Foodie destinations that build on local traditions – be they New York pizza slices or Rioja wines – make for the best food experiences. From iconic restaurants to neighborhood delis, there’s sure to be something delicious on every corner for travelers looking for flavor!
Berkeley offers delicious dining experiences from Chez Panisse by Alice Water to Gourmet Ghetto’s freshly made pizza and dumplings sourced from local ingredients.
1. Marrakech
Marrakech has long been known for its exceptional cuisine. Marrakech’s best restaurants feature culturally-rooted dishes enjoyed by both locals and tourists, along with internationally-recognized menu items – chicken tagine being its crowning glory, slow cooked with spices to yield juicy, tender meat.
The city’s dining scene has never been more dynamic with newcomers and reinventions joining an already vibrant mix. Rooftop restaurants are popping up like mushrooms across town – many worth climbing steep alleyways just to reach them! Le Salama boasts one of the best views around: you can dine overlooking Jemaa El Fnaa and Atlas Mountains while sipping wine.
Rooftop options also include a riad that provides cooking classes to visitors of all ages and hosts children’s birthday parties. Chef Karima takes you shopping in the souk before teaching you to prepare them at her large open kitchen inside an elegant riad.
Other riads, like La Tanjia and Riyad Dar Zaman are ideal for families. La Tanjia boasts cozy terraces and spacious suites; Riyad Dar Zaman offers Moroccan cooking classes suitable for families of all ages; while there is even the new Riad Al Jadair offering family suites at its Riad.
There’s an increasing number of eco-conscious restaurants. Amal is a vegetarian restaurant gaining international acclaim (they were instrumental in supporting families during Covid lockdown periods), while Mandala Society emphasizes fair wages and organic products.
2. Bologna
Bologna, or “La Grassa,” as the Italians refer to it, is known for being Italy’s culinary capital and home of masterful chefs and centuries of culinary tradition. While Rome and Venice boast magnificent ruins while Venice offers picturesque canals – Bologna is all about food! As Italy’s gastronomic center it boasts cobblestone streets lined with market stalls where culinary history unfolds before your very eyes!
Bologna’s Quadrilatero (the Four Quarters) is an intricate maze of narrow streets filled with delicious food shops, like legendary delicatessens such as Tamburini (famous for its towering platters of cured meats and cheeses) and Salumeria Simoni, as well as butchers, green grocers and artisanal chocolate shops with decadent window displays.
If you’re feeling peckish, head for the Mercato delle Erbe, an indoor medieval market transformed into an atmospheric food hall, where you’ll find tempting fruit and veggie stands, fresh fish, meat and cheese platters lining its shelves. There are also great bars offering traditional Italian spritz beverages like Le Stanze which was once a chapel turned romantic aperitivo spot.
Bologna is an incredible city to explore on foot, but if you prefer an organized experience there are countless day tours that can take you around to see Parmigiano Reggiano factories, acetaias (balsamic vinegar producers) and wineries – as well as sample its best cuisine! One such tour is Torre Prendiparte which visits both iconic twin towers for breathtaking views – or try Nathan Phelps who assists sustainable businesses find words for their products while ethical foodie and outdoor enthusiast who splits his time between Nashville Tennessee and beaches of San Diego California.
3. Aspen/Snowmass
Aspen/Snowmass may be best known for its breathtaking slopes and luxurious lifestyle, but the food scene doesn’t fall far behind either. Foodies will enjoy Aspen/Snowmass’ diverse cuisine and unique dining experiences that cater to every palette – from cozy slopeside cafes to fine Snowmass dining establishments; Aspen/Snowmass offers dining choices as varied as its terrain!
Aspen’s cuisine blends Native American, Spanish and contemporary influences into an inventive culinary experience. A visit to Aspen also provides high-end shopping, including luxury brands and vintage finds lining downtown’s pedestrian-friendly brick streets. Explore Booksellers offers rare books while Kemo Sabe provides stylish Stetsons where customers can customize their own cowboy hat.
Time Out reports that Aspen boasts an exceptional dining scene that spans the spectrum from haute to casual. Here you can indulge in classics like chateaubriand or garlicky snails at more upscale eateries while more laidback spots may offer favorite local fare like iceberg wedge salads or burgers.
Bosq, where chef-owner C. Barclay Dodge serves a four-, five- or seven-course chef’s tasting menu that showcases his dedication to using only premium ingredients, is another popular restaurant in the region. Bosq draws its produce and cheeses locally as an homage to its farming roots.
Portland, Oregon is another top foodie destination. Boasting an enthralling craft beer scene and numerous independent eateries offering various cuisines – from Mexican street tacos to French escargot – Portland provides plenty of culinary treasures to discover in its Pacific Northwest location.
4. Melbourne
Melbourne has an enviable culinary scene that reflects its vibrant population and global influences, from brunches to mouthwatering street food – Melbourne caters for every palate! Explore Carlton for its Italian immigrant history; Richmond features mouth-watering Vietnamese cuisine on Victoria Street while Flinders Lane provides luxury dining (and long lunches!).
Elwood Beachside neighborhood provides an oasis of calm just steps from the city center, featuring charming cafes like Jimmi Jamz. Additionally, this hamlet boasts some of the country’s best pizza – its unique sourdough crust is made with locally produced flour while toppings can range from roasted pumpkin to smoked mozzarella!
Vue de Monde is a three-hat institution and must-visit destination for fans of modern Australian cuisine. Executive chef Hugh Allen’s inventive yet refined dishes have received unanimous praise by restaurant critics; such as macadamia cream topped with spring greens and caviar in an umami kelp oil base; or lean red kangaroo dipped into mushroom broth broth.
Melbourne’s wine scene is flourishing, so be sure to visit one of its numerous award-winning restaurants for an experience to remember. At Carlton Wine Room inside Hotel Windsor, wines have been specially chosen to pair perfectly with each dish on its menu of classics like duck breast, oysters, and salmon marinated with dill. Meanwhile, at Carlton Cafe and Bar sophisticated fare combines traditional French with more contemporary Asian influences – both options offering truly unforgettable dining experiences!
5. Chile
Chile, known for its long coastline and cuisine influenced by its distinct geography, is an epicurean’s delight. Spanning tropical jungles to icy glaciers, its cuisine encompasses exotic fruits, succulent seafood, and world-renowned wine. Santiago boasts vibrant markets offering local fare such as empanadas and ceviche while famed vineyards of Patagonia offer excellent wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet.
Indigenous cuisine is an integral component of Chile’s culinary scene, and Kuoda guides can take you on an exclusive culinary experience in the Lake District by teaming you up with an indigenous chef for an exclusive cooking class that blends Andean ingredients with culinary techniques and reverence for nature and its abundance of biodiversity.
Seafood lovers should make time to visit O’Higgins Region where Pichilemu hosts a two-day Fiesta de Comidas Costeras to showcase cochayuyo, or ocean kelp rich in nutrients that has long sustained coastal communities here. While here you may also find oysters, ostiones (scallops), loco or choros (mussels) and red sea squirts among many other delights – not forgetting iconic Chilean sea bass that is revered throughout Chilean.
As you conclude your culinary tour in Chile, indulge in one of its delectable desserts such as dulce de leche-filled alfajores. A beloved treat across Latin America and Europe alike, Chilean versions showcase both native and European influences.