Calling all lovers of gastronomy across Europe: we have put together the ultimate mouth-watering, hunger-generating list of the 10 best food countries across Europe, for you to salivate over at your leisure! Food hailing from the European countries is as rich as it is diverse, ranging from the meaty Frankfurter sausage to the buttery breakfast companion le croissant – not forgetting of course, spaghetti bolognaise or a good old plate of fish and chips! Each country enjoys its own unique flavor combinations, many of which originate from centuries ago, when the range of ingredients was far less broad and depended largely on what could be grown locally. Today, while ingredients can be flown in from anywhere in the world, it is still the locally produced dishes that inspire us most; what’s more enjoyable than tomatoes grown and ripened under the Mediterranean sun?
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To ensure this list is definitive, we have used a selection of research criteria: not only have we ranked countries according to the number of Michelin-starred restaurants (per 100,000 residents, to take into account the huge variation in population size), we’ve also included, where available, the number of Bibs Gourmands (number of restaurants offering a simple meal of quality for under 30 euros (35, in larger cities). Not just focusing on the dining experience, we’ve taken into consideration some key questions we hope will assess the quality of each country’s food; namely, the quality of the food (this was measured by the diversity of the diet, as well as overall access to clean water). Using both these criteria, we can give you an accurate picture of which countries truly deserve their place in the 10 best food countries in Europe. Of course, we are not suggesting good food can only be found in Europe – have a look at our article 11 countries with the best food in the world for a more global appreciation of our culinary exports!
10. Greece
Kicking off our list, it’s the country that brings us dolma (stuffed vine leaves) and feta cheese. Dishes feature delicious locally produced ingredients such as olive oil, sun-ripened tomatoes, olives, nuts, honey, aubergine and courgette. Much has been reported on the health benefits of Mediterranean food, and in its purest form, the Greek diet is nutritionally rich. Its climate lends itself to growing fruits such as figs, and grapes, not to mention pungent herbs such as oregano and sage and thyme. As far as meat is concerned, the Greek landscape lends itself to sheep and goat farming. Abundant lamb dishes as well as cheeses made with goat’s or sheep’s milk (such as feta and halloumi) are prominent on the menu. If you’re brave enough, you could wash down your meal with a glass of the rather robust spirit ‘ouzo’ – often at 38% proof, it’s not for the faint-hearted!
9. Denmark
The food of Denmark has become synonymous with pastries or a pack of bacon, but this country has outstripped its Scandinavian neighbors in this year’s first-ever Michelin guide to the Nordic Countries, featuring a total of 30 starred restaurants (Denmark only has a population of 5.6 million, making the stars count for more in our research). While traditional food still features highly on the its menus, this country’s cuisine is enjoying something of a renaissance. Many serve a range of different smørrebrød: open sandwiches of rye bread served with toppings such as herring, eel, eggs, beef or cheese. Denmark is justifiably proud of its gastronomy and the restaurant industry here is thriving, making it a perfect time to visit!
8. Portugal
Eaten two, perhaps three times a week, salt cod or bacalhau, is a staple of the Portuguese diet and eaten far more than piri-piri chicken! Seafood in general is abundant, owing to its long stretch of coastline. Red mullet, octopus and tuna all appear regularly on menus, as well as pork, cooked ‘confit-style’. Black Iberian pigs are bred in oak forests and fed on acorns along the Spanish border. Desserts-wise, pastéis de nata (a creamy custard cup) is perhaps the best known, and features on menus across the world, particularly in the Far-East. It began life in a bakery in the Bélem region of Lisbon, and can be found on many a street corner across Portugal. Simple but delicious!
7. The Netherlands
Whilst the Netherlands may not be one of the countries boasting hundreds of Michelin-starred restaurants, this small Benelux country famed more for its windmills and tulips than its culinary heritage does well for another reason: it comes top for nutritional diversity as well as consistently lower food prices. Feast yourself on delicious pancakes (usually thinner than the American version), which are served both as a dessert, with apples and cinnamon, or as a savory course stuffed with cheeses and meat. Look out for poffertjes –tiny, fluffy versions which are often found at fairground stalls. Unsurprisngly, Holland’s strong colonial history plays a strong part in its gastronomy of today, with many Indonesian influences still in evidence. Take the delicious BamiGoreng, for instance: a mouthwatering bowl of noodles fried in garlic, served with onions, vegetables, meat, egg and, of course, chilli. With such a range of dishes on offer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the Netherlands.
