Museums, churches and architecture are all compelling reasons for choosing a holiday destination, but one of the best ways way to travel and get to know the world is with food, exploring new cultures and satisfying your stomach along the way. Every country has its star dishes, and some are so popular that they go beyond the country’s borders, but what are Europe’s most popular recipes on social networks? And which countries can boast of having the most sought-after dishes?
1. Crepes – Brittany, France
First place on the ranking goes to the most longed-for European dish online: the crepe. This delicious dessert, often associated with Brittany, built up 4,398,170 mentions online with the hashtags #crepe and #crepes. Crepes are usually of two types, sweet and savoury, but the sweet one came out tops, as the savoury version made with buckwheat was only mentioned in 18,704 posts. They’re so popular in France that you can find creperies in almost every city. There’s even a special day each year called Candlemas when people get together to eat crepes with friends and family.
- Where? Crepería Louise de Bretagne (6 Rue Poncelin, Le Conquet, France), unbeatable service and delicious crepes.
2. Tiramisu – Friuli-Venezia Giulia/Veneto, Italy
The second dish in our ranking is the world-famous tiramisu with 3,079,812 posts using the hashtags #tiramisu and #tiramisú. The origin of this sweet Italian treasure has been traditionally disputed between Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto, and it’s now seen as the Italian dessert par excellence. All of us have tried some version of it (even if it’s from a supermarket), but let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like the original.
- Where? Trevissù (Viale Luzzatti, 15, Treviso, Italy) is specialised exclusively in this rich and creamy Italian dessert.
3. Lasagne – Emilia-Romaña, Italy
It’s hardly surprising that Italy features twice in the top three. Lasagne is one of those dishes that it’s practically impossible to say no to. This rich combination of meat and pasta is traditionally considered to be from Bologna in Emilia-Romagna and is ranked the third most popular European dish on Instagram with 2,432,927 mentions using the hashtags #lasagna and #lasagne (singular and plural in Italian).
- Where? Trattoria da Me (Via S. Felice, 50, Bologna, Italy) is said to make the best lasagne in Bologna in a homely atmosphere and with excellent service.
4. Paella – Valencia, Spain
Paella is so popular that many tourists see it as Spain’s national dish. This delicious, healthy speciality is considered to be from Valencia. It has garnered an incredible 2,396,063 mentions using the hashtag #paella to make it Spain’s most international dish…although many foreigners find it hard to pronounce, especially the English and Germans, they always order it with a big smile, so it’s clear that they love it.
- Where? Alquería El Brosquil (Entrada Casa El Llarc, 1, Castellar, Valencia, Spain). A great place to enjoy a delicious paella surrounded by orange groves and orange blossoms.
5. Fish & chips – England
England is not exactly well-known for its food, but fish & chips appeared on no fewer than 1,341,271 posts on Instagram. The origin of this classic English fast food dish is unknown, but there’s a commemorative plaque at the entrance to Tommyfield Market in Oldham, just outside Manchester, stating that this is where the origin of fish and chip shops can be traced back to, so it seems as good a place as any to try it.
- Where? The Hip Hop Chip Shop (44 Blossom St, Manchester, England) is one of the best options, right in the centre of the city, and the chips are excellent!
6. Scones – England
British cuisine’s next star arrives just in time for afternoon tea. Scones are basically a type of bread shaped into a round bun that are typically eaten with cream or jam at teatime or breakfast with a cup of traditional English tea. With 1,233,042 mentions on Instagram, there’s no disputing the popularity of this classic English delicacy.
- Where? Tea and Tattle (41 Great Russell Street, London), serves fresh leaf tea in a pot and bone china and delicious scones with clotted cream and jam.
7. Brioche -Normandy, France
Over the years, the brioche has taken many different forms, but the version we know and love today is said to have originated in Normandy in the 16th century. This sweet French bread knocked up a total of 1,184,494 mentions among sweet-toothed Instagrammers. There’s even a common wedding tradition in Vendée called the dance of the brioche. The large brioche, which usually weighs 10 to 15 kilogrammes is gifted to the newlyweds, and the guests must carry the brioche around after dinner and perform a dance.
- Where? Maison Vatelier (27 Place de la Mairie, Quincampoix, France) makes delicious, award-winning brioche.
8. Pasta Carbonara – Lazio, Italy
In eighth place, we have the popular pasta carbonara with 1,154,663 posts on Instagram. Carbonara originates from the Lazio region, more precisely from the city of Rome, where it’s not prepared with egg yolk and Guanciale (Italian cured pork). Carbonara is a ‘must’ eat dish for anyone visiting the country.
- Where? Ristorante Piperno (Via Monte dè Cenci, 9, Rome), 150 years of history in making the best traditional carbonara in Rome.
9. Swiss fondue – varies by region, Switzerland
The earliest known recipe was rewritten in Zurich in 1699. Today, it’s made by heating a mixture of Gruyère and Freiburg Vacherin cheese with white wine. The idea is to dip pieces of bread into the communal pot of melted cheese while enjoying a relaxed conversation among friends or family. This delicious combination of dining experience and informal gathering was mentioned in 1,109,471 posts on Instagram.
- Where? Le Dézaley (Römergasse 7/9, Zurich, Switzerland), a great restaurant with a cosy atmosphere that offers excellent fondue at a very reasonable price.
10. Gnocchi – Emilia-Romagna, Italy
We return to Italy, this time to the Emilia-Romagna region, to close the ranking and taste the much-loved gnocchi. These small dumplings are made from a dough of flour and potato and are usually eaten with different flavoured sauces. Forget about prepared fried gnocchi and try Parma gnocchi, which is said to be the best. 1,026,868 photos testify to the popularity of this Italian speciality on Instagram.
- Where? Ristorante Corale Verdi (Vicolo Asdente, 9, Parma, Italy) serves incredibly tasty gnocchi with Gorgonzola cheese.
