The Best European Cities for Last-Minute Food Travel 2025
- James Massoud
- Aug 4
- 4 min read
Think EuroSummer’s fading? Think again. The TikTok-fuelled travel trend that had us hopping across the continent last year is still sizzling, with 95,000 fresh posts since June and a total of over 412,000 videos. And while the sun still lingers over Europe’s cobbled streets and café terraces, there’s time for one more impromptu escape – preferably one where the food is as memorable as the sights.
In collaboration with HelloFresh, the numbers have been crunched to reveal 2025’s top foodie cities in Europe, and the results might just upend your travel wish list. Paris — the grand dame of gastronomy — barely makes the top 30. Naples, pizza’s spiritual home, isn’t much higher. Instead, the podium is dominated by destinations that blend tradition, innovation, and serious value for money.
The survey took into account population, each city’s signature dish, global search trends, the number of Michelin starred and five-star restaurants, as well as the average affordability of each location. According to the research, these are three of Europe’s top foodie cities to visit while summer is still here, paired with must-try dishes and restaurants worth visiting while you’re there.
Valencia, Spain
The birthplace of paella isn’t just about golden rice and seafood so fresh it practically flips itself into the pan. Valencia tops the list thanks to a food scene that marries heritage with flair.
On the golden sands of Malvarrosa, Casa Carmela has been producing Valencian paella over orange-wood fires since 1922, filling the air with the sweet, smoky aroma of tradition. With around 20 rice dishes on the menu, from lobster paella to fideuà and esgarraet with mojama, Casa Carmela treats each plate as part of a ritual. Expect fresh seafood, local beans, and a tradition you can taste in every bite. They even limit daily paellas to preserve quality, so book ahead!
Locals will certainly tell you to seek out esgarraet — a sweet, smoky, salty tangle of roasted red peppers and salt cod, eaten with torn hunks of bread. For the most romantic plate of it you’ll find, head to L'Alqueria Santa Ana, a serene orchard-side spot with croquettes worth missing your flight for.
💡 Don’t miss: Pair paella with a crisp glass of Valencian white, then linger for horchata and fartons in the afternoon shade.
Warsaw, Poland
Once dismissed as a meat-and-potatoes city, Warsaw has exploded into one of Europe’s most dynamic food capitals. The humble pierogi is suddenly social media royalty, and Prodiz Warszawski is the name you’ll hear whispered reverently by locals and visitors alike. Their fillings, whether classic or wildly inventive, are the kind that make you question everything you thought you knew about dumplings.
Prodiz Warszawski is Warsaw’s current dining darling, with a 4.6-star average from nearly two thousand reviewers. Critically adored for more than just pierogi, this cosy spot serves veal-and-mushroom pierogi, roast beef, duck breast with cherry sauce – and yes, live piano sets the tone for a nostalgic yet refined evening.
💡 Don’t miss: Pair your pierogi feast with a craft beer from one of Warsaw’s microbreweries for a modern Polish experience.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s lager may be world-famous, but its food scene is no mere drinking companion. The dish to know here is svíčková — marinated beef in a velvety, root-vegetable cream sauce, usually crowned with cranberry and whipped cream.
Kastrol delivers svíčková with polish, alongside playful seasonal plates that respect tradition while keeping things fresh.
Then there’s FAT CAT Old Town, a burger and craft-beer–centric hangout beloved by local and tourist alike. TripAdvisor reviewers rave about "banging food, lit drinks, top‑notch service," while Yelp users note the burgers are "the best I ever ate," all served in a high-vibe, laid-back setting.
💡 Don’t miss: Start with svíčková, end with trdelník (a cinnamon-sugar chimney cake) from a street stall.
Europe’s Top 10 Foodie Cities
From seafood-laced Porto to Serbia’s grill-happy Belgrade, here’s the full top 10 list according to HelloFresh’s index:
Valencia, Spain – Paella and esgarraet bliss.
Warsaw, Poland – Pierogi power and plant-based surprises.
Prague, Czech Republic – Creamy svíčková and beer heaven.
Porto, Portugal – Francesinha sandwiches (a multiple meat toasted sandwich with a tomato and beer sauce) and Bacalhau (salted cod) at Taberna Santo António.
Belgrade, Serbia – Smoky ćevapi (juicy, spiced Balkan sausages) with ajvar (a smoky red pepper sauce). Ćevaplija is one spot, where they promise traditional Balkan grill house flavours in a completely new way.
Krakow, Poland – Pierogi’s spiritual sibling city.
Vienna, Austria – Schnitzel with a side of sachertorte (chocolate sponge cake).
Toulouse, France – Duck confit and cassoulet (French bean stew) country.
Budapest, Hungary – Paprika-rich goulash (beef stew-soup) and riverfront dining.
Marseille, France – Bouillabaisse (French fish soup) by the Med.
The Soul of Food Travel
As Mimi Morley, HelloFresh’s Senior Recipe Development Manager, puts it: "Our team lives for food, and travel is our biggest inspiration. The €5 bites, the modern twists on classic dishes, the family-run spots that we will never stop talking about.
"That's how we approach recipes too. When we taste something unforgettable abroad or at home, we are constantly thinking of ways to create our own spin on a cuisine's flavours, think bold Spanish recipes, like Gambas Pil Pil or fresh twists on Greek classics, such as a Lentil Moussaka Style Rice Bowl."
Her philosophy rings true in every plate from these cities – unpretentious dishes, rich in taste and grounded in story.
So whether you’re chasing late-summer sunshine or plotting next year’s food-focused fling, remember this: the best meals might not be in the cities you think.
