Check out my top 10 food destinations in Europe and get planning your next holiday.
From Pintxos bars in San Sebastian to Michelin star dining in Copenhagen, my selection of the Europe’s top 10 food destinations is bound to give you an appetite to travel.
1. San Sebastian, Spain
The small city of San Sebastian is a food lovers paradise and is probably the food capital of Europe. There are 13 Michelin-starred restaurants here, the most in the world per head of population. It is not just about the Michelin star restaurants though, make sure you try the local pubs offerings ‘pinxtos.’ These are tasty bite size tapas. These showcase all of the regions top quality food, without the hefty price tag.
Read: My short break in San Sebastian
Check Out Hotels Book Your Flights2. Barcelona, Spain
View this post on Instagram
The best place to take a walking food tour has to be Barcelona. Wander through the historic centre and sample some tasty tapas. Make sure you visit one of Europe’s best food markets, the famous La Boqueria, and don’t miss the Paella at Ciudad Condal.
3. Bologna, Italy
Locals will tell you Bologna is Italy’s food capital but not many outsiders have figured it out yet! Home of spaghetti bolognese, it is the best place to taste it. The neighbouring town of Parma is home of Parmigiano Reggiano and of course parma ham. Sit on the town’s piazza and enjoy some local prosciutto or better still visit the Museo del Prosciutto in Langhirano and watch it being made.
Check Out Hotels Book Your Flights4. Florence, Italy
The spectacular city of Florence is not only a food lovers paradise but it is the top choice for romance too. Marvel at the Duomo, pick up a souvenir on the Ponte Vecchio, before enjoying some nice Italian cuisine on the Piazza del Signoria – bellisimo!
Check Out Hotels Book Your Flights5. Dubrovnik, Croatia
View this post on Instagram
Not only is the walled city a stunning place to explore but it is teaming with pavement cafe’s and tasty eateries. If you like dining al fresco with the buzz of happy holidaymakers then Dubrovnik is for you. Lets not forget that Croatia is renowned for it’s truffles and Dubrovnik is truffle heaven!
Read: My top tips for discovering Dubrovnik
Check Out Hotels Book Your Flights6. Copenhagen, Denmark
View this post on Instagram
Copenhagen is renowned as one of Europe’s best food destinations, there are 15 Michelin Star restaurants here and one of the top things to do in the city is a ‘foodie tour’.Voted the best restaurant in the world, three years in a row, Noma, is here. But it’s not all about the fancy restaurants, the newly opened Street Food Market offers everything from Cuban street food to pizza. Situated right on the harbour, it is the perfect spot for a tasty lunch.
7. Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is full of bistros and brasseries offering fantastic lunch and dinner menus. And of course there is no where better to pair fine wines with the local french cuisine. Explore the small village of Saint Emillion and take a tour of some of the surrounding Chateaux. Bordeaux is the perfect destination to sample local French produce.
Check Out Hotels Book Your Flights8. Paris, France
Paris offers French cuisine at its finest, and is without doubt one of the world’s best food destinations. Specialities from all of the french regions are served in Paris. There are bustling brasseries and trendy bistros mixed with Michelin starred restaurants with celebrity chefs. For a major European capital, Paris will still surprise you with how many local shops are still prevalent on every street corner. The bakeries, pastry shops and cheese shops are still there because they are so good – make sure you try them!
Check Out Hotels Book Your Flights9. Porto, Portugal
View this post on Instagram
One of the oldest cities in Europe, Porto is emerging as one of Europe’s top food destinations. Originally known for it’s Port, Porto offers much more. Unlike many of the other destinations Porto’s restaurants are not fashionable per sé, there are no celebrity chefs or swanky restaurants. The beauty is lies in the traditional restaurants, serving traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Read: Why you need to choose Porto for your next city break
Check Out Hotels Book Your Flights10. London, England
View this post on Instagram
London is home to some of the world’s best restaurants. Celebrity chefs are falling over each other to win the best restaurant and best chef awards. From Michel Roux Jnr to Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, they are all in London. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is one of the best dining experiences in the World. London is another city that is full of great markets, Covent Garden being the most popular.
Sarah
