20 Of 2026’s Best Food Cities And Regions Worth Planning A Vacation Around
Food has the power to tell stories, connect cultures, and turn a simple vacation into an unforgettable adventure.
Around the world, certain cities and regions have mastered the art of flavor, blending tradition with innovation to create dining experiences that linger in your memory long after you’ve returned home.
Street-side snacks meet refined tasting menus and family recipes passed down through generations in twenty destinations that deliver culinary journeys worth planning an entire trip around.
Disclaimer: This article reflects subjective editorial perspectives on food-focused travel for 2026 and should not be interpreted as definitive fact or official travel guidance.
1. Lima, Peru
Ceviche isn’t just a dish here; it’s a way of life, served fresh from the Pacific with tangy lime and fiery aji peppers that wake up your taste buds.
Nikkei cuisine, blending Japanese precision with Peruvian boldness, has put Lima on the global fine-dining map.
Wander through bustling markets where vendors call out their daily catch, or book a table at a world-renowned restaurant where chefs treat ingredients like artists treat paint.
2. Mexico City, Mexico
Street corners here double as culinary theaters, where taco vendors flip tortillas with practiced ease and locals line up for their favorite al pastor or carnitas.
Beyond the sidewalks, tasting menus at acclaimed restaurants showcase Mexico’s depth, from ancient ingredients to modern interpretations.
Every neighborhood has its own food personality, whether you’re chasing tamales in the morning or settling into a mezcal bar at night.
3. Bangkok, Thailand
Market stalls overflow with pad thai, mango sticky rice, and skewers sizzling over charcoal, filling the air with aromas that pull you in from blocks away.
Modern Thai restaurants are redefining tradition, earning international acclaim while staying rooted in bold, balanced flavors.
Navigating Bangkok’s food scene feels like hopscotching between past and present, where a humble bowl of boat noodles can be just as memorable as a cutting-edge tasting menu.
4. Tokyo, Japan
Ramen shops tucked into alleyways serve steaming bowls that warm you from the inside out, each chef perfecting their own broth over years of dedication.
On the opposite end, kaiseki meals unfold like poetry, presenting seasonal ingredients with precision and reverence.
Tokyo’s food culture honors both comfort and ceremony, making it easy to bounce between casual counters and refined dining rooms.
5. Paris, France
Bistros here serve steak frites and coq au vin with the kind of effortless elegance that makes you want to linger over every last bite.
Pastry shops display croissants, éclairs, and tarts that look almost too beautiful to eat, though you absolutely should.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
New Nordic philosophy drives menus built around hyper-seasonal ingredients, foraged herbs, and seafood pulled straight from cold northern waters.
Chefs here treat every plate like a canvas, creating dishes that surprise your eyes and your palate in equal measure.
Copenhagen has become a pilgrimage site for food lovers who want to see what happens when creativity meets sustainability.
7. New York City, USA
Neighborhoods function like their own culinary countries, from dim sum in Flushing to jerk chicken in the Bronx, pizza in Brooklyn, and everything in between.
Chef-driven spots pop up constantly, pushing boundaries and redefining what American dining can be.
New York rewards the adventurous eater who’s willing to subway-hop across boroughs for the next great meal.
8. San Francisco Bay Area, USA
California’s legendary produce shows up everywhere, from farmers’ market stalls overflowing with heirloom tomatoes to restaurant menus that change with the seasons.
Creative chefs treat ingredients with respect, whether they’re plating them at a simple counter or a destination dining room.
9. New Orleans, USA
Creole and Cajun traditions run deep here, served up in po’boys, gumbo, and beignets that taste like edible history.
Neighborhood institutions have been feeding families for generations, preserving recipes and techniques that define the soul of the city.
Eating your way through New Orleans feels less like a vacation and more like stepping into a living, breathing culinary museum.
