Food in Europe is not one single cuisine. It is a patchwork of regional traditions, and one of the clearest ways to understand a place.
From espresso at a standing bar in Naples to smoky halloumi in Cyprus, every dish carries geography, history and habit. Olive oil tastes different depending on the soil. Bread changes texture from region to region. Even coffee comes with its own rules.
I’m Hazel, a former chef turned travel writer, and I travel through Europe with one consistent goal: to understand each destination through what it eats and drinks.
This page brings together all of my European food guides in one place. If you are planning a trip, building an itinerary, or simply deciding what to order once you arrive, start here.
Italy: Regional Traditions and Local Specialities 🇮🇹
Italian food changes dramatically from north to south. What you eat in Naples is nothing like what you will find in Puglia or Sardinia. The key is to think regionally, not generically.
🍕 Food from Naples, Italy: Pizza, Pasta and Street Eats
🍝 Food From Puglia: 15 Must-Try Dishes & Local Specialities 🍝
🥂 Food in Alberobello: Restaurants, Cafés and Wine Bars
🍞 Food in Sardinia: 11 Traditional Dishes to Try
🌮 Bari Street Food: A Culinary Tour of Puglia’s Capital
🍷 Guide to Wine in Puglia and the Best Wineries to Visit
Spanish food is built around sharing. Small plates, late dinners, strong flavours. On the islands, regional identity becomes even more pronounced, from sobrasada in Mallorca to papas arrugadas in the Canary Islands.
🍊 Food of Mallorca: What to Eat and Drink on the Island
🦀 Food in the Canary Islands: 14 Traditional Dishes
(Menorca guide coming soon.)
France: Markets, Pastries and Café Culture 🇫🇷
French food moves between refinement and comfort. Morning pastries, market produce, long lunches and regional specialities all play a role.
🥐 Food in Paris: Classic Dishes and Where to Try Them
Portugal: Atlantic Flavours and Island Traditions 🇵🇹
Portuguese cuisine is bold, salt-forward and deeply regional. Salt cod appears in countless variations, while Madeira introduces smoky espetada and bolo do caco flatbread.
🐟 Food in Madeira: What to Eat and Drink
(Portugal mainland guide coming soon.)
Cyprus: Meze, Halloumi and Mountain Produce 🇨🇾
Cypriot food is generous and communal. Expect grilled meats, fresh salads, local cheeses and long meze spreads that unfold course by course.
🧆 Food in Cyprus: 12 Dishes and Drinks You Need to Try
Malta: Mediterranean Influences with British Echoes 🇲🇹
Maltese cuisine blends Italian, Arabic and British influences into something distinct. Pastizzi, rabbit stew, fresh seafood and honey-drenched desserts all feature heavily.
🐇 Food in Malta: Traditional Dishes and Local Specialities
Austria: Coffee Houses and Hearty Classics 🇦🇹
Austrian food balances imperial-era elegance with Alpine comfort. Schnitzel, goulash, strudel and structured coffee culture define the experience.
🍽️ Food in Vienna: Schnitzel, Strudel and Seriously Good Coffee
🍰 Best Sachertorte in Vienna: Sacher vs Demel (And My Honest Verdict)
☕ Vienna Coffee Culture Explained (And Why the Staff Seem So Unimpressed)
🏛️ Famous Vienna Coffee Houses I Visited (And What They’re Really Like)
United Kingdom: Regional Classics and Market Culture 🇬🇧
British food is more regional than many visitors expect. Scotland, England and coastal regions each have their own traditions, from smoked salmon and whisky to pasties and market-led street food.
🥃 Food in Scotland: 18 Traditional Scottish Dishes
🍫 7 Cosy Places for the Best Hot Chocolate in London
🌭 What to Eat and Drink at the Edinburgh Christmas Market
🍫 Top 8 Cosy Places for the Best Hot Chocolate in Edinburgh
Frequently Asked Questions About Food in Europe
Here are some common questions about food in Europe, from regional specialities to how to find authentic dishes.
What is Europe famous for when it comes to food?
Europe is known for regional diversity. Italy is associated with pasta and pizza, France with cheese and wine, Spain with tapas, Austria with schnitzel and pastries, and Cyprus with halloumi and meze. The key is that most countries vary dramatically by region.
Which European country has the best food?
There is no single answer. Italy and France are often cited, but Portugal, Cyprus, Austria and Scotland offer distinct culinary traditions that are equally memorable.
How do you find authentic food in Europe?
Look for local markets, neighbourhood cafés and family-run restaurants. Avoid menus translated into multiple languages with identical tourist pricing. Ask what is seasonal or traditional rather than defaulting to familiar dishes.
Why Food Matters When You Travel
For me, food is not a checklist item. It is context.
It explains trade routes. It reveals migration patterns. It reflects climate and agriculture. It shows what a culture celebrates and what it preserves.
If you want to understand Europe properly, start with what is on the plate.
More guides are added regularly, and this page will continue to grow as I travel.
👉 Looking for practical travel tools? Check out my Travel Resources page.
