Explore Europe’s Hidden Culinary Gems from Ghent to Istria

From the lesser-known Istria in Croatia to the famous Black Forest in Germany, these regions provide food enthusiasts with the opportunity to taste new dishes or revisit reinvented traditional favorites crafted by a new wave of chefs.

Chosen from our book, Gourmet Trails Europe, these ten destinations promise your next delightful culinary journey.

1. Ghent, Belgium

When you think of Belgium, chocolate often springs to mind. However, Ghent, located in the heart of Flanders, is an emerging foodie hotspot known for its unique eateries, local delicacies, craft beverages, and, of course, delectable chocolates. Beneath its medieval charm lies a dynamic and trendy culinary scene that champions local, seasonal, and affordable cuisine. This eco-conscious destination even dedicates one day a week to vegetarian meals.

The proactive local Food Council implements sustainability programs, including the redistribution of leftover food from restaurants. Visit the docks for craft beer and artisanal coffee, and make sure to explore several of the city’s artisan chocolate makers, who contribute to its sweet reputation.

Where to eat

• Yuzu At Yuzu, artisan chocolatier Nicolas Vanaise crafts Japanese-inspired minimalist chocolate truffles that resemble calligraphy, featuring unexpected flavor combinations like lemon and coffee or chili, ginger, and corn.

• Publiek Founded by renowned chef Olly Ceulenaere of the Flemish Foodies movement, the Michelin-starred Publiek focuses on creating dishes from local, seasonal ingredients while minimizing waste. The six-course tasting menu showcases items like marinated herring with baby radishes, fava beans, and smoked seaweed.

2. Bordeaux, France

While Bordeaux often conjures images of sprawling vineyards and wine tastings, don't overlook its lively culinary scene. From bustling food markets and charming bistrots to tempting street food, delightful surprises await around every corner. Ditch the usual bistrot dishes for one of the North African eateries where you can indulge in couscous and tagines. Pair your meal with a visit to creative caves à vins, wine bars that serve delicious tapas alongside impressive wine selections.

Much of Bordeaux’s UNESCO World Heritage riverside, La Porte de la Lune, has roots dating back to the 18th century when it was a prominent global port. While wines were shipped from countless châteaux and vineyards nearby, this port also had a history of exporting enslaved individuals—a legacy that is gradually being acknowledged in the city and its culinary culture. Today, the historic docks and wine warehouses have been revitalized into vibrant residential areas, exhibition spaces, music and art venues, food markets, and hotels.

Where to dine

• Retro Tour Bordeaux If you're seeking a distinctive way to explore the vineyards near Bordeaux, Retro Tours offers vintage sidecar rides designed for wine enthusiasts, not just experts. Navigate scenic backroads through the vineyards, visit a château for a tasting, and conclude with a picnic amidst the grapevines.

• Les Capucins This stunning iron-and-glass market, established in 1749, is a delight for the senses. From foie gras and locally sourced Aquitaine caviar to duck confit and a plethora of cheeses, there's something to satisfy every taste.

3. Black Forest, Germany

Famous for its signature Black Forest Cake, this region of Germany boasts a culinary landscape as rich and enchanting as its beloved cherry dessert. The scenery resembles a fairy tale, with steep hills, dense valleys, timber-framed homes, and towering church steeples nestled among the trees. Local cuisine emphasizes seasonal ingredients and sustainable practices, including nose-to-tail and farm-to-table approaches that have flourished for over a century.

A stroll along the roads reveals numerous local artisans, including small distilleries crafting kirsch (cherry brandy), hills adorned with pinot vines, and farmhouses selling smoked ham and golden honey. You'll encounter foragers with baskets in the woods and vibrant farmers markets overflowing with fresh produce. The region's lesser-known eateries and inns are treasure troves of culinary history, serving hearty dishes like maultaschen (large pasta pockets filled with pork and onions) and zwiebelkuchen (onion tart with cream and caraway seeds). Conclude your culinary adventure with a slice of the renowned Black Forest gateau.

Where to dine

• Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu Renowned as one of the finest beers in the Black Forest, Alpirsbacher is crafted using pristine local spring water. Join a daily guided tour to learn about the brewing process, ending with a delightful beer tasting. Their flagship hoppy, full-bodied beer won gold at the World Beer Awards in 2020.

• Café Goldene Krone Located in the southern Black Forest, Café Goldene Krone is a women's cooperative cafe famous for its dream-worthy Black Forest cake: a multi-layered delight of moist chocolate sponge, tart morello cherries, and fluffy whipped cream, subtly infused with kirsch.

4. Southern Norway

The serene blue-grey hues of Southern Norway, featuring the deep blue North Sea, sandy beaches, and rugged fjords, provide an ideal setting for a culinary scene that merges creativity with sustainability. This region boasts an abundance of seafood, game, berries, mushrooms, and herbs, which fill the menus of quirky restaurants ranging from the world’s largest underwater dining establishment to former royal estates and even a repurposed school gym serving small Nordic plates. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy fresh oysters by the pier as you watch the sunset, reflecting on Norway’s bond with its land and surrounding waters.

