In the immortal words of the late Anthony Bourdain, “Food may not be the answer to world peace, but it’s a start.” There’s something profoundly universal about breaking bread together—a ritual that transcends language, borders, and politics. As we journey through 2025, the global food landscape continues to evolve, surprise, and delight in equal measure.
Today, I’m taking you on a mouthwatering pilgrimage through the world’s most extraordinary food cities. These culinary capitals aren’t just places to eat—they’re destinations where history, culture, and innovation collide on the plate, creating experiences that linger in your memory long after the last bite.
1. New Orleans: America’s Culinary Soul
The Big Easy sits at the top of our list for good reason. This is a city that doesn’t just serve food—it celebrates it. As Time Out’s recent survey revealed, a staggering 93% of locals consider their restaurant scene excellent, placing New Orleans among the elite culinary destinations globally.
What makes New Orleans special is its patchwork of influences—French, Spanish, Vietnamese, African—all woven together into something entirely unique. From the elegant white tablecloths of Antoine’s (operating since 1840) to the casual glory of a neighborhood po-boy at Parkway Bakery & Tavern, this city offers a depth of experience few others can match.
When crawfish season hits, the city transforms. Newspaper-covered tables groan under the weight of fiery red crustaceans, corn, and potatoes—a communion of food and fellowship that feels almost religious in its devotion. But year-round, it’s gumbo that serves as the city’s culinary backbone—a dish that, like New Orleans itself, is greater than the sum of its parts.
2. Bangkok: Street Food Paradise
If New Orleans is America’s culinary soul, Bangkok is the world’s street food heart, pulsing with energy, spice, and dizzying variety. The Thai capital earned the highest endorsement from food experts in Time Out’s survey, with 47% placing it at the top of their list.
What makes Bangkok special is its democracy of deliciousness. As food writer Andrew Fowler notes, “The fine dining can be life-changingly good, but so can the $3 meal under fluorescent lights.” This is a city where the best culinary experiences often happen standing up, sweating in the tropical heat, or perched on a plastic stool in an alley.
Som tam—that explosive green papaya salad pounded with chilies, lime, fish sauce, and palm sugar—epitomizes Bangkok’s culinary philosophy: bold, balanced, and utterly unforgettable. At legendary spot Hai Som Tam Convent, they serve a version so perfectly calibrated between sweet, sour, salty, and spicy that it almost defies description. Paired with sticky rice, grilled chicken, and an ice-cold Singha beer, it’s a meal that could convert even the most hesitant eater.
3. Medellín: Colombia’s Rising Star
Colombia’s second city has emerged from its troubled past to become one of the world’s most vibrant food destinations, offering extraordinary value alongside culinary excellence.
What makes Medellín special is its connection to the land. At La Placita de Flórez market, you’ll encounter fruits you’ve never seen before—the sweet-tart pulp of chirimoya, the citrusy punch of gulupa, the sunny brightness of uchuva berries. This agricultural abundance powers a dining scene that spans from humble bandeja paisa (the hearty platter of beans, rice, meat, and plantains that fuels the region) to refined interpretations of Colombian cuisine at places like Ocio in El Poblado.
Medellín topped Time Out’s affordability rankings, with 89% of locals reporting that restaurant dining remains accessible and 94% saying coffee—some of the world’s best—is still pleasingly inexpensive.
4. Cape Town: A World of Flavor at Africa’s Edge
Cape Town’s extraordinary diversity makes it a culinary powerhouse. Named the world’s best city by Time Out this year, the South African capital earned a remarkable 95% approval rating for its food scene.
What makes Cape Town special is how it functions as a crossroads of flavors. Asian, European, and pan-African influences converge here, creating a dining landscape as dramatic as the city’s mountain-meets-ocean geography. Time Out Market Cape Town now showcases this diversity under one roof, while Bree Street—the city’s “Gourmet Boulevard”—offers a restaurant crawl like no other.
No visit would be complete without tackling the mighty Gatsby—a massive submarine sandwich stuffed with hot chips, meat, and salad that requires both hands and a serious appetite. It’s messy, excessive, and quintessentially Cape Town, with Mariams Kitchen serving what many consider the definitive version.