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6. Belgium
Think of Belgian cuisine, and no doubt it is moules-frites which springs to mind, but this tiny Benelux country has more to its culinary repertoire – and over 100 Michelin-starred restaurants. Street stalls selling hot waffles (gaufres) topped with anything from whipped cream to chopped strawberries will make anyone with a sweet tooth drool, and that’s before we’ve got onto the chocolate! There are more than 2,000 chocolate shops in this country of only 11 million people and if you’re in the country that invented praline, we defy you not to sample a box. If savory dishes are more your thing, try waterzooi – a hearty stew usually made with chicken or fish – and wash it down with a glass of famous Belgian beer!
5. United Kingdom
Scoring highly in both number of Michelin-starred restaurants as well as food hygiene and diversity, the UK marks the halfway point of our list of the 10 best food countries in Europe. Owing to its cultural history with settlers from all over the world, the UK has a diverse range of influences on its gastronomy. Perhaps best summarized by the Anglo-Indian ‘fusion’ dish chicken tikka masala, the over-riding feature of modern UK cooking must be the union of flavours. That’s not to say local traditions have been eliminated, though; anyone who has a roast Sunday lunch can expect to have it served with a Yorkshire pudding (although in parts of the country, it is served as a starter and covered with lashings of gravy). Other dishes particular to the United Kingdom include the Scottish tradition of haggis (a sheep’s stomach stuffed with its diced liver, lungs and heart; it’s nicer than it sounds), Welsh lamb stew with leeks, and the Ulster Fry – a variant on a traditional fried breakfast, featuring traditional northern Irish soda bread and a potato farl.
4. Spain
Think of Spanish food, and tapas might be the first thing that springs to mind: small but enticing dishes featuring delectable mouthfuls of croquettes or perhaps some tortilla – potatoes and onion baked in egg – or a bowl of patatas bravas – cubes of fried potato served with a spicy tomato sauce or sometimes aioli, tapas has something for everyone. Cured meats are also prevalent, with chorizo being a common addition to many dishes. Of course, each region has its own delicacies: in the Catalan region (the first region of Spain to write a cookbook!), bread rubbed with tomatoes and olive oil, Andalucia is the region which gave the world gazpacho, and in Extremadura, the dessert of leche frita, or fried milk. What can be said for almost all the regions, though, is that they all feature a hearty mix of tomatoes, olive oil and cured meats. Delicious!
3. Germany
History tells us German meals tend to be hearty and heavy, featuring good quantities of bread and meat. However, its 400+ Michelin-starred restaurants tell us there is a more delicate side to German cuisine, and its high ranking on nutritional diversity make Germany a fantastic place to eat. Many German restaurants still feature traditional dishes such as sauerkraut and sausages, eintopf, (literally meaning ‘one pot’: a practical name for a one-pot stew), finished off with a piece of apfelstrudel for dessert. Germany also brought us the brezel – a large, soft pretzel shaped bread roll, and of course, the Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte: black forest gateau, a delicious chocolate cake with lashings of cream and cherries.
2. Italy
Scoring highly both in the number of Michelin-starred restaurants relative to its population, as well as food hygiene and cost, it is no surprise that Italy fares so well in our list. And so the runner-up is the country that has brought us pizza, pasta and spaghetti bolognaise, not to mention ciabatta and the humble toasted panini (or panino, as it is called in Italian). Italy is a similar size and shape to California, and within its long, thin ‘football boot’ shape, there is huge diversity in its cuisine. The north enjoys rich, cream-based sauces and stuffed meats, while in the south and Sicily, you can expect tangy tomato-based sauces and plenty of seafood. Try arancini (fried balls of risotto stuffed with anything from mozzarella to ragu), caponata if you’re in Sicily (eggplant with pine nuts and sometimes sweetened with raisins), or a polenta-based dish if you’re in the north. This country offers so many flavours and varieties, you will never get bored of sampling what it has to offer.
1. France
French writer Molière wrote that ‘it’s good food, not fine words that keeps me alive’. Perhaps epitomizing ‘gastronomy’ itself (think how many words in the culinary word are of French origin), it is no surprise that we crown France as the winner of our 10 best food countries in Europe! With a whopping 609 Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as hundreds of bibs gourmands, you’ll not find yourself hungry in France. Coming second only after the Netherlands when we consider food hygiene and nutritional diversity, eating is a national hobby. Whether it’s the simple soupe à l’oignon or a plate of local cheeses, everyone has their favorite French dish. The coastlines offer dishes abundant in fresh seafood, while inland, be sure to try out a clafoutis – a delicious cherry dessert. In the north, Brittany is regaled for its vast array of crêpes and savory pancakes (galettes), and with just about every region producing its own wine, there’s always something delicious with which to wash down your meal! Santé!
