10 Must Visit Cities Perfect For Foody Travelers
10 Under-The-Radar Cities Perfect For Food-Lovers
If you travel the world to eat,
don't miss these 10 under-the-radar spots known for their incredible cuisine.
It's no secret that great food
and sampling local cuisine is a big motivator to many of us when we choose our
next holiday destination. Travel comparison site Globehunters has analysed nine
different criteria, including diversity of cuisines available, affordability
and restaurants per 10,000 people, to determine the world’s best food cities
for 2019. Here we bring you the top 10 cities for food and highlight the dishes
you can't miss.
1. Osaka, Japan
Many travelers
flock to Kyoto or Tokyo, but as it turns out, Osaka is a must-visit city for
food lovers. The street food capital of Japan, Osaka's best bites can be found
on a single street called Dōtonbori. You'll find savory bowls of ramen, fried
octopus balls, savory vegetable pancakes, and tender barbecue meat skewers.
Beyond street food though, Osaka also has plenty of high-end restaurants. Head
to Tempura Tsuchiya for
light-as-air fried prawns and vegetables, Hajime for a Michelin-starred
tasting menu, and Koryu for seasonal keiseki-style dining.
2. San Sebastián,
Spain
Madrid,
Barcelona, and Valencia are all full of excellent food, but few cities in Spain
can compare to the culinary scene in San Sebastián. Whether you're looking to
eat cheap or splurge on Michelin-rated meals, you can do it here. Spend the
days hopping from pintxo bar to pinxo bar, filling up on cod croquettes,
roasted mushrooms, grilled octopus, and seared foie gras at Gandarias, La Cuchara
de San Telmo, or Borda Berri. Or if you're looking to
splurge, you can't go wrong with a multi-course meal at Arzak or Akelarre.
3. Bogotá, Colombia
This vibrant
Colombian capital city mixes modern and colonial style with its eccentric
street art, quaint cobblestone streets, and colorful buildings. The city has
undergone a renaissance in the past decade, which includes the food. New young
chefs are combining age-old recipes (think: tamales, empanadas, and savory
chicken soups) with modern techniques. Exciting restaurants like Leo and mini-mal are sprouting up across the
city, serving local produce and ingredients from the surrounding Andean
foothills.
4. Sifnos, Greece
Sure, you've
heard of Mykonos and Santorini, but have you ever heard of Sifnos, one of the
more underrated jewels of the Cyclades? This beautiful spot is known as the
culinary capital of Greece, and it's a must-visit stop for any foodie traveling
around the Aegean Sea. Book a cooking class at Narlos Farm and learn how to make
traditional Greek recipes, or dine on charred octopus and grilled lamb chops at Rabagas or Agianemi, two of the island's most
charming tavernas. When you're done chowing down, make sure to spend some time
exploring Heronissos and Kamares, two picturesque fishing towns known for super
fresh seafood caught daily.
5. Modena, Italy
Those seeking an
Italian holiday often head straight to Rome, Florence, or the Amalfi Coast,
ignoring the Emilia Romagna region. But the whole region and the city of Modena
in particular is a must-visit for any food-minded travelers. Modena is the
perfect starting point from which to explore the hills of Emilia Romagna, known
for olive oil, parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, mortadella, and more. The
region is also known for its filled pastas like tortellini en brodo and
lasagna. If you can get a reservation, don't miss the opportunity to eat at
chef Massimo Bottura's acclaimed restaurant, Osteria
Francescana.
6. Charleston, South
Carolina
For a small city,
Charleston has a whole lot going on when it comes to its food scene. As You'll
find everything from southern soul food at Poogan's
Porch and farm-to-table dining at Husk to Asian fusion at Xiao Bao
Biscuit and incredible seafood at 167 Raw. If you go, make sure to explore
nearby Sullivan's Island, which is home is stunning sandy beaches in addition
to two great restaurants, Poe's Tavern and The Obstinate Daughter.
7. Tel Aviv, Palestinian
occupied territories
This lively city on Mediterranean coast is a hotspot for
multicultural cuisine. There are the bustling markets, Sarona and Carmel, where
you'll find coloful produce, dried fruits, candies, and spices. Go to Hakosem for
the best falafel and hummus you'll ever try. If you're up for a more upscale
dining experience, Claro, Santa
Katarina, and Mashya are three great places to sample
Tel Aviv's classic mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors. Tel Aviv is
a young and lively city with a thriving nightlife, so you'll want to spend some
time exploring the quaint wine bars and buzzy cocktail joints.
8. Chengdu, China
If you like spicy
food, you'll love the cuisine of Chengdu, the capital of the province of
Sichuan. Here, you'll find food laden with Sechuan peppercorns and other
intense spices — dishes like ma po tofu, wontons in spicy chili oil, hot pot,
dan dan noodles with pork, and stir fried chicken with chilies. If you're
hoping to sample Chengdu's many specialties, look to further than Yangxixian
Food Street, which is lined with food stalls and authentic restaurants.
9. San Juan, Puerto
Rico
The largest city
and capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan boasts the best of both worlds: You'll
find the beautiful beaches you'd expect from any Caribbean island combined with
the comforts of an urban city. Among the colorful buildings that make up
colonial Old San Juan you'll find great restaurants like that serve Puerto
Rican classics like mofongo, roasted pernil, tostones, and fresh fruit paletas.
You'll also find international flavors like great pizza at Pirilo Pizza
Rustica and Serafina and Italian classics at La Cucina di
Ivo, not to mention some great food
trucks, seafood shacks, and taco stands.
10. Porto, Portugal
Porto looks like
a city that emerged from a fairytale. The city spans the Duoro River and is
made up of narrow, hilly cobblestone streets that weave past colorful homes
adorned with ceramic tiles. In recent years, tourists are flocking to Porto for
its stunning beauty, history, and excellent food. Go to Cantinho do
Avillez or Mito for excellent Portuguese
food like veal risotto, seafood risotto, and giant pawns in garlic sauce. Make
sure to sample the city's most iconic sample: The Francesinha, the Portuguese
take on the Croque Madame. The city is also known for Port dessert wine, so
make a reservation at Vinum and sample tawny, ruby, and vintage Ports paired with an
amazing meal.
