A trip to Europe is incomplete without mentioning its food. And how can it not be when in just a small country such as Switzerland, there are the highest number of Michelin star restaurants in the world (118)? Through this guide, we take you to five exciting restaurants that you must eat at for a fine dining experience in Europe.
Epicure at Le Bristol
Paris, France
At Epicure, the three-star Michelin restaurant in France, there always seems to be a garden party. Chef Eric Frechnon holds the fort at this indoor wonderland here, with his signature dishes such as the stuffed maraconi with black truffle, artichoke and duck foie gras, duck with blackberry leaves, cardamom and liquorice, and selection of seasonal cheeses. For dessert, pick between their cocoa beans dish, which has cocoa nibs caramelized with sea salt, and cocoa ice cream and a strawberry sorbet in a meringue shell, among more.
True to the name, the restaurant will be best appreciated by someone who likes fine dining.Tip: Make sure to break the bread served with each course—it’s light and delicious.
Make a reservation here.
Osteria Francescana
Modena, Italy
Achieving the status of the World’s Best Restaurant wasn’t particularly easy to achieve for Osteria Francescana, and nor is getting yourself a table here. With only twelve tables to boot, Chef Massimo Bottura’s brainchild is one of the busiest restaurants in Italy—and for good reason. This restaurant in Modena, Italy was the first to experiment with traditional Italian food and take it above hearty pasta and pizza. It’s best known for its set course tatsing menu, and his dishes titled as conversations unto themselves, include the popular ‘Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano’ in different textures, and the dessert ‘Oops I Dropped The Lemon Tart’.
If you are as relentless in your pursuit to have a meal here as Bottura was in the making of the restaurant, success (and one of the best meals of your life) will soon be yours. Whatever you’ve tasted before this, from the Caeser Salad to a tagliatelle, let’s just say, Bottura does it better.
Make a reservation here https://osteriafrancescana.dinesuperb.com/
Taiko, Conservatorium Hotel
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Taiko sits rather opulently on third floor of the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam. The restaurant, done up in chic black-and-white interiors, serves contemporary Asian cuisine.
It is helmed by Executive Chef, Schilo van Coevorden, and dishes such as the Wagyu Beef, miso eggplant, gyoza appetizers (including dumplings) and the sushi make people visit it repeatedly. The fact that they have a live Taiko player as an accompaniment to its dinner every evening is definitely music to our ears.
Book a table here. http://www.taikorestaurant.nl/en/home-2/
Laurent at Cafe Royal, Hotel Cafe Royal
London, UK
Chef Laurent Tourondel is known for his restaurants in the U.S., Hong Kong, the Caribbean but Laurent at Café Royal is his first foray in Europe. The recently, although just recently open, has already become popular for its service and International cuisine. Breakfast is a big affair here with a variety of teas and coffees, home baked baguettes, madeleines and more sweet treats and other savoury items. They have an open grill with grilled meat and fish, and a cocktail bar to rave about.
To make reservations, email restaurants @hotelcaferoyal.com or call +44 (0)20 7406 3310
Anne-Sophie Pic at Beau-Rivage Palace
Lausanne, Switzerland
The two-starred Michelin restaurant in Lausanne is eponymously named after Anne-Sophie Pic, a third generation chef from France. The restaurant allows one to gaze over a view of both the French Alps and Lake Leman while tucking into a hearty fine dining meal.
The menu is divided in two sections – ‘Emotions’ include seasonal and inspired dishes, whereas the ‘Pic Collection’ includes more traditional dishes from her family classics.
Reserve a table by emailing on asp@brp.ch or calling +41 21 613 33 39