4 must-try locations for your European getaway
These restaurants, bars and travel experiences will keep you happy and refreshed with delicious non-al options.
Escaping to Europe this summer seemed to be on everyone’s mind. Seeing cobblestone streets decorated with café tables to sit for hour-long conversations epitomize a European summer vacation. And after getting lost in the Louvre or walking the Piazza del Popolo, sitting with a refreshing drink to take in a picturesque skyline in a new city is a must.
Luckily, Europe’s most iconic restaurants and boutiques are also offering some of the most delicious non-al options. If you are thinking about taking a spontaneous trip this summer or planning next year’s adventure, here are some of our favorite locations and experiences to try for a sober-friendly getaway:
Le Paon Qui Boit: Paris, France
Tucked away in the 19th arrondissement of Paris is Le Paon Qui Boit—Paris’s first non-alcoholic cellar. The rustic walls with elemental decorations give this stop the feel of an upscale market, with over 250 zero-proof drink options ranging from kombucha to wine to spirits. Our favorite purchase at this boutique was the L’Arjolle, a pleasant non-al red with hints of plum and blueberry made in the South of France perfect for a Parisian picnic under the Eiffel Tower.
Tapas Tapas: Barcelona, Spain
A typical late dinner in Spain requires hours of snacking and sipping pre-dinner. If Spain is a stop on your travel itinerary, you cannot miss Tapas Tapas. Not only do they have the most delicious non-al mojitos, but you can try some of the best-known dishes in Spanish cuisine. Try out Tapas Tapas in Barcelona, where they can make you a non-alcoholic Pink Mojito to drink while you eat Spanish tortilla—an omelet made with eggs and potatoes typically served as a tapa dish.
Café Bar La Flor: Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Café Bar La Flor is a cozy-chic café and bar located in Santiago de Compostela that combines Europe’s artistic charm with a social vibe. In the morning, La Flor houses a coffee-shop atmosphere, but transforms at night to a social hub for young travelers passing through the city. Their non-al San Francisco is to die for. La Flor incorporates fresh berries into this classic mocktail to elevate the drink. The fresh berry flavor makes this drink the perfect refreshment after a long day of travel.
Eat and Walk: Rome, Italy
What better way to meet people than while making pasta together? Italy is home to the best pasta, pizza, gelato—you name it—Italy has it. Eat and Walk Italy hosts a pasta and tiramisu class at Buon Gusto in Rome, where a chef walks you through the ingredients and techniques to make your own pasta and tiramisu with a class of other people who are traveling. It’s the perfect place to meet new people without a single sip of alcohol. And the best part? You can take your new cooking skills home and eat homemade pasta when you start missing pasta in Italy.
