10 Best Cities for Local Food in Europe
Where to Find Europe’s Best Local Food?
Our guide to the best cities for local food in Europe invites you to explore the cuisine of the old continent from quirky food markets to Michelin-starred dining experiences. We’ll take you to Greek tavernas, Neapolitan pizzerias, and the street kitchens of quaint Spanish towns. You’ll learn about the main ingredients that make food in Lyon, Lisbon, Graz, and Dubrovnik so special and delicious that people from all over the world flock to taste it.
These unique places have one thing in common: food and eating well are seen as a way of life, a passion. So, enjoy long, leisurely dinners with friends, shopping for foodie souvenirs, and sampling local snacks as you feast your way through Europe.
1. Lyon, France
The gastronomic capital of France
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Lyon is often called the stomach of France as it boasts more restaurants per person than any other place in France and foodies are truly spoilt for choice. For a simple, but delicious home-cooked meal, head to a ‘bouchon,’ a traditional lace-curtained, wood-lined local bistro. Lyon offers an incredible selection of stellar Michelin-star restaurants from the classic Paul Bocuse to the modern Saisons. You can even book private gourmet tours in the Halles, the indoor food market, or culinary tours around Lyon.
This stunning city sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Work up an appetite by visiting the Roman amphitheater and marveling at the medieval and Renaissance architecture in the old town.
Lyon, France
2. Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain
Salt-stained, baroque town famous for seafood
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Dubbed Spain’s new capital of gastronomy, Sanlucar de Barrameda is famed for its soft and sweet potato, ‘spunta,’ and its unique, prized king prawn. You won’t find foams and gels garnished with Michelin stars here, but hearty meals served in old bars, small palaces with gardens, and bodegas behind the white walls of former convents, perfect for long, lazy weekend lunches.
Take in the translucent Andalucian light in this delightful town of churches and wineries at the mouth of the Guadalquivir by strolling along the river beach. On the promenade, you can shop for souvenirs such as manzanilla sherry and local art. Sanlucar is located by the Gulf of Cadiz, just 15 miles (24 km) from Jerez de la Frontera.
Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain
3. San Sebastian, Spain
Pintxos and beaches by the Bay of Biscay
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The northern Spanish town of San Sebastian is a foodie’s treasure chest for any type of budget. One of the best ways to experience its cuisine is by sampling an array of pintxos, which are Basque-style snacks, or the heavenly Basque cheesecake that will melt in your mouth. For upscale dining, head to one of the Michelin-starred restaurants. San Sebastian also boasts some of the best food markets in Spain with many local and seasonal treats such as Idiazábal cheese and guindilla peppers.
A great way to experience this vibrant town is to hop on a surfboard at Zurriola Beach. If you prefer dry land, take a leisurely stroll on the beach on your way to dinner.
San Sebastian, Spain
4. Naples, Italy
Birthplace of pizza
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The cuisine of the colorful Naples comes with no frills and lots of history. It’s the home of pizza and the divine San Marzano tomatoes that are grown in the rich volcanic soil at the base of Vesuvius. Naples is packed with street food vendors, cafes, and iconic pizza places such as L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, made famous by the best-selling novel ‘Eat, Pray, Love.’
After a couple of days in Naples, you might be ready for a digestive treat. Head to an unassuming kiosk, Acquafrescaio, and ask for “limonata a cosce aperte.” Made from Sorrento’s tasty lemons, bicarbonate soda, and sulfuric water, this perfect pick-me-up is just what you need after a weekend of excess.
Naples, Italy
5. Thessaloniki, Greece
Where traditional tavernas and modern gastronomy meet
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Thessaloniki, the culinary capital of Greece, is a UNESCO city of gastronomy and famed for perfect pastries, spicy meatballs, delicious wine, and a vibrant street food scene. This beautiful coastal city is brimming with markets filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and seafood. The delicious, affordable street-food treats like gyros and souvlaki are a must-try for any food lover. Retsina, the local pine-resin flavored wine makes an excellent souvenir.
