top of page
Writer's pictureAndrea Tomatis

Food You Must Eat In Europe: Part 1


This blog post is about the best food you must eat while you travel in Europe. This edition will be in different parts, so we can properly outline all the different foods found in different countries in Europe. In part 1 of this volume, it contains countries as France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Most of the food listed out, I have tried before and therefore must be tried while traveling around Europe. Enjoy and let me know what you think and if you have tried any of them.


For our first travel, we will go to France with its capital, Paris. Bonjour to all, as we would say and Bon Appétit!


I would recommend you trying the baguette, but not the one you buy at the grocery store. In France, it is very serious that each year there's a grand prix to determine the best one. Once you try the good stuff, you never go back.

The Escargot (snails) is a must try and for just about 8 euro, you can have six to yourself.

The Crepe is from the region in the northwestern France, Brittany. The crepe is usually sweet, but you can also have savory crepes as well to try.

For a main course, I would recommend trying the Salad Niçoise, the Steak Tartare, the Fish Stew, Frog Leg, Duck Confit, and Chicken in Red Wine. All iconic traditional dishes that can be found all over France in most brasseries, bars and restaurants.

French pastries such as Chocolate Croissant, a Croissant, Raisin Bread and also the Sugar Brioche must be tried; just try one and make it a good one.

France has also great desserts, such as, Apple Tart, Macarons, Christmas Log (only during Christmas), the Galette des Rois (only in January) and much more. These are some must try dessert that you won't regret it.


For our second travel, we will head to Italy with its capital, Rome. Ciao to all and Buon Appetito!



I would recommend the famous Pizza, where the crust is completely a different taste, and also with the crushed tomato topping. Pizza is believed to be best eaten in Italy and a trip anywhere in the country will not make you regret it. You can have all sort of pizza from the Margherita, Napoli, the Quattro Formaggi, Provola and more.

Traditional Balsamic di Modena, is one of Italy's most famous regional food. Enjoy this food mainly in Bologna, Modena, and in Emilia Romagna

Originating in northern Italy and the Veneto, the Risotto, a creamy rice dish made from short grain arborio rice and chicken, beef or vegetable broth. Popular in Milan where saffron is featured (Risotto Milanese). Another variation can be found in Naples and the Amalfi Coast, the Risotto al Limone, with lemon.

Famous Italian dish, the Lasagne (a pasta variety), is a wide, flat pasta with alternating layers of different filings that vary by region. The best places to enjoy such dish can be in Bolognia and in Emilia Romagna.

Famous pasta dishes include the Carbonara from Rome and Lazio, the Ragù a la Bolognese from Bologna and Emilia Romagna, the Pesto over Spaghetti from Cinque Terre and Liguria

The Osso Buco, a "bone with a hole" dish is a Lombardy region speciality and is traditionally made alla Milanese. With cross-cut veal shanks, vegetables, gremolata, white wine and broth, enjoy this delicious dish in Milan and in Lombardy, and of course the famous truffles from Emilia Romagna.

Originated from Northern Italy, the polenta, a cornmeal porridge can be found throughout the country of Italy. Topped with a ragu-style sauce and some grated cheese, you can also find it with sautéed peppers and onions with sausages or sprinkled with gorgonzola cheese.


For our third travel, we will progress to Spain. Hola to all and Buen Apetito! Enjoy the most iconic Spanish food. Don't leave Spain before trying this food that I list out for you.

The Gazpacho, the reddest, the ripest tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, bread, peppers, and cucumber are blended until silky smooth, then chilled and poured into bowls or glasses. It is delicious and refreshing, especially during the summer time.

In the Valencia region, they claim you eat different rice dish every day of the year, but stick to the most traditional version. Ingredients for the paella include chicken or rabbit, saffron, runner and butter beans.

The Tortilla Española, a Spanish omelette where the potatoes and onions are slow fried in olive oil and mix with the beaten eggs for the flavors. You can then add anything to make it a tasty meal.

The Patatas Bravas a famous Spanish dish can vary around the country, but all versions contains chunks of fried potato. In Madrid, bravas sauce is made with sweet and spicy pimentón, olive oil, flour and stock.

Pistou, the Spanish version of the ratatouille, is most typical in the towns and villages across the plains of La Mancha, south of Madrid. It is usually served as a starter, sometimes with fried eggs or chorizo, but a great side as well.

The Turrón or almond nougat is made in the small town of Jijona in the province of Alicante, using locally-grown almonds mixed with honey and egg white.



For our last trip of this first part, we will head towards Portugal. Olá to all and bom apetite! The list contains the food that must absolutely try while visiting Portugal, so don't leave the country all of them at least once.

The Caldo Verde, a iconic traditional Portuguese dish. From north of Portugal, the famous soup and popular in the winter time, although popular all year round.

The Bacalhau, a Portuguese cod fish, where no trip to Portugal would be complete without trying this iconic dish. From grilled, baked, canned and fried, you can easily find how you like it.

The Sardines, the celebrated Portuguese seafood dish is the summertime food of choice in Portugal. When fresh, sardines are eaten directly from the charcoal grill, marinated with olive oil and served with salads, rice or potatoes.

The next popular dish includes the Bifanas, the national Portuguese sandwich. This dish is a popular pork sandwich, made of succulent marinated pork served in crunchy white bread.

The Chicken Piri-Piri, a Portuguese chicken dish, served with chips or french fries and small lettuce, tomato and onion salad. Places in Portugal that sells this dish are churrascarias, where it is in every neighborhood of the country.

The next dish is a traditional Portuguese octopus dish, Polvo À la Lagareiro. In this dish, the octopus is served with boiled potatoes and are baked and roasted.

The last dish I would recommend you try is the Pastel de Nata, an iconic Portuguese dessert. This sweet and creamy Portuguese egg tart is made with flour, butter, eggs, cinnamon and sugar. The Pastel de Nata is served warm with a small strong cup of Portuguese coffee, called, bica in Lisbon.



Which European food would you try? Let us know on our social media!

11 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page