After exploring more than 20 European countries, avid traveler Carinne Geil Botta has identified five cities that stand out for their exceptional culinary offerings.
Botta, who moved to the UK in 2021 with the goal of maximizing her travel opportunities, has developed a particular appreciation for the diverse food scenes across Europe.
“As a self-proclaimed foodie, one of my favorite things to do when traveling is to explore the culinary scene,” Botta explained.
Her European food journey highlights Athens as a destination where simplicity meets flavor. Greek cuisine impressed her with dishes that don’t require “a million ingredients to be memorable.” Beyond traditional fare at establishments like Karamanlidika and Ella Greek Cooking, Botta recommends exploring the city’s multicultural offerings, which include Kurdish, Ethiopian, and Thai cuisines.
“One of my favorite restaurants is Feyrouz, which serves fresh artisanal Levantine street food. Its peinirli (a sort of boat-shaped pizza) and lahmacun (a Middle Eastern flatbread) shouldn’t be missed,” she noted.
Copenhagen earned a spot on her list for its innovative culinary approach. The Danish capital is home to what Botta describes as her “favorite pastry in the world: a cardamom bun from Juno the Bakery.” She characterized it as “warm, buttery, doughy, and oozing with aromatic cardamom and pearl sugar.” For visitors to Copenhagen, she suggests Mad & Kaffe for brunch and Torvehallerne market for traditional smørrebrøds.
In Portugal, Porto captured Botta’s attention not only for its namesake fortified wine but also for its food offerings. She recommends Conga for traditional bifana sandwiches and venues like The Door, TapaBento, and The Wine Box for tapas. For the classic custard pastry pastel de nata, she directs travelers to Fábrica da Nata and Manteigaria.
Florence tops Botta’s Italian destinations. “It’s extremely walkable, boasts striking Renaissance art and architecture, and has the best pizza, pasta, and gelato I’ve had in the country,” she stated. Her recommendations include Gustarium Firenze for pizza, La Giostra or Osteria Pastella for pasta, and Sbrino for gelato made with natural ingredients, which she considers “the best gelato I’ve had anywhere in the world.”
Botta now calls Edinburgh home and praises the Scottish city for having “the best fish and chips I’ve had in the UK” at the Scran and Scallie. For traditional haggis, she directs visitors to Arcade Bar or Whiski Rooms, while Eleanore and Moss showcase “the very best of Scottish produce.” She suggests completing an Edinburgh food tour with a visit to Stockbridge for coffee at Cafēn and pastries from Lannan Bakery.
Through her extensive travels, Botta has compiled these recommendations based on personal experience, creating a curated guide for food enthusiasts planning European adventures.