I get to return home from a semester abroad full and happy. I have had the privilege of eating very well in Madrid, Spain and during my other travels over the last four months. I have had such a wonderful culinary and cultural experience that I wanted to compile a list of favorites for anyone looking to expand their horizons in Europe.
In Madrid, Spain
Madrid is full of amazing and diverse restaurants. While it may sound silly, the food and dining options in Madrid were one of my motivations to study abroad in the first place. I wanted to be more adventurous with my food, and I thought studying abroad would be a great opportunity to do this. Madrid did not disappoint.
LaMusa
On my first night in Madrid, I found LaMusa. I was jetlagged, exhausted and beginning to regret my decision to study abroad. What was I doing? Why did I think I could do this? Then my family and I walked into LaMusa after finding them on Yelp and looking at pictures of their delicious food. Even after seeing the photos, my bad attitude and growing regrets made me somewhat apprehensive. I missed home and the restaurants back in St. Louis.
I felt terrible until our first round of tapas came out. The food was a perfect balance of modern and cozy, and I was hooked. I have gone back for their incredible calamari several times, each occasion relishing the wasabi aioli served with it. This was the first place that made me feel at home in a new city with its fun, artsy atmosphere and warm lighting.
Calido Coffee
This adorable coffee shop has become a place I go regularly. They offer sandwiches, arepas, toasts and coffees for affordable prices. The people there are so kind and the atmosphere is quiet and hospitable. My favorite thing to buy there is the Iced Brownie Latte, which is sweet and perfect for a warm spring day. It has not gone as viral as some other coffee shops in Madrid, but it is definitely a place worth going to. It is perfect for sunny conversations with friends and a refreshing bite to eat.
In Florence, Italy
I debated for a long time with my boyfriend which region of Italy we wanted to visit, because Italy is such a culinarily diverse country. We eventually decided on Florence after comparing flight prices, leaving more funds for food. We made a couple dinner reservations, but the places that stood out the most were the places we wandered into along the street after long walks.
Pino’s Sandwiches
Pino’s Sandwiches was one of those spontaneous places. Florence is full of viral sandwich shops, where lines wrap around the block and people come out disappointed after exorbitant prices and long waits. Pino’s Sandwiches is another one of those viral spots, albeit to a lesser extent. But in my opinion, it is completely worth the wait. I went inside, and it immediately reminded me of the Italian-American sandwich shops on the Hill, a neighborhood in St. Louis. The service was friendly and efficient, and kept the long line moving the whole time. I ordered a sandwich with tomato, mortadella, artichoke and provolone, which was called “The Emily” (I just had to order the sandwich with my name on it). When I bit into it, I immediately understood the hype. It was a delicious sandwich paired with great service, fair prices and a lively atmosphere.
In Paris, France
Paris provided by far the best culinary experience I have ever participated in. When I first began looking into restaurants and reservations, I was overwhelmed by the number of places, all of which looked incredible. I had no idea what to pick, no idea what to expect and a lot of anxiety around making the right choices and using the correct etiquette. Eventually, I settled on two restaurants, and had no clue what I was about to stumble into.
Le Petit Vendome
When I booked this restaurant, I had no idea about its reputation. I had no idea that it had been recognized as one of the best sandwich shops in the world by the internet. I booked it because frankly, it looked adorable, casual and like a good filler night between nice dinners. I had no idea how wrong it was to think of this place as a “filler.” We walked into the restaurant and immediately noticed the electric atmosphere. Tourists and Parisians alike were eating, drinking, talking and mingling. The waitstaff was kind, welcoming us like family. I have never laughed so hard with strangers in my life, even with a language barrier.
And, to top it off, the food was just as incredible as the atmosphere. The burger was one of the best I have ever eaten and their cheese plate was perfectly curated. To close the meal, I ordered the rice pudding, which was bruleed and completely comforting. This is definitely a bucket-list-worthy restaurant and I encourage anyone going to Paris to check it out.
Allard
I was also extremely in the dark when I booked a reservation at Allard. I knew it would be a big splurge for me, but I figured I would never be 19 and in Paris ever again, so I just committed. Only after I made the reservation did I learn that this restaurant was also critically acclaimed.
When my boyfriend and I arrived, the manager of the restaurant greeted us warmly, like one might to long time friends or family members. The restaurant was decorated like a grandmother’s dining room, so cozy and well put-together. He sat us at our table and a flurry of waiters got to work.
We ordered, and they brought us our food with a precision I have never witnessed before in a restaurant. We immediately knew we were in expert hands. We selected their skate wing, which is an aquatic animal that looks like a stingray, and a seafood dish I have never tried before. We also ordered the macaroni au gratin and the cheese plate. The food was all expertly crafted. I have never had a meal that felt so sophisticated yet so nostalgic. The food called to mind dinner at grandma’s. By the end of the meal, when they brought us profiteroles and coffee, I was nearly moved to tears.
This meal truly changed how I see food forever, not only something to eat and experience, but also something to bring people closer in community. It was by far my favorite dining experience of study abroad, and worth every penny it took to get there.
As my study abroad experience comes to a close, I have been able to reflect on my experiences and how much I have been able to grow as a person. My culinary adventures have certainly contributed to that growth. I have always been a person willing to try anything once, but study abroad has certainly made me more introspective and aware of how new experiences affect and mold me. I am a less fearful person because of this. When I go home, I will continue to try anything new that comes my way.