I did an article regarding food tourism years ago here, entitled Top ten cities for foodies. For me, the best food cities have changed over time, as I travel more. Some got moved down the list the more I explored, others dropped the ball food wise on a second or third visit. Food tourism is my main objective when traveling. It is hard for me to love a place if my belly is not full of great, unique, things to eat.
This list is going from memory of all the places I have visited over the years. The events that shall not be named certainly have changed things in the past six months or so. Cities such as New York, especially were hit hard, with some saying 50% of the restaurants could close. Therefore, an ingrained food culture is extremely important in maintaining the status of a culinary destination. A food tourism spot cannot just be a bunch of hipster restaurants that will disappear with the first signs of trouble. When the best food cities have old markets that lived through the black plague, Covid-19 will not take them down.
I have expanded my list to 15 places this time, I have traveled and eaten a lot more since I first started this blog, making it harder to choose. Still a couple of places did not make the second cut and it has little to do with this last year. Before I get to my 15 best food cities, here are three that dropped off (or never made it) and why.
Food Cities That Fell Off
Washington DC – I went to Washington a year ago and could not get a good meal to save my life. I knew it was turning into Charlotte when I asked a bagel store for Lox and she had no idea what I was talking about. There also was the worst Italian meal of my existence in the nations capital. I wish I could remember the name of the establishment, but I went to therapy to block out the meal. Our only good dinner was the Szechuan Palace, which is “temporarily closed” meaning most likely gone for good.
Munich Germany – I had some of the best heavy meat dishes I have ever tasted in Germany, but that was not enough to beat out so many other great places I have been. Admittedly I did not spend enough time in the area, the food I had was good, but not good enough to make the cut.
London – In the short time I was here I just did not enjoy the food. People brag about how good the Indian food is; It makes me think…If I want Indian I will go to India. Fish and Chips are overrated, I know there is more to the food than that…so far not enough to make my list! People were awesome, food is still blah.
Of course, with those gone, there are seven new food cities to be accounted for. If food tourism is your main purpose of travel, then I believe this list is a good place to start. As mentioned, there are a few cities I need to try so they did not make the cut either. As a side, I feel like my list is superior to others because I personally have been to and eaten through all of the below areas. Some other posts are written by 10 different authors, how can you have a decent comparison that way? Below are my 15 best food cities.
15. Montreal, Canada
It pains me to put Montreal so low on this list, but that is not indicative of how I feel about the food. Montreal is like New York in a sense. Some of the best foods are bagels and large pastrami sandwiches, both something I crave in New York as well. The bagels especially surprised me; they have a bit of sweetness to them that I really liked.
There is also a huge French influence here, which can be seen in many of the better restaurants. Let us not forget Poutine, which are fries smothered in gravy and a weird cheese curd. Overall, you will eat well in Montreal, especially if you do a little research. It has been years since I have visited this Canadian city, I am due for a repeat.
Recommended Restaurants: Au Pied de Cochon – An upscale restaurant where me and my crew had a feast. Make reservations and bring your wallet, you will not be disappointed. Swartz– the Canadian Katz deli, giant pastrami (I think it was pastrami) sandwiches which should hold you for a week.
Tip: Montreal is pretty meat heavy, just a heads up. Vegetarians may think twice about visiting this food tourism location just for eating.
14. Budapest, Hungary
I just did a Budapest post here, saying why I loved Budapest. We ate really well in Budapest; I have nothing but fond memories of the meats and desserts. Hungarian food is unique and heavy, but delicious. One reason it falls on my list of best food cities, is everything tasted so fresh. Yes, there is a ton of sausage, stuffed cabbage, and a Hungarian pizza called Langos that may force you to wear a tent instead of pants, but what else is food tourism for?
The desserts are what particularly surprised me about the cuisine in Budapest. I had the best strudel in this city as well as a type of cake called Dobos Torte that was outstanding. It is always nice to be pleasantly surprised when eating in a country, that is what Budapest did for me.
Recommended Restaurants: The Central Market Hall is a good place to start, it is a bit of a free for all, but the food is great and lets you try a variety of dishes. Borkonyha Winekitchen Restaurant is a Michelin star establishment where we had a hell of a meal. If you do one nice restaurant, pick this one. It is a bit pricey, but not overwhelming.
Tip: If you see venison on any menu, grab it. I usually do not like deer, but they do it better in Budapest.
13. Athens, Greece
I almost just lumped Athens in with Santorini below, but that would not have been fair to either. I loved so much of the food in Athens, but I did not know where to put it on the list. Greek food is like a mix between fresh seafood and salads, which are lite, and heavy dishes like gyros and Pastitsio (a sort of Greek lasagna, but not really). I felt like the seafood was the star, especially the grilled calamari.
