Plan your next getaway to some of Europe's most exciting destinations that also offer unforgettable dining experiences.
20 March 2023
5 MIN READ
European restaurants dominate the World’s 50 Best Awards making up over half of the winners and 4 of the top 5 countries when it comes to global Michelin star destinations. Obviously, these are not the only measurement of what makes a great restaurant but it certainly helps to demonstrate the level of talent that we have on our doorstep, along with the popularity and variety of the cuisines on offer.
So, for those looking to enjoy a little more than the typical roast lamb this Spring, here are a few of our favourite restaurant destinations throughout Europe and our suggestions for the must-includes for your weekend.
COPENHAGEN
First on the foodie destination list and still very much at the forefront of innovation when it comes to culinary creativeness, commitment to sustainability and seasonality. With Noma stepping aside and its days taking up a substantial amount of the Copenhagen culinary spotlight now numbered, it appears to be time to focus on some of the equally outstanding but perhaps ever so slightly less famed venues. Geranium being one of them.
Geranium
This is far from an obscure outsider and it's almost impossible to set the bar any higher than with Geranium. The World's 50 Best number one venue of 2022 and the very first Danish restaurant to win three Michelin stars in 2016, it is in a league of its own in so many ways but maybe doesn't quite have that global celeb status that Noma does.
Full of accolades and free of meat, having gone for a seafood and vegetable-only focused menu. It’s hyper-seasonal, uses only local ingredients and the full experience will stimulate all of your senses over a 20-course period. Very much a bucket list restaurant.
Geranium is located at Per Henrik Lings Allé 4, 8. Sal, 2100 København, Denmark
Restaurant Barr
Barr is laid back, casual and charming but still retains that sense of inventiveness that Copenhagen diners are familiar with. Offering up dishes such as its Schnitzel Wiener Art which is unlike any schnitzel you’ve ever tried, coming with grilled brussels sprouts, horseradish cream and Barr’s butter sauce with anchovies, which is to be spooned very generously over the top.
Waterfront views are coupled with their expertly selected beers, all coming from independent craft breweries, something there is no certainly shortage of in Denmark. Barr focuses on a particular 10 at a time, making sure that there is a beer to match
every dish.
Restaurant Barr is located at Strandgade 93, 1401 København, Denmark
Baest
A wholesome and hearty feast, likely to be as memorable as any fine dining experience you have here. This is pizza to rival the best Italian restaurants in Europe and one that would slot in sweetly next to Antica da Michele or Sorbillo of Naples. This should be number one on your Copenhagen list and is likely to stay there long after you've left too.
Baest is located at Guldbergsgade 29, 2200 København N, Denmark
LISBON
For those that are keen on sunnier climates, Lisbon is a delight all year round but particularly in the spring and autumn time and its restaurants showcase Portuguese cuisine at its absolute best.
BAHR & Terrace at Bairro Alto Hotel
BAHR offers beautiful food, beautiful views and is one of the hotel hotspots of the city, so there is a lot to love. Whether you want to start your day with a scenic brunch, take a break from exploring the cobbled streets of Bairro Alto with a light lunch or retire for the day after enjoying some of the best Portuguese dishes in the city, BAHR has you covered.
BAHR is located at Praça Luís de Camões nº 2, 1200-243 Lisboa, Portugal
Prado
A farm-to-table approach is king at the bright and airy Prado. As their website categorically states ‘if it's not in season, it's not on the table'. A concept enforced by the highly talented head Chef António Galapito, who learnt his trade under the stewardship of London's favourite Portuguese chef, Nuno Mendes (Lisboeta, Maos & Chiltern Firehouse). The wine list compliments this philosophy and as you would expect is full of biodynamic and organic Portuguese wines that will make your food sing.
Prado is located at Tv. Pedras Negras 2, 1100-404 Lisboa, Portugal
Alma
No article discussing the culinary delights of Lisbon would be complete without mentioning Alma. This is, without a doubt, one of the most appreciated restaurants in the city. A 2 Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant, all within the confines of a beautiful 18th-century building, that takes you on a journey along the coast of Portugal and includes dishes such as red mullet Portuguese style with grilled sea
lettuce and "Cobblestreet" salted cod.
