Top 17 Bucket-List Restaurants to Eat at Across Europe in 2025
Europe. A continent of staggering history, breathtaking landscapes, and cities that pulse with life. But for many of us, the true soul of Europe is found on a plate. It’s in the salty tang of a fresh oyster in Paris, the comforting embrace of handmade pasta in Modena, and the mind-bending innovation of a dish in Copenhagen that looks more like art than food. Travel and taste are inseparable, each enriching the other in a beautiful, delicious dance.
Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that some meals are more than just sustenance; they are destinations in themselves. They are culinary pilgrimages worth planning an entire trip around. These are the experiences that linger in your memory long after the last crumb is gone—the kind of meals you talk about for years. They are the pinnacle of creativity, tradition, and hospitality, representing the very best of what the continent has to in its culinary arsenal.
So, if you're a traveller with a taste for the extraordinary, get your passport and your appetite ready. We’ve scoured the continent, from underwater dining rooms in Norway to historic townhouses in Paris, to curate the ultimate foodie's dream itinerary. This is our list of the top 17 bucket-list restaurants to eat at across Europe in 2025.
1. Alchemist (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Prepare for a journey that transcends dining. Alchemist isn't just a restaurant; it's a multi-sensory, theatrical experience designed to make you think and feel. Helmed by the visionary chef Rasmus Munk, this two-Michelin-star titan guides you through a staggering 50 "impressions" over several hours. The experience unfolds across different rooms, including a planetarium-like dome where projections of jellyfish or aurora borealis float above you as you dine.
The food is as provocative as the setting. Dishes are designed to comment on social, political, and environmental issues. You might encounter a dish highlighting the problem of plastic pollution in the ocean or another that represents the beauty of a butterfly's life cycle. This is "Holistic Cuisine," a concept Munk has pioneered, and it's one of the most talked-about, innovative, and essential fine dining experiences in Europe.
- Tip: Tickets are released on a specific date a few months in advance and sell out in minutes. Sign up for their newsletter and be ready the moment they go live. This is one reservation you cannot leave to chance.
2. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)
In the heart of Italy's culinary heartland, Massimo Bottura’s three-Michelin-star Osteria Francescana is a temple to modern Italian cuisine. Bottura is a poet, an artist, and a chef, all in one. He takes the traditions of Emilia-Romagna and views them through a contemporary lens, deconstructing and reimagining them with wit, intelligence, and profound respect for the ingredients.
The dining room is intimate and adorned with contemporary art, setting the stage for dishes that tell a story. The iconic "Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart" is a dessert born from a kitchen mistake, now a masterpiece of controlled chaos. Another classic, "The Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano," explores the beloved cheese in five different textures and temperatures. Dining here is a conversation with Italian culture, art, and history.
- Tip: The waiting list is legendary. Bookings open on specific dates months ahead. If you miss out, try your luck at their more casual sister restaurant, Franceschetta58, also in Modena, for a taste of Bottura's world.
3. El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain)
For years, El Celler de Can Roca has been a cornerstone of global gastronomy. Run by the three Roca brothers—Joan (head chef), Josep (sommelier), and Jordi (pâtissier)—this three-Michelin-star establishment is a masterclass in Catalan avant-garde. Each brother is a genius in his own right, and their collaboration creates a seamless, harmonious, and utterly breathtaking experience.
The tasting menu is a journey through their memories and the Catalan landscape, blending cutting-edge techniques with soulful, traditional flavours. The meal might begin with a globe-shaped snack bar that opens to reveal five bites from five different countries. The wine pairings, curated by Josep, are considered some of the best in the world, taking you on a parallel journey that elevates every dish.
- Tip: Reservations are notoriously difficult to secure. They are released online at midnight (Spanish time) on the first of every month for 11 months ahead. Be persistent and have a flexible travel schedule.
4. Geranium (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Perched on the 8th floor of Denmark's national football stadium, Geranium offers panoramic views of Copenhagen that are second only to the artistry on the plate. Chef Rasmus Kofoed is the only chef in the world to have won bronze, silver, and gold at the prestigious Bocuse d'Or competition. His three-Michelin-star restaurant is a celebration of Scandinavian nature, presented with breathtaking precision and beauty.
