The word ‘best’ is subjective and food is very much a peference based experience, influenced by culture, personal taste, and individual expectations. I’ve compiled a list of the best restaurants in Europe that offer standout meals based on first-hand experience, research, and feedbacks.
Because here at Girls Who Travel, we take pride in our travelling and eating skills.
Osteria Francescana – Modena, Italy
- Chef: Massimo Bottura
- Cuisine: Modern Italian
- Michelin Stars: ★★★
- Why Go: Famous for reinventing Italian classics. The “Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano” dish is a must-try.
- Website: osteriafrancescana.it
Noma – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Chef: René Redzepi
- Cuisine: New Nordic
- Michelin Stars: ★★
- Why Go: Seasonal menus with foraged ingredients. Expect dishes featuring reindeer moss, ants, and fermented vegetables.
- Website: noma.dk
Mirazur – Menton, France
- Chef: Mauro Colagreco
- Cuisine: French with Mediterranean influence
- Michelin Stars: ★★★
- Why Go: Located near the Italian border, Mirazur’s menu changes daily based on the chef’s garden and the sea’s offerings.
- Website: mirazur.fr
The Fat Duck – Bray, England
- Chef: Heston Blumenthal
- Cuisine: Molecular gastronomy
- Michelin Stars: ★★★
- Why Go: Multi-sensory dining with unexpected twists. The 14-course tasting menu includes dishes like “Sound of the Sea,” served with an iPod playing ocean sounds.
- Website: thefatduck.co.uk
Arzak – San Sebastián, Spain
- Chef: Elena Arzak
- Cuisine: Modern Basque
- Michelin Stars: ★★★
- Why Go: Experimental techniques meet traditional Basque flavors. The menu features dishes like red mullet with edible messages.
- Website: arzak.es
Steirereck – Vienna, Austria
- Chef: Heinz Reitbauer
- Cuisine: Contemporary Austrian
- Michelin Stars: ★★
- Why Go: Local ingredients prepared with precision. Famous for the char fish dish cooked tableside in beeswax.
- Website: steirereck.at
Restaurant Tim Raue – Berlin, Germany
- Chef: Tim Raue
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired modern European
- Michelin Stars: ★★
- Why Go: No dairy, bread, or refined sugar. Dishes like Peking duck and wasabi langoustine reflect the chef’s disciplined style.
- Website: tim-raue.com
El Celler de Can Roca – Girona, Spain
- Chefs: Joan, Josep, and Jordi Roca
- Cuisine: Avant-garde Catalan
- Michelin Stars: ★★★
- Why Go: A perfect balance of flavour, texture, and emotion. Signature dishes include caramelized olives served on a bonsai tree.
- Website: cellercanroca.com
Frantzén – Stockholm, Sweden
- Chef: Björn Frantzén
- Cuisine: Nordic-Asian fusion
- Michelin Stars: ★★★
- Why Go: Only 23 guests per night. The dining experience moves between rooms, starting with snacks in the lounge and ending in the rooftop garden.
- Website: restaurantfrantzen.com
Etxebarri – Atxondo, Spain
- Chef: Victor Arguinzoniz
- Cuisine: Wood-fired grilling
- Michelin Stars: ★★
- Why Go: Everything is grilled over custom-built charcoal fires. Signature dishes include smoked caviar and grilled prawns.
- Website: asadoretxebarri.com
Reservations are difficult at most of these places. Some release tables months in advance, and a few require pre-payment. If you want a spot, plan ahead.
Rachel is an intrepid world traveller, lifestyle connoisseuse, and the resident beauty advisor at Girls Who Travel. A true ocean lover with a soft spot for flowers, films, and storytelling, she also has a growing collection of medium-sized tattoos. When she’s not immersed in her next adventure, Rachel shares stories from her travels along with practical tips and insights to help other women make the most of their journeys.
