The Best Food Cities Around the World

From classic Peruvian fare, to Latin American fusion cuisine, to incredible street food, Lima has every cuisine genre covered. Lima is home to three of the world’s top 50 restaurants: Central, Maido, and Astrid y Gastón. Central is known for their tasting menu structured around the altitude at which the ingredients are produced. For a classic Peru experience, try chifa, Chinese-Peruvian cuisine brought to South America by East Asian immigrants.

San Sebastián, known as Donostia in Basque Country, is on Spain’s northern coast and is home to no fewer than three, three-Michelin starred restaurants: Akelarre, Arzak, and Martín Berasategui. Sitting on the Bay of Biscay, San Sebastián is known for its fresh seafood. For an authentic taste of the San Sebastián food scene, relax with a glass of wine and a few pintxos, which is a kind of tapas, and visit San Martin and La Brexta, the city’s fresh food markets.

Lambrusco, tortellini, and balsamic vinegar all come from Modena, if that’s any indication of their culinary priorities. Modena is also part of a culinary triangle including Bologna, Modena, and Parma, and as a triumvirate, these towns give the world some of Italy’s best exports (including Bolognese). While in Modena, a visit to Osteria Francescana, voted the best restaurant in the world and a recipient of three Michelin stars, is a requirement.

It’s no secret that Japanese chefs are highly sought after around the world—and not just for their sushi. A destination for both street food and fine dining, the world’s most populated metropolis has more than 200 restaurants with at least one Michelin star. Go to Shinjuku for Shin Udon, see the Tsukiji Fish Market in full force (where you’ll find every pintxos and fish you can imagine and then some), and try piping hot yakitori (chicken skewers) from a street food stall.

Melbourne is sneaking onto foodies’ radars because of their cuisine variety and seemingly endless stream of restaurant openings. For the daring foodie, try Sunda, a restaurant that pioneers flavor combinations you’d never dream of, including roti with vegemite curry. Atlas Dining changes their menu such that every so often there’s a new region of focus inspiring their cuisine—be it Israeli, Spanish, Peruvian, or Brazilian. Don’t forget to track down some signature Aussie flavors, like macadamia nuts and riberry at the Queen Victoria Market, which hosts a Wednesday night market in the summer and winter months.

From their French patisseries to street cart poutine, the food in Montreal is eclectic and delicieux. For pastries and French delicacies, you’ll have to start at Duc de Lorraine. Smoked meat (or la viande fumée) is a must in Montreal, and Schwartz’s is the classic smoked meat restaurant. Visit the Jean Talon Market, which is where the city’s best chefs get their produce. And finally, sample the Montreal bagel—which Quebecois insist is far superior to the New York bagel—at St. Viateur.

Dubai offers world-class Middle Eastern fare, from Manousheh, a Mediterranean-style pizza, to Palestinian Tahoon Bread, and fatteh. For Dubai’s best street food, visit Al Mallah Restaurant—they’re known for their chicken shawarma. For fine dining options, La Petite Maison serves Mediterranean-French fusion, and pintxos by Vineet serves some of the best upscale Indian food outside India.

Los Angeles chefs have been threatening the New York City culinary scene for years. Every L.A. neighborhood, it seems, has a must-visit restaurant, a bar serving innovative craft cocktails, and to-die-for tacos that cost no more than $3. If you’re staying on the water, head down to Manhattan Beach where you’ll find MB Post, a small plates institution. For those staying on the east side of town, Guisados’ mole poblano tacos and Silverlake Ramen's pork belly tonkotsu are not to be missed.

Paris is a clichéd response when considering the best food cities in the world, but some things are a cliché for a reason. For an unbeatable Caviar experience, Caviar Kaspia should be at the very top of your list—a baked potato topped with caviar is a truly jaw-dropping delight. The answer to the best croissant is that you’ll find the best croissant in a mom-and-pop, unheard of boulangerie. If you really want to find the best pastries and baguettes in your neighborhood, ask someone who has lived in that neighborhood for years, or better yet, take it upon yourself to try all the boulangeries in walking distance. Don’t skip visiting a classic Parisian bistro—Bistrot Paul Bert has a beautiful selection of after-dinner cheeses and authentic classics like steak au poivre.