10 culinary destinations Michelin says you should visit this year
Are you already making plans for this year’s (culinary) agenda? Hopefully you still have a few gaps, because Michelin is tipping us off about the ultimate culinary destinations you should visit this year.
And yes, if Michelin says so, we know we should listen. Right?
In America
1. Austin, Texas
According to Michelin, Austin is a top culinary destination thanks to its Texan barbecue traditions, innovative fine dining and vibrant food truck culture. Besides food, the city is known for its craft beers, up-and-coming cocktail scene and convivial atmosphere with live music. To top it all off, the city is also gaining more and more Michelin-starred restaurants. It currently has 14 Bib Gourmand restaurants and 7 one-star restaurants. Howdy, off to Austin, Texas, baby!
2. Miami, Florida
Miami offers a lovely mix of food trucks serving street food, relaxed beach cafés with trendy cocktails and refined, high-quality restaurants, including one two-Michelin-starred restaurant. You can eat incredibly good dishes made with fresh seafood. Think super-fresh ceviche and spiny lobster. A rush of visitors is also expected because of the release of GTA 6, whose virtual setting is Miami. Nah, we’re coming for that ceviche and those cocktails.
3. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City combines centuries-old culinary traditions with modern innovations. The city is famous for its use of indigenous ingredients and seasonal produce. You can feast on traditional dishes (such as tacos al pastor: marinated and roasted pork in a corn tortilla), as well as gastronomic masterpieces in Michelin-starred restaurants. Mexico, Mexi-hiiiii-cooooo… We’re coming to you!
In Asia
1. Bangkok, Koh Samui and Phuket, Thailand
Bangkok, Koh Samui and Phuket are Thailand’s ultimate culinary hotspots, with Bangkok being home to the country’s first three-star restaurant (called Sorn***). Koh Samui offers a laid-back dining scene with sustainable, local dishes, while Phuket has a culinary mix of Thai, Chinese and international influences. Backpack over your shoulder, you can indulge your inner culinary traveler here. These three places aren’t coincidentally trendy destinations either—the new season of the (amazing!) series The White Lotus was filmed in Thailand around Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok.
2. Osaka, Japan
When you think of Japan, you think of Tokyo. But according to Michelin, we really should head to Osaka this year. There are more than 80 Michelin-starred restaurants (!) including three with three stars (!). So you can dine in extravagant, pricey style, but you can also enjoy delicious, affordable street food. Did you know, for example, that okonomiyaki originated here? And if you’re going to Japan, these are 11 things you definitely shouldn’t do.
3. Fujian, China
Fujian is a region on China’s southeastern coast. That means one thing: you can eat fantastic seafood here. You really have to try Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup: a soup made with rare ingredients such as abalone, sea cucumber and Jinhua ham. Besides a high-end food culture, you also come here for the stunning coastlines, fascinating history and striking architecture.
4. Da Nang, Vietnam
Another gem on the Asian coast: Da Nang in Vietnam. Among other things, you come here for mi Quang (yellow turmeric noodle soup) and bun cha (fish cake soup). According to Michelin, the region has a growing culinary reputation, so a large wave of interested tourists is expected next year. Well, I’d like to try fish cake soup, so I certainly wouldn’t rule out a visit myself.
In Europe
1. Vienna, Austria
Of course, we know Vienna for classics such as Wiener schnitzel and Sachertorte. You can still eat plenty of them there—fortunately—but the culinary scene is also increasingly striving for innovation. That keeps a trip to the charming, slightly old-fashioned Austrian city exciting. You’ll find more and more street food markets and farm-to-table concepts, for example. Fun to discover this year.
2. Bath, England
Bath is just like a city from Downton Abbey or Bridgerton. Great if you’re a fan—we are too—but we also find it interesting to see what there is to discover on the culinary front. Michelin particularly recommends restaurant OAK here. The chefs and farmers put local produce from the Somerset region in the spotlight. So you get ingredients straight from the garden on your plate. Nice!
3. Amsterdam
And then, last but not least, Amsterdam. A flood of tourists is expected this year anyway, because the city is turning 750 years old. Should we be happy about that? Weren’t there already too many TikTok queues in the city center (the line at Van Stapele every day!)? Luckily, we have plenty of inside Amsterdam tips, from Bellezza to Omber. Be sure to search for ‘Amsterdam’ in our search bar. Let’s just hope they don’t venture out into the wider world too much.
Read also:
- 5 Michelin restaurants in Japan you don’t want to miss
- How do you get a Michelin star? In other words: what is a (green) Michelin star based on?
- The world’s best cocktail bar is coming to Amsterdam
Source: Michelin, image: delicious food in Mexico City
