No matter if it’s New York-style pizza slices or creamy carbonara that takes your fancy, these top foodie destinations offer something delicious for every sweet and savoury palate. Discover renowned hotspots or hidden gems with an experienced local guide.
San Francisco offers up a delectable culinary variety, from artisanal sourdough to Mission-style burritos. As an epicenter of immigrant communities, its cuisine reflects this diversity.
1. Mexico
Mexico offers travellers seeking culinary adventure everything from delicious taco stands to fine dining fusion cuisine, making it one of the premier foodie destinations. Recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, Mexican cuisine blends indigenous ingredients with Spanish cooking traditions for an irresistibly tasty menu featuring everything from rich mole sauce and tequila-soaked margaritas to fiery chiles and hearty pozole dishes.
No trip to Mexico would be complete without sampling its signature street foods and bustling markets, particularly Mexico City’s capital city of Mexico City where there is an array of options ranging from cheap tacos al pastor to grilled corn on the cob or sweet roasted corn (elote). For something a bit heartier try Oaxaca’s national dish: Tamales: Traditional indigenous Mexican staples combined with succulent fillings like chicken or pork are combined into this delicious delicacy that you simply must try while traveling through Oaxaca.
Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state, should be included on any Mexican food lover’s travel plans. Here you’ll find cuisine combining indigenous Mayan flavors with European ingredients and Middle Eastern spices; among these specialities is cochinita Pibil – slow-roasted marinated pork dish that stands out.
Puebla, best known for its world-renowned mole poblano sauce, should also be visited by any foodies interested in Mexican cuisine. Its many traditional markets (tianguis) offer an assortment of tasty food items like tlayudas – the country’s answer to Italian pizza; as well as delectable dishes such as esquites (a type of salad with cucumber, avocado and lime); pastes – delicious pastries introduced from Cornish miners in this region; and pastries (pastes introduced from Cornish miners).
The Yucatan Peninsula is one of Mexico’s premier culinary hotspots. From ancient archaeological sites such as Uxmal and Calakmul to beaches like Bacalar and Tulum, its cuisine caters to every taste imaginable – offering fresh produce as well as world-famous seafood dishes that make this destination one of the top vacation spots for foodies.
Are you interested in exploring Mexico’s culinary offerings on an organized tour? Look no further than our foodie tours to Yucatan, Oaxaca and Puebla – featuring luxury hotels as well as visits to top culinary spots! In Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta we also have all-inclusive holidays with delicious dining and breathtaking ocean views – ideal for exploring all that Mexico has to offer.
2. South Africa
South Africa is an exquisite foodie paradise, where bustling seas meet rolling farms and diverse cuisine comes from arrivals from across the globe. South Africa provides an opportunity to sample some of Africa’s best culinary creations, from 10 course tasting menus on wine estates to rustic braai (barbecue) in the wilderness.
Cape Town is fast gaining recognition as one of the world’s premier culinary destinations, boasting world-renowned chefs both local and foreign making headlines with their tantalizing creations. On Luxury Gold’s nine-day Spectacular South Africa tour guests visit Old Biscuit Mill which was formerly an industrial complex but is now transformed into a foodie hub featuring trendy bakeries, boutiques, jewelers, as well as top restaurants like Potluck Club where chef Luke Dale Roberts serves modern yet arty small plates!
Cape Winelands towns Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer wine tasting tours as well as authentic cuisine from top chefs, while along their long coastline there’s no shortage of fresh seafood – from casual “bush pub” eateries that serve grilled kingklip and succulent oysters, fish and chips or fish and chips, to finer dining establishments featuring fillet mignon or lobster linguine served to you right in the city center!
Johannesburg has recently been recognized as the best foodie destination in Africa. Its restaurant scene has flourished rapidly in Sandton and Rosebank suburbs; here you can experience flame-grilled masterpieces by chefs such as David Higgs and Coco Reinharz at Marble, or try pan-African dishes from chef Xolani Mhlongo’s Epicure restaurant.
Dessert options vary wildly by region; enjoy sweet delectations such as koeksisters topped with apricot jam, bobotie (curried mince with raisins enclosed within a dairy crust), malva pudding or head to Johannesburg’s Maboneng Precinct for international flavors such as Urbanologi, Little Addis Cafe, Eat Your Heart Out and Living Room.
Find an unexpected treat with South African small-batch ice cream made of creative flavors like tamarind and coconut to roasted sorghum biscuits and rooibos smoke – it will leave your guests amazed! These inventive desserts draw crowds around the block.