The menu is meat-free, focusing on local seafood and vegetables from organic and biodynamic farms. Dishes are light, intricate, and almost too beautiful to eat. Imagine "Dillstone" tartlets that look exactly like pebbles or a razor clam shell recreated from dough and coloured with algae. Geranium is a serene and sophisticated experience that redefines what a vegetable-forward menu can be.
- Tip: Allow plenty of time. The experience is a lengthy, multi-course affair designed to be savoured. The non-alcoholic juice pairing is as thoughtfully crafted as the wine list and is highly recommended.
5. Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain)
The name "Disfrutar" means "to enjoy," and that is the pure, unadulterated mission of this Barcelona hotspot. Run by three chefs who were senior staff at the legendary elBulli, Disfrutar carries on that legacy of playful, surprising, and technically brilliant cuisine. The two-Michelin-star restaurant is a whirlwind of creativity where nothing is quite what it seems.
Expect dishes like gazpacho "sandwiches," crispy egg yolk, and multi-course tastings that play with texture, temperature, and perception. The atmosphere is vibrant and fun, a world away from the hushed reverence of some fine dining establishments. This is a meal that will make you laugh, gasp, and marvel at the sheer ingenuity of modern gastronomy. It's one of the most exciting bucket-list restaurants in Europe right now.
- Tip: Go for the full "Classic" or "Festival" tasting menu to get the complete experience. Be adventurous and trust the chefs—they will take you on a wild and delicious ride.
6. Frantzén (Stockholm, Sweden)
Dining at Frantzén is like being invited into the lavish, multi-story home of a world-class chef. With only 23 seats, this three-Michelin-star experience is incredibly intimate. Guests begin their journey in a rooftop parlour for aperitifs and snacks before moving down to the main dining counter, which overlooks the pristine open kitchen. The meal concludes in a separate drawing-room for coffee and dessert.
Chef Björn Frantzén’s cuisine is a unique fusion of Nordic ingredients and classic Japanese techniques, with a touch of French elegance. Every single ingredient is treated with reverence, whether it's king crab with fermented white asparagus or a perfect piece of lamb cooked over open coals. The precision is astounding, the flavours are intense, and the experience is pure luxury.
- Tip: Bookings open on the 1st of the month for a few months ahead. This is one of the most expensive meals in Europe, so be prepared, but it's an unforgettable special occasion splurge.
7. Hisa Franko (Kobarid, Slovenia)
Deep in Slovenia’s stunning Soca Valley, near the Italian border, lies Hisa Franko. This is the domain of Ana Roš, a self-taught chef who was named the World's Best Female Chef in 2017 and whose restaurant holds two Michelin stars. Her cooking is a fierce, passionate expression of the local terroir, utilizing ingredients foraged from the surrounding mountains and sourced from local producers.
The menu is a "zero-kilometre" tribute to the region. You might find Soca trout, local lamb, and cheeses from the valley, transformed by Roš's bold and creative vision. The flavours are unique, complex, and deeply connected to the land. Dining here isn't just a meal; it's an immersion into a remote and beautiful corner of Europe.
- Tip: Make a trip of it. Book a room at the attached guesthouse and spend a few days exploring the breathtaking Soca Valley, known for its hiking, history, and emerald-green river.
8. The Fat Duck (Bray, UK)
A meal at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck is pure culinary theatre. This iconic three-Michelin-star restaurant isn't about dinner; it's about storytelling. The tasting menu is a multi-sensory journey based on a single day of childhood memories and seaside holidays, complete with a map and a narrative.
Blumenthal is a master of food science and psychology. You'll listen to the "Sound of the Sea" on an iPod as you eat a dish of seafood and edible sand. You'll experience the magic of nitro-poached bacon and egg ice cream. It's whimsical, thought-provoking, and utterly unique. More than two decades after it opened, The Fat Duck remains one of the world's most inventive and unforgettable dining experiences.
- Tip: Come with an open mind and a sense of playfulness. The more you engage with the story and the experience, the more you will get out of it.
