The Urbanist
the urbanist

A Chef’s Guide to Zürich

 Pulled pork belly, contemporary art in a 12th century monastery, and picturesque ski slopes. By Trupti Rami
the urbanist

An Interior Designer’s Guide to Kansas City

 A modern sculpture park, curry-maple waffles, and cirque cabaret. By Trupti Rami
the urbanist

An Architect’s Guide to Québec City

 A castle-inspired hotel, cross-country skiing with the experts, and rustic Roman cuisine. By Trupti Rami
  1. the urbanist: london
    London’s Best Watering Holes, According to Star Bartender Tony ConigliaroThe ‘Heston Blumenthal of drinks’ picks his favorite bars for top-shelf Martinis, natural wine, and no-frills cocktails.
    By Christine Ajudua
  2. the urbanist: london
    Where the Founders of The Gourmand Eat and Drink in LondonDavid Lane and Marina Tweed’s go-to breakfast nooks, old-school oyster bars, and proper English pubs.
    By Christine Ajudua
  3. the urbanist: london
    My Favorite End: An Art Curator’s Guide to West LondonSeeking inspiration with Ben Moore, founder of Art Below, a public-works project that brings art to billboard spaces in underground train stations.
    By Coco Khan
  4. the urbanist: london
    My Favorite End: A Novelist’s Guide to North LondonErin Kelly, best-selling author of crime thrillers The Poison Tree and He Said/She Said, goes to bat for her beloved quadrant of the city.
    By Coco Khan
  5. the urbanist: dubai
    The Best Souvenirs to Buy in Dubai, According to LocalsA proper haul includes Arabian incense, camel-milk chocolate, and a made-in-the-UAE sandboard.
    By Laura Coughlin
  7. the urbanist: dubai
    The Best Day Trips From Dubai: Sharjah, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and MoreWhen you need a change of scenery, visit the cultural capital of the UAE, snorkel with turtles, or ride the world’s longest zip line.
    By Laura Coughlin
  8. the urbanist: dubai
    The Bottoms-up, Balls-out Thrill Seeker’s Guide to DubaiSkydiving, dirt biking, and other ways to terrify your mother.
    By Laura Coughlin
  9. the urbanist: dubai
    The Best Shopping in Dubai, According to a Fashion DirectorExpect luxury out the wazoo at the world’s biggest mall, but also bohemian ceramics and collectible sneakers.
    By Kerry McDermott
  10. the urbanist: dubai
    Where the Locals Would Stay in Dubai If They Weren’t LocalCue the art-stuffed rooms, glass-paneled pools, and dynamite rooftop lounges.
    By Laura Coughlin
  11. the urbanist: san juan
    Trapeze Lessons, Sketch Shows, and Other Things to Do When It Rains in San JuanA wet day needn’t spoil your vacation. When the clouds burst, in-the-know locals explore cultural centers, art-house cinemas, and sketch comedy shows.
    By Kathleen Squires
  14. the urbanist: cape town
    Where Cape Town’s Hottest Chefs Eat OutIncluding their go-to spots for crispy hake tacos, curried oysters, doughssants, and authentic boerewors sausage.
    By Sarah Khan
  15. the urbanist: barcelona
    The Bartender’s Guide to Barcelona’s Booming Cocktail SceneFor much of its natural history, the city was stuck on three drinks: beer, wine, and vermouth. Not anymore.
    By Jackie Bryant
  16. the urbanist: barcelona
    How to Shop Like a Local in BarcelonaTake advantage of a homegrown shopping scene with a costume designer, interiors guru, and top chef as your guides.
    By Jennifer Ceaser
  17. the urbanist: bogotá
    Cloud Forests, Coffee Haciendas, and Other Ways to Escape BogotáThe city’s chaotic traffic and never-ending sprawl can feel suffocating. But take a short drive and you’re surrounded by Andean greenery.
    By Nicholas Gill
  18. the urbanist: bogotá
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Download Before Visiting BogotáOur list of essentials include the lesser-known novels of Gabriel García Márquez, a Vice documentary, and a hip-rolling psychedelic cumbia band.
    By Nicholas Gill
  19. the urbanist: san francisco
    Where Cannabis Enthusiasts Go to Get High on San FranciscoYou can legally buy cannabis at any dispensary in California. Here, the industry vanguard share their favorite places to get stoned on San Francisco.
