This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.
Last Updated on December 7, 2023
Food and travel go hand in hand. Discovering new cuisines and exploring exotic culinary traditions is a huge part of traveling the world, and some of the best vacation experiences happen around the dining table or over food.
Whether you are a committed foodie or a connoisseur of fine dining, seeking out gastronomic adventures while traveling is a must. Chances are you’ll always be on the lookout for the next great culinary experience, and you might well plan your vacations around food you want to try!
If this is the case, then take a look below at the ultimate guide to global gastronomic adventures. From the excitement of Pike Place Market on a Seattle cruise to the thrill of exotic street food in Asia, these are the places that the most serious gourmands should explore.
Bangkok, Thailand
The street food scene in Bangkok is legendary. Everywhere you turn there are carts, stalls, and hole-in-the-wall joints serving up extraordinary flavors and mouthwatering dishes. Thai food doesn’t come much more authentic or delicious than this, and there’s nothing like pad Thai or tom yum soup from a street vendor, or Thai BBQ with mango sticky rice from Chatuchak market.
Pike Place Market, Seattle
Seattle’s original farmers’ market is one of the best places in the US for produce, and whether it is fresh fish and hand-cut chips, mouthwatering dumplings made in front of you, or incredible home-baked cakes, there is an amazing array of foodie experiences in this amazing spot. Don’t miss the world-famous Pike Place Chowder, for arguably the best seafood in the city.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is synonymous with the small sharing plate goodness that is tapas, and you could quite comfortably spend days wandering from one tiny tapas restaurant to another, gorging yourself on cured meats, olives, chees, and patatas bravas, not to mention delicious fresh seafood. La Boqueria Market is the center of Barcelona’s food culture, and it is well worth a visit, to enjoy traditional Catalan cuisine or enjoy a hands-on cooking class.
Istanbul, Turkey
The fusion of East and West in the incredible city of Istanbul leads to a culinary culture that is unlike any other. The huge spice markets offer a deep dive into the exotic world of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, and you could spend weeks exploring the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar without getting bored. A trip to a traditional mangal for a shish kebab or a gozleme is a must, and no meal in Turkey is complete without a honey-sweet baklava and some warming fresh mint tea.
Oaxaca, Mexico
One of the culinary capitals of Mexico, Oaxaca has been named one of the best places in the world to eat on many occasions in the last few years. The rich culinary heritage of the region is best expressed by its mole, of which there are famously seven different varieties, as well as the fiery shots of mezcal that accompany every meal. The final piece of the puzzle in Oaxaca is chocolate, which forms a part of a huge variety of recipes, from savory to sweet.
Lyon, France
Finally, no discussion of global food destinations would be complete without at least one visit to France, the home of gourmet cuisine and arguably where the concept of fine dining was refined. Lyon is often referred to as the ‘food capital of France’, and is a paradise for anyone who idolizes French cooking. So much of what the world considers to be sophisticated dining comes from Lyon, from coq au vin and quenelles to andouillette, and not forgetting the ever-present array of succulent pastries. For true foodies, Lyon really has it all.
