Best Culinary Tourism Destinations

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Traveling is one of the greatest pleasures in life, but so is good gastronomy. There is no doubt that food is one of the main attractions for people when they travel. Different cultures have their own unique flavors and dishes, which can be a delicious way to experience a new place.

Therefore, combining both pleasures in the same experience is more than sensible. We are referring to gastronomic tourism or culinary tourism, which is becoming more and more popular, to the point of becoming practically a trend in recent times. 

More and more tourists are looking to travel around different countries and cities to taste the wonderful gastronomy that each one has to offer. The main idea is to go in search of new flavors, to experience new dishes with different textures and colors in each destination visited.

What is Culinary Tourism?

Culinary tourism is a term that describes the practice of traveling to different regions or countries in order to experience and explore the local cuisine. This type of travel is becoming increasingly popular, as more and more people want to try new foods, learn about different food traditions, and connect with local chefs, farmers, and other culinary experts.

Whether it involves visiting a famous restaurant or following a foodie blog, culinary tourism facilitates personal connections with food while also promoting economic growth in remote communities. Whether you are an epicurean enthusiast looking for new dining experiences or just curious about where your next meal is coming from, culinary tourism has something for everyone.

It promotes learning and discovering the culture and customs of each region through food, and the preparation of dishes and drinks. More and more people are looking for the best cities for culinary trips, and it is not only about those who have a fine or expert palate; all kinds of tourists are joining this type of trip. All that is required is to be open to experiencing new flavors and have a good appetite!

Of course, around the world, there are many different types of gastronomies, and most of them have wonderful things to offer. That’s why, with so much to offer, we have decided to narrow down the possibilities by listing the best destinations for a gastronomic trip.

Through this article, we invite you to discover which are the best cities for culinary trips. So, if you are thinking of tasting the greatest delights of world gastronomy, read on!

Best Culinary Tourism Destinations

Best Gastronomic Culinary Tourism Destinations
  1. Barcelona (Spain)

Choosing a single city in Spain to enjoy its gastronomy is really a difficult task, as each region has its own and all the country’s food is really delicious. But in this case, we decided to mention the Catalan capital where the best chefs reside, such as Ferran Adria and the Roca brothers.

The city of Barcelona is known for its rice dishes (which are not prepared like paella) which are cooked with many different ingredients to give it a lot of flavors. It is also well known for its Calcot’s, which are some kind of long onions that are grilled and eaten with romesco sauce, made with tomato and almonds.

Trip map courtesy of Wanderlog, a road trip planner on iOS and Android
  1. Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Dubai unites several Middle Eastern cuisines, although it is a luxurious city where tourist spending is quite high, you can access traditional cuisine in the markets. In them, you can delight yourself with the scents and colors of all the spices used in their dishes. 

One of the most traditional dishes of Dubai is the Mandi, which consists of meat (which can be goat, camel, or chicken) slowly cooked in tomato sauce, and served on a bed of rice with noodles. It is really delicious! 

  1. Sao Paulo (Brazil)

Brazil, the giant of Latin America, is home to the rarest ingredients and oldest cooking techniques in the Amazon. Sao Paulo is known for its gastronomy thanks to chef Alex Atala, who has made it possible for diners from all over the world to taste the best of Brazil through his dishes.

The most classic dish in Sao Paulo is feijoada and trying it is practically a must when you visit this city. It is a stew made with beef and pork with rice and black beans. It is usually served with cheese bread. It is a really intense and powerful dish; after tasting it you will probably need a good nap!

  1. Bangkok (Thailand)

This city is the capital of exotic fruits and sweet and sour flavors of Southeast Asia. The gastronomy of this country is very famous for its incredible street food and the impressive and original market that unfolds over the water. The city of Bangkok attracts all kinds of tourists for its gastronomy, as it is ranked as one of the best cities to eat.

A typical dish of Thai gastronomy is Pad Thai. You can also try a Som Tam, which is a spicy salad and papaya. Anyway, when you are visiting Bangkok it is recommended that you let yourself be carried away by the aromas of street food and try everything you can.

Also, Read: Discovering the World Solo – 7 Tips for Traveling Alone

  1. Rome (Italy)

Italian gastronomy is world-famous, and the capital of this beautiful country is one of the best places to experience dishes from all regions and all the ingredients that the Italian peninsula has to offer.

A typical dish of Rome is the Gnoccis. It is a type of pasta made with potatoes and can be eaten with stew. However, you can also try other less heavy classics, such as Caprese salad or a good carpaccio. Of course, you will always find amazing pizzas and pasta on every corner.

  1. Bonus: Romania

An underrated tourist destination, Romania has surprisingly a lot to offer in terms of food tourism and gastronomy. Romanian cuisine is famous for dishes such as cabbage rolls (vine leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice), polenta with shepherd’s cheese or ciorba (a slow-cooked broth) and many others. 

But maybe the #1 thing that will surprise foodies is the quality and rich taste of ingredients. Most of them are home-grown in the countryside where ‘organic’ doesn’t exist as a label. One of the best things to do in Bucharest is to go to a food market where you’ll see lots of small producers selling seasonal vegetables and fruits from all over the country that don’t look perfect – but have an authentic, delicious taste. So can you imagine how good dishes made with these will taste like?

This was it for today. Do you have a dream culinary destination? Would love to hear in the comments.

Have a Good Day!


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