Barcelona
A welcome find in seafood-centric Barceloneta, El Ben Plantat serves a varied menu of small plates, with excellent vegetarian choices (hummus, guacamole…
Must-see restaurants in Mediterranean Europe
Oviedo
Classy Naguar mixes top-notch creative concoctions with more traditional offerings under the watch of acclaimed Asturian chef Pedro Martino. Reserve ahead…
Logroño
It looks unassuming from the outside, but Ramón's high-quality, locally grown produce and tried-and-tested family recipes, such as chargrilled lamb…
Livorno
Harbour workers are the first to fill the long wooden tables at this unpretentious osteria (casual tavern), with other locals following close behind…
Göreme
Simply the best pide (Turkish-style pizza) in town is found in this local haunt. The cavernous wood oven fires up meat and vegetarian options and anything…
Turin
Northern Italians are fond of a 'concept' and Bolognese chef Cesare Marretti's concept here is sorpresa (surprise). Beyond the choice of meat, fish or…
El Cotillo
Tucked away, this small and popular blue-and-white cafe has bucketloads of personality and an easy-going temperament. It's just what the doctor ordered…
Costa Brava
Perched atop the cape, this all-day restaurant caters to exhausted hikers and beach-goers with an unexpected combination of Catalan and Indian food. The…
Barcelona
This little neighbourhood joint is simple but intimate, with red banquettes, mismatched chairs and wine bottles adorning bare walls. A TV pumps out footie…
Mallorca
With a plumb spot, overlooking the beach, this slightly old-fashioned Mallorcan restaurant is a welcome alternative to the glitz that dominates this part…
Il-Kantra Lido Bar & Restaurant
Gozo
Rent sunbeds, eat and drink at the Hotel Ta'Ċenċ's gorgeously set summer-only restaurant. Look forward to incredible views towards the inlet of Mġarr ix…
Dodecanese
With chi-chi chairs and tables, Vaggelis sits in one of the most intimate squares in the world. At the time of research it was changing ownership back to…
Valletta
Salad specials, plump sandwiches and toasted chicken wraps all feature at this compact Australian-owned cafe. Fruit salad with Greek yoghurt and cold…
Erzurum
Erzurum has dozens of places for caǧ kebap, but Çagin is a definite cut above the pack. Female friendly, there's smart, hexagonal-themed decor, an English…
Nafplio
The only 'true' gelato shop in Nafplio is still holding back the competition. Italian gelati maestros Marcello, Claudia and Monica Raffo will tell you: …
Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas & Costa Adeje
On the waterfront in Los Cristianos' port area, ever-popular Pescaderia Dominga (along with a handful of other kiosks) sells fresh-off-the-boat fish. Buy…
Nerja
There are two good reasons why this is the most popular tapas bar in town: first, the house wine is excellent; second, you get a free tapa with every…
Cartagena
Done Roman and it's time for a decent central meal? Much of the pedestrian area is taken up with fairly mediocre restaurants pulling in cruise-ship…
Cyprus
The setting of this taverna is divine, overlooking the Agios Dimitris church and the main square with its memorial fountain. Head to the raised terrace…
Rethymno
With a divey graffitied interior and a large menu, Mojo’s delivers some of the best burgers and hot dogs this side of the Atlantic. Try the Alabama Mama,…
Karpathos
This handsome harbourfront cafe-restaurant has a billowing ceiling arrangement and overly perfect white chairs and striped covers. And it draws in the…
Ibiza Town
Figueretes' seafront promenade has a stack of mediocre restaurants, but friendly Soleado is a cut above most. The menu is Provençal, with fine seafood,…
Western Anatolia
A popular hangout with Afyon's younger set, Badem rustles up a mixed menu of international and Turkish favourites, from burgers to gözleme (stuffed…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Taking its name from the trams that rattle by outside, this old-style trattoria is known as a Slow Food hub. A family-run affair, its kitchen mixes…
Siena
Operating since 1901, this farmer's co-op is a rich emporium of food and wine, much of it locally produced. Self-caterers can source meat from the on-site…
Stromboli
The perfect source for volcano-climbing provisions or a self-catering lunch, this reasonably priced neighbourhood grocery – at a bend in the road five…
Centro Storico
It's all in the name – Beppe and his cheeses. Serving cheese throughout the day, this small restaurant, attached to a well-stocked deli selling formaggi…
Ibiza Town
Locals have been flocking to family-run Alfredo's on leafy Vara de Rey since 1934. It's a great place for the freshest of seafood and other classic Ibizan…
El Cotillo
A suitably nautical interior and a menu that includes superbly prepared fried squid, lobster, grilled sole, paella and other tasty seafood. In a town…
Central Sicily
Don't let the stark white lights and bland decor put you off, this popular, affable trattoria serves excellent value-for-money food. Antipasti are of the…
Trani
This compact and happening spot soundtracked by classic soul music combines good-value gourmet salads and panini sandwiches with a thoughtful selection of…
Chianti
Sit inside the 18th-century villa or on the terrace of the restaurant on the Castello di Ama wine estate to enjoy rustic dishes featuring vegetables grown…
Victoria (Rabat)
It-Tokk is a cosy restaurant with flagstone walls and an arched, bamboo-shaded 1st-floor terrace overlooking the square. Come here for traditional Maltese…
Hania Province
Hidden in a pretty grapevine-shrouded courtyard off the Hania road, this charismatic restaurant specialises in traditional charcoal-grilled local meats,…
Thessaloniki
A veritable institution since 1960, Elenidis specialises in Thessaloniki's favourite pastry, the trigona. This sweet, flaky triangular cone, filled with…
Cappadocia
Right beside the river, this friendly, family-run place has a wonderful shady terrace and is just the spot for lunch and chilling out with a beer after a…
Cappadocia
Lunch on gözleme (stuffed flatbreads), yaprak sarma (stuffed vine leaves) and other staple Turkish dishes, served up at this good-value restaurant run by…
Tarifa
With whitewashed walls and bright geraniums, busy El Lola is known for its delectable, lightly creative tapas and raciones of Atlantic bluefin almadraba…
Southwestern Sardinia
For once the food plays second fiddle. A meal at this casual, laid-back pizzeria is all about its magical setting at Belvedere. Tables are laid out on a…
Girona
The piled-high bar glistens with tempting pintxos (Basque tapas) at this bubbly Basque tavern in the heart of Girona's old town. Just help yourself and…
