From Vienna to Kyiv: Five Best Culinary Destinations in Europe

Start your day with pastries and coffee in Austria, enjoy mussels and truffles for lunch in Croatia, savour borscht and varenyky in Ukraine, then finish off with Italian gelato and Spanish cider in the evening. Europe’s best culinary destinations are waiting for you, with Michelin-starred restaurants, local taverns, bistros, and street food.

Each stop on your gastronomic journey will offer you an explosion of flavours and unforgettable tastes. Book a culinary tour or set off on your own for the tastiest trip around Europe.

Rome, Italy – Pizza, Gelato, Pasta

The capital of Italy is the cradle of many civilizations, as well as the birthplace of many delicious dishes. Rome boasts 372 Michelin-starred restaurants — nearly  three times more than Paris! Dishes like Pasta alla Carbonara, Carciofi alla Romana, and Porchetta are culinary staples of Rome. In fact, any dish with the name “Alla Romana” is local. It’s no myth; Italians make the best pasta, the best pizza, and truly the best gelato in the world.

Many popular examples of Italian cuisine, like pizza and gelato, have been adopted by other countries. However, in Italy, even pizza and gelato can be light, healthy, and delicious. Want to indulge in Italian cuisine? Try artichokes as a starter, Rigatoni Carbonara, Pizza al Taglio, Trapizzino, and Gnocchi alla Romana.

Split, Croatia – Seafood, Meat, and Wine

Split, the capital of Dalmatia, is Croatia's second-largest city after the capital, Zagreb, and the largest city on the Adriatic coast. The restaurants and konobas in Split and the surrounding areas form the gastronomic base of Dalmatian and Mediterranean cuisine: fish, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, as well as meat and various cheeses with wine, combining ancient traditions with modern culinary trends.

In numerous taverns and rural houses, you can find traditionally prepared simple dishes and healthy food in the unique atmosphere of ancient stone streets and buildings. A variety of meat and fish dishes cooked in stone ovens, homemade smoked ham and cheese in oil, green pasta, and other homemade dishes are exclusive complements to Dalmatian fish cuisine, offering diverse choices but always the same satisfaction.

Split will seduce you with its architectural beauty and landscapes, its rich cultural and historical heritage, and, of course, its gastronomy!

Kyiv, Ukraine – Borscht, Varenyky, Uzvar

The capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, is renowned not only for its brave and talented people and ancient architectural landmarks but also for its delicious dishes, carefully collected from all corners of the country. Despite a wide variety, a few dishes stand out as the foundation of Ukrainian cuisine and are served in famous restaurants around the world. The main dish of the Ukrainian table is, of course, borscht. There are many stories about its origin, but in Ukraine, this UNESCO-recognised intangible heritage, Ukrainian red borscht, is typically eaten with salo (cured pork fat), black bread, onions, sour cream, and garlic buns.

Each chef in every restaurant prepares this dish in their own way, but it’s always delicious. Adding to the flavourful experience are various river and sea fish, meat dishes, sausages, rolls, fish and vegetable casseroles, berry pies, kapusnyak (sauerkraut soup), and porridges. Ukraine is also famous for its flour-based dishes like sochnyky, pundyky, medyanyky, and beverages like uzvar, kvass, and fruit liqueurs. Popular desserts include varenyky (dumplings) with cherries and syrnyky (cheese pancakes). Kyiv is sure to surprise you with new and unexplored tastes!

Vienna, Austria – Pastries, Coffee, and Chocolate

Did you know that it wasn’t the French who invented "Viennoiseries" (pastries in French), which got their name from "Vienna," the capital of Austria, one of Europe’s top culinary destinations? Viennese bakers were the first to warn the authorities of the war between the Austrian Empire and the Ottomans (Turks) in the 17th century. To celebrate Austria’s victory, they created a pastry in the shape of a crescent, like on the Turkish flag.

Culinary pleasure has always been a priority in Vienna. Here, you can see artistically designed displays of the imperial and royal court confectionery company Demel. They are as much a part of Viennese life as the coffee houses where people spend their time. In the summer, twenty restaurateurs offer dishes from around the world at the Film Festival at Rathausplatz. It’s the largest culinary event in Europe, quietly accompanied by operas, ballets, and concerts from classical to pop music. Gourmets are also entertained during Vienna Restaurant Week or at one of the nine Michelin-starred restaurants.

San Sebastián, Spain – Pintxos, Cider, and Paella

Find any excuse to visit San Sebastián. In addition to the unparalleled beauty of La Concha Bay—a famous shell-shaped bay—it’s worth coming here to enjoy the innovative cuisine that has made San Sebastián famous worldwide. Here, food is closely linked to a healthy lifestyle. In general, gastronomy is a form of art in San Sebastián and a hallmark of the city’s identity.

Its chefs have earned global acclaim, and its 16 Michelin stars give you an idea of the standards you can expect from local chefs. But the most valuable treasure for food lovers here is the famous pintxos: culinary snacks ranging from the original slice of bread piled high with food to tiny, miniature creations of haute cuisine. Of course, a region so well-known for its cuisine simply must have the perfect drink to accompany the food. This is cider, one of the locally produced drinks par excellence.