9. L'Ambroisie (Paris, France)
In a world of foams, gels, and avant-garde concepts, L'Ambroisie stands as a bastion of pure, unapologetic French classicism. Located in a beautiful townhouse on the Place des Vosges, Bernard Pacaud’s three-Michelin-star restaurant is the definition of timeless elegance. There is no tasting menu; instead, you order à la carte from a short, perfect list of dishes.
The philosophy here is simple: take the absolute best ingredient at the peak of its season and do as little as possible to it. This is cooking of supreme confidence. The langoustine feuillantine with sesame and curry, or the sea bass with artichoke, are dishes that have been on the menu for decades and are still considered benchmarks of French cuisine. A meal here is a lesson in the enduring power of perfection.
- Tip: The dress code is formal, so dress the part. This is a place to savour the luxury of old-world Paris. It is incredibly expensive, but for a true taste of haute cuisine, it is unmatched.
10. Maaemo (Oslo, Norway)
The name Maaemo is Old Norse for "Mother Earth," and that ethos is at the heart of everything at this three-Michelin-star restaurant in Oslo. Located in a sleek, modern building with stunning views over the city, Maaemo offers a menu that is a complete reflection of the Norwegian landscape. Every ingredient is organic or wild, sourced from the immediate region.
Chef Esben Holmboe Bang and his team present the very best of Norway's seasons. The meal begins with a series of exquisite small bites, like a tartlet of mahogany clam from the Arctic Circle, and builds to crescendo. The journey takes you from the cold waters of the fjords to the deep forests and high mountain pastures. It’s a spectacular, delicious tour of a country on a plate.
- Tip: The restaurant's design is an integral part of the experience. Request a seat at the counter to watch the incredible precision of the chefs at work in the stunning open kitchen.
11. Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)
Set in a striking contemporary glass building in Vienna's Stadtpark, Steirereck is the undisputed king of modern Austrian cuisine. Chef Heinz Reithbauer's two-Michelin-star restaurant is both innovative and deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of the Styria region. The service is impeccable, and the experience is one of effortless sophistication.
The menu showcases rare and forgotten Austrian ingredients, with each dish accompanied by a small card explaining its origins. A highlight is the famous bread trolley, featuring dozens of freshly baked varieties, and the equally impressive cheese trolley. A signature dish, the Char cooked in beeswax at the table, is a piece of culinary theatre you won't forget.
- Tip: For a more casual but equally delicious experience, visit their sister restaurant Meierei am Stadtpark, located on the ground floor, for breakfast, lunch, or a slice of strudel.
12. Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin, Germany)
Energetic, bold, and utterly delicious, Tim Raue’s two-Michelin-star restaurant in Berlin is a breath of fresh air. Inspired by his travels through Asia, Raue's cooking is a thrilling blend of Japanese precision, Thai aromatics, and Chinese culinary philosophy. The restaurant famously avoids "filler" carbs like bread and pasta, as well as dairy and refined sugar.
The result is a menu that is incredibly light, vibrant, and packed with flavour. Dishes like his signature wasabi langoustine or the Peking duck interpretation are masterclasses in balancing sweetness, acidity, and umami. The atmosphere in the Kreuzberg dining room is buzzy and chic, reflecting the creative energy of modern Berlin.
- Tip: The lunch menu offers a fantastic value and a great introduction to Raue's unique style without the commitment of the full evening tasting menu.
13. Belcanto (Lisbon, Portugal)
Chef José Avillez has almost single-handedly put Lisbon on the global fine-dining map, and Belcanto is his two-Michelin-star crown jewel. Located in the historic Chiado district, the restaurant takes diners on a dramatic and inventive journey through the history and flavours of Portuguese cuisine.
The tasting menus are presented like acts in a play, with each dish telling a part of the story. Avillez reimagines classic dishes with modern techniques and a touch of whimsy. "A Horta da Galinha dos Ovos de Ouro" (The Garden of the Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs) is a now-famous starter featuring a golden "egg" that cracks open to reveal a rich filling. It's a tribute to Portugal's past, present, and future.
- Tip: Book well in advance. Belcanto is a small restaurant, and Avillez's international fame means tables are highly sought after.
