Europe

In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Romania, "Delikatessen" (as it is spelled in current German) has a rather different meaning; it designates top-quality (and top-price) foodstuffs. In German speaking countries common synonym is Feinkost ("fine food") or similar to "Good Eats", and the shops which sell them are called Delikatessenläden("stores for delicacies"), and department stores often have a Delikatessenabteilung ("delicacies department"). You can also find shops or departments in food stores called Delicatessen in Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Hungary (called Deli), and the Netherlands.

Delicatessens may also provide specialist food from other countries and cultures which is not readily available in local food stores.