From the smoky street-side grills of Istanbul to the candlelit wine cellars of Paris, Europe’s cities reveal a mosaic of culinary traditions that have been shaped by millennia of history and cultural exchange. Each offers its own distinct flavors, rhythms, and dishes that all tell a story and define the sense of place.
When visiting these destinations, you’re going want somewhere comfortable to rest and recharge after long, fulfilling days of curiosity, exploration, and discovery. We’ve recommended hotels that not only are located near prime dining spots in their respective cities, but also feature stellar in-house restaurants and culinary experiences. When planning your gastronomic adventures, be sure to as the concierge for insider tips and recommendations.
The exceptional cities on this list promise memorable stays in vibrant settings — with world-class cuisine at every turn. Whether you’re seeking out bucket-list fine-dining restaurants or under-the-radar gems, here are 10 of the very best food cities in Europe.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Tried-and-True Food Cities in Europe
Stay in one night in Paris and enjoy dinner at Kapara restaurant at Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel. (Photo: Marriott International)
Paris, France
The City of Lights is unmatched in Europe when it comes to fine dining, with more than 100 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Add in famed street markets selling the finest produce imaginable, stylish brasseries serving up Gallic classics, and patisseries tempting passersby with exquisite creations, and you’ve reached culinary nirvana.
But there’s so much more to get your fork into, including restaurants like Kapara at Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel, located just steps from The Louvre. Inside, an electric atmosphere is matched by dishes like fattoush salad, deconstructed kebabs, and grilled octopus. Lamb chops with stuffed shallots, coq-au-vin sauce, and chimichurri show how flavors unite to delicious effect.
London’s Borough Market offers a feast for the senses. (Photos: Getty Images)
London, England
For many visitors to London, one of the very first stops is Borough Market, an iconic gourmet haven where bountiful British produce meets global flavors amid endlessly enticing displays of savory and sweet treats. Today, the capital’s fine dining scene is also one of the world’s best, thanks to multiple MICHELIN-starred dining destinations which reflect London’s thrilling diversity.
Stay at the Town Hall Hotel, London, a Member of Design Hotels and score a table (reserve in advance) at the MICHELIN two-starred Da Terra, where beautifully plated dishes meld Brazilian, Spanish, and Italian flavors. The elegant, understated interiors contrast with extraordinary, playful plates. Exceptionally paired wines complete the experience.
Rome, Italy
Rome has long been celebrated as a culinary destination, with traditions of dining and festivity stretching back to its ancient origins as a center of civic life. Today, the city continues to enchant visitors with everything from simple food stalls serving beloved classics to sophisticated, multicourse dining experiences that showcase the best of Roman cuisine.
Head chef Ciccio Sultano is a giant of modern Italian cuisine, and Giano at W Rome underlines precisely why. He fuses Sicilian cuisine with Roman culture to serve up dishes such as pacchero alla Norma, where eggplant cream, cherry tomato sauce, ricotta, and basil sing with the finest, freshest ingredients.
In the incredible surroundings of a refurbished 18th-century mansion called Palazzo Velabro, a Member of Design Hotels, the restaurant Apicio16 takes diners on an immersive culinary journey through the Eternal City. Dine al fresco on the stunning terrace, where unforgettable grilled meats, perfect pastas, and decadent desserts are paired with Italian wines and beautifully crafted cocktails.
Istanbul, Türkiye
Türkiye’s largest city, which straddles both Europe and Asia, has long been something of a culinary crossroads. Istanbul’s cuisine draws on centuries of cross-cultural exchange between the two continents. Today, you’ll find options ranging from humble roadside vendors to storied dining rooms to funky neo-Turkish bistros. options ranging from humble roadside vendors to storied dining rooms to funky neo-Turkish bistros.
Atop the historic architectural gem of The Bank Hotel Istanbul, Serica celebrates dishes from Anatolia, the Black Sea coast, and Cappadocia with romantic views over the minaret-dotted skyline. Chef Yiğit Alicioğlu’s menu shines a light on flavors and cultural richness alike. Think slow-cooked lamb shoulder, breads hot from a tandoor-style oven, and a celebration of beloved local seafood.
