If you’re heading to southern Europe, head for Portugal where the food culture brings together traditional flavors and produce with the bold brushstrokes of modern gastronomy, making it an outstanding destination for gourmet travelers. At the heart of Portugal’s culinary renaissance is José Avillez, the country’s best known chef, whose name has become synonymous with the soul of Portuguese cooking. From fine dining Bel Canto and haute vegetarian Encanto in Lisbon’s Chiado district, to Porto’s famed Cantinho do Avillez, and Tasca in Dubai, Portugal’s gastronomic star demonstrates the very best of his country’s rich produce. Avillez, alongside other culinary virtuosos such as Dieter Koschina, Ricardo Costa, and Hans Neuner, has been instrumental in ushering Portuguese cuisine onto the world stage and putting the spotlight on its impressive dishes, from succulent seafood to great-tasting pasture-fed meat. Beyond fine dining, neighborhood restaurants preserve Portugal's bustling food culture, thanks to traditional taverns and bistros dishing out comforting classics. At Varina da Madragoa, diners can enjoy the country’s famous bacalhau at prices to suit both locals and visitors. Unassuming kitchens like Das Flores in Chiado serve simple classics like bitoque and other local specialities without ceremony. The labyrinthine alleys of Lisbon are alive with a spirit of camaraderie and authentic dining experiences. Tasca Zé dos Cornos hums with an exuberant vibe, serving sharing dishes of hearty Portuguese favorites. At Alfama’s hidden gem Tasco do Vigário, menus, like the neighborhood, are traditional, and best enjoyed with a glass of local wine or a refreshing pitcher of sangria. Seafood aficionados must try the treasures of Merendinha do Arco, where simple grilling allows flavor to shine. This kind of dedication to quality and authenticity connects all of Portugal's independent dining establishments. The Portuguese culinary scene also boasts an exquisite selection of wines. From vivacious Vinho Verde to the full-bodied reds of the Douro Valley, quality and diversity thrives in every corner of the country’s fascinating wine culture. Portugal is a country where every dish celebrates the nation’s rich heritage and convivial spirit. Its blend of sophisticated food culture and honest charm makes it the ideal destination for everyone who loves to eat and lives to eat.

Think of Brittany's gastronomy as a symphony, orchestrated by culinary virtuosos such as Christian Le Squer, with his network of five restaurants including the iconic Moulin de Rosmadec, and the ingenious Ronan Kervarrec, whose Maison Kervarrec in St Gregoire makes a signature dish of buckwheat and potato galette perfectly paired with the regional Guémené andouille sausage. Nolwenn Corre adds her own notes to this melody at Hostellerie Pointe St Mathieu, with dishes that resonate with the freshness of the sea. Oysters from Prat Ar Coum meet celery and Molène sausage; Brittany skate is brought to life with the warmth of butter and rich Jerusalem artichokes. In Pont-Aven, La Taupinière welcomes diners to a seafood feast of poached oysters, lobster ravioli, and grilled langoustine. But Brittany’s food culture is not restricted to fine dining and has plenty of affordable specialties. The laminated pastry Kouign-amann contrasts sweetness with the renowned salted butter of the region. Sparkling ciders and ripe strawberries from Plougastel demonstrate the variety and richness of the Breton soil. Whether a Breton pancake laced with salted caramel or a robust buckwheat whiskey, the flavors of Brittany cater to every palate. Brittany's cuisine is a celebration of contrasts: the bold and the delicate, the earthy and the refined. Authentic, regional produce plays in harmony with the creativity of local chefs. Breton gastronomy aims to nourish the soul as much as the body, telling the story of a food heritage that is equally satisfying and outstanding.