Coastal Cuisine: A Guide to the Best Seafood in Europe’s Coastal Cities

Europe’s coastline is full of vibrant cities, many of them renowned for their delicious seafood dishes. From succulent fish stew in the Mediterranean to seafood paella in Spain, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. But where are the best places for seafood in Europe’s coastal cities? This guide will take you on a culinary journey around Europe’s coastal cities, so you can sample some of the best seafood the continent has to offer.

1. Lisbon: Pasteis de Belem

No visit to Lisbon is complete without sampling the iconic Pasteis de Belem. These delicious pastries are made with a flaky pastry crust, filled with a creamy egg custard and topped with cinnamon and sugar. You can find them in pastry shops all over Lisbon, but the original recipe comes from the famous Pasteis de Belem bakery, which dates back to 1837. The recipe is a closely-guarded secret, so you’ll have to enjoy the pastries without knowing exactly what’s in them.

As well as savouring the Pasteis de Belem, you can enjoy a range of other seafood dishes in Lisbon. The Portuguese city is renowned for its seafood stews, served with a side of crusty bread for dipping. Try the caldeirada, a traditional stew made with fish, potatoes and vegetables, or the cataplana, a seafood stew cooked in a copper pot. For something more substantial, try the arroz de marisco, a seafood rice dish that’s often served with a fried egg on top.

If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, why not try one of Lisbon’s famous sardine dishes? Grilled sardines are a popular street food, served with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkling of salt. Or try the sardinhas assadas, which are sardines roasted with garlic, onion and bell peppers.

2. Barcelona: Paella

When it comes to seafood, Barcelona has it all. The Catalan city is renowned for its delicious seafood paella, a dish that originated in the Valencian region but has since become a staple in Barcelona. The traditional paella is made with white rice, saffron, vegetables, seafood and chicken, all cooked together in a shallow pan. The result is a flavourful and aromatic dish that’s sure to tantalise your taste buds.

If you’re looking for something a bit simpler, why not try one of Barcelona’s classic seafood dishes? Suquet de peix is a traditional Catalan fish stew made with white fish, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. Or try the fideuà, a dish made with noodles, seafood and vegetables. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the calçots, a Catalan speciality that’s made with grilled onions and served with a delicious Romesco sauce.

Of course, no visit to Barcelona is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood tapas. From mussels in garlic and tomato sauce to fried squid, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, why not try the esqueixada, a traditional Catalan salad made with salt cod and served with a tomato, onion and olive oil dressing.

3. Venice: Risotto di Mare

Venice is known for its wonderful seafood dishes, and one of the most iconic is the risotto di mare. This classic Italian dish is made with a rich seafood broth, white wine, garlic and onions, and is usually served with a variety of seafood such as prawns, mussels and squid. The result is a creamy, flavourful dish that’s sure to tantalise your taste buds.

But Venice is not just about risotto. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional baccalà alla veneziana, a salt cod dish served with onions and raisins, to the sarde in saor, a dish of sardines cooked in a sweet and sour sauce. If you’re looking for something lighter, why not try the polenta con sarde, a dish of polenta served with sardines and capers.

And of course, no visit to Venice is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood antipasti. From freshly shucked oysters to smoked salmon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Or why not try the traditional Venetian dish of seppie in nero, cuttlefish cooked in its own ink and served with a side of polenta.

4. Marseille: Bouillabaisse

Marseille is famous for its seafood, and one of its most iconic dishes is the bouillabaisse. This traditional French stew is made with an assortment of fish, potatoes, tomatoes and herbs, and is served with a side of rouille, a spicy garlic aioli. It’s a hearty, flavourful dish that’s sure to fill you up.

But Marseille is not just about bouillabaisse. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional bouillabaisse, to the seiche à la marseillaise, a dish of cuttlefish cooked in a tomato sauce. Or why not try the brandade de morue, a dish of salt cod mashed with garlic, milk and olive oil. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try the bourride, a fish stew served with aioli and accompanied by croutons.

And of course, no visit to Marseille is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood platters. From freshly caught mussels to marinated anchovies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Or why not try the traditional marseillaise, a selection of fried seafood served with aioli and a side of crudités.

5. Copenhagen: Smørrebrød

Copenhagen is renowned for its delicious seafood dishes, and one of the most iconic is the smørrebrød. This traditional Danish dish is made with open-faced sandwiches topped with a variety of ingredients, from smoked salmon and herring to shrimp and pickled vegetables. The result is a delicious combination of flavours and textures that’s sure to tantalise your taste buds.

But Copenhagen is not just about smørrebrød. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional fiskefrikadeller, fish cakes served with a side of remoulade, to the røget laks, smoked salmon served with a side of herbed cream cheese. Or why not try the torsk, a dish of cod cooked in a creamy sauce and served with boiled potatoes.

And of course, no visit to Copenhagen is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood platters. From boiled shrimp to smoked herring, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Or why not try the traditional ørred, a smoked and salted trout served with a side of boiled potatoes and pickled cucumber.

6. Amsterdam: Kibbeling

Amsterdam is known for its delicious seafood dishes, and one of the most iconic is the kibbeling. This traditional Dutch dish is made with deep-fried chunks of cod, served with a side of tartar sauce. It’s a simple yet flavourful dish that’s sure to tantalise your taste buds.

