15 Best Mediterranean Food Ideas and Culinary Options

Imagine yourself dining al fresco in the Mediterranean, with the sea breeze rolling in around you. Picture spending days sipping sangria in Barcelona, munching on crispy calamari in Italy or indulging in Croatian cuisine with a dramatic coastline as the backdrop. With cruises to the top food destinations in the Mediterranean, foodies can rest easy knowing that they'll start and finish each day with a delicious meal, no matter where they're headed. Here is your go-to list for the best Mediterranean food when you’re cruising in Europe.

Key Takeaways

● There's nothing like Mediterranean food and wine. Savor Spain’s culinary icons, from sizzling tapas and rich paella in Barcelona and Valencia to golden churros dipped in hot chocolate along Las Ramblas.

● Discover Portugal’s irresistible flavors with savory “bifanas,” flaky “pasteis de nata” and bold coastal fare found in Lisbon, Porto and beyond.

● Indulge in Greek Mediterranean food across the islands, where cheese-filled pastries, hearty moussaka and freshly caught seafood define every unforgettable meal.

● Follow your appetite through Italy and Croatia, tasting everything from Naples’ world-famous pizza and Rome’s handmade pasta to Dalmatian pasticada and black risotto on the Adriatic coast.

● Sip and celebrate the region’s best Mediterranean drinks, from cava sangria in Spain and Chianti wines in Tuscany to sweet Robola and heliophilous wines along the Greek isles.

● Find your next cruise experience to the Mediterranean right here.

1. Make It All about Tapas, Tapas, Tapas in Barcelona and Beyond

From unique dining experiences to bustling markets to hole-in-the-wall eateries, the streets of Barcelona are lined with delicious food, no matter where you turn. Fresh juices, sweet ice pops and cones of Iberico ham can be found in the buzzing La Boqueria market, where most transactions are cash only.

In the tiny tapas restaurants of the El Born area, where small plates are key, succulent lamb skewers with mint sauce, roasted eggplant with honey and fluffy Spanish omelets are paired with traditional dishes like “patatas bravas” (roasted potatoes with a spicy sauce).

The most famous of tapas in Barcelona is the "bomba," a melt-in-your-mouth potato ball that’s filled with deep-fried meat and then dipped in a sweet, spicy sauce. You can’t miss this sumptuous dish!

2. Ask for Paella, Please — And Say Thank You to Valencia

If you're looking for something a little heartier, fresh paella topped with succulent prawns and steaming mussels can be found down by the beach in Barcelona. Native to the region of Valencia, paella has become Spain's most famous dish. That’s all due to the flavor, which is out of this world.

Cooked in a giant cast-iron skillet, the saffron rice and savory sausage are stir-fried together with succulent seafood to create a super satisfying meal that's usually shared by two.

When you’re thirsty, wash your meal down with a glass of ice-cold cava sangria, a specialty that's made with sparkling white wine, brandy, peach liqueur, grape juice and topped with fresh fruit. If that's not quite your thing, you could always go classic with a fruity glass of red sangria.

3. Churros: A Spanish Delight

Spain is known for its savory selections, and the sweet ones are equally memorable — especially churros. The long, crispy, deep-fried pastry was created during the 16th century. It's debated whether the Spanish, Portuguese or Chinese came up with the sweet treat. Either way, churros are a must-have.

Dusted in cinnamon and sugar, churros are served with a cup of hot, melted chocolate. Dip it in, and enjoy the inexpensive pastry that locals and tourists enjoy. You can dine on this delicacy during breakfast, lunch, snack time or dinner. Head to Las Ramblas (one of the most popular streets in the city) or the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, for the best selection of this delectable pastry.

4. Try Beautiful Bifana: More Than a Portuguese Sandwich

Imagine a light and crusty bread roll filled with sauteed strips of juicy pork. Seasoned in garlic, spices and white wine, “bifana” is far from boring. Topped with yellow mustard you'd find at a fast-food joint, the traditional Portuguese sandwich is best served with an ice-cold beer.

