We’re well and truly in the midst of a food revolution. We live in the era of celebrity chefs, finest-quality ingredients and techniques,
and growing globalization. Different cultures from all over the world
have come together, shared culinary secrets and swapped old family
recipes, changing what we eat forever. Put simply: there’s never been a
time to consider one of these vacation getaways for foodies.
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And let’s face it: Eating “good” food every day just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore. And why should it when you’re on vacation? If you’re a culinary enthusiast—or you just appreciate a damn fine salt-beef bagel—you’ve probably considered heading to a world-class destination for food and drink on your time off. After consulting with the travel experts at Insight Guides, we’ve put together this list of the best foodie cities in the world: From resorts full of luxury restaurants to cities with the best street eats. We recommend you don’t read this list hungry. And if you’re dashing off to the airport soon, be sure to book the Best Seat on Any Airplane.
In reference to the British, the French president Jacques Chirac
famously quipped, “One cannot trust people whose cuisine is bad.” He may
be eating his words now, as London has shot to culinary stardom in the
years since. Once the purveyor of plain, soggy grub such as fish and
chips, London now has a huge number of luxury eateries run by chefs such
as Gordon Ramsey and Alain Ducasse (both of whom hold three Michelin
stars). Aside from fine dining, there are also many food markets and
pop-up restaurants, most notably Borough Market, which serves everything
from Andean and Zimbabwean dishes. Brick Lane is legendary for its
Indian restaurants and its 24-hour bagel shop. For even more great
reasons to visit London, know that it’s one of the secret escapes for the ultra-wealthy right now.
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Why go to Bangkok? In a word (well, two): street food. The city’s
street fare is world famous. Vendors occupy almost every corner and line
every pedestrian street (except on Mondays, the city’s designated
road-cleaning days). There are literally thousands of vendors serving
thousands of dishes, so it’s hard to pick recommendations. But we have:
Be sure to try some Morning Glory (also known as Chinese water
chestnut), a long green vegetable that’s sliced lengthways and
stir-fried with crispy pork, soy sauce, garlic and served on a bed of
sticky rice. Som tam (green papaya salad) is a hugely popular dish and
comes in many delicious varieties. Moo ping (marinated, grilled pork
skewers) is another famous street-eat not to be missed. Head to
Sukhumvit or Chinatown and get some tom yum (noodle soup) or a gai pad
pongali (yellow chicken curry). For dessert, try a grilled banana or
roti, a kind of crepe.
Fine-dining in this city is literally unbeatable: The area is home to
highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants on the planet.
Part of the Basque region of Spain, San Sebastien is close to the French
border, and the influence is clear on the region’s mouthwatering
cuisine. Basques have long sought independence from Spain, which won’t
surprise you when you see the beauty of the area (and food!). Most bars
serve pintxos — the Basque word for tapas. After a pre-dinner
drink and an appetizer, head to a restaurant for dinner. Recommending
somewhere in San Sebastien is tough because the quality of the food is
so high that a restaurant has to have considerable repute even to
survive. Restaurants of note include Arzak, run by Juan Mari Arzak and
his daughter, Elena, who both hold three Michelin stars.
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This one’s for the more carnivorous: Come for the steaks, stay for
the wine. In a country famous for its beef and steaks, Mendoza stands
head and shoulders above the rest. Local beef cooked asado–on a
barbeque-style grill–and served with vine tomatoes is the city’s
signature dish, and it’s served literally everywhere. Other beef dishes
include stew and empañdas (a fried pastry stuffed with meat). To
accompany your steak, have a glass of the local Malbec or the lighter
Torrentes. We recommend Azafran, one of the best restaurants in town.
Why to go to this, of all vacation getaways for foodies? Curry, of
course! At first, Delhi is somewhat overwhelming, but once you get your
bearings, you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable food experience. Head
to Chandi Chowk in Old Delhi, and make your way down a labyrinth of
backstreets to Karim, which is regarded as one of the best restaurants
in Asia, let alone India. The mutton roghan josh or tandoori are
must-trys. The Moti Mohal has three locations across the city, and all
are highly rated. Be sure to sample the street food, particularly
samosas. Pop into any café and try a thali (meaning plate in Hindu)
consisting of rice, poppadums, chutneys and a selection of vegetable
curries. Unsure about where to eat? Look for places that are full of
locals.
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And let’s face it: Eating “good” food every day just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore. And why should it when you’re on vacation? If you’re a culinary enthusiast—or you just appreciate a damn fine salt-beef bagel—you’ve probably considered heading to a world-class destination for food and drink on your time off. After consulting with the travel experts at Insight Guides, we’ve put together this list of the best foodie cities in the world: From resorts full of luxury restaurants to cities with the best street eats. We recommend you don’t read this list hungry. And if you’re dashing off to the airport soon, be sure to book the Best Seat on Any Airplane.
London, England
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Bangkok, Thailand
San Sebastien, Spain
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Mendoza, Argentina
Delhi, India
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