Taste the World: Best Food Destinations Revealed

If you have ever eaten something so unbelievably delicious on your travels that it has left a lasting memory, you will know how influential local cuisine can be when planning a dream vacation. For many foodies worldwide, no destination is too far for sampling life-changing dishes.

From fresh and authentic sushi and Japanese alcohol spirits in Osaka to a never-ending array of tasty street food across Bangkok, travelers passionate about good food and local cuisines will have their pick of fantastic destinations across the world.

Bangkok

Bangkok is the street food capital of the world and has been ranked as the third-most affordable city to eat out in. Street food is the lifeblood of the city, with hundreds of vendors lining the streets with their sizzling woks or serving patrons from their small boats in a floating market.

When surveyed, locals named som tum, a fantastic sweet and slightly spicy papaya salad that can be found in numerous sidewalk stalls and pushcarts across the city, as the capital’s must-eat dish for any visitor. Beyond the bustling street food, the city also boasts 34 Michelin-starred restaurants, ensuring you will never go hungry.

Lima

Lima is not only the culinary capital of Peru but also the entire South American continent. It is host to the ‘world’s best restaurant,’ Central, but the spectacular Peruvian flavors and ingredients highlighted through its ten-course tasting menu can be found across the city at a far more affordable price.

Delightfully tangy pisco sours, citrusy ceviche, and lomo saltado, a local beef stir fry, are popular authentic dishes that are well worth trying. However, locals will likely tell you that simple, hearty, and delicious arroz con pollo, a traditional chicken and rice dish, is the most affordable option on any menu.

Osaka

Osaka is the food belly of Japan. It has seemingly endless conveyor belts serving the freshest sushi you will ever taste and mouthwatering street food at the famous Kuromon Ichiba, a massive covered market affectionately known as ‘the kitchen of Osaka.’

The city strongly believes in the culture of ‘kuidaore,’ which roughly translates to ‘eat until you drop,’ so it is best to arrive hungry and ready to eat. Osaka is highly ranked as one of the most affordable cities in the world to eat out in, so you will be able to have takoyaki, which are fried octopus balls, okonomiyaki, savory pancakes topped with a range of delicious ingredients and sauces, and everything in between.

Marrakech

Dining in Marrakech is a treat for the senses. You can find yourself sitting in one of the many cafes, sipping a glass of sweet Magherbi mint tea, or navigating the busy crowds of the central square in Jemaa el-Fnaa, where vendors compete with one another to sell freshly squeezed orange juice and skewers of juicy grilled meat.

Often referred to as North Africa’s food capital, Marrakech is probably most well-known for its fragrant Moroccan tagines, which entice the senses of passers-by. However, its food scene has grown well beyond these classic dishes thanks to a new generation of innovative chefs and international restaurants.

Sydney

For many, Sydney is arguably one of the best cities in the world to enjoy a fantastic and delicious brunch. Before it became a worldwide phenomenon, the humble avocado on toast was created in this Australian city, and that is only the beginning of what it has to offer.

With everything from cheap street food to world-class fine dining restaurants on offer, the sheer variety of quality food makes it a must-visit destination. Whether you are after fresh rock oysters, delicious sushi, pad thai, or a famous Australian T-bone steak, which will be one of the best steaks you will ever eat if the city’s recent success in the World’s Best Steak awards is anything to go by, the food scene of this harbourside city is not to be missed.

Mumbai

Mumbai residents will be quick to brag about their city’s food scene. And when you look at the local dishes on offer, it is proof that the city is bursting with explosive flavor. It is a beautiful reflection of the excellent ingredients and flavors found across India, which are reflected by everyone from humble street vendors to rooftop bars.

Fiery Manchurian, which are roughly chopped veggies or meat fried and smothered in a tasty sticky sauce, creamy butter chicken, and vada pav, a street food staple, are just some of the dishes considered to be non-negotiables when visiting the city.

Portland, Oregon

New Orleans has gumbo, and Boston has clam chowder. But Portland, in the northeastern state of Oregon, isn’t known for just one iconic dish. In fact, it’s a popular stop for many foodies across America thanks to its extensive food scene.

This incredibly laidback city has made headlines recently after being named one of the most exciting food scenes in the country across restaurants, farmers’ markets, food carts, and breweries alike. Locals will quickly tell you that a slice of Mexican pizza, which is essentially just pizza topped with traditional taco toppings, is the best value bite around.