Whether it’s hearty Italian cuisine in Bologna or mouthwatering slices of pizza in New York City, some cities around the world please food lovers more than others. The world’s most delicious travel destinations are worth planning a trip around, as indulging in local cuisines is not only a fun way to tickle your taste buds, but you’ll also get an authentic peek into the local culture.
With over 400 million annual visitors to HotelsCombined, we’ve compiled a list of the most delicious travel destinations across the globe, from Tokyo and Bangkok to Buenos Aires. We’ve also highlighted where to stay in these culinary capitals, as well as foodie-related attractions you don’t want to miss.
Tokyo, Japan
When it comes to delicious travel destinations, no one does it better than Japan. One of the world’s greatest food cities, you can find anything from Michelin star restaurants to vending machine restaurants serving up fast-food noodles in Tokyo. Fill up on fresh sushi, ramen and tempura, then try different noodles dishes like udon and soba. Even 7-Eleven in Japan has delicious offerings, including tasty rice triangles called onigiri.
Top Foods to Try:
- Omurice – An omelette made with fried rice and thin, fried scrambled eggs, usually topped with ketchup.
- Yakitori – Skewered chicken cooked over a coal fire and topped with sweet soy glaze.
- Monjayaki – Made with pan-fried batter, these savoury pancakes are fried on a hot grill.
Top Hotel in Tokyo for Food Lovers
Park Hyatt Tokyo
One of the most iconic hotels in Tokyo, Park Hyatt Tokyo was made famous by the hit movie Lost in Translation. Set in the Shinjuku district, it offers top-class gourmet dining options, including the 52nd-floor New York Grill with floor-to-ceiling windows and home-style dishes and Mount Fuji views at Kozue.
Take a dip in the 20-metre-long swimming pool, which offers stunning city views, then listen to live jazz at New York Bar or pick up fresh bakery items at the Pastry Boutique. Retreat to a King Bed Deluxe for city views and deep soaking tub or opt for a Diplomat Suite King to enjoy its large living room and grand piano.
Foodie Attractions Nearby:
- Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku (11.5 kilometres)
- Toyosu Fish Market (11.6 kilometres)
- Takeshita Street (2.9 kilometres)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 410 – USD 1,311
Guest Rating: 9.2
Address: 3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
New York City, New York
It’s not hard to see why New York City is on a list of delicious travel destinations. This city is designed to satisfy your tastebuds with its melting pot of cultures. Offering a vast array of options, you’re sure to find something that fits your budget, whether you’re digging into a $1 slice of pizza, a famous chocolate chip cookie from Levain Bakery or octopus and bone marrow at the Michelin-star Marea.
Top Foods to Try:
- A New York bagel with lox, smoked fish and cream cheese from Russ & Daughters.
- Pastrami on rye sandwich from Katz’s Delicatessen.
- Meat over rice covered in white sauce from The Halal Guys.
Top Hotel in New York City for Food Lovers
Hilton Times Square
Hilton Times Square is a top-rated Times Square hotel that offers guests unrivalled views of the New York City skyline. Soaring 21 stories above Times Square, Restaurant Above serves American-style cuisine in a sleek dining room. Afterwards, enjoy cocktails in the stylish Pinnacle Bar.
Along with an unbeatable location, the cozy rooms feature flat-screen TVs, mini fridges and panoramic city views. Choose the Deluxe Room with High Floor for upper floor views of Manhattan. Other perks include a fitness centre, business centre and pet-friendly rooms.
Foodie Attractions Nearby:
- Joe’s Pizza (350 metres)
- Gotham West Market (1.1 kilometres)
- Katz’s Delicatessen (4.4 kilometres)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 131 – USD 941
Guest Rating: 9
Address: 234 West 42nd Street, Theatre District, New York City, United States
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is one of the most delicious travel destinations in the United States, with many of its local specialties hard to find outside of the southeast U.S. With a blend of unique cultural influences, the city is best known for its spicy Creole and Cajun cuisine and beignets covered in confectioner’s sugar. Take a break from Bourbon Street and sample local favourites like gumbo, oysters and crawfish, and if you’re really hungry – go for a po’boy.
Top Foods to Try:
- Beignets and cafe au lait from Cafe Du Monde (which is open 24/7!)
- Classic po’boy sandwiches at Parkway Bakery & Tavern.
- Seafood gumbo made with local ingredients at Commander’s Palace.
Top Hotel in New Orleans for Food Lovers
Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans
Less than a 10-minute walk from Jackson Square, Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans is set on the world-famous Bourbon Street. Along with a rooftop pool, the hotel has multiple on-site dining and entertainment venues, from classic Creole and Cajun cuisine at Restaurant R’evolution to fresh Gulf oysters served at Desire Oyster Bar. At night, don’t miss the live music at The Jazz Playhouse or gas lantern-lit setting at Bar R’evolution.
