“I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.” – W.C. Fields

The original post shared delicious foods from around the world, but it was missing a key part of a dining experience … the beverage. So, here’s your refined list of 10 delicious foods I still drool thinking about + the recommended draaaaanks.

Prost. Sláinte. Živjeli. Na zdravi. Cheers!

[ 1 ] : The Sacher Torte from Café Sacher

Where | Vienna, Austria

Why | Chocolate cake with apricot jam … Need I say more?

Pair With | A cappuccino [ before noon ] and a glass of red wine [ after noon ]. Viennese vino is totally underrated. Prost!

[ 2 ] : Pretzels

Where | Germany

Why | A soft, gigantic pretzel makes for one delicious snack. Bonus points if you make it to Oktoberfest in Munich.

Pair With | “Ein bier bitte” is the first phrase I recommend learning in Germany.  In English? One beer, please. I love the Hofbräu Original. Prost!

[ 3 ] : Cheese & Charcuterie Board from BA Wine Bar

Where | Lisbon, Portugal

Why | The staff at BA Wine Bar [ in the Bairro Alto neighborhood ] craft the most magnificent spread of cheese, meats, olives and bread. Couple that with a variety of Portuguese wines they help you pick, and you are in for one heck of a night.

Pair With | Portuguese red wine. My favorite is the 2012 Quinta do Passadouro Touriga Franca from the Douro Valley. The service at the BA Wine Bar is exceptional. They will encourage you to taste multiple wines before deciding on a glass [ ehm, bottle ]. Portugal is also famous for port wine, so be sure to end your meal with a taste. Saúde!

[ 4 ] : Smoked Meat Sandwich from Schwartz’s Deli

Where | Montreal, Canada

Why | If you get it to go, I guarantee you won’t be able to wait five minutes. It’s that delicious. I drool about it. I dream about it.

Pair With | It’s rare that I drink a soda, but there is something about standing on the sidewalk and drinking a Coke out of a Styrofoam cup that seems fitting for this smoked meat sandwich. It’s like saying “I’m all in.” 

[ 5 ] : Gnocchi from an In-Home Cooking Class

Where | Scala, Italy, on the Amalfi Coast

Why | A retired chef from Capri, helped us roll and cook gnocchi from scratch. What a meal. What an experience. And what great company!

Grazie to our lovely hosts, Nonno Carmine, Adriano and Ines!

Pair With | A local red wine from the Amalfi Coast. There are several vineyards you can visit, including an organic wine vineyard. Cin cin!

[ 6 ] : Pastel de Nata

Where | Portugal

Why | Portugal makes the list twice because it’s JUST THAT GOOD. “Natas” are a Portuguese staple – a sweet, custard-filled dessert! For an original nata, head just outside of Lisbon to the town of Belém.

Pair With | I am noticing a trend. I am either just now realizing that wine pairs well with everything or I am turning into my mother [ both are great ]. In addition to the Portuguese wine listed above, you could also sip on ginjinha, a sweet, cherry-flavored after-dinner drink.  If you’re staying away from the adult beverages, a lemonade is [ oh, so ] refreshing. Saúde!

[ 7 ] : Bitterballen

Where | Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Why | How could you pass up this filthy delicious snack? Dough filled with a variety of different meats, rolled into a ball and coated with breadcrumbs are then deep-fried before serving.

You read it right – filthy delicious.

Pair With | Brouwerij ‘T IJ. No idea how to pronounce this beer — just trust me. Proost!

[ 8 ] : The DC Classic from a GCDC – Grilled Cheese Bar

Where | Washington, D.C.

Why | I know that D.C. isn’t abroad, but this grilled cheese is too good not to share! They successfully ensured that no future grilled cheese and tomato soup would compare. Pro tip: Pay $2 to add bacon.

Pair With | Grilled Cheese. Tomato Soup. Sweet Tea. YUM.

[ 9 ] : Pierogi 

Where | Poland

Why | Similar to bitterballen in the Netherlands, pierogi are Polish dumplings filled with different types of fillings. The fillings are endless. There are pierogi with beef, pierogi with cheese, pierogi with potatoes, pierogi with fried onions, pierogi with cabbage, pierogi with spinach and mushrooms. [ Writer’s note: Reread this in Bubba’s voice from Forrest Gump. ]

Pair With | A Polish lager. Na zdrowie!

[ 10 ] : Fried Fish 

Where | Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

Why | The Croatian style of preparing seafood may be different than what you’re used to, but be open-minded and courageous. I am so glad I did because it was oh so yummy!

Pair With | A Croatian red wine produced from the plavac mali grape. Personal favorite is the Krajančić. Nazdravlje!

And there you have it! If you are salivating right now, I did my job!

Have you been to any of the countries and/or eaten any of the foods/beverages on the list? What would you add? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.