Europe’s Best Cities for Food Lovers

Campo de’Fiori Market, Rome, Italy – Photo credit: Lauren Breedlove

Europe is a wonderland for foodies, with culinary capitals and tasty backroads full of opportunities enjoy a bite that turns into a trip highlight. From iconic classics to cutting-edge new cuisine, the experience of eating in Europe is always a thrill and the following list includes some of the best places to eat on the continent. Read on to hear about both longtime stalwarts of the European foodie scene and up-and-coming European foodie destinations. 

Rome, Italy 

From local takes on pasta like carbonara, amatriciana & cacio e pepe to pizza, fried artichokes, decadent maritozzi (cream-filled soft buns) and fried goodies called suppli, Rome is a food lover’s paradise. Here, you can have just as memorable of an experience at a no-frills trattoria as you can in an upscale ristorante, with the city’s character coming through in nearly every dish you eat.

London, England

Leadenhall Market in London at Christmas – Photo Credit: Scott Hartbeck

Alongside New York City, London has the best case for being the “capital of the world”, and just like NYC, you can eat your way around the world here. From Indian and Sri Lankan to Chinese, Polish and French, the city is a treasure trove of global food. Then, there’s the outstanding traditional British fare like fish & chips, pie & mash, beef wellington and the assorted petite treats served alongside afternoon tea. 

Lyon, France 

Paris may grab most of the attention, but foodies in the know rave just as passionately about Lyon. Perhaps no European city is more closely associated with a signature style of restaurant than Lyon is with its bouchons. These no-frills spots are famous for serving hearty food in a cozy atmosphere at wallet-friendly prices. Just a few of the local favorites include rosette (cured sausage), quenelles de brochet (Pike fish dumplings in a creamy fish sauce), and paillasson Lyonnais (a dish made of thick sliced stringed potato). 

Vienna, Austria

(Photo credit: Christian Kadluba /Flickr

From grand cafes serving more combinations of coffee, milk and cream than you ever imagined to crispy & juicy schnitzel and some of the best street sausages in Europe, Vienna is a foodie’s dream come true. This is to say nothing of the wine grown in the city limits (Vienna is the only European capital with this distinction) and the range of cakes and pastries so pretty you’ll feel bad slicing into them. 

San Sebastian, Spain

From back alleys filled with pintxo bars (the local take on tapas) pouring local cider & wine (don’t leave without trying some of the trendy lightly-sparkling Txakoli) to restaurants with Michelin-starred chefs at the helm, this city is all things to all food lovers. Its reputation has been rising for well over a decade now, so you’ll want to get your skates on and get there before it gets too popular. 

Bologna, Italy

The home of Bolognese sauce (also known as ragù), mortadella (known stateside as simply “bologna”), tortellini and much more, this city is heaven for foodies. Arguably the best thing about Bologna is that it is located at the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region, the home of Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar of Modena, the latter tasting so good in its homeland that it may just change your life. 

Ljubljana, Slovenia 

The fairytale capital of Slovenia is the finest place to experience the nation’s surging gastronomic reputation firsthand. Need proof? The first-ever Michelin Guide to Slovenia was published in 2020 and Slovenia was awarded the 2021 European Region of Gastronomy. Here, you will be able to feast on everything from regional Slovene dishes to stellar Japanese food all paired up with great local wine. Don’t leave the city without shopping for local honey at the historic Central Market or grabbing some “pizza burek”, a decadent late-night street food snack.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin, Germany – Photo Credit: AdobeStock

One of Europe’s great up-and-coming foodie destinations, Berlin is a place that can blow you away with falafel & currywurst one night and then impress you with new-school Asian & American the next. The German capital has also picked up a reputation as one of Europe’s finest places for vegetarian and vegan food. And all you need to know about its craft beer credentials is that when SoCal legends Stone Brewing set up a European brewing operation, they chose Berlin. 

Seville, Spain

Start your day with simple tomato on toast, then move on to cool salmorejo soup for lunch and then finish your day off with jamón ibérico or espinacas con garbanzos—the latter will change the way you look at chickpeas forever. Naturally, wash it all down with some local sherry. 

Stockholm, Sweden

Swedish Meatballs at Meatballs For The People in Stockholm. – Photo Credit: Julia Hartbeck

While food lovers have been swooning over the New Nordic scene in Copenhagen for most of the 21st century, Stockholm has (mostly) been relegated to the shadows. Not anymore. Fresh off its turn as the 2023 European Capital of Gastronomy, the city is going from strength to strength with a mix of new-school Swedish full of ingredients foraged in the nation’s forests and elevated takes on classic dishes like meatballs and seafood. Don’t leave town without visiting one of the city’s historic Östermalm Market Hall for some fresh shellfish at Lisa Elmqvist or lingering over a cup of coffee with some freshly baked cinnamon buns. 

Turin, Italy

Tuscany who? Foodies in the know are heading north to avoid the crowds and sink their teeth into the sensational food in Turin and its surroundings. Located in northwest Italy, Turin is the capital of the Piedmont region, and this elegant city is a great place to sample specialties from the entire area. A few of the highlights are rpolenta, risotto, bagna cauda (a gooey dip of anchovy and garlic), cheese and truffles. This is to say nothing of the city’s signature chocolate & coffee drink called bicerin and the outstanding wine from the nearby Barolo region.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal – Photo credit: Hans Brunk

The Portuguese capital has always felt like a bit of a foodie secret, but while its overall popularity as a destination is ever-increasing, its foodie reputation has still managed to fly under the radar. Here, you can enjoy decadent custard tarts, fresh grilled fish (best at humble beachside cafes on the outskirts of town), a myriad of pastries and local wine while still surprising a few people on your social media feed with the quality of what you’re feasting on.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.