Top 3 Meals in 10 Countries
Updated: Aug 19, 2019
To keep on budget, we tend not to eat out a lot over here in Europe, but when we do, we like to make sure it counts!
On average, we will treat ourselves to a local restaurant, taverna, brewery, heuriger, or gastropub once a week. This gets me away from the kitchen on some of the hottest summer nights while forcing us to use what German we've picked up along the way.
The few times we left Austria since June (Note: Our Austrian Visa allows us multiple-exits/entries, but only for Schengen Area countries) it's been a MUST to dine out!
In my opinion, there are really two great ways to learn about the local area you're in:
Shop at the Grocery Store, and;
Visit a "locals-only" food joint
A few weeks back I asked what you'd like to know about life on the road in the Europe. One of the first questions we received was "incredibly difficult": Favourite Meal
Reply: I'm SO happy that I waited to write you back on this, because my favourite meal was in Slovakia...but it's now tied even-steven with Slovenia!
...and then I decided, after all the work it put into the email reply, that I'd publish this for all other 'Kindred Foodies' out there 😄.
Top 3 Meals for Kelly
For Kelly, Zams & Bratislava were amazing representatives for regional cuisine dishes. He thought that they were both very good takes on the 'local tradition'. But for the lasagna, Kelly says,
"It was just an outstanding take on Lasagna! The chef took something so humble and elevated it so far beyond my expectations!!"
#3 Vegetarian Lasagna Terrine in Flizmoos, Austria (Cafe la Vie)
There is a very high chance Kelly will order #3 again when we return to Filzmoos, Austria in December. And this is a rather high compliment coming from Kelly - as I was a strict vegetarian when we met almost 10 years ago. So, he's eaten a number of high-end veggie dishes during our time together.
#2 Pork Dumplings in Bratislava, Slovakia (Mestiansky Pivovar Brewery)
#1 Traditional Tiroler Pork, in Zams, Austria (Postgasthof Gemse)
Top 4 Meals for Knives
Yes, I'm doing four. And yes, the extra one is so totally worth it. Besides, Kelly didn't know that this loophole existed when I wrote this - ha ha!!
For me, #3 and #2 were super amazing in their creativity on local dishes that have been enjoyed for centuries in their respective regions.
#3 Pork Roast on Sweet Cabbage in Gumpoldskirchen, Austria (Heuriger Spaetrot)
(Author's Note: when we were at Amuzee, we also had a tapa called "KFC Quail" which was EXACTLY the same flavour profile of the Kentucky Fried Chicken I remember from my childhood. But it was tiny, darling, delicately beautiful, and tremendously YUMMY!) So here is a Bonus Photo: KFC Quail
#1 Tie for first place:
Moravian Sparrow with cream spinach & potato dumplings in Bratislava, Slovakia (Mestiansky Pivovar Brewery)
But Wait, There's More!
We have also been incredibly lucky to have been hosted by a number of new friends across Europe. This post would become extremely long if I was to list them all, but here is a glimpse of the wonderful hospitality and company we've encountered!
@Val Hahaha!! 😂 Truth be told, it was a requirement from my doctor... but clearly Kelly hasn't been complaining! 😜
So it looks like you are no longer a "strict vegetarian," Stef … I wonder whose influence that would be? lol ...