Top 10 Dining Experiences i've had In Europe

The restaurants on this list are so good that I would recommend going to each of these cities SOLELY to dine at these places. At each restaurant, I had a moment where I silently reflected and couldn't believe I was eating there - I'm not kidding, the food made me emotional. Okay vamos a empezar...

1. Bar Alfalfa: Sevilla, Spain

One of the BEST tapas bar in Sevilla, in my opinion. I love this bar for multiple reasons: 1. Mainly barstool seating around small square tables. If you can't grab a seat, you stand and eat your "tapas" or "small plates" on a countertop lining the perimeter of the bar. 2. Intimate setting, dim lights, perfect for a date or small group of friends. For some reason I've had the most interesting and prolonged conversations of my life in this place. 3. The bartenders are the cutest, sweetest angels ever. Many people don't speak English in Sevilla, but when I go to this bar the staff loves to practice speaking with me. If you ask for recommendations about what their favorite dishes are, they won't steer you wrong. 4. Incredible food for a great price. In the photos above I ate grilled salmon atop roasted vegetables, sweet potato mash, chicken legs braised with curry and honey, traditional Iberian meat platter. 5. Tapas of the day menu! The dishes of the day change every day so you're always surprised, and always trying new things (I live for this). Thank you Bar Alfalfa for your existence, see you this week xo.

2. La Canasta: Sevilla, Spain

BRUNCH! This bakery doubles as a great breakfast place with delicious toastadas, sandwiches, fresh juices, pastries, etc. There's always a line out the door as people are grabbing ham & cheese croissants to-go, while others are piling in to grab a table for two before the place fills up. La Canasta has especially delicious club sandwiches as seen above to the right, this particular sandwich was on poppy seed bread with fried shrimp, avocado, spicy mayo, mixed greens & red onion. If you're looking for a bustling breakfast place that comes close to an American-style diner (minus the waffle-fried eggs-bacon-coffee-side of toast combo meals (I miss those)), this is the spot!

3. Restaurante El Balcón de San Nicolás: Granada, Spain

The night that I ate here in Granada was completely blissful. The sun set right over the Alhambra Palace (which is directly in view from the lovely outdoor seating at this restaurant) and the white city stood vast and wide and soaked in pink light to my left. To the right is a view of the snow-capped mountains and Sierra Nevada ski resort. So basically it's like you're perched on a cloud, being served delicious sangria and spinach ravioli, while watching all of Granada's natural elements come to life as the sun goes down. This is probably #1 on this list for me, I don't think many nights have topped this one because the breathtaking beauty of this city is truly unmatched. 10/10 would recommend dining here if you're spending a night in Granada:)

4. Tosca Palau Tapas y Vino: Barcelona, Spain

Ugh THIS PLACE! My friends and I ate here twice on our weekend trip to Barcelona. This restaurant had a really cool rustic vibe, dim lighting, and unreal tapas! The selection included pretty traditional Spanish dishes like baked provolone cheese with oil and spices, meat and cheese platters, papas bravas (potatoes with creamy, spicy sauce), etc.; but everything was delicious. The prices were also right on par with many of the tapas bars that I've been to in Spain; meaning they are inexpensive and the food is to die for as well as ideal for groups of friends looking to share and get a taste of a bunch of different things! The white and red sangria were both incredible as well - a true tapas experience and perfect for those wanting to get a taste of Spanish dining culture.

5. The Woody Grill: London, United Kingdom

Okay so it was BLOODY SNOWIN in London when we were there, so we rushed quickly into a shop after having trolled around the Camden Town markets for over an hour in the snow and asked for a dinner recommendation; we were starved. Without hesitation the store owner suggested Woody Grill so we headed straight for it and were SO pleased with the casual cafe-type atmosphere, Turkish cuisine and friendly service. This restaurant is known for its hummus and delicious kebabs which is exactly what we experienced:) The menu was really plentiful in options and even picky eaters would be pleased I promise! The perfect place to grab a gyro to go, or dine in and be served complimentary Turkish tea, Turkish delight, and bites of Baclava for dessert.

6. de Bakkerswinkel: Amsterdam, Netherlands

I had my first run-in with homemade passionfruit jam here and I'll tell you right now it's like crack. I asked for the recipe and was kindly denied, and I asked if they sold the jam by the jar which they said they did but it was too large for me to travel with (picture a heartbroken Emme). This beautiful little breakfast bar serves classic English-style breakfasts with jams and teas and breads (delish) but the fresh-baked scones are the true winners here! (I think I ate 3...with jam...). The atmosphere was so quiet and tranquil and our seat was right next to the bread oven where we sat and watched the baker pull little delights out of the oven one by one; I've never seen a more entrancing woman! Please indulge here if you are passing through Amsterdam:)

7. Umaimon: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Asian flavors (the best). If you're a ramen lover you MUST go here - hearty bowls of warm ramen with loads of protein or whatever you choose to add to your bowl! Build-it-yourself options, spicy options, teriyaki, etc. etc. The bowls are really big and filling so this is ideal for both a warm lunch or dinner.

8. Peck 47: Brussels, Belgium

SAVORY WAFFLES. Enough said. I had a "golden latte" with turmeric and honey, Anna had a beet root latte, and the star: chorizo infused waffles with poached eggs in sweet chorizo sauce on top of two slices of bacon with mixed greens salad and grape tomatoes on the side. #good #night When in Belgium you have to get waffles so might as well try savory as well as the classic sweet ones!

9. Gin Lovers: Lisbon, Portugal

A gin bar founded by... gin lovers! The drink menu is impeccable with so much international influence: it includes a long list of gin & tonics infused with different flavors native to their respective countries! Truly a novel idea. My friend and I enjoyed this bar so much with its great taste in music (The Beatles, Amy Winehouse, etc.), and hipster atmosphere. I got a gin & tonic with orange and cloves and Anna got one with grapefruit and green tea. The dinner was even more exciting because it was located in a sort of Arab-style palace with an open floor plan and a really high square ceiling, and we were "invited to dine with them" by one of the waiters. Speakeasy vibes, amazing drinks, pumpkin ravioli and sea bass tartare with beet-nut pesto; A MUST VISIT while in Portugal! (On the more expensive side).

10. Has Yet to Be Discovered