Visiting Europe? Confused about what to eat in your visit to Europe and what are the must-try dishes in Europe? I’m going to provide an answer to this and present some of the best European Delicacies I had on my travels to Europe. These are the must-try European delicacies in an authentic sense.
Europe is home not only to exquisite architecture but is also a land of culinary delicacies for one and all and I fell in love with Europe in my first visit itself. Coming from India I love spicy food and even crave for spices. Yet I completely love desserts, varieties of bread and almost anything sweet. In my European travels, I tasted and loved a variety of authentic European delicacies and try to find them back here in India. As obvious as it may sound I like the privilege of having to enjoy their variants in my city but for me, they don’t taste anywhere close to the genuine ones.
I think after a pretty fair share of my travel to Europe, here are some of my Must Try European delicacies which you might find handy in case you are planning a visit anytime to Europe.
8 Must Try European Delicacies
Crepes
Heading to Paris? Then crepes are a delicacy from Paris, one must not miss from the city of love. You might wonder why am I even mentioning it here considering everyone already know this so let me tell you a story here –
Recently some of my relatives went on a Europe trip including Paris. I met them after they came back home. We got to chat and after the routine question how their trip went I asked if they liked *Crepes* and then they asked me back me what is that? I was like..OMG really? How could go to Paris and not even try crepe! So that drove Crepes on my top list so that people don’t miss this wonderful and unique European delicacy which might not taste like the one we get there.
Suggested Read – Things to know before visiting Paris!
For my vegetarian friends, it doesn’t contain the meat of any sort, although it does contain egg if that’s a concern to anyone. It is a sort of pastry usually circular in shape, are sweetened with or without fillings like chocolate, banana, etc. So don’t miss this delicacy from Europe.
Read how Chandrima enjoyed the Parisian food in her Paris Food Tour.
Croissant
Another one from the popular European delicacies, known all over the world as a must-have from France. Popular due to its crescent-like shape and found in various flavors including praline, chocolates and even almonds. Easily found in various bakeries around Paris and is also a famous pick for breakfast. This is one of my favorites from the list of must-try European delicacies.
The pastry variant is today easily available around the world but what makes it so special? I think it’s the way it’s made, and the flavors specific to a region. I kept looking for a typical chocolate croissant version in Delhi, and I must admit I’m yet to find that close to perfect croissant – Noooo!! a choco-chip croissant is not the same as chocolate croissant – I guess I need to head back to its origin now!! So don’t forget to try the freshly baked this European delicacy.
Suggested Read – Where & what to eat in Paris!
Pretzel
Care to taste a twisted bread? Pretzel is my top choice for a unique, knotted and asymmetrical dough looped into the product as a delicious bread. This dish is typically salty and if you like you might even choose butter variant – just like me 🙂 Yet to make it to Germany, but I tasted this European delicacy on Munich airport on way to Vienna – aren’t layovers best spent if we get a taste of the country in the short window itself!!
Pretzels are believed to be originated from upper German regions and known to have religious significance as well in terms of shape and ingredients. At one time, during Lent season eggs were forbidden and as Pretzels are made of simple floor and water were allowed till Easter. Nowadays people hide eggs before Easter day prayers like in those early days pretzels were hidden. So this savory is not only delicious but also have a great historical connotation – hope I got your attention now!!
Macarons
Originally Macarons are French cookies garnished with eggs, almond paste, sugar, jam or cream filling. Gaining popularity at a fast pace and are easily found today in almost every major city around the world.
Various flavors are available in the cookies ranging from rose, vanilla, orange, hazelnut, chocolate, pistachio and even few more. As most of these are a little too sweet for my preference so personally, my favorite includes chocolate, hazelnut, and almond. Don’t ignore one of the famous European delicacies now known in the entire world.
Belgian Chocolates
Chocolates from Belgium are one of many glories of the nation with a history of its own. Although the cocoa doesn’t originally come from the nation, was in fact brought to the country from Africa during its colonial era.
Traveling to Belgium? Know more about the Foodie guide to Sightseeing in Brussels.
French are known for their vineyards and Belgians for passing the authentic chocolate recipes through their families for so many generations. You might not have heard that even the small Belgian villages have their own little chocolate shops. Next time you’re anywhere in Europe – even if not Belgium – you will find Belgian chocolates in most major bakeries. Don’t miss these amazing authentic European delicacies!
While in Belgium, don’t miss the Last Post at the Menin Gate, it’s always nice to visit the less-touristy spots too. If you are spending one day in Bruges, don’t miss out on their chocolates, waffles, and beer.
Waffles
Another one of the popular European delicacies is a dish made from dough uniquely identified by its exclusive shape generated from waffle iron peculiarly in squares. Waffles are today relished in almost all parts of the world. Upon hearing Waffles, the attention immediately goes towards the special Belgian waffles which were showcased to the world in 1958 in Brussels Expo.
Although I still haven’t got the fortune to enjoy the waffles from Belgium itself, waffles from Europe are still not to give a miss. I tried the above one from a huge bakery – I don’t remember that though – in the town square of Prague. Not typically Belgian, but Gosh that was delicious!
If you’re traveling to Belgium, don’t forget to include the charming Bruges in your itinerary.
Trdelnik
A culinary delicacy from Europe which is uniquely found in the Czech Republic, although not many know about its roots to be non-Czech. Trdelnik is a fire cooked sweetened dish made from thin rounds of dough and optional toppings available to suit your taste buds.
There are various theories about the history and myths of the dish. The delicacy is believed to have arrived in Czech by Hungarian army personnel in the 18th century. Few people believe it to have a connection from the stone age as guessed by the methods of its preparation, nonetheless Czech got its ownership now!!
Roaming the streets of Czech capital you will easily find Trdelnik being prepared in a concept almost similar to barbecue. The dough is wrapped in thin round shape onto a rod and is cooked until it turns light brownish in color. A savory yet to make its way to being famous beyond Czech is a must have while in Prague.
Cakes
Step into any European bakery and you will find a variety of cakes aka various flavors on display for you to choose and relish. I also had the good fortune of nibbling some flavors including my ever favorite chocolate and red velvet. There are variants to the types available in each country and each region, but cakes from entire European are delicious and must try!!
An Additional one – Coffee
If you guys have been following my blog, then you must know by now that I am a huge coffee buff and have coffee no matter where I go. Either a milky or creamy cappuccino or iced coffee or typical milk flavored cold coffee from Starbucks – I enjoy all sorts of coffee. If you’re heading to Hamburg in Germany? Check out the best cafes and Coffee in Hamburg. To my surprise, the coffee seems to have an intriguing impact on my taste buds while in Europe and hence an addition to this list 😉
Love to try the coffee at local cafes? Read more about Tanmaya’s Vienna Cafe Tour.
So here are my most favorite choices of delicacies from Europe. How many of these have you had? Do share your experiences with me!
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