Top Foodie Destinations Around the World
Traveling to foodie destinations around the world is always a great idea, whether it’s for food or wine or the city itself. With foodies in mind, we’ve created a list of top foodie destinations you can travel to if you’re a foodie or someone who loves food. Each city on this list has its own unique cuisine and dining scene that will surely satisfy your taste buds.
Not only will these cities give you an amazing culinary experience, but they’re also beautiful destinations to visit when you want to unwind and relax or sightsee. We hope this list helps you plan your next food-centric trip and make it out to some amazing culinary meccas.
Top Foodie Vacations Around the World
If you’re looking to add foodie vacations to your travel itinerary, consider the top foodie destinations around the world. While South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States are among the best choices, it’s worth sampling local delicacies while taking in the sights and sounds of each place.
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza, Argentina has become a foodie hotspot with its rich variety of food and wine. The city is known for its unique cuisine, including local specialties like vermouth, steak, and helado. In addition to local cuisine, the city is also home to some of the best wineries in the world. Wineries in the region offer multi-course wine lunches with breathtaking views of the Andes. When visiting Mendoza, be sure to try Argentine specialties like vermouth, steak, and helado. Besides food and drink, Mendoza is also known for its scenic beauty and cultural heritage. So if you are looking for a place to visit this summer or fall that offers foodies something new to explore and enjoy, consider Mendoza.
Paris, France
Paris is a culinary foodie mecca known for its diverse and delicious cuisine. New Orleans, USA, is renowned for its unique French, Caribbean, and African influence in its food. Rome received the highest praise from TripAdvisor for its oxtail stews, fried artichokes, fresh pasta, and creamy gelato. Lyon, France, is considered the most gourmet city in France and beloved by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr. Barcelona, Spain offers a variety of culinary experiences from local tapas to fine dining. Whether you’re looking to explore new cuisine or simply feast on some of the best food around, foodie vacations to these cities are worth it.
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is known for its delicious food and wine. The region is famous for its rich cuisine, including wild boar ragu, cantucci cookies, and bistecca alla Fiorentina, a local steak cooked to perfection. Tuscany is also home to some of the best Italian food in the world, including the famous Florentine steak. Food lovers from around the globe flock to Tuscany to taste local cuisine. A trip to Tuscany is an excellent way to experience the best of Italian food and enjoy some of the stunning scenery that the country has to offer.
San Sebastian, Spain
San Sebastian is recognized as one of the world’s best food destinations. With an abundance of seafood, several pintxos bars and local cuisine, it is no wonder that it has more Michelin stars per capita than any other city. The city is home to 3-star restaurants, 1- and 2-starred places, and pintxos bars that specialize in local cuisine. Pintxos are the local style of tapas and serve as a canvas for some of the city’s culinary innovation. Perhaps best known for its seafood, San Sebastian is also renowned for its fine dining scene and diverse culinary scene. Whether dining at a fine restaurant or enjoying pintxos bar street food, it’s safe to say that San Sebastian has something to offer everyone dining in its unique cuisine city.
Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux, France, is a foodie paradise offering an unforgettable experience for food lovers. With its rich history and culinary traditions, it is home to some of the best fine dining in the world. The city’s restaurant scene offers a diverse array of cuisine from local cuisine to international cuisine. If you are planning a foodie vacation to Bordeaux, it would be best to spend some time exploring the city’s cuisine and wine scene. One place you must not miss out on is the newly opened Wine Museum, located right next to the city’s main train station. Inside the museum, you can learn about the history and production of Bordeaux wines or enjoy tastings and special events. Other food-centric attractions include dining at local street food spots or food trucks or taking a culinary tour around the city.
New York City, New York, USA
New York City is renowned for its classic food offerings such as bagels, pizza, and pastrami sandwiches. However, it also offers a wide range of international cuisine from countries such as China, Japan, India, Israel, Italy, and South Korea. With its melting pot of cultures, New York City offers a variety of dining options to suit everyone’s tastes. As the best food destination in the world for 2023 according to TripAdvisor, Rome is a great place to visit for outstanding food and dining experiences. Rome offers a wide variety of cuisine from local street food to fine dining restaurants. Additionally, the city is known for its artisanal food and beverage scene with popular local dining spots such as Trattoria Oscar or Trattoria da Orazio.
Tokyo, Japan
Japan is a top foodie destination with a wide variety of Japanese cuisine to choose from. From sushi to steakhouses, tourists have plenty of options to fill their foodie bucket. The city of Tokyo is home to the world’s largest wholesale seafood market, Tsukiji Fish Market, as well as numerous Michelin-star restaurants. But for those looking for local street food or casual dining, it’s best to check out local izakayas or pubs. The city has a thriving culinary scene with fine dining and local street food that can satisfy any foodie’s appetite. In addition to fine dining and street food, it is also worth trying the popular omakase experience with a chef-guided culinary journey.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand is a global foodie hotspot. The city has street vendors and Michelin-starred restaurants, making it ideal for food lovers seeking authentic local cuisine. From Pad Thai noodles to fried insects, Bangkok offers a diverse range of traditional Thai cuisine. If food is not enough to satisfy your cravings, there are also culinary adventures to be had. From food tours to street-side food stalls, you can learn about the local cuisine and try some of the best local dishes.
Bangkok and Chiang Mai are both excellent destinations for foodies looking for a unique culinary experience. Whether it’s street food or fine dining that appeals to you, these cities have something for everyone who loves food.
