A non-exhaustive list of my top picks in various cities.  These venues haven't let me down!

DUBAI

Cafes/Casual Dining:

Cabin

Lime Tree Cafe

Friends Avenue

Clinton Street Bakery

Parker's

 

Brunch:

The Hide

Scots American Grill (Scots & Kilts), evening brunch

Weslodge

 

Afternoon Tea:

Sidra

 

Indian:

Mint Leaf of London

Carnival by Tresind

Bombay Bungalow

Tresind Studio

 

Peruvian:

Coya

Garden

 

Latin Flavors:

La Tablita

Hotel Cartagena

 

Italian/Mediterranean:

Quattro Passi

Alici

 

Steakhouse:

Graze

Gaucho

 

Middle Eastern

Abd El Wahad

Za'atar v. Zeit

 

My favorites!

Hoseki

BB Social Dining

Lucky Voice

AmStur Caviar (home delivery)

Flavors on Two

BOCA

BB

High Joint

Freedom Pizza

 

ABU DHABI

Japanese:

Inakaya

Zuma

99 Sushi Bar

Sushi Art (delivery)

Tori no Su

 

Italian/Mediterranean:

Todd English's Olives

Circo

Asia de Cuba

Roberto's

 

Cafes/Casual Dining:

LARTE

Tawa Bakery

The Third Place

 

Indian:

Tamba

 

French:

Bord Eau

Brunch:

BOA Steakhouse

Koi

 

Steakhouse:

Butcher & Still

Oak Room

 

Seafood:

Catch

 

BEST OF THE OTHER EMIRATES

Fairmont Fujairah

Banyan Tree Al Wadi

Copper Lobster

Lexington Grill

Oberoi Al Zorah

 

ATLANTA/ATHENS

Fine dining:

Staplehouse

A nice night out:

Last Resort

The National

Honorable mentions:

Waffle House

Revolution Donuts

Kimball House

Leon's

 

AUSTRALIA

Automata

Sage

Riley Street Garage

Seabeans

The Lyall Hotel

Handpicked Cellar Door

 

BANGKOK

Sühring*

Gaggan**

The House on Sathorn

Le Du

W Bangkok

The Siam

Rosewood Bangkok

 

DUBLIN

The Dylan

Dax

ITALY

Casa Angelina

Un Piano Nel Cielo

LONDON

The Ledbury**

 

MALDIVES

St. Regis Vommuli Resort

Alba

 

NETHERLANDS

Bridges*

Vinkeles*

Librije Susje**

Marqt

Zeezout

PRAGUE

Field

Eska

BoHo Hotel

 

REYKJAVIK

Dill

Dine Around (w/Chef Tyffi)

 

SOFIA

Intercontinental Hotel

Sense Hotel (rooftop bar and spa)

 

SOUTH AFRICA

Majeka House

Cape Cadogan

Le Quartier Francais

The Test Kitchen

Foliage

 

TOKYO

Sushi Bar Yasuda

Cask Bar

Grand Hyatt Roppongi Hills

 

UBUD

Four Seasons Sayan

BLANCO par Mandif

*Indicates the number of Michelin stars.