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Adrian 🤷🏻‍♂️

@theadrianguide

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🍸 A little bit of Berlin in Bucharest?

On my last trip to Bucharest, I decided to explore a few new bars, including Bar Ton, close to the Athenaeum.

We stopped by in the afternoon on a particularly hot day, so we went for an iced latte. ☕️🧊 And honestly, I was surprisingly impressed. For a bar rather than a proper coffee shop, it was genuinely good and very refreshing.

What I ordered:

☕ Iced Latte — 18 RON (~£3)

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 4/5

The iced latte was surprisingly good! Smooth, refreshing and exactly what I needed on a hot afternoon. I wasn't expecting much from the coffee at a bar, so this was a pleasant surprise.

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 4.5/5

This is definitely where Bar Ton shines. I loved the eclectic décor, with posters, vinyl records and all sorts of little details to look at.

The crowd had a definite hipster vibe, and seems popular among tourists. For some reason, the whole place gave me the vibe of a bar I'd find in Berlin.

🙋 I — Interaction: 4/5

There wasn't anything particularly memorable about the interaction, but the staff seemed friendly.

💸 S — Spend: 4.5/5

At 18 RON (~£3), I thought the iced latte was very reasonably priced, especially for a central location.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 4.5/5

Definitely. I'd like to come back in the evening when the bar is busier and see how the atmosphere changes. And there are plenty of other drinks on the menu that I'd like to try.

⭐ Final Score: 4.3 / 5

👉 Adrian Approved?

✅ Definitely.

If you're around the centre and looking for somewhere with a slightly different vibe, Bar Ton is worth checking out. by @theadrianguide

If you're exploring Bucharest's Old Town, chances are you'll end up at Hanu' lui Manuc—one of the oldest inns in Europe that's still operating as a restaurant today.

With its beautiful courtyard, traditional architecture, and endless seating, it's hard to miss. It definitely attracts a lot of tourists (I barely heard any Romanian while I was there), which made me wonder... is it actually worth visiting, or is it just another tourist trap?

Here's my take:

What we ordered:
🌭 Mici (Romanian grilled sausages) with fries & chilli
🥗 White cabbage salad
🐟 Grilled trout with polenta and "mujdei" / garlic sauce
🍻 Beer

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 4/5
The mici were exactly what you'd hope for—juicy, smoky and packed with flavour. If you're trying Romanian food for the first time, they're a must.

I also tried my friend's trout. The flavour reminded me of coriander... and if you know me, you'll know that's not a something I enjoy... 😅 I'm almost certain there wasn't actually any coriander in it though, Romanians don't typically use it in our dishes... Thank, God!

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 4.5/5
The setting is what makes Hanul lui Manuc special. The historic courtyard is beautiful, especially on a sunny day, and they play live music. Bonus points for the friendly resident cats wandering around.

Inside, the décor is charming and well maintained, although a couple of the dining rooms had a slightly unpleasant smell, but luckily the staff was able to relocate us.

🙋 I — Interaction: 4/5
The staff were friendly and welcoming throughout our visit. Service was a little slow at times, but it was super busy, so could not blame them.

💸 S — Spend: 3.5/5
For Romanian standards, it's definitely on the pricier side, and there are plenty of traditional restaurants nearby where you can eat for less. That said, if you're visiting from the UK, you'll probably still find it very affordable.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 4.5/5

Pretty sure I will to back! In fact, I recommended it to a former housemate before his trip to Bucharest—and he loved it too.

⭐ Final Score: 4.1 / 5

👉 Adrian Approved? ✅ Yes. by @theadrianguide

If you're ever in Bucharest and craving something sweet with a touch of Parisian charm, make a stop at Love You Choux (@loveyouchoux 🥰).

Bucharest was once known as "Little Paris," and after a stroll through the Old Town or along Calea Victoriei, it's easy to see why. Just around the corner from the Bucharsst Athenaeum, Love You Choux offers a tempting display of handcrafted pastries that makes choosing just one feel almost impossible.

What I ordered:
🍒 Sour Cherry & White Chocolate Ganache Choux (£5.40)
☕ Cappuccino (£3)

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 4.5/5
The choux was exceptional. The sour cherry balanced the sweetness beautifully, while the white chocolate ganache was smooth, rich, and surprisingly light. Every bite felt well thought out.

The cappuccino was decent, but it didn't quite complement the pastry for me. Perhaps it was the milk or simply the flavour combination, but it wasn't the perfect pairing I had hoped for.

