Food in Europe is legendary. But what would you say to this bold claim: some of the most innovative, ethically-produced and delicious food today can be found in the Northeast region? In this article, we will make this case. We hope you try it for yourself during a trip to Warsaw, Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn, of some combination of them!  

Warsaw, the perfect marriage of culinary tradition and innovation  

It’s not just about meat and potatoes anymore! Although, if that’s your thing, there’s nowhere better. Stereotypes be damned, Warsaw is one of Europe’s most exciting food capitals. Whether it’s Michelin Guide grandeur you’re after (there are 20 restaurants in the city that have been recognized, 2 with stars), there’s plenty of that. But Warsaw is also home to simple, seasonal and hearty cuisine like stuffed cabbage rolls, dumplings, or potato pancakes, all made with local ingredients and executed by talented chefs. A great place to start is Elektrownia Powiśle, one of the city’s coolest locations. Housed in a converted power plant, it is filled with vendors selling all kinds of diverse foods, and several top-quality cocktail bars to boot. 

Next, make your way to one of the major food markets in the city. We recommend Hala Koszyki for trendy restaurants with farm-to-table ethics and Hala Mirowska, Warsaw’s grand old market for fresh fruit and veggies, bread, eggs, meat and just about everything in between. If you’re in the city in the warmer months, check out what fruit is in season and go splurge on it. Poland is famous for its sweet cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and plums, all of which are grown locally and sold here by the pound. And last but not least, no trip to Warsaw is complete without a visit to a bar mleczny, or milk bar, a place for generous and affordable traditional meals. Consider trying a kotlet schabowy (pork cutlet), naleśniki z serem (pancakes with sweet cheese) or pierogi (dumplings), which can be stuffed with savory fillings like meat or potatoes or sweet ones like fruit.  

Vilnius, a capital of pioneering cuisine 

Just a short train trip north is Warsaw’s sister city, Vilnius, which has in recent years become one of Europe’s most desirable places. A new generation of Lithuanian chefs have turned their knives and spatulas toward their home country’s traditions and local ingredients. The outcome is a revolution in cuisine. If you missed the boat on the Scandinavian food revolution, you’re still early in the Baltics. So, how should you explore Vilnius for the best food experience? Above all, seek out independent restaurants driven by excellent craft. Most of these places are found in the Old Town, and the young, up and coming neighborhoods like Naujamiestis and Užupis. Four excellent options are Nineteen18, Dziaugsmas, Demo, and Pas mus, all of which have been awarded Michelin stars. 

Vilnius is also famed for its beverages, both with and without alcohol. For an example of the former, you must try acorn coffee, a caffeine-free local specialty full of protein, vitamins and minerals. For the latter category, berry wine and mead are drinks that Lithuanians have been enjoying for centuries. What’s perhaps most exciting is when this heritage is mixed with modern creativity. The outcome? Remarkable cocktails and mixed drinks. We recommend checking out Mililitrai  or Apotheca, two local bars that are leading this libation revolution! 

Riga, the place for market treats, classic cakes, and specialty coffee 

The beating heart of Riga’s culinary scene is its Central Market. One of Europe’s largest, it’s a place where all the marvelous treats of this country are on display, demanding that you to dive in. Here are some things you can’t miss: the bounty of the sea in the form of smoked sprats and herring, which go great with locals’ favorite kvass (root beer), one of many craft beer choices that are really popular in Latvia or local herbal liqueur Black balsam. Other things to try are the many local cheeses, baked traditional savory pastry with meat called pīrāgi, and all kinds of fermented veggies. 

Café culture is a big deal in Riga. And the great thing is that there are many styles. On the one hand, there are traditional cafes in the Old Town, such as Kafe’teeka, which has an astounding variety of cakes to try. Mulberry is great for artisanal pastries with a Latvian twist. For all you coffee aficionados out there, Riga has several specialty cafes. Check out the Kalve Espresso Room for rich espresso or a powerful flat white. 

In the evening, when you’ve worked up a mighty appetite after a day on the town, make sure to eat the local specialties. We suggest trying pelēkie zirņi ar speķi (gray peas with bacon), or cūkgaļas karbonāde (pork in a coating – a delicious twist on the pork chop). With a full belly, head out onto the town to experience Riga’s famous nightlife! 

Tallinn, Michelin charm in a medieval setting plus so much more in between 

More than anywhere else in the region, Tallinn combines extraordinary dining in the most singular medieval setting. What’s so special is the interplay between the old and the new, the traditional and the innovative that these chefs manage to achieve.  

The best examples of this are the city’s two Michelin star restaurants. 180 by Matthias Diether in the trendy Noblessner Seafront Quarter and NOA Chef’s Hall in the Pirita district share many similarities such as inventive menus and immaculate quality of service. Rather poetically the restaurants are located on different ends of Tallinn Bay, both offering a beautiful view of the city and seaside, from opposite points of view.  

Make no mistake, Tallinn isn’t only about fine dining, though there are many options for those of you who are gourmand. Just as memorable is the simpler, heartier fare, like what you would find at the Balti Jaama Market. For decades it’s been a popular place among locals for stocking up on fresh seasonal produce, meat and fish. The market’s street food section features some of Tallinn’s most beloved quick meals.   

If you’re a breakfast person, make sure you visit Rotermann Quarter, just off the Old Town. It’s home to some excellent cafes like Levier, which serves breakfast staples like scrambled eggs, pancakes, and porridge. A few steps away is café RØST, a place that has found its way to the hearts of many locals for its freshly baked cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns.   

Some local foods to try in Tallinn: dark rye bread that’s often served at restaurants and kohuke, a delicious, sweet curd snack you can pick up at a local supermarket. If you happen to be in Tallinn during Shrovetide (usually the end of February or the beginning of March), don’t miss out on the amazing vastlakukkel, a sweet bun filled with whipped cream. 

We said it above and we’ll say it again here: Europe’s Northeast has some of the best food on the planet. This also deserves repeating: if you missed the Scandinavian food boom, you’re still early in the Northeast!

• In Warsaw, savor locally sourced and perfectly cooked traditional meals, especially at places like Hala Koszyki.

• Vilnius is a pioneer of modern cuisine, with dozens of remarkable restaurants like Nineteen18 that are pushing the boundaries of haute cuisine.

• The beating heart of Riga’s food scene is its Central Market, a place where locally-sourced smoked fish or decadent pastries are there for the curious—and hungry—traveler.

• In Tallinn, you can choose from world-famous restaurants like NOA Chef’s Hall or simple yet extremely satisfying local fare at the Balti Jaama Market. Regardless of where you go, know this: these cities are merging tradition with modern creativity, transforming the region into the food capital of Europe.