Charming rooms and suites boast traditional gabled windows, French doors and wrought-iron balconies. Upgrade to a Bourbon Balcony Room for Bourbon Street views, or take advantage of the wet bar and separate living groom in a Bourbon Balcony Entertainment Suite.
Foodie Attractions Nearby:
- Cafe Du Monde French Market (170 metres)
- Antoine’s Restaurant (650 metres)
- Commander’s Palace (4.4 kilometres)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 232 – USD 819
Guest Rating: 8.7
Address: 300 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Bangkok, Thailand
A favourite with foodies in Southeast Asia, Bangkok is not only one of the world’s most delicious travel destinations, but it’s also budget-friendly. Street vendors and mall food courts are kings here, offering a mix of sweet and sour dishes, from spicy noodles and papaya salads and mango sticky rice. If you need an air-conditioned break, visit Terminal 21, which has stands that are offshoots of popular street carts.
Top Foods to Try:
- Hot and Sour Prawn Soup (Tom Yum Goong) – A spicy Thai seafood soup with an abundance of jumbo prawns.
- Papaya Salad (Som Tum) – A green papaya salad made with garlic, sugar, fish sauce, lime and tamarind juice.
- Chicken in Coconut Soup (Tom Kha Gai) – Made with chicken, creamy coconut milk, lemongrass and ginger.
Top Hotel in Bangkok for Food Lovers
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
One of Bangkok’s most luxurious hotels, Mandarin Oriental is set on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Its 5-star luxuries extend to its sumptuous on-site dining options, which include contemporary two Michelin-starred French cuisine at Le Normandie and seafood and prime meats paired with river views at Lord Jim’s. It also boasts a lavish spa, on-site cooking school and outdoor swimming pools.
Rooms blend Thai style with distinctive modern touches, with most featuring stunning river views. Stay in a Deluxe Balcony Room for floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river, or upgrade to an Author’s Suite for a furnished balcony and living room. Two-bedroom suites are also available.
Foodie Attractions Nearby:
- Silom Soi 20 (1.1 kilometres)
- Yaowarat Road (2.6 kilometres)
- Chatuchak Market (10.9 kilometres)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 646 – USD 7,468
Guest Rating: 9.9
Address: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bang Rak, Bangkok, Thailand
Bologna, Italy
Each region of Italy has its own unique specialties, like seafood in Sicily and pizza and Naples, but Bologna is arguably the country’s culinary capital. Bologna and Emilia Romagna are Italy’s most delicious travel destinations, offering traditional dishes like handmade stuffed pasta and is known for its Parmigiano Reggiano, silky smooth balsamic di Modena and fresh mortadella.
Top Foods to Try:
- Bolognese – Homemade tagliatelle or pappardelle pasta in a classic Bolognese sauce.
- Tortelloni – Ricotta and Parmigiano Reggiano with egg, parsley and nutmeg, served in a butter and sage dressing.
- Tortellacci – Giant tortellini stuffed with spinach, meat, onions and garlic and sautéed with butter or white wine.
Top Hotel in Bologna for Food Lovers
Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni
One of the most iconic hotels in Bologna, Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni is set in an 18th-century palazzo. It’s on-site restaurant I Carracci Restaurant is renowned for its traditional cuisines and Italian frescoes, while the wine cellar at Enoteca Morandi has 300 top-quality wines. Unwind with a signature cocktail at Cafe Marinetti or visit the spa’s Turkish bath and sauna.
Posh rooms have a mix of antique furniture, classic French decor and modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and mini bars. The Art Deco Terrace Suite is the hotel’s most prestigious option, offering a large living room with a fireplace and bar and panoramic city views from its furnished terrace.
Foodie Attractions Nearby:
- Osteria dell’Orsa (550 metres)
- Broccaindosso (1.2 kilometres)
- Quadrilatero (550 metres)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 263 – USD 3,000
Guest Rating: 9.2
Address: Via Indipendenza 8, Bologna City Centre, Bologna, Italy
Buenos Aires, Argentina
While it’s been known for its succulent steak and meat-heavy traditional cuisines, Buenos Aires has platefuls of charm to suit every taste. Argentine asado, savoury empanadas, Argentine-style sausage sandwiches and milanesas (steak coated in breadcrumbs) are its biggest food highlights, while various Mediterranean-inspired dishes brought by immigrants are also popular. Finish your meal with a bowl of arroz con leche (sweet rice).
Top Foods to Try:
- Asado – Barbecue beef, pork, ribs and sausages topped with chimichurri.
- Empanadas – Puff pastries filled with sweet or savoury stuffing, from various meats to sweet potato paste.
- Alfajores – Two shortbread-like biscuits joined together with dulce de leche.
