ozzieeagle

God it makes it hard to eat out overseas. Totally disappointed with the food on offer here in Bali.

Never been so let down by food overseas in my life. **** you Melbourne. You've spoilt us. It's possibly even worse than the UK here.

Can someone point me at a better food experience than.... Melbourne/Sydney or Hobart, please. It's not even that cheap.

Having said that. Vietnam wasn't bad, more basic, but nowhere near as try hard.


At least the booze is cheap.... If you like Bintang that is.

spouse of scouse

When in Bali, and all that. If you're eating 'western' food, then you'll probably be disappointed no matter which restaurant you go to. Why not eat at a good local warung?
Wine is expensive by western standards in all Asian countries. I like Bintang, it's an inoffensive lager and an icy cold one does wonders for counteracting the Bali weather.

the troubadour

Why on earth would one feel 'let down' by overseas eating experiences, citing Bali? I mean if it is food being at the centre of one's desired holiday experience, then go to renown 'foodie cities'. Bali, not really being one of them.

If talking in the Asian context, I'd say Bangkok has some decent eating places. I've found a few recently even in KL . There is a whole eating culture found in European cities. Try Berlin, Amsterdam, Rome even Hamburg has some great options to eat out these days. There a few weeks back.

Melbourne, is cheaper and better coffee than say Perth, in eating out, but really a bit over rated in world stakes. I found Lygon Street, very samey for Italian food, for example. Eating out should be the 'total experience', meaning food as well as ambiance as well as price for what is being offered. Possibly Melbourne is the best in Australia, although, usually find places that provide an enjoyable overall experience in Sydney as well. Hence, would hedge my bets.

ozzieeagle

4 warungs si far.. Bland. Watery and hugely disappomting... We rarely eat western food out even back in Melbourne.

ozzieeagle

Yehp looks like your 100pct correct . Except you can definitely put Hobart on the foodie list as well

ozzieeagle

Vietnam was good for food... Especially the cheap pop up ones. Wasnt disappointed there.

Amazulu

You've obviously never been to Japan

the troubadour

Generally you will find the former French colonies having superior food to those of the former British persuasion. I'm afraid I don't know Vietnam, outside of a brief stay in Ho Chi Minh City. So comment is limited to that city, but found some very recommendable food while there, but more of the French variety in a few 'famed ' places. French food above a particular quality, being so much more affordable than in Paris. One of my favourite though was in low key Vientiane, in Laos, where one of the best French 'chow' places of all time was located. Great French wine as well, all for a very affordable price together with great ambiance. Another aspect of the former French colonies, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia was the great French breakfasts to be had. Bread baked fresh, equal, even superior to a lot of French patisseries. Not to mention the cakes. A large number of French living in those countries go a long way, I guess, in maintaining the quality of French food.
Malaysia of course, another long term favourite is a great foodies heaven. You do need to establish your preference though as some are not on an equal footing in quality. But I know folk that return there constantly, citing the food, along with friendly people as the main reasons. Certainly some quality European eating houses have opened up, especially in KL over more recent times.

Never been to Tasmania, so can't really comment, but sort of feel it is attempting to define itself through food , which may be a bit of an over kill, but need a focus for the tourist market. They would not be alone, in the world, attempting such a feat. I was in Patagonia and Chilean Lake District last year, where very similar messages were being put about.

Amazulu

The best Indian, Chinese and Viet food I've ever had has been in Singapore

The best Thai food I've ever had was in Malaysia

Australia (and the the rest of the west) is rubbish in average in comparison

the troubadour

Well not quiet. Some of the best food in quality and quality and at sensible prices I've ever eaten, have been prepared in provincial kitchens of small villages of Europe. I know some delightful places in Germany, France Italy and Portugal, where would be hard to beat anywhere in the world. Sadly these are becoming less with time, as each trip back, another one of the old favourites have bitten the dust, as folk are, die or retire. The kids show no interest and little market for new vendors, with the work too hard, so they close and die.
One old time, working class chow house by Hamburg docks, famous for many decades, for good honest German food, not flash, but great in every other way, including the rustic ambiance and view of river and shipping activities, now gone as well.
For overall pricing though Asia can't be beaten. Not always quality, but if you chose well, hard to go wrong. Some of the best Indian food in the world is in Malaysia, especially Penang. But not solely. Both Malaysia and Singapore with their multi cultural populations, are paradises for Asian food lovers as myself. It doesn't need to be upper end eating, some ordinary Malaysian café type places, do great food, in an ambiance very enjoyable, in a tropical night with a few beers, often friendly locals as well......doesn't get too much better.

Amazulu

I was referring to Asian food

Europe, especially Germany, does average Asian food. Saying that, you can get decent Indian food in the UK, but nowhere as good as Singapore and Malaysia

the troubadour

Europe doesn't do Asian food well. Agreed. Some exceptions are the Rijsttafel chow places in especially Amsterdam, (know a couple of excellent ones) (Indonesian) I was left underwhelmed by China Town experience in Amsterdam, but for my money the best on the European mainland are in Paris in the 13th. The so called China Town (more Viet/Cambodian) has some supurb eating houses. With the snobby Parisians they need to be good.
Germany, forget Asian food , I tend to eat Greek there, if wanting ethnic. Even the Turkish is at best average.

England, not been there for some years now, but known to have among the best Indian/Pakistani though a lot are Bangla Deshi operated, eating in the world. Never been but believe Leister is hard to beat. Midlands as well. Westbourne Grove in Bayswater, W2 and Brick Lane were my fav's.

BadgeIsBack

..next to the knocking shops, conveniently located?

the troubadour

You may be able to confirm. I believe you put in your order before getting down 'on the job' and they will deliver? Unsure if that suites fast or slow comers to proceedings. At a wild guess, I'd say the former, as latter would result in a somewhat cold meal.

Beoz

I am in Singapore now for my sins. It does have an amazing variety of food on offer. Expensive and cheap. It also has a Grand Prix. And a load of money to be made.