The top destinations for foodie travellers to visit in 2025
Various studies have shown that over half of travellers choose their holiday destinations based on the culinary experiences they offer.
With that in mind, the experts at Travelbag have unveiled a list of the world's top cities across the globe and in Europe that are tantalising food lovers everywhere.
Looking at metrics like the buzz on social media, the variety of cuisines on offer and the average cost of a meal, the team has determined which cities deserve the title of food capital.
And a few Aussie spots are among the best of the best.
10. New York City, USA
Kicking things off is New York City placing in 10th spot. The city never sleeps and has 352 food and drink activities to choose from, offering everything from street food to high end (and celebrity-frequented) restaurants.
8. Tokyo, Japan
One of the best-performing cities in terms of the average cost of a meal for two people ($72), Tokyo ranks in eighth spot overall.
While the focus is on Asian cuisine, there are an incredible 476 food and drink activities to choose from during a visit.
7. Houston, USA
In seventh place globally is Houston, Texas, offering 83 different cuisines at an average cost of $130 for two people. Over 1 million food-related hashtags praise the cities offerings on Instagram.
6. Chicago, USA
The third US city to make the list was Chicago. Its iconic 'bean' may not be edible but with over 105 different cuisines on offer across the city there is something to suit everyone's taste.
5. Hanoi, Vietnam
While Hanoi in Vietnam may only generally offer four cuisines, it does them well and there are plenty of options to choose from with 510 food and drink activities in the city.
4. Sydney, Australia
Sydney missed out on the podium by one spot, placing in fourth. The NSW capital and home of stunning sights like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, is also extremely popular for its food offerings, according to the 2.4 million relevant hashtags on Instagram.
3. Dubai, UAE
In third place was Dubai, thanks to its luxury dining scene, and world-famous restaurants such as Nusr-Et, led by 'Salt Bae', and Pierchic.
The city is also famous for its extravagant food trends, which include 24K gold-covered steaks.
3. Barcelona, Spain
The study was split into two parts - focusing on Europe alone for one list, and long-haul destinations (for those living in Europe) in the global list.
As such, Barcelona takes third place within Europe specifically, offering a more affordable experience, with a meal costing £50 ($101) on average for two people.
The city also offers 51 types of cuisine and a vibrant food scene, from tapas to fresh seafood, drawing visitors eager to experience both local flavours and international influences.
2. Toronto, Canada
Globally, Toronto was ranked second as it has the highest number of TikTok posts among long-haul destinations with the location hashtag '#torontofood,' at 145,600 overall.
It also beats the winner when it comes to the types of cuisine, with 103 existing overall, including traditional Canadian dishes like poutine - essentially french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Taiwanese food is a real hit in Toronto, as well as Greek, Turkish, and many more.
