5 Cosy autumn European escapes for food lovers

As summer slips away and the evenings turn crisp, autumn is when Europe truly comes into its own, especially if you love food. For foodies, this is the season to slow down, savour local flavours, and discover destinations where comfort, culture, and cuisine all come together. Autumn offers a chance to experience Europe at its most authentic and most delicious.

We’ll take you through five of the cosiest autumn European escapes for food lovers, each one filled with seasonal charm and unforgettable tastes.

1. Piedmont, Italy – Truffle hunting, fireplaces and full-bodied reds

Tucked into the rolling hills of northern Italy, Piedmont is the kind of place that was made for autumn. Think crisp air, gold-tinged vineyards, and the smoky scent of fireplaces floating through the villages. But what really brings travellers here in October and November? One word: truffles.

This region is the heartland of the white truffle – one of the world’s most prized (and priciest) delicacies. In Alba, the unofficial truffle capital, you can book a guided truffle hunt with expert foragers and their loyal dogs. It’s a magical experience – wandering through quiet, misty woodlands in search of aromatic gold buried beneath the roots. The thrill of finding one is unforgettable.

Back in town, the Alba White Truffle Festival runs every weekend from early October to December. Picture covered stalls bursting with truffle oils, cheeses, handmade pasta and hazelnut sweets. There are chef-led demos, wine tastings, and the chance to bid on rare truffles at lively auctions. If you love food with a sense of drama and tradition, this is your stage.

And then there’s the wine. Piedmont is the birthplace of Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy’s most complex reds. Many vineyards offer tastings in cosy cellars with views over rust-coloured vines. The locals are proud of their food culture and are always ready to share it.

What to try:

• Tajarin al tartufo bianco – silky, hand-cut egg pasta crowned with fragrant white truffle
• Brasato al Barolo – melt-in-your-mouth beef slow-cooked in red wine
• Castelmagno cheese – a rich blue cheese served with honey or in risotto
• A glass (or two) of Barbaresco, best enjoyed beside a roaring fire

The village of La Morra offers sweeping views over the Langhe hills and is home to some of the region’s best wine producers. Base yourself here for a slower pace and a truly local experience.

2. Beuvron-en-Auge, France – apple season in Normandy

Set in the heart of the Pays d’Auge, Beuvron-en-Auge is a postcard-perfect village known for its half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes, and traditional Norman charm. It’s also one of France’s officially recognised “most beautiful villages” – and in autumn, it comes alive with the scent of apples, woodsmoke, and fresh pastry.

Each October, Beuvron hosts its annual Apple and Cider Festival – a community celebration of the region’s most iconic fruit. Local producers roll in with crates of just-picked apples, and the village square fills with the sounds and smells of pressing, pouring, and baking.

Wander the streets as artisans press fresh juice before your eyes, offer tastings of sparkling cider, pommeau, and calvados, and serve slices of apple tart still warm from the oven. Stalls are stocked with everything from cider vinegar and chutneys to cheese, preserves and handmade crafts. Folk music and games add a cheerful hum to the day, and there’s a welcoming, unhurried pace that makes this festival feel more like a family gathering than a tourist event.

You can base yourself in one of the surrounding stone cottages or countryside gîtes, where autumn leaves gather in the courtyards and long lunches stretch into evenings. Many local inns offer wood-burning stoves, candlelit dinners and slow-cooked dishes rich in Norman butter, cream and – of course – apples.

What to try:

• Duck with caramelised apples – savoury and sweet, a Norman classic
• Tarte Tatin – France’s beloved upside-down apple tart, best with crème fraîche
• Cidre Pays d’Auge – locally pressed and full of character
• Calvados – the region’s signature apple brandy, perfect after a hearty meal

And if you’ve got a day to spare, take a drive along the Normandy Cider Route – a scenic 40km loop dotted with apple orchards, cider houses, and tasting stops.

3. Galicia, Spain – seafood with a festival twist

Autumn on Spain’s north-west coast isn’t just beautiful, it’s delicious. The region of Galicia is famed for its rugged coastline, rich Celtic heritage, and above all, its seafood. And in October, the town of O Grove becomes the heart of it all, thanks to the Festa do Marisco – one of Spain’s most iconic seafood festivals.

