the travel foodie

• Meet the Team
• Work With Us
• Itineraries
• Italy Travel Guide
• Hawaii Travel Guide
• Travel Tips

21 Top Foodie Destinations Around the World

If you love food and want to explore some really fantastic foodie destinations, we’ve got the list for you! Adding culinary activities to your vacation itinerary is one of the best ways to experience the culture of the destination you’re in. 

This list contains 21 of the best places to go for foodie vacations. If there’s one thing we truly believe here at Savored Journeys, it’s that eating well and traveling well go together like… well, you can’t have one with the other, as they say.

» Looking for awesome dining experiences to travel for? Try these 10 Most Remote Dining Locations . You might like How to Recreate International Dishes at Home.

For us, it’s part of the experience to taste the  tapas in Barcelona , the sushi in Tokyo , chocolate in Switzerland, and that incredibly delicious sauerkraut soup in Prague . That’s why we make it a priority to visit top foodie destinations around the world. If you agree, then you’re probably a foodie traveler, just like we are.

We make food a priority during our travels, in order to experience the culture, learn about the people, and immerse ourselves in what makes this place unique. Yes, we believe you can do all of that through food.

Read more about our favorite foodie cities: Paris | London | Bologna

Table of Contents

Why We Travel For Food And So Should You

Culinary vacations are becoming more popular now than ever before. We’ve all started to realize that many of our favorite things to do on vacation and the strongest memories we take back home with us have to do with food.

Maybe you took a really great food tour , or you learned to make pasta in Italy, or you ate at a particularly amazing fine dining restaurant. Those are all cherished memories now.

Have you ever noticed how even the faint aroma of something you ate on vacation instantly takes you back to when you experienced it? Tasting an Argentinian Malbec transports me to a tasting room in Mendoza . The smell of galangal and lime instantly brings to mind the Thai cooking class we took in Chiang Mai.

Even the sight of choclo (really large corn) gets me excited for the intense flavors of Peruvian food . Just ask Nick – “big corn”, makes me unreasonably excited. Food is powerful. It’s what makes us who we are as a people. It is an essential part of life and community.

In fact, I seriously question whether you can experience the real, authentic side of a culture without experiencing the food.

After all, what is Thailand without a plate of Pad Thai, China without Dim Sum, Canada without poutine, Mexico without street tacos?

Indulging in Michelin starred restaurants , veering off the beaten path to where they make the best fried noodles, immersing yourself in pasta making in Chianti, or even accepting a dare to eat balut in the Philippines – these are the things vibrant memories are made of. Check out these vegetarian food experiences too!

Top Foodie Vacations Around the World

We are always searching for culinary vacations that promise incredible dining options, fun food-inspired experiences and some really good wine to wash it all down with.

And while there are so many great locations around the world that satisfy that craving, some stand out more than others in the culinary department. I have to admit, even picking only 21 destinations that we think are foodie heaven is hard – there are so many!

When it comes to foodie destinations, the best ones have irresistible food that’s you can’t find anywhere else. Some will immediately come to mind, like Italy and Spain. Others you have to search a little for.

1. Mendoza, Argentina

Some of the best wines come out of Mendoza, but did you know about its culinary scene? Mendoza is a perfect spot for foodies who want to enjoy all three of pillars of good travel in one destination: good food, wine and adventures.

Many of the top wineries in the region serve impressive multi-course wine lunches from their winery restaurants that have often have breathtaking views of the Andes from every seat and include as much wine as you want to drink.

Visit these wineries and restaurants for a complete foodie experience in Mendoza:

• Bodega Ruca Malen (lunch and wine tasting)
• Andeluna Cellars (lunch and wine tasting)
• The Vines of Mendoza (for a comprehensive tasting)
• Siete Fuegos (Fine dining on an open fire — and stay at The Vines Resort & Spa – check prices and read reviews )

Tours you may enjoy:

• All day, small group, luxury wine tour with gourmet lunch
• Maipú Wine-Tasting Tour from Mendoza Including Trapiche Winery

2. Paris, France

When people plan their trips to Paris, they tend to forget that the city is a foodie paradise, even though it’s in France. There are so many fun food things to do in Paris that will enhance your sightseeing, help you build lasting memories, and create a diverse and interesting itinerary. 

With so many delicious French foods to try, croissants and Croque Monsieurs belong right there alongside the Eiffel Tower and Sacre-Coeur. No vacation to the French capital is complete without trying the foods that make the country so unique – yes, escargot and frog’s legs included!

Whether that’s a stop off one of Paris’ many street food markets to check out the products, at a local crepe stand, or on a full-day food tour , there are many ways to taste and enjoy Paris.

If you have extra time, you can also get outside of the city to either the Bordeaux wine regio n or Champagne wine region . Reims and Epernay are two of the main Champagne cities to visit to learn more about French wines .

Tours you might enjoy:

• Montmartre Hill Sweet & Savory French Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour
• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

3. Tuscany, Italy

One of the top things on most foodie’s bucket lists is to take cooking classes in Italy . We dream of making tender, homemade pasta and rich meaty tomato sauces, drinking wine in Tuscany and eating briny olives and antipasto on the terrace overlooking the vineyards.

This experience can be found all over Italy — there’s no shortage of cooking schools and wine tasting tours.

One of our favorite areas in Tuscany is Chianti. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous and easy to get around (see our self-guided Chianti tour ideas), there are dozens of amazing Chianti Classico wines to try. Here are some of our favorite places to stay in Tuscany for wine tasting.

I’ve always been enchanted with Montepulciano, as well.

Montepulciano is a charming hilltop town in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, known for its picturesque streets, historic architecture, and world-class wineries. The town is surrounded by rolling hills covered in vineyards, and the local wine industry is a major part of the economy and culture.

There are several wineries in and around Montepulciano that offer tours and tastings, like Avignonesi, Poliziano, and Boscarelli.

• Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside
• Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour from Florence

4. San Sebastian, Spain

It might not be a major cosmopolitan city like Paris or London , but San Sebastian is perhaps the greatest food destination in the world, with more Michelin stars per capita than any other city and a thriving pintxos scene that you won’t believe until you see it.

It makes the list not only because of the overabundance of haute cuisine, but because it is literally paradise, with its incredible view over the crescent bay and the beautiful La Concha Beach. There are three 3-star restaurants, among a handful of 1- and 2-starred places, plus a plethora of pintxos bars serving gourmet-style bites that are just as good as any fancy meal you’ve ever had.

• Here’s a great evening pintxos tour in San Sebastian that you’ll love.
• Arzak – 3-stars — one of the top restaurants in the world — not to be missed.

Just an hour or so from San Sebastian is the Rioja wine region of Spain, where you’ll also find some really incredible food from Michelin star chefs and formidable home-style restaurants. One of the funnest foodie things we’ve ever done was a pinchos crawl down the tiny streets of Logrono, Spain. It’s a foodie’s dream!

• Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour with a Local Expert
• PINTXOS in San Sebastian – Private Gastronomic and Cultural Adventure

5. Bordeaux, France

Combine the delicious wines of Bordeaux with the gorgeous scenery and you have the vacation every foodie has been dreaming about in France. You should plan for at least a week in Bordeaux to give it justice. You can spend two days in the Left Bank and two days in the Right Bank , and still only scratch the surface of the wine and food possibilities.

Also, be sure to spend time in the center of Bordeaux, where we found some really incredible food options, from wine bars to street food markets. The newly opened wine museum is also very much worth a visit.

A bike tour through Bordeaux is perfect for wine enthusiasts, foodies and really anyone who wants to enjoy the countryside while biking through some of the world’s most beautiful vineyards.

You can enjoy a winery biking tour through the Left Bank or the Right Bank. The area around Saint Emillion is my favorite, and it’s flat and easy to ride.

Imagine foie gras, duck confit, and black truffles paired with bold and complex Bordeaux wines. You’ll be having gourmet lunches and dinners paired with world-class wine every day. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Check out these guided foodie activities in Bordeaux:

• Small-Group Saint-Emilion Day Trip from Bordeaux
• Bordeaux Gourmet Food Walking Tour with Lunch

6. New York City, New York, USA

New York City is also a culinary capital of the world. Here you’ll find incredible food everywhere, from street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants and even a few completely outrageous foods that you won’t find anywhere else.

Culinary trends seem to start and end in NYC. But one of the things that makes this city so great is the high number of really talented chefs that call it home. Most of them have restaurants there that aren’t insanely hard to get into, so you can eat dinner made by a master. Some to check out are Le Bernardin, Eleven Madison Park, and Cosme (by the legendary Mexico City chef of Pujol ).

Be sure to also make it to favorites like Katz Delicatessen, Momofuku Noodle Bar, and the Peter Luger steakhouse. You’ll also find huge, thin slices of New York Pizza, street hot dogs, Jewish delis, extravagant brunches. It’s all there waiting for you to discover.

• Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour
• Chelsea Market and High Line Food Tour

7. Tokyo, Japan

I’m a huge sushi fan. Who isn’t, right? In Tokyo, you will find the freshest, best, most amazing sushi in the world. If that’s not reason enough to head to Japan for your next foodie vacation, I don’t know what else I can say – WAIT, yes I do.

How about the really fun, totally cool izakayas you can find in all the back alleys and small crevices around the city. It sounds like dive bar quality, but it’s so not. In fact, it’s an adventurous foodie’s dream. Or the old Tsukiji outer market , which is an absolute must visit in Tokyo.

You’ll see foods you’ve never heard of before , even lots of unique Japanese drinks , and get to sample tons of things along the way. In Japan, you can eat the best of every type of food they make, from gyoza to okonomiyaki to ramen and takoyaki. Nearly every chef is a master at his cuisine.

Another great activity in Tokyo for food lovers is participating in a traditional tea ceremony. You can see what it’s all about and learn the proper manners in an informal ceremony in Hamarikyu Gardens . These things and more are part of our complete 3-day foodie guide to Tokyo.

• Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour
• Walking Food Tour of Shibuya at Night

8. Bangkok, Thailand

I think Thai food is very much a universally loved cuisine. Getting to try authentic Thai dishes the way they were meant to be eaten (at a night market or from a street vendor in Thailand ) is one of the best culinary experiences I’ve ever had.

In Bangkok, there are opportunities for cooking classes , food tours, street food for every meal, even Michelin star restaurants. For an even more unique experience, head out of town to the nearby floating markets to witness something you won’t see anywhere else. Make sure you try the mangosteens. Oh so good.

The best thing about Bangkok food is that there is a lot of it everywhere. There used to be street food vendors dispersed throughout the city, but now there are conglomerations of food stalls that you can find in the city. Some of our favorites are Bangkok’s Chinatown Market, Wang Lang Market, and the Chatuchak weekend market.

No matter where you’re staying, there is likely a street food market nearby. Be sure to keep your eyes open as you walk around. Street food is definitely the way to go in Bangkok. It’s so cheap and it’s delicious.

• Bangkok Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk
• Chef designed Bangkok Food Tour for 8 Exclusive Guests

9. London, England

Another big city that is often overlooked as a food destination is London . But don’t make this mistake! London is the food capital of the world. No where will you find the array of international food choices , dining experiences , and foodie activities  that you will find in London.

People often think London doesn’t have good food – or that it consists merely of fish and chips and pub food. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, London is one of the biggest food cities in the world. You can find every type of cuisine imaginable in the city. Plus, where else in the world can you find nearly dozens of afternoon tea choices ?

You can browse around London’s many markets , including Camden Market and  Borough Market – which are two of our favorites, or you can stop for a street food break at the really cool and fun Boxpark in Shoreditch.

We absolutely love Soho for the dizzying array of food choices. You can’t walk three steps without coming up a different restaurant, wine bar, pub, waffle bar, gelateria – you name it.

• London East End Food Tour
• Secret Food Tour: London Bridge & Borough Market w/ Private Tour Option

10. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia, is a great food city, with many great restaurants to check out around the city. Some of our favorite restaurants in Melbourne are located on Flinders Lane. Two that I highly recommend are Chin Chin and Lucy Liu.

While staying in Melbourne, don’t miss the opportunity to get out to the wonderful Yarra Valley wine region. There are more than a dozen of wineries to visit. It’s a cool climate, so they produce a lot of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and some sparkling.

We love food and wine events, and Melbourne, Australia is home to one of the best, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival . The festival extends for 17 days in March and features global culinary superstars who host events, create unforgettable dishes for participants to sample and draw crowds of over 250,000 each year.

• Melbourne Foodie Discovery Walking Tour
• Yarra Valley Wine & Food Day Tour from Melbourne with lunch at Yering Station

11. Stellenbosch, South Africa

Only an hour outside of Cape Town is the Stellenbosch Wine Region of South Africa. Of all the places we’ve been to for wine tasting, Stellenbosch is my favorite. The winery experience is so much more inviting and relaxed here.

You can take a tour with a group, so you don’t have to drive yourself, or you can plan your own winery tour with a designated driver. When you arrive at a winery, you’ll be able to  relax at a table or on a comfy couch and have the wine samples brought to you.

The region also has a large number of top restaurants with chef’s who know the wine well and create masterpieces that live up to the wine.  Some of the best foodie things in Stellenbosch:

• Rust en Vrede Restaurant
• Overture at Hidden Valley Restaurant
• Spier Winery and Eight at Spier Restaurant
• Visit Stellenbrau Brewery

When you’re done eating your way through Stellenbosch, there’s another nearby wine region to explore: Franschhoek. Both areas are well known for their gourmet cuisine and fine wines.

• Full Day Afrivista Wine Tours from Stellenbosch
• Wine Tasting and cultural tour with a wine maker

12. Bologna, Italy

While there are many touristy things to do in Bologna and the surrounding area, it truly is one of the best culinary vacation spots in the world.

There are so many food experiences to have in this area, from a full blown DOP food tour that takes you to a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory, a Parma ham production facility, and a home where traditional Balsamic vinegar is made, to a more intimate cooking class in the city, you simply will not run out of food-related things to do.

The Emilia-Romagna area (of which Bologna is the capital), is known for its wine, but you may think it’s only home to the sparkling semi-sweet Lambrusco wine. Lambrusco is found mostly in the northern part of the region, but Romagna makes mostly Sangiovese red wines, in a style not too different from neighboring Tuscany.

A wine-tasting trip to Romagna will reveal a whole new world of wine you didn’t know was out there.

• Bologna Food Tour from a local perspective
• Secret Food Tours Bologna w/ Private Tour Option

13. Mexico City, Mexico

When we were preparing to go to Mexico City , thoughts of indulging in real, authentic Mexican food were all I could think about. I could eat burritos, carnitas, enchiladas, tacos and guacamole all day, every day and be perfectly content.

If that sounds like something you might say, then a culinary trip to Mexico City should definitely be at the top of your list! There are a lot of great eating experiences to have around Mexico City. We found some really great restaurants , like Pujol and Maximo Bistrot. We tried many different mezcals and tequilas, and spent an entire day wandering around Mercado Roma, tasting awesome foods.

