Our Favourite Cities for Foodies
One way to truly get to know a destination’s culture is through its food — it’s certainly one of the most enjoyable ways. Below are just some of our favourite foodie cities, in alphabetical order. Warning: we’re not responsible for expanding waistliines!
Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
From beachside grills to vibrant township eateries, a proper braai is essential. A braai is more than a barbecue — it’s a social gathering where a feast is cooked over a wood or charcoal fire. Think boerewors (spiced sausage) with pap (maize porridge) and chakalaka (spicy tomato and onion relish), plus a golden braaibroodjie (sandwich). For something sweet, a peppermint crisp tart or sticky koeksister (syrup-soaked dough twist) is pure local joy.
Marrakesh, Morocco
A city scented with saffron, mint and slow-cooked spice, Marrakesh is a feast for the senses. Its souks, street stalls and riad restaurants celebrate generations of culinary craft. Start your meal with a comforting harira, Morocco’s beloved lentil and chickpea soup, popular during Ramadan but thankfully served year-round. Then tuck into a tagine barkok, an aromatic dish of tender beef with sweet prunes and eggs, slowly cooked to perfection in an earthenware pot.
The Americas
Lima, Peru
Food lovers come for bold flavours and meticulous artistry rooted in Andean, Spanish and Japanese influence. Perhaps the most famous dish is ceviche. At its best, the fish is so fresh it tastes like it came straight from the sea, “cooked” only by citrus. That zesty, almost-electric marinade is leche de tigre (literally “tiger’s milk”), made with fish trimmings, lime juice, aromatics, salt and sometimes a touch of fish stock.
New Orleans, USA
A city with music in its bones and flavour in its soul, New Orleans promises generous cooking shaped by Creole and Cajun heritage. Foodies will adore its spirited mix of spice and comfort. Be sure to try a rich gumbo, a hearty stew served over rice and made with a variety of ingredients, such as celery, peppers, okra, onions meat and/or seafood. Sandwich enthusiasts will love a po-boy, French bread filled with just about any filling you can think of, from surf to turf and beyond.
Asia
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Fast, fresh and wonderfully fragrant, Ho Chi Minh City’s cuisine champions locally grown ingredients and lighter, healthier cooking. The streets here hum with sizzling woks, wafting spices and bright herbaceous aromas. Food lovers should seek out a warming bowl of pho, layered with depth and comfort; crispy pancakes stuffed with herbs, prawns and rice; and the crisp perfection of a banh mi made to order, packed with savoury meats, pickled vegetables and punchy condiments.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
KL is a melting pot of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures, giving foodies a unique smorgasbord of flavours in one city. Must-tries include nasi lemak, rice steamed with coconut milk and served with an addictive spicy sambal, cooling cucumber, egg, deep-fried anchovies and a staggering choice of protein. Don’t let a bowl of Penang assam laksa fool you: this noodle dish hides layers of depth and complexity that rewards more adventurous palates. Even ‘simple’ dishes like char kway teow — fried rice noodles — boast satisfying chargrilled flavours.
Australasia
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne treats food almost as a religion, with creative chefs, colourful markets and superb local produce shaping tantalising dishes. From cosy alleyway cafés to chic waterfront dining, Melburnian flavours are bold yet unfussy, celebrating the city’s effortless style. Signature tastes include a flawlessly brewed flat white, the beloved parma — a hearty chicken parmigiana with plenty of character — steaming bowls of noodles, crispy dim sum, flaky meat pies and ridiculously good seafood shared.
Wellington, New Zealand
Compact, creative and proudly artisanal, Wellington is a haven for foodies. Its cafés, craft breweries and waterfront restaurants champion local, sustainable ingredients with genuine pride. Among the standouts are plump green-lipped mussels, often served simply to showcase their natural sweetness, and tender New Zealand lamb, slow-cooked or wood-fired for deep, earthy richness. Add in creamy pāua fritters, smoky hangi-style vegetables, seafood chowder and a perfectly poured flat white, and Wellington’s culinary spirit truly shines.
Europe
Lyon, France
Known as France’s gastronomic heart, Lyon has a way of welcoming you to the table as if you’ve been expected for years. There’s a quiet confidence here in this city that knows exactly what it does well. Step into a traditional bouchon and you’ll find the kind of cooking that feels both soulful and meticulously crafted. You’ll want to try quenelles de brochet, cloud-light fish dumplings in a delicate sauce and for dessert, a silky-smooth slice of tarte aux pralines that’s so unmistakably Lyonnais.
San Sebastián, Spain
A seaside city with a great culinary reputation, San Sebastián delights with the confidence of somewhere that knows its food is worth travelling for. Pintxo bars spill onto cobbled streets and Michelin-starred dining sits comfortably alongside family-run favourites. Make sure you try txuleta, the region’s gloriously charred steak; delicate gildas, a perfect trio of anchovy, olive and pepper; slow-simmered marmitako, a traditional and hearty Basque fish stew; and sagardoa cider poured from great heights to enhance its aromas.
