One of our favorite parts of winding down the year at Atlas Obscura is reflecting on all of the remarkable places our contributors have sent in from all corners of the globe. Up until now, we’ve managed to whittle down more than 2,000 new contenders each year to one list. But a lot has changed in 15 years here and this round, we’ve decided to do things a little bit differently.
In 2024, what was once a small subsection of amazing restaurants, bars, food museums, vending machines, candy-makers, and more soared to more than 1,000. That’s why, for the first time ever, we’ve split our list of all-stars into two. There’s our list of wondrous places, as well as these Gastro Obscura spots we couldn’t get enough of.
Among our new entries, you’ll find a stand in Philadelphia that channels a state fair all year long, a bar in Kyoto where your cocktails might be made of insects, and a restaurant serving ancient Indigenous recipes in Santiago. Step into an Arizona diner still frozen in 1965 at the height of the Space Race, or a late-night bar in Seville that channels Holy Week processions at all hours.
From Palestinian pastries in Massachusetts to Kurdish kebabs in Istanbul, you’ll find plenty of delicious spots on this list, but maybe more importantly, you’ll find really good stories. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we did. We hope they inspire you to travel and eat adventurously, both abroad and in your own backyard. And we hope when you continue to share your findings with us. We couldn’t do this without you.
Hargeisa, Somalia
On the outskirts of the city of Hargeisa lies a decaying airplane, manufactured in Moscow in 1962. No longer in flying condition, it sits propped up on concrete pillars behind a wall topped with barbed wire. While the breakaway republic of Somaliland seems like a strange final resting place for a mid-century Soviet aircraft, even less likely is the fact that it’s now a cafe. This is Guluf Airline Restaurant, a Somali “airline” whose only plane will never fly again, and you’re welcome to come inside for a meal or a cup of tea.
Rockaway Beach, Oregon
If you’ve ever dreamed of riding a mechanical corn dog, this spot on the Oregon coast is for you. Allegedly, a hot dog salesman named George Boyington invented the corn dog here in 1939, in a stroke of deep-fried genius. Several other places lay claim to the mantle of corn dog originator, but who cares—Pronto Pup’s retro charm is reason enough to visit.
Kyoto, Japan
Welcome to the only place on earth where you can drink a cocktail flavored with raccoon meat barbacoa. Or water beetles. Or fish sperm. You might even taste all of them during one of the bar’s adventurous omakase cocktail tastings. It’s all part of what owner and bartender Tomoiki Sekine calls “liquid cuisine,” where anything goes, and any natural ingredient can be infused into a beverage.
Seville, Spain
Open only in the wee hours of the night and high on Roman Catholic vibes, this dive feels like stumbling into Semana Santa (Holy Week), 52 weeks a year. Painted effigies and iconography depicting the Virgin Mary and assorted saints are crammed into every nook and cranny. Even the music undeniably evokes the incense-heavy nave of a cathedral at mass.
Paris, France
With an ingredients list you could count on one hand with fingers to spare, a great jambon-beurre is all about the details. At this former horse butcher shop (or Chevaline) turned sandwich shop, Delphine Zalpetti makes sure each of those components is top-notch. The salted butter is from Normandy; the ham is made in Paris; and baguettes are specially baked for an extra-crispy crust.
Kilchberg, Switzerland
Blame Roald Dahl and Gene Wilder, but chocolate factories around the world often feel compelled to introduce an element of whimsy. And while most attempts fall short of our childhood world of pure imagination, the spectacle of 1,500 liters of molten chocolate flowing from a giant whisk suspended in air is not one of them. Tempting as it may be, visitors to the Lindt Home of Chocolate are asked to avoid pulling an Augustus Gloop (but don’t worry, there are plenty of samples).
Aarhus, Denmark
If you, like so many people, suffer from coulrophobia (a fear of clowns), then welcome to hell. Previously run by the Miehe circus family, this deeply disturbing pup has more than 1,300 clown figurines. To make matters weirder, the current owner sometimes likes to dress up in costume unannounced.
