Where can you find the best food in Europe?

The cuisines of Europe all have wonderful dishes - I couldn't just pick it out by country.  I've eaten at some truly wonderful places in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and in various other countries.  Granted, I have also eaten as some truly awful places in each country, too!

I am lucky enough to live somemwhere with a number of Michelin starred restaurants - and also visit London regularly, with all those great places to choose from.

Sometimes the best food is from our local take-away Indian restaurant!

I would have to say Switzerland. The last time I was there, we were in a French village with German and Italian villages less than 10 miles away. I had some of the best food I've ever experienced on that trip. I must add that I'm also very partial to the food of Bavaria. It's hearty, it's simple, it's just good.

Depends on the type of place you go to in that country. First class or lower. Michelin rated or not.I have had great in France and Italy and Switzerland and also not so great.  YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR except McDonalds where most all the same except India.\, U.S is the same way.

Couldn't agree more,Ed!

I've eaten in Switzerland - and had some amazing, Michelin-starred level of cooking - I've also had some fatty, oily, crappy foods!

Best ingredients:  Spain and (surprisingly) the UK.  Best cooking:  France.

BDL

I am not qualified to answer, since I've never been to Europe, but from what I can see from my TV, nothing about English food seems appealing.  The only two dishes I can even think of from England are "fish and chips" and shepherd's pie.  Watching shows like the F-word and such, I don't see anything exceptional about the food (as it relates to MY taste in food).  However, I don't eat offal so I'm immediately turned off by anything discussing sweetbreads, liver, kidneys, tongue, etc.  I'm really at a cross-roads because I've had bad liver (or never had any "good" liver), but the amount of buzz around sweetbreads makes me think there might be something to it.  Strangely enough, I normally say I'll try most anything, but I have an aversion to "guts".  As a side note, my father ate brains and eggs and I had no issue with eating it until I realized that it really was BRAINS and eggs. 

Some of worst food I had was England believe it or not.

Spain!!!!

I think the best thing about Europe in general is the fact that food safety standards are somewhat lower, or in some cases, just different. For example, it is very difficult to find raw mild in the States. Only certain farms are granted a license, and the milk is very expensive (at least what I've found is). But in Switzerland, raw milk seems to be easier to come by. I had it 4 times in a 2 week trip the first time I went. I'm not sure about the rest of Europe however (someone feel free to jump in to clarify) 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Buchanan 

Some of worst food I had was England believe it or not.

I can believe it - but wonder where you ate?  I'ver had some of the worst food I've ever eaten in the USA....   but I've also had some wonderful food, too.

I think the original question was European  Area Foods and Restaurants. But yes I have eaten in some bad places in USA

Alsace Lorraine

....................Located on the border of Germany and France. Once an Imperial Province of Germany, Alsace now belongs to France. The vineyards are magnificent and the small villages are filled with delicious food at every turn. The German- French influences in food are accompanied by local wine from the region ,making your dining experiance totally incredible

I lived in London for 3 years many moons ago and had some wonderful food.  I never thought I could eat kidneys, however, I developed a taste for a good steak and kidney pie.  The best are made with ox kidneys - where the heck do you get those in the US?  I loved going to the fishmongers (coming from the Midwest having fresh fish available every day is a real treat).  Used to go to Paxton & Whitfields for the best cheeses in the world.  There was a local Hungarian patisserie on the way home from the tube station where we bought croissants and treats often. 

The best meal I ever had was in a little local place overlooking the Bay of Naples - a wedding reception was going on in another room and, so help me, there were fishing lines going out of the kitchen windows.  Freshest fish & seafood I've ever had in an eating establishment.  Had some great pig knuckles in Paris.

The experience of living in a different culture was mind opening for me.  I was introduced to new foods and flavors that I never thought I would ever eat let alone enjoy so much.  Who would have  thought stinky cheese could taste sooooo good.

And where DO you get ox kidneys in the States?

And I didn't even mention the fact that the milk man came to my door 3 days a week with the creamiest milk and double cream - OMG.  I still dream about double cream.  And after 25 years I still miss good finnan haddie and sausages.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyniebeck 

And where DO you get ox kidneys in the States?

From oxen.

BDL

You'll be pleased to  know that the milkmen of Britain still deliver to the door, daily, if you wish!

Pardon me for being snarky. 

Ox kidneys are simply beef kidneys.  You see them sometimes at ethnic butchers, and you can always get them from a good custom butcher by calling ahead. 

Finding finnan haddie isn't too difficult in a large American city, some up-scale supers carry it, and there are stores which cater to ex-pats.  In any case, you can substitute nearly any fleshy, hot-smoked fish for haddock.  Halibut, cod, catfish and trout all work well.  We had an English neighbor who made a salmon kedgeree.  Weird, yes.  But wonderful as well.     

British ingredients rock.  If you can't prepare a good meal, you're simply not a good cook.  A lot of Americans think British cooking is lousy -- and while there are bad cooks and bad cooking everywhere -- I think some among us are channeling prejudices from old movies.  

BDL

Quote:

Originally Posted by boar_d_laze 

    

 

British ingredients rock.  If you can't prepare a good meal, you're simply not a good cook.  A lot of Americans think British cooking is lousy -- and while there are bad cooks and bad cooking everywhere -- I think some among us are channeling prejudices from old movies.  

 

BDL

Thank you, BDL.  I think your last few words are close to the mark and why I get 'snarky' with some of the prejudiced comments I've read on here occasionally!