These are our favorite food cities in Europe, #2
When we go on vacation, the food may well play the biggest role in where we go. Long lists are made in advance, restaurants are booked and the best markets are sought out. Do you recognize yourself in this? At these three destinations in Europe, you’re guaranteed to get your culinary fill.
Lisbon: affordable
Portugal’s capital is hugely popular as a city-break or holiday destination. No wonder, because the food is fantastic and costs next to nothing. Being by the sea, there’s an abundance of fish, but meat lovers also have plenty of choice here.
Pastel de nata
And if you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be especially well catered for in a city full of pastel de nata, Portuguese pride and our favorite custard tart. A visit to Lisbon’s oldest pastelaria is a must-visit. At Pastéis de Belém, there’s a huge line full of tourists, but locals also come here for their pastries. If you want to avoid the line, go early in the morning. At Confeitaria Nacional, you can also sit down for lunch and finish with a delicious pastel de nata. Of course, you can also simply take them home by the box. You don’t have to hold back because of the cost. And be sure to try something other than pastel de nata too!
Mercado
If you like being surrounded by stalls serving delicious food, Mercado da Ribeira is where you need to go. An indoor food hall where we especially recommend the tuna prego, a fantastic tuna sandwich. But you can also go there for perfectly cooked octopus, croquetas in all shapes and sizes or a good glass of wine.
Piri piri and sardines
While Dutch people may immediately think of a Knorr World Dish when they hear chicken piri piri, in Portugal it’s a true art form. Rows of chickens cooking over charcoal with an incredible piri piri sauce. In our opinion, Bonjardim serves the best. Another Lisbon specialty is sardines. Grilled briefly with a squeeze of lemon, because the little fish are fresher than fresh, nothing more is needed. Be sure to stop by Pateo 13, where you can sit and enjoy the terrace.
Michelin-star pizza
Star-quality food at an affordable price? Then go to Pizzaria Lisboa, where star chef Jose Avillez makes the most delicious pizzas. Including olive spherifications—you’ll want to see that. O Talho is for true carnivores. The menu is full of beautiful steaks and burgers, as well as a steak tartare with nori, horseradish sauce and vodka.
Marseille: seafood
Being by the water means seafood, seafood, seafood. At the harbor, you can buy freshly caught fish from small fishermen, eat raw oysters or settle down at one of the atmospheric restaurants.
Bouillabaisse
One thing is certain: you can’t leave Marseille without having eaten bouillabaisse. The origins of this hearty, fishy soup lie in Marseille, and it’s one of our favorites. One of the best-known places to eat it is Chez Fonfon. With a beautiful view of the water and an exceptionally good soup. Reservations are recommended here, because we’re unfortunately not the only ones who think this place is fantastic. Too late to reserve? You may still be able to get bouillabaisse at Chez Madie.
Bistro
Le Malthazar is a low-key bistro where you can enjoy a delicious menu at a good price. Unpretentious food that looks simple, but is all delicious thanks to the use of only the best ingredients. The menu changes daily, but expect French classics.
Pizza
Believe it or not, Marseille is also known for its pizza. Food trucks with wood-fired ovens are scattered throughout the city, selling pizza. Order the anchovy and olive one at Chez Jeannot to stay in that briny mood.
Rome: classic Italian
Pasta, pizza, gelato—in Rome you’ll find all the Italian classics. The tastiest food often looks the simplest, but it’s always packed with flavor.
Pizza
For pizza, go to Da Baffetto. Definitely expect to stand in line, with nothing but shouting Italian men at work. They call that atmosphere, right? At the end of the line, you’ll find the most incredible pizza with an ultra-thin, crispy crust. If you still have room, you can order gelato with truffle for dessert. In the Trastevere area and craving pizza? Then go to Dar Poeta.
Supplì
Crispy fried rice balls with cheese in the middle sound like heaven—and they are. Supplì are the perfect five-o’clock snack with a cold beer. They resemble Sicilian arancini, but are slightly smaller, and arancini don’t contain cheese. Get the very best at Supplizio.
Cacio e pepe
If you can only eat one type of pasta in Rome, it has to be cacio e pepe. There are plenty of places to get a delicious plate of it. Our hero Anthony Bourdain ate it at Roma Sparita, where the pasta is served in a bowl made of Parmesan cheese. We’re also fans of Da Felice, where the waiter tosses the pasta together at your table until the sauce reaches the perfect consistency. And the cacio e pepe at Flavio al Velavevodetto has never disappointed us either.
Classics
Maybe not a restaurant you would immediately walk into when passing by. But at Osteria Bonelli, you can mainly eat Roman classics for next to nothing. The daily menu is written in Italian on a chalkboard; for €8 you get a pasta dish and for €7 a main course. Expect dishes such as Italian-seasoned sausages, tender meat with rosemary and olive oil, and fresh pasta and gnocchi.
Gelato
Of course, you can’t visit Rome without eating at least one, but preferably three, gelatos every day. Our favorite is Giolitti. Gelato, ice-cream cake, homemade Magnums—they take ice cream very seriously here. They have every flavor you could dream of; also try a scoop of rice ice cream sometime!
Can’t get enough of cookies? At Frigidarium, you get the most delicious crunchy cookie on top of your tower of ice cream.
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