We also highly recommend taking a food tour – we like this historic center food tour . You may even want to try your hand at making some of these foods – if you’ve never handmade a tortilla, I think it might be time you tried!

Here’s a cooking class that includes a food market tour.

• Colonia Roma Food Tour
• A Night of Tacos and Mezcal in Mexico City

14. Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan

When it comes to food, Japan has more dishes to love than nearly anywhere. But for me, the star of the show is one single street in Osaka, called Dotonbori . And one of my favorite things to eat there is the famous Osaka dish, Okonomiyaki, pictured above. Dōtonbori is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka.

It runs along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city. It’s not a huge area. It covers only about 8 blocks. But it is absolutely jam packed with restaurants, food stalls and street vendors selling every type of food specialty Japan is known for. I would make a special foodie trip to Japan, just to visit Dotonbori and eat my heart out.

Around 5pm, Dotonbori Osaka turns from a fairly quiet, mostly deserted street, into a bustling and utterly jam-packed food metropolis with lines of hungry people queued up to buy trays of hot-off-the-grill gyoza , yakisoba, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, sukiyaki! If you can eat it, they are selling it. On Dotonbori food is king!

• Eat, Drink, Cycle: Osaka Food and Bike Tour
• Sushi Cooking Class in Osaka
• Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

15. Lima, Peru

You wouldn’t think it, would you? But Peru was named the top South America Food & Drink Destination by Frommer’s and for very good reason. Peru has a multicultural population that includes immigrants from Spain , China, Japan and more, and that helps to create a thriving food scene with regional variations that are unique and unexplored. 

Lima’s signature dishes, like ceviche and chicharones, are becoming favorites around the world and opening people’s eyes to the flavors of Peru. (Read our guide on foods you must try in Peru.) Restaurants like Astrid & Gaston have been delighting foodies for many years in Lima.

Superchef Gaston Acurio of La Mar and many others are priming the city with a modern take on traditional favorites. Now is the time to experience Peru’s food scene, before it is fully discovered.

⇒ Where to stay in Lima, Peru: Hilton Lima Miraflores ( see prices and read reviews )

• Lima Gourmet Food Tour: Evening Experience
• Peruvian Cooking Class Including Local Market Tour and Exotic Fruit Tasting

16. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans food expands way past typical American food. It has a style and culture all its own, with Creole and French influences. It’s an amazing place to explore if you’re a foodie who likes to try new things.

Not only does New Orleans have an abundance of great chefs and dining experiences , it also boasts a rather sophisticated cocktail scene. Many of the cocktails served in New Orleans are routed in the city’s eclectic past, and come not only with a swizzle stick, but a long history that you’ll want to hear all about.

• Unique foods you’ll want to try in New Orleans
• Shortcut Guide to the best restaurants, cocktail bars and things to do in New Orleans
• Click to see the best hotels on and near Bourbon Street .
• New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option
• New Orleans Cooking Class

17. Copenhagen, Denmark

A must-do on many foodie’s list is Copenhagen , Denmark, to eat at  Noma , a highly acclaimed restaurant that’s spent many years at the top of the  The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Chef/owner Rene Redzepi knows how to delight diners with his ultra-modern menu, now in a new location on the edge of Christiania. However, Noma remains very difficult to get into, not to mention expensive.

Even if you can’t make it to Noma, Copenhagen is blessed with chefs who came out of the Noma kitchen to build their own restaurants like 108, Amass, and Sanchez.

A few of our favorite options in Copenhagen are 1 Michelin star Relae, the first all-organic restaurant to make the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Baest (from the same owners), and 2 Michelin starred AOC.

For a more laid back food experience, head to the trendy food-filled Reffen on Copenhagen’s industrial Refshaleøen, where food trucks and stalls sell high quality International dishes.

Where to stay in Copenhagen: 71 Nyhavn Hotel ( see prices and read reviews .)

• The Copenhagen Culinary Experience Food Tour
• The Art of Baking Danish Pastry

18. Hong Kong

Hong Kong a wonderful food city, with all kinds of great food stalls, restaurants, and dishes with many cultural influences to try. One of the best ways to acquaint yourself with the food and to discover some of the best places to eat and drink in Hong Kong is by taking a food tour.

There are a dizzying number of restaurants in the city, not to mention foods that many Western travelers haven’t even heard of before. Let an expert guide you through the experience. Probably the most iconic food in Hong Kong is dim sum. There are even a few super affordable dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong with Michelin stars.

You must go to one of these top-rated restaurants to order a full meal of dim sum. For a Michelin-star meal, head to Tim Ho Wan. Another one to try is One Dim Sum . Roast goose is the dish I will never forget. It’s an iconic Hong Kong dish that you absolutely must try. The crunchy skin and layer of rendered fat over tender meat. It’s a thing of true joy.

We ordered roast goose in a tiny restaurant called Yat Lok Roast Goose in the Central neighborhood on Hong Kong Island.

• Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts
• Hong Kong Markets Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

19. Istanbul, Turkey

One of the best places you can travel to for an amazing foodie trip is Turkey . As one of the most visited countries in the world, Turkey has a lot to offer visitors. From seaside resorts on the Mediterranean Sea, historical sites, welcoming people, rich culture, amazing museums and delicious Turkish dishes, a trip to this county will be quite memorable.

Whether you’re spending time in Istanbul, Capadoccia, or one of the other popular cities in Turkey, you’ll be able to try great food everywhere you turn. Each area has a spin on the dishes they serve, but look out for things like Doner Kebab, Meze, Pide, and Baklava.

• Taste of Two Continents Food Tour
• The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals: Private Street Food Tour

20. Naples, Italy

Each region of Italy has its own unique list of specialty foods you must try, and Naples is no different. From the iconic Neopolitan pizza, to deep fried macaroni, to rum-soaked sponge cakes, you really must spend some time eating your way through Naples to fully discover the city and all its charms.

Be prepared. There are a LOT of great things to eat in this city.  If you’re looking for a way to experience the best Italian food in Naples, there’s really no better way to do it than to go on a food tour with Eating Europe . We spent a week venturing around the city to find the best pizza.

Our favorite pizza in the city was at Pizzeria Da Attilio, but there are memorable pizzas at 50 Kalo and Antico Borgo Ai Vergini . These are just a few of the top of their game. Other foods to try include Pizza Fritta, Cuoppo and Pasta Frittatine.

• Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert
• Street Food Tour of Naples with City Sightseeing and Top-Rated Local Guide

21. Catalunya, Spain

If you’ve been to  Spain , you already know that the entire country is vastly rich in culture, heritage, and especially  products and foods  that are specific to each micro region. Catalunya is one of those regions, and the amount of unique products, recipes and foods you can find there is astounding.

Catalunya has a very complex food culture. Not only does it have specific products that you don’t find in other parts of Spain, each of the smaller areas of Catalunya also have their own unique dishes that other areas of Catalunya don’t have. As a foodie in that area, you really will become immersed in a rich food culture. Even if you wanted to avoid it, you couldn’t. Food is so much a part of who they are.

While there, we discovered a plethora of products and foods you must try. You can visit wineries (there are many different wine regions – including Priorat and Emporda , plus they make Cava in Catalunya.)

With all of these great culinary destinations, you’ll never run out of food-centric vacations to take. We’ve been to each one of these and have loved them all. The variety of food around the world is just astounding.

Why not visit some of your favorites and find new dishes to love!

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

Related Posts:

• 36 Best Beach Drinks to Order at All-Inclusive Resorts (+ Recipes!)
• 13 Unconventional Things To Do in Washington DC
• 11 Port Houses to Visit in Porto

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

26 Food and Drinks You Must Try in France

12 Super Tasty Portuguese Foods You Must Try in Portugal

16 Tasty Foods You Must Eat in Spain

What to Eat in Naples (+Naples Food Tour)

Like this post? Why not save it to Pinterest? FOLLOW US  on  Pinterest ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  for more great travel inspiration and tips.

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

48 thoughts on “ 21 Top Foodie Destinations Around the World ”

Nice list! I have been to a Lima, New Orleans, Tuscany, Switzerland, & Bordeaux and definitely agree! I turn every trip into a foodie destination, and while some places are better than others I have yet to be disappointed by the overall food anywhere. Right now I’m parked in South Korea and finding this food to be some of my favorite in the world!

Thanks for posting your thoughts, Katie. With so many awesome food destinations around the world, it’s hard to narrow it down, but I think most foodies would agree that these are some of the very best. I loved South Korea too. So much good food. I look forward to reading more about your adventures there.

Have you never been to Turkey?

oh my goodness! I have a lot of traveling and eating to do! I have been to Spain twice but not San Sebastián but love the food there! And Tuscany-so good! I went to a South African wine tasting recently so can’t wait to get there in person to drink the wine! And hardly a Better place in the US like NOLA!

Right? It’s hard to beat any of these places for good food. That’s what I love so much about traveling for food – there’s always more to discover!

Pingback: Coffee Shops in Asheville NC & Farm to Table in Asheville

Pingback: What is Cornerstone Content (and Why Your Site Needs It) | Make Traffic Happen

Pingback: Things to Do in Cape Town, South Africa: 15 Must-Visit Spots

Well I thought reading the article would help me choose a foodie destination for our 10th anniversary but now I’m famished and I can’t pick one location!!!so im going to ask as a foodie who’s travelled on a foodie vacation, where would you go?!? Ok let me rephrase that if you had to choose 1 place that’s amazing and you could visit again where would it be? Suggestions greatly appreciated!

I know, food overload! Where you go depends greatly on the type of food you like and whether you want to do mostly food things, or historical things too. If I had to pick one, is go with Bologna Italy. You can do so many different food activities there, plus extend down into Florence and Tuscany. My second choice would be Tokyo. If you like Japanese food, you will be in foodie heaven there.

Have you been to Bilbao, Spain?

Yes and we love the food in that region!

always malaysia is a food paradise

Hi, Great list. Thank you for your post. I have a passion for travel and food as well and I gained a lot of information from your post. It creates motivation for me a lot. I hope that in the near future, you will have other posts like this. Best regards

Glad you enjoyed it!

nice post thanks

Left out Istanbul, Turkey. Best food ever!

You’re right, Carolyn. I love Turkish food too.

Wonderful blog! Thanks for sharing!

Pingback: Best Honeymoon Destinations - Orlando Wedding Photographers : Kristen Weaver Photography

Great blog. Thanks for sharing..

www.luxxpress.com

You left out Vietnamese street foods in Ho Chi Minh city . Also street foods in Hong Kong.

Absolutely! We’ll be sure to add those to the list in the future.

You are missing Ho Chi Minh City.

Thank you! This list is really helpful. Our website is also about foods to eat in different cities. https://foodieadvice.com/

Pingback: Blog BeeducationSua liberdade de viajar é do tamanho do seu passaporte

Pingback: Eating Well On The Road: 6 Tips For Vacation Dining – Trending Headline News

i’m gonna cry..where is malaysia….it’s country with the food paradise???uwahhhh

So sorry! I agree that Malaysia is a fantastic foodie paradise.

Pingback: Ways to make your family vacation extra special this year

Pingback: [Travel guide] 7 Amazing Places to See in Victoria, Australia — Trip Jotter Dot Net

I’m a merchant mariner and I’ve traveled my whole adult life going all over the world trying good eats. I just came back from SE Asia and I’m pretty astounded that you would include Manila on this list. If there is a great Philippino dish to try it’s certainly the Sinigang not street squid (which I do love). However, the food game in PI isn’t on par with the rest of Asia. Have you been to Borneo? I’m in San Diego right now and I can honestly say that the food game here is better than half of these cities listed.

Part of the fun of traveling for food is to try these different cuisines and decide which ones you like the most. 🙂

Hi..I think you forgot India here ….I assume you never been to India.

We have, in fact, been to India and are headed back in January. This list can’t possibly be all inclusive. It’s just a taster of options for people looking to do culinary vacations. Thanks for adding India.

Missed Chengdu, China in the heart of Sichuan cuisine!

Worth a visit if you get a chance! The food, people and city are lovely!

Thanks Patrick!

Southern Italy (especially Naples and Sicily) is never mentioned in these rankings but it’s probably the best foodie region in Europe, easily topping Central and Northern Italy (Rome, Tuscany, Bologna, Venice and so on).

Thanks Christian. We visited Naples and Puglia this year and loved the food. It’s definitely a good addition to the list.

Pingback: 6 Adventurous Vacations for Couples | Savored Journeys

Pingback: How to Find the Best Food On Your Vacation - Taste That Recipe

Hey Laura, just finished reading the article, and god I’m so craving for that Neopolitan Pizza and a glass of wine imported from Italy only!!!!

Sounds amazing, right?!

Awesome write-up! Food tours are an amazing experience not only for foodies but for travelers who are interested in the culture of the destination as we all know that cuisine and food culture of any destination is based on historical influences and the uniqueness of the environment. For my tour, Delicious Kyiv: Ukrainian Wine & Appetizers Tasting Tour all wines and specialties of Ukrainian cuisine are prepared with ingredients from local wineries and farms.

I’m disappointed with the list. You missed Charleston, SC big time. It is a foodie destination and the best vacation destination.

We love Charleston too, but we wanted to keep the list short and not focused only on the U.S.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Travel Resources

• Destinations
• Travel Guides
• For The Home
• Privacy Policy

Destinations For Foodie Travelers: Best Places To Eat Around The World

After spending the last decade traveling the world in search of the best local places to eat, we thought it was time to round up our recommendations. Here are some of the top foodie destinations around the world, perfect for all foodie travelers – people who love to travel for food and drink.

**This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my DISCLAIMER . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

How To Travel For Food

For a long time, I hesitated to use the word foodie. It was a word that started to get a bit of a bad rap. But, whether you use the word foodie traveler or food-loving traveler, we still wanted to create a guide to some of our favorite destinations.

When planning a foodie trip, it’s important to do research about what to eat and where to eat (and drink) in that destination. But, a food vacation doesn’t have to be one that entirely revolves around eating. It can involve taking cooking classes or visiting food and drink-focused museums to learn more about the local culture through its gastronomy.

If you travel for food, does that make you a foodie? Well, in the end, I know the word foodie has fallen out of favor with many food lovers. I am still okay with the word.

Whether you call yourself a food lover or a food traveler, it’s really someone who chooses a destination because of the food. Or, they might research where to eat and what to eat when traveling. For us, it’s the most important thing when we research upcoming trips.

Vacations For Foodies – Activities Besides Eating During Meals

The best food vacations involve more than just looking for the best places to eat in a city or region. As foodie travelers, when we travel, we like to figure out other ways to learn about the cuisine in a destination.

This means looking for food tours or cooking classes or wine tastings or craft beer tours. It means visiting the local market and trying to understand the local ingredients that are used in the local cuisine.

It also means learning about what to eat in a destination, and what not to eat. For example, did you know there is no such thing as spaghetti bolognese and that no one in Italy eats spaghetti and meatballs? These are the things you learn when traveling for food.

How We Choose Our Foodie Destinations

Travel for foodies starts with choosing a destination. Oftentimes, these destinations aren’t the capital or the most popularly visited city in a country. 

These are just the destinations we’ve fallen in love with. Some of these are the places we’ve visited over and over again. All of them have provided us with memories of eating and drinking that leave us craving more!

Have a food lover in your life, check out our recommendations for the best gifts for foodies .

Our Top Food Destinations

Best places to eat in western europe, western ireland – wild atlantic way.

This part of Ireland is not only our home but has some of the best eats when it comes to traditional Irish food and seafood. Ireland is one of the world’s best vacation spots, particularly for Americans looking to trace their heritage. 

There’s Irish food and what people think is Irish food. While dishes like corned beef and cabbage are enjoyed outside Ireland, you’ll have a difficult time finding them on a menu in Ireland. Along Western Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way freshly caught seafood is all the rage. Up and down the coast locally sourced mussels, salmon, and oysters are plentiful. Enjoyed in a hot seafood chowder or on their own, they’re a must eat. 

Best Dish To Eat On The Wild Atlantic Way : Hot and delicious seafood chowder and Irish brown bread with creamy Irish butter

Check out our Irish Food Guide for more tips

Best Place to Eat Along the Wild Atlantic Way : Vaughan’s Anchor Inn Liscannor, Co. Clare. Just down the road from the Cliffs of Moher, stop here for some of the creamiest seafood chowder along the Wild Atlantic Way.

San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian is a city built on food. From Michelin Star dining to its world-famous bite-sized treats, called pintxos. There’s certainly no going hungry in the Basque Country’s capital city. With the unintentional invention of the first pintxos, the “Gilda,” San Sebastian has been a pilgrimage destination for food lovers. In a food-crazed country like Spain, San Sebastian is arguably the best of the best.  

The pintxos bars in San Sebastian are true restaurants for foodies. Although most of the tourist traffic is driven into the old quarter, there are good places to eat around the city. The best atmosphere, though, is in the old quarter. 

Best Dish To Eat In San Sebastian : Cochino, slow-roasted suckling pig. Juicy and tender with sinfully delicious crispy skin. 

Check out our San Sebastian Food Guide for more tips

Best Places to Eat in San Sebastian : La Vina in Old Town San Sebastian. Go for their pintxos, but stay for their world-famous Basque Burnt Cheesecake. It’s light, airy, and highly addictive. For a taste of pintxos history, head to Casa Valles to sample the pintxos that started it all, the Gilda. 

Check out our Spain Food Guide – What To Eat In Spain

Bologna, Italy

Bologna is one of the best food destinations in the world. Simply put. Some of the most iconic Italian dishes and ingredients and some of the best food to eat in the world come from Bologna or other nearby towns in Emilia Romagna. 

Overshadowed by more popular cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, Bologna is without a doubt, Italy’s best culinary destination. The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is referred to as la grassa , the fat. A fitting nickname for a food destination.

It’s also fitting that many iconic Italian dishes such as ragu, lasagna, and mortadella come from Bologna. Only 30 minutes by train from Florence, Bologna is a culinary paradise. 

Best Dish To Eat In Bologna : Lasagna. Layers of fresh spinach pasta, rich bechamel , and proper meat ragu stacked high. 

Check out our Bologna Food Guide for more tips

Best Places to Eat in Bologna : Trattoria da Me is a 3rd generation family-run restaurant in the city center. Home of the best lasagna in Bologna since 1937, plan to spend a couple of hours enjoying a proper Emilia-Romagna feast. 

Are you traveling to Italy for the first time? Check out our post Advice On Traveling To Italy – 15 Tips For Italy Travel

Best Places To Eat In Asia

Osaka, japan.

Labeling any one city in Japan as the best food city in Japan is bold. So let’s be bold and say, for us, Osaka is the best food city in Japan .

Every Japanese city is bursting with great food, but Osaka is just different. There’s a feeling in the air that lets you know how important food is in Osaka. Legend has it people in Osaka would rather eat than do nearly anything else. With a mindset like this, why wouldn’t you label Osaka as Japan’s best food city? 

Best Dish To Eat In Osaka : Osaka is famous for okonomiyaki and takoyaki but for us, the best thing to eat is kushikatsu. Also known as fried stuff on a stick, it’s crunchy, tasty, and great with a cold beer.  It’s also one of the reasons why Osaka is one of the best foodie destinations in Japan.

Check out our Osaka Food Guide for more tips

Best Places to Eat in Osaka : Kushikatsu Daruma Dotonbori a.k.a. Angry Chef. Located in the heart of the famous eating street, you’ll find the best kushikatsu in Osaka. Kushikatsu Daruma has everything from fried chicken skins to fried pork ribs and our personal favorite, fried pickled ginger. But remember, no double dipping in the communal sauce. 

Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is another one of the top cities for foodies in Asia, particularly if you like street food. 

Ask the question which is the most underrated food city in Asia and the answer hands down is Taipei. I’m not sure why but it shouldn’t be. Taipei is loaded with food. It has more night food markets than you can count. The cost of eating is low. And best of all, there are tons of dumplings and noodles. Taipei is a must for anyone who travels for food. 

Best Dish To Eat In Taipei : Dumplings, specifically the soup-filled, lighter-than-air, irresistible Xiao Long Bao, also known as “soup dumplings”. Pro-tip, let them cool down before you bite in. You can thank me later. 

Check out our Taipei Food Guide for more tips

Best Places to Eat in Taipei : Miaokou Night Market, Keelung. The hour direct train ride from Taipei to the Miaokou Night Market is worth it, trust me. The proximity of the nearby fishing port means the market is bursting with fresh seafood. Miaokou can get crowded but the amount and variety of food stalls more than makes up for the crowds. 

Seoul, South Korea

Korean food is often overlooked in terms of the great cuisines of the world. It’s unlike any other cuisine including others from Asia. Korean cuisine is influenced by Korea’s rough terrain and harsh climate.

No other Korean dish symbolizes this more than the national dish, kimchi. A fiery fermented cabbage that’s served at every meal. If you haven’t heard of Korean food, you certainly will. 

Best Dish To Eat In Seoul : It’s all about Korean BBQ (Gogigui). Pieces of grilled pork cooked tableside enjoyed with traditional Korean side dishes, including spicy kimchi. 

Check out our Seoul Food Guide for more tips

Best Places to Eat in Seoul : Head to Gwangjang Market in the evening to sample a wide range of delicious Korean street food treats. Enjoy dumplings, Korean pancakes, and best of all handmade noodles. Go hungry and say yes to everything. 

Foodie Destinations In Africa

Located off the coast of Africa and on the trade routes from India and the Middle East, Mauritius is perfectly situated to have it’s cuisine influenced by numerous outside forces. This certainly shows in dishes like Mauritian curry. While many people travel to Mauritius for the sun, sand, and water, it’s their food they will have you coming back. 

Best Dish To Eat In Mauritius : Mauritian curry. This is not Indian curry nor Thai curry. While Mauritian curry has influences from India, it’s uniquely Mauritian that you have to taste for yourself. 

Check out our Mauritius Food Guide for more tips

Best Places to Eat in Mauritius : Mauritius is filled with many hotels offering outstanding local Mauritian dishes. While we always advocate getting out and eating like a local, unless you are staying in Port Louis, this can be difficult. The Heritage Le Telfair Hotel in particular has several amazing dining options on their property. 

Flavorful. That’s Moroccan cuisine. Not that other international cuisines lack flavor, it’s just that Moroccan cuisine perfectly incorporates tons of amazing spices like cumin, turmeric, and ginger. Let’s not forget that the tagine might be the most underrated cooking vessel in the world. Add in a long history of outside influences and you’ve got an incredible cuisine. 

Best Dish To Eat In Morocco : Tagines and couscous are easily the most recognizable Moroccan dishes. If you are in Fez, make sure to look for their specialty, pastilla or b’stilla. A sweet and savory dish, shredded chicken is wrapped in a thin pasty, fried, and topped with cinnamon. Heaven!

Check out our Moroccan Food Guide for more tips

Best Places to Eat in Morocco : In addition to being the home of pastilla, Fes is the culinary capital of Morocco. It doesn’t hurt that traders have been bringing spices, produce, and cooking through Fes since 700 AD. In that time, a lot of culinary influences have been left behind waiting for new visitors to discover. 

Eric Hoffman

Eric Hoffman is the co-founder of Food And Drink Destinations. Eric is a lifelong traveler who is passionate about helping people learn how to travel for food. He lives with his wife, Amber, in Limerick, Ireland, after spending 3 years living in Spain. Over the last 20 years, they've traveled to over 70 countries together, always in search of great food travel experiences. Eric also loves cooking at home, always looking to perfect his Italian recipes.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Most popular inspiration

Most popular experiences

Most popular destinations

Most popular itineraries

Travel bucket list ideas:

25 Best foodie destinations

Multiple countries

Many places claim to be a culinary capital, but where are the world’s latest and greatest foodie hotspots? If you like to dine well on holiday – be it street food or Michelin star – you’re guaranteed great eats in one of these destinations.

Note from Matt: the site is reader supported. If you’ve found this content helpful, please consider buying me a coffee.

Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand

Bucket List Experience

As the epicentre of one of the world’s most beloved cuisines, Bangkok is an excellent grazing ground for Thai food from every corner of the country. There’s creamy massaman curry and tom kha kai (chicken coconut soup), of course, which you can find everywhere from dingy street food carts to Michelin-rated restaurants.

But Bangkok is also an excellent place to hunt down hyper-local dishes you won’t find on the menu of your hometown Thai joint.

Seek out southern Thai cuisine for its ferociously fiery curries and ample use of fresh seafood. Opt for eastern fare, where shrimp paste and regional herbs create umami-rich and earthy flavours. Or follow your nose to kitchens dishing up northern Thai classics such as khao soi curry soup and nam prik chilli dips.

Good for age: 18+

Duration: -

Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Bologna is known as La Grassa (Fat Lady) for good reason: there’s no use watching the waistline in a place that spawned so many Italian classics, from the eponymous bolognese sauce, to tortellini and the world’s finest ice cream. Furthermore, there’s not a single tourist trap in town.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

From tapas to sushi, coffee to wine, Cape Town’s international food, with an African twist, is sophisticated and superb.

Cape Town is perhaps best known for delicious Cape Malay cuisine – curries that are fragrantly spicy rather than fiery – a unique style of cuisine originating with the thousands of Malay slaves brought to Cape Town from Indonesia and Malaysia in the 17th and 18th centuries. See our recommendations below for tasting tours and Cape Malay cooking classes.

Being a port city, fresh seafood features prominently – expect plenty of fresh local line fish, crayfish and mussels – though meat is much-loved and excellent too. In summer look out for fresh yellowtail and rock lobster. Also, see our round-up of traditional foods you must try in South Africa.

Two world-class wine regions – Constantia and Stellenbosch – are on the city’s doorstep. Constantia is a 40-minute drive from the city centre, Stellenbosch around 1 to 1.5 hours, so both are very do-able on day trips.

Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark

Locally caught fish and seafood is one of Danish cuisine’s strongest suits: herring, in particular, is a local favourite and has been caught, salted, dried and smoked here for centuries.

Along the famous Danish pastries, try hot dogs and open rye bread sandwiches called smorrebrod , which often features herring.

For drinks, beer is king but look beyond Carlsberg: craft breweries like Mikkeller and Friends and Norrebro Bryghus are picking up deserved accolades. Or wash things down with a shot of ice-cold caraway snaps, or in the colder months try glog , Scandinavian mulled wine.

Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

Cornwall is renowned for fresh and locally sourced food – attracting foodies from the world over.

Ingredients and flavours are strongly influenced by its coastal location and farming heritage. The region is especially known for outstanding seafood, with dishes such as fish and chips, crab sandwiches, and Cornish pasties being popular staples. It’s home to several artisanal cheese makers, producing award-winning cheeses such as Cornish Blue and Yarg, and produces the world’s best clotted cream.

In terms of drinks, Cornwall is known for its brewing and distilling industries, with a number of exceptional local distilleries producing award-winning spirits, beers and ales. The region also boasts a burgeoning wine industry, notably for award-winning still and sparkling wines, and excellent cideries.

Cooking styles vary from simple to exotic and environments from casual to smart, although the emphasis is on excellent produce, simply cooked, and served in a laid-back beach café or gastropub.

Marmara Region, Turkey

Destination guide

This important, layered city has seen a series of dramatic reincarnations, beginning life as Byzantium (founded c. 660 BC), before being renamed Constantinople in AD 330 (eastern capital of the Roman Empire).

The city finally became known as ‘Stamboul’, or Istanbul, during the Ottoman era, which began in the 15th century when it was captured by the 21-year-old Sultan Mehmed II (aka “Mehmed the Conqueror”), ushering in an era of lavish Sultan-led rule.

In the course of its deliciously rich 1,800-year history, Istanbul has been the capital of three empires. Here East meets West head-on, in a mesmerising, evocative city that its people have always considered the centre of the world.

Yet Istanbul is not just about sightseeing and museums; right now it has as much urban buzz and excitement as any place on earth. Besides making a bold name for itself in art, music, fashion and design, the city is modernising at a breathtaking pace.

The people are lovely, the food is a delight and the city is one of the top shopping destinations on the planet.

Lima, Lima Region, Peru

If there’s one reason to stop over in Lima it’s the food. The city has some of the finest restaurants in the world – with chefs like Virgilio Martínez, Jaime Pesaque and Gastón Acurio ranked in the World’s ‘Fifty Best’ on the exclusive San Pellegrino list.

What makes Lima chefs so exciting is their virtuoso fusion of unique national ingredients with Asian and European techniques. Star chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino has a plate on his degustation comprising only potatoes arranged to look like beach pebbles – all from different Andean locations with astonishing, divergent flavours.

Peruvian-Japanese Micha Tsumura serves fiery tiger milk tuna tiraditos alongside river-fish sushi, and 50-hour-cooked Amazonian beef.

You could spend a week in the gastro-hub suburbs of San Isidro, Miraflores and Barranco and get a mere taste of the exciting scene. But be sure to dine in Astrid y Gaston – the pioneer of Lima gastronomy and Central, by Michelin-starred Virgilio Martínez.

For a sense of the huge variety of ingredients Lima’s top chefs draw on visit Mercado No1 de Surquillo – packed with exotic fruit, vegetables and medicinal plants. It’s also a good spot to sample simple ceviche, but don’t focus on the street food – Lima’s all about fine dining.

Adult price: £35

London, United Kingdom (UK)

British food has undergone a revolution in the last twenty years; high-profile chefs such as Mark Hix and Fergus Henderson have sparked a culinary revival, with traditional flavours and dishes reinvented with contemporary techniques and ingredients.

