An Edible Voyage

August 2021 Whilst out for dinner with a friend, I casually mentioned my upcoming trip to Moldova and she was straight on to her coffee app to inform me that there are precisely two speciality coffee shops in Chisinau.  So, obviously, I had to visit both! First up was YOCO Coffee And Drinks.  Along the M3, the main road running south out of the city, around 4 miles from the city centre, it's not the most convenient place to get to, but I decided to combine it with my morning run (not my most scenic...), much to the bemusement of all the locals who were probably wondering why on earth I was trying to jog down pavements which are consistently more hole than paving.  Once inside though, it's the complete opposite of the Chisinau traffic chaos outside, cool and calm with simple yet sophisticated decor.  The flat white was exceptional and they make their own cold brew. Next up was the much more accessible Pasio.  The outside looked a bit like a chain coffee shop and ...

June 2021 A list the length of the wall, filled with shakes, smoothie bowls and exciting combinations of juices - red bell pepper, lemon, and apple?  I told you they're exciting!  I can vouch that the blue bowl is most definitely blue, and I was intrigued to try it being a huge fan of acai bowls.  The p ineapple, mango, banana, passionfruit, coconut milk and blue spirulina puree topped with blueberries, desiccated coconut, granola, chia seeds and strawberry is certainly as refreshing, although I think the tart earthiness of acai will always win me over.  Find The Juice Jar on Wellington Place, almost next to Belfast City Hall.

October 2019 I find there is something really satisfying about raw treats and plant-based mylks and smoothies.  Not only do they taste really good but they feel nutritious too, like afterwards I have nutrients buzzing around inside me. This take on a Bounty has a really meaty middle with all the sweet nuttiness of coconut, balanced by dark cacao that snaps satisfyingly as you bite in to it. Or for something a little more fruity, go for a a smoothie bowl made from all manner of exotic fruits, from acai to dragon fruit, and topped with crunchy granola, sweet banana, coconut and the tiny powerhouses that are chis seeds. To quench your thirst, choose from a rainbow of raw mylks.  Will you go for fruity, chocolatey, nutty, simply vanilla, or off the wall spirulina with it's eye-catching blue colour? Find all of these and so much more at Torvehallerne, Copenhagen, Denmark.

September 2019 Wandering the streets of Stockholm, I passed a building which looked like one of the Scandi design shops filled with beautiful homewares that are dotted along the streets of the city, so in I went.  I discovered that it was actually a cafe, specialising in plant-based drinks and snacks, with an airy, tranquil vibe - a calm haven from the hustle and bustle of the capital.  Hot drinks are served with your choice of plant-based milk, and there are several flavours of smoothie bowls to get your fill of nutrients. In true hipster cafe style, I couldn't find it's name anywhere, but find it around Drottninggatan 28 in Stockholm.

January 2020 And if you need something nutritious amongst all this meat and sweet delights?    Head to Mahalo in Buenos Aires for Waihiki a smoothie bowl of banana, passionfruit, coconut, leite condensado (this is Argentina after all), topped with granola and sliced banana.