When it comes to traveling, knowing the best cities with good food which you can visit is an underrated skill.
Here are my top 10 picks for the best food destinations in the world, along with tips on how to find the best local cuisine:
- Rome, Italy: Rome is a food lover’s paradise, with a rich culinary history that dates back centuries. Some of the must-try dishes include carbonara, cacio e pepe, and supplì. To find the best local cuisine, head to the Testaccio neighborhood, which is known for its street food and traditional trattorias.
- Bangkok, Thailand: Bangkok is famous for its street food, which is some of the best in the world. Some of the must-try dishes include pad thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice. To find the best local cuisine, head to the street food markets like Chinatown and Khao San Road.
- Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo is a food lover’s paradise, with a wide variety of cuisine to choose from. Some of the must-try dishes include sushi, ramen, and tempura. To find the best local cuisine, head to the Tsukiji Fish Market, which is the largest fish market in the world.
- Paris, France: Paris is known for its haute cuisine, with some of the best restaurants in the world. Some of the must-try dishes include escargots, foie gras, and macarons. To find the best local cuisine, head to the Marais neighborhood, which is known for its traditional bistros and patisseries.
- Istanbul, Turkey: Istanbul is a melting pot of cultures, and its cuisine reflects this diversity. Some of the must-try dishes include kebabs, baklava, and Turkish delight. To find the best local cuisine, head to the Kadikoy neighborhood, which is known for its street food and traditional restaurants.
- New Orleans, Louisiana: New Orleans is famous for its Creole and Cajun cuisine, which is a fusion of French, African, and American flavors. Some of the must-try dishes include gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets. To find the best local cuisine, head to the French Quarter, which is known for its traditional restaurants and jazz clubs.
- Marrakech, Morocco: Marrakech is a food lover’s paradise, with a wide variety of spices and flavors to choose from. Some of the must-try dishes include tagine, couscous, and harira. To find the best local cuisine, head to the Djemaa el-Fna square, which is known for its street food and traditional restaurants.
- San Sebastian, Spain: San Sebastian is known for its pintxos, which are small snacks that are typically served in bars. Some of the must-try dishes include tortilla de bacalao, txangurro, and pintxos de hongos. To find the best local cuisine, head to the Parte Vieja neighborhood, which is known for its traditional bars and restaurants.
- Singapore: Singapore is a food lover’s paradise, with a wide variety of cuisine to choose from. Some of the must-try dishes include laksa, chicken rice, and chili crab. To find the best local cuisine, head to the hawker centers, which are open-air food courts that serve a wide variety of dishes.
- Mexico City, Mexico: Mexico City is known for its street food, which is some of the best in the world. Some of the must-try dishes include tacos al pastor, chilaquiles, and elote. To find the best local cuisine, head to the Mercado de San Juan, which is known for its traditional food stalls and restaurants.
When looking for the best local cuisine, it’s important to do your research ahead of time. Look for restaurants that are popular with the locals, and don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations.
You can also check out food blogs and travel guides to get an idea of what to expect.
And of course, be adventurous and try new things!
Recommended Food Tours To Look Out For..
Here are some food tours that you might find interesting:
- TourRadar: TourRadar offers a wide variety of food and culinary tours all over the world, from Italian pizza to New York bagels and street food in Bangkok. You can find more information about their tours on their website .
- National Geographic: National Geographic has compiled a list of 15 food tours worth traveling for. These tours will take you on a global tour of flavors, from the street food of Marrakech to the seafood of the Basque Country.
- Savored Journeys: Savored Journeys has put together a list of 21 top foodie destinations around the world, which includes some of the best places to go for foodie vacations. You can find more information about their list on their website.
- USA Today: USA Today has a list of the best food tours in the United States, which includes tours of cities like New Orleans, San Francisco, and New York City
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Some Sample Food Festivals To Check Out Around the World
There are many food festivals around the world that are worth visiting. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Pizzafest: Held in Naples, Italy, Pizzafest is a celebration of all things pizza. The festival takes place in June and features more than 100,000 pizzas of every kind, including classics like Napoletana, Margherita, and Marinara.
- Oktoberfest: Held in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival. The festival takes place in September and October and features traditional German food like sausages, pretzels, and schnitzel.
- Salon Du Chocolat: Held in Paris, France, Salon Du Chocolat is a celebration of all things chocolate. The festival takes place in October and features chocolate tastings, workshops, and demonstrations 1.
- Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: Held in Melbourne, Australia, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of the city’s culinary scene. The festival takes place in March and features food and wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and more.
- New Orleans Wine & Food Experience: Held in New Orleans, Louisiana, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience is a celebration of the city’s Creole and Cajun cuisine. The festival takes place in June and features food and wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and more.
- Gilroy Garlic Festival: Held in Gilroy, California, the Gilroy Garlic Festival is a celebration of all things garlic. The festival takes place in July and features garlic-themed food, live music, and more .
- St. Moritz Gourmet Festival: Held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival is a celebration of haute cuisine. The festival takes place in January and features some of the world’s best chefs.
- London Wing Fest: Held in London, UK, the London Wing Fest is a celebration of all things chicken wings. The festival takes place in July and features chicken wing tastings, competitions, and more .
- National Street Food Festival: Held in New Delhi, India, the National Street Food Festival is a celebration of India’s street food. The festival takes place in January and features food from all over the country.
- Poutinefest: Held in Ottawa, Canada, Poutinefest is a celebration of Canada’s national dish, poutine. The festival takes place in May and features poutine from some of the best chefs in the country .
When planning to attend a food festival, it’s important to do your research ahead of time. Look for festivals that are popular with the locals, and don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations.