A recent reporting trip to Mons, Belgium, kept my streak of choosing excellent restaurants going thanks to an establishment whose very name was validation.

The quaint village of Ludwigswinkel offers Zum Landgrafen, a cozy restaurant with a beer garden and rustic indoor seating that marks a great spot to rest and refuel after a day of outdoor activities.

Le Strane Delizie, a pastry shop in Spilimbergo, Italy, whose name translates to The Strange Delights, serves the mega brioche, a mammoth creation that feels like it weighs about 5 pounds, and sells for 25 euros. It can be paired with the shop’s mega cappuccino, which is made with almost 34 ounces of milk and eight shots of espresso. The drink is too much for one person to consume, so be sure to have a companion or two along to share if you order it.

Thai Mekong has a bigger-than-expected building, as well as portions. The food is hit or miss, but it’s worth a try if you’re craving Thai.

Melenzane is in the new Avenues Mall at Harbor Gate in Bahrain Bay at the far end near the food court, and you can’t miss it. Its towering decor makes it look like it was pulled off the set of “Mad Max.” The name translates to “eggplant,” which perhaps explains why its salads might be a better option than its hot pies.

The restaurant, whose name translates to “the Pasta Maker” in English, makes its pasta in house with durum wheat semolina — a coarse, high-protein flour — and eggs. It offers three noodle styles: spaghetti, tagliatelle and penne.

Das Louis, which is named for a beloved family dog and not the former kings of France, places its focus on using quality ingredients and creating a relaxing, visually appealing atmosphere that owner Annalena Hastaedt hopes feels like a second home to its customers.

The Trier edition of the Katzentempel cat cafe is filled with feline fun and quirky cat-themed food.

Big Chefs, a chain based out of Turkey that serves Mediterranean cuisine, is the fourth restaurant in less than 10 years to open at the entrance to Stuttgart’s popular Killesberg Park. Plentiful customers, and a varied and delicious menu, suggest it might be the one to succeed.

Tucked away on an unassuming street close to Wiesbaden’s main train station, Singh’s Tandoori Indian Restaurant offers an extensive menu of bold flavors for enthusiasts of the subcontinent’s cuisine.