From Paris to Galway: expert foodies reveal the very best places to eat on holiday | Food

Paris
by Fred Sirieix

Broadcaster and maitre d’

I like Paris in the summer. Parisians go away in August but I think there are adventures to be had in an empty city. A visit to a bistro is essential. I discovered Chez Georges (1 Rue du Mail) quite a few years ago and I think it’s my favourite. It does the traditional cuisine that I love – say, sweetbreads and french fries, with a nice burgundy. Chez Monsieur (11 rue du Chevalier St-Georges) is more modern in decor and the cooking is a bit more refined. I would go back for the blanquette de veau. Le Bon Georges (45 Rue Saint-Georges) has a beautiful exterior and food. Brasserie Lipp (151 Boulevard Saint-Germain) is a classic. Go for celeriac remoulade or oysters, then opposite to Café de Flore (172 Boulevard Saint-Germain) for coffee, where all the intellectuals used to go. It’s great for people watching.

Kei Kobayashi’s cuisine at Restaurant Kei (5 Rue Coq Héron) is exceptional – anchored in traditional Japanese, but influenced by French technique and recipes. Le 404 (69 Rue des Gravilliers) is a north African restaurant; the food is delicious, there’s music, it’s fun – and it does brunch. Patissier Cyril Lignac (9 Rue Bayen) is innovative in his approach, but he knows how to make a nice croissant andpain au chocolat.

Riha Durum’s Kurdish sandwiches (1 Rue des Petits Carreaux) are almost like pancakes, filled with spiced lamb and salad and Frenchie on the Go (9 Rue du Nil) does hot dogs and burgers. Rue de Nil has lots of food shops – fishmonger, butcher, grocer. You have everything, all beautifully laid out by people who care about what they do.

If you’re a food nerd, you have to go just outside Paris to Rungis international market (1 Rue de la Tour, Rungis). It is massive, predominantly wholesalers. And there are restaurants where workers, or people like me, can go at 4am and just watch the life that goes on there.

Seville
by José Pizarro

Chef-owner of Pizarro and José Tapas Bar, London

I love to be on the street, getting lost, seeing people passing by, and going bar to bar.

Las Teresas (Calle Sta Teresa 2) is small but perfect. You need to have the jamón, which they carve for you, and eat it with some sherry – you’ll be in heaven. At Bodeguita Romero (Calle Harinas 10) you should have papas aliñás – boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, sherry vinegar, onion and pepper – and the oxtail. Casa Morales…