If you don’t know what those funny looking things are in the photo, they are called churros. A little like an extruded doughnut, but not really, find them all over Madrid. I indulged one morning when I was tired. It is a luxurious experience not only because you are eating fried sweet bread, but also because you dip it in that chocolate sauce that is so thick it is almost chocolate pudding.
Will You Find Something to Eat, or Will You Dine?
This is just an example of a food I had not tried before until I went to Europe. Now I know they can be found in major American cities, but yet I would not know where to find them near my home in the morning.
This is a humble example of the food experience that are there for the taking in Europe. Never had octopus, squid, eel, veal liver, white asparagus, pierogis, bitterballen, real macarons, or reindeer? Choose your destinations right, and you can try all of that and much more.
It’s not only the individual foods that may offer an opportunity for a new experience, but it’s also the way the foods are combined or made into a meal that will catch your attention.
Tourist attitudes toward food in Europe vary widely. Some well traveled people say they could care less, as long as they relieve their hunger. I hear about eating out of grocery stores, creating picnics by going to the bakery and fromagerie (cheese shop), eating street food for every meal, and frequenting the American chain restaurants that you will find in abundance in European cities of any size.
All of those are options, of course, but I am a bit more of a foodie than people who rely on a steady diet of this stuff. I like both mom and pop restaurants and fancy sit-down restaurants. I patronize both on my trips. Yes, I also will not hesitate to go to McDonalds if that is the most convenient, time-saving choice and I’m hungry.
I learned to shop at grocery stores in London and Paris to save some money. Sometimes at the end of a day of sightseeing, I was pooped and just wanted something quick to eat. Or in Vienna, I shopped at the convenience store near my hostel and found a pre-made sandwich, apple, and unfamiliar candy bar, and took it to Vondelpark and ate all of it.
But also I had lunch at a Michelin star restaurant in Paris and a very upscale meal at a traditional Paris restaurant. In London I frequented the Portuguese chain Nando’s because I became so hooked on the spicy peri peri chicken and also a setup that felt familiar for American fast casual.
When You Want a Drink
I’m not much of a drinker, so I can’t really tell you a lot about bars in Europe. I did enjoy a British pub, the Eagle in Cambridge where Francis Crick announced the discovery of the double helix of DNA to a probably surprised lunch crowd. There may be a couple of bar or pub experiences I have forgotten.
Then of course in restaurants or hostels I have sampled beers and wines that were unfamiliar to me. Again, I think there is no shame in ordering your favorite from home, but again, why not sample something new?
Europe abounds in specialty wines and beers, so trying what the locals are having is yet another cultural experience. Avoid your favorite American mixed drinks, and sample regional specialties.
In Dublin the bartender at my hostel lectured me about the proper way to drink a Guiness. I assured him that a husband had taught me that, but we had fun trading bar talk.
There Is Plenty More to Say about Food in Europe
There is plenty to say about meal times, tipping, restaurant etiquette, reservations, choosing restaurants, specific food specialties, and more. I will share many more experiences as I build out this section of the website. Names of new articles and links to them will appear just below this as new pages are added.