Your favourite places to eat in Europe that aren’t the usual tourist traps

Metro readers share their favourite off the beaten track food spots (Picture: Getty Images)

For most of us, the holiday trifecta is thus: sun, sea, and seriously good food.

Whether it’s tapas in Spain, pizza in Italy, or schnitzel in Germany, every country has its own unique flavour.

But as popular destinations push back against tourists, there’s never been a better time to explore new culinary horizons.

As we edge closer to peak summer season, we asked Metro readers to share their favourite lesser-known places to eat in Europe. These are your best-kept secrets, from Montenegro and Georgia to the heartland of Germany.

Metro readers have their say

First up, Paul Drea recommends two contrasting locations: Kotor in Montenegro, and Telavi in Georgia.

In Kotor, Paul recalls a grill restaurant that was ‘always packed,’ while in the Georgian city, he raved about the chicken. Apparently, it was so good he ‘had it twice in one meal.’

In southern France, Mike McGann loves the food in Collioure, where an anchovy fishing tradition dates back to the Middle Ages.

And for those looking for a taste of la dolce vita this year, Damien Butters raves about Cisternino in Puglia, which stretches down the southeast coast of Italy.

He specifically recommends Bar Fod, which delivers panoramic views of the rolling Apulian countryside as well as tasty grub. According to TripAdvisor, the restaurant serves savoury aperitifs, pastries, ice cream and sandwiches in a casual setting.

A visitor from Madrid also raved about Bar Fod, describing it as a nice terrace in the city centre with friendly service and delicious products.

During their visit, they tried the arancini, rustic cakes and pizza, which they called exquisite. They said the value for money was unbeatable.

Lunch with a view? (Picture: Getty Images)

As for Metro reader Jolande Pot-van Der Geest, Ristorante La Montanella in Arquà Petrarca is the most memorable place to eat in Italy.

More glamorous than the Puglia offering, this restaurant sits in a large garden, surrounded by olive trees. Dinner can be enjoyed al fresco under cool pergolas or inside the main restaurant. In terms of ingredients, expect homegrown veggies and extra virgin olive oil from local farms.

Elsewhere in Italy, Glenys Vargas de Sorrentino loves the Campania region, specifically Napoli. ‘I always find amazing food in Naples,’ she shares.

The Metro Travel team agrees. If you’re looking for the best pizza of your life, head to a little joint called Pizzaioli Veraci. There’s a reason Naples was crowned the world’s best city for food last year.

Located on the historic street of Via Toledo, the simple Margherita is a standout: Fior di latte campano, soft cow’s milk cheese from Campania, San Marzano tomatoes grown in and around Naples, fragrant basil, and the doughiest crust known to man.

West now to the Atlantic, and husband and wife duo Bev and Nick Foster are huge fans of Portugal.

Nick said dinner at Rui dos Leitões in Torre de Vilela was outstanding. Here, a whole roast suckling pig is €40 (£33.50), while a sandwich version will set you back €7 (£5.50).

Meanwhile in Barcelona, the couple loved Quimet & Quimet. Bev says: ‘The tapas were amazing, I ate combinations of food I never thought I would.’

For Nick, it was all about El Xampanyet, a cosy bar that serves traditional tapas: ‘The food is to die for, and they make their own cava.’

On TripAdvisor, the restaurant has 4.5 stars, plus a string of glowing reviews. However, many do say that, due to the popularity of the place, you might have to queue for a while to get a seat.

Barcelona’s food scene is impeccable (Picture: Getty Images)

Finally, for the Barcelona lovers, Jyoti Parekh recommends a restaurant in El Prat de Llobregat, about 20 minutes from the city centre.

A hidden gem, Centric Gastro serves local cuisine in a contemporary style. Their website says they’re ‘committed to culture,’ hosting live music, stand-up comedy, exhibitions, films, and more.

But, as Barcelona and other major Spanish cities struggle with the effects of overtourism, Metro reader Martin Goldsmith suggests heading to Andalusia to enjoy good food in peace.

The southernmost region in Spain (where you’ll find holiday hotspots like Malaga, Granada and Seville, plus lesser-known spots like Estepona and Ronda), Andalusian cuisine is a vibrant mix of Mediterranean flavours, with strong Moorish influences.

But Europe has plenty to offer beyond the Med. For hearty fare that will keep you full for hours, many of our readers are fond of Bavaria in Germany.

Silke Walz, a Würzburg local, says Bürgerspital-Weinstuben is the perfect spot for traditional Bavarian and Franconian cuisine.

The elegant inn is over 700 years old and is home to one of the oldest wineries in both Germany and Europe.

Here, the schnitzels are bigger than your head, but don’t cost the earth. An enormous wiener schnitzel vom kalbsrücken (made from veal meat) with roast potatoes and cranberries costs around €27 (£23), and is big enough to share.

Over in Munich, Trevor Pearman says Paulaner am Nockherberg is great if you’re looking to experience Bavarian food and beer together.

Things to do in Puglia

Even when you’re not indulging in Italian cuisine, Puglia has a lot to offer.

The southern region, which forms the heel of Italy’s boot, is a playground for holidaymakers seeking sun, sea and sand. Charming coastal towns are aplenty here, from Bari to Otranto to Polignano a Mare.

In Bari, hop off the beach to explore the Basilica di San Nicola, a Romanesque church, or wander the streets of Bari Vecchia, the port city’s old town. It’s a less touristy destination than some of Italy’s more famous cities.

While in Otranto, visit the Castle of Otranto, the setting for Horace Walpole’s 1764 Gothic novel of the same name. The landmark is open to the public and has an entry fee of €12 (£10).

Lecce is another Puglia gem. Known as the ‘Florence of the South,’ it boasts stunning Baroque architecture. Elsewhere, Marina di Pescoluse, in the Province of Lecce, has been dubbed the ‘Maldives of Salento,’ thanks to its clear azure waters.

Things to do in Kotor

Kotor is a picturesque coastal town in Montenegro, in a secluded part of the Bay of Kotor — a stunning natural bay regarded as Europe’s southernmost fjord.

Kotor is so beautiful that it holds two UNESCO World Heritage Site titles: one for the bay’s dramatic landscape, and another for its medieval old town, built between the 12th and 14th centuries.

The Old Town is a mazelike warren of narrow streets and squares, which open onto stone houses and ancient churches.

The region has plenty for adrenaline junkies, from kayaking to hiking to the fortress of Saint Ivan, where you’ll be greeted with panoramic views of the bay.

Fancy a beach day? Travellers recommend Bigova, an old fishing port known for its ‘healing’ sand, and Trsteno, a 200m stretch of coast with fine sand and blue water.

In terms of food, Montenegrin cuisine fuses Mediterranean, Balkan, and Turkish influences. Famed dishes include kačamak, a savoury traditional Balkan cornmeal porridge, and ćevapi, small minced meat sausages served in flatbread with chopped onions and sour cream.

Coastal Montenegro also has a strong focus on grilled and fried seafood. Pair it with wine made from Krstač, an ancient white grape variety native to the country.