If you're feeling like you need more than just the tasty sandwich to fill your stomach after a busy day of exploring, pair it with a delicious bowl of soup. You’ll find them in Lisbon, Porto and everywhere in between. The tender pork sandwich proves that the best places to eat in the Mediterranean don't need to be fancy.

5. Delight in Pasteis De Nata and Keep It Sweet in Portugal

Flaky pastry dough surrounds the sweet, rich yellow custard that makes up the world-famous “pasteis de nata,” a traditional Portuguese dessert. The egg tart, dusted with cinnamon, is best enjoyed as a sweet breakfast and served with coffee or tea.

Invented in Belem, near the center of Lisbon, “pasteis de nata” is said to have originated in a monastery before the 18th century. The monks had leftover egg yolks from the eggs that were used to starch nuns' habits, so they cooked up the bite-sized “pasteis de nata.”

The best way to really enjoy this Portuguese pastry is to visit the monastery before heading to the nearby bakery for a few treats. Then, head to the water for views overlooking Belem Tower while you enjoy its sweet taste.

6. Order Pizza for One (Or More) in Napoli

From a simple Margherita (mozzarella and tomato) to a “capricossa,” topped with a raw egg that's cooked by the heat coming out of the cheese, Napoli is the place to try a pizza. “Pizzaioli,” a person who makes pizza, is a prized job to have in the Italian city (some of them serve up the best pizza in the world).

While there are over 800 pizzerias in the city that was the birthplace of pizza, there are 100 to choose from to ensure that the art of pizza-making and the ingredients used have stayed true to tradition. Odds are, if you see a line out front filled with locals, you’re in the right place.

Indulge in mouthwatering pies eaten at communal tables and washed down with a local beer or glass of red wine. One thing is for sure: The pizza in Naples is out of this world!

7. Enjoy Oodles of Noodles in Rome

Work up an appetite wandering down the cobblestone streets of Rome's Trastevere district. Once a quiet, local area, Trastevere has become a bit more mainstream (don’t worry, it still holds on to its charm). Leave the bustling piazza behind and venture off the beaten path. Tiny trattorias line the small alleyways and serve up some of the best Cucina Romana in the whole city.

Dine on pasta dishes like spaghetti carbonara, pappardelle with wild boar and ”Fettuccine Alla Sarda” (a rich mushroom sauce). Wash down your savory pasta with a glass of full-bodied red wine and finish your meal off with some tiramisu that has been cooked to perfection.

8. Load Up on Ligurian Cuisine in Portofino

One of the top food destinations in the Mediterranean, Portofino is home to Ligurian cuisine. Known for its delicious pesto made with basil, pine nuts, garlic and fresh Parmigiano, the area is a foodie's dream. Enjoy fresh pasta dishes smothered in pesto sauce or focaccia drizzled in olive oil, straight out of the oven.

Bite into a piece of branzino baked under a blanket of salt or enjoy “Frito de Misto,” mixed fried seafood. Fill your belly up after exploring the colorful, winding streets of Portofino or taking a dip in the sparkling sea.

9. Savor the Finest Wines in Tuscany

From bold blends of red wine in the Chianti region to fresh pecorino cheese, Tuscany has a unique cuisine that’s second to none in the Mediterranean. With access to the La Spezia port, Florence is the epicenter of a Mediterranean wine experience.

Visit vineyards in the rolling hills of Tuscany in the morning before heading into the city center for a cup of “ribolita” (a hearty minestrone soup) or a hearty panini filled with cured meats like “prosciutto crudo” and salami on “Via Dei Neri.” Finish off your meal down the road with a refreshingly sweet scoop (or two) of gelato. For a sweet and salty pair, go for the pistachio and salted caramel on a homemade cone.

10. Get Cheesy in Greece

Baked cheese. Fried cheese. Cheese balls. Feta cheese. Kefalotiri cheese. Feta wrapped in pastry dough and served with honey drizzled over it. “Spanikopita” (spinach pie with cheese) and “tiropita” (cheese pie). The options for cheese in Greece are endless! Enjoy small plates of cheesy goodness during every meal, no matter what time of day it is.

