The following five restaurants are Layover Guide’s favorites in Reykjavik, Iceland and great spots to get some nordic cuisine during an Iceland layover. If you’re looking for the full Layover Guide to Iceland, click here.

3 Frakkar

www.3frakkar.com/

With a homey, intimate feel like you’re a guest in someone’s home, 3 Frakkar has an eclectic menu that includes a variety of fish, and even more unusual dishes including shark and whale meat. The dishes can be rich, with cream sauces and cheese, but the menu has something for everyone and unusual dishes that won’t be easily forgotten.

Humarhusid – The Lobster House

www.humarhusid.is/

If lobster is your fare, you will not be disappointed with the Humarhusid Lobster House, located in the heart of Reykjavik. While the menu is definitely on the pricier side, it is arguably the best lobster experience in Iceland, with delectable lobster tails, garlic lobster, and unusual dishes with Jerusalem artichokes, bacon and other surprising treats.

Dill Restaurant

www.dillrestaurant.is/EN/Location.html

A 15 minute walk from downtown Reykjavik, across from the University, you’ll find this delightful, delicious restaurant. With a spectacular view of the city, here you can enjoy a three, five or seven course meal that is hand-selected by the chef with complimentary wines. The menu changes weekly, based on what the freshest ingredients are, and which herbs have grown in their own garden. With only a handful of tables, the restaurant fills up quickly especially on Friday and Saturday nights so book a reservation ahead of time to make sure you have a table.

The Fish Market

http://fiskmarkadurinn.is/

Located in downtown Reykjavik, just near the main square, you’ll find Fishmarkadurinn, The Fish Market. It’s a modern space with bamboo and stone sinks in the bathroom, and a fun waiting room where you can order a pre-dinner drink.  Here you can get an assortment of seafood, including sushi as well as other unusual dishes including a refreshing watermelon salad with avocado.

Fjalakotturinn

http://www.fjalakotturinn.is/english/

In an intimate room, just steps away from the main square in downtown Reykjavik, you’ll find Fjalakotturinn, a fine dining restaurant. Ranging from an assortment of meat and fish, the cuisine has a strong Nordic influence with a modern flare.

George Clooney and his leading lady, Elisabetta Canalis, are known for their A-list lifestyle, including George’s famous Italian Villa on the shores of Lake Como.

When not hanging out in their lavish waterfront estate, where to the famous duo like to dine?

George and Elisabetta dined at the Restaurant Il Gatto Nero on Wednesday in Cernobbio, Como, Italy, according to Just Jared.

The cozy restaurant is nestled on Lake Como, not far from George’s villa.  It is frequented by VIPs and “passing celebrities” who stop by for the five course menu that in the summer focuses on fish: tuna, turbot, sea bass and swordfish in a crust on a bed of onions.

CLICK HERE to find the Best Italian Castle Hotels Where You Can Spend The Night

Lake Como is located in the Lake District of Northern Italy, around Lake Como, Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore. The area is very accessible by taxi and car hire Italy. It is only a couple hours from Switzerland and roughly four hours from Venice.

CLICK HERE for the full Layover Guide to Venice, Italy

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has the freshest catch in the Maldives – all you have to do is look outside the window.

The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa’s dining experience, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, is a perfect experience for holidays in the Maldives offering a unique setting 16 feet below sea level with a 180 degree view of the reef and sea life.

The 5×9 meter restaurant is the first all-glass undersea restaurant, and has a capacity of 14 people so make sure that you call ahead and book reservations up to 14 days prior to arrival.

Meals of this restaurant range in cost from USD$120 to USD$250, and please note that the restaurant does not accept dinner reservations for children under the age of 12.

lockerz.com/Paris Hilton

When Paris Hilton spends time in Dubai, she does it in style.

Paris began her trip to Dubai on Wednesday, flying on Emirates Airlines.

“I Love Emirates Airlines. Such an amazing airline. About to take off to Dubai! : )” she Tweeted, posting this photo of her relaxing in comfort.

The hotel heiress reportedly stopped off in the United Arab Emirates, checking into the Monarch Hotel and partying in their Okku restaurant.

“Dubai rocks! Loves it! @OkkuRestaurant is amazing! Best Japanese food and ambiance in Dubai! Love the vibe here!” Paris Tweeted on Thursday.

The Monarch Hotel Dubai is a five-star hotel in close proximity to Dubai’s main attractions, and a popular hotel for holidays in Dubai. The hotel is modern and has amenities including a gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, and spa.

lockerz.com/Paris Hilton

While in Dubai, Paris also stopped by the Dubai Aquarium where she posed beside the sharks.

