Back
5 of the Best Food Destinations in the World

Nov 10th 2017 - J. Vigotsky Blog, 

5 of the Best Food Destinations in the World

While the United States has no shortage of outstanding food cities, there are 194 other countries in the world that feature their own delicious meals. International food cities offer diners unique experiences that are truly one of a kind, and the following list contains 5 of the best food destinations in the world.

Florence, Italy

florence italy

A number of Italian cities could have made this list. But for brevity’s sake, we’re listing only Florence. The capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, Florence benefits from its proximity to wine country and local farms. Easy access to maremma cows and olive farms enables restaurants to serve some of the freshest cheeses, T-bone steaks, and olive oil in all of Italy. Although most bread in Florence is still made without salt, a lingering effect of Florentines refusing to pay a salt tax in the 12th century, the city’s delicious schiacciata is an exception to the rule and warrants at least a taste.

And of course—no visit to Italy is complete without some pizza and gelato. Florence has no shortage of either. For more adventurous diners, a lampredotto is worth a taste. Often served in a sandwich, the meal features the fourth stomach of a cow and is a common street dish in Florence.

Lyon, France

lyon france dining

Beating out cities like Paris and Bordeaux for French supremacy, Lyon is the ultimate location for a classic French meal. Featuring world-famous 91-year old French chef Paul Bocuse and his renowned restaurant Bocuse d’Or, the city is home to several Michelin-Star restaurants. In addition to its myriad of gourmet restaurants that serve traditional haute cuisine and are flush with artwork, decorations, and chandeliers, Lyon also has a wide range of smaller, more affordable bouchons that serve traditional foods like sausage, duck pate, and roast pork. The city’s easy access to vineyards ensures its dining establishments are always well-stocked with an impressive selection of varying wines.

San Sebastian, Spain

san sebastian dining

Also known as Donastia, San Sebastian is located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and is almost right on the French border. The city is a popular tourist destination and is well-known for its Basque cuisine. With the second most Michelin stars per square feet in the world, San Sebastian features a large assortment of elegant restaurants as well as more casual pintxos bars.

Perhaps the crown jewel of the San Sebastian dining experience is the Murgaritz restaurant. One of the top dining establishments in the world according to Restaurant Magazine, Murgaritz chef Andoni Aduriz uses fresh herbs and produce that are grown in a garden behind the restaurant. For a spectacular San Sebastian culinary experience that doesn’t take place in a restaurant, check out the local La Brecha market. Offering a wide variety of fresh fish, the market is perfect for seafood lovers.

Tokyo, Japan

tokyo japan dining

With more than 220 Michelin-starred restaurants, Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world. Perhaps even more impressive, the city has more Michelin stars than Paris and New York combined! Whether you’re looking for a high-end dining experience that includes some of the best sushi in the world or you prefer a simple yet delicious soba dish from a noodle shop, this Japanese metropolis has you covered. The city’s chefs strive to approach traditional Japanese with a modern mindset, and the results speak for themselves.

Tokyo is also home to the famous Tsukiji fish market—where over 5 million pounds of fish are sold almost every day. Much of this fish is used to make sushi in the city’s best restaurants. In addition to outstanding seafood, Tokyo is also known for using only the freshest, seasonal vegetables. This is a direct result of farmland being located in nearby Western Tokyo. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be conveniently sent throughout the city, ensuring diners receive restaurant meals that are second to none.

Bangkok, Thailand

bangkok thailand food

Famously affordable, Bangkok offers street meals for as little as $1 USD. Flavor-filled Thai food ranges from sweet to spicy to salty to sour. And the remarkable thing is—you can experience that whole scope of flavors in just one meal!

Thai food is inspired by a blend of Chinese, Malysian, Indonesian, and Myanmarese cuisine. Popular dishes include pad thai, som tum, cashew chicken, and beef massaman. The delicious scents of sautéed chilies and galangal overtake entire streets at a time in Bangkok, imploring citizens to stop and eat even when they’re not hungry.

Indulging in the delicious food of foreign countries is a great reason to travel internationally. So make sure your passport is up to date and book your flight today!