    By Aislyn Greene
  20. the urbanist: san juan
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Follow Before Visiting San JuanOur essentials include Boricua cookbooks, a Frontline documentary, and graphic novels starring Puerto Rico’s first female superhero.
    By Kathleen Squires
  21. the urbanist: dubai
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Download Before Visiting DubaiOur list includes the first Emirati feature film, poetry about the Arab female experience, and the Instagram account of a billionaire crown prince.
    By Kerry McDermott
  22. the urbanist: san francisco
    Where Star Bartender Nicolas Torres Drinks in San FranciscoThe cocktail slinger behind Lazy Bear and True Laurel loves classic margaritas, natural wine, and a grimy-good dive bar.
    By Aislyn Greene
  23. the urbanist: barcelona
    A Lazy Day in Poble Sec, One of Barcelona’s Liveliest NeighborhoodsActress Rachel Lascar has called the area home for nearly a decade. Here’s where she likes to hang out.
    By Jennifer Ceaser
  26. the urbanist: bangkok
    Your Perfect Afternoon: What to Eat, See, and Do in Bangkok’s Old TownNeoclassical architecture, squid ink soup, and a secret diving center: Local artist Pomme Chan guides us through the city’s buzziest creative enclave.
    By Andrew Parks
  27. the urbanist: beijing
    Week 7: Beijing Is a City That Rewards Those Who Delve DeepThe contrasting glitz and grit of the Chinese capital can be a jolt to the system. But it’s a jolt to be embraced.
    By Jamie Fullerton
  28. the urbanist: bogotá
    One Night in Bogotá? This Is How You Should Spend ItEating braised cow hump, salsa dancing, and drinking in an old brothel.
    By Nicholas Gill
  29. the urbanist: bogotá
    The Ultimate Street Art Guide to BogotáThis is one of the most graffiti-friendly cities on Earth, but it wasn’t always that way. Local legend CRISP explains.
    By Nicholas Gill
  30. the urbanist: dubai
    Dubai After Dark: The Perfect Night Out for Every PersonalityWhatever your jam — a dive-y bowling alley, a swanky sushi bar, a beach club where bikini girls ride inflatable swans — this city delivers.
    By Laura Coughlin
  31. the urbanist: barcelona
    Where the Locals Would Stay in Barcelona If They Weren’t LocalIncluding a bank turned hostel, a luxury hotel with a courtyard full of orange trees, and a sexy boutique inn with shrapnel in the walls.
    By Jackie Bryant and Jennifer Ceaser
  32. the urbanist: san francisco
    A Day Out in Divisadero, San Francisco’s Epicenter of CoolOnce a sleepy residential neighborhood, it’s now one of the city’s best places to eat, drink, and hang out. The Mill’s Josey Baker explains.
    By Aislyn Greene
  33. the urbanist: london
    Now and Then: Two Ways to Experience the Architecture of LondonThis is an old city, and over the millennia has been built on top of itself by generations, each bringing with it its own design ideals.
    By Coco Khan
  34. the urbanist
    San Francisco After Dark: The Perfect Night Out for Every PersonalityAn event planner, two chefs, and a drag queen lay out their multi-stop itineraries for an unforgettable evening.
    By Aislyn Greene
  35. the urbanist: san francisco
    The Best Day Trips From San FranciscoHalf the joy of living in the Bay Area is leaving it behind. Here’s where the locals go when they need to get away.
    By Aislyn Greene
  38. the urbanist: london
    My Favorite End: A Rapper’s Guide to East LondonJammz, a grime emcee and producer, makes the case for the area where he was born and raised.
    By Coco Khan
  39. the urbanist: dubai
    Worthwhile Alternatives to Dubai’s Most Popular SightsBurj Khalifa, Jumeirah Mosque, and the Dubai Museum are fantastic — but they’re also swarming with tourists.
    By Laura Coughlin
  40. the urbanist: honolulu
    EDM Downtown and Jazz in Chinatown: A Live Music Guide to HonoluluWhatever you’re in the mood to hear — throbbing house music, indie hip-hop, slack-key guitar — Aloha Got Soul’s Roger Bong knows where to find it.
