Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Maria Kennedy
Looking for thew best European city breaks for foodies? The good news is that the continent has a huge range of delicious experiences on offer. But with 44 countries in Europe, it would take you half a lifetime to visit all of their different cities. To help you narrow down the options, we’ve collected seven mouth-watering city breaks for foodies below.
European city breaks are a great way to sample some of the best food that the continent has to offer. Whether you’re looking for classic French cuisine, Spanish tapas, Italian pasta, or something more offbeat, there is a European city that will satisfy your cravings.
Europe is a veritable paradise for foodies, with its diverse range of cuisines, culinary traditions, and vibrant food cultures. From Michelin-starred restaurants to local street food markets, Europe offers endless opportunities for food lovers to indulge their taste buds.
Best European city breaks for foodies
Seville, Spain
Seville, located in southern Spain, is a vibrant city with a rich culinary heritage. The city’s cuisine is heavily influenced by its Moorish past, and it is famous for its tapas, which are small plates of food served in bars and restaurants. Some of the must-try tapas dishes in Seville include espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas), salmorejo (a cold tomato soup), and flamenquín (deep-fried pork wrapped in ham and cheese).
One of the best places to experience Seville’s food culture is at the Mercado de Triana, a bustling food market that offers a wide variety of fresh produce, seafood, and local delicacies. And for a truly authentic Sevillian dining experience, head to a taberna, a traditional Sevillian bar that serves local wines and spirits, as well as a range of tapas dishes.
You may also like: 7 Differences Between Spanish Tapas And Pintxos
Naples, Italy
Naples, located in the southern region of Italy, is a city that is synonymous with food. This southern Italian city has an endless number of tasty plates. Yet what makes a trip to Naples so special is the pizza. Made with local tomatoes and mozzarella, it’s an experience that’s hard to come by anywhere else in the world. Just make sure you fold the slice lengthwise to make sure you can savour every last bite.
The city’s cuisine is known for its simplicity and use of fresh, local ingredients. Naples is famous for its pizza, which is said to be the best in the world, thanks to the use of San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and a wood-fired oven.
Apart from pizza, Naples is also known for its street food. The city’s streets are lined with vendors selling arancini (deep-fried rice balls), cuoppo (a cone filled with fried food), and sfogliatelle (a crispy pastry filled with ricotta cheese).
For a more upscale dining experience, head to one of Naples’ many seafood restaurants, which offer a range of fresh fish and seafood dishes, such as spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams) and frittura di paranza (fried mixed seafood).
Paris, France
Rich history and gorgeous architecture aside, Paris’ cuisine is one of its biggest pulls. What else would you expect from the capital of the country that gave the world gastronomic staples such as Mirepoix? From big brunches to small and sweet treats, there are so many culinary experiences that Paris has to offer.
Paris, the City of Lights, is renowned for its culinary scene and is considered one of the best destinations in the world for foodies. The city offers a wide range of dining experiences, from traditional bistros and brasseries to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Parisian cuisine is heavily influenced by classic French techniques and is characterized by its focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. Some of the must-try dishes in Paris include steak frites (steak with fries), escargots (snails), and coq au vin (chicken cooked in red wine).
Paris is also famous for its bakeries and patisseries, which offer a range of delectable treats, such as croissants, macarons, and éclairs. And for those who love cheese, Paris has an incredible selection of fromageries, where you can sample some of the best cheeses in the world.
Gothenburg, Sweden
Gothenburg, located on the west coast of Sweden, is a foodie’s paradise with a diverse culinary scene. Known for its canals and idyllic islands, the coastal city is widely known as a hotspot for Nordic beers. It’s also home to great seafood eating, including each of the ‘big five’: lobster, crayfish, mussels, oysters, and shrimp.
The city offers a range of dining experiences, from traditional Swedish cuisine to international fare. Gothenburg is known for its seafood, and some of the must-try dishes include the local delicacy, surströmming (fermented herring), and the iconic shrimp sandwich. The city also boasts a thriving food truck culture, with vendors offering everything from Mexican tacos to Korean barbecue.
For a more upscale dining experience, head to one of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants, which offer creative and innovative dishes that showcase the best of Swedish ingredients.
Gothenburg is also home to several food markets, such as the historic Fish Market and the popular indoor market, Saluhallen, where you can sample a range of local and international delicacies.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is a city with a rich culinary heritage that reflects its diverse history and cultural influences. The city’s cuisine is characterized by the use of fresh herbs and spices, and it is famous for its kebabs, meze (small plates of appetizers), and baklava.
One of the best places to experience Istanbul’s food culture is at the city’s street food vendors, which offer a range of delicious and affordable dishes, such as simit (a sesame-covered bread ring), balik ekmek (grilled fish sandwich), and döner kebab (spit-roasted meat served in a wrap).
For a more upscale dining experience, head to one of Istanbul’s many restaurants that offer traditional Turkish cuisine, such as lamb shank cooked in a clay pot, or seafood dishes like grilled octopus.
Dusseldorf, Germany
Dusseldorf, located in western Germany, is a vibrant city with a rich culinary scene. The city is famous for its beer culture and boasts a large number of breweries, serving up traditional German beers such as Altbier. Dusseldorf is also known for its hearty cuisine, with some of the must-try dishes including Rheinischer Sauerbraten (marinated roast beef), Himmel und Äd (a dish of black pudding and mashed potatoes), and Flönz (a type of blood sausage).
Also known for its luxury shopping offering, this German city may not spring to mind for foodie trips. However, this under-the-radar city has a surprisingly diverse culinary offering. With interesting dishes ranging from the simple blood sausage Flönz to the wholesome pea and bacon soup, Ähzezupp, there are so many dishes that will keep you satiated during your visit.
With so many different dishes to try, consider the different ways you can make your stay longer – such as by booking transfers from Dusseldorf airport ahead of time.
For a modern dining experience, head to one of Dusseldorf’s many Michelin-starred restaurants, which offer creative and innovative dishes that showcase the best of German ingredients.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city with a rich culinary history that spans centuries. The city’s cuisine is characterized by its hearty dishes, which are influenced by the cuisines of neighboring countries such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Italy.
Some of the must-try dishes in Vienna include Wiener Schnitzel (breaded and fried veal cutlets), Tafelspitz (boiled beef with vegetables), and Gulasch (a hearty meat stew). The city is also famous for its coffee culture and traditional Viennese coffeehouses, which offer a range of sweet treats, such as Sachertorte (chocolate cake) and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel).
For a more modern dining experience, head to one of Vienna’s many gourmet restaurants, which offer creative and innovative dishes that showcase the best of Austrian ingredients.
These are just a few of the many European cities that are a foodie’s paradise. From Amsterdam to Madrid, from Berlin to Rome, Europe offers an endless array of culinary experiences waiting to be explored. So, pack your bags and get ready to embark on a gastronomic journey through Europe’s best city breaks for foodies.
What´s your favorite European city breaks for foodies?
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