Most people flinch at a full squid on the plate, but I loved it. Still, Santorini is better, hence it is higher on the list. The only thing I did not love were some spots had a bit more of a touristy feel than I prefer. Overall, I had few complaints. Athens is an example of eating truly fresh seafood. Sometimes from the boat to your plate in less than an hour.
Restaurant to try: Kostas for Gyros, probably the best Gyro I tasted on the trip. The Varvakeios fish market has several good restaurants, one inside and a few on the outskirts. Get great food around here for cheap.
Tip: Greek wine is cheap (a bit weaker) but good. Order a half a liter when you can.
12. Kyoto, Japan
I wrote a whole post about food tourism in Kyoto, Japan here…but no one read it so I will give the highlights. The food in Kyoto was excellent, but clearly different than so many other places. Japan on a whole has very strange things to eat and Kyoto is certainly no exception. I noticed that when I saw sparrow in the food market. All the traditional items such as Sushi, Ramen and Wagyu beef are on the menu as well.
There is also a good food market (Nishiki Market) that allows you to try a bunch of traditional items. Some of the things maybe a bit older than you would like, so keep your eyes open for freshness. You can eat well in Kyoto with little effort. It falls lower than Tokyo on this list due to its size, but it is still a food tourism location.
Restaurants to try: Read this post here... it will tell you everything you need to know!
Tips: Walking and eating is always frowned upon in Japan, which makes the food markets more difficult to navigate.
11. Istanbul, Turkey
I do not want to say the Greeks copied the Turks or vice versa, but something is amiss. These two in terms of food tourism destinations had a lot of the same items! There is a lot to love about the food in Istanbul, from the delicious fish sandwiches on the bridge…to the heavy meat sandwiches(duran). I had one of the best bites of my life from a strange food vender right outside the market. Just ground beef on a wrap, it was excellent, with their crazy mix of spices.
I wrote a full post of my eating experience in Istanbul here if you want a more in depth review of the food in this region. I will say there are a ton of highlights and unique foods. Try the Turkish pizza called Lahmacun, it has a crispier crust than most you will encounter and is great.
The beverages are also nice in Turkey (well not the Raki, but everything else). I especially love the tea and coffee. Turkish tea is served everywhere in the city of Istanbul, even when shopping. The desserts are a must try as well, from the Kunefe to the baklava (they claim this over the Greek). There is so much to eat in Istanbul it is why it is one of the best food cities out there.
Restaurants to Try: A Turkish breakfast is a must, go to Ethran for a authentic meal. Nicole is a fine dining establishment for a fancier experience.
Tips: Visit the Asian side of the city and try Ciya Sofrasi, it is a quick ferry ride to a new continent.
10. Charleston, USA
Charleston holds a place close to my heart. It is the closest city on the list to where I live now, and I have a lot of fond memories. Much of the food is unique to the area, with specialty items such as Shrimp and Grits or She-Crab soup. This is southern cooking with a twist. Yes, there are barbeque places here, but that is not why you make Charleston a food tourism destination. The seafood is what stands out here. The city itself is beautiful, the dining is more elegant than in most of the Southern United States.
What really makes this one of the best food cities is the prevalence of great restaurants. The amount of high-quality places to get a meal is overwhelming. There are a lot of spots to get a variety of cuisines. Personally, I think you should stick to the Charleston specialties, especially if it is your first time in the city. Brunch is done better here than anywhere else I have been, so make sure you hit it at least once.
Restaurants: I would say my all-time favorite is High Cotton, I never had anything other than an exceptional meal here. Hanks for Seafood is also a standout…the only places I would warn you against is anyone that is handing out hush puppies when you wait in line (I believe it is Hyman’s Seafood). That is a terrible waste of stomach space.
Tip: Bring Your Wallet…it is a great city for food tourism but is also expensive.
9. Bangkok, Thailand
By far the best street food in the world is Bangkok. It has been over ten years since I have visited Bangkok, but another trip is in the cards given I am traveling solo these days. I like Thai food, on a whole it is not my favorite, but I like it just the same. The reason Bangkok is so great, is the ability to step out of your hotel, see a cart and get a great snack or even a full meal.
I also loved the spice level, they do not play around in Bangkok, especially with the Papaya salads. My best meals were certainly out of a cart, but I had great, cheap food all over the place. There was a lot of pork and rice, but I never complained. The uniqueness of the food in Thailand is why it should be a food tourism destination for any full-time eater.
Best Restaurant: If you see someone grilling whole fish on the side of the road, stop what you are doing, it is time to eat.
Tip: Try the insects, you might actually like them. Especially if drunk!
