The Best Travel Destinations For True Foodies
No matter where you travel, there's one important activity that you're probably going to be doing a lot of: eating. But for those of us truly dedicated to exploring the world through our stomachs, it's time to take the idea of foodie travel a step further by planning a vacation to one of the best food cities on Earth.
If You Like: Fine Dining
Try: Copenhagen, Denmark
With 15 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, there’s no shortage of incredible fine dining to be found in this happy destination. It’s also home to Noma, consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world.
If You Like: Steak
Try: Buenos Aires, Argentina
If your favorite meal is steak, there’s no better place to visit than Argentina. Buenos Aires is the bustling heart of the country and is home to many of the best steakhouses in the world. Our best tip? Come hungry.
If You Like: Innovative Food
Try: San Francisco, California
San Francisco’s culinary scene is known for taking risks, and this US city has been at the forefront of the molecular gastronomy, modernist, and farm-to-table movements. Though San Francisco may be one of the US’s least affordable cities, the price tag is worth tasting this city’s many incredible restaurants.
If You Like: Seafood, Pizza, and Pasta
Try: Sicily, Italy
Although Sicily is not a city, we couldn’t resist putting the entire region on this list. Unlike bigger, more popular cities like Rome, Venice, or Florence, Sicilian cities like Catania, Palermo, and Taormina often offer a more authentic culinary experience (fewer tourist menus!). Though pasta and pizza are go-tos in Italy, don’t overlook the seafood in Sicily — it’s an island, after all.
If You Like: Vietnamese Food
Try: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
OK, yes that’s kind of a cop out. But seriously, if you like dishes like pho or banh mi, this is the place to do go. While it may not have the most refined culinary scene on this list, Ho Chi Minh City is known for producing food with bold flavors and diverse richness: from the street vendors to the high-end restaurants, there’s no going wrong here.
If You Like: Bread and Sweets
Try: Paris, France
A huge percentage of the most renowned (and talented) chefs in the world have studied, worked, or opened restaurants in Paris. It’s the city of love, and there’s virtually no way to visit Paris without falling in love with its macarons, pastries, crepes, and baguettes.
If You Like: Veggies
Try: Mumbai, India
India has one of the largest vegetarian populations in the world, and thus Mumbai is undeniably one of the most vegetarian-friendly places to travel. Between dosas, curries, samosas, and more, vegetarian tourists in Mumbai will have no trouble finding restaurants and dishes to accommodate their dietary restrictions.
If You Like: Tortillas
Try: Mexico City, Mexico
Once you taste an authentic Mexican tortilla, you won’t ever be able to go back. Whether you’re downing street tacos or working your way through a multicourse meal at a fine-dining restaurant, the food is reliable, consistent, and always fresh.
If You Like: Sushi
Try: Tokyo, Japan
Food writers and critics tend to favor Tokyo as one of the best places to eat in the world — and there’s good reason why. Think you like sushi here in the US? Just wait until you taste the innovative, fresh, precise sushi made in its origin country of Japan.
If You Like: Big Flavors
Try: New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans’ signature Creole and Cajun influence brings the US a healthy dose of big flavors. Crawfish boils, po’ boy sandwiches, beignets, and more — the food in this Southern city is finger-licking good (no, really, they love finger foods).