Top Hotel in Buenos Aires for Food Lovers
Alvear Palace Hotel
Dating back to 1932, the iconic 5-star Alvear Palace Hotel sets a high standard for luxury. Its on-site dining is highlighted by local Argentinian cuisine served at Alvear Grill, while the Alvear Roof Bar serves food and drinks with stunning 11th-floor city views. Alternatively, you can unwind at the spa’s rooftop indoor pool and sauna.
You’ll feel like royalty in the chic rooms and suites, which boast antique furnishings, chandeliered bedrooms, Jacuzzis and exclusive Hermés toiletries. The Deluxe Lounge Suite has butler services and features a separate living room, while the Alvear Suite has a Jacuzzi and Roof Garden Suite boasts a terrace overlooking Recoleta’s parks.
Foodie Attractions Nearby:
- Florería Atlántico (1 kilometre)
- Don Julio (3.5 kilometres)
- Chori (4.6 kilometres)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 288 – USD 3,564
Guest Rating: 9.9
Address: Avenida Alvear 1891, Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Singapore
The cuisine in Singapore is as diverse as its people, offering a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and western influences. Hawker centres and shopping mall food courts are as popular as luxury rooftop restaurants in this eclectic city, while some dishes (like chilli crab, laksa and Hainanese chicken rice) are universally loved.
Top Foods to Try:
- Char Kway Teow – White noodles fried with black Soya sauce, bean sprouts, fish cakes, clams and Chinese sausage.
- Chilli Crab – Hard-shell crabs cooked in thick gravy with a tomato chilli base, served with bread to soak up the gravy.
- Hainanese Chicken Rice – Steamed chicken cut into thin pieces, served with rice cooked in chicken stock and garlic-chilli sauce.
Top Hotel in Singapore for Food Lovers
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands boasts one of the world’s most iconic infinity pools, standing 57 stories high above the city below. A striking building in Singapore’s skyline, this luxe hotel also offers an array of entertainment options, from an on-site casino and award-winning spa to nightclubs, theatre shows and celebrity chef restaurants.
All rooms boast 24-hour in-room dining, stocked mini bars and flat-screen TVs, while Premier Rooms add a deep soaking tub. Celebrate in style in a Sands Suite with a pool table and media room, or go all out in Skyline Suite with a separate living room and 24-hour butler services.
Foodie Attractions Nearby:
- Maxwell Food Centre (2 kilometres)
- Burnt Ends (2.4 kilometres)
- Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice (1.3 kilometres)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 213 – USD 1,156
Guest Rating: 9
Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay, Central Singapore, Singapore
Lyon, France
Forget Paris, Lyon is considered the gastronomic capital of France. With a high concentration of restaurants and a proud tradition of famous chefs, this city is a food lover’s heaven. While the Michelin-star restaurants are excellent, make sure to also eat in a “bouchon”, which are rustic eateries that are usually family-owned, and browse the local Saint Antoine Market for regional specialties. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, try the pralines tart, a traditional French confection.
Top Foods to Try:
- Lyonnaise salad – Made with frisée lettuce, a poached egg, bacon and vinaigrette dressing.
- Saucisson brioche – Sausage (usually coated in pistachios) and baked inside a brioche loaf.
- Quenelles – Dumplings in various shapes, topped with a Bechamel and crayfish sauce.
Top Hotel in Lyon for Food Lovers
Hotel Carlton Lyon – MGallery
Occupying a grand 19th-century building, Hotel Carlton Lyon – MGallery overlooks Place de la Republique and offers easy access to the city’s best restaurants. Stylish rooms boast flat-screen TVs, mini bars and espresso machines, as well as steam room and hammam access. For the best views of Place de la Republique, stay in the spacious Junior Rotunda Suite.
After a long day of sightseeing, sample the signature “Carlton red” cocktail at Le Bar du Carlton, which boasts plush seating. You can also get pampered at Spa Codage with a Haute Couture massage or enjoy a Lyonnaise breakfast each morning.
Foodie Attractions Nearby:
- Place des Jacobins (350 metres)
- La Commune (2.7 kilometres)
- Brasserie Georges (2 kilometres)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 169 – USD 395
Guest Rating: 9.2
Address: 4 Rue Jussieu, 2nd arrondissement of Lyon, Lyon, France
San Sebastian, Spain
Ask any local where the best food in Spain is and they will undoubtedly suggest the Basque Country, where the city of San Sebastian sits as its culinary capital. From rustic pintxos bars to avant-garde Michelin star restaurants, this city offers fresh seafood (like pickled anchovies and salt cod), foie gras, grass-fed beef and sheep’s milk cheese. Wash down your treats with a “natural” cider made with fermented apples.
Top Foods to Try:
- Txuleta – Grass-fed beef grilled over coals and served with sea salt.
- Salt Cod – Pil Pil style, a special cooking technique using garlic and olive oil.
- Gilda – