The best street food to eat in 28 European countries
AUSTRIA: Bosna is a spicy Austrian dish consisting of Bratwurst sausage, onions, and a blend of curry powder and mustard or ketchup, served on a roll.
BELGIUM: While the waffles in Belgium are absolutely delectable, we had to give this one to frites, as they’re always fresh, crisp, and served with a variety of sauces, including aioli, chutney, curry ketchup, tartar sauce, and mayonnaise.
BULGARIA: Often eaten for breakfast, the barista is a flaky cheese pasty that is freshly baked and served warm from counters and kiosks in Bulgaria. Some bakeries will offer variations on the classic, adding spinach, egg, meat, or sweet milk.
CROATIA: Cevapcici — or Cevapi — can be found in other countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the grilled sausages are especially popular across Croatia. They're typically made from a blend of minced beef and pork and served with pita bread, diced onions, and a red pepper spread.
CYPRUS: Souvlaki is a popular choice in Greece and Cyprus, where it is traditionally served with pork, although chicken and lamb are also sometimes used. The meat is grilled over skewers and is often served inside a pita, though it can also be eaten straight off of the skewers.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Smažený sýr is a soft cheese that is breaded and deep-fried before being sandwiched between bread.
DENMARK: You're bound to see hot dog stands all over Denmark. The sausages come with a variety of trimmings, including ketchup, mustard, roasted and raw onions, and bread.
ESTONIA: Baltic herring is the national fish of Estonia, and the small fish is commonly served on rye bread with a selection of condiments that often includes pickled cucumber. Though street food is not as common in Estonia, it can often be found during special events and festivals.
FINLAND: Karjalanpiirakka — or Karelian — pies are made from a thin crust and filled with rice before being topped with butter and boiled egg. There are also versions that have carrot or potato fillings.
FRANCE: Crêpes are a quick-stop favorite across Paris, with both savory options — like ham and cheese — and sweet varieties, including Nutella, custards, sugar, and fruit preserves.
GERMANY: Currywurst is an iconic German street food that consists of pork sausage that is fried and doused in a ketchup and curry powder mixture. It is typically served with either bread or fries.
GREECE: To create gyros, thin slabs of pork, beef, or chicken are slowly cooked before being stuffed into warm pita bread and topped with tomato, onion, and Tzatziki sauce.
HUNGARY: Láng os consists of deep-fried flatbread that can be topped with a variety of ingredients, including sour cream, grated cheese, ham, sausages, vegetables, or garlic.
IRELAND: There has been a growing number of food producers bringing high-quality Irish staples to the streets during festivals and other events. As fresh seafood is common here, delicious steamed mussels — sometimes served with butter and breadcrumbs — can be found around seaside villages.
ITALY: Italy is famous for its gelato, which combines milk, cream, sugars, and flavorings like fresh fruit and nut purees.
LATVIA: While you won’t necessarily find an abundance of street carts serving food in Latvia, one of the most common snacks to pick up and eat as you walk are piragi — buns that are filled with chopped onion and bacon and commonly found in bakeries.
LITHUANIA: When in Lithuania, make sure to sample kibinai, which are pastries that have been filled with mutton and onion.
LUXEMBOURG: Gromperekichelcher are carefully spiced potato pancakes that are made with chopped onions and parsley and deep-fried to perfection.
MALTA: Imqaret is a traditional Maltese treat that is stuffed with dates and sold in street markets and village feasts. The pasty is deep-fried to provide a crunch and sweet bite.
NETHERLANDS: Herring stands serve the fish in a variety of ways. That includes everything from fillets cut into pieces with chopped raw onions and pickles to whole fillets you can eat with your hands.
POLAND: Zapiekanka is a type of French-bread pizza that comes with a variety of toppings, including mushrooms, cheese, ham, and spices, before being smothered in ketchup.
PORTUGAL: Pastel de nata is a baked pastry tart filled with egg custard and hints of lemon, cinnamon, and vanilla. The treat is sold in bakeries and street stalls.
ROMANIA: Covrigi are oven-baked rolls that have a consistency that's like a cross between a bagel and a hot pretzel. They're often covered with sesame or poppy seeds.
SLOVAKIA: Trdelník is a sweet pastry found in several countries, including Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In Slovakia, the cake is referred to as "Skalický trdelník" and is wrapped around stakes and baked on a high heat before being sprinkled with nuts and sugar.
SLOVENIA: Burek — a flaky pastry filled with meat or cheese — is one of Slovenia's most popular street foods. In Ljubljana, burek is made with cottage cheese, cabbage, and Carniolan sausage to offer a delectable bite.
SPAIN: Bocadillos are made with rustic baguette-style bread and filled with ingredients that often include ham, cheese, tuna, potato, or egg.
SWEDEN: Try Sweden's fried herring sandwiches, which are served with cucumber and red onions on a hard bread known as knäckebröd.
UNITED KINGDOM: There's a wide variety of options here, but our top pick goes to the Cornish pasty, a golden, flaky baked pastry traditionally stuffed with beef, potato, onion, and beef, and seasoned with salt and pepper.
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