Exploring a food-themed journey across Europe ranks among the continent’s most delightful experiences. From Copenhagen’s celebrated Nordic cuisine to Turkey’s rich transcontinental flavors, Europe’s top destinations for food enthusiasts reflect the diverse tapestry of its cultures.
Deciding where to indulge in culinary delights during your travels can be quite a challenge. Classic food cities like Paris and Barcelona remain ever-popular, but Europe’s emerging culinary hotspots offer surprises that are both delightful and budget-friendly.
With the release of the first Portugal-dedicated MICHELIN Guide this February, the imminent closure of Copenhagen’s game-changing Noma later this year, and Lithuania’s cuisine gaining recognition at Vilnius’ newly established Pink Soup Fest, 2024 presents the perfect opportunity to explore lesser-known foodie regions for your European gastronomic adventure.
Whether you’re looking to savor a Georgian feast and its millennia-old winemaking tradition, or embark on a French food tour away from Paris, here are some of Europe’s top food cities and regions to inspire your next delicious journey.
Porto, Portugal
Having called Portugal home for six years and spent decades holidaying here, I’ve witnessed an incredible transformation in the country’s food scene. I was especially proud to attend this year’s inaugural Portugal-only MICHELIN Gala Dinner, celebrating the innovation of many young chefs. Despite the growing sophistication of some dining establishments and the creativity of many chefs, Portuguese cuisine has largely remained traditional, with a steadfast emphasis on the quality of ingredients.
While the Algarve’s Mediterranean diet is delectable and Lisbon offers numerous tourist-oriented dining options, I firmly believe Porto is the country’s culinary capital. This northern city rivals Europe’s more established food destinations.
Portugal’s Chef of the Year 2023, the talented Vasco Coelho Santos, operates several outstanding restaurants in Porto. The city benefits from the Atlantic’s bounty, ensuring a continuous supply of top-notch seafood. With the Douro River flowing inland from the city, you’re always close to a perfect glass of Port or a premium bottle of wine. Moreover, Porto offers wallet-friendly prices, whether you’re enjoying traditional tripe at a humble tasca or indulging in a chef’s table experience.
Standout dishes, dining rooms and food experiences in Porto
Deciding what and where to eat in Porto is part of the adventure. For a traditional experience, try a francesinha, a croque-monsieur-inspired sandwich layered with cheese, smoked sausage, and meat in a mildly spiced beer sauce—A Regaleira serves the original. Another must-try is bacalhau à gomes de sá, Porto’s version of Portugal’s beloved salted cod fish. Or, follow Anthony Bourdain’s lead and sample tripas à moda do porto, a bean and tripe stew from leaner times, at A Cozinha do Martinho. For a more indulgent meal, Chef Rui Paula’s ocean-view Casa de Chá da Boa Nova and Vasco Coelho Santos’ Euskalduna Studio offer fish-heavy, Michelin-starred tasting menus that are sure to impress.
During a weekend in Porto, you can easily explore the Port lodges of Gaia across the river, stroll through the sights and atmospheric restaurants along the Ribeira, and snack and shop at Bolhão Market. You can even fit in a train or boat trip to the Douro vineyards. For a more intimate experience with one of Portugal’s top chefs, contact The Art of Tasting Portugal. Patricia and her team will help you see the city through the eyes (and palate) of a local chef.
Lyon, France
Lyon is one of France’s best cities for planning a gastronomic getaway. In fact, many would say it’s not just the country’s best city for cuisine but the “Food Capital of the World”. Yes, forget Paris’s fast-paced brasseries, pretty boulangeries and intimate bistros and set your foodie sights on Lyon’s bouchons, the typical restaurants of France’s third-largest city. But why is Lyon considered one of Europe’s best food cities? Well, Lyonnaise cuisine has evolved over many centuries, from Romans introducing wine and perfecting their pork products to Italian influence arriving and upping the game in the 16th century.
However, the city’s surrounding terroir has always been a constant. With the Alps on its doorstep, the Mediterranean to the south, and the fertile farmlands ideal for rearing livestock to the north, it’s well placed at Europe’s culinary crossroads – it’s a city where both butter and olive oil are common rather than competition. Add all of these excellent regional flavours, the nearby wine appellations, Lyon’s atmospheric dining rooms and a gorgeous Old Town with plenty of al fresco terraces together, and you’ve got one of Europe’s best destinations to eat and then eat some more.
Must-try dishes, restaurants and food tours in Lyon
Pork is plentiful in Lyonnaise cuisine, and charcuterie comes in hundreds of forms. Boudin Noir blood sausages, coarse-stuffed andouillette served with mustard, and the crimson-coloured Rosette de Lyon, a cured saucisson, are just a few favourites. Heartier meals, such as meat-stuffed quenelle dumplings bathing in a creamy sauce or coq au vin, a rich, red-wine-soaked chicken dish feature on nearly every menu. When you need a rest from meat, a poached-egg-topped salade lyonnaise is a light lunch break.
For a Michelin-starred tasting, you can’t go wrong at the legendary, late Paul Bocuse’s restaurant or ingenious Guy Lassausaie’s contemporary dining room. More affordable daily lunch menus are easily found on a stroll around the river-flanked Presqu’île arrondissement. Still, Lyon is even better if you extend your visit to include a nearby wine region, such as Beaujolais or Burgandy. Book one of these incredible culinary travel packages through east-central France, and not only will you sample Lyon’s delights, but you’ll also tour vineyards bottling oaked Chardonnays and young Gamays, which pair perfectly with your epicurean adventure.
Basque Country, Spain
San Sebastián, or Donostia locally, is arguably Spain’s best city to visit for a foodie trip in Europe. For centuries, it has been a utopia for pintxos (the region’s first-class finger foods), secretive gastronomic societies, and chefs looking to lead their class at the world-renowned Basque Culinary Centre. Yet this beautiful, beach-facing city in Spain’s north is only the appetiser – the Basque Country’s degustation also includes crisp, lightly sparkling txakoli wines, ruby red Riojas, and traditional dishes that lean on the fertile land as much as the sparkling sea.
Pull all of this together, and you’ve got one of Europe’s best foodie destinations. Spend a couple of days in San Sebastián enjoying bar crawls around the Parte Vieja (Old Town), where it’s all about bar tops laden high with delicious pintxos rather than boozing. Then, head inland to the gorgeous Medieval town of Laguardia. This is where the Basque Country and the famous Rioja Alavesa wine region meet, and a warren of underground tunnels hold all the wine secrets – Bodega El Fabulista is indeed fabulous. Lastly, loop back towards the coast, where the port city of Bilbao offers some of the best-value provincial dishes.
