Food & drink

Food and drink guides — national cuisines, must-try dishes, regional specialties, street food and drink customs from Italy to Japan. The cuisine half of any travel decision deserves its own research.

What you will find here

• National dishes: where to try them, what to expect
• Street food guides per city
• Coffee, wine, beer and spirits by region
• Vegetarian and vegan navigation in different countries
• Dining etiquette and tipping per country
• Markets, food halls and gourmet experiences

FAQ

What are the essential foods to try in Italy?

Fresh pasta from each region (carbonara in Rome, cacio e pepe, tagliatelle al ragù in Bologna, trofie al pesto in Liguria), pizza napoletana in Naples, gelato artigianale, risotto in Milan, prosciutto di Parma, buffalo mozzarella in Campania, panzerotti for street food, tiramisù and cannoli.

What are the typical Spanish tapas?

Classics: patatas bravas (fried potatoes, spicy sauce), tortilla española (potato omelette), jamón ibérico, gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns), pimientos de padrón (small peppers), croquetas, boquerones en vinagre (pickled anchovies), churros con chocolate for brunch. Pintxos are the Basque Country version, usually on bread with a toothpick.

What is the most popular coffee in each European country?

Italy: espresso standard; cappuccino only before 11am. France: café crème in morning, espresso after meals. Spain: café solo, cortado, café con leche. Germany/Austria: Kaffee mit Milch or Melange (Austria). UK/Ireland: tea historically dominant, now flat whites and lattes popular. Scandinavia: filter coffee everywhere, huge consumption per capita.

What are the best wine regions in Europe?

Italy: Tuscany (Chianti, Brunello), Piedmont (Barolo), Veneto (Prosecco, Valpolicella). France: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Rhône, Loire, Alsace. Spain: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Rías Baixas. Portugal: Douro (Port), Alentejo, Vinho Verde. Germany: Mosel, Rheingau (Riesling). Rising: Slovenia, Hungary Tokaj, Greece Santorini.

What are the local beer traditions in Europe?

Germany: Reinheitsgebot purity law (1516), dozens of beer styles by region (Weißbier Bavaria, Kölsch Cologne, Pilsner everywhere). Belgium: trappist abbey beers, lambics, gueuze. Czech Republic: world’s highest beer consumption per capita, Pilsner Urquell from Plzeň. UK: cask ales, bitters, pub culture. Ireland: Guinness, Irish red ales.