Europe’s top city for food lovers features 1,600 restaurants but few tourists

The online language learning service Italki has shared the best European holiday destinations for food lovers that most tourists are not aware of.

When booking their next holiday, many travellers like to learn about the local culture by visiting a restaurant to sample some authentic versions of traditional dishes.

Iker Uriarte, Head of Marketing for Italki Europe, noted that, no matter where tourists are thinking about travelling, learning the culture and speaking to locals can help them find the best food in the area that many tourists will not know about.

He explained: “Before you leave, take some time to get familiar with the culture and history of your destination. Learning about these aspects beforehand can elevate your travel experience and help you better understand where you’re visiting.

“When it comes to truly immersing yourself in a city’s culture, there’s no better guide than a local resident. Locals are the people who know every nook and cranny of the city.”

According to a study conducted by Italki, looking into the number of restaurants and their menus in each city, Europe’s best hidden gem for foodies is Valletta.

The capital of Malta, Valletta is blessed with pleasant weather and plenty of sea views. However, the city also features an impressive 1,608 restaurants, with nearly 1,300 featuring four or more stars.

The company also recommended Valletta for vegetarian food lovers, with 744 of the city’s restaurants specialising in meat-free dishes.

Another destination recommended for a food-filled European city break without the crowds is Sintra, a quiet municipality in west Portugal.

Located just a 40 minute drive away from the capital of Lisbon, Italki noted that there are 1,928 restaurants in Sintra, with 333 focusing on vegetarian food.

Furthermore, 1,215 of the restaurants in the municipality have four or more stars, and 11 feature Michelin stars, making them the perfect place for an unforgettable meal.