Melbourne dethroned as the top food destination in the world by unexpected city
Every Aussie knows that the undisputed 'foodie' capital of the country is Melbourne.
Even if you swear the café down the road from you does a better latte, or that the dumpling spot you've been going to for years rivals the best in Hong Kong, there's no denying that Melbourne is a foodie destination.
Its concentration of highly-rated eateries, wide variety of cuisines and cultures, and its embracing of everything from cheap street food to three-hatted restaurants has seen Melbourne be globally recognised for its food scene.
READ MORE: Keen for a beach day but not the crowds? These are Queensland's top secluded beaches to seek out
Melbourne has great food. Visit Victoria
In fact, last year, Melbourne was named by Travelbag as the number one destination in the world for food lovers.
However, this year, our humble city has been dethroned.
READ MORE: Australia's 'coolest' destinations to escape the heat during summer
Dubai has been named the world's top foodie destination for 2026, thanks to its high number of food experiences, social media buzz, and online searches.
The stopover city offers everything from fine dining in iconic skyscrapers to traditional Emirati cuisine in the old town. The city is also famous for its extravagant food trends, which include 24K gold-covered steaks.
Dubai has everything from high-end dining to market stalls. Getty Images/iStockphoto
A major drawcard of the Dubai food scene is how diverse it truly is. Because roughly 85 per cent of Dubai's population are expats - hailing from over 200 countries - you can find authentic food from almost every corner of the world.
As a playground for the rich and famous, the Middle Eastern city also has one of the highest densities of world-class restaurants globally. Icons like Heston Blumenthal (Dinner by Heston), Massimo Bottura (Torno Subito), and Gordon Ramsay all have outposts here.
Foodies who are planning a visit to Dubai should try to time it with the Dubai Food Festival. Usually held in early spring (April/May), it features "Restaurant Week" where you can eat at the city's most expensive spots for a fraction of the price.
READ MORE: Surprising 'comeback destination' set to boom for Aussie travellers
Local food best explored in the city's old town. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Dubai has many famous food trends - like Dubai Chocolate. Getty
Melbourne still remains high on Travelbag's list of must-visit spots for foodies, sitting comfortably at number two.
"The city has a strong Korean influence, and Healeys Lane, nicknamed 'Kimchi Lane' by locals, is a perfect example," travel expert Fiona Wood told Travelbag.
"From Korean BBQ and hot pots to trendy bakeries, there's something for everyone."
Melbourne has plenty of diverse foods on offer. Visit Victoria
Toronto took third place on the list. Despite higher average prices ($128 for a meal for two), it outperforms many cities on social media, with the highest number of TikTok posts and Instagram hashtags.
Of course, here, you can get the famous Canadian dish poutine - hot chips smothered in gravy and cheese curds. Toronto also has an exceptional multicultural dining scene shaped by its many Chinatowns, Little Italy, and Little India.
Fourth place went to Singapore, which, like Dubai, has a dynamic mix of high-end dining and street food. It's famous for its hawker markets, as seen in the beloved rom-com Crazy Rich Asians.
Interestingly, not a single European city made the list of foodie destinations, despite places like London and Florence being full of beloved eating spots.
Best destinations for foodies in 2026:
- Dubai
- Melbourne
- Toronto
- Singapore
- Bangkok
- Sydney
- Seoul
- Hong Kong
- Chicago
- Houston
