Europe is a the top destination for every kind of traveler. Whether you are a couple, a student on a budget or a family, there is always a side of this continent for each and every traveler to enjoy. One the main reasons people travel to Europe is due to the amazing cuisine offered in each country. So we have made a list of the best European dishes and where you can eat them!
Even though they are all gathered on the same continent, each country has their own traditional, local and unique food. So we have found the best European dishes for you to try while you are wandering around different countries like Spain, France, Italy, Croatia or Czechia.
Italy is where you’ll be filling yourself up with pizza and pasta, Spain is where you will get tons of seafood dishes, good cocktails, and tapas. Eastern Europe has some seriously great snack food but also some fulfilling street food like Souvlaki in Greece. The dishes are endless and it is impossible to pick a favorite from them. Europe is full of delicious food and its worth exploring what each country has to offer.
1. PASTA ALLA CARBONARA – ITALY
How could someone go to Italy without tasting this delicious meal? Carbonara is originally from Rome and Italians love it! So it is easy to find in most parts of italy! Typically, the pasta is either spaghetti or rigatoni. The carbonara consists of guanciale (smoked pork cheeks), egg yolk, and pepper and Pecorino Romano cheese. The true Italian version doesn’t have any cream. To try one of the best carbonaras in Italy go to the beautiful and modern trattoria in Rome’s Santo Palato.
Address: Piazza Tarquinia, 4a/b, Rome
Phone: +39 06 7720 7354
2. LANGOS –HUNGARY
Most of the time, when people talk about Hungarian food they often talk about goulash. However, for something lesser known by foreigners but very popular in the Hungary, you should try Langos. This yummy “snack” is famous in Hungary, especially in the younger generation who enjoy it after they get drinks. Langos is bread dough which is fried and topped with a variety of things mainly though it is topped with soft white cheese, sour cream, and garlic sauce. If you want you can add some greens or cold meat cuts as well. It is a budget-friendly meal especially if you are looking for a fulfilling and cheap snack. Grab a Langos at Retro while you take a walk around the city.
Address: Bajcsy Zsilinszky út, Arany Janos Utca Metro Station- 1051 Budapest
Phone: +36 20 492 3332
3. MOULES MARINIERE – BELGIUM
Mussels are one the most popular dishes in Belgian cuisine, so its a must taste when there. Moules Mariniere, is mussels cooked in white wine with shallots, garlic and parsley. Some places cook the dish with cream and it is typically served with potato fries. The fries go great with the dish and it is commonly known as Moules Frites. It is relatively easy to find across Belgium but for a more elegant experience you can try it as the Royal Brassarie.
Address: Rue de Flandre 103 – 1000, Brussels
Phone: +32 2 217 85 00
4. TAPAS- SPAIN
If there is one thing you must have when you are in Spain, it is tapas. Tapas are actually not a single dish but rather it is a combination of small plates serving bite-sized and easily shareable food. It can be eaten as an appetizer or as a full meal. It is impossible to choose one, so it is better to go to the taparia and try a variety of them. Usually the cost of the tapas is very low, so you can order 5-6 plates to taste different dishes. Popular tapas are patatas bravas, padron peppers, la bomba, pan con tomate, sardines in olive oil, types of montaditos and of course an alcoholic beverage to accompany it, which is usually Cava. Try all of these at El Xampanyet, a small tapas bar famous among locals – make sure to try their homemade Cava as well!
Address: Carrer de Montcada, 22 – 08003 Barcelona
Phone: +34 933 19 70 03
5. FRANCESINHA– PORTUGAL
Translated as the little French in Portuguese , Francesinha is the result of the large French population in Lisbon. The famous Portuguese sandwich is actually an assimilated version of the famous Croque Monsieur. However, it is bigger and has a lot more added to it. The sandwich has two slices of bread that contain pork, smoked sausage, beefsteak, a fried egg and it is then topped off with a thick cheese sauce – wow! Although you can see Francesinha in many places, we recommend a smaller yet cozy place to have it. Petisqueria Voltaria is a restaurant that specializes in local Portuguese cuisine and a great place to try a delicious Francesinha!
Address: Rua Afonso Martins Alho, 109, 4050-018 Porto
Phone: +351 22 325 6593
6. DUTCH HERRING –NETHERLANDS
A trip to Amsterdam is not complete without eating the famous Dutch version of herring. A lot of travelers are not usually aware of this side of Dutch food, however, it is a staple in their cuisine. Traditionally herring is served with small diced onions with pickles on top. If you would like to try it you can order the sandwich version of the herring which is called broodje. Make sure to go to the markets to taste their herring as early as you can as most vendors do not stay out till late hours. Rob Wigboldus Vishandel is a small and local favorite place where you can get a traditional broodje.
