Food tourism has risen exponentially in recent years, with travellers keen to get their hands on regional delicacies and local cuisine while abroad.
While some places have gastronomy that is famed worldwide – France and its baguettes, Italy and its pasta, Spain and paella – other places might be well-kept secrets.
Many tourists also prefer to avoid the crowds and queues of busy cities such as Paris and Rome.
Europe’s best foodie destination away from the crowds have been revealed – and the city topping the list is a more under-the-radar spot.
Heraklion in Crete has been named the best authentic food destination with fewer crowds, according to a new study.
The study analysed 5,000 restaurants across 125 European cities using Google review data to track where diners praised food as ‘authentic’.
This was combined with tourist volume data to reveal the hidden hotspots boasting traditional, timeless food.
Heraklion is internationally recognised for its traditional, flavourful food, becoming a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2023.
Heraklion in Crete has been named the best authentic food destination with fewer crowds, according to a new study
Heraklion is internationally recognised for its traditional, flavourful food, becoming a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2023
UK Masterchef winner Irini Tzortzoglou revealed her top tips for experiencing authentic Greek food in Heraklion to Saga Holidays, who commissioned the study.
She says, ‘Go for bougatsa (cheese pie topped with sugar and cinnamon) in Kirkor by the Lions Square, enjoy a traditional meal at the awarded Peskesi restaurant, or for great fish, go to any of the seafood tavernas in the suburb of Alikarnassos.
‘Wherever you eat in Crete, try the dakos (barley rusk topped with tomato and feta cheese) and fava (split yellow bean puree drizzled with great extra virgin olive oil).’
Yet, while nearly eight in 10 Brits (79 per cent) say finding authentic food is important when abroad, three quarters admit they struggle to know where to go beyond the tourist hotspots.
The research shines a light on cities with lower tourism volumes but high reviews and authenticity scores for those who want to avoid the crowds whilst taking in culinary delights.
After Heraklion, Thessaloniki in Greece comes second on the list.
In third place is Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal, followed by Kalamata in Greece.
And in fifth place is Pula in Croatia.
Plenty of travellers and locals enjoy authentic Greek food in Heraklion
Irini said: ‘I believe that there are certainly markers that the offering is not authentic; overloaded menu, tourist clichés (Greek salad, moussaka, souvlaki, etc), generic descriptors, stock photos, etc.
‘A menu that lists horta [Greek boiled greens], fava, dakos [paximadi bread topped with fetaand tomatoes], gigantes [beans] and kokoretsi [lamb intestines wrapped around offal], alongside familiar dishes, like moussaka, is more authentic than one that just gives tourists what they expect.’
Saga also listed popular places for authentic food tourism overall.
Budapest tops Saga Holidays’ authentic food ranking, boasting dishes such as goulash and traditional street food such as lángos, a deep-fried flatbread topped with sour cream and cheese.
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