River cruises offer the opportunity to visit some of Europe’s most beautiful cities such as Paris, Vienna and Budapest. Unlike ocean cruises, river cruises tend to have a more centrally located dock, meaning guests are right in the heart of the city.
When visiting a new destination, trying the food is often a highlight for many travellers.
With that being said, Iglu Cruise has revealed the best foodie destinations for a river cruise. The team researched 40 of the most popular river cruise destinations in Europe and used Tripadvisor data to calculate the percentage of food venues in each city that are rated “very good” or “excellent” (four or five stars).
*Food venues included restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bars & pubs and food markets.
The following 10 destinations ranked the highest:
| River Cruise Destination | Percentage of food venues rated “very good” or “excellent” (4 or 5 stars) |
| Belgrade, Serbia | 63.4% |
| Arles, France | 62.5% |
| Budapest, Hungary | 61.1% |
| Basel, Switzerland | 60.3% |
| Bratislava, Slovakia | 56.3% |
| Avignon, France | 55.8% |
| Vienna, Austria | 54.9% |
| Lyon, France | 52.2% |
| Bordeaux, France | 52.1% |
| Passau, Germany | 51.1% |
1. Belgrade, Serbia
63.4% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
In first place, with 63.4% of food venues being awarded four or five stars, is Belgrade, Serbia.
Nestled between two major rivers, the Danube and the Sava, Belgrade is home to 21 Michelin-recognised restaurants. One of the highest-rated restaurants in the Serbian capital, with a Michelin star, is Langouste, an exclusive luxury establishment situated in the Old Town, with a menu curated by award-winning chef Marko Deric.
Classic Serbian dishes in Belgrade include Ćevapi (grilled minced meat), Burek (a flaky pastry filled with meat or cheese), and Ajvar (a roasted red pepper spread). Visitors can sample these at Kalenić Pijaca, Belgrade’s largest open-air farmers market.
Guests embarking on a river cruise in Belgrade can also enjoy views of major attractions such as the Belgrade fortress and the Victor Monument, located in the city centre, within walking distance of the cruise terminal.
2. Arles, France
62.5% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
With 62.5% of food venues awarded a four or five-star rating, Arles, France, is the next river cruise port on the list.
Located along the River Rhône, in the heart of Provence, Arles is famed for its local French cuisine, including gardianne de taureau (bull meat stew slow-cooked in red wine), saucisson d’Arles (a dry sausage made with bull meat), and the Arles tart (a rustic dessert typically made with apricots and strawberries).
L’Oustau de Baumanière is an award-winning restaurant in Arles that holds three Michelin stars, given to establishments that signify exceptional cuisine. Guests can sample creative Mediterranean dishes by Chef Glenn Viel, the youngest French chef to receive three Michelin stars in 2020 (age 39).
Beyond food, Arles is home to the UNESCO-listed Roman Amphitheatre, just a short 30-minute walk from the river cruise port.
3. Budapest, Hungary
61.1% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
Budapest is the third-best river port for a foodie cruise, with 61.1% of food venues having a four or five-star rating.
Visitors to the capital can try both traditional Hungarian dishes and award-winning international cuisine, with over 4,000 food venues located in the city. This includes a mixture of high-end fine dining, food markets, bakeries and cafes.
Traditional food to try includes goulash, lángos (deep-fried dough), kürtőskalács (chimney cake) and töltött káposzta (stuffed cabbage). Budapest also boasts 36 Michelin-recognised restaurants, including two-starred Stand, where chefs Szabina Szullo and Tamas Szell reinvent classic dishes with elegant modernity.
Sightseeing highlights for a river cruise in Budapest include a visit to the Hungarian Parliament Building, a neo-Gothic structure inspired by the British House of Parliament, which Tripadvisor rated as the number one tourist attraction in the city.
4. Basel, Switzerland
60.3% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
At number four is Basel in Switzerland, with 60.3% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars.
Located on the Rhine at the intersection of Switzerland, France and Germany, Basel’s local specialities include Basler Läckerli (a spiced honey biscuit with almonds and dandied fruit), Basler Mehlsuppe (a rich flour soup), Fastenwähe (a caraway-sprinkled pastry) and Basler Brot, alongside the famous Swiss classics like fondue, raclette and of course, world-renowned Swiss chocolate.
For fine dining options, Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl holds three Michelin stars and 19 Gault-Millau points, ranking among the world’s top 100 restaurants. Here, Chef Knogl blends French haute cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences.
Beyond food, Basel has a rich culture, home to over 40 museums and the internationally acclaimed Art Basel fair. River cruisers can enjoy its blend of old-world architecture, contemporary art and great Swiss food.
5. Bratislava, Slovakia
56.3% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
At number five is Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital with 56.3% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars. Located along the Danube near the borders of Austria and Hungary, Bratislava’s culinary scene stands out for its affordability and variety.
The Slovakian capital offers a diverse range of food options from hearty Slovak dishes to creative modern cuisine. Must-try local dishes include bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese), Kapustnica (sauerkraut soup), and Pirohy (stuffed dumplings). You’ll also find Vyprážaný syr (fried cheese) served in pubs to cafes, alongside local beers and an emerging craft beer scene.