10. Basque Country, Spain (San Sebastián and beyond)
Pintxos bars invite you to graze your way through bite-sized masterpieces, each one a miniature work of art balanced on a slice of bread.
Fire-focused cooking, especially at asadors, turns simple ingredients into smoky, tender revelations.
Hopping from bar to bar, tasting as you go, becomes the rhythm of your day in San Sebastián and surrounding towns.
11. Catalonia, Spain (Barcelona and Costa Brava)
Tapas culture here is both an art form and a social ritual, perfect for lazy afternoons spent sampling patatas bravas, jamón ibérico, and grilled seafood.
Contemporary Catalan dining pushes boundaries, blending tradition with avant-garde techniques that have influenced chefs worldwide.
Barcelona and the Costa Brava make it ridiculously easy to plan your entire itinerary around meals, from beachside chiringuitos to multi-course tasting menus.
12. Emilia-Romagna, Italy (Bologna, Modena, Parma)
Pasta-making here isn’t just cooking; it’s an inherited skill, with grandmothers rolling out sheets of fresh tagliatelle and tortellini by hand.
Cured meats like Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar from Modena anchor a food culture that’s both proud and delicious.
13. Sicily, Italy
Seafood dominates the island’s tables, grilled simply with lemon and olive oil or tucked into pasta dishes that taste like the Mediterranean itself.
Markets overflow with citrus, almonds, and ricotta, which turn into cannoli, granita, and other sweets that define Sicily’s flavor identity.
Eating here feels like tasting the island’s history, with influences from Greece, North Africa, and mainland Italy blending into something entirely unique.
14. Singapore
Hawker centers function as open-air food courts where you can sample Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and satay all in one sitting, surrounded by locals who know exactly which stalls are worth the wait.
Fine dining here is equally impressive, with polished restaurants earning global recognition.
15. Seoul, South Korea
Korean barbecue culture turns dinner into an interactive experience, with marbled beef sizzling on tabletop grills and banchan dishes arriving in colorful waves.
High-end tasting menus showcase the depth of Korean ingredients, from fermented flavors to delicate seafood preparations.
Seoul’s food scene thrives late into the night, making it perfect for travelers who want to eat, explore, and repeat until dawn.
16. Hong Kong
Dim sum tradition runs deep, with steaming baskets of dumplings, buns, and rolls arriving at your table in a delicious parade.
Modern Cantonese dining elevates classic flavors, earning the city a spot on every serious food traveler’s bucket list.
17. Istanbul, Turkey
Bakery culture here means flaky börek, sesame-crusted simit, and baklava dripping with honey, all best enjoyed with strong Turkish tea or coffee.
Grill classics like kebabs and köfte fill the air with smoky aromas, turning every neighborhood walk into a rolling tasting tour.
Wandering and eating here go hand in hand, making every meal an adventure.
18. Lisbon, Portugal (plus a Porto side trip)
Seafood comfort food defines Lisbon’s tables, from grilled sardines to creamy bacalhau dishes that showcase Portugal’s love affair with cod.
Café culture invites you to slow down, sip a bica, and nibble on pastéis de nata while watching the city go by.
Adding a side trip to Porto means doubling down on wine, port cellars, and francesinha sandwiches that are as indulgent as they are delicious.
19. Montréal, Québec, Canada
Great bakeries line the streets, offering croissants, bagels, and pastries that rival anything you’d find in Paris.
Creative casual dining thrives here, with chefs putting playful spins on poutine, smoked meat, and other Québécois classics.
The city’s mix of French influence and North American energy creates a dining culture that’s both comforting and exciting.
20. Oaxaca, Mexico (region)
Mole traditions here are taken seriously, with families guarding recipes that involve dozens of ingredients and hours of preparation.
Market cooking brings you face-to-face with tlayudas, chapulines, and fresh chocolate ground on stone metates.
Oaxaca’s food culture is strong enough to build an entire trip around, offering depth and authenticity that feels worlds away from typical tourist fare.