Istanbul, Turkey
In Istanbul’s Fatih district, near the massive stone arches of a Roman-era aqueduct, there’s a fascinating Kurdish area crowded with traditional regional butchers, spice shops, and restaurants. Most of the eateries here specialize in a dish called büryan kebap, a carnivorous marvel of crispy-skinned lamb slow-roasted in an underground oven, cut into chunks, and served over quilted flatbread to soak up the juices. An excellent take on this meaty classic is found at Siirt Seref Buryan, whose owners claim to have been in the pit-roasted business since 1892.
Alexandria, Egypt
In the heart of labyrinthine streets and back alleys in Alexandria’s El-Mansheya area, about as hidden as can be, an antique coffeehouse captures the city’s classical charm. First established in 1882, this venerable cafe pours thick, Egyptian-style coffees in a grand, Art Nouveau setting. Set in a quadrangular courtyard with a large skylight ceiling, the Ali El-Hendy resembles an Italian galleria, a grand oasis in a desert of dusty alleyways.
Berlin, Germany
Behind this sweet shop on Berlin’s Sonnenallee lies an incredible story of resilience. The Al-Sakka family had run a confectionery in Syria for more than 40 years. After fleeing the violence in their homeland, they set up shop in Germany in 2017. Some 25 types of traditional Syrian sweets are baked fresh daily and packed for takeaway by the Al-Sakka brothers, Tamem, Salim, and Rami, and their families. Order the knafeh, made with kataifi spun pastry, sweet syrup, and liberal layers of cheese.
Brooklyn, New York
Around the turn of the 20th century, there were hundreds of “seltzer men” lugging 60-pound cases of glass bottles around the streets of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Today, while carbonated water is a multibillion-dollar business, the old-school production methods are increasingly rare. The Gomberg family, who’ve been in the business since 1953, opened this by-appointment-only museum inside their seltzer factory to give visitors an inside look. Visitors can check out the century-old carbonator, order a real egg cream, or spritz their friends with pressurized water.
Los Angeles, California
Embark on an immersive culinary journey through West Africa inside a private Hollywood apartment. Guests are welcomed into chef Tolu Eros’ home with 10 to 16 strangers for a three-course, family-style dinner. The evening is enriched with live storytelling, music, and, of course, an array of delicious dishes such as a peanut soup with Atlantic shrimp fufu dumpling, caviar and herb oil, egusi pesto with plantain agnolotti, and suya-crusted lamb with zoboberry demi-glace.
Houston, Texas
A pastry originally of Czech origin, Texan kolaches feature a pillowy dough and fillings both sweet, like apricot or cream cheese, and savory—featuring sausage and jalapeño kielbasa. Established in 1970 by Erwin Ahrens, Kolache Shoppe has long been a standard-bearer for freshly baked kolaches, using a sweet yeast dough recipe allegedly sourced from local “Czech grandmothers.” Menus vary slightly across locations, featuring classic sweet fillings like apricot, poppy seed, and cream cheese as well as hearty savory options including ranchero, jalapeño kielbasa, and venison and cheese.
Somerville, Massachusetts
Wedged between New England strip malls, a Brazilian dining club, and a public park, lies a gem of a neighborhood bakery. Opened in 2022 by Abdulla Awad, who is Palestinian from the old city of Jerusalem, Yafa Bakery quickly developed a devoted local following for the finesse of its pastries and its effusive hospitality. Come with friends and you’ll soon find the table covered by a feast of warm breads, creamy dips, steaming teas, and a baklava or two.
Gila Bend, Arizona
Originally built in 1965, this curious piece of Space Race nostalgia was designed by Al Stovall, a man who made his fortune in the plastics and metals industries during World War II. The lobby entrance is topped with a UFO with outer space seen throughout the decor—even the umbrella table by the pool is a flying saucer. The original restaurant caught fire in 1998—owners claimed that it was attacked by aliens but a malfunctioning neon sign appears to be the more likely culprit—but was rebuilt with the same outer space theme.
