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Eat Your Way Around The World: The Best Foodie Destinations
Foodie destinations are on the rise and we're always hungry for more cheap deals to places with great eats! Check this page if you're looking for cheap flights, hotels, vacations, and cruises that place a special emphasis on tasty treats. Whether you're in the market for cheap flights to Italy to fill up on pizza and pasta, or you prefer the food truck scene of Portland, Oregon, check back to this page for deals to delectable destinations.
Discover the Ranking of the Best Cuisines in the World!
Traveling allows you to see incredible places, discover new cultures, and hear new languages spoken, but taste plays an important part, as we know. Try different flavors and taste delicacies from other cuisines, with the corollary of local products, typical dishes, cooking methods, use of different spices, and not forgetting juices, beers, and wines to taste!
In the eternal debate on which are the best cuisines in the world, here comes the TasteAtlas portal, which presents itself as an "encyclopedia" of flavors, traditional dishes, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants. With its catalog of over 10,000 dishes and drinks, as well as several tens of thousands of typical restaurants, all rated from 0 to 5, TasteAtlas has compiled a ranking of the best cuisines of various countries. Do you have doubts about the position of Italian cuisine?
Here are the first 20 on the list (the complete one can be found on TasteAtlas), with the relative score:
1 . Italy 4.72
2 . Greece 4.69
3 . Spain and Japan 4.59
5 . India 4.54
6 . Mexico 4.53
7 . Türkiye 4.52
8 . United States, France, and Peru 4.51
11 . China and Brazil 4.49
13 . Portugal 4.47
14 . Poland 4.44
15 . Germany and Indonesia 4.37
17 . Croatia and Argentina 4.33
19 . South Korea and Vietnam 4.31
Japan
Japan is arguably one of the best foodie destinations. With sushi & sashimi, ramen bowls, mochi, and traditional Japanese tea ceremonies just to name a few mouthwatering options. Combine the cuisine, the beautiful architecture and landscape, and Japanese hospitality—Japan surely should be high on your list. Visit Kyoto, Tokyo, or Osaka.
Popular Japanese Dishes
Sushi
Ramen
Tempura
Teriyaki
Sashimi
Udon
Traditional Cooking Techniques
Grilling (yakimono), steaming (mushimono), deep-frying (agemono), and simmering (nimono).
Yakimono: From delicious skewers to flavorful grilled seafood, immerse yourself in the world of smoky foods. Some example dishes made through the yakimono technique are Yakitori (bite-sized pieces of chicken, vegetables, or seafood skewered and grilled to perfection); Yaki Onigiri: Grilled Rice Balls (grilled rice balls that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside); Yaki Saba: Grilled Mackerel.
Mushimono: The art of steaming in either eiro (bamboo steamer), mushiki (ceramic steamer), or kansai-style steaming. Some example dishes made through the mushimono technique are Chawanmushi: Savory Egg Custard; Shirumono: Steamed Soups; and Yudofu: Simmered Tofu.
Agemono: the different frying methods used in agemono are tempura (batter-frying), karaage (deep-frying), and tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried).
Nimono: ni (simmering in broth), jorimono (simmering in soy-based sauce), or nikogori (simmering with gelatin for a jelly-like consistency). Some popular nimono dishes include Niku-jaga: Hearty Meat and Potato Stew; Gyudon: Flavorful Simmered Beef over Rice; Yasai Nimono: Braised Vegetables.
Dining Etiquette in Japan
Before starting a meal, say "Itadakimasu" to express gratitude for the food and those involved in preparing it.
Seating Arrangements:
The host or the most senior person typically sits at the head of the table or facing the entrance.
Guests should wait to be seated or directed to their assigned seats.
Removing shoes and using slippers or stepping onto tatami mats might be required/expected in traditional settings.
Table Manners:
Maintain proper posture and avoid slouching during the meal.
Do not begin eating until the host or the eldest person at the table starts.
Chew with your mouth closed and avoid making loud noises while eating.
Chopstick Etiquette:
Do not use chopsticks to pass food directly from one pair of chopsticks to another, as it resembles a funeral ritual.
Do not stick chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice, as it is associated with funeral ceremonies.
Rest chopsticks on a chopstick rest or across the edge of a dish when not in use.
After finishing the meal, say "Gochisousama deshita" to thank the host or the cook for the meal.
India
If you are looking to live out your Eat, Pray, Love experience, India may be at the top of your travel list. With samosas, Palak Paneer, and other delicious curries to choose from you'll leave India with a full belly and full heart. Fly to New Delhi and experience the Taj Mahal. Take part in a traditional Indian wedding, or experience Holi (festival of colors) or Diwali (festival of lights).
Popular Indian Dishes
Biryani
Butter Chicken
Tandoori Chicken
Palak Paneer
Chole Bhature
Rogan Josh
Masala Dosa
Samosa
Chicken Tikka Masala
Vada Pav
Dhokla
Dining Etiquette India
Clean Hands: It is customary to wash your hands before and after eating.
