European Gastronomy Guide: Best Dishes by Country

Traveling through Europe is also a culinary journey. Each country, each region, each city has its own gastronomic identity. This guide will take you through the most emblematic flavors of the continent.

🇮🇹Italy

Pasta Carbonara

Egg, guanciale, pecorino. The authentic Roman recipe.

Pizza Napoletana

Wood-fired, San Marzano tomato, buffalo mozzarella.

Gelato

Artisanal Italian ice cream. Look for "produzione propria".

Risotto

Arborio rice with saffron in Milan, seafood in Venice.

🇫🇷France

Croissant

Flaky, buttery. Best fresh from boulangeries at 7 AM.

Coq au Vin

Chicken braised in Burgundy wine.

Crêpes

Sweet or savory (galettes). Try Nutella and banana.

Macarons

Delicate almond meringue cookies. Ladurée is iconic.

🇪🇸Spain

Paella

Saffron rice from Valencia. Original has rabbit and snails.

Jamón Ibérico

World's finest cured ham. Look for "bellota" (acorn-fed).

Tapas

Small plates to share. Patatas bravas, croquetas, gambas.

Gazpacho

Cold tomato soup. Perfect for summer in Andalusia.

🇵🇹Portugal

Pastéis de Nata

Custard tarts. Belém in Lisbon has the original recipe.

Bacalhau

365 ways to cook codfish. Try "à brás" or "com natas".

Francesinha

Porto's meaty sandwich covered in cheese and beer sauce.

Bifana

Pork sandwich in crusty bread. The Portuguese fast food.

🇩🇪Germany

Bratwurst

Grilled sausages. Nuremberg and Thuringia are famous.

Schnitzel

Breaded veal or pork cutlet. Austrian influence.

Pretzels

Soft, salted bread. Perfect with beer in Bavaria.

Currywurst

Berlin's street food: sausage with curry ketchup.

🇬🇷Greece

Moussaka

Layered eggplant, meat, and béchamel. Greek comfort food.

Souvlaki

Grilled meat skewers in pita with tzatziki.

Feta Cheese

Protected origin. Amazing in Greek salad with olive oil.

Baklava

Sweet phyllo pastry with honey and nuts.

Gastronomic Travel Tips

• Avoid tourist traps: Restaurants near major attractions are usually overpriced and mediocre.
• Eat like locals: Lunch is the main meal in many countries. Look for "menu del día" or "formule déjeuner".
• Markets are gold: Visit local markets for authentic products and street food.
• Reserve for fine dining: Michelin-starred restaurants need weeks of advance booking.
• Download apps: TripAdvisor, The Fork, and Google Maps reviews help find hidden gems.