Unforgettable Bites: Experiencing Europe Through Local Food and Culture

One of the most meaningful ways to experience Europe is through the foods that reflect each country’s distinct cultures, traditions, and people. These are a few unforgettable bites I’ve enjoyed and would absolutely recommend trying during your travels!

Churros con Chocolate, Spain

A plate of fresh, golden churros dusted with sugar, arranged around a white ramekin filled with thick chocolate dipping sauce. — Perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, authentic street-style churros redefine the classic dessert.

Everyone knows what a churro is, but in Spain they are next-level. Crisp on the outside, soft inside, and served piping hot with thick chocolate or coffee, they’re nothing like the mass produced theme-park versions in the US. Madrid’s iconic Chocolatería San Ginés is a great place to try them, but some of my favorites have come from tiny street stalls, where spirals of dough are sliced and fried fresh right in front of you!

Käsespätzle, Germany

A close-up of a warm bowl of Käsespätzle, featuring soft German egg noodles tossed in melted cheese and topped with crispy fried onions and fresh chives. — Known lovingly as “German Mac & Cheese,” this comforting dish of rustic noodles and melted cheese is a crowd-pleasing market staple.

I like to call this “German Mac & Cheese,” and it’s always a hit with kids, especially picky eaters. The soft, rustic noodles are tossed with melted cheese and topped with buttery or crispy onions. My kids love ordering it at Christmas Markets, where it’s scooped straight from giant sizzling pans, adding to the warm, festive atmosphere that makes the markets feel so magical.

Lefse, Norway

A stacked pile of freshly made Norwegian lefse, displaying a soft, folded potato flatbread with characteristic golden-brown spots. — More than just a delicious potato-based flatbread, rolling and sharing lefse is a cherished family ritual.

Lefse to me is like a Norwegian tortilla, but made from potatoes. My in-laws are from Norway, so I have had the pleasure of eating their homemade lefse for years. We love topping it with butter and sugar, then rolling it up and eating it by hand. For many Norwegian families, making lefse at Christmas is as important as the food itself. The rolling, cooking, stacking, and sharing often become family rituals.

Bitterballen, Netherlands

A plate of golden, crispy bitterballen garnished with fresh parsley, served on a grey patterned dish next to a small bowl of yellow mustard. — Deep-fried, savory, and served piping hot with mustard, bitterballen represent the ultimate Dutch feeling of social warmth.

Bitterballen are one of the most beloved comfort foods in the Netherlands. These crispy, deep-fried croquettes have a savory meat filling inside and are served hot with mustard on the side. They are closely associated with gezelligheid, the Dutch feeling of coziness and social warmth, especially when shared with friends over drinks–which is exactly how I felt when served these by our Dutch friends in their home outside of Amsterdam, where I tasted these for the first time.

Strawberries and Chocolate, Borough Market in London

Bright red, juicy strawberries arranged in a circle on a white plate around a small foil container of melted dipping chocolate. — A theatrical treat that took social media by storm: fresh, vibrant strawberries paired with decadent melted chocolate.

This treat recently went viral on social media, and on a recent trip to London my teenage daughter and I had to try them! The experience is theatrical as the bright, juicy strawberries are drenched in warm melted chocolate and served to you in a cup. You can find them at the Borough Market, along with tons of other delicacies. Be prepared for a long line, although it moves quickly!