Best cities in the world for foodies named by Time Out
Some travelers pick a city break based on the destination's cultural offerings – shortlisting the best museums and galleries to visit. Others eye up cities with buzzy nightlife or opt for a destination hosting a festival or event.
But for many vacationers, the most exciting part of any trip is the food. These are the travelers that wake up on the first day of the trip excited for all the culinary delights awaiting them: from sprawling markets offering local delicacies, to late-night street food, to independent restaurants serving distinctive dishes you won't forget any time soon.
It's these gourmand travelers Time Out had in mind when the global media organisation put together a new ranking of the world's best foodie cities.
"Food is everything when traveling," Grace Beard, Time Out's travel editor told CNN Travel. "A good (or bad) meal can make or break a trip – it's usually one of the things we remember most."
10. Portland, USA
The top US city on Time Out's ranking was Portland, Oregon – at number 10. According to Time Out, Portland is another must-visit spot for pizza lovers, with Mexican pizza – a pizza topped with taco ingredients – named by locals as the city's best-value dish.
9. Dubai, UAE
The ninth city on Time Out's ranking is Dubai. Time Out says locals named traditional Middle Eastern dishes such as mandi rice, shawarma and charcoal-grilled chicken as the city's must-eats
8. Mumbai, India
India boasts a variety of street food in both sweet and salty varieties, with Time Out recommending vegetarian fast food dish vada pav, a deep fried potato patty inside a bread roll.
7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia comes in seventh place with it's unique melting pot of cultures influencing the food scene, from street food to high-end cuisine.
6. Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand's capital Bangkok came in at number six, with an array of street food and curries to feast on throughout the city.
5. Beijing, China
Number five on Time Out's list is Beijing, China. Time Out names the city's signature dish as Peking duck. Time Out suggests eating it at one of the city's many night markets.
3. Lima, Peru
Rounding out Time Out's top three is Lima, Peru, where Time Out recommends visitors try signature dishes ceviche and arroz con pollo (chicken and rice). The city's Central restaurant, recently named as number one in the 2023 World's 50 Best Restaurants awards, naturally gets a mention too.
Pictured here: a traditional sea bass ceviche dish cooked by Peruvian chef Roberto Madrid at his restaurant Aroma de Mar in Lima.
2. Johannesburg, South Africa
At number two on Time Out's list is the South African city of Johannesburg, with Time Out quoting Johannesburg food writer Thando Moleketi-Williams, who recommends the central neighbourhood of Braamfontein and spots including wine bar Mamakashaka and Friends on De Beer Street, and restaurant and gallery space Artivist.
Time Out declares the city's must-eat dish is kota sandwich, a stuffed bread featuring tasty ingredients such as potato chips, sausage, egg or cheese, and also spotlights bunny chow, a South African street food featuring curry, meat or beans stuffed inside bread.
1. Naples, Italy
Coming in at number one on Time Out's list is the Italian city of Naples, the oft-rumored birthplace of pizza.
Unsurprisingly, the cheesy delights of pizza margherita gets a shout out in Time Out's list as the city's "must-eat dish" – but sumptuous pasta dish Neapolitan ragù and sweet sfogliatella are also namechecked.