“At The Dubai Mall Aquarium. So beautiful! This mall is so big and has the best stores! Huge! : )”

For a guide to the Dubai Mall, click here!

For the full Layover Guide to Dubai, click here!

Not everyone on a London layover can afford to dine in one of the top London restaurants like The Ivy or Gordon Ramsay restaurant.

But after booking a stay at one of London hotels, you’re looking for a good meal at a reasonable price, then there are a number of good casual dining options.

There are four Aberdeen Steak House restaurants in central London, including one between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, which is very handy for West End theatres and just around the corner from the Comedy Store. You will rarely find one of them empty as they have gained something of a reputation for good steaks and quick service.

Café Rouge has more than 100 locations across the UK, with many in good locations in London. They serve mainly French cuisine, as the name suggests, and the wines on offer are all from France. They also offer an all-day serving of main courses as well as lighter snacks and salads.

If you fancy something from the east, more commonly found in Dubai Hotels than their London equivalents, a number of Wagamama’s 66 UK-based restaurants are in London. Wagamama, which must be one of the easiest restaurant to text (try it!) serves pan-Asian food in the style of a modern Japanese Ramen bar. Their philosophy, as defined by the company, is “combining fresh and nutritious food in an elegant yet simple setting with helpful, friendly service and value for money.”

One of the features of Wagamama that is also adopted by another of the London restaurants chain, Belgo, is to seat customers on either side of large tables, seating as many as 20 people at a table. Belgo specialises in Belgian cooking and beer, and has locations in Covent Garden, Chalk Farm Road, Clapham and Kingsway.

CLICK HERE for the full Layover Guide to Heathrow, London

Gwyneth Paltrow is a big fan of Chicago, and has voiced her favorite picks of The Windy City’s restaurants, hotels and shops in her latest GOOP newsletter. Layover Guide has the breakdown of Gwyneth’s Chicago haunts, all great destinations for those stuck on long O’Hare layovers:

Elysian Hotel

The Elysian Hotel is a five-star hotel in the heart of Chicago’s Gold coast, featuring 188 rooms, a bar, two restaurants, and a huge spa and health club comprised of over 14,000 square feet! The hotel is also located walking distance from famed Oak Street and Michigan Avenue shops and the lakefront.

Hotel Palomar

Hotel Palomar is a luxury River North boutique resort in the area of Chicago that has the most art galleries in the United States. The hotel has 261 rooms, and is designed in contemporary style reflecting the vibrant and eclectic River North neighborhood.

Gwyneth’s other top picks for Chicago hotels included The James and The Peninsula.

CLICK HERE for the full Layover Guide to Chicago

Restaurants:

Schwa

Chicago’s Schwa restaurant is located in the Wicker Park neighborhood, and offers a range of fine cuisine including a nine course menu that is seasonally updated. For those who enjoy a top notch dining experience, Schwa is perfect for a memorable palate experience for those on Chicago layovers.

The Publican

The Publican restaurant is located at 837 W. Fulton Market and is a beer-focused eatery from the team that created Blackbird and Avec restaurants. The menu is presented in sections: Fish, Meat and Vegetables, each laid out from lightest to heaviest, and the menu also features pork, fish and seafood.

Gwyneth also suggests eateries including RL (for Ralph Lauren) and Riccardo Trattoria.

To see Gwyneth Paltrow’s complete list of Chicago hotspots, click here!

You’re stuck on a London Layover and have booked your London Hotels and sorted out your list of activities. But if you are a vegetarian or vegan, where are you going to eat out? London more than caters for those who prefer not to eat meat, and Layover Guide lists London’s five best vegetarian restaurants:

Tibits

14-18 Heddon Street

City of London, Greater London W1B 4DA

As the young, spirited offspring of Europe’s oldest vegetarian restaurant – the 100-year-old Hiltl of Zurich – Tibits certainly has great pedigree. It offers a variety of dishes citing Asian, Indian and Mediterranean cuisines combining the traditional methods of its elder relative but with a modern twist. The emphasis here is on producing meals that are good for you. It is a buffet style restaurant that allows you to choose your dishes before buying according to its weight. But Tibits isn’t your bog standard all-you-can-eat affair. Its classy yet comfortable and chilled out environment means it caters for a variety of diners but who seek food that is fresh, innovative and above all – healthy.

Food For Thought

31 Neal Street

Covent Garden, London WC2H 9PR

While many vegetarian restaurants are seeking to move away from the ‘hippy’ image of days gone by with sleek modern settings, Food For Thought has chosen to stay like it seemingly always has been. This basement café is perhaps easy to miss hidden amongst the trendy coffee stores of Covent Garden but once inside its ramshackle yet homely appearance instantly transports you away from the buzzing metropolis to a farm kitchen from yesteryear. If you want privacy though this may not be your cup of tea, their isn’t much space so be prepared to share your table at busy times. The well-prepared food served by seemingly endlessly busy staff more than makes up for it.