Rich gravies and jus characterise many meat dishes; tangy with blackcurrants, red wine and handfuls of sage and marjoram, while strongly-flavoured hard cheeses – most notably Cheddar – flavour many vegetable and pasta dishes.

Bread remains a national passion; good bakers can be found everywhere, with chewy sourdough, fluffy white ‘bloomers’ and sugar-coated doughnuts (filled with raspberry jam) classic favourites. Traditional British desserts are sweet and treacley, while cakes are often rich with dried fruit.

Good for age: 13+

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

Lyon, the ‘gastronomic capital of the world’, holds the highest number of Michelin stars in France (after Paris), and is home to so many food shops, markets, food halls and eateries that walking its streets sometimes feels like you’re in one gigantic picnic basket.

The world-renowned wine regions of Beaujolais, Burgundy and the Cotes du Rhone are nearby, for vineyard tours and tastings, also meaning wine sauces are common, as well as great wine lists.

Sandwiched between wine-growing regions and numerous agricultural hubs, the richness of its gastronomy lies in its geography: Bresse chicken from the north; snails and game from the north-east; and pork from the western foothills.

Duration: Any

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

With over 6,000 restaurants serving dishes from all around Spain (and the world), Madrid is a funfair for foodies,. Join the locals at traditional restaurants, informal tapas bars, gourmet food markets, and the new Michelin restaurants setting off gastronomic fireworks.

As the capital city, Madrid has sucked up influences and talented chefs from all across Spain. There is a vast range of fresh seafood, fabulous tapas ( patatas bravas were invented here), side by side with the hearty dishes of the interior – roast lamb, suckling pig and stews.

Alongside all these old favourites, a new breed of chef, each with their own personality and style of cooking, have made eating out in Madrid an adventure.

Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco

Moroccan cuisine is best known for its slow-cooked tajines – richly flavoured stews, cooked on traditional platters with conical lids – and heaped platters of couscous topped with seven vegetables.

More traditional meals usually start with a tray of meze – fresh salads that might include honeyed carrot salad, humous, roasted aubergine and yoghurt with mint and garlic. Lamb is the most popular meat, while seafood, such as sardines, are plucked straight from the Atlantic in Essaouira.

Mint tea is another obligatory Moroccan ritual drunk at any time of the day, often taken with a plate of sugar-topped biscuits, or syrup-drenched pastries. Moroccans have an extremely sweet tooth, and there are excellent patisseries dotted around the Ville Nouvelle – a legacy of the French Colonial era.

Duration: Variable

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

A sophisticated and cosmopolitan hub, Melbourne is a great place to sample a broad cross-section of world cuisines, with Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek and Arabic particularly well represented. Buzzing cafés, well-stocked markets and an ever-growing list of top-class fine dining establishments make this southern city a relaxing place to eat well.

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

German food may be one of the least sought after in the European larder, but don’t pass by the opportunity of eating out in Munich. The cultured capital of southern Germany abounds in quality, local produce. Breads, beers and cold meats prevail, but there’s a variety of high-quality world cuisine on offer too.

Naples, Campania, Italy

The pizza phenomenon began in 1889, when visiting Queen Margherita was baked a pizza in the colours of the Italian flag: red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella), and green (basil leaves). It’s still the place for the best Margherita – made with tomatoes grown on Mount Vesuvius and water buffalo mozzarella from Campania. The gelato ain’t bad either.

Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Sicilian cuisine is one of the oldest in existence, combining meat, fruit, nuts and fish to tantalising effect. Sicilians even claim to have invented pasta. Food in Palermo is treated with almost religious fervour – every Sicilian is a gourmand – and ranks amongst the best in Italy, rivalled only, perhaps, by Bologna.

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Paris is one dynamic food metropolis – a culinary hub that ticks every edible box, whether you’re looking for classic steak-frites and onion soup or breakfast staples like baguette and croissants.

Old-school pleasures – chateaubriand beef and garlicky snails – abound on menus in many traditional eating houses (like bistros and brasseries), but nowadays the new generation of chefs is deconstructing traditional dishes to create their own, more elevated styles of food, often using ingredients sourced from neighbouring departements like Picardie (for potatoes and root vegetables) and Seine-et-Marne (for cheeses).

Portland, Oregon, United States of America (USA)

America’s current gourmet hotspot benefits from rich natural resources on its doorstep, from vineyards and well-stocked rivers, to organic farms and more breweries than any other city. The resulting blend of craft beers, fine dining and quality street food makes this a compelling destination for any foodie.

Provence, France

Provence is celebrated for its exceptional food and drink, deeply rooted in the region’s rich culinary traditions and Mediterranean climate. The cuisine is characterised by its vibrant flavours, aromatic herbs, and the use of fresh, local produce.

The Provencal diet heavily features ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant, all of which thrive in the sun-drenched climate of southeastern France. Olive oil , often referred to as ‘liquid gold’, is a staple in Provencal cooking, infusing dishes with its rich, fruity flavour. Herbs such as thyme, rosemary, basil, and oregano are integral to the cuisine, often combined to create the iconic Herbes de Provence mix. These aromatic herbs enhance the natural flavours of the ingredients, highlighting the region’s emphasis on simplicity and freshness.

Cooking styles in Provence range from slow-simmering stews that meld flavours over time to quick, vibrant sautés that preserve the crispness and colour of vegetables. Grilling is also popular, particularly for fish and meats, taking advantage of the region’s abundant coastline and access to fresh seafood.

The region’s wine, particularly rosé, complements the cuisine perfectly. Local wineries produce wines that pair beautifully with Provencal dishes, enhancing the dining experience.

San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)

Thanks to both the ocean and an abundance of farms on its doorstep, San Francisco is big on farm-to-table and sustainable cuisine. Green-leanings aside, culinary talent runs rampant in SF – in fact, the Bay Area is one of the three areas in the US that the Michelin Guide series rates.

A long-standing immigrant community from the East translates to some of the best Asian food outside Asia.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain

Seafood in all its forms is the star in San Sebastian, where chefs rival one another in inventiveness. Truffles and wild mushrooms, Iberian pork, succulent beef and exquisite seasonal vegetables; some Michelin-starred places have even started offering vegetarian menus.

Many chefs take pride in sourcing all their ingredients locally – many of which are beautifully displayed the city’s indoor market, the Mercado San Martin.

There is probably no better place in the world to explore Asian food than Singapore. The dominant cuisines are Chinese, Indian and Malay – or homebred combinations of the three (Peranakan cuisine). The best food is often found at hawker stalls, where each trader specialises in a single well-practised dish. Look out for chill crab, a local specialty.

Stockholm, Uppland, Sweden

Caught up in the wave of New Nordic cuisine, Stockholm plays host to some exceptional restaurants, many of which riff on the theme of traditional country cooking. Berries and local meats (such as reindeer) feature heavily, alongside fish and seafood, including the famous Baltic herring. And the occasional meatball of course.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv’s creative, liberal identity within Israel has allowed for a fascinating food scene to evolve. Acceptance of Arabic influences and a growing interest in Palestinian cooking ensures a broad palate of taste experiences, with excellent Arabic grilled foods alongside Jewish East European cuisine. It’s also a hotspot for inventive (and delicious) vegan food.

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscan cooking is recognised as being among the best regional cuisines in Italy, yet it’s based on the concept of cucina povera (humble cooking) and on modest ingredients.

Traditional Tuscan cuisine is hearty and rustic, and based on simple ingredients such as bread, pulses, meat and poultry, fresh veg and olive oil, all prepared with the minimum of fuss. Close to the coast, you’ll find more fish and seafood, but again, recipes are simple.

Tuscan red wines are highly-respected throughout the world. A local trattoria will usually offer a perfectly drinkable, cheap and cheerful house wine (red is a better bet) sold by the litre. More sophisticated regional wines to try include Brunello, Chianti Classico and Vino Nobile.

Tokyo, Kanto, Japan

One of the world’s great culinary capitals, Tokyo is often heralded for having more Michelin stars than any other city. But what really makes it special, is that from high-end sushi down to a humble bowl of ramen, there’s so much to try and so much of it is superb.

Sushi epitomizes that best – you could spend several hundred pounds at the most exclusive restaurants or have a quality feed for under £10 at a budget chain.

Across Tokyo’s dining scene, certain traits shine through – the frequent focus on seasonality and culinary technique, and the deep respect for chefs.

Specialisation too – you’ll find no end of shops that have perfected just a single dish, whether that’s ramen, soba noodles, or sumo-sized hotpots.

When: March, May and Sept

You may also like…

13 Best wine regions

15 Traditional Spanish foods you must try in Spain

21 Traditional French foods you must try in France

Frequently asked questions, what is a foodie destination.

A foodie destination refers to a place that is renowned and sought after for its exceptional culinary experiences. It offers a diverse array of high-quality, unique, and culturally significant food options, showcasing local ingredients and flavors. Food lovers and enthusiasts flock to these destinations to indulge in the rich gastronomic delights they have to offer.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Destinations

The Best Food Cities in the U.S.

From coast to coast, these are the best places to travel for foodies.

Calling all stateside gourmands: You need not leave the country to feast on innovative and plain-old delicious cuisine. In fact, the United States is home to dozens of incredible food cities complete with hidden gems, highly lauded hotspots, and everything in between. From large metropolises like New York City and San Francisco to unexpected (albeit just as delightful) picks like Greenville, South Carolina and Tucson, Arizona, here are 10 of the best foodie destinations across America. Get ready to dig in and explore.

New York City, New York

New York City represents a melting pot of cultures, which means you can enjoy any type of cuisine within its 300-square-mile radius, be it authentic dim sum at Joe’s Shanghai in Chinatown or mouthwatering bagels and smear plus meat-piled sandwiches at one of the city’s dozens of Jewish delis like Katz’s. Don’t confine yourself to Manhattan, either: Feast your way through the five boroughs, including stops in Astoria and Jackson Heights (in Queens) for authentic Greek and Himalayan fare, respectively. Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood is home to a slew of Polish bakeries like Syrena , while Arthur Avenue (in The Bronx) and Staten Island offer some of the city’s best Italian food. Additionally, the Big Apple boasts over 70 Michelin-starred restaurants, ranging from fine-dining establishments like Le Bernardin to more low-key (and still delicious) haunts like Jeju Noodle Bar . Don’t get caught up on all things Michelin, though — some of the best eats can be found in the most unexpected places ($1 pizza, anyone?).

New Orleans, Louisiana

400tmax/Getty Images

New Orleans ’ food offerings are just as diverse as its cultural influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa. With this in mind, it’s fitting that The Big Easy is, well, big on flavor. Savory staples here include po’boys ( Sammy's is a local fave), jambalaya (the one at Mother’s is *chef’s kiss*), gumbo (dig in at the aptly named Gumbo Shop ), crawfish etouffee (check out Creole House ), and muffulettas (grab yours at the Verti Marte , which is open 24/7) — all best paired with live jazz, of course. Be sure to save room for powdered sugar-covered beignets at Cafe Du Monde (yes, there will be a line, but yes, it’s worth it) and wash everything down with NOLA’s most iconic cocktail, the Sazerac, at The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel .

Chicago, Illinois

rudisill/Getty Images

Chicagoans are passionate about their deep-dish pizzas and their, ahem, unique ketchup-free hot dogs. The former and the latter are best enjoyed at Windy City staples  Pequod's and Jimmy’s Red Hots , respectively. Chicago also boasts over 50 James Beard Award winners and 20-plus Michelin-star-awarded restaurants, including the world-famous Alinea , best known for its creative multicourse tasting menus. New additions to the food scene here include the 24,000-square-foot Chicago Winery (one part winery, one part restaurant, and one part bar and events space) and the 17,000-square-foot Kindling , a live fire show kitchen helmed by James Beard Award winner Jonathon Sawyer.

San Francisco, California

Yusun Chung/Eye Em/Getty Images

Sure, San Francisco may be best known for its innovative tech scene, but its culinary offerings are just as impressive. The City by the Bay has been named the most restaurant-dense city in the country. Here, diners can indulge in dozens of Michelin-starred meals at acclaimed eateries like Atelier Crenn (where haute French cuisine is served in a swanky space),  Mister Jiu's (which features contemporary Chinese-American fare), and Lazy Bear (which bills itself as a “modern American dinner party). Alternatively, for something more casual, make your way to the Ferry Building Marketplace , which is teeming with locally loved food vendors like Acme Bread Company , Dandelion Chocolate , El Porteño Empanadas , Donut Farm , and Hog Island Oyster Company . Lastly, no trip to San Fran is complete without sampling some sourdough (both Josey Baker Bread and Boudin Bakery make some of the best in town) and namesake Mission burritos (locals and travelers alike love Taqueria Cancún )

Houston, Texas

Campwillowlake/Getty Images

As America’s most diverse city, it’s no surprise that Houston made our list of the best U.S. cities for foodies. The Bayou City offers something for every palate. As such, options abound, from Viet-Cajun fusion at Crawfish & Noodles to Southeast Asian-Latin American cuisine at Hawker Street Food Bar , which can be found at Post Market . Speaking of Post, this bustling international food haul features fantastic eats from acclaimed chefs. A few of our favorites include ChópnBlok for its West African fare and East Side King , which serves up Japanese street food like pork buns and beet home fries.  We’d also be remiss not to highlight Houston’s burgeoning food truck scene, including the award-winning Coreanos , where diners can feast on Korean-Mexican fusion like Korean barbeque tacos.

Tucson, Arizona

Courtesy of Boca

Tucson was the first U.S. city to be deemed a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2015. Today, the destination continues to wow culinary connoisseurs with its distinct Native American and Mexican offerings dating back thousands of years. The best Tucson restaurants incorporate locally sourced ingredients into their drinks and dishes. With this in mind, prickly pear margaritas are a staple here, as are nopales (edible cacti). Tucson’s vibrant downtown district has 85-plus bars and restaurants, including Bata (which offers a largely veggie-focused menu — 90 percent of which is sourced within 400 miles of the restaurant) and Boca . Helmed by James Beard finalist Maria Mazon, Boca is famous for its flavorful tacos and salsa flights. An additional 13 new eateries will call Tucson home in 2023, including the brand-new Blue Front , where menu highlights include orange wines, creative cocktails, made-from-scratch pies, and deviled eggs.

Cleveland, Ohio

bhofack2/Getty Images

This Midwestern city has a severely underrated albeit eclectic food scene fueled by nearby farms, local producers, and trailblazing chefs. Moreover, it’s safe to say Cleveland’s culinary scene pays homage to the 100-plus diverse ethnicities that make up the city. For a taste of Cleveland’s best eats, head straight to West Side Market , an indoor-outdoor market that offers something for everyone. Local vendors include Orale! Contemporary Mexican Cuisine, Pierogi Palace , Frank’s Bratwurst , Theresa’s Bakery , and Crepes de Luxe . Then, carve out an afternoon to embark on your very own food tour of the city, including dim sum in AsiaTown and pierogies in Slavic Village . The Land also has an incredible selection of Black-owned and Black-led restaurants like Pearl’s Kitchen for top-notch comfort food, Yonder for delectable brunch, and Cleveland Cold Brew for coffee and pastries. Don’t miss some of the city’s newest spots like Cordelia (which serves comfort food with a Midwestern, nostalgia-inducing twist) and The Judith , a cozy Parisian-inspired cafe.

