My Personal Top 5 Foodie Destinations Around the World
If you know me, you will know I plan my trips around what I am going to eat. Restaurants get bookmarked before museums. Food markets go on the must see list before landmarks. For me, flavour is part of the adventure.
Over the years, I have been lucky enough to experience some incredible culinary destinations, and these five truly stand out. They are not just places where the food is good. They are places where food is woven into the culture, the atmosphere and the memories.
🇮🇹 Bologna, Italy
Bologna completely stole my heart.
Often described as Italy’s culinary capital, it is the birthplace of proper ragù, and once you have tasted it there, you realise how different it is from what we have at home. Fresh tagliatelle, handmade tortellini, plates of prosciutto and parmesan that taste impossibly good.
The beauty of Bologna is in the simplicity. Tiny trattorias, long lunches and a sense that every meal matters. Every table feels like a celebration.
🇲🇽 Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca is bold, colourful and unforgettable.
The markets are alive with spices, chillies and local ingredients. The mole sauces alone are worth the flight, layered, complex and completely different from one another. Add mezcal tastings at sunset and street food that surprises you at every turn, and you have a destination that feels like a full sensory experience.
It is vibrant, energetic and full of flavour.
🇺🇸 New Orleans, USA
New Orleans is not just about the food, it is about the atmosphere.
Gumbo, po’ boys and warm beignets dusted in sugar. Strong coffee in the morning. Live jazz drifting through the streets as you wander from one restaurant to the next. Everything feels rich, soulful and full of character.
It is indulgent in the best possible way.
🇵🇹 Porto, Portugal
Porto is effortlessly romantic.
Fresh seafood by the river, pastel de nata in the afternoon and a glass of port as the sun sets over the rooftops. It is perfect for slow, indulgent evenings and long conversations over dinner.
The pace is gentle, the flavours are generous and it is a wonderful destination for couples or friends who love to eat well.
🇻🇳 Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is street food heaven.
Sitting on tiny plastic stools eating pho and bun cha while scooters zip past you. Fresh spring rolls, fragrant herbs and bowls of steaming broth that are simple yet incredible.
It is authentic, chaotic and completely delicious. The kind of place where you try something new at every corner.
Travel memories stay with you, but food memories really stay with you.
If you would love a trip where every meal is an experience, I would absolutely love to plan it for you. I can help you find the right hotel, the right neighbourhood and even the restaurants worth booking before you go.
email jessica.cullen@travelcounsellors.com
07514369905 | 01244 490002
#journeywithJess