8. Rome, Italy
Falling from number 3 last time, Rome is on this list out of respect, but not because I had such amazing meals here. Do not get me wrong, there were some highlights, gelato being one. It is just that I had to climb through the tourist traps to get there. Still, if you do your research you may get lucky and discover some gems. There are certainly hidden spots to be found throughout the city away from the major attractions.
The wine is another standout in Rome. I know it is cliché to say Italy has great wine…but Italy has great wine! From pasta to sandwiches, the smaller the establishment the better the food. It is a shame how tourism has taken away from the food scene, but it is still there once you wade through the obnoxious restaurant hustlers.
Restaurants to Try: LA Bottega Pastificio con Cucina a small pasta place right near the hotel Indigo. I went for breakfast every morning.
Tip: Do not let anyone talk you into a restaurant, good places do not need to convince you to dine at their spot.
7. New Orleans, USA
Another gem in the United States, New Orleans is the only place in America with a totally unique cuisine. Influenced by a number of factors, French, Spanish, west African etc… something special was created. New Orleans is certainly one of the best food cities in the United States, if not the world. The area has the best oysters on the planet (documented by me) as well as some classic dishes that only the people of Louisiana know how to do.
Gumbo, beignets, jambalaya…all these things need to be tried in New Orleans to be fully experienced. It surprises me how many Americans have failed to hit this place up. Yes, many think of it as a party city, and it is. More importantly it is a place to get amazing food. There are so many restaurants to try here, but I will narrow it down to a few.
Restaurants: Royal Oyster house is my go-to for oysters, people seem to like Acme, but I think while good, it is slightly overrated. Commander’s palace is on my top five all time restaurants, I never have a bad meal there. Of course, Cafe’ Du Monde for beignets…truly a classic!
Tip: Get out of the French Quarter and explore the food all over this wonderful city.
6. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is like Kyoto only it beats it in terms of food tourism because of pure volume. The sushi is amazing like you would expect… but it may surpass those expectations. Even the conveyor belt sushi places are outstanding. I still dream about the eel coming at me. Then we have ramen, if you like ramen, you will find a place you love, there must be thousands of ramen shops to choose from. From Kobe beef to great food markets Tokyo has more food choices than legally aloud.
I swear every two steps there was a new restaurant. Everything looks great and you find food in the most unexpected places. Whether on a train or in a 7-Eleven (yes, I said that correctly) food is everywhere and it is delicious.
Restaurants: Go to Yakitori Alley, an area with a ton of different fire hazards little restaurants bunched together. Each usually serves one or two things really well. Ichiran Ramen may be a chain, but the ramen is off the hook. It is much better than the New York option which is a shame.
Tip: Once again do not walk and eat, there are no trash cans in Japan, because people just do not eat while moving.
5. New York City, USA
Ah, my home state, the food I grew up on. New York has yet to disappoint me as a food tourism city. I have been to New York City over 50 times and there still are so many spots I need to try. Not the least of which is Katz Deli…but I digress. New York has it all in terms of food. The Chinese food, for example, maybe not as good as the West Coast, but is still great. Our bagels are better than anywhere, and a New York slice is better than that of Italy in my humble opinion (Italy still has the better whole Margherita pizza).
Add to this great Greek, amazing Italian, and any other nationality you can find. You can spend $1000 on a meal, or walk out of a place stuffed for ten bucks. There are a million options. New York also has great street food, I ate a hot dog 4-months ago in New York that I swear is still with me today. If you like to eat, New York is one of those food cities that you cannot miss. Maybe I am biased…I am definitely biased, but who cares!
Restaurants: They are closing quickly, but last I checked Keens steakhouse is still open, maybe the best steak in the city. Conversely, go to Chinatown for some soup dumplings… Although it needs to be updated, I did a New York food post here.
Tip: Stay south (and far away from) Times Square to avoid tourist traps.
4. Greek Isles (Santorini)
The next couple of places really emphasize freshness, especially in seafood. I ate so well in Santorini that I needed to put it toward the top of my list. The seafood was amazing here especially, the grilled calamari and octopus. Greeks salads seems like such a simple food, but when made with the right ingredients (right being fresh) they are an outstanding way to start a meal. I do not know how so many things on a island can taste so fresh, but apparently most items are locally sourced.
Maybe it was just the eating experience. Sitting by the water with some wine and seafood just proved to be a relaxing day. Of course, they are plenty of Gyro establishments as well if you are looking for a quick bite. Overall, I do not think you can go wrong going to the Greek Isles for a food tourism destination (especially Santorini).
Restaurant – Metaxí Mas was by far the best of the best. You know that great feeling when the last place you eat is a perfect end to a trip? That is what Metaxi’ mas brought to me. It is a bit out of the way, but a favorite of many locals and I think a must try. Just make sure you have a good cab driver.
Tip: Take the 5-hour hike from Fira to Oia to really work up an appetite.
3. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona was my pick for the best food cities last time around. Unfortunately for it, I traveled more since then. Eating at 11:00 PM might seem weird, but I understand why the good people of Spain do it. They want to have as much time as possible to shovel food into their face! Once again seafood reigned supreme here. Razor clams, shrimp, and octopus were all plentiful.
Combined this with tapas, a wonderful invention (small plates that consist of one or two bites). I love being able to try 8-10 different things and still leave the bar for under $30. The best part is these are just a warmup for the main courses later that night. Spain shows us how bad our seafood really is in most of America. There is no comparison, even with the cities above.
Best Restaurant: We had a blowout meal at Spoonik, a multicourse establishment, that was just outrageous in food and presentation. I also highly recommend the Mercado de La Boqueria, some say it is touristy, but I did not get that vibe at all. Sit down at a counter at lunch time and grab as much seafood as you can throw in your mouth. Snag a 5-euro Mojito on the way out (or in), there is a little stand upon entering.
Tip: Get some extra thick hot chocolate and a churro and go nuts! You will thank me later!
2. Lisbon, Portugal
Up until last year Lisbon was number one on my list of my top food tourism cities. For good reason (I made a post about it here), the eating experience was amazing. I had the best meal of my life here and possibly my second-best meal as well. Seafood in Lisbon is king. The octopus especially was outstanding, but tiger shrimp the size of your head were not out of the ordinary. Really, as far as food tourism is concerned it may be as good as it gets.
Let us move on to some not so obvious items. Chocolate cake and chocolate in general is on another level. I never thought of Lisbon as a chocolate hub, but it did not disappoint. They have a incredibly unique dessert called Pastile de nata, a type of custard served warm with sugar and cinnamon. This dessert is unbelievably good when done right.
Then there was the alcohol, I drank port by the gallon, I am lucky I remember the trip at all. There was more unique alcohol like Ginja, a cherry liqueur that you take a shot of (in the morning). I can live there and never get sick of the beautiful food in this city.
Restaurants: This is an easy one…Ramiro mic drop. If you want a true, low key seafood feast, Ramiro is a must stop. The tiger shrimp were unbelievable, the clams outstanding…I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant, yet it was not my favorite. Restaurant Alma served me the best meal I have ever had. It is a Michelin star establishment and expensive, but worth every cent. If you have time for one meal, go to Alma.
Tip: Skip the Time Out Market, not great for a food hall in my favorite city…a bit too clean and touristy for my taste.
1. Palermo Sicily
Why do I love the food of Sicily so much? I did not have a run you over good experience like in Lisbon, and I even had some bad meals. Still Palermo was Italy done right. I tried Rome, Sorrento, and Positano and all are tourist traps. Palermo, Sicily on the other hand gives you authentic food.
I guess I am biased coming from an Italian background, therefore I love Italian food. The pasta in Sicily was the best I had in the world. Once I found the right places, there was no comparing it. So many spots were like waiting in my grandmother’s kitchen. (or better). The cannoli were also to die for, not too sweet, I thought I had good in New York, but clearly no.
People in Italy (not tourist spots) just know how to make the simplest things taste great. I could be giving Palermo, Sicily an unfair advantage because it is the best versions of my favorite childhood foods, this is why it is my top food tourism city. I regret not eating more when I was there, even though we had three or four dinners at a time.
Restaurants: Trattoria Ai Normanni, I went here three nights in a row and order the same meal…in fear I would get something worse. The pasta dishes to start are amazing, there was a truffle pasta on the menu that keeps me up at night. I would get a steak afterword, which was the perfect amount of food. Rule of thumb is go to any Trattoria, most will be excellent.
Tip Avoid the main tourist street for eating, the food was fairly good, but really wasted stomach space in comparison to places on the outskirts.
Best Food Cities I Missed
So, there you have it, my top 15 food tourism cities. As always, I will update this best food cities list as I go to more places, or if the old places start to disappoint me. Of course, I am only one person so there is a ton of eating left to do. Some notable food tourism spots left off are below.
Paris– I just keep hearing bad things about this city so I am hesitant. Although the food is supposed to be excellent still, so it needs to be tried eventually.
San Sebastian– Bourdain turned me onto this place many years ago, I can imagine it will be in the top ten when I visit.
Jerusalem– This one is from Somebody Feed Phil, the food looked outstanding, I will see!
There are probably a hundred more I can add, so if you have your own idea of the best food cities please share them with me.
Conclusion: Food Tourism: My 15 Best Food Cities
Is there anything better when traveling then stuffing your face? I mean this is why we see the world is it not? There is nothing worse than getting to a location and hating the food. I think most of you will agree that the above food tourism locations will not disappoint. If you live in one of these places…well, please appreciate what you have!
