5 Foodie Destinations of Europe

Think of Europe and what comes to mind? Waters that sparkle like discovered gems as you coast along the winding roads of the Amalfi Coast. Climbing the narrow staircases of an ancient castle, missing stones from the wall, allowing you glimpses of the yawning countryside beyond. Taking in the beauty of history that hangs in the famous gallery you've been dying to visit since childhood. 

Perhaps all of the above?

But it's not just the places and the people... it's the smells, the touches, and - most importantly - the taste. Any avid traveller will tell you that half the pleasure of travelling is in the food. Discovering a new favourite dish, something you could never have imagined existed until you sat down at a randomly-selected restaurant on the side of a dimly-lit cobbled alleyway in the winding streets of a small village. You pick something at random from the menu, partly because you don't know the language well enough and partly because you're always up for a little adventure. And then you taste it. That taste you didn't know you needed until now.

A warmed criossant that crumbles at the touch, raspberry jam so sweet your mouth believes its candy. The way the meat falls apart in your mouth. The sweeping coolness of a cold glass of Limoncello refreshing you after hours of exploring cobbled streets and sandy beaches. 

Food is memory. Taste has the power to take us back - to our childhood, to a perfect night, to that time you travelled in Europe and discovered a new favourite cuisine.

And we want you to get to know these places. Our love of travel goes beyond Scotland and the UK, which is why we want to show off some of our favourite destinations of Europe, too. Portugal, Italy, Spain, Switzerland... who knows where we'll go next. And if you're planning on joining us on our tour (or heading to Europe on your own adventure), we have a few tips for you when it comes to food - our top five foodie destinations and their top delectable dishes that cannot be missed.

Porto, Portugal

For Francesinha sandwiches  (and Port, obviously)

Porto is a rich and vibrant city in northern Portugal. Many voyage there to explore the Ribeira District and indulge in a port wine tour, to learn about the history of its port wine trade and the legends that haunt its history, but don’t miss out on the rich culinary heritage to be found among its streets.

And what we're going to suggest might seem a little out there, but trust us, foodies are going to love this. But maybe skip breakfast for this one – the Francesinha.

This hearty sandwich consists of ham, smoked and fresh sausage, and steak; covered in melted cheese and a tomato and beer sauce, served with fries and a fried egg on top. Sometimes there's turkey, other times tofu - but it always packs a delicious punch.

It's invention can be attributed to Daniel David de Silva, a man who spent time in France and Belgium, developing a love for the croque-monsieur. Upon returning to Portugal, he wanted to adapt the dish to Portuguese tastes. And in 1953, he revealed his creation at A Regaleira, a restaurant in the city of Porto. 

Today, this rich, savoury, and slightly spicy 1950s invention is popular throughout Portugal with locals and visitors alike, and it will be one taste you won't forget.

Palermo, Sicily

For street food and indulgences 

No one is surprised that Sicily is known for its food. Delicious and well-presented, the Sicilians are blessed with fresh local ingredients that thrive thanks to their climate, such as herbs like rosemary and mint, lemons and oranges, pistachios, olives, almonds, and prickly pears. Fresh fish is in abundance, too!

There are local classics like Cannoli and Arancina – but here are a few quirky dishes you should try. Perhaps you’ll start with a Crocchè, a popular street food snack of fried potato. And for lunch, try a Pane e panelle, fritters stuffed into a sandwich, topped with sesame seeds. A skewered and grilled Stigghiola makes for a great afternoon snack.

And for dessert, you may grab a famous Cassata Siciliana  too – ricotta cheese, marzipan, and candied fruit. Origins of this sweet dish are believed to be from the city of Palermo in the 10th century, when Sicily was under Islamic rule, known as the Emirate of Sicily.

Gruyères, Switzerland

For delectable Gruyères cheese

The quaint Swiss village of Gruyères is a curious little place. Quirky, one might say. Out of the way, definitely. Memorable, no arguments here. This cobbled and quaint village is home to a medieval château, a museum and bar dedicated to HR Giger (the designer of Alien), a Tibetan museum,

It's also famously the home of Gruyère cheese.

Creamy, nutty, complex, and absolutely moreish, it's been around since the 12th century, and only cheese produced in this specific region using traditional methods can be known as Gruyère.

However, it’s not just cheese that you can look forward to. Gruyère’s versatility means you can savour its taste in fondue, a Croque Monsieur sandwich, in quiche, and even in soups.

You can visit Gruyères via train or even join us on tour.

Bologna, Italy

For the home of Bolognese

There’s usually one person in every family who has their own take on a Bolognese. Every dish of Bolognese you have - whether in someone's home or at a restaurant - tastes a little bit different. Each with its own unique zing. And something about that rich depth of flavour makes the mouth water, doesn’t it?

This incredible dish found its origins in the Italian town of Bologna. The earliest documented recipe dates back to the 18th century. Known locally as ‘ragù alla bolognese’, you can’t just sample it once. And, as mentioned, each restaurant that serves it will have their own way about it, but you're always in for something delicious.

Basque Country, Spain

For Pintxos, the tapas of the Basque

The Basque people have a unique and ancient culture that they’re immensely proud of. They’re one of Europe’s oldest cultures, with a free-spirited and experimental approach to cooking, resulting in their own ‘cuisine in miniature’ called Pintxos. The best way to experience these tapas-like delights? Through the cultural practice of ‘poteo’ or ‘txikiteo’, which involves bar hopping with friends, enjoying a drink and pintxo at each stop. 

And there are so many pintxos to choose from - there are thousands of pintxos ranging from traditional Basque food to modern, avant-garde dishes to devour. Most of us know from experience that almost anything can be put on bread and taste amazing, but the Basque way usually involves hake, cod, anchovy, stuffed peppers, tortilla de patatas, and croquettes. 

And honestly, any excuse to bar/pintxos hop sounds fine by us - you could even try it with new friends on a tour of the Basque region.

We've always been big fans of stepping out of your comfort zone, going beyond what you might already know. You won't regret getting a little adventurous with your food in Europe. Maybe you'll be inspired and take the memories of a sharp and incredible dish home with you and introduce it into your own household cooking. And each time you serve it - to yourself, to friends, to family - it will be like serving up a souvenir.