If great food is a priority for you when you travel, then add these five destinations to your list.
Natural beauty, beaches and historic monuments are all wonderful, but an essential part of the travel experience is without a doubt each destination’s cuisine. Food is one of the best ways to get to know the culture of the place you are about to visit.
Traditional flavors, street food and award-winning restaurants that take creative gastronomy a step further enrich the travel experience. If good food is a priority for you during your travels, then these European cities should rank high on your travel list.
Bologna, Italy
The capital of the province of the same name and of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy is a captivating city with stunning architecture, important monuments and exceptional cuisine worth discovering. Italians call it La Grassa (the Fat) for its unique cuisine. In Bologna were born Bolognese sauce (here it’s called ragù, made with finely chopped meat and served with broad pasta), mortadella, tortellini, tagliatelle and all pasta fresca. In the city’s restaurants you’ll have the chance to taste authentic ragù alla bolognese, tortellini in broth and other local dishes. Don’t miss the covered food market Mercato di Mezzo with dozens of little shops selling everything from breads and cured meats to cheeses and sweets.
Naples, Italy
Pizza, pizza and more pizza! With thin and crispy dough, San Marzano tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella and basil. Authentic Neapolitan pizza is reason enough on its own to visit Naples. According to Lonely Planet, one of the top places to try it is Di Matteo. If the line there is long, take a stroll through the city streets and you’ll surely find your favorite spot for a pizza you’ll never forget. After you’ve had your fill of pizza, move on to other flavors: zeppolelle (little pieces of pizza dough), panzerotti (potato croquettes filled with salami and mozzarella) and arancini (rice balls). If you have a sweet tooth, try sfogliatelle (crispy pastries with a sweet ricotta filling), pastiera (a cake with ricotta, chocolate and wheat) and baba with rum.
San Sebastián, Spain
Those who have traveled to the Basque Country know it well: the food is exceptional. From the creative seafood dishes of pioneering chefs to pintxos (that’s what tapas are called here), the flavors can satisfy even the most demanding foodie. The seaside San Sebastián (or Donostia in the Basque language) is known for its aristocratic aura, its beautiful coastline and its culinary supremacy. In this small and lovely city that boasts a total of 17 Michelin stars, you can try the most out-there gastronomic creations in «starred» restaurants (such as the famed Martin Berasategui Mazarte and Mugaritz Errenteria), as well as fantastic pintxos paired with white txakoli wine. Follow the locals into the pintxos bars to enjoy small bites on slices of bread topped with combinations of cold cuts, fish, shellfish, vegetables, and more.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s capital has everything you need from a European getaway: culture, unique sights, interesting architecture and, of course, great food. In Lisbon you’ll try cod in just about every version you can imagine. In general, you’ll feast on fresh fish and seafood, with meat dishes also well represented. Picturesque taverns (tascas) with good food and restaurants with more creative cuisine and international flavors can be found in the Bairro Alto area. Don’t miss the delicious pastéis de belém, little nests of crisp pastry filled with custard - just the thing to sweeten your strolls through the city. They’re worth trying from the historic namesake patisserie, which has been making them with a secret recipe since 1837.
Lyon, France
France’s third-largest city is a beautiful place with distinctive architecture, excellent museums and a serious culinary culture. Some of the world’s top chefs began their journey here, such as Paul Bocuse, the creator of nouvelle cuisine. In Lyon you’ll try authentic French dishes and fine wines that will impress you. Food lovers put the bouchons high on their list, the rustic restaurants that serve local - and not flashy - dishes. There are about 20 authentic bouchons in the city, the loveliest of which you’ll find on rue Saint-Jean. Grab a table at one of them and try coq au vin (wine-braised rooster). Continue with a stroll through the city’s markets, such as Les Halles de Lyon, where every stall is piled with gorgeous fresh fruit and vegetables, fine cheeses, tasty sausages and fresh seafood.