European Food Cities for True Foodies
Naples, Italy
Sun-kissed Naples is famous as the home of pizza, pasta puttanesca, and other dishes now central to the Italian culinary canon. The city boasts a thriving street food culture, with delicious fried treats like cuoppo (fried seafood and vegetables wrapped in a paper cone) and pizza fritta (crispy, puffy dough filled with different filings). Neapolitan cuisine is arich melting pot of historic flavors following Greek, Roman, Spanish, and French influences over thousands of years. Thanks to exceptional local ingredients like creamy burrata cheese and tomatoes grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius, every mouthful here is memorable.
At Renaissance Naples Hotel Mediterraneo, perfectly located in the heart of the ancient city, Executive Chef Pasquale De Simone fuses local and international cuisines to brilliant effect at O’Break.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Another European food paradise, Copenhagen has found fame by being home to some of the continent’s most acclaimed, progressive, and award-winning restaurants such as the MICHELIN three-starred Geranium, where foraged ingredients and fermentation combine for a distinctly Nordic vibe. Chef René Redzepi’s Noma spawned an entire dining ecosystem, thanks to dozens of alumni opening their own ambitious restaurants.
With a picturesque waterfront location, Copenhagen Marriott Hotel is within easy reach of a wealth of incredible eating experiences. Torvehallerne market is filled with exquisite food bars and boutiques for perfect gourmet gifts, while Broens Street Food offers all sorts of global food stalls where dishes change with the seasons.
Lyon, France
Lyon is France’s second largest city, but to many gastronomes it’s even more of a culinary capital than Paris thanks to figures including chef Paul Bocuse, a local culinary icon who defined French cuisine like few others. His name appears across the city, particularly at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, which features an astonishing array of charcuterie, cheeses, and pâtés.
While Lyon’s sumptuously rich dishes are well-worth seeking out, this is also a city that embraces and celebrates food from around the world. At Brasserie Zucca, located in Lyon Marriott Hotel Cité Internationale, chef Cédric Szajnerman serves Lyonnaise specialties along with generous plates of handmade pastas. Our pick? Ricotta and spinach raviolini with truffle cream and oyster mushrooms.
Emerging Culinary Destinations
Savor upscale Georgian cuisine at the Ostigan Grill Restaurant at Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tbilisi. (Photos: Marriott International)
Tbilisi, Georgia
With gastronomic traditions stretching back thousands of years and the oldest wine-making cultures in the world, Georgia dazzles with diverse, vibrant dishes. Its proud culinary culture reflects a geographic location on the former Silk Road, with influences from the Middle East, Central Asia, and beyond.
There’s nowhere better to experience them than at Ostigan Grill Restaurant at Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tbilisi, where the menu celebrates the warmth of Georgian hospitality. Tables heave under spreads of meze-like small plates of dips, pickles, and cured meats, slow-cooked stews and Georgian breads, especially the seriously decadent molten cheese-filled bread called adjaruli khachapuri.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is rightly seen as another dynamic food capital. The impeccably fresh seafood is a major draw for locals and visitors alike. Markets teem with both preserved — bacalao (salt cod) and top-notch tinned fish — and just-caught seafood hauled in from the Atlantic.
Altis Belém Hotel & Spa, a Member of Design Hotels sits by the tranquil Tagus River and houses one of Portugal’s most acclaimed places to eat, Feitoria, which holds one MICHELIN star. Chef André Cruz’s sublime, beautifully presented tasting menus include separate vegetarian options, along with accompanying Portuguese and international wines that should not be missed.
Relax at the Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian after a delicious day of exploration. (Photos 1 and 2: Marriott International; Photo 3: Getty Images)
San Sebastian, Spain
For many in-the-know travelers, this city is considered Europe’s ultimate dining destination. San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque Country may be small in size, but it more than makes up for it from a food perspective, with a galaxy of MICHELIN-starred restaurants and pintxos bars with endlessly tempting displays of small-bite dishes.
Don’t miss Bretxa Market, which has been selling exceptional produce since 1870. It’s located an easy walk from the elegant and historic Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian, which makes for the perfect base. The hotel is also home to The Gallery, a true Epicurean escape serving local Basque dishes with international influences.
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