L'Eixample
Hotshot chef Carles Abellán runs this basement tapas haven known for its gourmet renditions of old faves, including the bikini (toasted ham-and-cheese…
Must-see restaurants in Mediterranean Europe
Cappadocia
Tolga and his family have swung open the doors to their home – surrounded by their organic garden and overlooking Ayvalı's deep gorge – to offer a taste…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Authentic pizza, super-thin and swiftly cooked in a wood-fired oven, is what this traditional Roman pizzeria on one of Monti's prettiest streets has done…
Modena
Modena’s covered municipal market cradles a cornucopia of local delights. Foodies should head straight here for Bible-sized hunks of parmigiano reggiano,…
Madrid
This Madrid landmark (since 1839) is an elegant treasure trove of takeaway gourmet tapas downstairs and six dining areas upstairs that are the upmarket…
Chueca
The place to come for a real paella, not the tourist version too often found in Madrid, La Barraca has been serving down-home Valencian cooking in the…
Barcelona
Worth a trip out to El Poblenou in itself, this beautiful Kiwi-Hungarian-owned cafe epitomises the area's newfound allure. White-brick walls, floor-to…
Milan
As the sibling of pasticceria (pastry shop) phenomenon Pavè, you can expect great things from this contemporary gelateria with its marble-topped counter…
L'Eixample
With cornflower-blue paintwork and fresh produce on display, Auto Rosellon works mostly organic ingredients sourced from small producers and its own…
El Raval
Get to El Pachuco early or jump on the wait list – this tiny, narrow and deservedly popular mezcalerÃa/taquerÃa gets completely packed with a low-key…
L'Eixample
Enter the realm of the ‘Five Senses’ to indulge in jaw-dropping eight- or 11-course tasting menus of small, experimental dishes concocted by chef Jordi…
Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
Don't expect fancy tricks from this 'Black Cat' – just excellent, traditional fare. Once you’ve tried the homemade tagliolini (ribbon pasta) with spider…
Chueca
A cross between a Parisian bistro and old-school upmarket Madrid restaurant, this prestigious Chueca place is popular with a well-heeled, knowledgeable…
Barcelona
Now led by its fourth generation, family-run Quimet i Quimet has been passed down since 1914. There’s barely space to swing a calamar (squid) in this…
Barcelona
At the flagship cafe of this Barcelona caterer, luxury ingredients – smoked salmon, premium charcuterie and cheeses, high-grade olive oils, carefully…
Madrid
Perched atop the lavish Casino de Madrid building, this temple of haute cuisine is the proud bearer of two Michelin stars and presided over by celebrity…
Barcelona
With its grand ceiling and scented gardens surrounding a main terrace dining area, La Balsa is one of the city’s premier dining addresses, founded in 1979…
Southern Rome
Headed by a Danish-Italian chef Tommaso Pennestri, this mellow trattoria pays its respects to staunch Roman classics (think carbonara and tripe) but is at…
Athens
At this modern-day pastomageireio (combo tavern-deli) tables are set alongside the deli cases, and staff offer complimentary tasty morsels while you're…
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
When you've been in business since 1938 you must be doing something right. This is the real-deal meze experience and locals lap it up. We recommend you…
Milan
Take a creative culinary voyage from Japan to Italy with Yoji Tokuyoshi at the helm. One-time sous-chef of world-renowned Osteria Francescana, this…
Milan
Try not to argue over the frolla con ganache, an insanely good tart filled with dark chocolate ganache and topped with crunchy cacao nuggets. After all,…
Venice
A strange mix of local drinking den and surprisingly adventurous restaurant, Bakán has bucketloads of atmosphere – with old beams and soft jazz inside,…
Venice
It may look like a wine shop and function as a bar, but this legendary canalside spot also serves the best cicheti (Venetian tapas) on this side of the…
Madrid
Ride the elevator up to the 9th floor of the El Corte Inglés department store for one of downtown Madrid's best eating experiences. The food is excellent,…
La Latina & Lavapiés
Juana La Loca does a range of creative tapas with tempting options lined up along the bar, and more on the menu that they prepare to order. But we love it…
Athens
If there's a line to dine at this no-frills psistaria (restaurant serving grilled food), it's worth joining. The payoff is succulent lamb and pork chops,…
Athens
This lovely restaurant with a central courtyard garden is upmarket for Exarhia, but the food is superb and made with largely organic produce. Expect…
Valencia
A byword in the city for decades for its quality rice dishes, Navarro is run by the grandkids of the original founders and it offers plenty of choice,…
Lake Garda & Around
Petals of egg pasta frame slices of guinea fowl caramelised in honey saffron; silky tortellini are stuffed to bursting with pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon and…
Emilia-Romagna
Picking favourites at this 14th-century castle is excruciating: there's the castle itself, especially when enveloped in cinematic Po river fog; the ageing…
Rethymno Province
One of the most enjoyable places to experience traditional Cretan cuisine and hospitality is this vibrant taverna set among fruit trees and adjoining…
Pompeii
At the helm of this Michelin-starred standout is charming owner-chef Paolo Gramaglia, whose passion for local produce, history and culinary whimsy…
Madrid
Wildly (and deservedly) popular, Sala de Despiece has a menu that lists everything – every ingredient, method of cooking, size, price and origin – in a…
Salamanca
Deep in Salamanca's Mercado de la Paz, Casa Dani is a wildly popular spot for lunch and it gets going earlier than most: most weekdays, there's a queue at…
Pasticceria di Maria Grammatico
Erice
This cafe-pasticceria is run by Maria Grammatico, Sicily's most famous pastry chef, and the subject of Mary Taylor Simeti's book Bitter Almonds – a series…
Thrace & Marmara
Suvla's 60 hectares of certified organic vineyards are located near Kabatepe on the opposite side of the peninsula, but its winery, complete with an ultra…
Bologna
Book at least three weeks in advance at this seemingly unassuming trattoria in Bolognina, just a step outside the city centre. Flavio and Tommaso came…
Tyrrhenian Coast
This wooden chalet in the hills immediately above Collesano is one of the Madonie's gems – one whiff of the delicious aromas emanating from the kitchen…