3. Spain
Spain offers something delicious for every sense. Explore mouth-watering street food markets or Michelin-star dining establishments; experience its captivating cuisine and Spanish traditions in cities like Madrid, Ronda or Caceres – or anywhere in between!
Regional dishes vary as much as their landscapes do across the United Kingdom. From Andalusia’s signature cured ham and Moorish architecture to Basque Country’s pintxos-on-skewers and iconic surf spots, each region boasts its own special charms.
Madrid, the capital city, offers foodies a taste of history and tradition through family-owned eateries that serve a delicious selection of authentic Spanish fare. Additionally, Madrid offers its own version of tapas; smaller plates that are designed for sharing, such as chorizo-stuffed dates or hearty pork stew. You’re sure to find an appetizing bite wherever you look in this vibrant metropolis!
While Madrid’s cuisine reflects its culture, each region in Spain boasts something distinctive. Asturias in northeastern Spain offers rich seafood flavours reminiscent of its beautiful mountains; for instance, Fabada asturiana (stew of white beans, pork chops, clams and saffron) is one of the region’s iconic dishes.
Ronda’s historic landmarks make it the ideal place to discover classical Andalucia. Additionally, Ronda offers delicious cuisine that stands up to this reputation with hearty stews and unique takes on Spain’s famed jamon iberico ham. Other signature dishes in Ronda include Arrostico (grilled lamb served with potatoes and vegetables) as well as Torrijas, an Easter-exclusive French Toast treat.
Extremadura’s mountainous, unspoiled province produces some of Spain’s coveted jamon iberico. Visitors to Unesco-listed Ciudad Monumental can sample this delicious treat at restaurants such as Atrio, Alma del Sabor or classic-with-a-twist La Cacharreria – each one providing its own delicious take on this delicacy!
Toledo is an interior Spanish city known for its unstoppable gastronomy. Awarded Capital of Gastronomy status in 2016, Toledo offers dishes highlighted by Manchego cheese, hearty stews and hassle-free ingredients – from roast cochinillo and lechazo made with either suckling pig or lamb at asadors around town, to cochifrito (stew made of kid, then deep-fried) and arroz a la toledana (traditional rice dish with Manchego cheese and saffron).
4. Tokyo
Tokyo is one of the world’s premier foodie destinations, and its restaurants provide something to satisfy everyone. While Michelin-star establishments may specialize in exquisite omakase dining experiences, Tokyo also provides more casual fare such as thin slices of New York pizza, street hot dogs and Jewish deli food – something everyone will enjoy sampling when visiting.
After the pandemic, Tokyo’s culinary scene has flourished rapidly, with chefs from around the globe relocating and opening restaurants here. Meanwhile, local chefs such as Shinobu Namae of L’Effervescence and Santiago Fernandez at Maz Tokyo are earning recognition for using premium ingredients with seasonal sensibility in their creations.
No trip to Japan would be complete without sampling its world-famous sushi, and guests should seek out back alley izakayas or hidden corners where sushi is made from fresh, quality seafood and ingredients. Furthermore, guests should make time for traditional Japanese fare like oden or shabu shabu hot pot, sashimi or wagyu beef as part of their dining experience.
Tokyo offers some of the finest hidden restaurants, from ramen joints and tea houses to vegetable markets and vegetable stalls tucked away from main streets, all offering tasty meals at reasonable prices. In these lesser-known eateries you may also find delicious desserts such as ice cream or cakes!
Spend the day at Marunouchi and Tokyo Station shopping centers, perusing fashion, homewares and lifestyle goods before exploring trendy bars and clubs in Harajuku and Shibuya at night – try Gindaco for their delicious grilled octopus balls, Pablo Cafe for creamy cheese tarts or Gyoza Lou for their mouthwatering gyozas!
Kabukicho, Tokyo’s red light district, offers another exciting nightlife destination. Aglow with vibrant neon lights and filled with an assortment of izakayas, bars and clubs. Bar Benfiddich features rare spirits as well as exotic aromatics for you to sip or alternatively you could linger over dinner and watch Hiroyasu Kayama work his magic at his atmospheric ninth-floor hideaway – perfect to end a perfect Tokyo day trip!
Related Guides
- How to Get from Madrid Airport (MAD) to City Centre — Airport guide
Related Train Station Guides
- Madrid Atocha Station Guide — Train station guide