Known for its lively bars and cafes and trendy bistros, Bratislava offers a laid-back stop on a Danube river cruise. Passengers can also enjoy views of the Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the old town and the Danube.
6. Avignon, France
55.8% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
Avignon, France, is the sixth-best foodie river cruise stop, with 55.8% of its food venues rated 4 or 5 stars.
Famous for high-quality fresh ingredients such as tomatoes, olives, garlic and Herbes de Provence, which can be purchased at local markets such as Les Halles d’Avignon. Must-try dishes include tapenade (puréed olive spread), aïoli , soupe au pistou (sauce made with basil, garlic, and olive oil), fougasse (flat, leaf-shaped bread), ratatouille and an array of local cheeses.
Beyond its culinary appeal, top attractions to see in Avignon include the Palace of the Popes, which is one of the 10 most visited monuments in France and just a 15 minute walk away from the cruise port. Passengers should also look out for the Pont Saint-Bénézet or The Bridge of Avignon, which can be admired along the river when sailing down the Rhône.
7. Vienna, Austria
54.9% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
Vienna ranks seventh for its number of top-rated eateries, with 54.9% of food venues awarded 4 or 5 stars. Austria’s capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the only capital in the world with over 1700 acres of vineyards. Visitors can sip local wines in traditional taverns known as Heurigen.
Vienna’s culinary scene reflects its Austro-Hungarian roots, with hearty classics like Wiener Schnitzel (breaded veal cutlet), Tafelspitz (boiled beef in broth), Goulash (stew-soup made with meat and veg), and sausages served from beloved Würstelstands. Austrian desserts include Sachertorte (rich chocolate cake with apricot jam), Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), and Kaiserschmarrn (lightly sweetened pancake).
Consistently ranked among the world’s most livable cities, beyond the foodie scene, imperial palaces like Schönbrunn, as well as its history of famous composers from Mozart to Strauss, continue to draw people to this city.
8. Lyon, France
52.2% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
Lyon comes in at number 8 with 52.2% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars. With a high reputation in the culinary industry, Lyon is often referred to as the food capital of France and arguably, the world. This reputation is largely due to chef Paul Bocuse and the city’s dense network of restaurants.
Popular in the city are Lyonnaise restaurants called “bouchons,” which offer hearty, authentic, often pork-based local dishes.. Must-try dishes include quenelles de brochet (pike dumplings), rosette de Lyon (dry-cured pork sausage), salade Lyonnaise (lettuce, bacon, croutons and egg) and Cervelle de Canut (a herbed cheese spread).
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is one of the most highly recommended food venues in Lyon. This upscale market offers tastings of cheese, charcuterie, seafood and pastries.
Set at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon, the third-largest city in France, is a great stop for river cruisers looking to indulge in French food on their cruise.
9. Bordeaux, France
52.1% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
At number nine, Bordeaux, known as the “Wine Capital of the World” shows 52.1% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars.
Set along the Garonne river, it’s home to over 6000 wineries across the region, and a day exploring in the city can offer river cruisers an insight into the region’s wine culture through La Cité du Vin, an immersive wine museum, or through tastings and chateau tours.
Bordeaux cuisine includes fresh Arcachon Bay oysters, Asperges du Blayais (Blaye white asparagus), and the beloved Canelé (a caramelised pastry with a custardy centre).
For refined dining, a firm favourite is Gordon Ramsay’s two-Michelin-starred Le Pressoir d’Argent. The restaurant, which opened in 2015, is famous for serving French delicacies such as Foie Gras, truffles, caviar and fish and also offers hundreds of wine selections.
With a thriving food scene that boasts traditional bistros to Michelin-starred dining, Bordeaux offers a blend of food, wine and culture, making it a great stop for a foodie focused river cruise.
10. Passau, Germany
51.1% of food venues rated 4 or 5 stars
At number ten is Passau in Germany, with 51.1% of food venues being rated 4 or 5 stars.
Nestled in the meeting point of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau is a picturesque Bavarian gem often referred to as the “City of Three Rivers”.
Food-lovers will find Passau surprisingly sophisticated, with three Michelin-starred restaurants, including Johanns, which offers great value and inventive takes on Bavarian Forest cuisine.
The city’s food scene is a celebration of Bavarian tradition; Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Bratwurst and Weißwürste (German sausages), often served with tangy sauerkraut (cabbage) or creamy potato salad. Other local specialities include Obazda (cheese spread), Goulash, and freshly grilled Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick).
Dave Mills, Chief Commercial Officer at Iglu Cruise, said: “River cruising offers a unique way to experience Europe, not just through its stunning landscapes and historic cities, but through its diverse and deeply rooted culinary traditions.”
Whether you’re sampling street food in a bustling market or indulging in a Michelin-starred tasting menu with river views, each stop brings a new flavour to the culture. For foodies with a sense of adventure, there’s no better way to explore the continent than by letting the rivers guide you, one delicious destination at a time.
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