The Best of 2019 for Foodie and Travel Lovers

Welcome to 2020! I am excited to see what this new year has in store for me. Something that I started in 2019 was to review my “best of” moments from the previous year. Since this is a care-free activity, I don’t limit myself to one entry per category. Doing this is not only FUN, it’s also a great way to reflect on the previous year with a focus on positive experiences. I end up feeling lucky after making my list and excited about the New Year ahead. I have a few of my own categories in The Best of 2019 for Foodie and Travel Lovers, but go ahead and expand on these however you want. It’s your list, make it uniquely you!

Best Hotel Stays

The Ritz Carlton- Dallas, Texas

We stayed at the Ritz for my Birthday last year. I was obsessed with this hotel and would love to stay with The Ritz Carlton again! They truly made the stay special with a welcome note, dessert, and wine. A luxurious treat!

The Shelbourne Hotel – Dublin, Ireland

We were lucky to stay a few nights at this historic hotel. The whole experience was pure luxury, I certainly felt spoiled. Read more about our stay and Dublin trip on “10 Fantastic Things to do on Your Dublin Vacation “.

Best Meals

Fearing’s Restaurant – Dallas, Texas

This was my Birthday dinner last year. Fearing’s is in the Ritz Carlton, so it was an easy choice for us to try since we were staying there. This meal was massive. We ordered WAY too much food, plus they treat you to an amuse-bouche, which was more substantial than I expected. Everything we had was amazing, and the service was impeccable. My only complaint was that we were uncomfortably stuffed at the end, but that isn’t their fault! It was completely worth it, and I highly recommend this Texas staple.

answer.restaurant – Nashville, Tennessee

After I moved to Tennessee my husband and I had a date night in Nashville. We chose answer.restaurant after reading rave reviews online. It lived up to the hype, especially the grilled cheese sandwich! Everything was tasty, and the atmosphere was quiet and mellow, just the way we like it.

La Cave: Wine & Food Hideaway – Las Vegas, Nevada

A unique take on brunch! I went to La Cave for my bachelorette party weekend. It is a butler passed all you care to enjoy meal. The food and drinks were excellent, the service was amazing, and the vibe was much more relaxed than a typical Vegas buffet. I highly recommend it!

The Wave of American Flavors – Orlando, Florida

The Wave is in the Contemporary Hotel on Walt Disney World property. This was our rehearsal dinner before our wedding last year. I had heard good things about the food and was happy that it lived up to expectations. The service was great for our family members with special food needs, and the bacon and eggs appetizer were the universal winner for our group. It’s a hidden gem!

Best Sweet Treats

Our Wedding Cake from Sugar Sugar Cake Boutique – Orlando, Florida

Okay, maybe I’m biased… but I loved our cake! We got an amoretto flavor for one layer, and apple cinnamon for the other. Perfection! Plus, Sugar Sugar was a delight to work with! =) Read more about our wedding here!

Hummingbird Family Reserve at Biscuit Love – Nashville, Tennessee

We loved Biscuit Love (It is on my “Best Place to Eat in Nashville: A Beginner’s Guide “), and we especially enjoyed their Hummingbird Family Reserve! It was decadently cream cheese covered, which I ADORED. Bring on all the cream cheese frosting, please! It is also the first and only version of Hummingbird cake I have had, so I definitely need to try some more variations!

Tonga Toast from Captain Cook’s – Orlando, Florida

Tonga toast is an iconic Disney foodie staple. I finally got to try it last year at Captain Cook’s located in the Polynesian Resort. It was a huge shareable sweet treat. The sugar-coated toast is probably best enjoyed as a dessert and not for breakfast as it’s advertised. I shared it with my husband which was the perfect amount for both of us. Tip: Getting it at Captain Cook’s is much cheaper than getting it at Kona Café (located on the second story of the Polynesian)!  

Best Alcoholic Beverages

Irish Coffee at The Bank – Dublin, Ireland

I love Irish coffee, and the ones I had in Ireland were all so good! My favorite by far was from The Bank; it was creamy and packed a serious punch. The entire meal we had was great, and a completely random find during our day of exploring in Dublin!

Guinness from The Guinness Storehouse – Dublin, Ireland

They say that Guinness is better in Ireland, and they are correct! We had the iconic brew at several pubs, but our best experience was at the Storehouse. It was a fun and immersive way to enjoy Ireland’s most-popular beer!

Best Attractions

The Dallas World Aquarium – Dallas, Texas

Another part of my Birthday trip was visiting the Dallas World Aquarium. It FAR surpassed my expectations! I loved the layout which felt like an indoor rainforest with not only fish but birds and reptiles too! They also had SLOTHS <3 which I was obsessed with and spent a lot of time watching. Check this place out!

The Long Room at Trinity College – Dublin, Ireland

This library is spectacular to see in person. The history and aura surrounding it is something special. Read more about it in my “10 Fantastic Things to do on Your Dublin Vacation” post. It is a must-do when visiting Dublin.

Best Activity

Hiking in The Great Smoky Mountains – Tennessee

Something I hope to do more of this year is hiking and being outdoors! We hiked around the Great Smoky Mountains last year and loved it! The Smokies were SUPER crowded (see my full trip re-cap here), but I enjoyed being in nature and being active!

 These are just some of my highlights from 2019, what are yours? Let me know below in the comments! Now it’s time to make your own list! What categories will you include that I left out? Enjoy, and have a wonderful New Year!

Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest! Sharing is caring, Pin this page with the pin below: