Europe is an incredibly diverse place, with so many different nations packed together and intertwined via elaborate transportation networks. Remarkable history, architecture and culture await those who visit but what we all look forward to most is trying the different foods available to us. Here we’ve produced our top four countries to visit in Europe for our fellow food lovers out there.
Italy
Italy is home to some of the best types of food and has influenced other cuisines all over the globe. Some dishes that come to mind include pizza, pasta, risotto and gelato; however, these cannot be fully enjoyed until tasted in Italy itself. Generations of passing down recipes and years of tradition have led to the Italians mastering their craft. By using freshly picked ingredients such as tomatoes, lemons and cold-pressed olive oil, our favourite meals have never tasted better.
Better yet, meals can be paired with a variety of Italian wine and limoncello – enjoy a glass of wine at sunset and give into La Dolce Vita!
Portugal
Portugal’s rich gastronomy can sometimes be overshadowed by its neighbours Spain and Italy; however, Portuguese cuisine is something you don’t want to miss. Whilst the ingredients used here are fairly simple, the flavours are wholesome and delicious. Arguably the country’s most famous food, pastel de nata, is an iconic dessert made of flour, eggs, butter, sugar and cinnamon. These custard tarts are cooked in an oven on a high heat, so the custard is both crispy and creamy.
No trip to Portugal would be complete without trying the country’s national obsession with Portuguese codfish, or Bacalhau. There are so many different ways to prepare codfish here that you could prepare a different dish for each day of the year. These include grilling, baking and frying or preparing a scramble of strips of codfish with eggs, potatoes, garlic, onions and olives.
Spain
Located on the Iberian Peninsula in Western Europe, Spain is widely known for its vibrant and fresh ingredients, unique flavours and contrast between its different regions, due to its history. Whilst two main ingredients dominate the dishes in Spain, garlic and olive oil, the regional differences have led to different types of cuisine throughout the country.
Eastern regions of Spain, like Valencia, are widely known for their rice-based dishes like Paella. Central Spain is where roast meats and stews dominate the food industry and The Pyrenees are known for their staple dish of chilindrones – a mix of onions, tomatoes and sauteed peppers that are usually served alongside the region’s main dishes.
Located off the coast of Spain, Mallorca is a stunning island with incredible cuisine. Whilst not part of mainland Spain, Mallorca is easily accessible by plane, and Palma airport transfers can be organised beforehand to reach your accommodation with ease. Seafood is what Mallorca excels at, with restaurants serving up fresh fish, squid and prawns on a daily basis. Pica Pica is a delicious dish served here containing stewed squid with a tomato sauce, garlic and paprika.
Greece
With recipes dating back many years, Greek cuisine has been heavily influenced by Ottoman, Italian and Middle Eastern cultures. Meals here are fresh and typically made up of meats, vegetables, grains, cheese, herbs, bread, olives and yoghurt – and don’t forget the ouzo after!
One of the country’s staple dishes is Moussaka, a multi-layered mix of spiced beef or lamb cooked in tomatoes, with fried eggplant and bechamel sauce. Another popular dish in Greece is souvlaki but note that this entirely depends on where you dine – every place will have its own recipe and unique spice blend and will differ in the quality of meat. Souvlaki can also be served in pitta, with chips, which is then what the Greeks call Gyros.
Last, but certainly not least, is the traditional Greek salad, a beloved dish all around the world. You’ll find that almost every meal in Greece is accompanied by the signature salad, which traditionally includes cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives and a large piece of feta cheese. Depending on preference, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper are used to dress the salad