Asheville, North Carolina

Buxton Hall

Situated in North Carolina’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is easily amongst the best food cities in the U.S. due to its constantly evolving culinary scene. The city’s 120-plus restaurants each offer something special. Don’t miss the James Beard Award-winning restaurant Chai Pani , which serves mouthwatering Indian street food like chicken tikka rolls, crispy pakoras, and butter chicken in a colorful space. Cúrate, another James Beard Award winner worth visiting, is a trendy eatery housed in a 1927-era bus depot serving flavorful Spanish tapas. A trip to North Carolina isn’t complete without some good ol’ BBQ. Enter Buxton Hall Barbecue: This James Beard Award-winning establishment — best known for its pulled pork — utilizes locally sourced pigs that are butchered in-house and smoked for hours.

Louisville, Kentucky

Bloomberg Creative Photos/Getty Images

While Louisville is best known for its bourbon, you won’t want to sleep on its exciting food scene. Boasting more than 2,500 restaurants plus several award-winning chefs, Louisville is sure to delight food and drink enthusiasts alike. You need not skip town without embarking on the Urban Bourbon Trail , which highlights Louisvlle’s best bourbon bars and restaurants — over 40 of them, to be exact. While it may be tricky to hit the whole trail, must-visits include Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar , Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen , and Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar . Finally, you can’t leave Louisville without trying the city’s signature dish, the Hot Brown. This delicious open-face sandwich — which features turkey, bacon, tomatoes, and Mornay sauce smothered on Texas toast – dates back to the 1920s when it was first invented at the Brown Hotel .

Greenville, South Carolina

In recent years, Greenville has reinvented itself from a quiet cotton mill town to a vibrant city chock-full of unique culinary offerings rivaling larger nearby locales like Charlotte and Asheville. Here, you’ll find hundreds of locally owned restaurants, including Camp (which offers an eccentric menu featuring unique dishes like Thai-inspired calamari and lamb smothered in curry cream) and Coral. Feast on fresh seafood at the new-ish Great Jones before snagging an afternoon pick-me-up at Methodical Coffee . Scoundrel — a fantastic French brassiere headlined by acclaimed chef and Greenville native Joe Cash — is the city’s newest haunt.  Other must-visit spots include farm-to-table fan-favorite Topsoil Kitchen & Market (helmed by 2020 James Beard Award semifinalist Adam Cooke) and Mexican eatery Comal 864 (owned and operated by Dayna Lee-Márquez, a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist).

Related Articles

Foodie Flashpacker

Welcome to foodie flashpacker.

Foodie Flashpacker is a food-focused travel site whose mission is to help readers find the best of where and what to eat around the world.

Our founder has been exploring the globe for nearly a decade, seeking the best food experiences around the world. 

As featured in:

The places he hasn’t visited yet, are covered by local expert foodie writers

Our culinary travel guides are the ultimate manual that will help our readers turn each and every trip into a tasty and memorable adventure. 

Travel enthusiasts, digital nomads, world explorers, and lovers of delicious local dishes and different tastes will find this page to be the right step for them! 

Our stories will guide our readers through the diverse flavors in countries around the world. From the must-try Bar Harbor and Hilton Head restaurants to a list of Peruvian dishes worth tasting, this site covers all they need for the best foodie experiences.

WHO IS THIS GUIDE FOR? 

• Those who often travel for work, and the limited hours in their day during business trips don’t allow them to think about their next meal and where to get it. 
• Digital nomads who are always on the go, so they need clear guidance through the abundance of restaurants and eateries where they’re staying.
• Whatever one’s lifestyle may be, time should not be wasted searching for the best restaurant to have a meal. Our readers want to spend quality time enjoying the new place, making new memories, or getting their job done quickly.

But, finding the perfect place can often be quite a challenge, especially when visiting a city or a country for the first time.

So, instead of wasting hours scrolling through sites that only list the best-ranked, and overhyped restaurants, we offer an expert overview of some of the best places around the world.

Instead, what our readers need and can expect from our guide is: 

• An honest review of the place and the food quality.
• Detailed information on the taste and the ingredients used in the meal.
• A story and a deep dive into the history of the place you’re visiting
• More recommendations.

This site covers all of our founders travels across the world so check out the list below to find out more!

Must-Try Bar Harbor Restaurants

8 Hilton Head Restaurants To Try

8 St. Petersburg Restaurants To Visit

Best Banner Elk Restaurants

A tiny hamlet in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Banner Elk is “sandwiched” (note the clever pun in this article about the best Banner Elk restaurants) between Beech Mountain on one side and Sugar Mountain, both premier ski resorts in the North Carolina High Country.

 Best St. Thomas Restaurants

Adorned with powdery, sun-drenched beaches, one of the world’s most beautiful harbors, and multi-hued bluish crystalline waters, St. Thomas is one of three of the U.S. Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean Sea. This magnificent region is blessed with so much natural beauty; it’s utterly breathtaking. No wonder these best St. Thomas restaurants draw so much attention– they are literally located in paradise!

Jefferson NC Restaurants

West Jefferson, NC, located in Ashe County and known as the “Coolest Corner in North Carolina!” Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and bordered by Virginia to the north and Tennessee to the west, we truly are in the coolest corner of the state.

13 Most Iconic Denver Restaurants

Denver may be most well-known for its elevation having over three hundred days of sunshine each year or being a big dog in the American beer scene.

But visitors may be surprised to find a bustling Denver restaurants scene as well! Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’re sure to find no shortage of amazing options for places to eat in Denver.

Mexico Foodie Guide

Your boarding pass to the very best of Mexico. From beach lovers to people who enjoy history and fun activities – every type of visitor can find an itinerary to suit them.

I’ve covered nearly all of Mexico. I have visited the best sites and some of the best must-try restaurants and places that I heartily recommend you try during your stay in the city.

There are so many mesmerizing places around the world, but somehow, my heart lies within Mexico, and I’m about to show you why.

The country is filled with sensational beaches, tropical islands, tourist destinations, and surprising culture. I have gone through a lot of efforts (food) to stitch together the very best of Mexico into this foodie guide, and frankly, It was not an easy thing to do.

11 Must-Try Restaurants in Tulum

Authentic tacos, Mayan ruins, postcard beaches, parties and sun. Describing Tulum BRIEFLY is not doing anyone any good but it’s the easiest way to show what you’re missing if you don’t visit this magnificent place.

13 Must-Try Restaurants in Cancun

It’s easy to write with a belly  full of tacos ! I promise you one thing though, even if you’re not a writer, but a foodie, you will blossom when you try the amazing dishes that Cancun has to offer!

13 Best Guadalajara Restaurants

Everything from street food to fine dining in one place? Yes! Guadalajara is just a mind-blowing soup of different restaurants, each bringing a twist of Mexico to its table!

EUROPE FOODIE GUIDE

Europe is magnificent in its diversity of countries and cultures, each having something unique to offer. This foodie guide dedicated to Europe covers nearly all of the Old Continent. I have visited the best of the best sites and dined in the most amazing restaurants around.

There are plenty of travel articles on Europe, but none of them cover the whole continent. My goal is to show you that there is so much more to Europe than just the usual tourist destinations and typical dishes. 

Europe is huge, and with so much history, you could always be discovering something new. That makes it challenging to cover all the European countries. 

Walking Food Tour Of Athens

Ready for some greek cuisine, Mediterranean sun, and souvlaki? I’ve done the walking food tour of Athens, trying and tasting the best Greek foods on the planet.

10 Best Trento Restaurants

Italy…where to start? Pasta is my favorite dish in the world and when I had a chance to visit Trento, I did without hesitation. One of the best decisions of my life (my diet would disagree!).

Pico Island Azores

Pico Azores reminds me of Mexico but with a completely different twist on the food menu. Seafood, local food and some whale watching. Worth it!

Looking For Things To Do?

Food isn’t the only thing you should try while visiting these amazing places. That’s why I’ve made a specific list of things to do for most of the locations and I’m going to break it all down for you, along with my personal favorites, so that you can check the best and still have time to enjoy more food!

The 12 Best Foodie Gift Sets to Get for the Holiday Seasons

These days, it seems like everyone is a foodie. If you have one in your…

The 30 Best Inexpensive Gifts for Foodies 

Food. It keeps you alive while also being extremely tasty, satisfying, and visually appealing. So,…

Best Foodie Gifts From Amazon | (2023 Best Gift Ideas)

If you’re looking for something unique and delicious to surprise your loved ones, check out…

The 22 Best Things To Do In Detroit Michigan

Detroit is the biggest city in Michigan and one of the most well-known cities in…

The Seven Best Things to Do in Crystal River, FL

When people think of Florida, they typically think of beaches and amusement parks. And while…

The 7 Best Things to Do in York, PA

Some places you visit will equal your expectations. Then again, some places you visit surprise…

There are affiliate links within this website that help me visit places more often and share my experiences with you. I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

TASTE THE WORLD

Before you grab the bite, read more about it!

Our stories open a window into Foodie Flashpacker founder’s and our lives as digital nomads and travel writers, providing curated guides to the best food and restaurants around the world to help our readers make an easy decision that they will never regret.

Foodie Flashpacker is more than just a travel resource with fantastic recommendations of restaurants and dishes. It is a place where anyone can also learn more about them, their origin, and their backstory, а place where people can get an accurate description of the restaurant’s location and atmosphere, as well as the taste of the food and the way it was made.

This is a way to take a deep dive into the rich history and the cultures of countries in all four corners of the world to better understand their diverse culinary industries. The guides we share prove that these places are more than just their tourist attractions and prove that food is more than just a mix of ingredients.

Food tastes better when you know how and why it was made, so follow someone who can guide you through all of that.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

Kenai's Tutka Bay Lodge serves beignets of king crab with aioli sauce.

15 Food Tours Worth the Travel

Treat your taste buds to a global tour of flavors with these food itineraries. The only prerequisite: a healthy appetite.

Craft Beer Calling in Asheville, North Carolina

Combine mineral-rich mountain water and a cool-kid community hopped up on the latest in artisanal suds, and you have craft beer mecca Asheville. With more than 25 breweries, this mountain town makes finding a favorite ale daunting. Guide Cliff Mori leads beer enthusiasts on walking tours of the small-batch brewers in the downtown South Slope area. Come thirsty: You’ll try seven to 10 beers, from IPAs to barrel-aged sour beers. “Brewery Tours of Asheville,” Brew-Ed , 2 hours $37, or 3 hours $50.

Sashimi and You in Japan

Ask worldly chefs to name their favorite food city, and the answer always seems to be Tokyo. Japan’s capital bookends this private food-centric odyssey that includes sake tastings in the old town of Takayama, picking tea leaves in Kyoto Prefecture, and a crash course in ramen prep in Osaka. “Japanese Culinary Exploration,” Global Basecamps , 14 days, $9,378.

Cuisine Revolution in Cuba

Cuba has been forging new culinary paths and celebrating its traditional foods as it opens its doors to the wider world. This gastronomic survey of the island samples the Cuban-Mediterranean fare at Atelier, a paladar , or privately owned restaurant, in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, and such plates as seafood-papaya lasagna at the paladar La Guarida. Work up an appetite between bites by learning salsa moves from a local pro and how to make the perfect daiquiri with a bartender from the famed El Floridita. A bonus: Your ride is a ’57 Chevy. “Cuba Culinary Tour,” Access Trips , 8 days, starting at $3,590.

Say Cheese—and Chocolate in Switzerland

Travel from the 800-year-old lakeside town of Lucerne to the ski resort of Zermatt for an immersion in Alpine culture and cuisine, including a visit to Maison Cailler, the home of Switzerland’s oldest milk chocolate brand; a tour of the walled medieval cheese village of Gruyères; and a raclette tasting at the 16th-century Château de Villa, east of Geneva in the canton of Valais. “Cheese, Chocolate, and the Scenic Alps,” Alpenwild , 9 days, $3,795.

Mint tea is poured from on high in Fes, Morocco, to form a surface foam.

Tilework decorates the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, in nearby Meknès, a town known for its wineries.

Fiesta Fare in Oaxaca, Mexico

Chef Susana Trilling shows off the flavorful heritage of Oaxaca, her adopted home, by guiding cultural tours and leading classes in everything from making queso to mastering mole sauces. Her seven-day “Dia de Muertos” course combines culinary lessons with field trips to learn about Day of the Dead customs. “Dia de Muertos Course,” Seasons of My Heart , 7 days, $2,300.

Backcountry Bounty in Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula is the land of king salmon, Kachemak Bay oysters, and a wide variety of wild edibles, from berries to mushrooms to seaweed. Visit a bivalve farm, forage in a forest of Sitka spruce trees, and learn to cook such local dishes as salmon bacon in rhubarb lacquer with chef Kirsten Dixon of the Tutka Bay Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. “Tutka Bay Lodge Culinary Retreat,” Within the Wild , 4 days, $2,185.

Curry in Context in India

Spectacular sites such as the Taj Mahal combine with flavor-packed dishes on this “real food adventure” that has you sampling parathas (flatbreads), chaatsnacks , and Goan fish curry; preparing a traditional meal in Udaipur; and visiting a spice farm in Goa. “Real Food Adventure: India,” Intrepid Travel , 15 days, from $2,170.

Tomato Queen in Sicily, Italy

The Anna Tasca Lanza cooking school, based in a farmstead east of Palermo, has been teaching the finer points of Sicilian cooking for more than 25 years. Fabrizia Lanza offers a workshop around that Italian kitchen staple, tomato paste. Breaks from canning include jaunts to a local cheesemaker and a coffee roaster. “Preserving August,” Anna Tasca Lanza Sicilian Cooking Experience , 6 days, $2,500.

Sidewalk fare in Hoi An, Vietnam, includes an array of tropical fruits.

Chilling With Master Chefs in Chile

Lauded in the food world as the latest star in South America’s culinary constellation, Chile finally is getting the love it deserves. Find out what the fuss is about on one of a series of tours inspired by the television series MasterChef . Browse the Central Market in the capital city, Santiago, where you can try conger eel chowder that inspired Pablo Neruda’s ode to caldillo de congrio ; sip Carménère wine in the cowboy country of the Colchagua Valley; and cook lunch with Chilean food ambassador Pilar Rodriguez. “Chilean Wine and Cuisine: Inspired by MasterChef,” Cox & Kings , 9 days, $4,995.

Medina Dining in Fes, Morocco

Your base is a traditional riad (courtyard residence) in the old quarter of Fes, Morocco’s cultural heart. From here, explore Roman ruins and the Berber town of Azrou when not cooking North African classics such as tagine , couscous, and zaalouk , a dip made with eggplants and tomatoes. “A Feast for the Senses in Morocco,” International Kitchen , 7 days, $2,550.

