The world’s most rarefied tables are rarely found on the most obvious streets. They are tucked into medieval alleyways, nestled beneath alpine peaks, hidden behind dry-stone walls in lavender-scented valleys. For those who know where to look, a single reservation can become the most compelling reason to explore a corner of Europe you might never otherwise have discovered.

Have you ever booked a restaurant first, then looked at the destination afterwards? I booked several tables in the past, like Noma in Copenhagen or The Fat Duck in Bray before even looking where they were located or securing accommodation. I hadn’t booked a destination. I’d booked a table.

A starred restaurant opens its reservation calendars six, sometimes eight months in advance. Your priority is to secure a table first and accommodation later. So many of Europe’s Michelin-starred kitchens aren’t sitting in Paris or Rome — they’re in some small

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