Utensils: In Indian culture, it is quite common to eat with your hands, scooping up dishes and curries with naan bread.
Sharing Food: Indian meals often involve sharing dishes with those accompanying them. It is customary to pass the food around to others before serving yourself.
Serving Elders and Guests: In Indian culture, showing respect to elders and guests is important. When serving food, you should offer dishes to elders or guests first before serving yourself.
Traditional Cooking Techniques
Tandoor: The tandoor is a clay oven used to cook a variety of dishes. It is commonly used to prepare tandoori chicken and naan bread. Cooking the food at high temperatures, results in a smoky and charred flavor.
Dum Pukht: Dum Pukht is a slow-cooking technique where food is prepared in a sealed pot or handi. The pot is tightly covered to trap the steam and flavors, allowing the ingredients to cook in their own juices. This method is used for biryanis, curries, and meat dishes, resulting in tender and aromatic preparations.
Tadka/Tempering: Tadka, also known as tempering, is a technique used to infuse flavors into a dish. Whole spices such as cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and curry leaves are heated in oil or ghee until they release their aroma. The flavored oil or ghee is then added to the dish, enhancing its taste and aroma.
Bhuna: Bhuna is the process of cooking spices, meat, or vegetables over high heat until they are well-browned and the flavors are quite strong. This technique involves mixing and sautéing the ingredients continuously to prevent burning and achieve a rich, deep flavor.
Kadai Cooking: Kadai refers to a traditional Indian wok with a rounded bottom. Kadai cooking involves stir-frying ingredients on high heat with a mix of spices and aromatics. This technique is commonly used for preparing dishes like Kadai Paneer and Kadai Chicken.
Charring/Grilling: Charring or grilling is a popular cooking technique
Italy
Italy is quite famously known as a major foodie destination. Home of pasta, pizza, and gelato. You're sure to have your fill when visiting this country. Explore Venice on a gondola with a bellini in your hand. Eat a slice of pizza in Napoli, or dine on a delicious bowl of pasta at a small intimate restaurant in Rome.
Where to Eat in Venice, Definitive Guide of the Bacari
The bacaro (or bacaréto), is a type of Venetian tavern of popular origin, where you can find a vast choice of wines by the glass and various foods and snacks (cicchetti), usually at very reasonable prices. Especially in the late afternoon and at dinner time, you will find the streets and squares crowded with locals who consume what they have just bought just outside the club.
BACARETO DA LELE: Our favorite, especially for lunch! Wine for €1-2 (~$1-$2) a glass and a choice of sandwiches filled with salami, cheese, and vegetables for ONLY €1 (~$1) or so! A stone's throw from Piazzale Roma, very close to the Venice station, don't miss it.
GISLON ROSTICCERIA: A stone's throw from the Rialto Bridge, don't miss the fried foods from Gislon! (we especially recommend the mozzarella in Carrozza). Specializing in various types of Cicchetti, also based on fish, accompanied by excellent local wine: all clearly at very reasonable prices!
OSTARIA DAI ZEMEI: This restaurant has a few tables but a menu with many fish-based dishes, such as spaghetti with squid ink, the best we've ever eaten! Really low prices for a fish restaurant.
WINE CELLARS (Formerly Schiavi): In the Dorsoduro area, this much-loved cicchetteria (without seats) in the heart of the city will blow your mind with its countless cicchetti for €1.50 (~$1.62)
LOST PARADISE: Also located in Cannaregio, in the heart of Venice, it is a historic Venetian tavern that also offers weekly shows and live music, in a very friendly atmosphere. The menu changes from day to day based on the daily availability of fish and Chef's imagination. Very affordable prices for a fish restaurant in the heart of Venice!
TAVERN AT THE REMER: The most romantic corner of the city (especially at sunset) could be here: don't be intimidated by the fact that it is hidden in the city streets, this place will make you fall in love from the first moment. Slightly more expensive than the others, but the view is priceless.
Mexico
Tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, oh my! Mexico is sure to spice up your life. Who doesn't dream of eating a taco while relaxing on white sandy beaches in Cancun? Food is such a big part of Mexican culture and travelers can get immersed in it by learning the ingredients and history behind each dish.
Spain
When you think of Spain, you probably think of tapas, croquettes, or tortillas (the perfect mixture of eggs and potatoes). You may also think of wine. Spain has a diverse selection of cuisines.
Below, we've compiled a list of top restaurants in two different parts of Spain brought to us by our Pirate, Carlo.
The Best Restaurants in Barcelona
Barcelona has developed into one of the food metropolises in Europe. The restaurant scene is definitely incredibly diverse and has an incredible amount to offer far beyond tapas.
Reason enough for us to recommend you our top 5 best restaurants in Barcelona, of course not forgetting the extraordinary tapas bars. However, we will take you far beyond that on a culinary journey through the Catalan capital.