Toasting the Caucasus in Georgia

With its ancient winemaking culture and hearty cuisine anchored by khachapuri (cheese-stuffed bread) and khinkali (brothy meat dumplings), the republic of Georgia has been wooing visitors to the Caucasus Mountains. This itinerary explores four regions of the country, including the wine country of Kakheti, where ceramists make qvevri, the huge earthenware vessels used to ferment wines. “A Taste of Georgia: Wine, Cuisine & Culture,” MIR Corporation , 12 days, $4,795.

"White rose" shrimp dumplings are a Hoi An special.

The Ways of Wonton in Hong Kong

Traveler contributor Daisann McLane designs private food tours (three people max) that reveal the culinary nuances of such culturally vibrant Hong Kong neighborhoods as Wan Chai, Sheung Wan, and Sham Shui Po. Tastes run from egg custard tarts to pork and dim sum. Little Adventures in Hong Kong , 4 hours, $115.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Where Great Flavors Converge in Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy

A series of treks from Zagreb, Croatia, to Venice, Italy, traverses one of the richest culinary corners of Europe. Highlights include the Istrian Peninsula, known for its olive oil and truffles, and the Collio wine country that straddles the hills of Slovenia and Italy, famous for its bottles of big reds. Also on the itinerary: day-trips to the Škocjan Caves, a World Heritage site, and Slovenia’s capital of cool, Ljubljana. “Istria to Venice: A Culinary Route,” Mountain Travel Sobek , 9 days, $4,595.

To Market to Market in Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An, a town on Vietnam’s central coast, is considered one of the country’s food hubs. Learn why on a guided walk through the Tan An markets, meeting vendors and tasting dau hu , a warm tofu custard served with ginger syrup, and sinh to trai cay , a shake made with fruit, condensed milk, and ice. “The Original Taste of Hoi An Food Tour,” Taste of Hoi An , 4 hours, $65.

Bikes and Bottles in Western Cape, South Africa

This cycling tour of the wine country outside Cape Town routes you to producers in Robertson Valley and the Stellenbosch region, such as Kanonkop, known for its Pinotage. Also on offer: a visit to the Klipdrift brandy distillery and a whale-watching excursion. “Cycling South Africa’s Winelands: The Cape’s Boutique Producers,” Immersion Journeys , 7 days, from $3,295.

Charleston-based Margaret Loftus is a frequent writer and contributing editor for National Geographic Travel. Follow her on twitter @pegloftus .

Related Topics

You may also like.

These 21 culinary gems are worth a trip in 2024

Wine tourism is making a big splash in Uruguay

Become a subscriber and support our award-winning editorial features, videos, photography, and much more..

For as little as $2/mo.

A taste of Rioja, from crispy croquetas to piquillo peppers

4 of the best food experiences in Savoy, France

A food guide to Barcelona, from historic markets to atmospheric vermouth bars

How to plan a walking tour of Lille, France's beer capital

A culinary journey through Sicily's food and wine, in the shadow of Mount Etna

• Best of the World
• Interactive Graphic
• Environment
• Paid Content

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• Out of Eden Walk
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

A Travel & Food Blog

Explore global cuisines, cultures, and destinations through vibrant travel and food narratives

About The Foody

The Foody is your culinary compass, guiding you through the world’s gastronomic delights. Discover mouthwatering recipes to recreate at home and uncover the top restaurants in diverse cities, serving up tantalizing flavors and unforgettable dining experiences. Join us on a journey of epicurean exploration and culinary inspiration

Our Recipes

Dive into our diverse repertoire of mouthwatering recipes sourced from around the world. Whether you crave comforting classics or crave adventurous tastes, our culinary treasury awaits your exploration

Explore Best Restaurants in Favorite Spots​

Discover the top dining spots in favorite destinations, offering diverse culinary delights and unforgettable dining experiences for every palate

• Inspiration
• Destinations
• Places To Stay
• Style & Culture
• Food & Drink
• Wellness & Spas
• News & Advice
• Partnerships
• Traveller's Directory
• Travel Tips
• Competitions

The best food and travel shows to watch right now

Joanna Lumley’s Home Sweet Home – Travels In My Own Land

Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley has retired the infamous Patsy Stone and gone on to make a string of travel documentaries, flitting from the USA to Japan. Her 2021 series is closer to home as she drives around the UK in an Aston Martin DB5 taking in some of the country’s most popular staycation spots. Episodes include stints on Devon ’s epic moors and Cornwall’s pretty island of St Michael’s Mount, as well as in North Wales, the Peak District and her hometown, London. Available to watch on ITV Hub

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

In this offshoot from his Ugly Delicious show, the preposterously busy David Chang hits the road for four hour-long adventures with comedians. He’s in Vancouver with local lad Seth Rogen, fishing and giggling, getting lost in a maze and above all revelling in the city’s Asian food emporia. Then he’s in Marrakech with Chrissy Teigen and in LA with Lena Waithe before the best of the bunch, visiting Phnom Penh with Kate McKinnon. The Saturday Night Live comic and Ghostbusters actor is charming, open and interested in everything around her as they talk Buddhism, ride helicopters and tuk-tuks, and dig surprisingly deep into the issues of a rapidly changing country. Streaming on Netflix

Conan Without Borders

This really is something different. For those outside of the USA, chat-show host Conan O’Brien is very much an unknown quantity, and this show may well be equally baffling: it’s a travel programme but directed primarily for laughs and with the reaction of a studio audience added as if it’s an in-show segment. We get Conan being tall, zany and actually pretty witty in the usual places Americans are interested in: Cuba, Korea, Mexico, Israel, Haiti and Italy. Don’t expect to get all the references but give it a go. Streaming on Netflix

Frankie Boyle’s Tour of Scotland

Well, he’s certainly mellowed. Once the scourge of tabloid and liberal broadsheet alike, the comic has revealed more humanity as his face has been ever more hidden under a beard. He’s still sharp, as the introduction shows – ‘There comes a time in every comedian’s career when they decide to do travelogues,’ he tells us – though this is much richer than the sitcom-character-goes-to-Africa formula we’re used to. Over four episodes, each given a very loose theme, he enjoys Scotland’s camera-friendliness – the coast, moors and monumental architecture – and meets a parade of eccentric locals. His secret weapon is asking unusual questions, ensuring a wide range of subjects: one episode alone covers Mary Queen of Scots, martial arts, protests and funfairs. Be warned: contains adult content and sarcasm. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Great Railway Journeys

Want to take the train but can’t face Michael Portillo and his range of bright slacks? Now’s the time to dive into iPlayer, then, as the Tory grandee’s monopoly on rail travel falls off the rotation, leaving this multi-presenter series from 1994. Follow the lovely Michael Palin to Ireland and the awkwardly charming Clive Anderson to China, and watch ballerina Natalia Makarova take on her native Russia and the great BBC correspondent Mark Tully head to India. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Griff’s Great Australian Adventure

Despite an unpromising start – do we need a TV comic to tell us that ‘this is a big place’, or that he’s about to embark on ‘the journey of a lifetime’? – this is well worth your time. Griff Rhys Jones travels around the great southern land by train, packing a great deal into his 30-minute episodes. Along with crocs, sheep-shearing, gold-prospecting and whitewater-rafting, he joins the drag scene in Broken Hill, digs into the poetry of the Outback and hitches a ride with a Flying Doctor. Throughout, he transcends the formula by being well-informed and showing an interest in people. Streaming on ITV Hub

My Greek Odyssey

If you enjoyed the last season of The Trip but felt there was too much competitive banter and not enough Greek scenery, then this is for you. Be warned, however, that host Peter Maneas is a character beyond even the imaginings of Steve Coogan: a full-on Aussie of Hellenic extraction, he’s colourful, exuberant and generally not backward in coming forward, all to the power of 10. If you can handle that, then join him on his mission to visit every one of his homeland’s 227 inhabited islands, starting with Season 1’s tour of the Saronic and Ionian, including Hydra , Spetses , Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Included with Amazon Prime membership

Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father

The comedian is a divisive figure, but less so than the man he insists on calling ‘Daddy’, an old showbiz hand who’s loving his spell in the spotlight. It’ll take five minutes to decide whether you’re up for this show, but if you can take the intergenerational eager-puppy-versus-stuffed-shirt banter you do get a lot of travel for your time. In season one they hit South-east Asia to live out Whitehall’s cancelled gap year, while season two is a cultural tour of eastern Europe led by his father Michael. In both cases, hijinks ensue, locals are baffled and we’re lightly entertained. Streaming on Netflix

Dark Tourist

New Zealand journalist David Farrier looks like a geography teacher and often appears more scared than you’d expect from someone in his line of work, but he’s a curiously engaging host for this tour of unlikely, unsafe and unsavoury destinations. Usually wearing pink patterned shorts, he ventures to nuclear disaster zones, serial-killer hotspots, voodoo rituals and the dreadful, monolithic emptiness of Turkmenistan. His show is genuinely informative and remarkably un-hipster. Streaming on Netflix

Now eight seasons in, this short-haul travelogue is admirably dependable. A lot of that is down to actor-director Richard Ayoade, who can bend his deadpan wit to provide a foil to whichever fellow comedian he has in tow for that week ’s 48-hour city break (including occasional Hollywood stars such as Jon Hamm and Paul Rudd). It’s basically a comedy but, for all the eccentric hotels , drinking and quirky-museum-hunting, this show is still a reliable indicator of whether you’ll enjoy two nights or more in that week’s destination , so bring on season nine. Catch up on All 4

The Mind of a Chef

Chef-profile shows can merge into a blur of hot men in dark rooms talking about sourcing and knives, but this PBS show is in sharp focus – partly because episodes last just 23 minutes. Each of its five seasons are hosted by a different chef, from David Chang, who presents Netflix’s Ugly Delicious , to Prune author Gabrielle Hamilton, who traces a dish to its source, has a good dig and still manages to get in more travel trimmings than most of the hour-long competition. Season five’s resident Ludo Lefebvre is particularly good value – look out for his outraged attempt to reclaim Jersey for France on a lobster-fishing trip. Stream it on Netflix

The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan

Currently vying for the title of most familiar face on British TV, Ranganathan generally trades on sardonic wit but these tours of ‘the places others avoid’ break through the cynical veneer to show the thoughtful and frequently terrified everyman inside the comedy sports-quiz panellist. In the latest, second season he journeys to Zimbabwe, Mongolia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Colombia. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Around the World in 80 Gardens

Led by the soothing, earnest tones of Monty Don, this is a different and highly satisfying tour of the globe, first screened in 2008. Naturally each region’s flora and plant-husbandry tell us something about the culture and landscape, and our thoughtful and well-informed host is just the man to tell us how. Starting in Mexico and Cuba with rainforests and colonialism, he passes through the the tomb gardens of India’s Mughal emperors, the floating wonders of the Amazon, the Imperial Summer Palace of Beijing, Emperor Hadrian’s Retreat in Italy and the perfection of the Alhambra in Granada, via Bali, Bangkok and the Arctic Circle. You don’t need green fingers to enjoy this, just a love of beauty. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Somebody Feed Phil

If you don’t know Everybody Loves Raymond , the American sitcom he created – actually, even if you do – you may find Philip Rosenthal a distracting host: odd, distracted, awkward. Still, he sure loves his food and Netflix sure loves him, bankrolling 12 episodes of this foodie travelogue that takes him all over the world to Bangkok , Tel Aviv , Buenos Aires , Dublin and Mexico City (always Mexico). It’s a pretty easy ride – he walks around a bit, eats some local dishes, gets excited – but it’s fun, and you’ll like Phil. Streaming on Netflix

National Geographic Presents

Dig deep into the travel-related content from the always-reliable NatGeo. For that unique combination of brashness and culinary genius, there’s Gordon Ramsay Uncharted , where the king of the TV cooks heads for Peru, Morocco, Laos and more. The Bear Grylls-narrated Hostile Planet is a fascinating look at how animals have adapted to the most difficult conditions, from icecap to desert to ocean – highlights include a jaguar hunting crocodiles in the Amazon. Adventure fans, meanwhile, should dive into Lost Treasures of the Maya , where explorer Albert Lin hunts down lost civilization with new tech. Streaming on Disney+

Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon’s semi-improvised wander between scenically sited restaurants is a journey that bears repeating. The original six-part run through the North of England in 2010, where both idea and stars were at their freshest and there was a real edge of melancholy tod the impressions and repartee, remains the best but it’s hard to argue with Season 2’s finale in Capri, where two middle-aged men talk rubbish against one of the world’s most beautiful backdrops, and Season 3’s visit to Spain kept up the quality. This year, of course, the boys were back for a tour of Greece. Find out where Season 4 of The Trip was filmed. Stream on Amazon Prime Pictured: Adatepe Ida Blue Hotel

All Aboard! The Great Reindeer Migration

From BBC4’s ‘Slow Christmas’ series, this 2018 programme follows the Sami reindeer herds of Norway on their 160-mile trek north through Finnmark to the Arctic Circle. With no eager presenters to tell us how amazing/dangerous/unchanged it is (though all those things are true), the result is more like a visual poem or guided meditation – most of it just the jangle of the animals’ bells, traditional singing and barking dogs over aerial views and close-ups. And breathe… Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

Dating from 2013 to 2018, this CNN series may just be the great legacy of the Godfather of the foodie-travel genre. The effortlessly cool and much-missed NY chef really scratches his adventurer’s itch here, starting with the just reopened Myanmar, Libya and the Congo, and throwing in local-knowledge trips to US cities as well. Regardless of the destination, though, the aim is the same: to live a more interested and interesting life. Watch and learn lessons for travel and beyond. Season 1 streaming on My5. Seasons 1-5 included with Amazon Prime membership

Floyd on France

A time capsule from a different age (1987, to be precise), this makes a pretty startling contrast to the current Netflix foodie doc. Bow-tied and boozy, the late Keith Floyd sets off from a land barely out of the boiled-mutton-and-suet dark ages and barges into the kitchens of France, then considered the world leader of haute cuisine. However misguided his confidence, his enthusiasm and astonishing ability to drink and talk are wondrous to behold as he charges through Provence, Périgord, Burgundy, Alsace, the Basque Country and Brittany. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Ugly Delicious

Momofuku chef and Vice graduate David Chang (see also The Mind of a Chef ) gets down and dirty on this show, sold under the motto ‘Food is a four-letter word’. Each episode looks hard at one home-cooking favourite, with help from guest chefs or foodies, giving American comfort food, from pizza to fried chicken, the kind of attention usually reserved for haute cuisine. Just added is Season 2, where David deals with worries about feeding his forthcoming baby, looks at ways of eating beef, investigates curry with Aziz Ansari and explores the world of kebabs. Streaming on Netflix

World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys – C5/MY5

If you’re drawn to the romance of rail travel but don’t need the usual celebrity guide, fill your boots with this six-parter. There’s a Rocky Mountain ride past lakes, rainforest and wandering bears from Vancouver to Banff, an architecture-heavy tour of northern Spain, volcanoes and sacred hunting grounds in New Zealand, plus trips through Wales, Norway and to the Matterhorn in Switzerland. It’s packed with business and all very thorough, well-researched and beautifully filmed, and the narration is in the capable hands of Bill Nighy. Streaming on My5

Salt Fat Acid Heat

Hosting this adaptation of her own book, chef Samin Nosrat proves an exuberant, natural presenter. The high-concept format – four journeys in pursuit of the four titular pillars of cooking – provides the structure, leaving Nosrat to enthuse and convince with the help of chefs from Japan , Italy , Mexico and California . And though it’s mostly kitchen-based, the show always has a strong sense of place, whether in the olive groves of Liguria, Italy , on the cable car to Japan’s Shōdoshima island or under the corrugated roofs of Oxkutzcab in Mexico. Streaming on Netflix

Huang’s World

Tattooed, perma-vested Eddie Huang is a true one-off. An attorney, restaurateur and author (of televised memoir Fresh Off The Boat ), he’s also a man with a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for food, and the most energetic host in food-travel TV. This series is excellent value; Huang is unafraid to talk to experts and locals alike and always has his nose in the action. Catch up on All4

…with Simon Reeve

While others provide entertainment, the perturbingly youthful but tremendously wise Reeve brings the information part of the BBC’s Reithian values. With his background in investigative reporting, he digs that bit deeper while retaining the Bear Grylls-meets-Brian Cox enthusiasm that ensures you always know this is about travel rather than history or politics. You’ll find a selection of his trips on BBC iPlayer, from the six-part Indian Ocean journey and three-part whistlestop tour round Australia to a one-off in Colombia . Catch up on BBC iPlayer

Rick Stein’s Seafood Odyssey

In this series from 1999, the doyen of British seafood has a quick look at how the rest of the world does it. He cooks shark vindaloo in Goa, tries percebes (goose barnacles) picked from the rocks in Galicia, has seabass and oysters in Chesapeake Bay and generally enthuses about grills, saucepans and fishing nets in Naples, Queensland and Thailand before heading closer to home for a fish supper in Whitby. Streaming on BBC iPlayer

Arabia with Levison Wood

British Army officer Wood is an explorer in the classic mould, and solo walks are a speciality ( the Himalayas , the Nile, Central America , Russia ). This programme finds him, Bedouin-scarved and deeply tanned, touring 13 countries and 5,000 miles of the Arabian peninsula, crossing Oman ’s Empty Quarter by camel, embedding himself with troops fighting Isis in Yemen and exchanging selfies in Saudi Arabia. There’s all the derring-do and endurance you could ask for, but he’s also a sensitive and curious companion. Watch on Amazon Prime

Like this? Now read:

Where 'Call Me By Your Name' was filmed in Italy

Where is Big Little Lies filmed?

Where 'Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again' was filmed in Croatia

The 25 best travel destinations for foodies!

10 Traditional Meals To Try In Moscow

Moscow is best known for its squares, towers, and beautiful architecture, but there are also plenty of delicious traditional meals to try in Moscow. Writing about top meals to try in Moscow is not easy. But not because there’s not much good stuff to choose from; absolutely not. It’s hard because they have a wide range of mouth-watering appetizers, vegetarian and meat dishes.

Prior to traveling to Moscow, I didn’t know much about Russian cuisine and Russian food culture. By doing some research and talking to relatives of mine who have already been there, I had a great introduction to all of the best foods to eat in Moscow.

I was pleasantly surprised by all that Moscow had to offer and I’d be happy to eat here again! With the new twist in global politics, the Russian way of cooking might have gotten the second breath. As contemporary Russians are clearly reinventing traditional meals, there are tons of places to eat in Moscow and the culinary scene is very diverse.

Bali Travel Tips Every First-Time Visitor Should Know

From fatty meat, pancakes, and cabbage to hearty dumplings and pierogi that come with various fillings, Russian food has a reputation for being very affordable. Even the tastiest meals are often quite cheap and can be found everywhere – from Soviet-themed canteens to upscale restaurants.

Here’s a list of popular Russian food meals and my favorite restaurants for traditional Russian cuisine that remind me of my recent trip to Moscow. Enjoying local food can be a great introduction to Russian culture but beware. Russian food is appetizing, filling and addictive, so make sure you reserve enough time to walk off those calories. I’m going to tell you a secret – it’s making me so hungry right now. Why did I do this to myself?

1. Pelmeni (Russian Meat Dumplings)

When people think about what to eat in Moscow, Russian meat dumplings are almost always on top of the list. Dumplings may have originated in China, but this dish has been adapted to become a staple food item in Russian cuisine. Unlike the Chinese Jiaozi, Russian meat dumplings are often smaller and semicircular, rectangular or triangular in shape.

While the local legend has it that Pelmeni originated on the slopes of the Ural mountains, dumplings, as well as, their vegetarian version – vareniki are extremely popular in Russia.

Insider Tips for Traveling to Hong Kong

Vareniki are just delicious if you are vegetarian. Wrapped in an envelope of unleavened dough, vareniki are commonly filled with potatoes, apple puree, or sweet cottage cheese.

In contrast to vareniki, traditional Russian dumplings are stuffed with minced meat, onion, and herbs and enjoyed with sour cream, tomato sauce, or vinegar. Locals just love to keep dumplings in the freezer, adding them into boiling water when they don’t have an hour to spend simmering dinner over the stove.

Where to get them: Lepim i Varim (Stoleshnikov lane 9/1). They claim to use meat that is fresh and has never been frozen, and you’ll need to eat a lot of dumplings if you want to prove them wrong.

2. Blini (Russian Pancakes)

Aside from dumplings, a stack of plain and hot blini (pancakes) is still the most popular thing on the menu in Moscow. Similar to classic French crepes, traditional Russian pancakes are paper-thin. Made from wheat, eggs, and milk, blini are thicker and greasier than crepes and served either sweet or savory.

If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be in heaven here. Russian pancakes can be filled with blueberry jam, strawberry sauce or honey. Although there are also a ton of great traditional recipes that require using additions such as caviar, sour cream or smoked salmon.

3 Days In Shanghai: The Perfect Itinerary

Where to get them: While the city is dotted with eateries where you can try blinis, Breakfast Cafe (M. Nikitskaya 2/1) is definitely a place to find a budget-friendly selection of blini which includes sweet options, fruity options, meat options, or the classic savory.

3. Pierogi (Pies)

Enjoyed as an on-the-go snack, pierogi can envelop pretty much anything – from the minced meat, cabbage, and potatoes to apple jam and cottage cheese. A smaller version of this Russian appetizer is known as pirozhki and comes at a very affordable price, often for less than $1.

Read Next: Best Things To Do on Socotra

Where to get them: As ubiquitous blinis and dumplings, you’ll find pierogi just about everywhere – obviously the further out of the city center you go, the cheaper you’ll find them. I had mine at Stolle (Pyatnitskaya 3/4), and very succulent they were too!

4. Shchi (Cabbage Soup)

When it comes to naming staple foods of Russian cuisine, shchi would be at the top of the list. This cabbage soup is a large part of Russian culture mostly due to its simplicity. With a quick and easy recipe, shchi has become a quite common meal at all levels of society.

How Travel Helps You Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone

If you are vegetarian you will love this soup because it is traditionally made from cabbage or sauerkraut, potatoes, carrots, onions, and various spices with optional meat add-ins. Modern Russians use meat broth and sauerkraut in winter, preferring light vegetable broth in Summer. I was lucky enough to compare and try homemade shchi with restaurant shchi. So I liked the idea of adding a little vinegar flavor in the soup.

Where to get them: All over the country, but I first sampled it in Grabli Cafe (Arbat 1). And now I’m completely addicted to it. Send help.

5. Borscht (Beet Soup)

When people hear “Ukrainian traditional food” they immediately think of borscht. But hey, don’t we supposed to talk about Russian food here? Yup, you’re right! Borscht is a bit of an international celebrity and has so many different versions, including vegetarian, that I can’t help but mention it here!

How to plan the Perfect Day Trip from Venice to Burano Island

Traditional borscht is one of my favorite Russian soups. It’s simple, hearty, and filling. Normally, it’s just a meat broth with vegetables like cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onions, and beetroot that gives the soup its distinctive red color. This soup is served both hot and cold depending on the season, and in some regions, they might also add kidney beans, turnips, vegetable marrows.

When in Moscow, you’ll want to try their version of borscht – expect to spot beef, ham, and sausage pieces in the broth. For a decent version of borscht, visit Taras Bulba tavern (Petrovka str 30/7) that is a ten-minute walk from the Tverskaya subway station.

6. Salad Olivier (Russian Salad)

Nothing is more evocative of the influence of French culture in Russia than in the effects on the traditional cuisine of the country. Salad olivier is, perhaps, the most apt example. Originally invented by the Belgian chef Lucien Olivier, the salad has become an iconic food during the Soviet and Post-Soviet period.

Tips for Planning a Trip to Shenzhen

Authentic Olivier salad contained veal tongue, caviar, lettuce, crayfish, gherkins, and smoked duck. But times have changed and the ingredients now tend toward the boiled eggs, bologna sausage, potatoes, and pickles all bound with mayonnaise.

An update of Olivier version, known as Stolichny, became a staple of Russian cuisine and a typical dish served at the New Year’s Eve tables. If you want to try original, more exquisite Olivier salad, you should eat Dr.Zhivago’s (Mokhovaya str, 15/1) version. It is not the original recipe but has some of that imperial richness.

7. Beef Stroganoff

I don’t know what could be more synonymous with Moscow then beef stroganoff. Walk down any block in Central Moscow and you will come across a restaurant serving it. I was somewhat skeptical at first but now I have to admit – nothing beats a plate of beef stroganoff topped with sour cream sauce together with onions and mushrooms. Yum. I had some of the best beef stroganoff of my life in Moscow.

The Epic 3-Day Sydney Itinerary

According to a widespread belief, this dish as we know it originated when French chef Andre Dupont served it to please his boss – the Russian Count Alexander Stroganoff. Another legend has it that lightly floured beef cubes (but not strips) sauced with prepared mustard and broth served specially for the guests of Count. Since the dish could be easily divided into portions it became incredibly popular among nobles and commoners.

The beef stroganoff at Villa Della Pasta (Pyatnitskaya, 26) is all of the unapologetic excesses of the years before revolution sautéed into one mouth-watering, hearty, rib-sticking dish. And like the Hermitage Museum or the Red Square, you really shouldn’t say you hate beef stroganoff without giving it a go first.

This is where my Moscow food guide becomes a Moscow drink guide because Kvass is… *drumroll*… a drink! Who’d have thought? But you shouldn’t leave Russia without giving the country’s version of Coca Cola a try, because, in my opinion, it’s better than the Red and White.

Russian food culture inevitably connected with drinking kvass. This fermented beverage has been known since the 10th century AD according to ancient Russian text. At that time kvass was the alcoholic drink, and it was stronger than beer we know today.

Step-by-Step Guide to Visiting Yangon: A 2-day Yangon Itinerary

The alcohol percentage in ancient Russian kvass could achieve 16%. Everything has changed so kvass today only contains up to 1% alcohol, so even kids are allowed to drink it.

This traditional fermented drink is very popular in summer so you will find countless brands to choose from. It is widely available at grocery stores. But you really have to try homemade kvass at the local market or restaurants that brew their own kvass. The taste is so much different from the brands you’ll find at the supermarket.

Where to get it: While there are plenty of grocery stores to grab a kvass, I got mine at Burgermeister restaurant (Teatralnaya square, 5/2). They have a strong focus on beer, their kvass’s just as good.

9. Buckwheat Porridge

Yet another staple food of Russian cuisine. While I’m not a big fan of buckwheat porridge (or “gretchka” as locals call it), boiled buckwheat is definitely something that keeps Russians on track! It provides more protein than rice, wheat, millet, or corn and completely gluten-free.

From ancient times this nourishing, but cheap and easy, the dish is something you can find just about everywhere in the country. If you would ask me why do Russians have it with almost every meal, I would tell you that it has a nutty flavor and because one serving of buckwheat set one up for a long day.

I had buckwheat porridge for breakfast that kept me full until lunch owing to the slow release of energy. The classical buckwheat dish is crumby may resemble brown rice. You can eat it as a side dish to meat, pairing particularly well with offal and wild game. But my favorite is to serve it with fresh cold milk and sugar as I had for breakfast.

The best part of my meal was the honesty of my waiter at GrechkaLab (Pushechnaya str, 7/5). When I ordered buckwheat porridge with onions, he looked at me funny, “No, that will not be good.” I was a bit taken aback and he explained that the buckwheat porridge is too mild and dry to eat on its own and needed to go with piquant meatballs or milk. I said I wanted to try it anyways and he reluctantly put the order in. Sure enough, buckwheat porridge was tasteless on its own and I should have trusted his judgment. It was refreshing to have the honest opinion of a waiter and he turned out to be completely correct.

10. Solyanka Soup

This thick and spicy soup is an incredible mixture of incongruous ingredients can be served as the first and the second course. Solyanka is a Medieval Russian dish was especially popular among the peasantry. Made with various types of sausages, potatoes, carrots, onions, pickled cucumbers, the soup is very hearty and will definitely keep you nice and warm when it is chilly outside.

Definitely, traditional Russian food is great and it was hard for me to narrow down the list to just ten. I haven’t even begun to touch on the classic dishes that need to be tried. Stroganina, okroshka, borodinsky bread, kholodets. Not to mention vodka. That will require a list all its own.

Traditional Meals To Try In Moscow: Final Thoughts

I hope you get a chance to try all the amazing food Moscow has to offer! You have so many options to keep your mouth busy during your trip to Moscow!

If you have any other suggestions or questions let me know here or get in touch on Instagram or Facebook . I love hearing from you!

JOIN THE FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER!

Email Address *

YOU WILL ALSO LIKE

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

15 Fantastic and Easy Day Trips Close to Moscow

When Is the Best Time To Visit Russia

No comments.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

My website uses cookies so that I can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to my website and helping me to understand which sections of Mind The Travel you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that I can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, I will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit my website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

A Foodie’s Guide to Moscow: 10 Must-Try Restaurants and Local Cuisine

Introduction:

Moscow, the bustling capital city of Russia, is not only famous for its rich history and stunning architecture but also for its vibrant food scene. From traditional Russian dishes to international cuisines, Moscow offers a plethora of culinary delights that are sure to satisfy any foodie’s cravings. In this guide, we will take you on a gastronomic journey through the city, highlighting 10 must-try restaurants and local cuisine.

1. Café Pushkin:

Address: Tverskoy Blvd, 26A, Moscow, 125009 Website: cafe-pushkin.ru Café Pushkin is an iconic Moscow institution that offers a unique dining experience. Housed in a grand 19th-century mansion, the restaurant takes you back in time with its elegant decor and classic Russian cuisine. Indulge in dishes like beef stroganoff, borscht, and blinis while immersing yourself in the old-world charm of the venue. Don’t forget to visit the pastry counter on the ground floor, where you can find an array of delectable Russian sweets and pastries.

2. White Rabbit:

Address: Smolenskaya Square, 3, Moscow, 121099 Website: whiterabbitmoscow.ru Perched on the 16th floor of a skyscraper, White Rabbit offers not only breathtaking panoramic views of Moscow but also a culinary experience like no other. This restaurant combines Russian traditions with innovative techniques to create a menu that is both visually stunning and delicious. The dishes are beautifully presented and often feature seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Make sure to try their famous “Tree Cake” dessert, a multi-layered masterpiece that is as tasty as it is Instagrammable.

3. Mari Vanna:

Address: Spiridon’yevskiy per., 10A, Moscow, 123001 Website: marivanna.ru Mari Vanna is a cozy and charming restaurant that transports you to a traditional Russian home. The interior is adorned with vintage items, floral wallpapers, and old photographs, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. The menu features classic Russian dishes with a homestyle touch. Indulge in hearty comfort foods like pelmeni (dumplings), borscht, and Olivier salad. Don’t miss the chance to try their infused vodkas, which come in a variety of flavors and add an extra dimension to your dining experience.

Address: ul. Malaya Dmitrovka, 7/5, Moscow, 125009 Website: durdin.ru A true hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Moscow, Durdin is a small Georgian restaurant that will transport you straight to the Caucasus region. The cozy interior features traditional Georgian decorations, creating an inviting ambiance. The menu is filled with Georgian delights such as khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), khinkali (dumplings), and shashlik (grilled meat). Pair your meal with a glass of Georgian wine, renowned for its high quality and unique flavors.

Address: Tverskaya St, 27, Moscow, 125009 Website: shinok.ru If you want to experience authentic Ukrainian cuisine without leaving Moscow, Shinok is the place to go. This rustic restaurant recreates the atmosphere of a traditional Ukrainian village, with its wooden interiors and folk decorations. The menu showcases a variety of Ukrainian classics, including varenyky (dumplings), borscht, and salo (cured pork fat). The portions are generous, and the flavors are rich and comforting. Shinok also offers live music performances, adding to the overall festive ambiance.

6. Korchma Taras Bulba:

Address: Mokhovaya St, 28, Moscow, 125009 Website: tarasbulba.ru Korchma Taras Bulba is a Ukrainian restaurant chain with several branches in Moscow, but it is the one on Mokhovaya Street that stands out. The rustic wooden interiors, colorful Ukrainian decorations, and friendly staff create an inviting atmosphere. The menu offers a wide range of Ukrainian dishes, including traditional soups, grilled meats, and a variety of varenyky (also known as pierogies). Save room for dessert and try their heavenly honey cake, which will leave you craving for more.

8. Danilovsky Market:

Address: Mytnaya St, 74, Moscow, 115191 Website: danilovsky.market For a unique culinary experience in Moscow, head to Danilovsky Market, a bustling food market that showcases the best of Russian and international cuisines. Here, you can find an array of stalls and food counters offering everything from fresh produce and meats to street food and gourmet treats. Indulge in traditional Russian snacks like pirozhki (stuffed pastries) or try dishes from different parts of the world. You can also purchase high-quality ingredients to take home and recreate your favorite Russian dishes.

9. Dr. Zhivago:

Address: Kuznetskiy Most St, 5/6, Moscow, 125009 Website: drzhivago.ru Dr. Zhivago is a contemporary restaurant that pays homage to Russian cuisine with a modern twist. Located in the heart of Moscow, this stylish eatery offers a menu featuring classic Russian dishes presented in a creative and innovative way. From their reinvented Olivier salad to their succulent beef stroganoff, every bite is a delight. The restaurant’s chic interiors, inspired by Soviet nostalgia, add to the overall experience. For a truly unique Moscow experience, try their signature cocktail, the “Mule Russe,” a Russian twist on the classic Moscow Mule.

10. XVII Vek:

Address: Kutuzovskiy Ave, 36/1, Moscow, 121170 Website: 17vek.ru Located in the prestigious Moscow City district, XVII Vek offers a fine dining experience combined with a breathtaking view of Moscow’s skyline. This elegant restaurant specializes in modern Russian cuisine with influences from European and Asian traditions. The menu is carefully curated, focusing on seasonal ingredients and innovative flavor combinations. Each dish is a work of art, showcasing the chef’s meticulous attention to detail. With its refined ambiance and impeccable service, XVII Vek is a perfect spot for a special occasion or a memorable culinary experience.

Moscow is undoubtedly a city that caters to the food-loving traveler. From traditional Russian cuisine to international flavors, there is something to please every palate. Whether you choose to indulge in classic dishes at Café Pushkin or explore the vibrant culinary scene at Danilovsky Market, Moscow’s gastronomy will leave you impressed and satisfied. So, pack your appetite and embark on a foodie’s journey through the diverse and delicious cuisine of Moscow.

Art and Architecture: The Creative Side of Los Angeles, USA

A Foodie’s Guide to Mumbai: 10 Must-Try Restaurants and Local Cuisine

48 Hours in Can Tho, Vietnam: 10 Cool Things To Absolutely Do

Romantic Getaways in Santorini: Ideal Spots for Couples

Romantic Getaways in Seville: Ideal Spots for Couples

10 Of The Best Brunch Spots In Siem Reap, Cambodia

©Dmitry Vinogradov/500px

During any season, at any hour of the day, Moscow thrills visitors with its artistry, history and majesty.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

The Armoury dates to 1511, when it was founded under Vasily III to manufacture and store weapons, imperial arms and regalia for the royal court. Later it…

St Basil's Cathedral

At the southern end of Red Square stands the icon of Russia: St Basil’s Cathedral. This crazy confusion of colours, patterns and shapes is the culmination…

Moscow Kremlin

The apex of Russian political power and once the centre of the Orthodox Church, the Kremlin is the kernel of not only Moscow, but of the whole country…

Lenin's Mausoleum

Although Vladimir Ilych requested that he be buried beside his mum in St Petersburg, he still lies in state at the foot of the Kremlin wall, receiving…

Immediately outside the Kremlin’s northeastern wall is the celebrated Red Square, the 400m-by-150m area of cobblestones that is at the very heart of…

Hermitage Gardens

All the things that have improved Moscow parks no end in recent years fill this small, charming garden to the brim. Today, it is possibly the most…

Assumption Cathedral

On the northern side of Sobornaya pl, with five golden helmet domes and four semicircular gables, the Assumption Cathedral is the focal church of pre…

Jewish Museum & Centre of Tolerance

Occupying a heritage garage, purpose-built to house a fleet of Leyland double-deckers that plied Moscow's streets in the 1920s, this vast museum, filled…

Latest stories from Moscow

Public Transport

Apr 3, 2020 • 1 min read

You can check out the history and beauty of Moscow Metro's Soviet and modern Russian architecture online.

Mar 31, 2020 • 2 min read

Mar 5, 2020 • 2 min read

Feb 11, 2020 • 5 min read

Jan 23, 2020 • 5 min read

Dec 11, 2019 • 2 min read

Oct 28, 2019 • 5 min read

Sep 25, 2019 • 7 min read

Sep 24, 2019 • 1 min read

Sep 17, 2019 • 5 min read

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Moscow

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

• Weird But True
• Sex & Relationships
• Viral Trends
• Human Interest
• Fashion & Beauty
• Food & Drink

trending now in Lifestyle

These popular Gen X names have gone extinct: 'realizing we're...

I'm a porn star — this is the 1 mistake men make in bed that...

Taco Bell launches nostalgic menu with items dating back to the...

Inside 'dark tourism' — the new trend for wealthy boomers...

I lived 'Below Deck' on a luxury yacht — here's what you need...

Ex-celebrity escort's health warning after emergency surgery:...

How even just a couple of cigarettes before pregnancy can affect...

I was stunned to find this petty fee on my $270 restaurant bill...

Breaking news, the moon will get its own time zone as space travel aims for human returns — here’s why.

Greenwich moon time?

As NASA strides to return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since the early 1970s , astronomical experts say that the orbital rock needs its own localized time zone.

Simply because Earthly clocks won’t get the job done due to changes in gravity off-world.

A new paper from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) explains that even the most efficient terrestrial clocks, which stay in rhythm using atomic principles, would tick slightly quicker at a rate of 56 microseconds per day on the moon, where gravity is weaker.

That is a sizeable number when considering the scale of forthcoming manned Artemis moon missions that will increase “the number of assets on the lunar surface ,” add the authors, now published in “ The Astronomical Journal .

“Communication and navigation systems rely on a network of clocks that are synchronized to each other within a few tens of nanoseconds.”

Essentially, similar to how car clocks lose accurate time after a while, the same would happen to equipment on the moon’s surface.

The proposed alternative still under creation and recently backed by the International Astronomical Union is the development of Lunar Coordinate Time. It would function similarly to the principle of Earthly Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

That 1960-originated concept — within a nanosecond of accuracy — keeps a singular, ultra-specific time by averaging atomic clock measurements globally. UTC is utilized by scientists and laboratories throughout the world .

Experts could tweak the UTC for space exploration purposes.

“It’s like having the entire moon synchronized to one ‘time zone’ adjusted for the moon’s gravity, rather than having clocks gradually drift out of sync with Earth’s time,” NIST physicist Bijunath Patla said .

It is currently unknown whether there would be just one or several time zones on the moon.

Lunar Coordinate Time would also play a role in navigating space and the moon, added NIST physicist Neil Ashby. Specifically, it would lay the work for a “system similar to GPS” but on the moon, he said.

Palta is confident that this approach could be utilized for frontiers beyond just our lunar surface, too.

“The proposed framework underpinning lunar coordinate time could eventually enable exploration beyond the moon and even beyond our solar system,” the expert said.

Specifically, Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity first addressed the concept that time can move slower under different gravitational conditions.

In this case, the changes happen in part due to the moon orbiting around the Earth and our planet’s revolution around the sun.

Advertisement

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Explore sell to government
• Ways you can sell to government
• How to access contract opportunities
• Conduct market research
• Register your business
• Certify as a small business
• Become a schedule holder
• Market your business
• Research active solicitations
• Respond to a solicitation
• What to expect during the award process
• Comply with contractual requirements
• Handle contract modifications
• Monitor past performance evaluations
• Explore real estate
• 3D-4D building information modeling
• Art in architecture | Fine arts
• Computer-aided design standards
• Commissioning
• Design excellence
• Engineering
• Project management information system
• Spatial data management
• Facilities operations
• Smart buildings
• Tenant services
• Utility services
• Water quality management
• Explore historic buildings
• Heritage tourism
• Historic preservation policy, tools and resources
• Historic building stewardship
• Videos, pictures, posters and more
• NEPA implementation
• Courthouse program
• Land ports of entry
• Prospectus library
• Regional buildings
• Renting property
• Visiting public buildings
• Real property disposal
• Reimbursable services (RWA)
• Rental policy and procedures
• Site selection and relocation
• For businesses seeking opportunities
• For federal customers
• For workers in federal buildings
• Explore policy and regulations
• Acquisition management policy
• Aviation management policy
• Information technology policy
• Real property management policy
• Relocation management policy
• Travel management policy
• Vehicle management policy
• Federal acquisition regulations
• Federal management regulations
• Federal travel regulations
• GSA acquisition manual
• Managing the federal rulemaking process
• Explore small business
• Explore business models
• Research the federal market
• Forecast of contracting opportunities
• Events and contacts
• Explore travel
• Per diem rates
• Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
• State tax exemption
• Travel charge card
• Conferences and meetings
• E-gov travel service (ETS)
• Travel category schedule
• Federal travel regulation
• Travel policy
• Explore technology
• Cloud computing services
• Cybersecurity products and services
• Data center services
• Hardware products and services
• Professional IT services
• Software products and services
• Telecommunications and network services
• Work with small businesses
• Governmentwide acquisition contracts
• MAS information technology
• Software purchase agreements
• Cybersecurity
• Digital strategy
• Emerging citizen technology
• Federal identity, credentials, and access management
• Mobile government
• Technology modernization fund
• Explore about us
• Annual reports
• Mission and strategic goals
• Role in presidential transitions
• Get an internship
• Launch your career
• Elevate your professional career
• Discover special hiring paths
• Climate Action
• Events and training
• Agency blog
• Congressional testimony
• GSA does that podcast
• News releases
• Leadership directory
• Staff directory
• Office of the Administrator
• Federal Acquisition Service
• Public Buildings Service
• Staff offices
• Board of Contract Appeals
• Office of Inspector General
• Region 1 | New England
• Region 2 | Northeast and Caribbean
• Region 3 | Mid-Atlantic
• Region 4 | Southeast Sunbelt
• Region 5 | Great Lakes
• Region 6 | Heartland
• Region 7 | Greater Southwest
• Region 8 | Rocky Mountain
• Region 9 | Pacific Rim
• Region 10 | Northwest/Arctic
• Region 11 | National Capital Region
• Per Diem Lookup

FY 2025 per diem highlights

We establish the per diem rates for the continental United States (CONUS), which includes the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Federal agencies use the per diem rates to reimburse their employees for subsistence expenses incurred while on official travel.

Federal per diem rates consist of a maximum lodging allowance component and a meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) component. The standard rate of $178 ($110 lodging, $68 M&IE) applies to most of CONUS. For fiscal year (FY) 2025, there are 296 non-standard areas (NSAs) that have per diem rates higher than the standard rate.

Since FY 2005, we have based the maximum lodging allowances on average daily rate (ADR) data. ADR is a widely accepted lodging industry measure derived from a property’s room rental revenue divided by the number of rooms rented. This calculation provides us with the average rate in an area. For more information about how lodging per diem rates are determined, visit Factors influencing lodging rates .

We remind agencies that the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) allows for actual expense reimbursement when per diem rates are insufficient to meet necessary expenses. Please see FTR § § 301-11.300 through 11.306 for more information.

FY 2025 results

The standard CONUS lodging rate increased from $107 to $110. The M&IE rate tiers were revised for FY 2025; they were last revised in FY 2022. The standard M&IE rate increased from $59 to $68, and the M&IE rate tiers for non-standard areas increased from $59-$79 to $68-$92.

The following locations that were NSAs (or part of an established NSA) in FY 2024 moved into the standard CONUS rate category:

• Ft. Wayne, IN (Allen County)
• Canton, OH (Stark County)
• Mentor, OH (Lake County)
• East Greenwich / Warwick, RI (Kent County)
• Waco, TX (McLennan County)
• Wisconsin Dells, WI (Columbia County)

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 choose a location.

Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2022 and 09/30/2025.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.