There are two types of city break travellers – those who consider meals as “fuel” for all the sightseeing, and those who consider sightseeing as a way to pass the time between meals. And snacks.
If you’re in the latter camp, you’ll want urban excursions that expand your culinary horizons, with traditional delicacies, new innovations, fantastic local produce and atmospheric hotspots to try them in. So pack your stretchiest waistbands, it’s time for a gourmet holiday that’s all killer, no filler. From sun-drenched Mediterranean menus to exciting bites under the northern lights, here are five city breaks to whet your appetite.
Lisbon
There’s so much more to the Portuguese capital than custard tarts – but they’re a good place to start. Locals will tell you the best pastel de nata – crisp pastry, oozy custard filling, burnished caramel top and a dusting of cinnamon – is found at Manteigaria. But no trip is complete without visiting Pastéis de Belém too, the prettily-tiled former monastery that’s been baking up a sweet storm since 1837. Meanwhile, in the historic Mercado da Ribeira, you’ll find the Time Out market, where some of the city’s best chefs jostle for attention. On the menu are Portuguese classics such as roast pork sandwiches and cuttlefish croquettes, alongside innovative spins including sardine sushi and roast octopus with black tapioca.
Youthful and cosmopolitan, with a fast-growing digital startup community, Lisbon is full of flavours from further afield: Peruvian ceviche at A Cevicheria, steamed buns at Boa-Bao and dosas at Chutnify are among the city’s most queued-for dishes. Try the Food Temple in Mouraria for wholesome home comforts, and daTerra for the holy grail – a plant-based pastel de nata. Despite the local focus on meat and seafood, veggies and vegans are increasingly well catered for too.
Split
A glorious mashup of Mediterranean and Austro-Hungarian influences with a climate ideal for wine and olive oil, Croatia is having a long-overdue moment foodwise. But while Game of Thrones fans flock to Dubrovnik to walk in Daenerys’s footsteps, the country’s burgeoning foodie capital is its technicolour second city, Split.
The Adriatic Sea offers bountiful fresh fish and seafood, nearby Istria supplies prize truffles, and you’ll find squid ink risotto, Dalmatian smoked ham (that’s the region, not the dog) and paški sir – sheep’s milk cheese on almost every menu. Dining here is unpretentious and vibey – think leafy courtyards, waterfront cafes and cosy, candlelit konoba (rustic, mid-scale taverns) in casually beautiful locations. Brasserie on 7 is one of the hottest tables in town for laid-back lunches by day and contemporary gastronomy by night. Meanwhile, Villa Spiza is a local favourite, with a handful of seats at a counter where you can watch the chefs rustle up dishes such as braised beef, veal chops and fresh calamari. Coffee and cake is an important afternoon ritual in Croatia, so make time to relax with a slice of something sticky at Bajamonti or Luka.
Girona
A truly underrated city break destination, this picture book town has all the beauty, vibrancy and charm of nearby Barcelona, with far fewer crowds. Wander the winding medieval streets of the Jewish Quarter, dine late on tapas and buy local produce at the Mercat del Lleó market, where dazzlingly fresh seafood, garlic, olive oil and tomatoes are hard to resist.
The brightest star on Girona’s gastronomy scene is the three-Michelin-starred, two-time world’s best restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca. But if an 11-month waiting list doesn’t fit in with your travel plans, the Roca brothers also run a gelato parlour, Rocambolesc, where you’ll find ice-cream in flavours such as baked apple and panettone comes topped with clouds of candy floss. Elsewhere, there’s a rich choice of modern Catalan fine dining at atmospheric hotspots such as Divinum, Massana and Nu. Meanwhile, set lunch menus can be a thrifty way to try local specialties such as smoky escalivada (blackened tomatoes, peppers and aubergines), salt cod salad and botifarra amb mongetes (the region’s signature sausage and beans) – all of which are asking to be rounded off with a sugar-crusted crema catalana. And to drink? Bitter, aromatic vermouth. Sip it slowly – no one’s in a hurry.
Reykjavík
You might be forgiven for assuming Icelandic cuisine is little more than pickled fish, squeezed in between excursions to the geysers, the Gullfoss Falls and the Blue Lagoon. But these days the world’s northernmost capital has plenty to offer a foodie, with fresh, locally sourced and innovatively cooked fare that could almost count as another natural wonder.
Both warmly hospitable and achingly cool, Reykjavík’s restaurant scene encompasses theatrical tasting menus (at Michelin-starred Dill, there are 16 courses to try), fusion small plates (Mat Bar and Skál! are your best bets) and hip brunch spots (try Bergsson Mathús, which overlooks the picturesque Tjornin pond and has peanut butter on tap). There’s also a surprising national passion for hotdogs (the favourites are from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur). Must-try Nordic staples include Icelandic lamb, arctic char, molasses-rich rye bread and the thick, cheese-yoghurt hybrid skyr. But feel free to skip the fermented shark in favour of the city’s fabulous Thai food, sourdough pizza and loaded tacos.
Lucca
Of course the food is good – it’s Italy. But this quaint Tuscan city has a gastronomic personality all of its own, from bean-rich farro soup and farinata flatbread, made with chickpea flour, to tortelli lucchese, an egg-rich pasta stuffed with meat and doused in nutmeg. Within the Renaissance-era city walls you’ll find plenty of historic trattorias and osterias, proudly turning out Lucchese meals according to centuries-old traditions. Buca di Sant’Antonio has been serving the best farro soup in town since 1782, while Da Felice has 100 years of crafting Tuscan pizza under its belt (try the salted chickpea pizza).
Use Strabuono’s hefty sandwiches to fuel your walk up the Guinigi tower and call it a night at La Cantina di Lucca, an American-style bar with a nice line in craft beer and hotdogs. Gelateria Paniko has arguably the best pistachio gelato for miles, as well as about 10 varieties of vegan ice-cream for those who are diary free. Either way, best to try a couple of scoops – you’re on holiday, after all.
If you’re searching for a mouth-watering city break, Jet2CityBreaks has the ideal trip for you. Find out more about their hassle-free package city breaks here.
