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Each of our favourite foodie destinations around the world has its own distinctive flavours and traditions, but they all share the same hallmarks: warm hospitality, locally sourced ingredients and the sense of connection that comes from the sharing of food. From simple street food stalls to fine-dining restaurants, our favourite culinary hotspots are a collection of the best places to enjoy great food around the world on a grand gastronomic adventure:
Foodie heaven in Italy is the scent of pizzas pulled straight from a wood-fired oven in Naples, the bliss of biting into a handmade Sicilian cannoli, and the spicy hit of freshly ground pepper from a mouthful of Rome’s signature Cacio e pepe pasta.
As you travel through Italy, you will find that each region’s unique culinary specialties are created using local foods that celebrate local culture and traditions. Every new dish you try has been perfected by generations of Nonnas, from tender osso bucco served with cheesy polenta in a family-run Milanese trattoria, to limoncello-infused gelato, eaten al fresco on a cliffside terrace on the Amalfi coast.
From street food vendors and market stalls to world-class fine dining restaurants, Thailand’s local food culture truly has something for every budget and appetite. Bangkok’s floating markets are a colourful place to begin your Thai culinary adventure, with baskets of fresh produce, vibrant chillis and bundles of fragrant herbs sold alongside exotic fruits and delicious seafood.
In the north of Thailand, the city of Chiang Mai is famous for its Kôw soy: a fragrant, noodle broth that’s best enjoyed with a squeeze of fresh lime and a sprinkling of dried chillis. In Southern Thailand, we recommend a feast of sea bass, gently steamed whole and then served in a delicate broth infused with ginger and coriander – ideally eaten at a beachfront restaurant overlooking the Andaman Sea, and followed with a sweet treat of mango sticky rice.
Great Japanese cuisine is a blend of tradition, innovation and regional diversity, from expertly crafted sushi at a Michelin-starred Tokyo restaurant to steaming bowls of ramen and crispy, deep fried karaage chicken from a nearby street food stall. Venture beyond the cities to experience the tranquillity of a traditional ryokan (inn), where the mountain air is sure to whet your appetite for an authentic Kaiseki (multi course) meal followed by a long soak in a natural hot spring.
If you want to learn how to recreate your favourite Japanese dishes at home, you could take a soba noodle-making master class, join a guided tour of Tokyo’s famous Toyosu Market or watch as experts prepare perfect morsels of Kobe beef for you to enjoy.
Surrounded by the high mountains of Andalusia, the ancient city of Granada is a blend of Moorish and Spanish influences that are reflected in its architecture and its cuisine. Diving into the local tapas culture is the ideal way to refuel after you’ve spent the day exploring the hilltop Alhambra Palace and wandering the streets of the Albaicín Jewish quarter. Many bars still serve free tapas to their customers, ranging from locally cured jamón ibérico and grilled seafood to eggplant drizzled with honey – perfect if you’re planning to spend the rest of your evening learning the art of flamenco.
If you join a walking tour through Sacromonte, with its whitewashed cave houses that were carved from the hillside by Roma settlers during the 15th century, you may have the opportunity to sample the neighbourhood’s signature dish, tortilla del Sacromonte: an omelette made with lamb brains and sweetbreads.
With a name that translates as “Fragrant Harbour,” it should not come as a surprise that Hong Kong is considered one of the world’s great food destinations: a vibrant cooking pot that blends traditional Chinese flavours with international influences. No cuisine-inspired visit to Hong Kong would be complete without eating dim sum in a bustling teahouse, where you can feast on siu mai (pork and prawn dumplings) and pillowy BBQ pork buns.
If you’re a street food enthusiast, head to Kowloon’s famous Temple Street Night Markets for egg tarts, curry fish balls or stinky tofu. For the ultimate in fine dining Hong Kong-style, the city is blessed with an abundance of Michelin-starred restaurants, many with to-die-for views of the sparkling harbour and distant hills.
Whether you’re grazing on pintxos (delicious, fresh food served in bite sized portions) in a tiny bar in the Old Quarter, feasting on traditional Basque dishes in one of the city’s traditional Basque asadores (grill houses) or indulging in Michelin-starred, avant-garde dining, you’ll soon realise why San Sebastian is considered one of the world’s great foodie destinations.
Be sure to sample the sparkling white wine (Txakoli) that is produced in the Basque region’s scenic vineyards, or pay a visit to a local sidrería to taste crisp apple cider straight from the barrel. And of course, no foodie trip to San Sebastian would be complete without treating yourself to a large slice of decadent Basque burnt cheesecake (Tarta de Queso).
They’re fond of saying that “everything’s bigger in Texas”, and that includes their approach to food, which is big on quantity and even bigger on flavour. It all starts with barbecue, which Texans have down to a fine art: marinated, slow cooked and succulent meat, served with iconic side dishes like potato salad, fried okra and collard greens. Comfort food at its finest!
Other essential must-try specialities include Tex-Mex fusion cuisine and barbacoa in southern Texas, Texas-Czech inspired pastries known as kolaches and the vibrant food truck scene in the state capital of Austin.
Over several thousand years, the Greeks have perfected the art of creating dishes that celebrate freshness and flavour. At every tiny taverna, you’ll find simple but delicious classics like Moussaka, souvlaki, spanakopita and baklava, best enjoyed with a glass of local retsina wine or a cup of strong, sweet Greek coffee.
If you love great seafood, you’re going to have a wonderful time in Greece, especially on islands like Naxos and Mykonos where your grilled octopus, calamari and sea bass is served fresh from the local fishermen’s nets. You can also a tasting tour at an olive estate to sample different varieties and learn about the significance of olive oil in Greek cuisine.
At the heart of great Polish cuisine lies the humble pierogi: mouth-watering parcels of dough filled with potato, meat, mushrooms, or fruit. These iconic treats are just one of the delicious, bite-sized highlights of Kraków’s famous street food scene – other must-try favourites include obwarzanek (like a seed-encrusted bagel), zapiekanka (an open-faced sandwich topped with cheese, meat and sauces) and szarlotka (spiced apple pies).
Kraków’s famous food markets are a great place to explore local ingredients and delicious street food. Stary Kleparz is the city’s oldest market, where you can find everything from sausages and cheeses to fresh bread and pickles. Save a little room for an indulgent Kremówka Papieska (Pope’s Cream Cake). This decadent pastry, filled with custard and topped with powdered sugar, was named for its most famous fan: Pope John Paul II.
As the capital city of the German state of Bavaria, Munich’s food scene is a celebration of classic Bavarian dishes like Schweinshaxe (roast pork knuckle), Weißwurst (white sausage), and knödel (dumplings). You can sample these dishes at one of the city’s famous beer halls (Hofbräuhaus).
An afternoon treat of coffee and cake is another great Munich tradition – the city’s thriving café scene has plenty of mouth-watering options for a tasty pick-me-up. Cafe Glockenspiel is one of our favourite locations, thanks to its delicious Bavarian sweet treats like Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) and its close proximity to the city’s vibrant Marienplatz square.
Vietnam is a paradise for food lovers, thanks to its incredible variety of flavourful and affordable cuisine. The street markets of Ho Chi Minh City are a fabulous location to try its most iconic dishes, which include Phở (a flavourful broth of rice noodles, fresh herbs, and beef or chicken) and bánh mì (a crisp baguette filled with meat, herbs and condiments). Hot Pot dining (lầu) is a Vietnamese dining experience that originates from the lovely city of Hội An. Head to the historic Old Town and order yourself a simmering pot of broth in which you can cook your own meat, seafood, and vegetables.
Vietnamese coffee culture has a unique twist: the hit of strong, sweet caffeine, served on ice with sweetened condensed milk or whipped egg yolk, is the perfect fuel for a busy day of sightseeing.
Peru is a world-renowned food destination that blends indigenous cuisine with Spanish, African, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Ceviche is the nation’s signature dish: a zesty, taste explosion of fresh, raw fish marinated in lime juice and mixed with onions, fresh chilli and coriander.
If you’re venturing inland as far as Cusco or the Hidden Valley, you may have the chance to experience the traditional Andean feast known as Pachamanca. This ancient Incan technique of using hot stones to cook meat, potatoes, corn and tamales underground creates food that is delicious, tender and full of flavour.
The signature Peruvian cocktail is the Pisco Sour: made with local brandy, lime juice, sugar syrup, egg white and Angostura bitters.
Authentic Mexican cuisine takes the flavours and textures you know and love and elevates them to a whole new level. The Baja California region is renowned for its mouthwatering fish tacos, best enjoyed from a beachfront taquería with a generous serving of shredded cabbage and a glorious Pacific Ocean sunset.
Mole is an iconic Mexican dish, made with chillis, spices, nuts and a hint of dark chocolate, and traditionally served with turkey or chicken. The most famous version is mole poblano, which originally came from the city of Pueblo. This beautiful city, with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre and its fascinating history, is the ideal base for visiting the ancient city of Cholula: home to the world’s largest pyramid.
Whether you’re enjoying authentic French cuisine in an elegant Parisian bistro or drooling over a mouthwatering array of pastries in a pâtisserie window, you’ll find memorable and delicious foodie experiences around every corner. If you’re a cheese lover, a tour of Normandy’s finest cheese producers is a must, while seafood lovers will find endless delights in Brittany and the French Riviera.
The city of Lyon has long claimed the title of “gastronomic capital of France”, and its famous bouchons (local eateries) are the ideal place to dive into authentic, rustic dishes like saucisson brioche and andouillette. If you’re interested in learning how to unlock the secrets of creating classic French cuisine at home, we recommend signing up for a cooking class at a spectacular country château.
Despite its small size, the island nation of Sri Lanka is packed with delicious food experiences. Its curries are a celebration of fresh ingredients like fish, spices and coconut milk, while its markets are overflowing with colourful stalls of mango, papaya, pomegranate and jackfruit.
The coastal city of Galle is famous for its incredible seafood, ranging from fiery devilled prawns and fragrant prawn curries to immense seafood platters overflowing with mouthwatering crab, lobster and a variety of shellfish. Venture inland to Nuwara Eliya, where lush tea plantations produce high-quality Ceylon tea which you can sample during an indulgent afternoon tea at the historic Grand Hotel.
Whether it’s the simple pleasure of enjoying an ice cream on a hot day at the beach, the delight of discovering a new favourite dish at a busy food stall, or the once-in-a-lifetime indulgence of a world-famous degustation experience, the world is one big foodie adventure waiting to happen. To start planning your next epic, epicurean escape, contact your personal travel manager.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
