Sometimes we set off for the art, museums, history or even simple only to be there when we were are visiting somewhere new. However, some of us are more into the culinary scene and plan the travels according to the food in town. That’s not something new anymore. Fortunately, Europe has long and renowned cuisines around. If you are a gourmet traveler looking for a possible food tour in Europe – well here is your itinerary. Here, there are 9 recommended stops for food itinerary in Europe. Starting from Porto then Barcelona, South of France – which ends with Greece and Turkey. Of course, you might adapt the line and may add up other stops to your route, but here is the beginning for you!
Whether it is a street food or an elegant dish from a Michelin starred restaurant, a bite of a dish always gives an insight from the culture. Therefore the food really represents an important aspect of the country you are visiting. Sometimes similar dishes you see in a couple of different cuisines may actually tell how much history they have in common too! Never underestimate the power of local cuisines!
1.PORTO, PORTUGAL
Porto would be the first ideal stop of your trip. A light but war seafood-based cuisine would be a great beginning. Here you would be able to find any kind of seafood, fish, shellfish and in the colder season, the variety and quantity would be higher. Along with seafood dishes, wine is quite appreciated here too. The world famous Port and Madeira are also from Portugal. For other than foodie stuff, you can join the daily trip for the valley trekkings or nature hikes.
What to eat and drink in Porto?
Francesinha: Ultimate Portuguese sandwich with three different kinds of meat, topped with fried egg and cheese.
Bacalhau: Portuguese style dried salted cod, many versions such as fritters, creamed or as a spread.
Alheira: Portuguese sausage that is made with any kind of meat except pork. Any kind of filling can be seen.
Port: Vinho do Porto – a kind of fortified wine produced with distilled grape spirits made in Douro and northern areas.
Vinho Verde: A type of young wine – not green-, known for low alcohol, refreshing taste and a perfect pairing with seafood.
2.BILBAO, SPAIN
Bilbao is another autonomous area in Spain – known as a culinary city, San Sebastian. This city is a frequented place by Michelin guide people because it is full Michelin starred restaurants. Local cuisine of the area is also famous mostly for pintxos – version of tapas in the Basque country. Of course, a huge amount of fish and seafood dominate the traditional cuisine especially cod and hake. Basque cuisine is proud of its local and modern eateries here, you will not regret visiting those! Get ready for the mouth watering food tour!
What to eat and drink in Bilbao?
Pintxos: Finger food in Basque style, similar to tapas concept.
Kokotxas: Hake or cod throat served with a green sauce – salsa verde.
Merluza: Spanish for cod-like fish hake, many different styles of merluza on menus.
Cider: A long tradition of San Sebastian, look for the cideries around town – the season is in spring.
Txuleta: Braised beef rib from grass-fed animals served along with local cider.
3.BARCELONA, SPAIN
Not only the ultimate place to have the best cocktails of your life – but the most amazing bite-size food concept of your life with a drink: Tapas. Catalan cuisine has its own tricks as well since you keep falling in love with every dish you taste! Barcelona will open its arms to you the embrace one of the most amazing, light, yummy and infinite options of dishes in your life. Sure, open your arms and keep those dishes coming!
What to eat and drink in Barcelona?
Tapas: Bite-size of everything, potatoes, anchovies or simple tomato on bread. You name it.
Fideua: Catalan version of paella, made with short and thin noodles instead of rice.
Cava: A type of sparkling wine from Spain – can be white or rosé, known as affordable Champagne.
Crema Catalana: A custard made with eggs, milk, sugar and seasoned with cinnamon and citrus – baked.
Calçots: Grilled spring onions local to rural parts of Barcelona, available during November to March.
4. South of France
To be honest, you have to visit all over France to complete a food itinerary in Europe. However, since the route is going from the south for the recommended route, we will share the southern delicacies with you! The Riviera is full of fish and seafood – thanks to fishmongers! Along with an exquisite and sophisticated cuisine, you can still find some local street food – which is budget friendly and tasty!
What to eat and drink in the South of France?
Bouillabaisse: A rich fish stew served with typical Riviera fish, boiled potatoes and rouille from Marseille.
Socca: Chickpeas based griddle cake, famous street food in Riviera.
Pan Bagnat: a Sandwiched version of Salad Niçoise.
Soupe au pistou: Vegetable soup with pasta including white beans, topped with a generous amount of basil sauce.
Rosé wine: Typical wine drank in the area mostly for refreshing taste and availability.