Held annually for over 60 years, the festival celebrates Galicia’s maritime bounty with ten days of indulgence, culture, and community. Fishermen haul in the freshest shellfish each morning, and the waterfront is transformed into a food-lover’s paradise. Locals and visitors gather for seafood tastings, wine pairings, music, dance, and even regattas, all set against a backdrop of sea breezes and Atlantic charm.

You’ll find shellfish cooked simply but perfectly; grilled razor clams with olive oil, scallops baked with breadcrumbs, and pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus) dusted with paprika. Even beyond the festival, autumn marks peak shellfish season in Galicia. Harbourside restaurants in O Grove, Cambados and Combarro serve up mariscadas – generous platters of prawns, mussels, cockles, and more – at their seasonal best.

What to try:

• Pulpo a la gallega – octopus boiled, sliced, and topped with paprika, sea salt, and olive oil
• Percebes (goose barnacles) – rare and prized, these are harvested from the region’s rocky coastline
• Albariño wine – light, crisp and citrusy, this white wine is the perfect match for seafood

4. Weimar, Germany – the onion market

It might sound a bit unexpected, but Weimar’s Onion Market (Zwiebelmarkt) is one of Germany’s oldest food festivals – and one of the most charming. Held every October since 1653, the event started as a local farmers' market and has grown into a three-day celebration of regional food, crafts, and culture, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The city’s historic old town is taken over by hundreds of stalls, live performances, and of course, onions in every imaginable form – braided into garlands, cooked into pies, and even turned into folk art. It’s a brilliant mix of quirky tradition and hearty German hospitality.

Food is a big part of the festivities. You’ll find everything from onion tarts and soups to Zwiebelfleisch (a savoury meat and onion dish), plus regional favourites like Thuringian sausages, Mutzbraten (grilled pork), and locally brewed craft beers. Stages across the city host live music, comedy, and cultural shows, creating a buzzing, inclusive atmosphere that’s warm and welcoming.

Even if you’re not an onion enthusiast, the Zwiebelmarkt offers a fantastic slice of autumnal German culture – cosy, flavourful, and a little bit off the beaten track.

What to try:

• Zwiebelkuchen – onion tart with cream, bacon, and caraway on a pastry base
• Thuringian sausages – grilled and served with mustard or in crusty bread rolls
• Local craft beers – best enjoyed at one of the outdoor stalls as you wander between stages

5. Montmartre, Paris – grapes and gourmet

There aren’t many places in the world where you can sip wine from a vineyard in the middle of a capital city. But Montmartre, as ever, does things differently. Every October, this iconic Parisian hilltop comes alive with the Fête des Vendanges, a five-day harvest festival celebrating the grapes grown at Clos Montmartre, the city’s only working vineyard.

The festival is part street fair, part cultural showcase and entirely charming. Expect live music, street parades, art installations, fireworks, and a serious focus on local flavour. Dozens of artisan stalls pop up along the cobbled streets, offering wine tastings, cheese, pastries, and charcuterie from all over France. Guided tours of the vineyard let you explore the vines up close, usually closed to the public for the rest of the year.

What to try:

• Montmartre wine – made from the small, urban vineyard on the Butte itself
• Cheese platters and charcuterie – perfect with a glass of red or rosé
• Buttery pastries – grab a flaky croissant or tarte fine in one of the hill’s quieter cafés between events

The whole event blends a village fête feel with Parisian flair. It’s ideal if you’re after a foodie break that combines culture, colour, and that unmistakable French love of good food and wine.

Savouring autumn’s flavours

Autumn in Europe is more than just a change of season. It’s a celebration of flavour, tradition, and atmosphere. Each destination offers something unique and irresistibly cosy for food lovers.

Whether you’re wandering through festival stalls, sharing wine with locals, or tucking into a dish you’ve only ever read about, these escapes remind us that travel is at its best when it feeds both curiosity and appetite. And with the right travel insurance in place, you can enjoy it all with ease – knowing you’re free to focus on the flavours, not the what-ifs.

So pack a scarf, bring your appetite, and let Europe’s autumn tables welcome you. Your next cosy escape is waiting – and it’s bound to be delicious.