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 4/5
The café has a lovely Parisian feel, both inside and out. Sitting on this elegant street, surrounded by historic architecture, genuinely felt like being transported to France for a moment.

The only downside was the amount of smoking around the outdoor seating area, which slightly took away from the experience.

🙋 I — Interaction: 4/5
The staff were friendly and patient while I deliberated over the menu—which, given the number of tempting options, was much appreciated.

Service was pleasant and efficient, though nothing particularly memorable.

💸 S — Spend: 4.5/5
The quality of the ingredients is evident, and you can tell a lot of care goes into each pastry. While I wasn't blown away by the coffee, the choux alone justified the price.

For visitors coming from the UK, the value feels particularly good considering the quality on offer.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 4.5/5
Absolutely. There were at least five other pastries I wanted to try, and I'd happily return just to work my way through the menu.

⭐ Final Score: 4.3 / 5

👉 Adrian Approved?
✅ Definitely. If you're exploring Bucharest and find yourself near the Athenaeum, Love You Choux is well worth a visit. by @theadrianguide

Taking a short break from Cambridge restaurant reviews…

As it's time to kick off my travel guide series and what better place to start than my home country (🇷🇴 aka Romania for the flag non-connaisseurs)... and my home town, Bucharest...

So welcome to The Adrian Guide to Romania! You can actually think of me as a local 👀 (so no need to check Reddit anymore to learn what the locals say or recommend 🫢).

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing:

📍 The must visit spots in Bucharest
🧭 Activities you might want to explore
✈️ Travel & admin tips to make your trip easy
🍽 Food you absolutely need to try
☕ And of course—restaurants, bars & coffee spots
→ all reviewed using The A(drian’s) LIST you already know

Stay tuned for more, and let me know if there's anything specific you'd want to see while I am here!

#travelguide #bucharest #romania #local #comevisit by @theadrianguide

Looking for a Spanish dinner in Cambridge, perhaps some tapas? There aren't many options around, so might as well go to Tu Casa Tapas (@tucasatapas 💃) on Mill Road

A friend was visiting Cambridge, so I had the important task of picking the restaurant for dinner. I’d been walking past this spot on Mill Road for ages, potentially been there like 4 years ago, and so thought it is the perfect time to go back.

First impressions: the vibes are good. It actually reminded me of places I’ve been to in Spain (and I go every year, so my food expectations were… pretty high 👀).

What we ordered:
🐙 Grilled octopus (£13.5)
🥔 Chorizo tortilla (£13.5)
🍤 Garlic prawns (£9.95)
🍄 Mushroom croquettes (£7.95)
🍷 Glass of L Haro Crianza (£8.5)
🥖 Bread on the house

(Also yes… I broke my usual rule and didn’t go for the second cheapest wine 😅)

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 3.5/5
Good—but didn’t quite hit the spot for me.

Everything was decent, but compared to what I’ve had in Spain, it just didn’t fully deliver the same quality and depth of flavour. The garlick prawns felt a bit overcooked, and the octopus was not very memorable. I did enjoy the chorizo tortilla, although we weren't even able to finish it. The wine was a good choice for the dishes we had.

Overall the meal was still enjoyable, and I felt pretty full at the end (probably because I ate too much of the complementary 🥖).

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 4.5/5
This is where it shines: warm, lively, and really captures that tapas atmosphere.

🙋 I — Interaction: 4/5
Friendly and attentive staff—no complaints here.

💸 S — Spend: 3.5/5
On the pricier side for what you get. Not uncommon, but I expected a bit more when it comes to taste, quality, and overall experience.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 3/5
Although not major complaints, I’m not in a rush to go back. There are few other Spanish restaurants in Cambridge I would like to try.

⭐ Final Score: 3.7 / 5
👉 Adrian Approved? 🤔 (just about)

Good vibes, decent food—but if you’ve had tapas in Spain, you might feel like something’s missing.

(Also… completely forgot to take proper photos before digging in—rookie mistake 😅)

#cambridgefood #tapas #spanish #dinner by @theadrianguide

Trying Rocca (@rocca.cambridge ☕️) so you don’t have to 👇

A new coffee/brunch spot on Regent Street—mainly known for their focaccias (which looked very tempting 👀) and a big matcha selection.

I went after lunch, and I was pretty full already, so kept it simple: coffee + something sweet for takeaway, as my friends and I had some crafty plans to celebrate the first day of spring.