To burn off calories, take a guided tour of the best markets in town, stroll through the Gaudi-like Pasha’s Gardens, or check out the hip and historic Ano Poli neighborhood. Or pack your towel and bathing suit and head out to Pozar thermal baths for an exciting day trip.
Thessaloniki, Greece
6. Graz, Austria
A baroque city with a sumptuous cuisine
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Graz in southern Austria is a city for gourmets, gastronomes, and grazers. Called the ‘capital of delight,’ Graz boasts an incredible array of restaurants, cafés, street food, farmers’ markets, culinary events, food tours, and even night markets. Local and sustainable are keywords here; the easy availability of hand-cured meats, artisanal breads, and cheeses has turned the city into a foodie’s dream.
In Graz’ many gourmet shops, you’ll find delicious local treats to take home such as Styrian wine, the region’s celebrated pumpkin seed oil, and Schlossbergkugel, a chocolate ball with a decadent truffle filling. You can reach this cute historic city in about 2 hours from Vienna by car.
Graz, Austria
7. Ibiza, Spain
From beach bars to fine dining zones
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The Balearic island of Ibiza is world-renowned for its beaches and party scene, but it’s also home to some of the best food in the Mediterranean. This fun island is generously peppered with family-owned fish restaurants, cozy beach bars, countryside fincas, and Michelin-starred eateries. Authentic Ibizan cuisine is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, and French cooking, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
If you’re looking to escape the tourist hotspots and find the best local food, prepare for a road trip and head to Santa Gertrudis or San Antonio. People in Ibiza typically eat, party, and sleep late; most restaurants are open for lunch from 1 pm to 4 pm, and for dinner usually from 8 pm to late.
Ibiza, Spain
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Seafood heaven
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The southern Croatian city of Dubrovnik is renowned for its Mediterranean cuisine influenced by Italian, Greek, and other coastal cultures. Given its location on the Adriatic Sea, you’ll find many delicious seafood dishes across the restaurants, from mussels and shrimp to tuna and calamari. Other traditional food consists of grilled meats, hearty stews, and vegetables. One must-try dish is the ‘Black Risotto,’ a rice dish colored by cuttlefish ink and packed with fresh shellfish.
For a post-meal walk head to the beautiful Old Town, encircled by massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. Dubrovnik’s well-preserved baroque and gothic buildings are the perfect backdrop for ‘Game of Thrones’ inspired holiday photos.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
9. Bologna, Italy
Birthplace of lasagna, tortelloni, and mortadella
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Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, has secured its place at the hub of Italian cuisine with its quality ingredients harvested from the nearby Po Valley. Bologna’s pride and joy is its mortadella, which you’ll see on every menu in town, alongside other hallmarks of the traditional food scene like lasagna, tagliatelle al ragù, and tortelloni. You’ll find century-old restaurants for fine dining, casual bottegas for handmade fresh pasta, and street food shops for fried crescentine.
To stretch your legs between meals, stroll through the city and take in the stunning medieval towers and nearly 25 miles (40 km) of porticos that hug the city. Bologna is also home to stellar museums where to spend a rainy day.
Bologna, Italy
10. Lisbon, Portugal
From authentic local eateries to Michelin-star restaurants
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Lisbon’s vibrant culinary scene ranges from traditional tascas serving local dishes to modern, fusion eateries, all happily co-existing among the city’s steep, blue tile-adorned streets. The picturesque Portuguese capital benefits from its proximity to the sea and the countryside. This gives access to a huge range of high-quality produce like cheese, olive oil, meat, and fresh vegetables. Lisbon is most famous for its amazing seafood such as bacalhau (cod) and sardinhas (sardines), and the delicious egg custard pastry, pastel de nata.
In a city that’s been built on 7 hills, it’s easy to work up an appetite. Once you make it to the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the city and the sea.
Lisbon, Portugal
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