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$20.39 (as of April 27, 2025 19:00 GMT +00:00 - More info)Are you ready to treat your taste buds to the best adventure on the continent? A food journey through Europe lets you discover delicious flavors, ingredients, and cultural influences in each country.
This guide gives you a taste of the best culinary experiences in Europe. I’ll also share tips, so your European food tour is unforgettable. Get ready to enjoy this experience!
Food to a large extent is what holds a society together and eating is closely linked to deep spiritual experiences.
Petere Farb
Note: I know this list doesn’t have every country. I’ve added as much detail as possible and will keep updating with more info.
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Eating in Western Europe
Food shapes culture, especially in Western Europe. From the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, each area has its own culinary history passed down through generations. This food is a source of sustenance and a look into the traditions of the people who enjoy it.
Austria
Austria is a hidden treasure! Tourists love its beautiful scenery and classical music, but it has great food, too.
Austrian food mixes influences from nearby countries like Germany and Hungary.
One must-try is Wiener schnitzel. It’s an Austrian classic made with veal or pork, breaded and fried until golden brown. It’s served with a lemon wedge, potatoes or rice, and a salad.
Other popular dishes include Tafelspitz, boiled beef with horseradish sauce, and Kaiserschmarrn, shredded pancakes with icing sugar and plum jam. For dessert, try Sachertorte, Vienna’s famous chocolate dessert.
If you prefer fruit desserts, Marillenknödel, a sweet apricot dumpling, is another common Austrian choice.
If you visit Austria around Christmas, the Vienna Christmas Markets are a must.
Belgium
Belgium’s unique food can be missed. However, Belgian dishes are tasty and interesting.
Moules-frites (mussels and fries) is a favorite. The mussels are steamed in broth with herbs, onion, garlic, and white wine.
Belgian fries (frites or frieten) are double-fried for extra crispness! You can discover this dish everywhere, making it one of the most popular.
France
France is famous for cuisine and delicious food. French food has become a global trend!
When visiting France, you’ll find traditional dishes and regional specialties. Using different ingredients gives French cooking its unique taste and feel.
From fresh seafood to cheese-filled pastries, there are options for everyone!
No matter what you want, you can have tasty meals at restaurants or bakeries across France.
Germany
German cooking has long been impacted by its neighbors. This results in a mix of local and foreign dishes.
German food is centered around meats like pork, beef, poultry, and fish. Potatoes come mashed, boiled, fried, or as dumplings!
Germans enjoy raw and cooked vegetables.
For dessert, you can find black forest cake and apple strudel.
If you are there during Oktoberfest, the annual festival in Munich has food, music, and beer. The event features carnival rides, parades, and activities of all sorts.
Oktoberfest’s beer tents hold thousands. You can anticipate an authentic experience. Traditional outfits are vital, as are sausages, pretzels, and other German foods.
Liechtenstein
The tiny principality of Liechtenstein sits between Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein food is surprisingly delicious! You’ll find Swiss fare and dishes from Europe.
Liechtenstein has unique recipes. Kasknopfle is macaroni served in egg-based sauce with cheese. Muesli consists of oats and dried fruits cooked with honey or sugar. Traditional dinners include sausages, potatoes, and vegetables.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is known for dishes. This little country mixes French, German, and Italian styles.
If you haven’t tried Luxembourg’s cooking, check out their staple dishes. Gromperekichelcher are fried potato pancakes with applesauce or creme fraiche. Try Friture de la Moselle, deep-fried fish and vegetables with tartar sauce or garlic mayonnaise.
Monaco
Monaco combines French, Italian, and Spanish influences.
Local dishes include barbagiuan (spinach and cheese pastry), brandade de morue (creamy cod), and socca (chickpea flatbread). For a sweet treat, try local fougasse monegasque biscuits or gelato.
Monaco has many restaurants, from bistros to chic eateries.
Food is a central activity of mankind and one of the single most significant trademarks of a culture.
Mark Kurlansky
Netherlands
The Netherlands is known for culture, art, and architecture. However, its food should not be missed. Influenced by France, Belgium, and Germany, Dutch cuisine is better than people expect.
To the Netherlands’ flavors, begin with stamppot. This dish combines mashed potatoes with cabbage or sauerkraut for a filling meal. Another famous Dutch meal is bitterballen, deep-fried balls stuffed with ragout sauce for snacks or starters. For something sweet, try stroopwafels, thin waffles made of syrup and caramel.
Ireland
Ireland’s culinary scene offers hearty dishes and fresh seafood. Irish cuisine is famous for using local, ingredients.
Start your food journey with Irish stew, a mix of lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions. For seafood, have fresh oysters or smoked salmon. Also popular is soda bread, a leavened bread made with baking soda instead of yeast.
Traditional Irish Dishes: A Deeper Look
Irish cuisine goes beyond just the well-known dishes. Colcannon, a mix of mashed potatoes and cabbage or kale, is comforting. Boxty, a potato pancake, is common in various forms. Don’t miss black and white pudding, a kind of sausage.
Switzerland
Switzerland has German, French, and Italian food. This results in a mix of distinct dishes that reflect the country’s rich history and culture.
One of Switzerland’s most recognized dishes is cheese fondue: melted cheese in a pot, eaten by dipping bread. Another must-try is raclette, where cheese warms up and is scraped onto plates with potatoes, pickles, and onions. For dessert, try Swiss chocolate.
Exploring Regional Swiss Cuisine
Different regions of Switzerland provide something new. Zurich is known for Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, sliced veal in cream sauce. In the Italian-influenced Ticino, expect risotto and polenta.
United Kingdom
The UK’s food scene includes dishes from around the world. British cuisine has developed, with influences from its colonial history.
