The Small Plates Of Europe

Top European City Breaks for Small Plates Lovers: Where to Graze, Taste & Explore

Small plates culture has taken over Europe — and for good reason. It’s sociable, adventurous, and the perfect way to experience the heart of a city through its food. Whether you prefer traditional tapas, modern sharing plates, or inventive fusion bites, Europe is brimming with destinations that do it exceptionally well.

Here are the best European city breaks for travellers who want to wander, sip, and graze their way through unforgettable small-plates scenes.

1. Barcelona, Spain — The Original Tapas Playground

Barcelona is an obvious (and unbeatable) choice. Tapas culture is woven into the city’s DNA, and its culinary creativity means you’ll find everything from traditional classics to ultra-modern interpretations.

Don’t miss:

• La Pepita (modern Catalan plates)

• El Xampanyet (traditional, lively, quintessentially Barcelona)

• Bar del Pla (famous for their bombas and tuna tartare)

Perfect for: foodies who love energy, variety, and late-night dining.

2. San Sebastián, Spain — Pintxos Paradise

If Barcelona is tapas heaven, San Sebastián is its elegant, refined sibling. Here, the small plates (known as pintxos) are elevated to an art form. You’ll hop from bar to bar, sampling exquisite bites often worthy of Michelin recognition.

Don’t miss:

• La Cuchara de San Telmo (iconic hot pintxos)

• Borda Berri (slow-cooked perfection)

• Ganbara (a mushroom lover’s dream)

Perfect for: travellers who want world-class food in a compact, walkable city.

3. Lisbon, Portugal — Petiscos With a View

Lisbon’s petiscos scene offers soulful, flavour-packed small dishes rooted in tradition but reimagined by a new wave of young chefs. Add in ocean views, pastel-coloured streets, and gentle prices, and Lisbon becomes small-plates heaven.

Don’t miss:

• Taberna da Rua das Flores (creative, always-changing menu)

• Petisco Saloio (modern twists done beautifully)

• Time Out Market (all the classics under one roof)

Perfect for: travellers who want sunshine, style, and tasting-menu creativity at snack-sized portions.

4. Copenhagen, Denmark — Nordic Sharing Plates & Culinary Innovation

Copenhagen is known for boundary-pushing cuisine, and its sharing-plate scene is just as impressive. Think hyper-seasonal produce, playful plating, and inventive flavour combinations inspired by New Nordic cooking.

Don’t miss:

• Høst (romantic, seasonal, affordable Nordic tasting plates)

• Vérité (modern, beautifully crafted small plates)

• Jah Izakaya (Japanese-Nordic fusion in a cosy setting)

Perfect for: design lovers, food experimenters, and anyone who appreciates craftsmanship on a plate.

5. Seville, Spain — Classic Tapas With Andalusian Charm

Seville does tapas the way tapas were meant to be: simple, delicious, and deeply rooted in tradition. Expect bustling bars, tiny plates, and unbeatable value.

Don’t miss:

• El Rinconcillo (founded in 1670 — the oldest tapas bar in Spain)

• La Brunilda (modern but still authentically Sevillian)

• Eslava (famous honey ribs + legendary slow-cooked egg)

Perfect for: those who want authentic atmosphere and exceptional food without the crowds of bigger cities.

6. Athens, Greece — Meze With Mediterranean Soul

Meze — the Greek version of small plates — is built around generosity, bold flavours, and long, lazy meals with good company. Athens has embraced both tradition and modern creativity, making its meze scene one of Europe’s most exciting.

Don’t miss:

• O Kostas (iconic souvlaki-sized bites)

• Ama Lachei (beautiful courtyard and stunning meze selection)

• Karamanlidika (charcuterie & cheeses you’ll still dream about weeks later)

Perfect for: travellers who love fresh ingredients, big flavours, and warm hospitality.

7. Rome, Italy — Small Plates, Italian Style

Rome might be famous for pasta and pizza, but the city’s modern cicchetti and sharing-plate bars have been gaining major momentum. Expect Italian classics served in snackable, elevated, and sometimes playful formats.

Don’t miss:

• Ai Tre Scalini (Roman tapas with great wine)

• Trapizzino locations (filled pizza pockets = must try)

• Pianostrada (beautifully curated small Italian plates)

Perfect for: lovers of Italian food who want variety without committing to a single big dish.