What I ordered:
☕ Americano (£4)
🍫 Rocky road brownie (£4.1)

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 3.5/5
The coffee was decent—nothing bad, but nothing that really stood out. I prefer the ones from other places nearby. But I saw the barristas making some very instagrammable lattes ☕️. Maybe I just went for the wrong drink... My friend got a cappuccino and really enjoyed it.

The brownie was delicious, but super rich. Couldn’t finish it in one go (which might be a plus or a minus depending on you 😅).

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 3.5/5
I got takeaway, but overall I wasn’t super impressed with the space. Maybe I expected a bit more seeing it from the outside 🥲.

🙋 I — Interaction: 4/5
Staff were friendly and patient while I was deciding—always appreciated. Only got takeaway, so can't say much else.

💸 S — Spend: 3.5/5
Pretty standard pricing for Cambridge. But I expected a bit more from the coffee at that price point. You could always go for a matcha instead, although I haven't tried that.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 3.5/5
I will likely come back—mainly to try the focaccia or matcha next time. For coffee and cake likely to go elsewhere.

⭐ Final Score: 3.6 / 5
👉 Adrian Approved? 🤔 (can't tell yet for sure, need to come back for another test)

Disclaimer: This is based on my personal opinions from a one time visit and first impression

#cambridgecoffee #rocca #matcha #foccacia by @theadrianguide

"A lot of you asked me..." (literally no one) what my brunch recommendation is for the Easter Monday. Don't worry, I got you, and so does the Histon Station House (@histonstationhouse 🚅).

Met up with a friend Layla here back in March to escape the chaos of the Cambridge Half Marathon—and honestly, that was the best decision!

It’s only about a 10-minute cycle for me living up North (or ~25–30 minutes from Cambridge City Centre), but feels like a proper little getaway from the city.

First impressions: really great spot for brunch. The outdoor area looked lovely, but it was a bit too cold to sit out—so we stayed inside. After brunch, I also went for a nice little walk in Histon, but let me tell you, that won't take very long 🤣

What we ordered:
🍳 Brunch dish (~£14.5)
🧇 Waffles with halloumi & avocado (£15)
☕ Coffee (£4.2)
🍵 Oat Chai Latte (£4.5)
🧃Green Goddess Smoothie (~£6)

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 5/5
Really, really good.

My dish was super flavourful—the chilli sauce had a nice kick, balanced perfectly by the Greek yogurt.

Coffee and bread are from Hot Numbers, so you already know the quality is there. Even the latte art was cute (seen better, but still not bad).

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 4.5/5
Charming, relaxed, and a nice escape from central Cambridge. Great mix of cosy indoor space + a really nice outdoor setup for warmer days. It was also full when we got there, but we had a booking. My consider that if you want to visit.

🙋 I — Interaction: 4/5
Friendly and welcoming staff—no complaints here. But occasionally it took them a while to notice us, including at the end when we wanted to pay.

💸 S — Spend: 4/5
Not the cheapest brunch, but you’re paying for quality—and it shows.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 5/5
Definitely coming back. So many options on the menu—already eyeing the French toast 👀
(also… need to try those pastries next time)

⭐ Final Score: 4.5 / 5
👉 Adrian Approved? ✅

Perfect spot if you want a high-quality brunch just outside the Cambridge buzz.

Disclaimer: This is based on my personal opinions from a one time visit and first impression

#histon #cambridgefood #cambridgebrunch #coffeelover #easterweekend by @theadrianguide

Did someone ask for Cambridge dinner recommendations tonight? 👀 How about trying Hong Kong Fusion?

I’ve honestly lost track of how many times I’ve been here over the past year. Tucked right next to St John's College, it’s become one of my go-to spots for reliable Asian food—and bubble tea.

One big plus: it’s open later than most bubble tea places in Cambridge, so if you’re craving one in the evening… this is a safe bet. Tried both the Hong Kong style and taro bubble tea—personally, the Hong Kong style wins for me.

What I ordered last time:
🍜 Beef with fried ho fun in gravy (~£14)
🥟 Shanghai style dumplings (~£6)
🧋 Hong Kong Style Bubble tea (~£5)

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 4.5/5
Always delivers. The beef noodles are my go-to—rich, comforting, and consistently good. They have multiple options in the menu, and a lot other delicios dishes.

