World's Best Food Trails

If you have food on your mind, then the world is your platter. Choose from hundreds of Michelinstar restaurants in Japan, gobble on hawker food in Malaysia, or let kebabs melt in your mouth in Lucknow—on your journey across the globe, let your stomach be your guide.

- Preeti Verma Lal

Food tourism. The new global trend might seem as simple as trying local food and beverage but it is much more than a pint of beer, a wok of noodles and a bucket of fries—it is the pursuit of unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences, both near and far. Formerly known as culinary tourism, food tourism is not limited to gourmet food; it includes the food carts and street vendors as much as the locals-only (gastro)pubs, dramatic wineries, or one-of-a-kind restaurants. Food tourism also gives a strong sense of place, which drives new business income and new tax revenue.

Research from the World Food Travel Association’s (WFTA) 2016 Food Travel Monitor proves that visitors spend approximately 25 percent of their travel budget on food and beverages. The figure can get as high as 35 percent in expensive destinations, and as low as 15 percent in more affordable destinations. Confirmed food lovers also spend a bit more than the average of 25 percent spent by travellers in general. According to WFTA, countries like Ireland, Peru and Canada are making significant investment in culinary tourism development and are seeing results with visitor spending and overnight stays rising as a result of food tourism promotions and product development. Not surprisingly, food tourism is the big buzzword for the travel industry. Here’s a pick of the world’s top 10 food cities.

01 TO VISIT MOROCCO IS STILL LIKE TURNING THE PAGES OF SOME ILLUMINATED PERSIAN MANUSCRIPT ALL EMBROIDERED WITH BRIGHT SHAPES AND SUBTLE LINES.

—Edith Wharton

Marrakesh, Morocco: Street food in ‘Masterpiece of World Heritage’