Europe’s Ultimate Food Bucket List: 15 Dishes You Can’t Miss

This post may contain affiliate links which means we may get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our disclosure for details.

Are you ready to travel to Europe through iconic dishes one at a time? Together, Europe represents over 40 countries with a population of more than 745 million. It is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, with some of the world’s most diverse, tantalizing dishes.

Recent studies show the culinary tourism market is expected to grow by USD 126.28 billion from 2022 to 2027 – a clear sign of our collective desire for culinary adventures. Over (much of) the continent, food is a go-to gamble. This guide walks you through an unforgettable gastronomical voyage through 15 must-try dishes that encapsulate what would be considered the heart and soul of European cuisine.

Goulash (Hungary): A Taste of Tradition

Image Credit: Valeva1010/ Wikimedia Commons

Goulash is a masterpiece of Hungarian cuisine. It is a hearty, paprika-laden stew with tender beef, vegetables, and spice. Dating back to the 9th Century, it is sometimes regarded as Hungary’s national dish. It pairs beautifully with freshly baked bread or noodles.

One of the city’s most authentic servings of goulash can be had at Budapest’s For Sale Pub. 

Paella (Spain): The Essence of the Mediterranean

Image Credit: Wilfredo Rafael Rodriguez Hernandez / Wikimedia Commons

The Spanish paella comes from Valencia and is a must for any Spanish dish made with saffron-infused rice, seafood, chicken or rabbit, and fresh vegetables. Presenting it communally brings people together to have an authentic Mediterranean experience.

Wiener Schnitzel (Austria): Crisp and Classic

Image Credit: Nadin Sh/ Pexels

Wiener Schnitzel is a quintessential Viennese dish: a breaded and fried veal or pork cutlet sliced in half, served with potato salad or lingonberry jam. It dates back to the 19th Century and is a hallmark of traditional Austrian cooking.

You’ll want to taste this delicacy at the staple Figlmüller, which has served the schnitzel for over 100 years. 

Pizza (Italy): A Bite from Naples

Image Credit: Muffin Creatives/ Pexels

Pizza has to be on the food list! It’s hard to get more classically and iconically Neapolitan than with this thin-crusted pizza, mozzarella di bufala, basil, and San Marzano tomato sauce. Pizza is more than an art form—it’s designated UNESCO-listed cultural heritage.

The best pizzeria in the world? It’s L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Naples, where eating like a local is easy. 

Croissant (France): The Perfect Pastry

Image Credit: Ron Lach/ Pexels

France is known for its rich baking traditions, and the buttery, flaky French croissant is its eponymous bread. This pastry is said to have Austrian origins, but it was adopted and made a French icon as the years rolled by. It serves as a breakfast staple all over the world today. 

If you’re in Paris, head to Du Pain et des Idées for a croissant you won’t forget. 

Köttbullar (Sweden): Swedish Comfort Food

Image Credit: N509FZ/ Wikimedia Commons

Köttbullar, or Swedish meatballs, are as comforting as they come. Traditionally served with creamy gravy, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry lames (bearberry jam), their small, sweet, savory serving of meatballs perfectly balances sweet and delicious. 

Start saving your ideas

A home-style version of this timeless dish can be found in Pelikan, Stockholm. 

Haggis (Scotland): A Taste of Heritage

Image Credit: Grendelkhan/ Wikimedia Commons

Although it raises eyebrows, haggis is a Scottish dish well embedded in Scottish culture. Made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs mixed with oats and spices, haggis is served with “neeps and tatties” (turnips and potatoes) and enjoyed as part of Burns Night festivities. 

A traditional haggis experience can be had at Edinburgh’s The Royal McGregor. 

Moussaka (Greece): Layers of Flavor

Image Credit: Dieter Mueller (dino1948) / Wikimedia Commons

This hearty Greek dish of baked eggplant, ground meat, and béchamel sauce is made in rich layers. Although it has Ottoman Empire origins, it’s universal. Enjoy a take on classic moussaka at Mani Mani in Athens. 

Pierogi (Poland): A Dumpling Delight

Image Credit: Heidi Meudt/ Wikimedia Commons

These half-moon-shaped dumplings are stuffed with all fillings: potatoes and cheese, meat, or fruit compotes. Whether boiled or fried, pierogi are usually served with sour cream or sautéd onions to add flavor. 

You can taste Poland’s favorite comfort food at Pierogarnia Stary Młyn in Krakow. 

Smørrebrød (Denmark): The Elegant Open Sandwich

Image Credit: cyclonebill from Copenhagen, Denmark/ Wikimedia Commons

It’s a Danish lunch staple and consists of dense rye bread topped with exquisitely arranged ingredients such as smoked salmon, pickled herring, liver pate, or cheese. Each bite is a well-tuned set of flavors and textures.

In Copenhagen, grab an artisanal version of smørrebrød at Aamanns. 

Pastel de Nata (Portugal): Sweet Indulgence

Image Credit: fw42/ Wikimedia Commons

Caramelized tops give these flaky custard tarts an international edge, but you must taste one in Portugal. Their history can be traced to 18th-century monks in Lisbon who looked for other uses for leftover egg yolks. 

For another original version of this Lisbon icon, visit the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery. 

Cevapi (Balkans): Grilled Goodness

Image Credit: Takeaway/ Wikimedia Commons

A cevapi is a loose, small minced meat sausage typically served with flatbread and ajvar (red pepper relish) on the side.

This street food is widespread across the Balkan region and is full of rich, smoky flavors. But the cervapi at Zavicaj in Belgrade, Serbia, may be some of the best in the region. 

Bangers and Mash (England): Pub Classic

Image Credit: Missvain/ Wikimedia Commons

This is the quintessential British dish: pork sausages served with creamy mashed potatoes and onion gravy. It’s a crowd-pleaser, a staple on pub menus, and a British comfort food classic. 

300*252

Go for it at London’s quintessential English pub, The Churchill Arms. 

Swiss Cheese Fondue (Switzerland): A Shared Experience

Image Credit: Brücke-Osteuropa/ Wikimedia Commons

It’s a bubbling pot of melted cheese into which chunks of bread, potatoes, or vegetables are dipped. Yes, the meal is known as fondue, but it’s not just a meal; it’s an experience so engrained in Swiss culture. 

In Zurich, there’s Le Dézaley, which serves an authentic cheese fondue.

Baklava (Turkey): A Sweet Ending

Image Credit: Kultigin/ Wikimedia Commons

A centuries-old dessert from Ottoman kitchens consists of layered filo pastry filled with nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup. The pastry is sticky, crunchy and heavenly.

If you are in that part of the world, stop by Hafiz Mustafa in Istanbul to get some of Turkey’s most famous baklava. 

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

15 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World

15 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World

Discover the Ultimate Beachfront Dream: Top 10 Places to Buy Your Perfect Waterside Home in America!

Discover the Ultimate Beachfront Dream: Top 10 Places to Buy Your Perfect Waterside Home in America!

10 Popular Places in The US. That Have Tent Cities Today

Photo Credit: gsagi

10 Popular Places in The US. That Have Tent Cities Today

Start saving your ideas

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *