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🇭🇷 Croatia /Culture & Society

Europe’s culinary map: Top chefs reveal eight cities where food is best

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Travel + Leisure consulted leading chefs on eight European cities known for distinctive food scenes.
  • The recommendations span Florence, Paris, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul and Berlin, highlighting markets, local specialties and acclaimed restaurants.
  • The chefs emphasize regional ingredients, culinary traditions and modern innovation across the destinations.

From street food to Michelin-starred dining, Europe offers a seemingly endless range of culinary experiences. Travel + Leisure brought together leading chefs to identify eight cities that food lovers should put on their itineraries.

true soul of Florence

· Paolo LavezziniThe chef recommended Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio as a place to experience Florence’s authentic character.

Florence is presented as a moving feast, with Four Seasons head chef Paolo Lavezzini pointing to the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio as the place to discover the city’s “true soul.” He recommends lampredotto, a sandwich made with boiled beef stomach, at Tripperia Pollini, a relaxed lunch at Beppa Fioraia and dinner at Fratelli Briganti.

Paris offers a different scale of experience. Chef Sébastien Giroud calls it the “birthplace of modern gastronomy,” praising its range from simple bistro meals to theatrical three-Michelin-star dining. Sometimes, he says, a warm croissant from Mamiche bakery can be enough to win a visitor over permanently.

birthplace of modern gastronomy

· Sébastien GiroudThe chef described Paris’s place in culinary history.

In northern Europe, Copenhagen is described by chef Philip Kirschen-Clark as “every food lover’s dream.” The city stands at the center of the new Nordic cuisine movement, represented most famously by Noma. He recommends Torvehallerne market, local cheeses at Arla Unika and Danish open sandwiches, or smørrebrød, at Hallernes. Stockholm’s modern cuisine draws on close ties with nature. Chef Niklas Ekstedt says the city’s strong restaurant culture keeps chefs “focused and honest.”

every food lover’s dream

· Philip Kirschen-ClarkThe chef praised Copenhagen’s food scene.

Barcelona combines culinary innovation with Catalan tradition. Marwa Preston, founder of Elysian Tales, says “the ingredient is the protagonist,” with menus emphasizing the origins of products such as Maresme peas and Palamós prawns. Athens is described as an underrated food destination. Chef Petros Dimas says visitors arrive expecting ruins but leave talking about what they ate, recommending Varvakios Agora and restaurants in Metaxourgeio and Keramikos. Istanbul brings together Ottoman traditions, regional cuisines and street food, while Berlin rounds out the list with its own cultural fusion. The supplied text ends before detailing Berlin’s recommendations.

the ingredient is the protagonist

· Marwa PrestonShe described Barcelona’s emphasis on local products and their origins.
About this summary

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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