Europe is famous for its cuisine. This fame comes in many guises, including the “oh my goodness, how delicious, we are never leaving” way to the “why does everyone make such a big deal about it, I could make something better at home” complaint. To be honest, we experienced both ends of the spectrum. What follows isn’t as much as a detailed guide to eating – although I’ll cover some tips – but a pictorial representation of some of our more memorable moments (both good and bad).
Italy = Options for Picky Eaters
As I’ve mentioned before, Riley is a very picky eater. He’s getting better (slowly!), but his eating wasn’t ever really a problem in Europe – mostly because we spent so much time walking around that by the time it came to meals, he was famished. We all were!
Italy was when things got really easy.
He would usually opt for one or two pasta dishes. The first above, a simple aglio e olio. (Garlic pasta – I’ve made it too!)
Or, more often, a simple tomato base spaghetti. This particular one tasted like the Heinz spaghetti that comes in a tin, but he said was “his favourite”, so what do I know, eh?
Best of all was the Margherita pizza. Tomato, cheese, a dash of oregano and that’s it. They’re huge.
At the same meal, Adam ordered a calzone so enormous it didn’t fit on the plate.
But there are risks…
We spoke to a lot of tourists in Rome disappointed with the quality of food, and I have to say we had a similar experience in Venice. That said, I do want to make two extra points.
- There are a lot of sites like Yelp or Trip Advisor or mobile phone applications that can help sort out where to go and what to avoid. Even the guide books, if they are up to date. Verbal recommendations served us well in Rome (see here for more), but not in Venice. Our hotel praised a restaurant around the corner (who happened to belong to his brother-in-law…) and it was the place we liked least. So maybe be cautious about those!
- Above said, look, nothing is perfect. After the fact, bad food stories are often as enjoyable to tell as the good. Local cuisine is there to be sampled; that’s the point. And what might look good in writing on a menu might come to the table as something completely different to what you were expecting. Like this salami, wet polenta and mushroom appetiser in Venice. Thumbs down.
Healthy Food Option in the UK
I want to make special mention of the food chain Pret a Manger we discovered in the UK. Not only was their coffee the best of the chain-style variety I remember drinking, but their snack range is healthy and appealing (not always a common combo!).
(But traditional pub fare is still good, never fear!)
This is Adam’s idea of heaven: a roast dinner with Yorkshire puddings (in Yorkshire!), with vegetables on the side and no less than seven condiments to choose from. Yum.
Table Water – Tap vs Bought
We didn’t need to pay for table water in France or the UK, but did once we got to Italy and Turkey. So that’s something to note if you go through as much water as we do in a single sitting! Sometimes, if you buy an espresso, they might pour you a glass to chase down after, but it depends on the cafe.
Sweet Tooth Heaven!
If you love sweets, you’ll be happy in Europe. Savoury fans of cheese will be too, however, I didn’t get any photos of ours (eaten too quickly!). It’s probably a good idea you don’t overdo it though, because after a week in Paris we all had toothaches because of the extra sugar/carbs we were eating!
To counter the above ‘bad’ food story – this muffin represents a good one. I bought this in a busy bakery called Giselda in Trastevere, Rome. We sat down in-store to eat because we were lucky enough to find a table. After I took the first bite of this blueberry muffin, I got out my phone to take a picture – because unless something better comes along, this will take its place as the best muffin I have ever eaten. Dense and satisfying, the fruit either fresh or preserved very well (not frozen), which helped it keep consistent form. That apricot jam in the middle was an added genius.
Another memorable meal came from the very place we were least expecting – along a tourist strip by the Colosseum, with a spruiker out the front waving us in (warning bells go off whenever you see a place that needs them). But we were hot and needed a rest. I ordered a tomato and mozzarella sandwich because by then I’d had enough of heavy pastas and pizzas. It came with a simple basil leaf in between each of the sandwich halves.
And it was delicious.
Overall, my advice is this: budgeting for food is important. Very important. The jump in food expensiveness between France and the UK took my breath away, for example. And the more active you are, the hungrier you’ll get – and that’s especially the case with children. Supermarkets are essential, even if it’s just for snacks to get you through the day. Every little bit helps. Breakfasts are crucial – to get bellies full to get them through to lunch, and beyond. In the UK, while we were driving the car, we would eat a huge breakfast and that often got us way into the afternoon.
When we were city-based, we tried to have our main meal at midday when prices are a little cheaper, but that’s not always convenient.
Above all – enjoy. Taste their delicacies. The turkish delight in Turkey was magnificent. French bread is everything they say it is. Gelatos are amazing.
Have one of everything for me!
What’s your favourite food to eat in Europe (or that originated there)? Got any other tips?
P.S You might be wondering why I don’t have photos from Turkey. This is because half of my time there was down at Gallipoli, where there wasn’t much in the way of food. Period. The lines were so long, that by the end I was eating the emergency Mentos lollies Adam made me pack because I was so hungry – and I despise lollies. I just can’t stomach them.
