One of the joys of travelling is sampling the food of each region and while we were in Europe this past winter and spring we did just that - in three countries: Portugal, Spain and France - and we began our culinary adventure as soon as our feet hit the ground in Lisbon.
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| Ristorante Caffetteria Museu Nacional do Azulejo, Lisbon |
For what it's worth we're far from being experienced foodies, but like most folks have no problem distinguishing between a bland, pre-packaged, microwaved entree and a delicious meal made with love and fresh, local ingredients.
As travellers on a budget we've learned a mid-day meal is a tasty and economical option to a more pricey evening meal. (On occasion we even indulge ourselves into believing it's a healthier option as we can walk off a few of those additional calories!)
The links provided below go directly to TripAdvisor. We were very fortunate as the majority of restaurants exceeded our expectations and earned a well-deserved four or five star review, while only one incurred a disappointing two stars.
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| Cod with rice - Ristorante Caffetteria Museu Nacional do Azulejo, Lisbon |
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| Tuna Steak - Ristorante Caffetteria Museu Nacional do Azulejo, Lisbon |
SOL DOURADO RISTORANTE, Lisbon - where bibs are not only included, but mandatory...
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| Pork & Seafood Cataplano, Sol Dourado Restaurant, Lisbon |
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Lisbon version of Albufeira Delight - Sol Dourado Restaurant
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BELLA LISA RESTAURANT, Lisbon - dining with a bird's eye view...
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| Bella Lisa Restaurant, Lisbon |
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| Tuna (back) and Cod fillet (front) - Bella Lisa Elevator Restaurant, Lisbon |
RESTAURANT MUSEU NACIONAL DE ART ANTIGA, Lisbon - wine, lunch and an artistic riverside view...
CAFE PRADO, Madrid - a convenient cafeteria lunch inside the Prado Museum...
CASA REMIGIO RETIRO, Madrid - a gorgeous outdoor park setting, perfect for a glass of wine and light snack...
TABERNA EL ARCO, Madrid - the exterior may look fast food, but this was the best meal we had during our week long stay in the Spanish capital...
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| Taberna el Arco, Madrid |
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| Taberna el Arco, Madrid |
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| Chicken and seafood Paella - Taberna el Arco, Madrid |
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| Crepe - Taberna el Arco, Madrid |
AUTOGRILL IBERIA SL, Madrid - who knew it's possible to get a tasty light lunch enjoyed inside the Atocha train station...
TABERNA DE GERANIOS, Cordoba - the food was so incredible we forgot to take a photograph until after we'd eaten! Their version of aubergine (eggplant) with honey and sesame seeds was to die for.
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| Taberna de Geranios, Cordoba |
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| Aubergine with honey and sesame seeds - Taberna de Geranios, Cordoba |
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| Calamari - Restaurante El Carpathia, Cordoba |
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| Paella for 2 - Restaurante El Carpathia, Cordoba |
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| Decadent Dessert on Slate - Restaurante El Carpathia, Cordoba Spain |
LA PALOMA, Cordoba - this Corredera Plaza outdoor cafe is a local favourite, even on a cool, rainy springtime day...
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| Corredero Plaza, Cordoba |
EL FORNET, Barcelona - this outdoor cafe offered something local, nutritious and tasty...
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| El Fornet, Barcelona |
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| Lentil salad - El Fornet, Barcelona |
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| Goat Cheese Salad - El Fornet, Barcelona |
LA FLAUTA, Barcelona - we made a point of returning to La Flauta after our two visits in 2015 and we were not disappointed. We received the same warm welcome along with exceptional service and mouthwatering meals...
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| A bottle of wine comes with each meal! - La Flauta, Barcelona |
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| Aubergine (eggplant) with honey and cheese - La Flauta, Barcelona |
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| Paella, La Flauta, Barcelona |
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| La Flauta, Barcelona |
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| Bread pudding and Creme Brûlée - La Flauta, Barcelone |
ZARAUTZ TABERNA VASCA, Barcelona - Hands down this was our favourite restaurant in Barcelona. We will definitely be going back...
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| Zarautz Taberna Vasca, Barcelona |
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| Duck - Zarautz Taberna Vasca, Barcelona |
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| Lamb - Zarautz Taberna Vasca, Barcelona |
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| Cheesecake - Zarautz Taberna Vasca, Barcelona |
CHEZ PIPO, Nice - We love socca - a local Nice specialty - and Chez Pipo is
the place to get it...
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| Chez Pipo, Nice |
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| Socca - Chez Pipo, Nice |
SENTIMI, Nice - eat inside or out, Sentimi is conveniently located at Place Garibaldi and it is known for its pizza...
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| Sentimi, Nice |
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| Tar tar with salad and roasted potatoes - Sentimi, Nice |
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| Parmigiana Pizza - Sentimi, Nice |
MA NOLAN'S, Nice - An Irish pub overlooking the port. This is a perfect solution to satisfy one's cravings for fish and chips and a Guinness...
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| Ma Nolan's, Nice |
LE NAUTIC, Menton - an appetizing seafood lunch with a magnificent seaside view...
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| Le Nautic, Menton |
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| Salade Calmars - Le Nautic, Menton, France |
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| Penne with salmon, - Le Nautic, Menton, France |
CIVITTE GARIBALDI, Nice - We've stopped at the Civette Garibaldi countless times to enjoy a glass of wine and share a plate of socca.
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| Civette Garibaldi, Nice |
LE JIMMY'S, Haut-de-Cagnes - welcoming, attentive service, a hilltop view and a lunch to remember...
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| View from our table, Le Jimmy's, Haut-de-Cagnes |
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| Le Jimmy's - Haut-de-Cagnes |
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| Le Jimmy's, Haut-de-Cagnes |
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| Chicken Caesar Salad - Le Jimmy's, Haut-de-Cagnes |
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| Salmon pasta - Le Jimmy's, Haut-de-Cagnes |
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| Tapenade with bread - Le Jimmy's, Haut-de-Cagnes |
LE PIGEONNIER, Vence - our lunch at Le Pigeonnier is one of the highlights of our two-month long European adventure...
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| Le Pigeonnier, Vence |
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| Le Pigeonnier, Vence, France |
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| Tuna Steak - Le Pigeonnier, Vence |
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| Quail - Le Pigeonnier, Vence |
LA TABLE DE DOMI, Vence - another exquisite lunchtime experience...
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| La Table de Domi, Vence |
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| La Table de Domi, Vence |
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| La Table de Domi, Vence |
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| Duck with artichoke, peppers and tomato - La Table de Domi, Vence |
RISTORANTE II BRIGANTINO, Ventimiglia, Italy - a short train ride from Nice is the seaside town of Ventimiglia...
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| Ristorante II Brigantino, Ventimiglia |
LA PLAGE, Nice airport - our final hour in France before our flight to the UK we enjoyed a final croissant and madeleine at this unique airport cafe...
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| La Plage, Nice |
This may seem surprising considering all these restaurant meals, but we didn't always eat out. Chef John did himself proud, especially in France.
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| Salad, aubergine and pork chops - Chef John |
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| Nicoise Salad - Chef John |
While in Nice we frequented a good many of the local boulangeries. One is John's favourite for its cheese bread.
The other is a mutual favourite as it offers these amazing decadent desserts.
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| Tarte aux Framboises - Marie Blachere Boulangerie |
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| Tropezienne - Marie Blachere Boulangerie |
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