    By Ligaya Malones
  41. the urbanist: honolulu
    Where Organic Farmers and Top Chefs Eat in HonoluluOahu is teeming with farm-to-table fare, though it’s true — many locals still have a place in their hearts for Spam.
    By Ligaya Malones
  42. the urbanist: beijing
    Where to Eat Near Beijing’s Biggest Tourist AttractionsRoast duck and dan dan noodles near the Temple of Heaven, deep-fried carrot balls near the Forbidden City, and more.
    By Jamie Fullerton and Paula Jin
  43. the urbanist: cape town
    The Best Markets in Cape Town, According to LocalsEach one draws different crowds for different reasons: delicious global food, indie fashion finds, and great live entertainment.
    By Sarah Khan
  44. the urbanist: beijing
    Survival of the Delicious: Exploring Beijing’s Backstreet EateriesAfter a citywide “cleanup” campaign, many restaurants in the capital’s oldest neighborhoods were forced to shutter. These guys are still kicking.
    By Jamie Fullerton
  45. the urbanist: san francisco
    How to Explore the Dogpatch, San Francisco’s Artsiest NeighborhoodThe former industrial area is now home to a groundswell of artistic expression. Workshop Residence creative manager Lisa Ellsworth takes us on a tour.
    By Aislyn Greene
  46. the urbanist: dubai
    Week 8: Everything You Think You Know About Dubai Is WrongThe UAE’s most populous city shines in luxury and opulence. But it’s also wildly diverse and ripe with possibility.
    By Laura Coughlin and Kerry McDermott
  47. the urbanist: bangkok
    Wild Elephants and Jungle Biking: The Best Day Trips From BangkokEven the city’s biggest supporters sometimes need a break. From a “green lung” getaway to a triple-waterfall park, here’s where the locals escape.
    By Andrew Parks
  50. the urbanist: dubai
    How to Live Like a Sheikh in Dubai (For a Day, Anyway)When it comes to the finer pleasures in life, this city is second to none.
    By Siobhan Downes
  51. the urbanist: london
    11 Souvenirs You Should Buy in London, According to LocalsPay no mind to those telephone box keychains and Queen Elizabeth bobbleheads. Our insiders have much better suggestions for gifts to go.
    By Coco Khan
  52. the urbanist: cape town
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Download Before Visiting Cape TownOur list of essentials includes Nelson Mandela’s memoir, the Rodriguez documentary, and a handy local restaurant app.
    By Sarah Khan
  53. the urbanist: honolulu
    Where to Buy Reversible Bikinis, Vintage Kimonos, and More in HonoluluDon’t waste money on dashboard ornaments and cheap ukuleles. Shop for locally made keepsakes instead.
    By Ligaya Malones
  54. the urbanist: barcelona
    Shantytowns and Air Raid Shelters: Peeling Back the Layers in BarcelonaWhat’s old is new again, thanks to a spate of notable urban renewal projects.
    By Jennifer Ceaser
  55. the urbanist: bangkok
    The Best Thai Food in Bangkok, From High to LowTwo chefs, a brewer, a pop star, and a flock of other food-obsessed locals reveal their favorite spots for authentic Thai eats.
    By Andrew Parks
  56. the urbanist: cape town
    Penguin Beaches, Storybook Villages, and Other Ways to Escape Cape TownFive unique destinations within a couple hours’ drive of the Mother City, hand-picked by locals we trust.
    By Sarah Khan
  57. the urbanist: san juan
    Eco Goods and Guayaberas: Shopping Like a Local in San JuanPop-ups, concept shops, and the best boutique strip in the city.
    By Kathleen Squires
  58. the urbanist
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Download Before Visiting San FranciscoOur list of essentials includes a jailhouse podcast, a Harvey Milk documentary, and a 49-chapter love letter to the city.
    By Aislyn Greene
  59. the urbanist: bogotá
    Five Archetypal Bogotán Drinks and Where to Order ThemIncluding Colombian coffee, craft beer, and low-alcohol Andean chicha.
    By Nicholas Gill
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