Global Food Tours: The World’s Greatest Culinary Destinations

Food tourism has gone from niche to mainstream. Almost every major destination now has food tours, cooking classes, and restaurant-focused itineraries. But certain cities remain the true mecca for travelers who consider eating the main event. Here are the 10 destinations we believe deliver the world’s most rewarding food travel — and exactly how to approach them.

1. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any city on earth (193 in the 2025 guide) — and some of its best food is under $20 at convenience stores, ramen shops, and standing bars. Hit the big three:

• Sushi: for the splurge, Sukiyabashi Jiro, Sushi Saito, or the new Sushi Ginza Onodera. For accessible quality, Sushi Dai at Toyosu Market or Uobei’s conveyor belt.
• Ramen: Ichiran (tonkotsu), Afuri (yuzu shio), Nakiryu (Michelin-starred, $12 bowls).
• Tempura: Daikokuya (80+ years old) in Asakusa, or Kondo in Ginza for the modern version.

Beyond those: tonkatsu at Maisen, unagi at Nodaiwa, yakitori at any Ebisu Yokocho stall.

2. San Sebastián, Spain

Per capita, San Sebastián has more Michelin stars than any city in the world. The old town (Parte Vieja) is lined with pintxo bars, where you snack your way through the evening, ordering small plates and local wine at each. The rules: never eat more than 2–3 pintxos at one bar, ask what the specialty is, and always have the local sparkling wine (txakoli). Top bars: La Cuchara de San Telmo, Ganbara, Bar Txepetxa, Borda Berri.

3. Oaxaca, Mexico

The spiritual home of Mexican food. Oaxaca is mole country (seven distinct varieties), Tlayudas, mezcal, and street markets that haven’t changed in centuries. Priorities:

• Mole negro at Los Danzantes or Casa Oaxaca
• Market lunch at Mercado 20 de Noviembre — grill your own steak at the carne asada section
• Mezcal tasting at La Mezcalerita or a distillery day trip to Santa Catarina Minas
• Cooking class with Pilar Cabrera or Casa Crespo

4. Lyon, France

France’s gastronomic capital, historically — more so than Paris in the classical tradition. The “bouchon” — Lyon’s signature small family restaurant — serves dishes like quenelle de brochet, andouillette, and saucisson brioché. Don’t miss Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the covered market named after the city’s most famous chef.

5. Bangkok, Thailand

The best street food in the world, full stop. Thai food at every price point — from 50-baht boat noodles to three-Michelin-star Gaggan (modern Indian). Must-visits:

• Street food: Soi 38 (Sukhumvit), Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road at night, the Victory Monument area
• Iconic restaurants: Jay Fai (single-stall, Michelin-starred crab omelet), Sorn (Southern Thai fine dining), Nusara (Thai-modern by Chef Chef Num)
• Markets: Or Tor Kor for fresh produce, Nonthaburi for fruit, Rot Fai night market for casual

6. Istanbul, Turkey

Where Europe meets Asia, the food reflects both. Must-try:

• Kebabs of every kind: Adana, Urfa, İskender. Try Çiya Sofrası (Asian side) for regional Turkish cuisine
• Meze at a meyhane: Sofyalı 9 or Asmalı Cavit in Beyoğlu
• Fish at Karaköy Lokantası or at the hundreds of fish shops in Kumkapı
• Turkish breakfast: Van Kahvaltı Evi in Cihangir
• Sweets: Karaköy Güllüoğlu for baklava, Hafız Mustafa for lokum

7. Naples, Italy

Pizza Napoletana was invented here and perfected over 200 years. UNESCO recognizes it as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Three pizzerias worth traveling for: L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele (the Julia Roberts Eat Pray Love one), Gino Sorbillo (usually has a two-hour wait), and Starita (possibly the best margherita in the city). Beyond pizza: sfogliatella pastries at Mary’s, pasta at Da Dora.

8. Lima, Peru

South America’s gastronomic capital. Two of the world’s top 10 restaurants — Central (chef Virgilio Martínez, ranked #1 in 2023) and Maido (Micha Tsumura) — are here. Ceviche at Barra Chalaca; anticuchos at Grimanesa Antúnez; causa at La Mar; Andean at Central. Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian) and Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) are unique to Lima and extraordinary.

9. Hong Kong, SAR

Dim sum capital of the universe. Michelin-starred dim sum (Lung King Heen, Tim Ho Wan) at surprisingly reasonable prices. Cantonese seafood (Yat Lok for roast goose, Chan Kan Kee for char siu). Street food in Sham Shui Po. And sky-high dining at Caprice, 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana (3 stars), and the ambitious young restaurants in Central.

10. New Orleans, USA

America’s most distinct food city. Creole and Cajun traditions, 300 years of French/Spanish/African/Caribbean influence. Must-eats:

• Gumbo and jambalaya at a local joint (Cochon or Willa Jean)
• Po’ boys at Domilise’s or Parkway Bakery
• Beignets at Café du Monde
• Oysters at Casamento’s (open only in R-months, closed summer)
• Fine dining: Commander’s Palace for the classics, La Petite Grocery for modern Creole

Cooking classes worth taking

The best way to bring a destination home is to cook its food:

• Thailand: Chef Yui’s Chiang Mai classes or Blue Elephant in Bangkok
• Vietnam: Red Bridge Cooking School in Hoi An
• Italy: Cooking with Sara in Tuscany, Rolling Pin Academy in Florence
• Mexico: Casa Crespo in Oaxaca, Casa Jacaranda in Mexico City
• Japan: Tokyo Sushi Academy or the kaiseki classes at Yoshoku
• France: Le Cordon Bleu short courses in Paris

Food tour companies worth booking

Quality varies enormously. The reliable global names:

• Devour Tours — Spain, Portugal, Italy, London
• Eating Europe — multiple European cities
• Secret Food Tours — global reach, variable quality
• Context Travel — academic-level cultural context, includes food
• Culinary Backstreets — the gold standard for “like a local” food tours in Istanbul, Tokyo, Athens, and more

Eating like a local: rules

• Never eat on the tourist strip. The restaurant with 7 languages on its menu is never good.
• Research restaurants by locals, not by tourist boards. The Economic Times Lifestyle, a city’s local food blogs, and Reddit subreddits are better than TripAdvisor.
• Eat where the locals eat at the local meal times. In Spain, 1:30–3pm for lunch; in Italy, 8–10pm for dinner.
• Order what the restaurant is known for. Don’t ask for seafood in landlocked regions or pasta in Japan.
• Always eat the local breakfast. A pan con tomate in Barcelona, a Parisian pain au chocolat, a Tokyo tamago sandwich — the first meal of the day is where a culture reveals itself.

Final word

Food travel is the fastest way to understand a place. The history, geography, and politics of a culture all end up on the plate. Go to the cities that take their food seriously — and let the meals be the reason you came.