Start with fish and chips, fried fish with chips. Also try a full English breakfast, with eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, and toast. For a warm meal, try shepherd’s pie, a meat pie with mashed potatoes.
Modern British Cuisine
Modern British cooking includes restaurants and a focus on local ingredients. Indian food is popular in the UK, with dishes like chicken tikka masala.
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Eating in Southern Europe
Southern Europe is a culinary paradise. With its Mediterranean climate, this region has olive oil, fresh vegetables, seafood, and local wine. Each country has unique dishes.
Spain
Spanish cuisine is famous for vibrant flavors and tapas. Spain provides unique food experiences.
Tapas are a must-try. They are small dishes eaten with drinks. Try patatas bravas (potatoes with spicy sauce), gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), and jamón ibérico (cured ham). Paella, a rice dish with seafood or meat, is another Spanish favorite.
Regional Specialties
Spain’s regions have distinct foods. In Catalonia, try crema catalana, a custard dessert. Basque Country is notable for its seafood and pintxos, Basque-style tapas.
Italy
Italian food is famous. From pasta to pizza, Italy provides flavors.
Pasta is a staple. Try spaghetti carbonara, lasagna, and ravioli. Pizza in Naples is also a must . For dessert, have gelato.
Food in Italy: A Regional Method
Italy’s different regions have something new. Tuscany gives bistecca alla fiorentina, a steak. Sicily has arancini, fried rice balls.
Quick Italian Food Guide:
| Dish | Description | Region(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti Carbonara | Pasta with eggs, cheese, bacon, and black pepper | Rome |
| Pizza Margherita | Pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil | Naples |
| Bistecca Fiorentina | Grilled steak | Tuscany |
| Arancini | Fried rice balls with meat, cheese, or vegetables | Sicily |
| Gelato | Italian ice cream | All over Italy |
Portugal
Portuguese food includes flavors. Seafood, spices, and pastries make up its dishes.
Start with bacalhau, dried and salted cod, in many ways. Also try sardines, grilled. For dessert, try custard tarts.
Portugal’s Best: Regional Eats
Portugal’s regions have specialties. Porto is notable for francesinha, a meat sandwich with cheese and tomato sauce. The Algarve has fresh seafood dishes.
Greece
Greek cooking has ingredients and flavors. Olives, lemon, and herbs make Greek dishes stand out.
Try souvlaki, grilled meat on a skewer. Also try moussaka, a casserole with eggplant and meat. Finish your meal with baklava, a pastry with nuts and honey.
Exploring: Greek Food by Region
Greece’s regions have dishes. Crete is known for dakos, a barley rusk with tomatoes and cheese. The Aegean Islands have seafood.
Malta
Maltese cooking is a mix of flavors, with influences from Sicilian, North African, and British food.
Try rabbit stew, considered to be Malta’s national dish. Also try pastizzi, pastries with ricotta cheese. For dessert, try imqaret, pastries filled with dates.
Malta: Dishes You Can Only Get There
Malta has unique foods. Gozo cheese is a favorite. Also try ftira, a sandwich.
Eating in Central and Eastern Europe
Central and Eastern Europe have food, with hearty meals. Influenced by varied history, the area’s cooking includes meat, potatoes, and spices.
Poland
Polish food is known for its hearty dishes, mixing flavors and ingredients.
One well-known dish is pierogi, dumplings filled with cheese, potatoes, or meat. Also try kielbasa, a sausage. For soup, try żurek, a sour rye soup with sausage and egg.
The Best of Polish Cuisine: Dishes from Regions
Poland’s regions have specialties. Krakow is famous for obwarzanek krakowski, a bagel. Zakopane has oscypek, smoked cheese.
Czech Republic
Czech cooking includes hearty meals and beer. Known for combining flavors, the Czech Republic gives unique food.
Try goulash, a meat stew with bread dumplings. Also try svíčková, beef sirloin in cream sauce. To drink, try Czech beer.
Czech Food: From All Over
The Czech Republic’s regions have dishes. Bohemia has trdelník, a cake. South Moravia is famous for wine.
Hungary
Hungarian cuisine includes flavors, with paprika. Known for dishes, Hungary provides meals unique to Europe.
Try goulash, a paprika-flavored meat stew. Also try chicken paprikash, chicken in paprika cream sauce. For dessert, try chimney cake.
Specialties by Region
Hungary’s regions have dishes. Debrecen has sausage. Lake Balaton has fish soup.
Romania
Romanian dishes include a mix of flavors from Balkan, Slavic, and Turkish cooking. Known for hearty meals, Romania provides varied food.
Try sarmale, cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice. Also try mici, grilled sausages. For dessert, try papanasi, cheese dumplings.
Romanian Regional: Dishes to Try
Romania’s regions have dishes. Transylvania gives goulash. The Danube Delta is famous for fish dishes.
Bulgaria
Bulgarian food includes flavors from Balkan and Turkish cooking. Known for ingredients, Bulgaria provides unique flavors.
Try Shopska salad, a tomato, cucumber, pepper, and cheese salad. Also try banitsa, a pastry. For soup, try cold cucumber soup.
Bulgaria: Highlights Region by Region
Bulgaria’s regions have dishes. Rhodope Mountains have dishes. The Black Sea comes alive with food.
Summary
Europe features a varied food scene with dishes from different flavors. From Western Europe to Central and Eastern Europe, you can see something new. Whether you want tapas in Spain, pasta in Italy, or goulash in Hungary, European food provides an experience. Traveling through Europe is the best method to enjoy these dishes.
So, are you ready for your food adventure around Europe? Get to pack your bags and prepare your taste buds for some unforgettable experiences. Europe is waiting for you.
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