Europe is a the top destination for every kind of travelers. Whether you are a couple, a student on a budget or a four people family, there is always a side of this continent where you’ll be enjoying with your company. One the reason why you would want to travel to countries in Europe is their cuisine. Even though 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. Here you will also find not only the European dishes but also where to eat in Europe so you can enjoy them in the best way possible.
Italy is where you’ll be dazzling yourself with pizza and pasta, Spain will give you tons of seafood dishes, good cocktails, and tapas. East Europe has some serious snack food like Langos from Hungary but also some fulfilling street food like Souvlaki from Greece. These dishes are endless and it is impossible to pick a favorite from them. Europe is full of delicious food – it is more like a heaven for a gourmand!
1.PASTA ALLA CARBONARA – ITALY
How could someone pass by Italy without tasting this delicious thing? Traditionally a dish from Rome, pasta alla carbonara is loved by everyone in Italy so it is possible to see in different regions as well. Typically, pasta is shaped either as a spaghetti or rigatoni. The carbonara sauce consists of guanciale – smoked pork cheeks, egg yolk, and pepper and Pecorino Romano cheese. The true Italian version doesn’t have any cream or so. Try the best carbonara in a beautiful modern trattoria in Rome in Santo Palato.
Address: Piazza Tarquinia, 4a/b, Rome
Phone: +39 06 7720 7354
2. LANGOS –HUNGARY
Most of the time, when there is any Hungarian food to speak there is always a thing for goulash. However, we have something more Hungarian: Langos. This yummy snack food is super famous in Hungary that you can see especially youngster eating one in their hands with or after getting some drinks. Langos is basically a bread dough which is fried and topped with various things but most important with soft white cheese, sour cream, and garlicky sauce. If you want you can add some greens or cold meat cuts as well. Plus it is a super budget-friendly food especially if you are looking for a fulfilling and a cheap meal. 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 the most popular item in Belgium cuisine, so a mussel dish as a favorite is not a random choice from there. Mariniere stands for the style of cooking the mussels which includes simply braising them in dry white wine along with shallots and sometimes also with garlic or even cream if you want, and finishing off with some freshly chopped parsley. Moules Mariniere is usually served along with potato fries – but they are not the regular ones. As both items are complementary to each other, you can see on the menus that this dish also known as Moules Frites as well – referring the fries and the musses. Royal Brassarie has a slightly more elegant version of this dish; make sure you give it a try there.
Address: Rue de Flandre 103 – 1000, Brussels
Phone: +32 2 217 85 00
4.TAPAS- SPAIN
If there is one thing you want to dig in more in Spain –they’re tapas. Tapas are actually not a single dish but rather a whole big category of small serving or bite-size appetizers from Spain. It is impossible to choose one, so it is better to go the taparia and try a variety of them. Usually the cost of the tapas is very low as well, you can order 5-6 to taste different ones. Favorite tapas in Spain are patatas bravas, padron peppers, la bomba, pan con tomate, sardines in olive oil, types of montaditos and of course an alcoholic company which is usually Cava. Try all of these at El Xampanyet, a small tapas bar famous among locals – try their homemade Cava as well!
Address: Carrer de Montcada, 22 – 08003 Barcelona
Phone: +34 933 19 70 03
5.FRANCESINHA– PORTUGAL
The little French in Portuguese, Francesinha is a result of a crowded French population in Lisbon. The famous Portuguese sandwich is actually an assimilated version of Croque Monsieur. However, it is much bigger and as a result high in calories. The layers start with a slice of bread, pork, smoked sausage, beefsteak, a fried egg on top and a thick cheese sauce on top of the cover bread slice – wow! Although you can see Francesinha in many places, we recommend you a smaller yet a cozier place to have it. Have one at Petisqueria Voltaria which is a small restaurant focuses on local Portuguese cuisine.
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 aware of the potential side of Dutch cuisine, however, this is only a beginning. Herring is everywhere in Amsterdam and the Netherlands; you can see that it is quite a staple in their cuisine. Traditionally herring is served with small diced onions and pickles on top. If you will like it you can order the sandwich version which is called broodje. Make sure you go taste herring earlier as most vendors do not stay till late hours. Rob Wigboldus Vishandel is a small local favorite place where you can get both versions plus a variety of Dutch snack food!
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 to your mind. Literally, 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 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 – yes it’s a long name. One of the best places to eat Black Forest cake in Germany is in Baden Baden at Café König. You would want to go there as they quickly run out of the 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, it is impossible to forget how it tastes like. 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 and grilled on the fire. Usually fries, grilled vegetables, and some tzatziki – drained yogurt mixed with garlic and freshly sliced cucumber- on the side. When looking for the best souvlaki, never look for fancy places. Always choose on home-cooking and kind of shabby places – because they will have the best one. Leivadia is still a hidden place in the middle of a touristic city, try their pork souvlaki and make sure you remember every bite.
Address: 2-4 Kanigos, Gamveta – 106 77 Athens
Phone: +30 21 0383 2413
9. SVICKOVA NA SMETANE – CZECHIA
Svickova can be something very new to you if you have never experienced Middle European cuisine. The dish is known as braised beef tenderloin that is served with a vegetable-cream based sauce, homemade bread dumpling and cranberry sauce. This dish looks simple at first but all ingredients take time and labor to prepare. The balance of sauce along with sweet and sour structure stands out, beef is very tender and juicy at the same time – yum! U Bulinu is a small bistro focuses on Czech cuisine, try their specialty of braised beef with cream sauce.
Address: Budechska 803/2 –Prague
Phone: +420 224 254 676
10. KASESPATZLE- AUSTRIA
One thing very famous in Austria is trekking. It is almost the biggest activity during the holidays and on the weekends. You will see families and couples walking around though tracks. Their secret to retaining their energy during these trekking sessions is to eat Kasespatzle! The dish is coming from the Alpine regions of Austria. It is the Austrian style of mac & cheese. Maybe those were inspired from Austria as well? Spatzle is dumplings which are more pasta-like and kase means cheese in Austrian German language. The whole dish is very nutritious, topped also with fried pancetta and fried onions. The name of the dish can be changed but in Vorarlberg, you would find it in 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 from Poland. The dish is actually known as Polish cabbage rolls in English. The cabbage leaves are filled with minced meat of your choice, rice or barley, some vegetables such as onion, garlic and seasoned with spices. Then the rolls are cooked in tomato based broth until the filling is cooked. You can do it in a pot or in the oven – just the way you like it. Stary Dom is a restaurant where it can race with many Polish grandmothers – shh! The Polish cuisine you see here is at its finest, try their Golabki and enjoy that moment!
Address: Pulawska, 104/10 – 02-620 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 646 42 08
12. CONFIT DE CANARD – FRANCE
A dish that will chase you in your dreams… If you eat a good one of course! A bad confit de canard is literally like drinking a bad frying oil. The good one has the crispy duck skin outside and tender duck meat inside – a perfectly cooked duck in its own fat for a long time. The dish asks for high-quality food and experienced techniques to be followed. You have to make sure to taste this is a trusted place – likes 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 Dalmatian coast, you will have the opportunity to taste much different seafood, fish, and typical varieties. A beloved dish belongs to coastal Croatia is brudet. The origin of the dish and its name comes from the Adriatic Sea; in Italian, the same dish made in Adriatic coast is known as brodetto. Brudet is a rich fish stew with a tomato based stock; in Croatia, the stew also contains entire frogs and sometimes eel if it’s in season. However, the ingredients and cooking style might change according to which place you taste. 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