From plastic pandas in Barcelona to artist-spotting in Prague, we bring you the latest instalment of insider tips from blog network Spotted by Locals

Barcelona: Fantastik ? Plastico fantastico

By Sonja Pöhlmann

This is a typical example of a shop where you find yourself buying things you don't need at all. But you often encounter something so colourful, exotic and cute, it's hard to resist the temptation.

Inflatable plastic pandas and elephants from Japan, miniature tools for all occasions from Korea, kitchen accessories from the former GDR, Chinese thermos flasks, posters of sexy hair-styling ideas from India ... Fantastik has collected more than 300 weird and surprising products from more than 20 countries.

A nice alternative to bringing home flamenco dolls and souvenir bulls.

? Details about this spot: Fantastik, Carrer Joaquim Costa, 62, El Raval, +34 93 301 3068. Open Mon-Thu 11am-2pm and 4pm-9pm, Fri/Sat 11am-9pm

Berlin: TrashArt Museum ? Redesigning, not recycling

By Natalia Irina Roman

The TrashArt Museum is a yard full of small garages, each with a yellow door. Behind them are a wide range of materials, saved from being thrown away ? including fabric, metal and wood ? that the museum makes available to turn into sculptures.

Founded in 2008, the project is run by the Kunst-Stoffe association, which focuses on sustainability, waste avoidance and cultural development and runs workshops and an artist-in-residence programme.

The museum itself is the initiative of Adler FC, a Munich artist who used to be in residence at the association. Doro, a friend of the Kunst-Stoffe, explains: "We are upcycling, redesigning, not recycling." Some of the sculptural works thus give a different meaning to everyday objects.

The museum is open on Wednesdays and Fridays, but don't hesitate to call them if other days suit you better. The people at Kunst-Stoffe are very friendly and open to forming new collaborations.

? Details about this spot: TrashArt Museum, Free, Berliner Str 17, +49 (0)30 34 08 9840. Open Wed 2pm-8pm, Fri 11am-6pm

Prague: Mlýnská kavárna ? Cafe in a mill

By Tomá? Jungwirth

Kampa is a beautiful area in downtown Prague, near Újezd, consisting mainly of a large park which has great views of the river and the rest of the city. People go there to hang out, smoke a water-pipe or throw a frisbee.

But it's also a cultural place. There is a local museum and many outdoor exhibitions take place here ? most recently there was a display of phone booths.

Kampa used to be the site of a water-mill and the atmosphere is refreshing and truly charming. In the summer it's a great place to have a beer and a chat on the benches outside the cafe or just lounge around on the grass.

Many interesting or famous people spend their evenings in Mlýnská kavárna ? sculptor David ?erný, the author of Entropa and Miska republika and other original works of art is there virtually every day, usually surrounded by women!

? Details about this spot: Mlýnská kavárna, Park Kampa, Prague +42 (0)60 844 4490. Open 12pm-12am daily

Rotterdam: Kiem Foei ? Multiculti Snacking

By By Anne-Marie Ros and Renia Sastrowidjojo

As I'm from the former Dutch colony, Surinam, I still crave its cuisine. It's hard, however, to define what "Surinam cuisine" is exactly. Nasi and bami goreng (fried rice and noodles) come from Indonesia, roti comes from India, and there's even a Jewish dish known as pom.

A nice place to experience the cooking and to challenge your taste buds is Kiem Foei restaurant at the West-Kruiskade, near central station.

West-Kruiskade is known as "China Town" but the Surinamese tokos (or shops) dominate the street. The area doesn't look that hip but nobody cares as it's all about the food here, which is partly Surinamese and partly Antillean.

You can choose to eat in or "to go". Mingle with the crowd and snack on buns filled with vegetables, meat or shrimps. Whatever you choose, get ready for some interesting flavours. And Kiem Foei is a good choice if you're on a tight budget.

? Details about this spot: Kiem Foei, West-Kruiskade 29, Rotterdam +31 10 413 9983. Open 12pm-11pm daily

Zurich: Für dich ? For you and for me

By Sabine Schweizer

Für dich cafe bar ? meaning "for you" ? has already become a favourite haunt in its neighbourhood despite launching a year ago. Several regulars have gone as far as to tattoo an anchor on themselves in homage to the anchor hidden in the cafe's logo, which also happens to be the symbol for Aussersihl, the Zurich district where the bar is located.

It's a great bar because it's located right next to Bäckeranlage and because for once in Zurich, you get a feeling of spaciousness. The four founders completed the renovation in six months and they made some spontaneous decisions along the way ? such as leaving one wall bare after the tiles were removed and sticking gold foil to another.

The result is an open, spacious, simple venue with large windows ? it was a shop in its previous incarnation ? which nevertheless radiates warmth due to a preponderance of wood, as well as the red children's corner with its huge blackboard which turns into a comfortable lounge area at night.

This is definitely a place to linger, chat and feel at home and a few times a month there are bands playing as well (unplugged).

? Details about this spot: Für dich, Stauffacherstrasse 141, Zurich +41 43 317 9160. Open Tues-Thurs 9am-12am, Fri-Sat 9am-2am, Sun 10am-8pm