Europe Restaurant Tips by Maryimelda Top 5 Page for this destination

Favourite Coffee and Snack Venues: These take the cake.

This is one of those combined restaurant tips which is designed just to give you a glimpse of what is available when you feel peckish on your travels around Europe. There are literally thousands upon thousands of these eateries on the continent, some more spectacular than others but the bottom line is they all serve really great cake and other delicacies even if they don't have extravagant displays such as those that I have chosen to feature here.

Comparison: about average

Directions: All over Europe.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Coffeehouse

Montparnasse 1900, Paris: No 3 Favourite in Europe

This restaurant has class by the bucketful. Situated near the busy junction on Blvd. Montparnasse amid dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars, it is very easy to find. It has a wonderful ambience with decor that is very reminiscent of Paris probably 100 years ago. The staff, without exception made us very welcome on both of our visits there. They seem to find time to fuss even though the restaurant is very big and always very busy. Definitely my favourite Paris eatery to date.

Favorite Dish: I pride myself on my homemade version of French Onion soup, but even I had to defer to this one. It is hearty and chockful of onions and thick bread and cheese crouton. Absolutely mouthwatering. The lamb shoulder with mashed potato was succulent and sweet and really delicious. Excellent wine list. I highly recommend this one.

Address: 59, boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006, Paris

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Right across from C & A store

Phone: Tél : 01 45 49 19 00

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: French

The Griechenbeisl, Vienna: No 2 Favourite in Europe

The Griechenbeisl is the restaurant you fantasize about when you are daydreaming about going to Vienna. It dates back to the 1400's and has never stopped trading in all that time. There are lots of ancient nooks and crannies and a lovely elderly gentleman was playing the zither the night we were there. The food is just what you'd expect in a Viennese restaurant, the service is extremely friendly and efficient. It was a delight to be there. Take note however, that there is a very real need to book. This place is full every night.

Favorite Dish: Favorite Dish: Whate else? - Wiener Schnitzel of course! And Strudel naturally!

Address: Fleischmkt, Wein

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Just off Stephensplatz, Vienna

Phone: +43-1-5331977 +43-1-533

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: German/Austrian

Website: http://Website: www.griechenbeisl.at

St Peters Stiftskeller, Salzburg: No 1 Favourite in Europe

So elegant, so warm, such a friendly and efficient staff, such good food and not as expensive as you might think when you first walk in. There are a number of different sections, including an outdoor area and one or two more formal restaurant rooms and a function room. I was shown into one of the more formal rooms and I was made to feel as if I was the only person there that night, which of course I wasn't as the place was packed out. I especially liked the way I was treated because it has been my experience in many parts of Europe to feel unwelcome because I am a woman dining alone. Maybe they don't like having to spare a table for one person or maybe they think I am up to no good, I really can't say. At St Peter Stiftskeller however, I was treated like royalty and made to feel very comfortable indeed.

Favorite Dish: I'm a sucker for a good schnitzel and the schnitzel here was superb. I can especially recommend the soup which was carrot and coconut with smoked duck, words can't describe how good this was. I asked for a glass of red wine and the waiter said that he had a very interesting merlot for me to try and it was excellent. All the bread I could eat and a lovely garden salad and the bill came to 34 euro. I was delighted. At the risk of sounding over the top, I would say that I would return to Salzburg for a third time, for no other reason but to go back to St Peter Stiftskeller.

Address: In the courtyard of the Abbey Church of St Peter.

Comparison: about average

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: German/Austrian

Gasthaus zum Ankor Restaurant- Nr. Heidelberg: No 5 Favourite in Europe

About 9kms outside of Heidelberg, near a place called Schleuse, there is a lovely garden restaurant, "Gasthaus zum Ankor", right on the banks of the Neckar in a wonderful country setting. It even has a barn next door housing milk cows and their calves. This has to be one of the most peaceful places I have ever enjoyed in Europe. After a leisurely dinner, we took a walk up the river to the lock gates and all around were cornfields, apple trees and beautiful horses. This was a highlight of my entire 6 week holiday.

Favorite Dish: We sat in the garden and ate Bratwurst and chips washed down with red wine for me and Radler (shandy) for my friends.

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: 9km from Heidelberg near Scheuse on the River Neckar

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Trattoria Pino - Genoa: No. 4 Favourite in Europe

Trattoria Pino

When you're a stranger in an otherwise gloomy city and it's cold and rainy, it is like coming home to enter a place like Trattoria Pino in Genoa. This is a very homestyle restaurant run by a wonderful aging Italian family. There are handpainted murals on the walls which have all seen better days but the place has an overall wonderful feeling of cosy, welcoming comfort.
This is a place to take a good appetite because it will all be a waste if you're not really hungry.

Favorite Dish: The minestrone is out of this world. So hearty, tasty and hot and served with as much crusty bread as you can eat. Likewise the pasta (whatever variety) will more than do justice to a hungry traveller. The desserts are fine but not as memorable as the first two courses.

Address: Port District. Near markets.

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: In the alley leading down to the markets at the port. Across the road from Genoa Princippe Train Station.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Italian

Lunch: Save money and time

All over Europe you will find wonderful ways of eating lunch for little cost. There are many different lunch eateries, street vendors etc where you can get a good bargain lunch which will more than keep body and soul together until dinner time. There will usually be a fresh fruit market around or at least fresh fruit to be had from Street vendors and mini marts as well, so there's no need to go hungry.

Favorite Dish: In many countries, your hotel tariff will include breakfast (often times a buffet). Eat up big and you will only need a light lunch.

Comparison: least expensive

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Plat du Jour: Affordable Eating

When dining out on a budget in
Europe, you will find that many of the restaurants in most destinations will feature a "Plat du Jour" or a special set menu which may have two or three courses for a reasonable price.
Restaurants in most countries are bound by law to have their menus on display outside so that you know prices etc before you enter.

Favorite Dish: A good tip to remember is that you will often find a basket of bread or breadsticks, etc. on the table when you sit down. In many places (especially in Germany) this bread is not complimentary. You will be charged for whatever you eat.

Rating: 4

Theme: Local