5. Madrid: Traditional Excellence Meets Bold Innovation
Spain’s capital is experiencing a culinary renaissance that honors tradition while embracing innovation. The city tied with New Orleans in the expert vote, reflecting its growing influence on global gastronomy.
What makes Madrid special is its seamless blend of old and new. You can dine at a classic casa de comidas that has served the same perfect tortilla for generations, then walk a few blocks to find a natural wine bistro where young chefs are pushing boundaries. The city is home to both El Invernadero (named the world’s best plant-based restaurant) and La Tasquería (a Michelin-starred temple to offal).
Madrid’s locals were most likely to describe their food scene as both “diverse” and “experimental”—a promising combination that signals a culinary culture that’s both vibrant and evolving.
6. Mexico City: Ancient Traditions, Modern Interpretations
In Mexico City, food is less a necessity and more an obsession—a topic that, as local food editor Elisa Herrera notes, people can “talk about all day long.” The Mexican capital ranked second among food experts in Time Out’s survey, with 80% of locals rating their dining scene excellent.
What makes Mexico City special is its layers of history on a plate. From the ancient corn varieties that form the backbone of its cuisine to the contemporary interpretations at world-renowned restaurants like Pujol and Quintonil, this is a place where culinary heritage is both preserved and continually reinvented.
While international influences from Italy, Korea, and Thailand are currently enjoying a moment in the spotlight, traditional dishes remain the soul of the city. Chiles en nogada—poblano peppers stuffed with picadillo, topped with walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds—is a seasonal delicacy that showcases the patriotic colors of the Mexican flag. Locals recommend Nicos for the definitive version of this beloved dish.
7. Lagos: Nigeria’s Flavorful Metropolis
Lagos offers a window into the rich culinary heritage of Nigeria, with hearty, flavorful dishes that tell the story of a diverse nation. The city ranked as the second-most affordable food destination in Time Out’s survey.
What makes Lagos special is how food connects to both daily life and celebration. From smoky suya (spiced skewers of meat) from Northern Nigeria to Igbo delicacies like Ofe Nsala (a spiced catfish soup), the city serves as a living museum of Nigerian cuisine. Afro-Brazilian influence appears in dishes like Frejon, reflecting the historical connections between West Africa and South America.
Street food thrives in Lagos, with Akara (bean fritters) paired with Agege bread and smoky Boli (roasted plantain) providing daily sustenance for millions. Sundays at ILÉ IYÁN celebrate authentic Yoruba cuisine, while innovative spots like NOK by Alara and Slow Lagos reimagine Nigerian flavors through a contemporary lens.
8. Shanghai: China’s Diverse Culinary Capital
With nearly 25 million residents from across China and beyond, Shanghai offers an unparalleled panorama of Chinese cuisine. The city earned a 92% approval rating from locals in Time Out’s survey.
What makes Shanghai special is how it functions as a microcosm of China’s vast culinary landscape. Internal migration means you can explore regional cuisines from far-flung provinces without leaving the city—from the minority dishes of Guizhou to the spice-dusted skewers of Xinjiang and the tropical flavors of Yunnan.
Recent years have seen Shanghai emerge as a laboratory for culinary innovation, with “neo-bistros” where young Chinese chefs blend global techniques with local, seasonal ingredients. But locals suggest starting with Shanghainese or “Hu” cuisine, particularly shengjianbao—pan-fried soup dumplings with a delicious pork filling and an addictively crispy bottom.
The Rest of the Top 20: A Global Feast Continues
From Paris’s elegant bistros (9) to Lima’s world-renowned ceviche (12), from Marrakech’s aromatic tagines (11) to Jakarta’s vibrant street food scene (10), and rounding out with Riyadh (13), Mumbai (14), Abu Dhabi (15), Cairo (16), Porto (17), Montreal (18), Naples (19), and San José (20), the world offers endless opportunities for culinary exploration.
As we navigate this increasingly interconnected world, food remains one of our most direct connections to place, culture, and each other. In the words of Bourdain, “Walk in someone else’s shoes. Or at least eat their food.”
So pack your appetite and an open mind. The world’s greatest food cities await, each offering its own unique feast for the senses. Whether you’re slurping noodles at a Bangkok street stall or savoring a fine dining tasting menu in Mexico City, remember that each bite connects you to centuries of tradition, innovation, and the universal human desire to create something delicious.