Category: Food

The Best Photos Of Caye Caulker Belize

by Anil Polat | Jan 26, 2023 | Food, Green, Pictures and Video, Travel | 2

The small island a few kilometers off the coast of Belize, Caye Caulker has many reputations. One for backpackers, divers, and slow travelers. In other words, there’s a little bit of something for everyone on this tiny tropical island. Although it’s only 8 kilometers long and an eighth that wide, Caye Caulker provides variety for those who come to visit.

Similarly, throughout the day Caye Caulker shines in all sorts of light. These are some of the best photos of Caye Caulker, Belize.

The view from a hammock at sunrise. Life on Caye Caulker tends to get a late start but if you’re up early, the orange skies are worth it.

A short plane ride away, views of the Great Blue Hole. Here’s how you can visit the Great Blue Hole too.

Some ceviche to start the day at one of the best places to eat on Caye Caulker.

Getting to Caye Caulker from Belize City isn’t difficult but knowing the process beforehand makes it much easier.

Breakfast on Caye Caulker.

So many sunsets on Caye Caulker.

As well as sunrises.

Perhaps you’re interested in buying your own private island nearby or just want to hang out on Caye Caulker. It’s there for you, all hours, for any type of traveler.

Everything You Need To Know About Traveling To Baghdad

by Anil Polat | Sep 22, 2022 | Advice, Food, Lodging, Pictures and Video, Security | 2

Although it might not seem like it, Baghdad, Iraq is a blossoming tourist destination welcoming casual groups interested in history, art, and a city that’s been off limits until recently. Adventurers are also making their way to this exciting new destination in the Middle East but you don’t have to be one to visit Baghdad, a remarkably modern and welcoming city.

Logistics And Accommodation

Flying into Baghdad is straightforward and there are direct flights from several destinations, including Istanbul. Iraq recently implemented an online e-visa program for a number of countries, removing some of the logistical barriers that once existed. Hotels are plentiful though they tend to range from dirt cheap or semi-luxurious, without many options – or prices – in between.

Getting to Baghdad is mostly normal. Flights land as they would anywhere else but upon arrival you’ll want to have your hotel pickup, Baghdad tour company, or other transportation arranged in advance. Unauthorized cars are not allowed up to the terminals at Baghdad International Airport for security reasons (more on that in a bit) so you won’t be able to just grab a cab once you step outside.

Security

Baghdad is a city that has been experiencing recent periods of normality in between waves of local instability, including recent clashes and curfews. It’s best to have local contacts (e.g. guides) who can advise you of the situation on the ground during such waves. Otherwise, as locals will tell you, traveling to Baghdad isn’t dangerous but it is risk(ier) than many other places. Occasionally there are random attacks, mainly on the outskirts of town and they rarely target foreigners. Everyone has a different risk tolerance but when you’re in Baghdad, a bustling, vibrant city of over 7 million, it doesn’t feel much unlike most other developed capital cities.

Baghdadis are by and large friendly, welcoming, and aside from the ruthless traffic, getting around town by car or on foot isn’t extraordinary.

Why You Should Visit

Baghdad is a modern city with its Starbucks, hip restaurants, and a young and open-minded population who will be deciding what they want their country to be. Being one of the oldest cities in the world, there’s history (Babylon anyone?), cultural events in public squares, and some of the best cuisine you’ll find not just in Iraq, but anywhere.

Perhaps the untold story of Baghdad is that its not only a crossroads of time and peoples, but with that comes the unique mix of foods you can find here. Dishes with a range of fresh ingredients you might not have expected from Iraq but remember, you’re in the heart of the Fertile Crescent. There’s masgouf, traditional carp that’s farmed in the nearby marshes or absolutely one of the best falafels in the world (and a nice vegetarian option).

You’ll be welcomed in Baghdad as a guest – the locals will make sure of that – and you’ll be getting a peak into the fragile state of tourism here. It may be the beginning or a temporary end. Only time will tell so if you’ve been considering a trip to Iraq’s capital, now may be the time.

