Europe is an amazing continent with thousands of historic sites, interesting people and, of course, incredible food.
Trying the best that national cuisine has to offer is a “must” part of any vacation, and with so many incredible options to choose from, making a list of what dishes should you try first might be tricky. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this post, we’ve gathered the top 8 foods you shouldn’t miss on your grand tour of the most remarkable European countries.
1. Pizza in Italy
Let’s start with a bit of an obvious, but still everyone’s favorite choice – pizza in Italy. Although you can order this delicious dish in every corner of the world, no one can do it quite as well as Italians. A word of advice – go for the traditional Neapolitan pizza, topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. The classic that never gets old. And don’t forget to order some delicious Italian wine!
2. Paella in Spain
Spain has plenty to offer in terms of mouthwatering food, but paella is probably one of the most famous children of the country’s national cuisine. Although every corner of Spain has its own traditional recipe of paella and claims it to be the best (and miraculously no one is a liar in this case), Valencian paella is one of the most recognized around the globe. Usually, this dish is cooked with rice, beans, peas, rabbit, chicken, olive oil, and chicken broth, and it is at its best when matched with a glass of Spanish local wine.
3. Caldo Verde in Portugal
No authentic Portuguese experience is possible without a plate of the world-famous Caldo Verde – hearty soup that will still your heart and stomach. It’s made of potatoes, kale, a wide variety of vegetables, all slowly cooked in the broth with some salt until tender to perfection. One of the key ingredients that bring this delicious dish to a whole new level is the chourico sausage, which might be hard to find anywhere but in Portugal.
4. Schnitzel in Austria
Austria’s national cuisine is known for its variety – you can find everything from Hungarian goulash to German sausages on every table here! However, one thing that is an absolute must-try in this country is the schnitzel. It seems that veal cutlets breaded and fried till crispy and golden can’t be anything special, but Austrian cuisine is full of surprises, and don’t miss a chance to treat yourself on your trip to Europe.
5. Bratwurst in Germany
If you’re a meat lover, then Bratwurst is the dish for you. What hides behind the interesting name is the famous German sausage, known as the country’s national food. There are over 400 different varieties of this sausage in existence – most regions have their own special recipe. The best ones though are usually made from pork and seasoned with salt, white wine vinegar, pepper, or seeds.
6. Full English Breakfast in the UK
The calorie bomb and (much more importantly) an authentic English experience and a source of endorphins, Full English Breakfast, is a great way to start the day. Just imagine a full plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, haddock-cakes, baked beans, and black pudding, served with toast. The dish has been around since the mid-1800s when it was just called “a breakfast.” But the time has changed and most people opt for less heavy breakfast on a daily basis, so nowadays no one in England would refer to this meal as anything but Full English Breakfast!
7. Borscht in Russia
Borscht is a beet-based soup that’s both sweet and sour, and a hot plate of it can treat almost anything. For Russians, this dish brings back memories of their grandmothers cooking for them when they were young. For tourists, this soup is a stuff of legends and a great way to practice Russian, as the name of this iconic dish is quite tricky to pronounce.
8. Escargots de Bourgogne in France
French cuisine doesn’t need an introduction as the national dishes of this country are famous all around the world, and barely any is as famous as Escargots de Bourgogne. The dish is made of snails that are cooked in a garlic butter sauce, and it’s usually served on toasted bread for dipping. Even if you don’t find snail a very appealing ingredient, trust us, you won’t regret giving this dish a chance.
As you can see once more, European cuisine boasts incredible dishes, all different but equally amazing at the same time. Trying the local food when visiting a new place is one of the most fascinating experiences and often a first dive into the culture of the region. And exploring all the delicacies that Europe has to offer is a lifelong adventure for sure! Luckily, Europe boasts an excellent train system and it’s very easy to travel between its incredible destinations (you can check out what you need to know about the railway in Europe on rail.ninja), so you can broaden your experience and explore the rich world of national delicacies not of one, but of several countries during one tour.