14. Under (Lindesnes, Norway)
Without a doubt the most unique restaurant setting on this list, Under is Europe’s first underwater restaurant. Located on the rugged southern coast of Norway, the building itself is an architectural marvel—a concrete monolith that slopes down five and a half meters below sea level. Diners look out through a massive panoramic window directly into the North Atlantic.
The menu, curated by head chef Berit Boman, is a tribute to the sea. It focuses on sustainably sourced, hyper-local seafood and coastal ingredients, many of which you may have never tried before. As you dine on exquisite dishes made from the very ecosystem you are observing, the experience becomes truly immersive and unforgettable.
- Tip: The experience changes dramatically with the weather and time of day. A stormy sea can be just as mesmerizing as a calm one. Don't be afraid of "bad" weather—it's all part of the wild Norwegian coastal experience.
15. Reale (Castel di Sangro, Italy)
Tucked away in a restored 16th-century monastery in the remote mountains of Abruzzo, Reale is a restaurant for the true culinary purist. Chef Niko Romito's three-Michelin-star cuisine is a study in minimalism and ingredient-focused intensity. He is a master of extracting the purest essence of a flavour through complex techniques that appear deceptively simple on the plate.
Don't expect elaborate garnishes or flashy presentations. A dish might be called "Carrot" or "Onion Absolute" and will be the most profound and flavourful version of that vegetable you have ever tasted. Romito’s cooking is intellectual, deeply researched, and utterly brilliant. This is a destination for those who want to experience the future of Italian fine dining.
- Tip: Reale is also a boutique hotel called Casadonna. Stay the night to fully immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Abruzzo National Park and enjoy Romito's incredible breakfast the next morning.
16. Septime (Paris, France)
For a taste of modern, "bistronomy" Paris, look no further than Septime. This one-Michelin-star restaurant in the trendy 11th arrondissement has been one of the city's toughest reservations for years, and for good reason. Chef Bertrand Grébaut’s cooking is fresh, vibrant, and product-driven, served in a cool, industrial-chic setting with a relaxed atmosphere.
The menu changes constantly based on the best seasonal ingredients available. It's refined but not stuffy, creative but not overwrought. It represents a new wave of French cooking that is less about butter and cream and more about vegetables, acidity, and letting pristine ingredients shine. It’s the perfect blend of high-end cooking and effortless cool.
- Tip: Reservations open online three weeks in advance and disappear instantly. Set an alarm for the exact moment they are released. If you miss out, try their walk-in-only wine bar, Septime La Cave, just down the street.
17. Victor's Fine Dining by Christian Bau (Perl, Germany)
On the border of Germany, France, and Luxembourg lies a hidden gem of European gastronomy. In a small town, chef Christian Bau holds three Michelin stars for his breathtakingly precise and elegant cuisine. Bau perfectly melds the rigour of French haute cuisine with the lightness and umami-rich flavours of Japanese cooking.
The tasting menus, named "Paris-Tokyo," are a testament to his unique vision. You might find a perfect piece of Brittany seafood paired with dashi and yuzu, or a classic French pigeon dish elevated with Japanese nuances. The wine list is equally legendary. This is a true destination restaurant that showcases the incredible skill of a chef at the absolute peak of his powers.
- Tip: The restaurant is located within the Victor's Residenz-Hotel Schloss Berg, a 5-star hotel. Plan to stay overnight to fully enjoy the extensive wine list and the beautiful Moselle wine region.
A journey through Europe's best restaurants is more than just a series of meals; it's a journey through culture, art, and passion. Each of these 17 establishments offers a unique window into the soul of its region, crafted by some of the most talented culinary minds on the planet. From the theatrical stages of Copenhagen to the tranquil monasteries of Italy, these are the tables where memories are made.
Planning a trip to one of these bucket-list restaurants takes effort, but the reward is an experience that will stay with you forever. So start dreaming, start planning, and get ready for the meal of a lifetime.
Which of these restaurants is at the top of your 2025 travel list? Are there any incredible destinations we missed? Share your thoughts and dream dining experiences in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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