The Unexpected, Iconic Chain Restaurant Tourists In Europe Must Try
Many people believe that Europe has top-notch produce compared to the United States, making it no surprise that many European destinations cater to food lovers. Nevertheless, the continent has its share of American fast-food chains, especially McDonalds. As of 2023, the American icon had restaurants in must-see European countries like France, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Spain, and more. While McDonald's has a poor reputation in the States for its low-grade food, the chain's European counterparts have avoided this fate. You'll find countless videos on social media of travelers eating and praising McDonald's in Europe, so don't dismiss this beloved fast-food restaurant the next time you head overseas.
American TikToker Kalani Smith documented eating at the fast-food chain in the U.K. on the platform. In an interview with Newsweek, Smith had nothing but good things to say about his dining experience. When comparing McDonald's in the U.K. and America, Smith told Newsweek, "I think the biggest difference is the food quality." He also noted that they "don't have all the additives that we have here [U.S.] and you can really taste it in the food." However, there's another reason travelers should add McDonald's to their Europe itineraries: they'll find that the menus offer a much more diverse selection than at home.
European McDonald's menu items that you won't find in the U.S.
If you've never dined at a McDonald's outside of the U.S., you might not know that menu items differ in each country. McDonald's states that it made this decision partly with cultural inclusivity in mind. Moreover, Mike Haracz, a former McDonald's corporate chef, explained in a TikTok that other countries often have more efficient supply chains, allowing for more distinct food items.
Take, for example, France. According to a March 2024 article from CNBC, the country has over 1,500 McDonald's. Some of the menu items in France travelers can't order in the U.S. include McWraps, Le Croque McDo, a ham and cheese sandwich, macarons, the sweet treat turned tourist trap, and more. In the United Kingdom, McDonald's diners can chow down on a McPlant, a vegan burger featuring a Beyond Meat pattie, and order a side salad instead of fries. McDonald's in Italy offers small calzones called panzerotti and a Tasty Bucket with nuggets, panzerotti, and chicken wings. McDonald's in Portugal, on the other hand, offers various soups, including pea soup.
Remember that you can find typical U.S. menu items like Big Macs and fries in Europe. However, there are also different dipping sauces. In France and the U.K., you can get a curry sauce rather than your run-of-the-mill ketchup.
Some of the most impressive McDonald's in Europe
In addition to great-tasting food and unique menu items, some McDonald's in Europe look nothing like a fast-food restaurant. Take, for instance, the McDonald's in Porto, Portugal. Housed in a former cafe from the 1930s, the opulent location (seen in the TikTok above) has retained much of its original features. One reviewer on Tripadvisor wrote, "The interior is indeed very beautiful (high ceiling, crystal chandelier, stain glassed windows, etc.) The food is typical European McDonalds (of course better than North American style)." Unsurprisingly, Architectural's Digest has referred to it as one of the most beautiful McDonald's in the world.
In Rome, the McDonald's on Piazza di Spagna has gone viral for its elegant Roman-style interior and sculptures. However, less than an hour from Rome, you'll find Frattocchie, home to a McDonald's with a segment of the Roman Road and three skeletons on display. McDonald's Italia told Newsweek that the skeletons were likely from the second and third centuries. Visitors can walk the road and view it via glass installed underneath the eatery. In Budapest, the McDonald's at Nyugati train station has a gorgeous brick exterior and magnificent molding in the interior. It closed for renovations in 2024, with plans to reopen later in the year.