street food in Bangkok
I’ve lost track of how many cities I’ve visited over the past few years (pretty much all in the sake of eating and drinking), but I know it has spanned five different continents and dozens of countries. Last year alone I visited 27 different cities in the US and abroad and I don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. The beginning of a new decade seemed like the perfect time to recount my favorite cities I’ve had the pleasure of eating my way through – here are my favorite 15 foodie cities in the world!
Tokyo, Japan: Stand up sushi bars, ramen shops on every corner and well over 200 Michelin starred restaurants make Tokyo a Mecca for foodies. This city is positively booming with outstanding food.
Beignets & café au laits at Cafe Du Monde
New Orleans, LA: New Orleans is a magically delicious city. They take hospitality to a whole different level here. From your classic, mouth watering Cajun to southern Louisiana/Vietnamese fusion, there’s no shortage of good food to be had.
See my blog on “Seven Delicious Experiences Not to be Missed in New Orleans” here!
Marrakesh, Morocco: I have never been somewhere that felt so alive as Morocco; the streets are positively humming with activity. Over indulge in delicious tagine and drink too much mint tea. The Big Square is where all the action is and where you can purchase fresh juices and endless street food among all types of other goods and souvenirs.
Tacos from Dai Due Taqueria at the Fareground food hall.
Austin, TX: Almost immediately upon arriving in Austin, I realized what a fantastic food city it is. Not only is it the motherland for tacos and barbecue, they’ve also got a killer food truck scene, amazing plant based options, tons of trendy Tex Mex and a sense of pride in locally sourced ingredients.
Nice, France: Forget Paris, Nice is absolute heaven for foodies! A stunning, artsy town that sits on the sparkling Mediterranean, Nice is known for its museums, flower markets and (of course) outstanding food. Being less than 20 miles from Italy, you’ll also find fantastic pastas and olive oils here (both French and Italian) as well as classic French fare.
Check out my blog on “12 Delicious Spots Not to Miss in Nice” here.
Chicken and Waffles at Screen Door
Portland, OR: There’s no denying that Portland is one of the most delicious cities on earth. I’ve made at least three dozen trips down since moving to the Pacific Northwest, and every time I return absolutely blown away by the creative concepts and bold flavors.
Bangkok, Thailand: Thailand is the king of street food. From fried doughnuts to squid eggs to watermelon slushees, you’ll find any type of food imaginable on the streets of Bangkok. You’ll also find refined Michelin star restaurants (and some not so refined, like the famous Jay Fai, whose crab omelet was easily one of the greatest things I’ve ever eaten.)
Savannah, GA: A beautifully historic city, Savannah offers classic restaurants steeped in Southern tradition as well as trendy, new age spots that are pushing the envelope and redefining what southern cuisine is. I planned an entire trip to this city last year just so I could eat at The Grey, Chef Mashama Bailey’s sublime spot in historic downtown Savannah that occupied a once segregated 1938 Greyhound Bus Terminal.
Victoria, BC: I have to say I was surprised at how many amazing restaurants there were in Victoria the first time I visited in 2018. Since then, I’ve made four different trips to this city, and everyone has been delicious. Standouts include Red Fish Blue Fish (the best fish and chips of my life), The Courtney Room (where I had a beyond fantastic birthday dinner) and Fol Epi (where they serve life changing pastries).
Check out my blog on Where to Eat and Drink in Victoria, BC here!
Brunch at Cabra
Chicago, IL: I think it’s impossible to visit Chicago and not over-indulge (it definitely was for me)! Chicago has some of the finest and trendiest restaurants in the country and I was beyond impressed with the level of service we received at these establishments. Dining at Next with my dad for Father’s Day was one of the highlights of my life (and worth every penny), and brunch at Stephanie Izard’s new Peruvian inspired Cabra was pure bliss.
Check out my blog on where to eat in Chicago here!
Mexico City, Mexico: Another one of the great street food cities of the world, my version of heaven is roaming Mexico City with an endless appetite. It’s the land of all things delicious – street tacos, al pastor, churros, queso fundido and tortas. Mezcalerias (Mezal bars) and fresh fruit are everywhere and it’s incredibly cheap.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: The land of exquisite steaks and beautiful Malbecs, both of which are extremely budget friendly. (It’s almost as cheap to have a bottle of wine with lunch here as it is to have a full bottle of sparkling water). Massive tenderloin and red wine lunches here are 100% acceptable, and you’ll swoon over the sweet dulce de leches.
Seattle, WA: I would be remiss if I did not include Seattle in this list, the fantastically delicious city that I am so lucky to call home! There is no denying Seattle is one of the yummiest cities in America (and the world, in my opinion). We are beyond blessed with access to an incredible bounty of fruits and vegetables, fantastic local farms and an abundance of seafood. We’ve got killer Asian food (the best sushi anywhere outside of Japan) and our chefs have an extreme dedication to the freshest local ingredients and a true farm to table experience.
I have en entire section on my blog devoted to food in Seattle, check it out here!
Barcelona, Spain: Ah Barcelona, just thinking about it now brings a huge smile to my face (and a rumble to my tummy)! I had the greatest meal of my life here at Tickets (seen on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table”) and consumed an embarrassing amount of Iberico ham and Manchego cheese (which are served in paper cones on the street). La Boqueria Market is a magical food market you will want to make at least one visit to!
Osaka, Japan: All of Japan is quite delicious, but Osaka is known as the kitchen of the country, making it an absolute must visit for any food lover. While I was a big fan of Tokyo, Osaka was more my speed – it’s much grittier and real and has an abundance of street food. Kushikatsu (fried food on skewers) is king here.
Leave a Reply