In these 10 cities you eat the very best (according to Condé Nast Traveler)
Which cities around the world offer the very best food? That is the question the popular lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler asked its readers. The result is a mouthwatering list of destinations both close to home and farther afield. The common thread: we want to go there (again) immediately! Whether you love refined dishes, street food or fusion cuisine, these cities offer an abundance of unforgettable culinary experiences.
Readers’ Choice Awards 2024
A remarkable 575,048 votes were cast for the annual Readers’ Choice Awards, presented for the 37th time by the popular travel magazine. Readers nominated not only destinations en masse, but also places to stay. Start planning your next holiday; according to the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, these cities are the very best when it comes to food.
10. Montreal
Montreal is known for its unique mix of French and North American cuisines. The city is famous for dishes such as poutine; this authentic Canadian dish consists of fries topped with cheese and a generous portion of gravy, as well as Montreal-style bagels. They are slightly sweeter than their New York counterparts. French influences also appear in dishes featuring foie gras and in patisserie—Montreal is known for its wonderful cafés and pastry shops.
9. Singapore
Singapore is the ultimate food destination. In Singapore, everything revolves around food, and it can range from incredibly cheap to super chic. The variety of dishes from Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines is enormous, and there is also ‘Eurasian’ fusion cuisine with influences from Asia and Europe. An added bonus: Singapore has one of the best street-food scenes in the world, with so-called ‘hawker centers‘ where you can eat incredible dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice, laksa and chilli crab for next to nothing. I also tried the forbidden fruit durian (durian) there…
8. Vancouver
Vancouver is a city known for its fresh ingredients and focus on sustainability. No wonder one of the best vegan restaurants in the world, The Acorn, is located here. The city offers a culinary mix of West Coast dishes, such as freshly caught salmon, and Asian influences, especially from Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Vancouver is famous for its sushi, often prepared with local fish. In addition, Vancouver is an excellent place for oysters, dim sum and farm-to-table restaurants where seasonal produce is cooked from nose to tail.
7. Rome
Rome, the cradle of Italian cuisine, naturally cannot be missing from this list. It is not only one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but certainly also one of the tastiest. Whether you choose a chic restaurant or a trattoria, and go for cacio e pepe, supplì (Roman risotto balls), spaghetti alla carbonara, saltimbocca alla Romana or pizza-ei… There are so many restaurants that you will feel dizzy before you have even chosen one. That is why we have already put together a list of the 25 best restaurants in Rome according to the locals themselves (and conveniently organized by neighborhood).
6. Melbourne
Melbourne is Australia’s culinary capital, with an enormous variety of international cuisines. Whether you are looking for refined restaurants or trendy street-food markets, you will find it all in Melbourne. A must-try: the Dim Sims from Dim Sims in Melbourne. Down under, they affectionately call them ‘dimmies’. Funny, because they are twice the size of an average dumpling and have been a hit in the city for more than sixty years. Other recommendations include the classic Australian meat pie, barramundi (a popular local fish) and fusion dishes combining Asian and European flavors. Melbourne is also famous for its coffee culture and lively brunch scene. And if you want to be thoroughly told off, Karen’s Diner is the place to go.
5. Cape Town
Cape Town is perhaps best known for braai, the South African barbecue (do Lidl’s Smokey Braai chips taste like this?). You can also tuck into a platter of bobotie in Cape Town. Spicy, savory and slightly sweet, with ingredients including minced meat, curry, chutney and raisins. Naturally, enjoy it with a glass of wine from one of the world-famous wines produced in the nearby wine regions. With Table Mountain in the background, you also get a stunning view while eating. Are you going to South Africa? Then we immediately recommend 10 delicious things to bring home, from Simba chips to biltong.
4. Florence
Florence, according to colleague Sophie from Italiamo la citta più bella del mondo, is a paradise for lovers of Tuscan cuisine. Meat-eaters will naturally go wild for the fantastic T-bone, called Bistecca alla Fiorentina (for example at l’Amante della Bistecca in Florence), and delicious pastas such as pappardelle al cinghiale (pasta with wild boar). Other tips: ribollita, the hearty bread soup with vegetables, and Zuppa inglese, the soup that is not a soup. And of course, you cannot leave without having enjoyed some artisanal gelato. Where exactly should you eat these delights? According to our Sophie, these are the best restaurants in Florence.
3. Lima
Lima has been considered the culinary capital of South America for years. Lima’s most famous dish is ceviche, fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice. Also beloved by many: anticuchos (grilled beef skewers) and lomo saltado (stir-fried beef). Want to have breakfast like a king? Order Picante de huevos, the Peruvian version of Israeli shakshuka or Mexican huevos rancheros. The innovative chefs in Lima are known for their creative fusion dishes and modern approach to traditional recipes. Want to get a taste in advance? Head to Moche in Amsterdam, where you can experience Peruvian cuisine at its best.
2. Tokyo
The yen is low and Japan is booming, partly for this reason. Tokyo is overwhelming in every way. The city has more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else in the world, but street food is also an experience in itself here. You stumble across the incredible selection, with each okonomiyaki stall seemingly better than the next takoyaki stall. Tamagoyaki (such as at Tsukiji Shouro Honten) is also a classic: a rolled omelet with soy sauce or dashi that you can buy on a stick here, but also in an even more filling version on white bread with a generous spread of Japanese mayonnaise. Ultimate comfort food to eat while taking in the sights of this incredible city.
1. Kyoto
Kyoto is Tokyo’s gentler version. By now there are more coffee spots than temples, culinary journalist Mara Grimm noted. And there is a lively natural-wine scene. Kyoto is also known for its refined cuisine, including kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multi-course meal. The city is also famous for its diverse tofu dishes, soba noodles and seasonal delicacies such as sakura mochi in spring. Kyoto’s traditional tea houses serve matcha tea and sweets that perfectly complement the city’s serene atmosphere.
Where is Istanbul?
Although I would very much like to visit (again) all the cities on the list above, I do have one caveat. The world is enormous, and Canada, Japan and Italy appear twice on this list? Hmm. My first question: where is Istanbul? In my opinion, Istanbul is truly one of the best food destinations in the world: a culinary treasure trove with a unique mix of European and Asian influences. You can eat not only the most delicious kebabs, meze and börek there, but also enjoy refined dishes at countless places. From super-cheap street food to Michelin stars, Istanbul has it all! My tip: plan your first city trip there. These are the best and most delicious tips for a weekend in Istanbul.
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Header image: spicy ramen with shrimp in Kyoto, source: cntraveler