8. Madrid, Spain — Tapas Trail Through the Capital

Madrid’s tapas culture blends tradition with cool, contemporary food bars. Small plates here vary from rustic to refined, making it ideal for a full weekend of culinary exploring.

Don’t miss:

• Mercado de San Miguel (one-stop small-plate feast)

• Juana La Loca (their tortilla is a legend)

• Angelita Madrid (exceptional wine and polished small plates)

Perfect for: travellers who want foodie excitement without Barcelona’s coastal crowds.

Final Bite: Europe Is Built for Small Plates Lovers

Whether you’re after pintxos artistry in the Basque Country, petiscos with ocean views in Lisbon, or Nordic innovation in Copenhagen, Europe is full of small-plate cities perfect for immersive, flavour-packed weekends.

Small plates make travel more interactive — more sharing, more tasting, and more discovering. And that’s exactly what the best city breaks are all about.

Mongibello - Ibiza

Our Minimoon at Mongibello Ibiza — Sunshine, Style, and the Perfect Poolside Vibe

For our minimoon, we wanted somewhere with sunshine, style, and a little bit of that effortless Ibiza energy — and Mongibello Ibiza delivered exactly that. From the moment we arrived, the hotel felt fun, vibrant, and beautifully put together, with a retro-glam twist that set the tone for a memorable stay.

Poolside Perfection — Especially the DJ

The pool area quickly became our favourite spot, and a huge part of that was thanks to the DJ. The vibe was spot-on: chilled enough to relax, upbeat enough to feel celebratory. It created the perfect backdrop for blissful afternoons in the sun.

Entertainment Looked Great (Even If We Missed It)

We didn’t manage to catch any of the evening entertainment — minimoon priorities! — but the lineup looked fantastic from what we saw. Plenty of variety, stylish spaces, and a really fun atmosphere throughout the hotel.

Breakfast & Dining — Delicious but With One Important Gap

The food at Mongibello was consistently great, and the club sandwich deserves a shoutout on its own — it was genuinely to die for.

Breakfast each morning was delightful, with plenty of choice and consistently good quality. The only issue we ran into was allergy information: it wasn’t easy to find or clearly marked, and we sometimes struggled to get clarity from staff. For such a well-run hotel, this is something that really does need addressing to make the experience smooth and safe for all guests.

Lovely Staff, Just Slightly Tricky Poolside Service

Every member of staff we interacted with was friendly, helpful, and welcoming. The only small challenge was poolside service — not because staff weren’t attentive, but because it was a bit difficult to flag someone down when things got busy. Having buzzers at the loungers could make ordering drinks or snacks even easier.

Final Thoughts — A Fantastic Minimoon Spot

Overall, Mongibello Ibiza was everything we hoped for on our minimoon: stylish, fun, relaxing, and full of good energy. With its amazing poolside atmosphere, great food, warm staff, and beautiful setting, it’s a place we’d happily recommend — and would gladly return to.

Saltmoore Whitby

Our March 2025 Stay at Saltmoore, Whitby — Beautiful, But Not Without Quirks

Earlier this year we spent a night at Saltmoore in Whitby, a place that has been getting plenty of attention online for its serene setting, spa experiences, and minimalist luxury vibes. After finally getting the chance to stay there in March 2025, we left with mixed feelings — moments of real indulgence balanced by some unexpected inconsistencies.

A Lovely Suite… in a Slightly Disjointed Layout

We booked one of the suites, and to be fair, the room itself was absolutely lovely — calm décor, great use of space, and exactly the type of environment you hope for on a mini-escape.

However, the overall layout of the property felt a little disjointed. Saltmoore spans two separate buildings, and moving between them didn’t feel as seamless or cohesive as you’d expect from a retreat positioned as a luxury experience. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it did affect the overall flow of the stay.

Spa Highlights — Especially the Cryotherapy Chamber

The spa, on the other hand, was a standout. We booked the cryotherapy chamber the morning after our celebration dinner, and it was easily one of the highlights of the trip. Refreshing, energising, and surprisingly fun — definitely something we’d recommend to anyone staying here.