The Shanghai dumplings were excellent and super flavourful, especially with vinegar + chilli oil.

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 4/5
Casual, no-frills spot—but that’s part of the charm. Good for a quick dinner or relaxed meal.

🙋 I — Interaction: 4/5
Staff are friendly—sometimes a bit all over the place, but the food comes out quickly.

💸 S — Spend: 4.5/5
Very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. Used to be a lot cheaper 🥲🥲🥲

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 5/5
Already a regular… and that’s not changing anytime soon.

⭐ Final Score: 4.4 / 5
👉 Adrian Approved? ✅

PS: Remember my unplanned, silent and awkward Valentine's date at Ittou? (when I was asked to share a table with a stranger). Somehow they were at HK fusion eating alone as well last time I went. Destiny, or what? (this time we didn't have to share it though... 🤣)

Disclaimer: This is based on my personal opinions from multiple visits

#cambridgefood #dinner #hongkongfood #bubbleteatime by @theadrianguide

Coffee Rec Alert 📢

Since it's a bank holiday today, you might be out for a walk in Cambridge and looking to get a coffee. Why not try Pages (@pagescambridge), which is next in line for review ☕️.

Found out about this spot through a friend—turns out it’s a fairly new addition on Trumpington Street, right by Fitzwilliam Museum.

First impressions: nice setting. They’ve got both indoor and outdoor seating, which is always a win—especially on a sunny day. That said, judging by the crowd on the Saturday when I went there… this is definitely a student favourite. Especially for people like me that dreaded studying in the college library...

What I ordered:
☕ Americano (£3.3)
🍌 Banana cake (£4.2)

They had 3 cake options on the day, the others were carrot cake and brownies if I remember well.

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 4/5
The coffee was decent—slightly on the acidic side, but it paired well with the cake.

The banana cake was the highlight: moist, flavourful, and you could actually taste the banana (which isn’t always the case).

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 4/5
Great location and a nice overall setup.
Feels like the kind of place you’d come to sit for a while rather than just grab a quick coffee.

🙋 I — Interaction: 3.5/5
Staff were friendly, but not particularly fast. Think it took them like 10-15 minutes to bring my coffee. But it seemed like a busy day in their defence 🥸.

💸 S — Spend: 4/5
Somewhat fair for what you get. At the end of the day, given the location in the heart of Cambridge, I wouldn't expect it to be inexpensive.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 4/5
I’d probably come back… but I’m not in a huge rush.

⭐ Final Score: 3.9 / 5
👉 Adrian Approved? 🤔 (I guess so)

Solid spot for a coffee + study session—but not one I’d go out of my way for.

Disclaimer: This is based on my personal opinions from a one time visit and first impression

#cambridgecoffee #pages by @theadrianguide

Lunch option in Cambridge: Noshe Restaurant and Coffee House @noshecambridge 👀

This was my first time ever trying Afghan food—and what better occasion than a solo Valentine’s date. Found on Mill Road, I've been meaning to try this for a while.

They have a very generous menu, and even if you don't want to eat lunch, you can always have coffee and cake, they seemed to have a good selection.

I really liked the setting, it was one of the highlights. A mix of classic tables with flowers 🌹and lower seating with cushions for a more authentic feel—which I really liked.

What I ordered:
🍆 Mirza Ghasemi (£8.5)
🌯 Afghan sausage wrap (£6.5)

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 3.5/5
Mixed feelings here.

The Mirza Ghasemi (aubergine & tomato dish) wasn’t for me—mainly because of the coriander. If you love coriander, you’ll probably enjoy it… unlike me 😅 Even without the coriander, it felt somewhat bland and forgettable That said, the bread it came with was great. But there are so many other options to choose from, I would not worry too much.

The sausage wrap, on the other hand, was a winner. Huge portion, packed with sausage, chips, veg, and a really tasty sauce. Only downside… sprinkles of coriander 🥲 Like why ruin it?...

Next time when I go I would like to try the freshly made hummus.

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 4.5/5
Really lovely atmosphere. Cosy, slightly different, and the mix of seating makes it feel more special than your usual lunch spot.

🙋 I — Interaction: 5/5
Super friendly and welcoming staff. Helpful, kind, and made the experience better overall.

💸 S — Spend: 4.5/5
Very good value. Big portions, reasonable prices—especially the wrap, which could easily be a full meal on its own. They had a good selection of other dishes that were also inexpensive.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 4.5/5
Yes—but with one condition: no coriander 🙅‍♂️

I’d definitely come back to try more (and those cakes… the Dubai chocolate muffin was calling my name 👀). And it was only like £3.5...

