Join global gourmets kicking off the New Year at local restaurants that go beyond delicious dining. Socially conscious travelers are choosing independent dining establishments that have become neighborhood anchors.
These local gems serve up communal impact and culinary quality in equal measure.
You probably have a place like that back home — the local diner where everyone knows each other. The place that serves hot chocolate to the homeless on cold winter days. A bakery that trains at-risk youth to be pastry chefs. Even Union Square Hospitality (think Shake Shack and Daily Provisions) partners with communities to fund food banks and train the formerly incarcerated as hospitality workers.
Community Kitchens and Local Restaurants Feeding the World
Culinary philanthropy is not new, but it’s usually aimed at feeding people in need. Charities such as Save the Children Federation have provided meals to kids in needs since 1919. After the 9/11 attacks, Antonio Vendome was one of many restauranteurs who turned their eateries into food pantries. His Nino’s, for example, served more than 500,000 meals over nine months to Ground Zero workers.
World Central Kitchen, founded by Chef Jose Andres after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, is one of today’s best-known food charities. Their work, guided by “the belief that food is a universal human right,” has evolved from establishing local training and cooking programs to partnering with local restaurants to serve meals with dignity. In 2025 alone, World Central Kitchen dished up more than 130 million meals and nine million gallons of water — after natural disasters, during refugee crises, and in war zones. They established community kitchens alongside 900 partners, from farmers and restaurant owners to community cooks and local volunteers, in thousands of communities in 23+ countries.
American Express Indulges in Local Gastrophilanthropy
For the past four years, American Express has worked with the International Downtown Association Foundation to uncover small, independently owned, local restaurants that are community hubs, culinary standouts or social enterprises.
Through the Backing International Small Restaurants grant program, they fund local restaurants noted for the positive impact in their communities.
In 2025, they awarded more than US$1.4 million to 97 community eateries operating in 14 cities in the UK, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Spain, and France. According to American Express, the grants will be “used to help modernize dining spaces, improve kitchen operations, and enhance digital tools, empowering them to grow, adapt, and thrive while fueling local economies and enriching the soul of their cities.”
Read on for the list of 97 restaurants around the world where locals want you to eat the next time you visit their country.
Supporting Downtown Sustainability for Resilient Cities
The IDAF says that small restaurants are vital to thriving communities. Their grants fund critical improvements at independently owned restaurants that are having a positive local impact. The program’s goal is to support the selected restaurants “so they can focus on nourishing their customers with good food and fostering community connection.”
It’s Good Business: 2025 Amex Backing International Small Restaurants Grantees
American Express’ gastrophilanthropy was bestowed on the following restaurants (listed in alphabetical order by country) for 2025. We hope you will support as many as possible in your travels this year.
Canada’ s Top Social Eateries Are in Montreal and Toronto
You can tell from the restaurant names that options cover a wide range of cuisines, styles and budgets.
For more information on which cities you can find each restaurant, please visit the International Downtown Association website.
- 11:59 Bar:Cafe
- Archway Verdun
- AWIDELINE Cuisine & Pâtisserie
- Bread and Butter
- De Chou Korean Restaurant
- HANBINGO
- Henry VIII Ale House
- Joanne’s Deli
- Kawa Sushi
- La Beignerie
- Le Club Cafe
- Lucile’s Caribbean Restaurant & Bar
- Madras Curry
- Mapo Gamjatang
- Nicaroma Café
- Rutba Indian Cuisine
- Sakebarkushi
- Stout Irish Pub
- The Diner’s Corner
- Wychwood Pub
Where Cuisine and Haute Sustainability Meet in France
Doublevie, in Paris, is another grantee of this year’s Backing International Small Restaurants program. Live music creates a festive atmosphere to enjoy the inventive Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Doublevie will use its grant funding to revamp its kitchen equipment, provide its team with operational tools and renovate its DJ mixing desk.
“This grant helps us keep the energy alive and the doors open to everyone — upgrading our space and supporting our team so we can continue hosting free DJ nights and welcoming the community to discover the sounds of tomorrow,” Alexandre Bortenlänger, owner of Doublevie, told the American Express team.
Other Community-Focused Restaurants in Paris and The Greater Paris Region
- Hutong Paris
- Le Petit Vietnamien
- Le Reflet Paris
- L’Officine Paris
- Med’Eat Boétie
- Ô Gourmandises d’Ange
- Pantobaguette
- Restaurant Lac Hong
- Salad’à Coeur
Social Enterprise Dining: Where to Eat and Support Local in Japan
Here are the community-focused, local restaurants in Osaka, Tokyo and Fukuoka, Japan.
- bekki
- CaD
- Itsuboshi
- Mushakoji
- Omusubi Stand ANDON
- Seven Grain Bakery
- The Local Pub Takenoyu Annex
- Toden Yamorisha
- Wami Daisuke
Another one is Ginza Shinno, which focuses on food as wellness. They serve the community from a small, modern and casual place in one of Tokyo’s busiest shopping neighborhoods. Their culinary focus of Yakuzen is based on principles of traditional Chinese medicine, which outlines eight lifestyles and the foods best suited for optimal health. At Bar Ginza Shinno, chefs blend Western and Asian flavors into what they call “creative medicinal cuisine” which is served with “custom-made medicinal sake” crafted by an herbal medicine expert.
