Alessio Christian Melis

While ordering a quick espresso at the bar remains the quintessential Italian ritual, specialty coffee is still something of a rarity in Cagliari. L'Atypical, a passion project by friends Carol and Ludovica, brings a much-needed breath of fresh air to the city's coffee scene. Expect some of the best flat whites and cortados in town, brewed with care in the cosy city-centre café. And if you find yourself craving their coffee long after you've left, you're in luck – their house-roasted beans are available to take home too.

We believe that Annecy is at it most charming in the early morning, as the sun rises over the lake and the surrounding Alps. Better still, when the Vieille Ville comes alive with its bustling market stalls. Come hungry and leave with a tote bag full of local cheeses, cured meats, fresh produce and whatever else catches your eye.

Housed in a glasshouse tucked away in the charming Raimundhof courtyard in Mariahilf, CAFE GLAS is the perfect pit stop for a much-needed specialty coffee fix after a long day exploring Vienna. Grab an iced flat white and one of their cardamom buns, then settle outside for a well-deserved spot of people-watching.

As much as we love slurping a foamy Wiener Melange in the morning, OTOTO is the place to turn to when the need for something stronger simply can’t wait. Tucked into Neubau’s creative 7th district, this café-meets-concept-store is the perfect spot for an iced matcha or specialty coffee, while browsing its selection of independent brands, from coffee beans and pantry staples to vinyls, magazines and design-led finds.

A pioneer of farm-to-table dining in Vienna, Labstelle has been a passion project for Thomas and Gerald since 2013. Just moments from Stephansplatz, its kitchen is guided by the seasons, with regionally sourced produce served every day. Head here for a light lunch in the leafy garden terrace, tucked into a charming passageway between Lugeck and Wollzeile, and, if it’s on the ever-changing menu, order the poached lakeside trout with horseradish broth.

A brilliant sharing-plates favourite among locals, Tian Bistro is entirely plant-based, making it all the more exceptional in a city where schnitzel is the go-to dish. The set menu comes with a handful of additional dishes to choose from, but don’t miss the Pom Bourguignon with shallots and spätzle, best enjoyed alongside the beloved bread from Joseph Brot, served with butter and olive oil.

Housed in a historic 1903 pavilion in the heart of Stadtpark, Meierei im Stadtpark pays homage to Vienna’s old milk-bar tradition, with an impressive selection of milks still making their way onto the drinks trolley. The more relaxed sister restaurant to the Reitbauer family’s three-Michelin-starred Steirereck upstairs, it is a particularly good address for classic Austrian cooking, from Kaiserschmarrn to a selection of more than 100 cheeses. For the full Viennese experience, order the Wiener Schnitzel of milk-fed veal with potatoes and a white-clothed slice of lemon on the side – ideally enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the park.