⭐ Final Score: 4.4 / 5
👉 Adrian Approved? ✅

Disclaimer: This is based on my personal opinions from a one time visit and first impression

#cambridgefood #afghanfood #noshe #nocorianderplease by @theadrianguide

Next stop (dinner this time) is Ittou Noodle Bar, found on Kings Parade, just opposite Kings College, but somehow super easy to miss 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️.

I love ramen—and I haven’t had a properly good one since being in Japan last year… so I did not have high expectations for this. (PS: Let me know if you wanna learn more about my experience and recommendations for Japan)

Make sure to get there in time because it's closing early at 8 pm (‼️). I went there solo on Valentine’s Day, because honestly, ramen is something you can have on your own, innit? Anyway, turns out… a lot of people thought the same. The place was packed. Waited ~25 minutes tobe seated, then another ~20 for food. I was starving by the end 😮‍💨.

Ended up ordering:
🍜 Beef gyukotsu ramen (£13.49)
🐙 Takoyaki (£6.99)
🍺 Kirin beer (~£6, can't remember)

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 5/5
This is what I was looking for. The ramen was rich, flavourful, slightly spicy—exactly how it should be.

The takoyaki? Took me straight back to Japan. No complaints.

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 3.5/5
Basement setting with a simple, slightly izakaya-style feel. Nice in its own way—but personally, I’d prefer something a bit more glamorous.

Also… ended up sharing a table with a stranger 😅 So had a random silent dinner date on Valentine's Day. Slightly awkward, somewhat fun, not romantic at all... ❤️‍🩹

🙋 I — Interaction: 3.5/5
Staff were efficient and kept things moving despite how busy it was. Nothing over the top, but had a sense other people were a bit rushed to go once they finished dinner.

💸 S — Spend: 4.5/5
Good value for the quality. You’re paying for proper ramen, there are not many other ramen places in Cambridge sadly. And £13.49 is frankly a pretty good deal.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 4.5/5
Yes. Even with the queues and the shared table situation… I’d come back for the food.

⭐ Final Score: 4.2 / 5
👉 Adrian Approved? ✅

Disclaimer: This is based on my personal opinions from a one time visit and first impression

#cambridge #dinner #ramen #missjapan #takemeback by @theadrianguide

Next up for review: Flux Coffee (@fluxbymarsi )👇

Tucked away on Eltisley Avenue, this spot opened last May and is the perfect stop before a walk to Grantchester Meadows 🌿. There aren’t many coffee options around here, so if you’re heading this way—this is a must. Just be ready to queue (especially on weekends)… but trust me, it’s worth it.

After about a 15-minute wait, I went for a flat white with the house coffee—recommended by Marsi herself (the owner) for first-timers. And wow… This might be one of the best coffees I’ve had in Cambridge. Rich, balanced, full of flavour—and the latte art? Marsi made me a swan, but she created other beautiful designs as I was waiting to order.

They’ve got a solid selection of coffee and tea, plus you can buy beans to take home. No pastries when I visited (maybe sold out), so worth grabbing something elsewhere if you’re after that—but save yourself for the coffee at Flux.

Also worth mentioning: the cups are handmade by Marsi herself (a lady of many talents!!). A nice touch to add to the value prop. 😻

🍽 A — Aroma & Taste: 5/5
Exceptional. High-quality coffee and milk, perfectly balanced—honestly couldn’t fault it.

📍 L — Location & Vibe: 4/5
Cosy, relaxed, and a nice mix of people.
Not loads of seating, but it actually works best as a takeaway spot before heading to Grantchester.

🙋 I — Interaction: 5/5
Marsi was incredibly friendly—chatting with everyone despite what was clearly a busy day, so she must have been exhausted by the time I got there (just before closing time).

💸 S — Spend: 4.5/5
Flat white (£4.5): slightly on the smaller side, but the quality makes up for it. Way more flavour than your typical chain coffee.

🔁 T — Take Me Back: 5/5
I’ll 100% be back—every time I’m heading to Grantchester.

⭐ Final Score: 4.9 / 5
👉 Adrian Approved? ✅

Disclaimer: This is based on my personal opinions from a one time visit and first impression

#cambridge #cambridgecoffee #café #review #granchestermeadows by @theadrianguide