Where to dine

• Under Located five-and-a-half meters beneath the North Sea, the glass-walled dining area of Under offers a Michelin-starred experience with an 18-course menu brimming with surprises. Make your reservation now if you plan to visit in six months!

• Smag & Behag This transformed 19th-century school gym, Smag & Behag, features a casual atmosphere perfect for savoring intricate small dishes, such as scallops paired with potato, cucumber, green strawberry, and fermented asparagus.

5. Southern Sweden

Chase the summer sun through Southern Sweden, from Gothenburg to Dalarna, and enjoy the treats of the Midsommar festival, a celebration that embodies the essence of Sweden. This age-old tradition, honoring the year's longest day, has transformed into a festive gathering for picnics in the woods with loved ones. If you time your visit right (Midsommar is celebrated on the Saturday between June 20 and 26), you'll indulge in feasts amid refreshing swims in crystal-clear lakes, hikes through pristine forests, and relaxing days at the beach. Be ready to embrace pickled herring, a highlight of the celebration.

In addition to pickled herring, savor smoked salmon, cream-rich strawberry cake, and snaps, Sweden's traditional spiced liquor. Midsommar also signifies the beginning of the summer foraging season, allowing you to gather wild bilberries, raspberries, and more in the woods. If you miss the June festivities, consider visiting in August for kräftskiva (crayfish party) season, when friends and family come together outdoors to enjoy steaming piles of vibrant red crayfish.

Where to dine

• Östermalms Saluhall If you wish to savor the essence of summer, visit Östermalms Saluhall, an upscale market bustling with stalls offering everything from fresh berry juices and Swedish cheeses to Baltic herring, which is lightly salted and preserved in sealed cans. This venue is your go-to for local seafood, seasonal herbs, and charcuterie delights.

• Sturehof Located on the upper level of the Sturegallerian mall, Sturehof is an exquisite local eatery known for serving whole crayfish that are boiled with salt, dill, and beer. If the classic boiled style isn’t to your taste, try them in a delicious crayfish sandwich instead.

6. Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Hebridean Isle of Skye, situated in northwest Scotland, is renowned for producing some of the finest foods in the country, which are creatively featured in the dishes of its skilled local chefs. Skye is currently experiencing a culinary renaissance that shows no signs of stopping. With some of the clearest waters in the UK, it serves as an ideal location for hand-dived scallops and oyster farming, two of the region’s premier local delicacies. While fine dining has long been a tradition here, a new wave of eateries—ranging from sheds and trucks to casual restaurants—are offering oysters, pizzas, and pastries, making dining accessible for both locals and visitors.

Many tourists embark on self-guided food tours to savor local specialties, including spirits crafted by distilleries that draw inspiration from the surrounding nature. Beyond this blossoming culinary scene, the island captivates with its enchanting landscapes, including footprints of dinosaurs that can still be seen at An Corran Beach.

Where to dine

• The Three Chimneys At The Three Chimneys, menus celebrate the island’s rich offerings from land and sea. Here, you can indulge in the flavors of Loch Dunvegan crab and the exceptional double-dived Sconser scallops, showcasing Skye’s abundant produce.

• Isle of Skye Distillers Isle of Skye Distillers creates the award-winning Misty Isle gin, made with fresh water from the Storr Lochs and local botanicals. Visit their Gin School to collaborate with expert distillers and craft your personalized bottle of gin to take home.

7. Istria, Croatia

From above, Istria resembles Venice, with its terracotta roofs contrasting beautifully against the blue-green waters of this picturesque peninsula. Much like Italy, the region is famous for its wine, olive oil, truffles, and cheese. Istria has preserved its local traditions, especially in food production, with family-run farms nestled among the rolling hills and ancient woodlands. Orchards, fields, olive groves, and vineyards dominate the landscape, while medieval stone houses in hilltop villages house gourmet shops and eateries. Notably, the grape varietals here differ from those found in many other wine regions.

Istria, along with Italy, is one of the few places worldwide where the highly sought-after white truffle can be found. If you visit in the autumn, during the peak truffle-hunting season, you might join local hunters and their dogs in the search for both white and black truffles. Even if your hunt is unsuccessful, you can expect to find truffle-infused dishes featured on every restaurant menu in the area.

Where to dine

• Ipša Owner Irene Ipša and her family provide guided tours of their olive mill, sharing insights about their family heritage, farming practices, and the Istrian peninsula. The experience concludes with a tasting of Ipša's four distinct oils, enjoyed in a beautifully designed tasting room or on the terrace surrounded by vines.

• Restaurant Zigante This upscale establishment specializes in truffles and offers a variety of dishes featuring them, from shrimp ravioli to truffle-infused ice cream. Enhance your experience by booking a room on the top floor and starting the next day with a delightful truffle breakfast.

8. Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Though part of Italy, Sicily is geographically closer to Tunis than Rome. This is evident throughout Palermo, with its date palms, qubba-topped churches, vibrant souk-like markets, bold street food, and colorful confections. This cultural melting pot has given rise to one of Italy's most distinctive cuisines, characterized by a sweet-and-sour flavor profile that incorporates pasta, couscous, and fresh seafood, enhanced with almonds, pistachios, pine nuts, and an abundance of locally grown vegetables and citrus fruits.

Authentic culinary experiences in Palermo can be discovered in the most surprising places: vintage backstreet trattorias, bustling markets, convent kitchens, and even private palazzos. It’s a vibrant street-food destination where you’ll find friggitorie (fried-food vendors), street carts, and classic vans selling arancini (fried rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters), and sfincione (Sicilian focaccia). Save room for the city’s delectable desserts: ricotta-filled cannoli, cassata, and frutta martorana (marzipan shaped like fruits or vegetables). You won’t want to miss out on any of these treats.

Where to eat

• Cooking with the Duchess At Cooking with the Duchess, you can prepare a meal in the very palace where Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa penned one of Italy's most acclaimed modern novels, Il Gattopardo (The Leopard). Led by the writer's daughter-in-law, Duchess Nicoletta Polo Lanza Tomasi, these classes culminate in a multi-course Sicilian feast, accompanied by stories shared around the dining table in the 18th-century seaside palazzo.

• I Segreti del Chiostro Located in a 15th-century Dominican convent, I Segreti del Chiostro has revitalized classic desserts such as couscous dolce (semolina couscous with almonds, pistachios, walnuts, candied fruit, and chocolate) and fedde del cancelliere (shell-shaped marzipan filled with apricot jam and cream). Be sure to arrive early and don’t leave without trying one of their divine cannolis.

9. Thessaloniki, Greece

Thessaloniki has had various names throughout history — including Salonica, Salonique, and the modern Saloniki. Situated on the Via Egnatia trade route connecting Rome and Asia, the kitchens of ancient Thessaloniki embraced a blend of spices like pepper and cinnamon as diverse cultures and peoples passed through, from Slavic shepherds to Sephardi Jews. The most significant influence came during the 1920s with the fall of the Ottoman Empire, which introduced staples like dolmades and pastries that now grace local menus.

Recently, Thessaloniki has gained attention as Greece’s first City of Gastronomy, as designated by UNESCO. The city serves as a gateway to a variety of global cuisines, with Latin American, African, and Asian eateries enriching its already vibrant local taverna scene. Thanks to its compact layout, it’s easy to explore the bustling markets, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, bars, and wineries as Thessaloniki evolves into a culinary hotspot.

Where to eat

• Bougatsa Bantis For breakfast in Thessaloniki, nothing beats bougatsa (a delicious semolina custard nestled between crispy layers of filo). Bougatsa Bantis is one of the few bakeries still crafting its own pastry, thanks to third-generation bougatsa expert Philippos Bantis.

• Agora Modiano Within Agora Modiano, 75 kiosks offer delights ranging from spicy soutzoukakia (Smyrna meatballs) to Crete's mountain tea. Don’t miss Olicatessen, where you can participate in a tasting session covering everything from hand warming to the proper etiquette for smelling and sipping (or slurping) your selections.

10. Tenerife, Spain

Tenerife is solidifying its culinary identity by blending Spanish and African influences with creativity and style. The island showcases locally sourced farmed and fished ingredients through inventive tasting menus that reflect the surrounding mountains and seas. Highlights include fresh seafood and wines cultivated from volcanic soil. The subtropical microclimate allows for the cultivation of unique fruits like bananas, mangoes, papayas, guavas, and even coffee, which are rare in other parts of Europe.

Be sure to try the irresistible mojo sauce, crafted from bell peppers, garlic, and cumin, with variations using coriander (green) or chilies (red), ideally drizzled over local papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes). Don’t overlook the island’s guachinches—seasonal pop-up eateries that serve simple comida casera (homestyle cooking) alongside house wine for just three months each year.

Dining Recommendations

• La Bola de Jorge Bosch La Bola de Jorge Bosch is a classic eatery in northeastern Tenerife that elevates traditional guachinches. The menu features a vibrant array of modern flavors, including fish churros served with mango mayo and smoked goat cheese accompanied by mojo and a gofio (roasted grain) crumble.

• Bodegas Monje The terrace offers stunning views: vineyards cascade down the lava-rippled hills, with the cloud-capped Teide in the distance and the shimmering Atlantic beyond. The Monje family has been cultivating, pruning, fermenting, and bottling wine at Bodegas Monje since 1750. Visitors can enjoy guided tours showcasing the entire wine-making process, from the vines to the oak-barrel-lined cellars.