Underrated foodie cities in Europe and the best spots

Paris, London, Barcelona, and Rome are obvious choices for culinary delights. Although with hordes of visitors, the demand (and sometimes greed) impairs the quality of dishes. Here are the cities where I had the opportunity to try known and new delicious meals. These European cities are, in my opinion, a foodie traveler's must-visit.

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Siena, Italy

The Tuscan countryside is a piece of heaven. Everything grows here, from grapes to vegetables to animals. It's peaceful, the air is clean, and the views are stunning. During summer nights, you can walk under a clear starry sky, which is a rare experience nowadays. The land seems forgotten by time, and nature is still queen.

You have to stay at an agriturismo for a full experience. There are fancy hotels in Siena, but I doubt they can compete with homemade Italian food. Pick a place that provides at least breakfast and dinner, and have lunch at a winery.

We stayed at La Gavina, in the lush hills of Siena. The owner cooked all the food from heirloom recipes and garden fresh vegetables. The food was served family style, and platters kept coming.

You do need a car for day trips. Visit the wineries around, where you can have delicious tastings or food pairings.

From Siena, you can have day trips to Florence. There is a lot to cover, much walking to be done, and many artworks to be taken in. I would recommend restaurants away from the main attractions, as most are tourist traps that will serve you a bland microwaved lasagna without batting an eye.

When trying Tuscan wines, you cannot make a wrong choice. But if you need a place to start, go with the areas of Chianti, Montepulciano, Montalcino, and San Gimignano.

End your evening with an Aperol Spritz on a rooftop, like Panorama Restaurant La Scaletta or Empire Rooftop View American Bar and Pool.

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Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a popular city for work and vacations alike, which makes for a diverse and delicious food scene.

Brunch cafes are everywhere, which is a newer thing for Europeans. We prefer to have lazy mornings at home when possible.

Some of my favorite brunch places in Lisbon are Hygge Kaffe, Brunch Cafe, Seventh Brunch, and Choupana Caffé.

For seafood, go to Copo de Mar, Indian at Desi Masala, Japanese food at Koppu Ramen Izakaya Chiado, and vegan at Plant Base. Pick up traditional Portuguese food at Lucimar, Taberna do Bairro Alto, Restaurante Rio Grande, and Lisboa Tu E Eu 2. These are just a few suggestions, there are so many great restaurants in Lisbon.

Portugal is known to be cheap, but I wouldn't say so. Of course, you can live on little here. Neighborhood restaurants offer meals of the day, which consist of rice, fries, a small piece of protein, and a small bland salad. Or fish and boiled potatoes. While affordable, it may not be as healthy, and definitely lacks spices and flavor.

Pro tip- some restaurants start you off with bread and spreads. They are usually not fresh or good, but they will make their way to your bill. I would rather order a selection of cheeses and meats instead.

For dessert, choose Pastel de Nata. I'm not a big fan of custard, but these tarts are addictive. Desserts made with egg yolks were made popular by monks. They used egg whites to starch their clothing, so the yolks had to be used as well.

For drinks, try local wines like Vinho Verde, Port, and Alentejo wines. Vinho Verde is a unique fizzy wine, perfect for the Portuguese summer.

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Manchester, UK

British food doesn't have a good name among international cuisines. But visiting the UK will change your mind. There's nothing like eating a dish in its country of origin. As one of my favorite foodie cities, Manchester is a great mix of local and international dishes.

Taste the traditional fare of fish and chips in a beautiful historical pub like Sam's Chop House. Wright's Fish and Chips and Rain Bar also serve delicious local dishes. The chips (fries) are especially tasty, as usually they are thick, salted, and fried to perfection. You have to pair these with a crisp, cold pint of local Manchester Ale.

Elnecot is more modern and provides everything from English Breakfast to Sunday Roasts, topped with Sticky Toffee Pudding.

British foods tend to be heavy and rich. So for healthier options, visit Pupa Restaurant and Bar for steak and fish, and Monkey Trio Japanese Bar for sushi. Manchester Sora Restaurant offers Asian fusion meals and a unique afternoon tea. Wholesome Junkies serves tasty vegan food.

Pieminister was visited several times, as they specialize in a gourmet take on traditional pies.

