Europe's Best Culinary Destinations

One of the best ways to get a proper feel for a destination whilst travelling is through its food. Whether you’re someone who likes to try new and exciting flavours whenever you’re confronted with a menu, or someone who just likes to enjoy luxurious dining experiences when you’re on holiday, culinary vacations are a great way to experience the world.

Europe is a continent with plenty of options when it comes to where to visit, with every country offering different approaches to recipes, ingredients and traditional meals. We’ve picked out five of the best culinary destinations in Europe to get your mouth watering and inspire a gastronomic trip to the continent on your next holiday.

Italy

We’re kicking off our list of the best culinary destinations in Europe with a classic option; Italy. Famed for its pasta, pizza, gelato and wine, this is a part of the world where it’s actually pretty difficult not to enjoy excellent food and drink while you’re on holiday here.

There are influences in Italian cooking that trace all the way back to Roman times, but what most people don’t realise is that traditional food in Italy varies wildly depending on which region you’re in. Pizza comes from Naples in the south and pasta and bolognese sauce comes from Bologna in the north, but you’ll also mainly find seafood and much lighter dishes on the coast of the country, as well as much heartier, meat and vegetable-based specialities in the north near the mountains.

With such a breadth of food in Italy to discover beyond what’s commonly known and loved, one of the best ways to savour all of the country’s flavours is with private Italy food tours. Enjoy an itinerary put together by an expert who will ensure that you get a chance to try proper Italian cuisine from all over the country, served in the finest establishments.

Portugal

Classic Portuguese cuisine is hearty, meaty, cheesy and heavy on the vegetables and tomato. But the country has a long history of successful importation and also colonisation, meaning that the food here is influenced by other cultures and features flavours and ingredients that come from all over the world.

Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, was awarded the prize for Best Culinary Destination in Europe in 2024 at the World Culinary Awards, making it one of the hottest destinations for foodies to plan a trip to for their next holiday. Not only is the coastal city a fantastic place to enjoy some of the best Portuguese food in the country, but it also has the most diverse range of restaurants that mean you can enjoy Michelin Star dining and award-winning street food within a few minutes walk of each other.

And of course, Portuguese wine is growing in popularity for the exquisite quality of its different varieties. Head to the Douro region if you want to be in the heart of vineyards and wineries, enjoying all kinds of red, white and roses without too much of a hefty price tag.

France

Another classic European culinary destination is France, which is loved for its food and wine in equal measure. The French have always been patrons of exceptional flavours and refuse to settle for anything less, so it’s no surprise that so many people choose to visit the country when they’re looking to delight their tastebuds.

Your options are pretty endless when it comes to the best food to enjoy in France; you’ve got incredible pastries, delicious cheese, salty charcuterie, rich and meaty dishes and also Mediterranean flavours in lighter meals. Paris is a highlight for food because the capital city has so many different restaurants on offer, but places like Provence and the Dordogne are also brilliant for gastronomy.

We’ve got to mention wine in France as well, specifically areas like Burgundy, Bordeaux, Médoc and Saint Emilion. The reds that come from the country are famous all over the world, as is the sparkling variety that takes its name from the Champagne region.

Cyprus

You’ll find Cypriot cuisine to be pretty similar to Greek cuisine given that plenty of Greek Cypriots inhabit the island, although you should avoid pointing out this comparison to any Cypriot in person! Therefore, you can enjoy plenty of classic Greek dishes when you’re on the island as well as alternative versions that have been given a Cypriot twist.

Things like moussaka, stuffed vine leaves, tzatziki, and mezé platters are all common and delicious dishes in Cyprus, along with the ever-popular halloumi cheese which features in everything from salads to sandwiches. 

Nicosia is one of the best places to eat in Cyprus because of the variety of options in the city, whilst Limassol has a great multi-cultural mix of eateries. Stay in one of the many luxurious Cyprus villas for rent near Paphos or along the west coast, and enjoy more local cafes and restaurants that focus on fresh ingredients and classically Mediterranean flavours.

Spain

Our recommendation for the best culinary destination in Europe is Spain, which has undergone a serious makeover in terms of its gastronomic reputation in recent years. Not only is there a blossoming wine culture in the country, but the mix of different dishes from each region offers a diverse and exciting mix of different meals and flavours that are perfect for travellers seeking exceptional things to eat.

Like France and Italy, Spain has a collection of dishes that are well-known all around the world; things like paella, tortilla and tapas are all available around the country and can be very enjoyable. But you should also push yourself to discover more authentic and niche recipes if you’re visiting Spain for the food, like regional tapas specialities, certain seafood dishes, or modern takes on classic flavours.

Stay away from the resorts and the popular tourist towns and instead make the effort to seek out local restaurants and places where chefs are taking a more experimental approach to Spanish cuisine - you won’t be disappointed!

Are you feeling hungry yet? 

With so many amazing places to eat and drink in Europe, the choice of where to visit for a culinary holiday is a tricky one. Of course, if you can plan a multi-destination trip then you can enjoy the best of each country, sampling a wide range of dishes as you go. But even if you’re only planning a short break, you can be sure that almost every destination has some truly exceptional dining experiences on offer.