For a truly mouthwatering experience, order a “tiropita” cheese puff, which is cheese baked in cheese. Enjoy them throughout your adventurous day in the islands, paired with other traditional Greek dishes like keftedes, which are meatballs served with creamy sauce. You could also try moussaka, which is minced beef layered with sweet eggplants and cooked in a creamy tomato sauce.

11. Sea-Food and Eat It in Mykonos

Endless choices of seafood await you in Greece. From steamed mussels cooked in a white wine sauce to shrimp and pasta dishes to “oktapodi kokkinisto” (octopus cooked in tomato sauce), you won't run out of options. Pair a fresh catch of fish with a glass of sweet heliophilous wine by the beach in Mykonos, or enjoy a marinated squid caught in the surrounding waters of Argostoli, coupled with a dry white Robola wine.

Dine al fresco and enjoy the contrast of the whitewashed city of Oia against the blue of the sea while you fill yourself up on tasty Greek food before exploring even more.

12. Dig Into Dozens of Mediterranean Desserts in the Greek Isles

From crumbly “Amygdalota” almond cookies served with a cup of Greek coffee to flaky baklava made with layers and layers of phyllo dough to “kataifi” (a rolled-up pastry that’s baked and then soaked in sweet syrup), desserts are a staple in Greek cuisine.

Their desserts utilize ingredients you can find around the islands (like honey, nuts, cream and fruit) and have been around for centuries. So, do as the Greeks do and finish off your meal with a sweet treat and hot drink at one of the many local taverns in the Greek Isles.

13. Mix It Up for a Match Made in Heaven in Croatia

Mediterranean food and wine meet their match in Croatia. Influences from the Balkans, Italy and easy access to the sea make Croatia a hot spot for tasty foods.

From “crni rizot” (black risotto) and arborio rice cooked in squid ink (then topped with juicy octopus tentacles) to “punjena paprika” and baked peppers stuffed with savory ground meat, the chances to have a seriously satisfying meal are vast.

When you’re in the mood, sample sweet “rozata” egg custard, which resembles a Spanish flan. Pair your Croatian meals with a refreshing glass of crisp white wine from regions like Istria or Pokuplje.

14. Splurge on Dalmatian Delicacies in Croatia

Spend a day exploring Split or Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian coast to enjoy typical Mediterranean food. Indulge in the catch of the day cooked in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary and served with tender green vegetables. Taste the so-called Queen of Dalmatian cuisine, “pasticada,” a beef fillet marinated in wine vinegar for days before being braised for hours in both its own juices and red wine and then served with gnocchi.

Wash it down with a glass of ”Plavac mali” wine, a red which is made from grapes grown on one of the 79 islands on the Dalmatian coast.

15. Taste a Real Turkish Delight

“Sis kebab,” “doner kebab” and “lamb kofte” can be found in many places around the world. One thing’s for sure, they taste even better in Turkey. “Sis kebab” is meat served on a stick, a “doner kebab” is slow-cooked meat (carved and served in a pita or wrap) and “kofte” is a type of meatball. These choices may have become a bit mainstream, but there are so many other tasty Turkish plates to try.

Start your meal with some “meze” like grilled eggplant salad or a traditional dish called “cicek dolmasi,” which is fried squash flowers stuffed with raisins and rice. After you've got your share of savory food, satisfy your sweet tooth with one of the many Turkish desserts.

From the spongy texture of the “kunafeh” cake and the tender bite of the “Ayva tatilisi” (made with quince fruit) to the notable baklava, there is something for everyone to choose from in Turkey.

Cruise to the Mediterranean for a Food Extravaganza Like No Other

From sizzling Spanish tapas to creamy Greek cheeses and flaky Portuguese pastries, every port in the Mediterranean promises a feast for the senses. Sample local street food, sip fine wines in Tuscany or indulge in fresh seafood by the Aegean. All these unforgettable flavors elevate every moment at sea.

As you plan your cruise, prepare to discover authentic dishes that tell the story of each destination. With endless cruise experiences blending culture, cuisine and coastal beauty, your taste buds will thank you.