Alma is located at R. Anchieta 15, 1200-224 Lisboa, Portugal
ROME
A city with a similar feel to a hustling and bustling food market. There are so many options in Rome that it’s easy to get lost. The best advice is to keep it simple and look for places that will offer Roman cuisine in its most uncomplicated form. Pasta and tiramisu, very much the order of the day when it comes to Rome.
Osteria Da Fortunata
Here you will find a line-up of cheerful nonna’s rolling fresh pasta every day with queues down the street for both lunch and dinner. Like a lot of restaurants in Rome, it is quick, it’s all delicious and you get to see the art of pasta making in action.
Osteria da Fortunata is located at Via del Pellegrino, 11/12, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Armando Al Pantheon
Armando al Pantheon is a movie set restaurant. Walls of pictures, separated by the occasional splash of paint, tightknit tables and charmingly unassuming like any great trattoria should be. Not only does Armando conjure up images of charming filmset trattorias but it has quite the track record of enticing actual movie stars too. A quick flick through the gallery section of their low-key website will give you an idea of who and very little insight into the restaurant itself but rest assured this is some of the best Roman cuisine in the city and you will want to rewatch this one over and over.
Armando Al Pantheon is located at Salita de' Crescenzi, 31, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
The story goes that, once you try Roscioli’s carbonara, you are forever cursed with the belief that everything else is just a bad imitation and will never be able look at the dish in the same way. This will either entice or deter you but I can attest to the reality of that curse and I think it is worth carrying for the rest of your life. It’s that good. This deli cum restaurant is also renowned for its expert bread making, its authentic ingredients and its’ extensive wine cellar.
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina is located at Via dei Giubbonari, 21, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
NICE
Often unfairly overlooked for more glamorous nearby locations such as Cannes or St Tropez, especially when it comes to summer trips. However, Nice has so much to offer on the restaurant front and is such a convenient little city that it’s well worth it, even just for an evening.
La Petite Maison
La Petite Maison is an absolute institution in Nice and the original hotspot that has managed to maintain its energy levels since the opening day. A perfect place for lunch in the summer sun, to sip on cocktails long into the evening and to enjoy true Niçoise specialities all the while experiencing one of the liveliest settings in the city. La Petite Maison is highly likely to have you up and dancing by the end of the evening.
La Petite Maison is located at 11 Rue Saint-François de Paule, 06000 Nice, France
Les Agitateurs
This minuscule Michelin-starred number holds authenticity at its heart. A compact operation that works with a small list of some of the best producers in the region and a place that ensures everything is packaged and presented beautifully. Les Agitateurs is considered to be serve up some of the most inventive cooking in the city with the menu featuring original delights such as, confit pork belly with prawns alongside their take on the classic Marseille dish, Bouillabaisse.
Les Agitateurs is located at 24 Rue Bonaparte, 06300 Nice, France
Pure & V
A breath of fresh (Scandinavian) air. Pure & V is light, bright and airy and operates somewhat in reverse, in that the wines are picked before the food is paired. All the wines are chosen by owner and sommelier, Vanessa Massé, the first woman to be crowned "best sommelier" in the 2021 Michelin guide and the Nordic-inspired dishes are then developed to complement these. A very much wine-led menu and a highly original way of doing things.
Pure & V is located at 7 Rue du Lycée, 06000 Nice, France
There are plenty more names to mention when it comes to deserving dining destinations, whether that is the original culinary capital in Lyon or the multi-Michelin starred San Sebastian but these four fabulous foodie spots are a superb start on your journey to experiencing the variety of cuisines that Europe has to offer. Each of these restaurants presents a perfect snapshot of its city and does so in its own unique way, whether that’s the undeniable charm of Armando, the pristine approach from Geranium or the boundless energy of La Petite Maison.
Monument has partnered with La Petite Conciergerie to offer Members a Restaurant Reservations service, allowing Members to redeem pre-booked restaurant bookings. This service is complimentary to Monument Members as a membership benefit.
Find the Restaurant Reservations service in the Restaurant of the Week collection within the Member Services app anytime, and explore the reservations available this week.