In the Guardian, Observer and guardian.co.uk 2010 Travel Awards, Spotted by Locals was judged to be the best travel website by our editorial panel of experts. The site, set up by Bart and Sanne Van Poll in 2007, offers a comprehensive guide to 29 European cities written by local bloggers - their favourite cafes, vintage clothes shops, bars, museums and general up-to-the-minute, under-the-radar tips that you won't find in a guidebook and that only a local would know. In short, everything a good travel blog should be about. Which is why we've been asking them to supply us with their choice of spots every month for the past year. Here's the latest instalment.
Zurich: BlamBlamBlam – Urban Gallery
Spotted by: Sabrina Chudzia
This is not a usual white-walled gallery decorated with a few precisely placed pictures. Nor is it a place where you sip white wine, wear huge nerd glasses and hold pompous conversations in an overly civilised atmosphere with super stylish people that call themselves artists.
This gallery has a bar with a couch integrated, you drink beer, it is loud and smoky and the crowd manages to admire the exhibited art without constantly discussing the deeper meaning that might be underlying it. Sometimes, the walls are white, sometimes they are covered in colourful street art by leading Swiss and international artists of the urban scene.
Some nights are "Artsy Fartsy Nights", where you can socialise and exchange ideas with other creative people. One night someone will show a film, another there will be some live painting. You can always count on mad little appetizers served on old skateboards, though. Check the website for dates and other special happenings at the gallery.
BlamBalmBlam is a gallery that isn't elitist but refreshingly real (and probably a little "blamblam"). Check it out and enjoy!
• BlamBlamBlam , 45 Hönggerstrasse, Kreis 5 Industrie. Open Wed-Sun 4pm-8pm
Madrid: Cisne Azul – The best mushrooms all year round
Spotted by: Aldara Collet
It looks like a crappy bar at first sight and it has very few tables, but, oh sweet Lord! Try the garlicky boletus mushroom topped with a fried egg. They have all varieties of mushrooms, wild fungus and amazing steak from the north part of Spain (Galicia). Much of the wild fungus is picked by the owners at weekends in Madrid's surrounding mountains. And there is a short, well-selected wine list.
They don't do desserts but you will be so full with the main courses that you won't mind.
It is well worth eating there, but after dinner be sure to wash all your clothes, and yourself, too, because you will smell as if you have been cooked as well.
• Cisne Azul, 19 Calle de Gravina, Chueca & Malasaña. +34 9 1521 3799. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-4pm and 8pm-12.30am. Lunch/dinner around €35.00
Vienna: Camille Boyer – Exquise et personelle mode
Spotted by: Doris Neubauer
The French are known for their taste and fashion. And Vienna? Well, Vienna is not mentioned among the fashion capitals of the world. But even though the industry is rather unspectacular, there is still potential – and hope.
One of those who enrich the scene is … a French girl. Who else? Camille Boyer opened her boutique in the 7th district, the so-called fashion district, a couple of years ago and her selection of international designers and unique pieces is exquisite and interesting.
I stumbled over Camille Boyer in search of the Austrian label Me-Shit – and left the shop some hours later with clothes I am still in love with. And with the intention of coming back.
Camille presents her products with affection - you can tell she selects every single shirt, jacket and scarf on sale in the shop, and she wears every single garment herself. It does not surprise me that Camille Boyer is now more the place to go for fashion people than an insider tip…
• Camille Boyer, 25 Lindengasse, Inner districts. Open Mon & Thu 11am-3pm, Tue-Wed & Fri-Sat 1pm-6pm
Rome: Gran Caffè Tazza d'Oro – Delicious granita di caffè
Spotted by: Barbara Marcotulli
It's still warm enough for a granita and it's always time for a delicious, intense coffee…
What is the "granita di caffè"? Well, take their espresso (rumoured to be the best in the city, unless you prefer their bitter rival, Caffè Sant'Eustachio. I don't.), add ice and it becomes this frozen yet soft blend that is just delicious… Many claim "granita" is more appropriate during the warm season. Forget about that - it's good all year round! And it is best served with fresh whipped cream - very indulgent.
Before I forget: the espresso and cappuccino are equally worth a visit. During the hot season, you may want to try the shakerato (iced coffee mixed with sugar and crushed ice, shaken until it becomes thick and frothy).
Teas from all over the world have also just been added to the list, to meet any taste. Most of them are organic, and selected with the very same care they put into coffee.
• Gran Caffè Tazza d'Oro, Via degli orfani, City Centre. +39 0 6679 2768. Open Mon–Sat 7am-8pm. Granita con panna €2.50
Budapest: Tisza Cipo – Footwear made in Hungary
Spotted by: Hélène Bienvenu
If you start paying attention to what the 18-something-and-over Hungarians have on their feet, you'll notice that they are wearing leather sports shoes with a T shaped logo. These are actually called Tisza cipő and you can find them only in Hungary.
Of course, they cost a bit (roughly €90 a pair), but see it as investment and as a way of meeting Hungarians here and abroad. I made a couple of unexpected friends through my good old Tiszas, getting off the train in my hometown, 30km from Paris (who would have thought it?).
Tisza is one of the most successful Hungarian accessory brands with bags, T-shirts and a couple of other things. The original Tisza trademark dates back to 1971. At that time, they were the only shoes available on the Hungarian communist "market". After the fall of communism, Hungary stopped producing them.
Laszlo Vidak (who is also behind Menza restaurant in Budapest), surfing on the retro wave a few years ago, decided to reintroduce his childhood footwear. He turned the Tisza shoes into fashion items and opened his first shop in 2003 where you can still get your own pair.
• Tisza Cipő, Károly körút 1, Central Pest. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 9am-1pm