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Stellenbosch, South Africa is one of the top foodie destinations in the world. The city is renowned for its wineries and fine wines, but it also offers a variety of food experiences, from wine tastings to tram rides through expansive wine estates. A vacation in Stellenbosch would be a feast for the senses with local produce and insights into viticulture. South Africa offers not only fine wines but also a range of delicious food experiences from trendy market grub to award-winning cuisine. If you’re looking for a unique foodie vacation, look no further than Stellenbosch.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia is known as a food city for its amazing dining scene and unique cuisine. The city’s restaurants are filled with local chefs and raved about in foodie blogs and magazines. One of the best foodie destinations in the city is the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, which attracts crowds of over 250, ops each year. In addition to food-focused activities, the festival also includes workshops, tastings, and local food and wine vendors. For those looking to experience local cuisine beyond restaurants, it’s also worth checking out the Yarra Valley wine region, a few hours away from Melbourne. There you can explore new flavors and sample local Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines.
If you’re planning a trip to Melbourne or nearby spots like Byron Bay or Geelong, be sure to check out Savored Journeys for more great travel inspiration and tips.
London, England
London is known for its culinary offerings, serving up traditional British cuisine like bangers and mash and the quint seafood dish of lobster baccalà. The city is home to renowned chefs, including Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver, who have helped to popularize new food trends and create new dining options in London.
With more than 30 celebrity chefs in the city, it offers a wide variety of food options to choose from. From local street food to fine dining restaurants, there is something for everyone to feast on during a foodie vacation to London.
The city also has several Michelin-starred restaurants that offer cuisine from around the world. Whether it’s breakfast or dinner, London offers something for everyone when it comes to foodie vacations.
Bologna, Italy
Bologna, Italy is known for its food scene and delicious local cuisine. Many Italians consider it to be one of the best foodie cities in the world, thanks to its wide variety of local delicacies such as tortellini, mortadella, fresh lasagna, and Bolognese ragù. If you are visiting the city, it would be worth taking a stroll through the delis and food stalls of Via delle Pescherie Vecchie for a plate of prosciutto and Parmigiano with a glass of Lambrusco wine. Bologna is also known as “La Grassa” (the fat one) and is located in the Italian food valley. This city has many fine dining options if you are looking for a fine dining experience. From fine dining to street food and street food to fine dining, there is something for everyone when it comes to food in Bologna.
Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan
Dotonbori, or ‘mouth of the river’ in Japanese, is a foodie mecca known for its street food and dining options. The city is home to many specialty restaurants that serve up culinary delights from around the world. From traditional Japanese cuisine to more global cuisine, Dotonbori has it all. If you’re looking to eat local and explore new foodie destinations, there are several foodie tours you can take while in Osaka. Popular food tours include the Eat, Drink, Cycle: Osaka Food and Bike Tour, Sushi Cooking Class in Osaka, Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori, and Shinsekai food tour.
A great way to experience the city’s food scene is by exploring it in the evening after work or school has ended. Dotonbori truly comes alive at night with street vendors selling food from local restaurants and street stalls serving up yummy treats.
Mexico City, Mexico
Food lovers visiting Mexico City will be delighted with the city’s rich culinary scene, which offers a unique combination of traditional and modern Mexican flavors. Start your foodie adventure at the renowned Pujol restaurant to sample creative twists on Mexican classics. Then head to Guadalajara to sample the local delicacy – tortas ahogadas. In New Orleans, you can taste the city’s European, Caribbean, and African influences in its cuisine. Try local favorites such as chicken on a stick or breakfast tacos to experience San Antonio’s rich food culture. Whether it’s tacos or fine dining, food lovers visiting Mexico City will be sure to leave with a full stomach and an exciting new culinary experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is best for foodies?
Foodies have plenty of options when it comes to food destinations! For example, the United States is one of the top 20 cuisines in the world according to a survey by Mastercard and it offers amazing food experiences from coast to coast. New York City alone has iconic foods like bagels with lox, cheesecake, chopped cheese, hot dogs, pastrami sandwiches, pizza, and steak.
South Africa and New Zealand also offer unique culinary experiences and their food styles both include local ingredients as well as dishes inspired by Dutch, French, German, or Indian cuisine.
Those looking for something new should definitely look into South Korean cuisine which offers delicious and diverse dishes such as kimchi, bibimbap and japchae. Other cuisines highly recommended for foodies are Peruvian cuisine, Thai cuisine and Caribbean cuisine. All three are known for their high-quality food that gives you a unique culinary experience.
Where is food tourism most popular?
Food tourism is becoming a popular trend around the world, and it seems that there’s no better place to experience it than Rome, Italy. It was recently named the best food destination in the world by TripAdvisor, with plenty of traditional restaurants and street food to sample.
Other foodie destinations include Crete in Greece, Hanoi in Vietnam, Florence in Italy, and Paris in France. In the United States, New Orleans is a top food destination, especially for seafood lovers. Medellin in Colombia was recently named as the world’s food capital by Conde Nast Traveller. Additionally, food trucks, food carts, and food markets are popping up around the world, making food tourism more accessible and enjoyable than ever before!
Which city has the best food world?
The city with the best food in the world might depend on what type of cuisine or dining experience you are looking for. Rome, Italy is considered to be the best food destination in the world according to TripAdvisor. Another city that has been dubbed as food capital of the world is Bologna, Italy as it was named by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller.
When it comes to food cities in the US, Brownsville, TX; Corpus Christi, TX; Fort Wayne, IN; Raleigh, NC; and Knoxville, TN were voted as top five cities with best food scene as per a survey.
For those who love to travel more often and dine on unique dishes while they explore new cities then The 30 Best Foodie Cities To Travel To In 2023 can provide you enough options to choose from. This list include cities like Nashville and San Diego in the US but also cities around the world like Paris and New York.
Food tourism is one of the top travel trends of the century. If you’re looking to experience foodie destinations around the world, it can be a great way to get a taste of local cuisine and culture. These foodie destinations are some of the best in the world, and you won’t want to miss out on them! If you’re still planning your next trip, these destinations are a must-visit for food lovers.