If you’re someone who bases travel plans almost entirely on what food you’ll be eating along the way, this information might be pertinent to you.
Restaurant and travel review aggregator TripAdvisor has just released a list of its top 10 food cities in the world, based on data gathered using an algorithm that looked at bookings, traveller reviews and ratings. Considering TripAdvisor counts 455 million unique visitors each month, it might very well be one of the best-placed websites to comment.
Unfortunately for us, no Australian cities made the cut this time, although Brisbane is listed as a “foodie destination to watch”.
“Foodie experiences are dominating traveller booking growth,” a TripAdvisor spokesperson . “Food tours are the fastest growing experiences category on our site based on traveller spend, which increased a whopping 61% last year versus 2016.”
The list pulls together the highest rated food tours available to book through TripAdvisor in countries like Thailand, Italy, Spain and the US. Unfortunately for us, no Australian cities made the cut this time, although Brisbane is listed as a “foodie destination to watch”.
So, is time to start thinking about a holiday? Peruse the full list below, and if a plane ticket isn't on the cards right now, recreate the experience at home with recipes inspired by each city.
1. Rome
Anyone who’s been to Rome won’t be surprised that this foodie mecca has taken out the number one stop. The culinary traditions in Italy’s capital distinctly celebrate simplicity (many Roman dishes have roots in “”), rich flavours and time-worn techniques honed in the Lazio region of the country. TripAdvisor’s includes a walk through the famed suburb of Prati, where participants can try an iconic bowl of pasta from XBacchus Ristoranteand some of the the country has to offer.
Making Roman cuisine at home? Try for Roman-style broccoli, or for abbacchio alla Romana (Roman roast lamb).
2. Florence
Taking out second place is , where mellow cheeses, grilled meats and white beans reign supreme. , or steak Florentine, is a must-try in the Tuscan capital (just don’t ask the chef to cook the steak to your liking), as is a rich bowl of pappardelle al cinghiale, a dish of wide noodles with slow-cooked free range boar. takes foodies on a local market tour, and provides a chance to brush up on basic skills with a cooking class and lunch at a Tuscan farmhouse.
3. Paris
TripAdvisor’s most-booked food tour in Paris is the , where a wide range of French delicacies like croissants, éclairs and plenty of fromage are all ripe for the taking. But the beauty of Parisian cuisine lies not solely in delicately layered French pastries and the five Mother Sauces, but in its eclecticism. In the Jewish quarter, you might just bite into the finest you’ve ever had, or perhaps you’ll discover something completely different at , a one-of-a-kind food truck cooking up Mali and Senegalese food. Paris has earned its rightful place at number three on this list – and not just thanks to pommes frites.
Read our and plot out the essential food stops on your next trip to the City of Light.
4. Barcelona
In Spain, how and when you eat is just as important as what you eat – starting early and grazing all day on small bites is encouraged, preferably with a glass of Spanish Tempranillo in hand. Barcelona is famous for bringing the best of contemporary Spanish and Catalan cuisine together, in a seemingly infinite line-up of unassuming tapas bars, all-day eateries and upscale, Michelin-starred restaurants. If you’re hungry for a taste of everything, get lost amongst the endless offerings are .
TripAdvisor’s most popular Barcelona tour is the , a three-hour and party helmed by a Barcelona chef.
5. New Orleans
The first of only two American cities to make the list, New Orleans offers a cuisine vastly different to the first four cities. It’s is all about big flavours, bright colours and bold spirit – plus, it received the official from Anthony Bourdain, so the city as a whole must be doing something right. Head to the Louisiana capital for French-Creole inspired dishes like , shrimp and , but don’t forget the classic American fare, a craft honed by New Orleanians at long-standing institutions like , and .
Trip Advisor’s incorporates visits to classic spots in a historic neighbourhood, tasting everything from beignets to brisket along the way.
6. New York City
Would a list of the world’s great food cities be complete without mention of the Big Apple? TripAdvisor users certainly don’t think so. Of course, in city as big and as dynamic as New York, it’s hard to pick just a few must-try hotspots – all five boroughs make up a proverbial playground for foodies. TripAdvisor’s most-booked food tour is the , which treats people to a little taste of Brooklyn’s iconic snacks, from pizza to pierogi. But you might want to add a pit stop to newly-opened , the restaurant firmly planting Sichuan cuisine on an already-chock-full culinary map in Bushwick.
7. Venice
Back to Italy we go – this time to Venice, which boasts a steeped in history and tradition. TripAdvisor offers a Cicchetti (bars offering snacks or side dishes) and Wine , facilitating five essential bar stops and ample restaurant recommendations, as well as tastes of the city’s world-famous dishes like (spicy fried meatballs), seafood topped polenta and marinated olives.
8. Madrid
Between trademark dishes like street-side bocadillo de calamares and patatas bravas, there’s little wonder why Spain’s capital appears on this list. It’s home to three-Michelin-star restaurant , and it also boasts , one of the oldest produce markets in Madrid and everything you’d expect from a classic European food hall. The TripAdvisor delivers the best of the city’s eating in the form of hidden gems and a healthy dose of Spain’s storied culinary history.
9. Tokyo
Tokyo’s myriad food offerings may seem like a dense and uncrackable network – that is, until you learn that almost any eatery you walk into will surpass your expectations. Plus, you can always turn to , the app Eater calls “the definitive catalog of restaurants in Japan.”
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Tokyo restaurants worth the splurge
TripAdvisor’s acts as a line straight to the heart of the city, with opportunities to try local favourites like , moniyaki and (Japanese confectionery). Of course, you might want to treat yourself, in which case you should refer to of the best Tokyo restaurants worth the money.
10. Bangkok
Whether you feel like going overboard on noodles crafted by a or you’re looking for a , Bangkok has the answers to any and all food conundrums.
Whatever meal you go for, you’re not likely to forget it. The is TripAdvisor’s most-booked food experience on the city, and includes access to 15 shops, eateries, food stalls and markets.
But if you can’t make it to Thailand, take yourself there with Jay Phao-Chinda’s for the classic Bangkok dish, Pad Thai.