Dining: Thoughtful Food, But Repetitive Menus

Dinner was thoughtfully put together, and the food showed real care in its preparation. Where things got a little odd was the fact that both restaurants were serving the same menu. For a place that markets multiple dining venues, we expected distinct styles or at least different options.

It may well have changed since our stay, but at the time it made the choice between restaurants feel somewhat redundant.

Also worth mentioning: while the service was friendly, the wine knowledge could have been better. Not a huge issue, but noticeable when you’re ordering for a celebration dinner.

Breakfast: Nothing Like the Social Media Experience

Breakfast, unfortunately, was the biggest disappointment. What you see on social media — perfectly plated dishes, glossy spreads, vibrant colours — didn’t match what arrived on the table.

The low point was discovering that the muesli jar had been broken, and there was actually glass mixed in with the cereal. Somehow it had made its way to the buffet without anyone noticing. Staff addressed it when informed, but it didn’t inspire much confidence in the morning quality control.

Final Thoughts — A Nice One-Night Stay, But We Wouldn’t Rush Back

Overall, Saltmoore made for a good one-night stay, and there were definitely elements we enjoyed — the spa especially. The suite was lovely, and the setting itself has a lot of potential.

But between the inconsistent breakfast, the repetitive restaurant menus, and the slightly disjointed feel of the property layout, it wasn’t the seamless luxury experience we’d hoped for.

It may well have improved since our visit in March 2025 — these things often do — but based on our stay, we wouldn’t be rushing back.

I am resurrected, like Jesus at Easter

I'm Back! After a Hiatus of Over 5 Years, Here's What’s Next

Hello, everyone!

It’s been over five years since I last posted here, and I must admit - writing this feels a little surreal. Time has a way of slipping by faster than we realise, and in my case, a lot has changed in the world, my life, and, of course, me.

First off, I want to thank anyone who’s still hanging around. It’s humbling to know that some of you have kept up with the site and even sent messages asking if I’d ever return. Your support has always meant a lot, even when I wasn’t actively creating content.

What Happened?

Life. That’s the simple answer.

A lot can happen in five years. I took time to focus on personal growth, explore new interests, and tackle some challenges I hadn’t anticipated. There were moments of reflection, periods of hustle, and many moments of learning. But amidst all that, I felt a deep pull to come back here - to reconnect with the community, share my journey, and dive back into the world of writing and creating content.

So, here I am, ready to pick up where I left off. I’ve missed writing, I’ve missed engaging with all of you, and I’ve missed the creative outlet that this blog used to provide.

What’s Changed?

In these past five years, the world has evolved in so many ways, especially online. New platforms, technologies, and trends have emerged. But there’s something that’s been bothering me, something I’ve felt growing for a while: the rise of influencer culture and the lack of true, unfiltered opinions in the content we consume.

I’m here to fight back against that.

I’m committed to bringing real reviews, honest feedback, and the kind of unvarnished truth that was the foundation of this blog when I first started. No more pretending everything is perfect, no more glowing reviews just because brands are paying for a spot. My opinion won’t be bought, and I won’t compromise on my values. This blog—Unfiltered by Blondejunk—will always be a place where you can come for reliable, unbiased, and genuine information.

It’s time to bring back the kind of content that you can trust.

What’s Next?

I’m so excited to be back, and I have big plans for what’s to come.

• Honest Reviews: I’m going to call it like I see it. If something’s great, you’ll hear about it. If it’s not, I’ll tell you why. This is a space where truth matters, and I want to be the voice of reason in a world flooded with paid-for opinions.

• Fresh Content: Expect a variety of topics. Whether it’s personal reflections, lifestyle, creativity, or deeper dives into subjects I’m passionate about, I want this space to be a place for exploration and growth.

• Engagement: I’m more committed than ever to building a community here. This means more interaction, feedback, and collaboration with you, the readers. I want this blog to be as much your space as it is mine.

• Consistency: Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes, but I’m making a conscious effort to be more consistent with my posts. No more long breaks, I promise!

A New Beginning

While five years is a long time, it feels like just the beginning of a new chapter for me. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us, and I hope you’ll join me as I continue to evolve, reflect, and create. Thank you for sticking around, and here’s to everything that lies ahead.

Catch you in the next post, and stay tuned for reviews that actually help you make informed choices. No fluff, just the truth.