Annies is also great for traditional food and afternoon tea, in a cozy atmosphere.

The best scone I've ever had was in Manchester. It was full of flavor and spices, not just a bland vehicle for jam and clotted cream. I had to go back to the Richmond Tea Rooms, and I still think about it. The decor is Alice in Wonderland-themed, which is a fun bonus.

Don't miss The Piccadilly Street Food Market for a vast selection of bites and desserts.

For a spectacular view of the city, have a cocktail at Cloud 23 on top of the Beetham Tower. Gin and tonic is a British classic, but I would still go for an Aperol Spritz.

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Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is part of the underrated Eastern European places that have so much to offer. It has everything- history, culture, food, nature, and modern amenities.

The traditional Romanian food is delicious. Special holiday dishes are now available year-round in restaurants, and pastry shops are on every corner.

Traditional dishes include sarmale (cabbage rolls), stews, polenta with egg and cheese, bean soup in a bread bowl, veal soup, chicken soup, and pork dishes. And you have to try papanasi, a fried dough dessert served with sour cream and jam. You can find these at Restaurant Burebista Tradițional, Crama Domneasca, Restaurant Bucatarașul, La Mama, Ciorbe și Plăcinte.

If you want to experience a restaurant with history and notable architecture, visit Caru' cu Bere, Restaurant Hanu' lui Manuc, Gambrinus, and Casa Capșa Restaurant. Casa Capșa also has a cake shop, with traditional but modern desserts.

As Bucharest is at a crossroads for trading and traveling, it has become an expert in dishes like shawarma, pizza, and pastries.

Between Unirii and Victoriei, you will find some of the best restaurants in the city. For international cuisines, visit Aubergine for Mediterranean food, Mace for North African, The Kimchi Bistro and Shop for Korean, Salon Golescu for burgers and beers, and Treevi Pizza for pizza.

You cannot miss La Baiatu and Dristor for a proper shawarma, which is a staple. It's considered a 'fast food', but in Bucharest, even fast food can be fresh and healthy.

Luca and other pastry shops are a must. You need to enjoy the cheese pastries, the pretzels, the pretzels with fillings, and the apple strudel.

The wines in Romania are also way underrated, so try a dry Muscat from Jidvei, Feteasca Neagra and Feteasca Alba, Muscat Ottonel, and Dealu Mare wines.

Visit Linea | Closer to the Moon for a romantic sunset view and good cocktails.

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Larnaca, Cyprus

Larnaca is an up-and-coming vacation city in Cyprus. The never-ending beach, food, and laid-back atmosphere make it a great destination. It's also a great base for exploring the island. I recommend booking tours, as driving on the left and the crazy traffic will not be relaxing.

The brunch scene is great, with restaurants like Onar Larnaca, Edem's Yard, StoArtos Coffee Bakery, and Happy Avogato. You have to try grilled Halloumi cheese, it goes with everything from breakfast to salads.

You're bound to find an English Breakfast in most breakfast restaurants, as there's a huge British influence. Cyprus was under British rule between 1878 and 1960. That's why everyone speaks English in Cyprus, and why they drive on the left side.

Zorbas Bakery is a must. You can eat there every day of your vacation and not get bored. They offer a vast selection of pastries, bread, sweets, even pizza and cookies. The cheese pastries and the pizza were my favorites.

For fish and seafood, try Zephyros and Namare Sea Food Bar. Oh My Cod serves fish and chips and other bites.

For local Cypriot food, eat at Souvlaki.gr, To Arxontikon, To Aithrion, among others. Order octopus, souvlaki, Greek salad, moussaka, and lamb dishes. For dessert, pick the sweet cheese pastry.

Wash everything down with Keo beer, brewed in Cyprus. For getting completely hammered, try Zivania, a traditional Cypriot spirit. It's not my favorite, as I don't enjoy burning my insides.

Commandaria is the world's oldest named wine that's still in production. It's a sweet wine with a lot of tradition. If you prefer dry wines, try something from Zambartas. You can enjoy wine tastings and fancy dishes in a venue like Vinaria or The Oak Tree Wine Cellar and Tasting Room.

Fresh pomegranate juice is also a thing here, so order one when you see a little shop like Chris Juice Bar.

I hope you had a good read and plenty of inspiration for your future foodie travels.