Vienna, Austria
Café Sperl ranks as the finest of Vienna’s grand coffee houses. To this day, the establishment oozes Old World charm and serves exceptional traditional Viennese fare. Among the aged booths covered in velvet red and silvery-gold brocade worn by its occupants, it’s easy to picture yourself among the historic customers. The conversations that may have taken place in these seats include artists discussing how to break free from traditional concepts of beauty, or among officials, how to respond to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
For those who wish the State Fair could be all year long, this stall in Philly’s Reading Terminal Market is an essential visit. Amusement park vibes span a menu of savory and sweet favorites: corn dogs, cheese curds, loaded fries, and funnel cakes. Fresh, by-hand touches, though, take Fox & Son’s treats from midway to next level.
Athens, Greece
Athens has no shortage of tavernas with antique-filled interiors and rooftop terraces offering Acropolis views. But what makes Cafe Avissinia special is the gusto of its live traditional folk music shows held on weekends from September to June. Around 5 p.m., Athenians of all ages can be found boozily singing mournful rebetika songs to an accordion player (microphones are a no-no) and occasionally standing up between the tables to dance zeibekiko, a slow step with the head bowed and arms extended. As an added bonus, the cafe’s regional cuisine is delicious, best enjoyed with a $5 tin jug of tangy moschofilero white wine to help you get into the dancing mood.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Founded in 1652, during the reign of Frederick III, Denmark’s oldest bakery is still beloved by locals in Copenhagen to this day. The undisputed star here though is their coils of cinnamon-scented, sugar crystal-topped dough that draw lines once a week. The onsdagssnegle, “Wednesday snail,” is roughly twice the size of a normal kanelsnegle (cinnamon roll). Nowadays, roughly 4,000 of these fragrant buns fly off the shelves each Wednesday. They’re so popular that Sankt Peders relented and made them available the rest of the week—but still offers a generous discount on Onsdag.
Yala, Thailand
Catering to a seemingly endless stream of market workers and shoppers, the open-sided restaurant specializes in Thai-Muslim breakfast dishes. These include banana leaf packages concealing a variety of sticky rice-based sweets; mild, meaty curries served over rice; a thin dough pastry encasing minced beef and eggs known as mataba; and perhaps most notably, khaao yam, southern Thailand’s famous “rice salad.”
Paris, France
Wander off the beaten track to Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud in the 11th arrondissement, and you’ll find one of the only Singaporean restaurants in Paris. Opened in May 2016 by Singaporean Pearlyn Lee and French-Vietnamese chef Khanh-Ly Huynh, the Hood aims to celebrate their shared Southeast Asian roots. The place also serves as a community hub. The narrow road on which it is nestled is often abuzz with locals and tourists attending the jam sessions, film screenings, book launches, and art exhibitions hosted there.
London, England
Nigeria has a large and thriving diaspora community within the United Kingdom, especially London. The English capital has therefore had several enclaves battling out for the title of “Little Lagos.” One of the candidates is Peckham, in the borough of Southwark located south of the Thames, where the taproom of Eko Brewery resides. Named for the Yoruba word for Lagos, this brewery uses South African hops, as well as the sugary sap of the coconut and other palms are commonly used in African brewing traditions to make palm wine.
Pune, India
Irani cafes have long been an integral part of the urban culinary landscape in India, particularly in Pune and Mumbai, among other places. Café Goodluck, which was started in 1935, has remained one of the most popular places in Pune. Entering the restaurant feels like stepping through a portal to the past. Their bun maska, a soft, butter-slathered bun typical of Irani cafes, is especially fluffy and pairs well with their omelets and egg curries. It’s best when dunked in a strong cup of tea.
Santiago, Chile
Finding the unique cuisines of Chile’s 10 official Indigenous groups is surprisingly hard to do in the nation’s capital, even though many of its 7 million residents belong to these communities. That’s part of what makes Chef Cecilia Loncomilla Quintul’s restaurant, which honors the culinary traditions of the Mapuche people, so special. While the food at Willimapu harkens back to ancestral traditions, the vibe is anything but traditional.
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