CLICK HERE for London Heathrow’s Layover Guide

CLICK HERE for London’s Best Restaurants

The Gate

51 Queen Caroline Street,

Hammersmith, W6 9QL

The Gate has a school dinner hall vibe, with tall ceilings towering above endless rows of tables and chairs may mean first impressions aren’t always the greatest, but that belies an excellent eatery serving high class food. Generous portion sizes of food ranging from Thai salads to Mediterranean vegetables with Middle Eastern platters plucked straight from the finest Dubai Hotels in between, you can get the full range of vegetarian food here at reasonable prices.

Blah Blah Blah

78 Goldhawk Road

Shepherd’s Bush, London, W12 8HA

Even the name Blah Blah Blah suggests is going to be a different eating experience. A warm welcome by the cheery staff greets you here and seats you at your table amongst the rightly coloured walls, beaming spotlights and ornate ironwork. On to the eating and a wide variety of tasty home-cooked style food will please even meat-eaters and the BYO alcohol rule (with compulsory – if small – corkage charge) means you can save more cash to splash out on a dessert.

222 Veggie Vegan Restaurant

222 North End Road

West Kensington, London W14 9NU

While there has been an explosion of vegetarian restaurants in recent years, vegans often struggle to find places to eat out. Thankfully, 222 offers tasty vegan meals that are just as good as their meat or dairy equivalents. It may take some finding as it is hidden away on a Kensington back street but once found, this restaurant’s simple surroundings and basic but tasty menu more than does the job. Desserts are a particular highlight with non-dairy ice cream, wheat free apple crumble and tofu cheesecake.

Given it is one of the biggest cities in Europe and also one of the most cosmopolitan, it is safe to say that London has its fair share of excellent restaurants. But with so much variety it is almost impossible to pick five that are better than the rest – and a lot would depend on your mood, tastes and budget. Layover Guide has, however, chosen our top picks of London’s best restaurants according to the type of food and the price, including authentic Indian fare, meals that would not look out of place at the most luxurious Dubai hotels and healthy alternatives to a McDonalds or Burger King:

The Cinnamon Club

The Old Westminster Library, 30-32 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BU

The first thing you notice about this Indian restaurant is its stunning location in an authentically restored grade II listed Victorian Building. The food matches its grandiose surroundings with creative and varied dishes a cut above your average chicken korma or vindaloo – gamey rabbit tikka with bold dill, mustard & garlic chutney anyone? (A recommended choice.)

Arbutus

63-64 Frith Street, London W1D 3JW

Chef Anthony Demetre’s modern European affair is an admirable attempt to bring fine dining to the masses but still retaining that hallmark of quality. An extensive wine list complements a hearty but widely varied menu that should cost a lot more than it actually does.

L’Anima

1 Snowden Street, Broadgate West, London EC2A 2DQ

Italian restaurants are one of the most popular eateries found in the UK today but L’Anima – Italian for soul – is not your average pizza and pasta joint; it is authentic Italian food at its finest in a luxurious setting in the heart of the city, near the finest London hotels, parks and tourist attractions. Yes this comes at a price – with main dishes hovering around the £23-28 mark – but at those times where you feel like treating yourself and you want to ensure it is money well spent, you can’t go wrong here.

Beetroot

92 Berwick Street, London W1F 0QD

Opened in 1997, this vegetarian café exudes healthy eating – you even feel healthier simply by walking in and admiring the fresh, colorful vegetarian food on the counter. Salads, hot dishes and smoothies are all on the menu, making it a healthy middle-of-the-day pit stop.

Four Seasons

12 Gerrard Street, London W1D 5PR

No, this is not the chain of hotels but an equally popular Chinese restaurant offering authentic Cantonese style dishes at extremely reasonable prices. Such is it’s popularity though don’t expect to linger after you have eaten your food, as there will be a queue of eager and hungry customers waiting to take your table! Luckily there are sister restaurants in Bayswater and Wardour Street if this one is booked up.

Have a suggestion for Best London Restaurants? Leave a comment below!

By Karine Nissim

Dubai is spectacular. A spectacular spectacle.

That this opulence emerged from a Bedouin sensibility and a drive to turn dwindling oil returns into something that can be seen and applauded by the world, is interesting. That this vision is encapsulated by building the tallest monument, with the fastest elevator, outside the biggest mall, with the highest fountains… in the WORLD…is remarkable. An arresting experience.