The Best Place To Eat In Fairbanks, Alaska

by Anil Polat | Aug 4, 2022 | Food, Pictures and Video | 0

There aren’t a lot of places to eat in Fairbanks, Alaska which has a population of 32,000. Not to say Fairbanks doesn’t have some good dining options (it’s no Anchorage) but if one place defines the ambiance of the city, it’s The Chowder House. Alone in a quiet parking lot in the center of town, The Chowder House serves up hearty soups, sandwiches, and potstickers (basically fried dumplings).

Chowders are served daily from chicken and wild rice or creme of broccoli to steak chili. Build your own or enjoy a baked Alaskan salmon sandwich. Hearty, welcoming, and much more interesting packages of tasty calories than its name would suggest, if you need more reason to visit, watch my visit to The Chowder House here.

The Best Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants In Antigua, Guatemala

by Anil Polat | Jul 21, 2022 | Culture, Food, Green, Health and Fitness, Travel | 0

caoba farms antigua guatemala

Antigua is the gateway to Guatemala for most tourists to the country and serves as a culinary introduction to one of the world’s most underrated cuisines. A mix of Mayan dishes with Spanish influences, Guatemalan plates are colorful blends of unexpected flavors. Meat is plentiful but so are vegan and vegetarian options.

These are the best restaurants in Antigua to find vegan and vegetarian food.

1. Coaba Farms

There are few restaurants where you can see and eat just meters away from where your food is grown. Coaba Farms is open a few days a week and serves breakfast through dinner. Plates of food with ingredients grown and produced on Coaba’s land, there’s something for everyone. Meat or vegan options, from the cheese to the milks, it’s your choice. No matter what meal you go with, make sure to walk around the farms, visit the shop, or stay for a yoga session.

2. Wachuma

A specifically vegan restaurant that doesn’t stray far from Guatemalan tipicas (typical) dishes. Cheeses are substituted for vegan alternatives, there’s a wide selection of deserts and everything is cooked to order at Wachuma.

3. Samsara

Although Samsara leans into Asian fusion it’s a good vegetarian restaurant that as an extensive menu. From shakes to soups, salads and Thai to Indian dishes, Samsara can add variety to your meals during your stay in Antigua.

4. Y Tu Pina Tabien

y tu pina tambien guatemala antigua

Not a specifically vegetarian restaurant, Y Tu Pina Tambien features a variety of veg and vegan dishes. Breakfast is their specialty to be sure to visit during the morning hours for their specialty omelettes, cheese avocados, and excellent coffee.

5. Fat Cat Coffee House

fat cat coffee antigua guatemala

In addition to their exceptional coffee (in a town where the competition is fierce) Fat Cat Coffee House has a variety of vegan snacks and health food options. Go for their massive fruit oatmeal with oat milk and enjoy a strong cup of their best java.

6. Cafe Cafe

cafe cafe antigua guatemala

Food fresh to order and a kitchen that serves up dishes that are a fusion of Guatemalan and international cuisines. There’s options for meat eaters and vegans but both offerings at Cafe Cafe are sourced from local ingredients.

Kitchens For Everyone

Antigua has a unique culinary landscape not only because if its location in the heart of Guatemala but like many of its indigenous ingredients, they’re blended, mixed, and made into an endless variety of deliciousness. Particularly for non-meat eaters who might be thinking a good, local meal will be hard to find in a region that indeed loves meats, Antigua will be pleasantly surprising for anyone who likes to eat.

The Best Places To Eat On Caye Caulker, Belize

by Anil Polat | Jun 16, 2022 | Advice, Food | 0

Caye Caulker (pronounced “key”) is a small island off the coast of Belize known for it’s go slow motto, backpacker appeal, and sea activities. Although the large Ambergris Caye not too far away is known for its larger towns and restaurants, Caye Caulker is surprisingly diverse in local Belizean cuisine with enviable prices.

These are the 6 best places to eat in Caye Caulker, Belize.

1. Chef Juan’s Kitchen

There are local Belizean favorites from all meals of the day starting with fry jacks in the morning, fresh ceviches for lunch, and catch of the day fish at night. Only just a sampling of the excellent food cooked from the small kitchen with large portions, good prices, and a smile from Chef Juan.

2. Wish Willy

An outdoor barbecue that opens as the sun sets, the backyard atmosphere is laid back and welcoming. The long benches make for a social environment and the food is what happens to be fresh that day. All served in person with beers waiting for you in the cooler near the kitchen. Wish Will is not only a meal but a Caye Caulker experience.

3. Namaste

Hipsters rejoice, Namaste is a breakfast to lunch cafe with lots of fresh fruits, omelettes, coffee, and even a yoga studio upstairs. It’s popular with tourists and gets crowded around 9am but the food is consistently tasty, well prepared, and the open space makes for a relaxing environment.

4. Maggie’s Sunset Kitchen

The lobster, when in season, is Maggie’s most popular dish. Once the grill gets going and the sun starts setting, Maggie’s, a family run restaurant, turns amber orange as the food is set on the table.

5. Errolyn’s House of Fry Jacks

Open at 6am to about 11 in the morning, Errolyn’s serves up Caye Caulker’s traditional breakfast of fry jacks. Dough stuffed with some combination of mashed beans, ham, cheese, and eggs, then fried crispy, Errolyn’s is the best place on the island to try fry jacks.

6. Rainbow Bar And Grill

A bit expensive but a good variety of foods both local and standard American (hamburgers anyone), Rainbow Bar and Grill is open throughout the day with a nice view overlooking the ferry boats coming in from Belize City.

Selection On A Small Island

As tiny as Caye Caulker is, there is a lot of good food to choose from. Street barbecue, sandwiches, vegan and vegetarian dishes to nice seaside restaurants, there’s a little of something for everyone along this 2 kilometer stretch of paradise in the Caribbean.

The 7 Best Meals In Copenhagen For Less Than 100 Danish Krone ($15)

by Anil Polat | Mar 24, 2022 | Food, Guest Post, Money | 0

This is a guest post by Josephine Remo, a former flight attendant of seven years, whose biggest passion is traveling. For the past ten years, Josephine has dedicated all her spare time to travel and is currently living as a digital nomad.

Copenhagen is a lovely city that is well worth any traveler’s time for numerous reasons. You might think of words such as cute, bicycles, NOMA, cold, or Hans Christian Andersen. A word that is rarely associated with Copenhagen, however, is cheap.

Many people believe that visiting Copenhagen is going to break the bank and it is true that Denmark is an expensive country. Nonetheless, over the years a bunch of great and economic options has opened all over the city in terms of food, accommodation, and things to do in Copenhagen. Eating amazing food in Copenhagen should be on the top of your list of priorities when visiting the city, and this does not have to be expensive at all.

Here is a list of the 7 absolute best places to eat around Copenhagen, for less than 100 DKK. All places mentioned below are local favorites that provide a great gastronomical experience, far away from overpriced tourist traps.

1. Folkehuset Absalon

Folkehuset Absalon is a particularly interesting and unique spot in Copenhagen that can be visited for more than just the food. As a converted church, Folkehuset Absalon functions as a restaurant, great café, event location, and hang-out spot.

The church opened its doors in 2015 intending to become a spot for the people that was both economic, inviting, and fun. Everything happens in the main hall where you find long tables, a bar, and ping pong tables. With its communal nightly dinners and events ranging from quizzes to croquis, Folkehuset Absolon is a place for all.

Dinner is served every night at 6 PM and presented in a communal format where everyone eats alongside at the long tables. The menu changes every night and costs 50 krone Sunday – Thursday. Friday and Saturday Folkehuset Absalon offer a 2-course menu for 100 DKK. Likewise, lunch is served every day from 12 PM and costs 50 DKK all days of the week.

You can check out their website for weekly events and an updated menu. Folkehuset Absalon is located in the trendy Vesterbro area at Sønder Blvd. 73, 1720 Copenhagen V.

2. Fabro

If you are craving a delicious and simple pasta dish in a laid back setup, head to Fabro. This small corner restaurant is located in the very center of the city and stands out with its economic prices and simple concept. You won’t find anything fancy in this place but instead simplicity, a nice atmosphere, and extremely friendly staff.