But Amsterdam is not just about kibbeling. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional stamppot, a dish of mashed potatoes and smoked eel, to the zuurvlees, a slow-cooked beef stew with a sweet and sour flavour. Or why not try the mosselen, mussels cooked in a white wine sauce and served with a side of fries.

And of course, no visit to Amsterdam is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood platters. From fried herring to smoked mackerel, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Or why not try the traditional kibbeling, a dish of deep-fried cod served with a side of tartar sauce.

7. Dublin: Fish and Chips

Dublin is renowned for its delicious seafood dishes, and one of the most iconic is the fish and chips. This traditional Irish dish is made with deep-fried cod, served with thick-cut chips and a side of tartar sauce. It’s a simple yet flavourful dish that’s sure to tantalise your taste buds.

But Dublin is not just about fish and chips. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional fish pie, a dish of fish, potatoes and vegetables baked in a creamy sauce, to the fish curry, a spicy curry made with fish, tomatoes and spices. Or why not try the Dublin Bay prawns, a dish of succulent prawns cooked in a rich tomato sauce.

And of course, no visit to Dublin is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood platters. From smoked salmon to potted shrimp, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Or why not try the traditional fish and chips, a dish of deep-fried cod served with thick-cut chips and a side of tartar sauce.

8. London: Fish and Chips

London is renowned for its delicious seafood dishes, and one of the most iconic is the fish and chips. This traditional British dish is made with deep-fried cod, served with thick-cut chips and a side of tartar sauce. It’s a simple yet flavourful dish that’s sure to tantalise your taste buds.

But London is not just about fish and chips. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional fish pie, a dish of fish, potatoes and vegetables baked in a creamy sauce, to the fish curry, a spicy curry made with fish, tomatoes and spices. Or why not try the traditional jellied eels, a dish of eels cooked in a rich jelly that’s served cold.

And of course, no visit to London is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood platters. From fried cod to smoked haddock, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Or why not try the traditional fish and chips, a dish of deep-fried cod served with thick-cut chips and a side of tartar sauce.

9. Edinburgh: Haggis

Edinburgh is renowned for its delicious seafood dishes, and one of the most iconic is the haggis. This traditional Scottish dish is made with a combination of sheep’s offal, oatmeal, onions and spices, and is traditionally served with a side of mashed potatoes and turnips. It’s a hearty, flavourful dish that’s sure to fill you up.

But Edinburgh is not just about haggis. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional fish and chips, a dish of deep-fried cod served with thick-cut chips and a side of tartar sauce, to the Cullen skink, a creamy fish soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. Or why not try the traditional haddock and clapshot, a dish of smoked haddock and mashed potatoes served with a side of turnips.

And of course, no visit to Edinburgh is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood platters. From smoked mackerel to oysters, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Or why not try the traditional haggis, a dish of sheep’s offal, oatmeal, onions and spices served with a side of mashed potatoes and turnips.

10. Paris: Moules Frites

Paris is renowned for its delicious seafood dishes, and one of the most iconic is the Moules Frites. This traditional French dish is made with mussels cooked in a white wine sauce, served with a side of thick-cut chips. It’s a simple yet flavourful dish that’s sure to tantalise your taste buds.

But Paris is not just about Moules Frites. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional bouillabaisse, a hearty fish stew made with white wine and served with a side of rouille, to the matelote, a fish stew made with white wine, bacon and mushrooms. Or why not try the traditional sole meunière, a dish of sole fillets cooked in butter and served with a side of boiled potatoes.

And of course, no visit to Paris is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood platters. From oysters to smoked salmon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Or why not try the traditional Moules Frites, a dish of mussels cooked in a white wine sauce and served with a side of thick-cut chips.

11. Berlin: Fischbrötchen

Berlin is renowned for its delicious seafood dishes, and one of the most iconic is the Fischbrötchen. This traditional German dish is made with a roll stuffed with a variety of fish, from herring to mackerel, and is usually topped with onions, pickles and a dollop of tartar sauce. It’s a simple yet flavourful dish that’s sure to tantalise your taste buds.

But Berlin is not just about Fischbrötchen. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional matjesfilets, herring fillets served with onions and gherkins, to the Seezungenfilet, a dish of whiting fillet served with a creamy mushroom sauce. Or why not try the Fischfrikadelle, a fishcake served with a side of mashed potatoes.

And of course, no visit to Berlin is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood platters. From smoked eel to fried herring, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Or why not try the traditional Fischbrötchen, a roll stuffed with a variety of fish and topped with onions, pickles and a dollop of tartar sauce.

12. Warsaw: Strudel

Warsaw is renowned for its delicious seafood dishes, and one of the most iconic is the Strudel. This traditional Polish dish is made with a pastry dough filled with a variety of fish, from herring to salmon, and is usually served with a side of sour cream. It’s a simple yet flavourful dish that’s sure to tantalise your taste buds.

But Warsaw is not just about Strudel. You can also find a variety of delicious seafood dishes in the city, from the traditional śledź po warszawsku, herring fillets served in a tomato and onion sauce, to the flaczki z dorsza, a dish of cod stewed with vegetables and served with a side of boiled potatoes. Or why not try the traditional łosoś smażony, a dish of pan-fried salmon served with a side of boiled potatoes and a creamy dill sauce.

And of course, no visit to Warsaw is complete without sampling the city’s famous seafood platters. From smoked trout to fried herring, there’s something