Where Foodies Travel: Top Culinary Cities
The world is packed with delicious food, whether you are in the jungles of the Amazon or walking the high-tech, futuristic streets of Shanghai. However, there are a few cities that stand out as being amongst the best places on earth to eat.
Rome
In Europe, two cities stand out in terms of food, the first being Rome. This ancient and historic city is the heart of the country, and the place to be if you want Michelin-star food or a plate of Nona’s favorite food.
Grab a cold glass of Henkell Trocken and indulge in everything from pasta and pizza to delicious breads and cheeses, seafood, jaw-dropping desserts, and everything in between.
Paris
The other European city that is always worth visiting for its food is Paris. Considering France is the birthplace of so many different techniques and styles of cooking, it is no surprise that the City of Love and its restaurants are the epicenter for it all.
What sets Paris apart is not only the fact that you can enjoy contemporary and classic French creations, but also visit restaurants that specialize in Middle-Eastern and African cuisine, making the city a melting pot for food from around the world.
London
While British food may not have the best reputation, London is still one of the best places on earth to visit for delicious dishes. This is for one simple reason; the vast amounts of cultures and cuisines you can find.
Whether it be French, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Korean, Tex-Mex, or almost anything in between, London has it all. You can easily taste a dish from twelve different countries in a matter of hours while walking through the city.
Bangkok
A list about the best food cities in the world wouldn’t be complete without the home of the best street food you can find. Bangkok is famed for the food you can find from vendors on the road, but the taste extravaganza doesn’t stop there.
Known for using incredibly fresh ingredients and not overcomplicating their dishes, Thai food is some of the best around. Plus, in Bangkok, you can find a variety of other Asian cuisines, such as Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Cambodian.
Tokyo
Similar to Bangkok, Tokyo is known for having super-fresh ingredients and creating simple yet unforgettable dishes. Additionally, authentic Japanese food does away with ultra-processed and unhealthy ingredients, and instead, focuses on the taste and preparation of the dish.
Whether you are in an upmarket sushi bar, having a drink and bar snacks at an izakaya, or even getting one of the world-famous egg sandwiches from 7-11, everything is prepared beautifully and tastes like nothing you have had before.
Cape Town
On the Southern tip of Africa, Cape Town has become a hub for both local and international cuisines. You can find plenty of restaurants with French and Italian cuisine, but there is no shortage of delicious Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Middle-Eastern food either.
When it comes to local favorites, you are never too far away from a braai, where you can get your hands on some freshly barbecued steak, chops, or chicken. Add in the incredible variety of ingredients, and you have a city that has a dish for every type of taste and palate.
New York City
New York City is widely regarded as one of the most multi-cultural cities on the planet, thanks to it often being the first port of call for travelers when entering the US. Because of this, it is incredibly difficult to have a taste of all the cuisines on offer if you don’t have a week or two to spare.
Whether it is contemporary American, South American, Japanese, Mexican, Canadian, Italian, Irish, Middle Eastern, or quite literally anything in between, you will find it on the streets of the Big Apple.
Naples
Back to Italy, and if you love pizza, then a trip to the birthplace of this delicious favorite is a must. Not only is Naples perfect for a historical or adventure holiday, but the streets are filled with restaurants making classic pizzas you can’t find outside of the country.
Fear not though, as Naples still offers all the great Italian dishes you would be hoping to find, plus many from abroad.
New Orleans
If you are looking for some Southern hospitality and some of the best American food you will ever come across, you need to head to New Orleans. With a heavy dash of French and Creole culture, New Orleans is home to some unique and sumptuous dishes.
Whether it be a plate of fried chicken, macaroni cheese, and collard greens, a bowl of gumbo or jambalaya, or a table covered in seafood boil, you will find it in New Orleans. Don’t just eat at the restaurants either, some of the best food is made by a friendly local who sets up their barbecue and cooks some homemade sausage or alligator for all to try.
Lagos
Finally, Lagos has started to make its mark on the culinary world thanks to its diversity in dishes, unique and fresh ingredients, and its prices. What makes Lagos a must-visit is the fact that you can get world-class local dishes, for barely any money.
A food tour of the city is a must, and you can indulge in different barbecued meats, stews, fufu, and much more than you may expect.
