My First Stop: Paris and the Best Fine Dining Spots in Europe
Okay, so I start in Paris—‘cause where else do you go for gourmet dining Europe? I book a table at Le Cinq, which is, like, a three-Michelin-star spot in the Four Seasons. I walk in wearing this dress I thought was cute but was definitely too tight after the bread basket, and the vibe is all chandeliers and whispers. The food? Insane. I had this pigeon dish with some fancy sauce that made me wanna cry, but I also mispronounced “foie gras” so bad the waiter gave me this pity smile. I spent $300 on that meal and forgot to tip—had to run back in, sweating, to fix it. Pro tip: tip in Europe, even if it’s not required. Check out Michelin Guide for more spots like this.
Next Up: Barcelona’s Top Restaurants in Europe
Then I jetted to Barcelona, ‘cause I heard El Celler de Can Roca was one of the best fine dining spots in Europe, and I’m all about that foodie life. It’s got three Michelin stars too, and the tasting menu was like a fever dream—17 courses, including this olive oil ice cream thing that blew my mind. But, dude, I spilled red wine on my white shirt during course three, and I spent the rest of the meal trying to hide the stain with my napkin. The waiter definitely noticed and brought me a club soda without saying a word—bless him. The vibe there was less stuffy than Paris, more artsy, which I loved, ‘cause I’m a mess but I’m a creative mess, you know?
What I Learned About European Fine Dining in Spain
One thing about fancy restaurants Europe? They love their wine pairings. I said yes to the pairing ‘cause I wanted to seem classy, but by course 10, I was tipsy and giggling at my own fork. Don’t overdo it—pace yourself, or you’ll be me, slurring “gracias” to everyone.
Copenhagen’s Gourmet Dining Europe Surprise
Next stop was Copenhagen, ‘cause I kept seeing Noma on every “best fine dining spots in Europe” list. I got a reservation by some miracle, and oh my gosh, it was wild. They’re all about Nordic cuisine, so I’m eating stuff like fermented moss and reindeer heart, which sounds gross but was legit amazing. I tried to take notes on my phone for this blog, but I got sauce on the screen and gave up. Also, I accidentally knocked over a tiny flower vase, and the whole table stared at me—I wanted to disappear. Still, the experience was so unique, and I felt like a real foodie traveler Europe… until I checked the bill and realized I spent my rent money.
Tips for Foodie Travel Europe From My Messy Self
I learned a ton hitting up these top restaurants in Europe, mostly by being a walking disaster. Here’s what I’d tell anyone chasing the best fine dining spots in Europe:
- Dress the part, but be comfy. My tight dress in Paris was a mistake—go for stretchy chic.
- Learn some words. I butchered every menu item—check out Duolingo for basic French or Spanish.
- Budget hard. These meals are pricey—I spent $800 total and cried a little.
- Don’t touch the table decor. Those vases are not your friends.
- Take pics fast. I got caught taking 20 photos of my plate, and the waiter judged me hard.
What I’d Do Differently Chasing Fancy Restaurants Europe
If I could redo my foodie travel Europe adventure, I’d chill out more. I was so stressed about “fitting in” at these best fine dining spots in Europe that I forgot to just enjoy the food half the time. I’d also bring a stain stick—my shirts took a beating. Oh, and I’d save more money beforehand, ‘cause I’m still broke from this trip. If you’re planning your own gourmet dining Europe tour, sites like Eater have great recs for spots I missed.
Wrapping Up My European Fine Dining Chaos
So, that’s my messy take on the best fine dining spots in Europe for foodies—I ate like a queen, embarrassed myself like a jester, and loved every second. I’m still finding crumbs in my purse, and I think I’ll be paying off that trip for a while, but it was worth it. If you’re a foodie dreaming of fancy restaurants Europe, go for it—just maybe don’t spill as much as I did. Got any fave dining spots? Drop ‘em in the comments—I need more recs!