For just 85 DKK, Fabro serves great pasta dishes without the fuss. The menu doesn’t change much and the options are cut to the bone. Fabro offers 4 different pasta dishes, a few simple starters, and usually just one dessert. Check out the menu on their website if you are curious to know more beforehand.

Note that Fabro doesn’t take any reservations and you will have to drop in and possibly wait a bit for a table. Fabro is in the very center of Copenhagen at Borgergade 134, 1300 Copenhagen K.

3. Poulette

Poulette is a tiny joint in the heart of the Nørrebro area that specializes in fried chicken or vegetarian tofu burgers for 75 DKK. Other than that, you have a few other great options in terms of extras and fries – that’s it. Even though the place and menu are small, Poulette serves one of the best fried chicken burgers in town and the people know it. With its growing popularity and limited space, it’s not uncommon to be in line for a medium-short while at Poulette.

Note that you can’t sit inside at Poulette and with just one small bench outside, people tend to grab their food as take-away or pair it with a glass of wine from Pompette next door. You’ll find Poulette at Møllegade 1, 2200 Copenhagen N.

4. Holy Krapow

Holy Krapow is the only place in Copenhagen that serves the Thai spicy dish “Krapow”, and they do so perfectly. For 95 DKK you get an incredibly flavorful meal including rice, the meat or vegetarian topping of your choice, and a fried egg on top. Simple, tasty, and exclusively found at Holy Krapow in the Vesterbro area.

Holy Krapow is located in the Vesterbro area at Sankt Jørgens Allé 6, 1615 Copenhagen V. Note that you choose your own level of spiciness and when they say Thai spicy, they mean it.

5. GOLA

Located next to some of the best bars in Copenhagen, Gola has copied the New York concept of a pizza slice joint. Here Gola combines this concept with the Italian culinary tradition of the Roman-style pizza.

GOLA has a very casual and informal setting where people can order a few slices of pizza, costing 40 DKK a slice, and either grab a seat at the counter, in the front window or simply walk out the door with the pizza in hand. The menu at Gola changes seasonally and most toppings are made in-house using organic and locally produced ingredients. Besides pizza, GOLA serves a few fried bites called “fritti”, a few desserts, and a weekly pasta.

To know the exact menu, you have to either call the shop or visit GOLA at Ranzausgade 47, 2200 Copenhagen N.

6. Madglad

Madglad is a cafeteria in the Vesterbro area that serves tasty homemade meals at an affordable price in a fun and homey set-up. In the evening, Madglad serves the dish of the day, either including meat or as the vegetarian option, and offers side salads, bread, dips, and other fresh and home-cooked things in the buffet bar for 85 DKK. Alternatively, as take-away you can either choose the dish of the day including bread and hummus for 60 DKK, or get the full experience with salad for 75 DKK.

Find Madglad at Eskildsgade 13, 1657 Copenhagen V.

7. Garbanzo

This pita-specialized place opened in 2019, quickly became extremely popular, and is now spread out over the city with 4 different stores. Garbanzo has the philosophy that fast food doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Freshness is the foundational stone of their concept and Garbanzo prepares fresh salads, homemade pita bread, and sous-vide prepared protein fillings daily with vegan and gluten free options.

Photo courtesy Garbanzo.

Everything Garbanzo serves is mouth-watering good, and with pitas costing 69 DKK and bowls 89 DKK.

Visit Garbanzo either in the center of the city at Sværtegade 3, 1118 Copenhagen K, at Falkoner Allé 82, 2000 Frederiksberg, Århusgade 149, 2150 Nordhavn or in the Østerbro area at Ndr. Frihavnsgade 4, 2100 Copenhagen Ø.

Eating In Copenhagen

Eating in Copenhagen is a great and fun experience with numerous amazing options. While the city is pricey, eating great food in Copenhagen does not have to be. Know that Copenhagen is much more than NOMA and provides great economic options for a great dinner and even street food markets or local favorites.

At the 7 places in Copenhagen mentioned above, you are guaranteed a great meal at a very decent price.

Thank you Josephine for this tasty tour of Copenhagen! You can follow Josephine’s journey through her website, Instagram, and Pinterest. All photos in this post are courtesy Josephine Remo, except where otherwise noted.

About Anil Polat

Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More