5.NORTHERN ITALY
Italian cuisine might the famous than your favorite pop star. There is no question that Italians know how to eat! The craft of pasta they mastered, each pasta has its own unique sauce and therefore a texture. So this stop should be a must for you! Enjoy the good wine and hand-made pasta in the area you are visiting and don’t mind the rude service here – Italy is famous for it. Make sure you try an aperitivo in each city to learn their favorite nibbles too.
What to eat and drink in Northern Italy?
Pasta con Pesto Genovese: Trofie or hand cut pasta topped with a generous amount of famous pesto sauce.
Risotto alla Milanese: Milan style risotto which contains saffron, gremolata and bone marrow on top.
Ossobucco: Veal shanks serve with its sauce including some vegetable, usually with polenta or risotto.
Tortellini al Ragu Bolognese: Small handmade dumplings filled with Bolognese sauce.
Prosecco: A type of sparkling wine from Northern Italy made with Glera grapes.
6.PRAGUE, CZECHIA
Please do not talk bad about Czech cuisine until you experience it – cause it’s yum! In Prague, you will see that most meat-based dishes are accompanied by a sauce or the meal starts with a soup. This is what they are good at: Sauces and soup! Also not forget to mention, their house-brewed beers are must in every eatery you go in! The country has been invaded by different nations in the old times so it is also possible to see other influences in Czech cuisine.
What to eat and drink in Prague?
Svickova: Beef tenderloin with creamy vegetable sauce served with local dumplings or bread.
Kulajda: A thick creamy soup made with mushroom, potato and topped with dill and quail eggs.
Tatarak: Czech version of beef tartare.
Ovocné knedlíky: Fruit dumplings which fruit filling change according to the season.
Pivo: Beer in the Czech language, try local one preferably at breweries.
7. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
A river that splits the city into two: Buda and Pest. You will fall in love the setting in both sides for sure. Each side of the city you will run into local eateries to taste famous Goulash – which you can also taste different versions in neighbor countries. Budapest is super good about snack food as it is famous for underground and quirky bars. However, there is still a more elevated side of its cuisine along with its wine. Open your eyes for a feast in this town – it’s full of magical food!
What to eat and drink in Budapest?
Langos: Fried bread dough topped with sour cream, grated soft cheese, and garlicky sauce.
Kürtőskalács: Chimney cake, a huge sweet cake -empty inside, topped with cinnamon, sugar or cocoa.
Goulash: Beef stew made with root vegetables and served along with typical dumplings nökedli.
Dobos Torte: Seven layered cake filled with chocolate buttercream and covered in caramel.
Tokaji wine: A variety of Hungarian wine, nectar-like deep and amazing aroma.
8. DODECANESE, GREECE
Well, of course, Dodecanese is not a sole point of travel. It is a group of islands located in the southeastern parts of Aegean sea. Greek cuisine is already known for yogurt, rotisserie and puff pastries. The cuisine gives you a vibe of comfort food here, everything tastes amazing. The portions are big, the taste is great – be warned you will gain lots of weight here! Very famous for their seafood and mollusk, we are sure you will already try those but also put some others into your list.
What to eat and drink in Greece?
Gyros: Pita filled with fresh veggies like tomatoes and lettuce, kind of sauce with roasted pork, chicken or beef.
Souvlaki: Pork and chicken on skewers cooked over a grill served with tzatziki and usually fries.
Tzatziki: Greek yogurt mixed with cucumber, garlic, olive oil.
Greek Salad: Typical salad with tomatoes, cucumber, onions, sometimes pepper and Feta cheese on top.
Ouzo: An aperitif with anise flavor made from grapes.
9. ISTANBUL, TURKEY
People mostly think of famous kebabs or döner when visiting Turkey – it is so much more than that! The Anatolian cuisine is a great mixture of both European and Asian traces so you will be quite surprised here. This is where east and west meet, so prepare yourself to eat many specialties from eastern Turkey in Istanbul as well. Make sure you try other street foods than simit! Turkish restaurants and bistros are super hospitable, they like the travelers, usually, at the end of your meal you will receive a Turkish tea or coffee – a complimentary thank you form the service.
What to eat and drink in Istanbul?
Fıstıklı Baklava: Layers of hand-made phyllo filled with pistachio and soaked in seasoned syrup.
Kuru Patlıcan Dolması: Dried eggplants filled with seasoned rice and cooked in a pot.
Simit: Turkish bagel, covered in molasses and topped with sesame seeds baked in stone oven.
Rakı: A distilled grape spirit with anise flavor, a typical Anatolian alcohol.
Zeytinyağlı Meze: An obligatory accompany to Rakı, the category has all types of appetizers made with olive oil.