The Dubai Mall, is more than a mall.

The mall is a monumental landscape for literally the biggest monument.  You’re in the mall, you’re thinking, “Okay, I get it. You are really big. You have an awesome aquarium – cool, you have an ice skating rink, even cooler, you have a wing dedicated to high end chocolatiers – ridiculoso… but I’m tired!!” And then you see an exit, and walk towards it, hoping maybe just maybe, there’s a bench where you can rest your weary feet.  But instead you see hundreds of people, a big fake lake, dozens of restaurants, and oh…the TALLEST building IN THE WORLD thrusting itself into the heavens!!

Imagine Vegas and Disney injected with real money, oil money; but with this aesthetic theme of austerity and precision. The largeness of Vegas. The wonder of Disney World without the saturated colors and bad food. The sky is murky, the people are brown, their clothes are black or white and their dwellings are gray, and silver and gold and mirrored…with cranes perched on top of them.

With the rapid development and the rapid decline of construction from the economic crisis, Dubai is unfinished. It’s a cleaner, newer, rich look. Not fun, not cute, just slick…and unfinished.

Each building is taller than the next, sharp lines, unusual shapes and flickering lights, like diamonds speckling the sky. Opulence is the thread that is woven through the pronounced architecture.

Hundreds of people mill outside the mall, fathers and their little girls, and gaggles of covered women sitting around the fountain waiting for the show.

I find myself recharging and finding peace from the aforementioned show, a stupendous waterworks extravaganza that makes the Vegas Bellagio fountains look like a pissing contest between two gremlins.  There’s something about staring at an illuminated mind bending skyscraper, fountains reaching divine heights that dance to reverberating music; that tells a story. Like a Hollywood Western with a tribal Arabic beat. I felt something. Something real. The world just felt right.

I also experienced a celebrity sighting at the mall.  It was VERY exciting.  King Abdullah of Suadi Arabia, caused such a stir, you would think it was Britney Spears.  It would be like seeing Obama at the mall. (Apologies for the poor iPhone photo quality, if I had to carry my real camera with me all day, I might have kaplotzed.)

Moment of irony: women, covered, COVERED I say, head to toe, except their eyes, which are also covered…by glasses.  It’s really a sight, and even more interesting, is these women are shopping, actively shopping for high-end clothes.  I mean, I was in Bloomies, and there they were next to me, rummaging the racks, because as it turns out, they were regular clothes in their own home. Kinda crazy to imagine wearing designer clothes that few people can see.

Where your handbag distinguishes you from one another, not your face, it was a welcomed experience to see a young women revealing her face in the bathroom …I couldn’t stop staring.

An entire wing of the mall dedicated to high end chocolatiers, who’s treats are as artful as they are sweet.  Seriously beautiful craftsmanship.  These little chocolates are darling.

Maybe it was all the shopping, maybe it was the Indian Palace combo #4 at the beautiful food court, or maybe the heat has finally gotten to me, but between the sprays off the fountain jets and the sweet family life congregated in celebration of commerce and beauty, I found myself at peace,  I was home.

Wait, of course I was at home.  I was at a mall.

Karine Nissim is a Los Angeles photographer, director, producer and blogger. You can follow her journeys to Dubai and beyond on her blog — Karine’s Blog About Everything And Nothing.

Dubai is the perfect place for Europeans to grab cheap holiday deals – on clothing and airfare!

For the full Layover Guide to Dubai, click here!

Hollywood’s hot couple Amanda Seyfried and Ryan Phillippe stopped off in Paris while Ryan does publicity for his new movie Lincoln Lawyer.

The two reportedly stayed at the Hotel Shangri La in Paris and were seen leaving the hotel to stop off at Café Constant to meet up with friends for dinner last Sunday.

Layover Guide has the breakdown on these two Parisian hotspots that attract the Hollywood clientele:

Hotel Shangri La

The Shangri La Paris is a five-star centrally located hotel located at 10 Avenue D’iéna, just a short walk from the Trocadéro. Close to museums and with incredible views of the Eiffel Tower, the hotel has 81 luxury rooms and suites, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi, bar and lounge, restaurant, spa and wellness center, and fitness room. For late deal holidays, check out the hotel’s offer page here, which lists the latest packages available.

CLICK HERE for Paris’ Top Ten Restaurants

Café Constant

Located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, at the corner of rue Saint Dominique and rue Augereau, Café Constant is a no reservation café that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The chef, Christian Constant, cooks food from his mother’s recipes, and the establishment prides itself as being a traditional local café.

CLICK HERE for the full Layover Guide to Charles De Gaulle

CLICK HERE for the full Layover Guide to Paris’ Orly Airport