20 street foods everyone should eat in Europe (2024)

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Czech Republic: trdelnik

Thanks to their shape, these pastries are often referred to as "chimney cakes." The dough is grilled over an open fire, dusted with cinnamon, sugar, or nuts, and can then be filled with either whipped cream or Nutella.

Greece: souvlaki

Souvlaki refers to a skewer of meat (usually pork, lamb, or chicken) that's grilled. The meat is then served either on a plate with French fries or wrapped in a pita with onions and tomatoes.

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Belgium: Belgian waffle

Slighty crunchy on the outside, but warm and doughy on the inside, these oblong-shaped waffles usually come with some sort of sweet topping like Nutella, whipped cream, or strawberries.

Switzerland: pretzel

Known as Brezel in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, these large prezels are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, andsprinkled with salt. They are also often made into a sandwich and filled with salami, cheese, or just butter.

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Romania: gogoasa

Gogoserii — small doughnut shops — line the streets of Bucharest, selling puffs of dough that come plain or stuffedwith jam.

Denmark: smorrebrod

Copenhagen is home to the smorrebrod, an open-faced sandwich topped with cold cuts, produce, and some kind of spread. Some of the best are served at Aamanns or Handmade, which sits onPapirøen or Paper Island, a foodieparadise that hosts 33 food stalls.

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England: fish and chips

While England isn't generally known for itsfood, the country is known as the birthplace of fish and chips, a dish consisting of battered white fish that's fried and served with a side of fries (chips).

Italy: gelato

The ideal end to a meal of pizza or pasta, gelato is the Italian version of ice cream, but it's denser and healthier, so you don't have to feel horrible about havinga scoop every day you're on vaction.

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Poland: oscypek

This sheep's cheese comes from Poland's highlands, a region south ofKraków. Oscypek is served in a unique way: It's grilled and comes with a side of cranberry jam.

Finland: korvapuusti

Meaning "slapped ears" in English, korvapuusti are essentially cinnamon buns. Finns like to enjoy the pastries with coffee.

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Turkey: simit

In Istanbul, it'snot uncommon to see vendors carrying trays on their heads that are piled high with simits. The dough is dipped in molasses and topped with sesame seeds.

France: crêpe

Crêperies, stands that serve these paper-thin pancakes, are ubiquitous acrossFrance. Fillings vary from butter and sugar to ham and cheese.

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Holland: broodje haring

This simple sandwich includes pickles, onions, and raw herring, a Dutch specialty. Vishandel Molenaar, a standin street market Albert Cuypmarkt, is a local favorite.

Germany: currywurst

Germans love their wurst, and one of the country's most beloved iterations of the meat staple is currywurst. Bathed in curry ketchup and curry powder, this sausage is best enjoyed with a side of Frenchfries.

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Spain: churros

Churros — fried dough that's often sprinkled with sugar — are common in multiple countries throughout Europe, but they're thought to have originated in Spain, where it's common to dip the doughnut-like sticks in chocolate.

Bosnia and Herzegovina / Serbia: ćevapi

A small, thin sausage made from beef, lamb, pork, or a mix of thethree,ćevapi can be found throughout the Balkans. One order usually includes at least five sausages, which are served in a flatbread with onions, sour cream, feta cheese, and red pepper.

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Ukraine: perepichka

Tourists and locals alike in Kiev will tell you that a visit to the city is not complete without a trip toKyivska Perepichka, a small stand that sells hot dogs wrapped inside a slightly sweet-tasting fried dough.

Austria: käsekrainer

Käsekrainer, a crispy sausage filled with melted cheese and served with mustard, is a favorite among Austrians. The sausage is also known as a"eitrige," a colloquial nickname that you won't want to know the translation for if you intend on keeping your appetite.

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Bulgaria: banitsa

There's no breakfast more Bulgarian than a banitsa with a bottle of boza (a thick, fermented drink popular in the country). Banitsa are a flaky pastry that can be stuffed with a range of sweet or savory fillings such as cheese, cabbage, spinach, or apples and walnuts.

Sweden: tunnbrödsrulle

Possibly one of the messiest yet tastiest sandwiches out there,tunnbrödsrulle has a bit of everything: a hot dog, mashed potatoes, mayonnaise, raw and fried onions, and shrimp salad, all wrapped in atunnbröd, a kind of Swedish flatbread.