The Best Foodie Destinations Around The World
Do you love trying local foods and discovering new cuisines when you travel? Check out these amazing foodie travel destinations for 2023!
Culinary travel is a growing trend, according to a recent report from American Express.
Based on their research, 81% of travelers look forward to trying local food the most when traveling, and 77% are interested in eating at local restaurants when traveling this year.
37% of travelers have even planned a whole trip around eating at one specific restaurant – now that’s dedication!
These are some of the best culinary destinations for travelers in 2023:
1. Rome, Italy
Rome is a classic culinary destination in Europe that every foodie needs to visit at least once. The Eternal City is best known for its pasta dishes like rigatoni carbonara and cacio e pepe.
A popular snack that you’ll only find in Rome is suppli, fried balls made with rice, meat, tomato sauce, and mozzarella. Rome is also known for having some of the best gelato in all of Italy!
And it’s a great place to base yourself for foodie day trips, like visiting the coastal city of Naples, where you can try what is arguably the best pizza in Italy.
2. San Sebastian, Spain
San Sebastian is a smaller city in the Basque region of Spain, located on the northern coast of the country. It’s well-known for being one of the foodie capitals of the world, home to more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than anywhere else!
In addition to the Michelin-starred restaurants, San Sebastian is known for its pintxos, which are essentially like tapas you will find in other parts of Spain. You can enjoy bite-sized delicious local food and drinks at pintxos bars around the city.
3. Kyoto, Japan
While Tokyo may be more popular with tourists, Kyoto is also one of the best foodie destinations in Japan that should not be overlooked.
This city is home to many Michelin-starred restaurants and great local foods to try, like soba noodles, ramen, and green tea desserts.
4. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is a thriving metropolis that has become well-known for its food scene, making it a must for any foodie who loves authentic Mexican food.
From award-winning restaurants to street tacos to mezcal and tequila tastings, you can easily spend a week eating and drinking your way around Mexico City.
5. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is a foodie’s paradise, and best of all, it’s one of the most affordable culinary destinations in the world where you can eat well without breaking the bank.
You can explore Bangkok’s many street food markets and try popular dishes like mango sticky rice, pad thai, spicy shrimp soup, and green papaya salad.
6. New York, USA
New York is one of the best culinary destinations in the United States because, like everything else about the city, it’s a melting pot of different cultures.
You can’t miss trying New York-style pizza, eating authentic dim sum in Chinatown, having a bagel with lox for breakfast, and trying falafel, pierogi, and other foreign imports that have become ingrained in New York’s cuisine.
For those with a sweet tooth, you’ll want to try banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery and a famous cronut from Dominique Ansel Bakery.
7. Lima, Peru
Lima has made a name for itself as the top foodie destination in South America. It’s home to Central, currently ranked as the #2 restaurant in the world.
It’s also a great place to try fresh ceviche and sip on pisco sours. For the more adventurous eaters, cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca can be found on the menu at many restaurants.
