharing tables so don’t go here if you have delicate things to discuss… 17-18 Dover St, London (lift to top floor) |Tube; Green Park |+44207518 0680 | ££ | Website | Map

NOPI | London

I’ve come here a couple of times now and it’s still one of my favourites. This restaurant by chef Ottolenghi (yes the one of the extremely tasteful deli’s) provides a true foodie experience. If you don’t know about Ottolenghi yet, he combines Asian, Middle East and Mediterranean influences and uses mainly vegetables and fish as a basis. I don’t know how he does it but there is something about the freshness and the flavours of each dish that surprise me every time I go. I would definitely suggest to share plates so you can try more things! The way he mixes things up especially with vegetables is really inspiring, need to get his cookbook asap. The interior is very white and gold. Not my usual favourite as it can feel a little cold and pretentious sometimes but it works fine for me here. Unfortunately it’s nothing cheap, especially the wine adds up to the bill, but still reasonable for food of this level. 21-22 Warwick Street | 020 7494 9584 | £££ | Tube: Piccadilly | Website | Map

La Paloma – San Lorenzo – Ibiza

My friend took me here while I was staying with her on Ibiza and it’s one of my new ultimate favorite restaurants in the whole world (seriously!)! This is a family owned restaurant with it’s roats from Tuscany and is located in the small village of San Lorenzo. Every dish is made with love; homemade bread, fresh organic juices, ingredients from their own garden, delicious Italian pasta’s and risotto’s and more are served under the stars in their romantic flowery garden. Extremely friendly waiters and beautiful mediterrean light blue furniture make the place terrific for a lunch, dinner or healthy breakfast. Can pou, 4 | San Lorenzo, Sant Joan de Labritja, Ibiza, Spain | +34971325543| €€€ | Website | Map

Megan’s Deli & Restaurant

A super cute little brunch lunch and dinner place with really tasty food. Everything from boiled eggs with soldiers to salads, home-baked quiches and perfect anti-hangover juices. They have a great and romantic almost French garden that makes you feel like you’re on holiday. Lovely atmosphere with reasonable prices. Evenings are supposed to be really good too, can’t wait to check it out. It will be soon. 571 King’s Road, Fulham | Tube: Fulham Broadway |  +4420 7371 7837 | ££ | website

Farm 215

Okay.. Let’s take a side step here. I really MUST mention this place as it was so incredible and special. This nature retreat / fynbos reserve is to be found in South Africa between Stanford and Cape Agulhas in the Western Cape’s Southern Overberg and owned by a Dutch guy called Maarten.

If you are into the beauty of the South African landscape and love it’s mountains and valleys of ‘nothingness’ go to this beautiful modern architectural designed retreat. It has rural surroundings and total isolation (you feel totally one with nature in this place)
Meals are prepared with local ingredients (no menu) and really good. Breakfast is served when you wake up (no before 10am bullshit)
Farm 215, Overberg, South Africa; “hartebeeskloof & koudeberg” baardskeerdersbos – overstrand; +27283880920

Story Deli – Reopened at new location!

This place is just the best!
I finally checked out their new place at the new location and it was perfect. Same lovely decor, atmosphere and menu (THANK GOD!)
The pizza’s are divine (delicious ingredients put on top of a thin layer of crust so you don’t feel too bad when ordering pizza)
The decor is airy, organic and cool. The service is relaxed and super friendly.
3 Redchurch Street, Tube: Shoreditch High Street| +447918197352 | website