HUNGRY FOR ADVENTURE

Nowadays, people holiday for all sorts of reasons, but an increase in destination travel – seeking out a location to visit for a specific activity or experience, such as a particular hiking route you’ve wanted to tackle – has given rise to ‘culinary tourism’. This sector generated almost £9 million globally in 2023 and is estimated to near-quadruple by 2030.

For some, the world is now divided into a global dining map, with travellers keen to try new and exciting foods or superlative versions of favourites, whether at hyped restaurants, local markets, tucked-away tavernas or low-key street food stalls.

And while you might want to venture out of the UK to fully satiate your culinary curiosity, there’s no need to travel halfway across the world, since Europe houses a wealth of fantastic flavours.

Over the following pages we’ve carefully prepared a selection of Europe’s best cities to visit when your stomach demands more than your trusty local bistro can provide. And seeing as travelling is already an expensive business before adding in extended dining and drinking, we’ve factored cost into our choices and supplied a few tips for saving money on your travels. It’s the perfect appetiser for your foodie adventures.

SICILY, ITALY

As well as producing exemplary versions of Italian classics, the Med’s largest island also boasts its own specialities, the headliner of which is arancini – balls of risotto-style rice and filling, breadcrumbed and fried for an indulgent snack.

Let’s then jump straight to wine, because Sicily has a gem in Nero d’Avola, a bold but sweet red. As you might expect, it pairs perfectly with so much Sicilian cuisine, including rich favourites like pasta alla Norma (a pasta dish with fried or baked aubergine) and caponata (a stew-like vegetable accompaniment, again made with aubergine and tomatoes).

The bustling Sicilian capital, Palermo, excels in street food that showcases the island’s culinary heritage. Grab some panelle – crispy fritters made with chickpea flour and eaten in a bread roll for a hearty bite that fuels Palermo’s commuters and visitors.

Over in Syracuse, compact shop Caseificio Borderi makes what some claim are the world’s best sandwiches. While the classic order is meat-and- cheese-heavy, the friendly staff will craft you a (still- epic) sandwich with or without whatever you like.

WARSAW, POLAND

The joy of Warsaw’s food scene is its blending of classic Polish cuisine with contemporary and global food references. Pierogi – boiled dumplings with a variety of fillings – are perhaps Poland’s most well-known culinary export and can be found across Warsaw, whether at a stall in the Hala Koszyki food hall or in various upmarket restaurants.

But don’t miss out on other Polish favourites. Risotto-like kashotto is made with groats/grains like pearl barley or buckwheat, while zapiekanka is a popular fast-food-style snack – a toasted, open sandwich with mushrooms and melted cheese, drizzled with ketchup. Find modern twists on kashotto at innovative restaurants and grab zapiekanka from countless spots, including versions to suit all dietary requirements, such is the progressive nature of this dining scene.

Foodies should also pay a visit to Hala Mirowska, a cavernous market hall selling fresh produce and supplies, and a hub of local activity. There are also tons of great cafes and restaurants nearby.

LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

Slovenia’s capital has been quietly amassing foodie kudos for years, but still offers the appealing combination of fewer tourists and lower prices than bigger European capitals. As with all our picks, eating local is the way forward here. Look out for dishes like potica (a bread-like pastry with sweet fillings) and jota (a comforting stew with beans and sauerkraut).

If you want to splash out, there are – at time of writing – several Michelin-starred restaurants in Ljubljana (plus more spread around Slovenia), but more affordable meals can be found in the Old Town, which is a sensible place to start your journey through Slovenian cuisine.

Slovenian wine has also had its profile boosted over recent years. White wines are the main focus, but the country’s passion for producing now-fashionable orange wine (white wine where the grape skins have extended contact with the juice, creating a heavier, sometimes-earthier flavour) has put it in the spotlight. You’ll find it in numerous restaurants or you can delve deeper at shops like natural wine specialist Wine Store Štorija.

LISBON, PORTGUAL

Lisbon’s most famous edible creation is its pastel de nata, a custard tart said to have been created by monks in the Jerónimos Monastery in the Belém district hundreds of years ago.

The Pastéis de Belém bakery began using the recipe from the monastery in the 1830s, and now attracts flocks of visitors, but countless other spots provide a nata fix in various forms, including vegan versions at highly rated pastry shop Vegan Nata.

You could wander the buzzy Bairro Alto area – an obligatory visit whatever your agenda. But those on a deeper foodie mission should head to Príncipe Real, a stylish neighbourhood with restaurants covering anything from Mexican to Indian to Italian cuisine.

When it comes to drinks, light and luscious vinho verde – a slightly sparkling, zesty, often-white wine – is plentiful, as are myriad other fantastic Portuguese wines, but don’t forget to sip some port.