LA PEPITA: Tapas interpreted in a modern way and with a creative touch? La Pepita is one of my personal favorites in the city. The restaurant offers a changing menu, on which everything tastes excellent. However, the dishes with tuna and "patatas bravas" (potato wedges with sauce) are our clear recommendation. The shop is quite small and there are usually long queues - we recommend: grab a glass of wine and celebrate the wait in front of the bar while you enjoy one of the mild Spanish nights with friends or loved ones. The restaurant is not cheap, but perfectly adequate for the quality on offer.
SARTORIA PANATIERI: One of the best pizzas in the world? Not in Naples or Rome? What? Sartoria Panatieri produces Pizza Napoletana to perfection. Accordingly, they are of course also listed in the top 50 of the best pizzerias in the world, to be precise, they are number 21done. But we are convinced that this year we can do even better. Jorge Sastre and Rafa Panatieri's restaurant is not only on the food bucket list for pizza lovers. Aside from pizza, you have to try the salami and ham - homemade of course, and perfect as a starter to share. Word gets around about the quality because there are already two restaurants in the trendy district of Gràcia. The shop is also in high demand, so make sure to reserve early.
THE FISH & CHIP SHOP: A dish that you would also expect elsewhere than in Barcelona, but the guys from The Fish & Chips Shop have brought the classic from Great Britain to Catalonia at the highest level. The standard version is made from freshly caught merluza (German: hake), which of course has a noticeable effect on the taste. The fries, as befits good fish & chips, are homemade. Quality prevails, which is why The Fish & Chips Shop now has several restaurants in Barcelona. There is also an offshoot very close to the main beach, la Barceloneta - the perfect meal while visiting the beach.
L'ARTESENA POBLENOU: One of the best menu del medio dia (lunch) in town? L' Artesana Poblenou definitely deserves this positioning. The 3-course menu is available for less than €15, which is extremely good value for the quality on offer. There are classics of Catalan and Spanish cuisine on the plate. The trip to the up-and-coming district of Poblenou is definitely worth it, and after a visit to the restaurant, you can stretch your legs with a short walk to Poblenou Beach. Have fun with this excellent restaurant recommendation.
LA COVA FUMADA: This restaurant has been in the family since 1944, making it a real classic (de todo la vida). La Cova Fumada is famous for its traditional Catalan dishes and has particularly good fish tapas on the daily changing menu. The restaurant is quite small and noisy and level typically Spanish - definitely visit and feast on the menu in the district of la Barceloneta, not far from the beach, pirates! There are a few seats on the terrace. The restaurant is only open for lunch, so expect long waiting times at lunchtime. How always in Spain it is worth getting on the mat early and being there before the Spaniards go to lunch.
The Best Tapas in Valencia
Tapas are a popular way to spend an afternoon or evening in Spain. These are small dishes that are shared with the entire table.
In short, tapas are an integral part of Spanish food culture and more than just food - namely a way of life. Accordingly, the following tips belong on every foodie bucket list when you are in Valencia - including insider tips from a food lover who has lived in Spain and Valencia for a long time.
So be sure to save, pirates!
TASCA ANGEL: Another classic in the old town of Valencia. The bar is a real traditional business and was founded in the 1920s. On offer are of course "patatas bravas", fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, "calamares a la romana", fried squid rings and "pan con tomate", toasted bread with tomatoes and olive oil. Add a glass of "Vino" (Spanish wine) and a Cerveza Estrella Galicia (a well-known beer brand from Spain) and then simply enjoy the evening to the full, like a real Valenciano.
BODEGA "LA PASCUALA": "La Pascuala" is a real insider tip for everyone who really wants to try bocadillos. A bocadillo is a sliced baguette, which is topped with various ingredients, such as ham, cheese, sausage. In the up-and-coming trendy district of El Cabanyal in the immediate vicinity of the Playa de la Malvarrosa beach, La Pscuala has what are probably the best bocadillos in town. It's worth renting a bike and checking out the really cool city beach.
EL TOSTADERO: Also a bocadillo in the version known from Madrid, bocadillo a la romana - in short: dough-coated squid rings with mayonnaise in a bun. It sounds fancy, and it is - but it just tastes extremely delicious and is also quite cheap. So definitely pay a visit to the Tostadero right in the center of Valencia - perfect for a quick snack and a café solo (espresso in Spanish). Afterwards, you can continue your tour of discovery with fresh energy.
BAR RESTAURANTE ROJAS CLEMENTE: The restaurant offers Spanish market cuisine and a first-class menu del mediodia (lunch) with a total of 3 courses. The restaurant is right next to the market of the same name and it is cooked fresh every day from the daily menu. The classic desserts in particular are a real treat and round off the experience very nicely. In addition, all the fun costs you less than 15€ including a drink - so really not much. Top quality at top prices - have fun with my insider tip in Valencia. Here I have been able to enjoy many wonderful moments with a great lunch menu. A recommendation from an old regular and a shout out to the girls and boys at Rojas Clemente.