Address: Zoutsteeg 6 -1012 LX Amsterdam
Phone: +31 20 626 3388
7. SCHWARZWALDER – GERMANY
When you are looking for something elaborate and sophisticated from German cuisine, Schwarzwalder is one of the first things that may come up in your search. The name of this delicious cake is the Black Forest in English. The fame of the dish is beyond the borders of Germany, you can see it in many countries. However, Germany is the origin of this elegant chocolate sponge cake which is seasoned with cherry liqueur known as Kirsch in German. That’s why the name of the cake also can be seen as Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte. One of the best places to eat Black Forest cake in Germany is in Baden Baden at Café König. You will want to get there as early as possible as they typically run out of cake during the day.
Address: Lichtentaler Str, 12- 76530 Baden-Baden
Phone: +49 7221 23573
8. SOUVLAKI – GREECE
If you have ever eaten a good Souvlaki, you will know its hard to forget. Fortunately, Greece is full of souvlaki places and they are super cheap! Souvlaki is basically chunks of meat – either pork or chicken and occasionally beef on skewers that are grilled on the fire. It is usually accompanied with fries, grilled vegetables, and some tzatziki – which is strained yogurt mixed with garlic and freshly sliced cucumber. When looking for the best souvlaki, never look for fancy places. Always choose the places that look like they make home-cooked souvlaki or the kind of shabby places – because they will have the best ones! Leivadia is a hidden place in the middle of the other tourist traps in Athens, try their pork souvlaki and make sure you enjoy every bite.
Address: 2-4 Kanigos, Gamveta – 106 77 Athens
Phone: +30 21 0383 2413
9. SVICKOVA NA SMETANE – CZECHIA
Svickovan food can be seem very intimidating if you have never experienced Middle European cuisine. However, Svickova Na Smetane, is a great place to start, this is a dish with braised beef tenderloin that is served with a vegetable-cream based sauce, homemade bread dumplings and cranberry sauce. This dish looks simple at first but all the ingredients take time and labor to prepare. The balance of sauces along with sweet and sour structure stands out and the beef is both tender and juicy! U Bulinu is a small bistro which focuses on Czech cuisine and their specialty is Svickova Na Smetane!
Address: Budechska 803/2 –Prague
Phone: +420 224 254 676
10. KASESPATZLE- AUSTRIA
A very popular activity in Austria is trekking. It is almost the biggest activity during the holidays and on the weekends. Their secret to retaining their energy during these trekking sessions is to eat Kasespatzle! The dish comes from the Alpine regions of Austria and is essentially the Austrian style of mac & cheese. Spatzle is dumplings which are more similar in texture and structure to pasta and kase means cheese in the Austrian German language. The whole dish is very nutritious and is topped with fried pancetta and fried onions. The name of the dish is changed depending on the region but in Vorarlberg it is said this way. After a good long trekking, eat kasespatzle at Gasthof Vermala, along with their house wine.
Address: Alte Landstr. 262a ,-6791 St. Gallenkirch
Phone: +43 5557 6162
11. GOLABKI –POLAND
Golabki is a very popular comfort food in Poland. The dish is actually known as cabbage rolls in English. The cabbage leaves are filled with a type of minced meat, rice or barley and vegetables such as onions, garlic and other spices. The rolls are then cooked in tomato based broth until the filling is cooked. You can do it in a pot or in the oven – which ever you prefer. Stary Dom is a great restaurant to go to if you want to try it! The Polish cuisine you see here is at its finest, try their Golabki and enjoy!
Address: Pulawska, 104/10 – 02-620 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 646 42 08
12. CONFIT DE CANARD – FRANCE
A dish that will be in your dreams… If you eat a good one of course! A bad confit de canard is literally like drinking bad frying oil. The good one has the crispy duck skin outside and tender duck meat on the inside – it is perfectly cooked if the duck is in its own fat for a long time. The dish requires high-quality food and experienced techniques to be followed. You have to make sure to taste it at the heavily trusted – Chez Dumonet in Paris.
Address: 117 rue du Cherche Midi , 6th Arr, -75006 Paris
Phone: +33 1 45 48 52 40
13. BRUDET – CROATIA
In the Dalmatian coast, you will have the opportunity to taste a variety of different seafood’! A beloved dish in the coastal country of Croatia is brudet. The origin of the dish and its name comes from the Adriatic Sea; in Italy, the same dish is made in towns near the Adriatic coast and is known as brodetto. Brudet is a rich fish stew with a tomato based stock; in Croatia, the stew also contains entire fish and shrimp and sometimes eel if it’s in season. However, the ingredients and cooking style might change according to which place you try. Try this special dish at Restaurant Kopun and you will not be disappointed.
Address: Ul. II – Put Kroz Selo 15 – 22235 Kaprije
Phone: +385 91 574 5354