I’m Kayla, and I eat with a small notebook in my bag. I write the good, the odd, and the “why is this so salty?” Travel feels like a series of plates to me. Some cities just stick. The smells, the lines, the messy napkins. Want the truth? I care about the little things—like bread baskets and late-night snacks. Here’s where I’ve eaten well, more than once, with real spots you can walk into.
How I Judge a Food City (quick and honest)
- Great basics: bread, coffee, produce
- A mix of high and low: street food and sit-down
- Markets that feel alive
- At least one dish I still dream about
- Fair prices or, if pricey, food that’s worth it
I rate with my stomach and a bit of common sense. Before any trip, I open Tasting Europe for a quick look at regional specialties and food events that might spice up my schedule.
If you're curious about how this entire itinerary came together, you can read the full play-by-play of how I ate my way across Europe.
Paris, France — Butter Runs the Show
I start every day with a croissant, no shame. My favorite one in Paris? Du Pain et des Idées. The escargot pastry with pistachio still haunts me. For lunch, I grab falafel at L’As du Fallafel. Messy. Joyful. Then I sit on a curb and just eat.
At night, Bouillon Pigalle is my budget friend. Classic French food, fast flow, big room. Crème caramel for dessert. If I feel fancy, I book Septime weeks ahead and pretend I’m very calm.
- Don’t miss: Breizh Café for buckwheat galettes, Berthillon for ice cream on Île Saint-Louis
- Heads up: Lines are long, and service can be… brisk. It’s Paris.
Rome, Italy — Pasta That Hushes the Table
Rome taught me to chew slower. Cacio e pepe at Roscioli felt like a class. The sauce clings. It’s simple, but not plain. Carbonara at Da Enzo al 29 made me smile like a kid. I stood outside for almost an hour and didn’t mind.
For a quick bite, I grab pizza al taglio at Pizzarium Bonci near the Vatican. Potato and rosemary is the sleeper. Then I wander with a cone from Gelateria del Teatro.
Need a deeper cheat sheet to the capital’s street snacks? I put together a first-person love letter to Rome’s street food that maps out every crunchy bite.
- Don’t miss: Trapizzino for pocket bread stuffed with stew
- Heads up: Tourist menus can trick you. Check the bill for extra charges.
San Sebastián, Spain — Pintxos Like Little Poems
This city is a snack parade. I do a crawl, no seats, small plates, lots of joy. At La Cuchara de San Telmo, the beef cheeks are soft and deep in flavor. Bar Nestor? Tomato salad that hits like summer. If the steak is on, get it. Borda Berri serves creamy risotto that’s not really rice. It’s orzo. Still dreamy.
- Don’t miss: Gambas at Ganbara, the mushrooms too
- Heads up: Many places close on Mondays. You’ll stand a lot. Worth it.
Lisbon, Portugal — Salt, Smoke, and Custard
I always start at Manteigaria for a warm pastel de nata. The shell shatters. The custard smiles back. For seafood, Cervejaria Ramiro is loud and bright. I crack shells and lick my fingers. Time Out Market is busy, sure, but it works if you’re with a group and can’t agree.
I love small tascas like Zé da Mouraria. Simple cod, olive oil, and those potatoes that drink the sauce. In June, grilled sardines fill the air during the street parties. Your shirt will smell like smoke. You won’t care.
- Don’t miss: Pastéis de Belém for the classic custard tart
- Heads up: Hills, lines, and sometimes salty plates. Bring water.
London, UK — A Whole Map on One Plate
London feeds every mood. Breakfast at Dishoom is my soft start: bacon naan and that black daal. Later, I wander Borough Market, steal bites, then end with cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy. When I want a proper sit-down, St. JOHN gives me roast bone marrow with parsley salad. Yes, it’s rich. Yes, it’s perfect. For pasta, Padella is fast and fresh. The cacio e pepe holds its own.
Tayyabs in Whitechapel does grilled lamb chops that sizzle and shout. I always over-order. I never regret it.
- Don’t miss: A pint and a meat pie at The Harwood Arms if you can snag a booking
- Heads up: It adds up fast. Bookings help.
Barcelona, Spain — Sunshine and a Fork
I like to start at La Boqueria market, but I skip the front stalls. I go to El Quim de la Boqueria for tiny fried squid and eggs. Later, I slide into Bar Cañete. The croquettes are creamy inside, crisp outside. Cal Pep is a party at the bar—tell them what you like, and plates will appear.
On lazy afternoons, I sip vermut in Gràcia and share anchovies with potato chips. The light hits the tiles just right.
- Don’t miss: Pa amb tomàquet done right—ripe tomato, good oil, rough bread
- Heads up: Pickpockets. Keep your bag close.
Copenhagen, Denmark — Clean Lines, Big Flavor
Yes, it’s expensive. But when it hits, it hits. I grab smørrebrød at Aamanns or Hallernes in Torvehallerne. The herring is bright. The roast beef has crunch and sauce. Juno the Bakery makes a cardamom bun that stopped me mid-step on the sidewalk. Hart Bageri also delivers, especially the flaky stuff.
For seafood, Kødbyens Fiskebar is crisp and cool. On a sunny day, Reffen street food park is a hangout spot. Coffee? The Coffee Collective—clean, sweet cups that taste like care.
- Don’t miss: Seasonal menus at small spots like Kadeau (book early)
- Heads up: Early closings and big bills. Plan meals.
Lyon, France — The Belly, And Proud Of It
Lyon cooks from the heart. I go to a bouchon like Café des Fédérations or Daniel et Denise. Quenelles in sauce, porky bits, and a glass of Beaujolais. It’s heavy. It’s happy. At Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, I snack as I walk: oysters, cheese, cured meats. I take a praline brioche to go and nibble all day. For a deeper dive into why the city prizes these comforting plates, skim through Lyon’s rich gastronomy and you’ll see how tradition flavors every forkful.
- Don’t miss: Salade Lyonnaise with a soft egg on top
- Heads up: Service windows are strict. Come on time and hungry.
Naples, Italy — The Crust Tells You Everything
I stood outside L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele for a long time. Then I ate the whole margherita. The crust had that soft leopard char. The sauce tasted like sun. At Sorbillo, the line moved fast, and the pie was big and playful. For a snack, I grab a folded fried pizza at Zia Esterina. Hot. Salty. Perfect for a walk.
Sweet bite? Sfogliatella at Attanasio. The layers crack, the ricotta is sweet but not too sweet.
- Don’t miss: Espresso at the bar—short and bold
- Heads up: Chaos and scooters. Keep calm and keep going.
Berlin, Germany — Street Food With a Pulse
Berlin is casual and straight-up fun. Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap? It’s famous for a reason. Juicy, crunchy, fresh. At Markthalle Neun on Street Food Thursday, I graze until I need a nap. Kanaan serves warm hummus that feels like a hug. For pastry, I like Princess Cheesecake. Slice first, regret later. If you want context beyond the street eats, this snapshot of Berlin's cuisine explains the city’s knack for mixing comfort food with global flavors.
- Don’t miss: Curry 36 for currywurst after a late night
- Heads up: Some places take cash only. Check before you order.
Quick Tips I Learned the Hard Way
- Eat early or very late to dodge lines
- One fancy meal per city, max, keeps the budget sane
- Markets make great breakfasts
- Share plates; try more things
- Ask locals where they eat on their day off
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