Japan boasts another nine social enterprise restaurants on the American Express list. It’s easier than ever to find and book them thanks to Kakaku. They recently launched the Tabelog app for Android and iOS in English, Chinese and Korean. The restaurant search and reservations app has more than 85 million reviews with multilingual search by region, cuisine, occasion and more. There’s a user fee of JPY 440 (about US$2.82) per transaction — a real boon for foodie travelers.
Mexico City’s Award-Winning Small Restaurants You Should Try
Freims of Mexico City is another 2025 recipient of a Backing International Small Restaurants grant.It was founded by a photographer, writer, and musician who worked together to build a community hub where people could feel at home, surrounded by art, literature, and music. The arts café has offered neighbors affordable international cuisine plus a gallery space, and a book club, since 2016.
Carlos Metta, co-founder of Freims, said: “This support helps us strengthen the bridge between local artists and our community. It’s not just an investment in a café — it’s an investment in artistic culture and neighborhood vibrancy.” With the grant, Freims will make accessibility improvements such as ramps, braille menus, and children’s seating to ensure that everyone feels welcome.
Other Mexico City Small Restaurants Honored in 2025
- Artesano De Barrio
- Gracias Madre Taqueria Vegana
- Guau Tap
- La Caravana
- La Llorona Cantina
- Lovecraft Café
- Mictlan Antojitos Veganos
- Q’ Pedro Pablo
- Somos Voces
Small Business Restaurants Saving Spain’s Neighborhoods
Pull up a bentwood chair to one of the mismatched tables at Granja Petitbo. This favorite Barcelona eatery, whose name translates as Chickpea & Lentil, is best known for its hearty brunch menu.
Any day, eclectic offerings include contemporary tapas, plates ranging from Penang chicken curry to burrata with squash and persimmon, Dubai chocolate pancakes and yuca croquettes. Their natural juices, range of teas and fanciful cocktails work with every dish.
The other 2025 recipients of a Backing International Small Restaurants grant are in Madrid or Barcelona.
- Aklla Tapas Peruanas
- Aló Chino
- Charnela
- D´Street Poke & Bowls
- Mesaquince
- Sandwich Club Barcelona
The U.K. Restaurants Doubling as Community Lifelines
The 2025 recipients of a Backing International Small Restaurants grant in the U.K. are located in London and Manchester, both rich culinary destinations.
The Original Third Eye in Manchester is celebrating its 25th year honoring its roots in post-war Delhi, where its original founders served curry. Still today, they are also winners of the Nation’s Curry Awards for 2025! Try the ca. 1947 recipe for Makhan Tandoori, or Butter Chicken — a standout.
The list of other U.K. grantees who support community at their tables includes:
- Arnabeet
- Bad Manners
- Barra10
- Billingtons Oldham
- Blue Check
- Bombay Chow
- Ciro’s
- Delicious Cafe
- Princelyn Restaurant
- Grounded MCR
- Ida Restaurant
- Pagoda Chinese Cuisine Grill & Sushi Bar
- Faroz Restaurant
- Mellors Cafe Bar
- Memories Cafe Bar
- Pure Coffee, Vernon Park
- Riva Cafe
- The Bridge Central
- Wimbledon Guild of Social Welfare
In New Zealand, Local Bistros Feed More Than Just Hunger
The International Downtown Association (IDA), whose foundation arm did the research behind these awards, provides education, research, and support for creating prosperous city centers, commercial neighborhoods and livable urban places. Their reach extends to New Zealand, where they awarded grants with American Express to five Auckland (North Island) restaurants.
Lebanese Grocer is just one example, a contemporary space devoted to Elie Assaf’s heritage of Lebanese cooking. Locals say the Schwarma and creamy vegetable dips are the must-trys’. You can also enjoy a rewarding meal and give back to the community at:
- Annabelles Restaurant
- Brewd Hawt Chicken Co
- Pici
- The Lumsden Freehouse
Australia’s Top Social Enterprise Eateries in Melbourne and Sydney
If you’re heading down under, explore the many options in Sydney and Melbourne for a meal that gives back by supporting the locals. Sydney’s 2025 independent restaurant awards went to:
- Banh Meats and Co
- Butter Sydney
- Hudson’s Bakery
- La Coppola
- MAIZ Mexican Food
- Porcine
Here are the 2025 grant recipients in Melbourne!
- Anchovy
- Beach Bar @ Carrum
- Little Growling Cafe
- Milhouse Canteen
- Mokum Cafe
- Saigon Alley
- Tahina
- The Moat
- Tokyo 7 restaurant
Table for All: Celebrating the Independent Chefs Who Redefine Neighborhood Support
American Express, founded 175 years ago, is no newcomer to philanthropic efforts. They also fund a Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, which has provided over $8 million to 180 restaurants across all 50 U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands since its creation in 2021.
“Small restaurants rooted in their communities bring energy, flavor, and heart to cities around the world. They preserve culture, create jobs, and bring people together,” Madge Thomas, Head of Corporate Sustainability at American Express, adds.
We think supporting them is a worthwhile resolution for the year ahead!
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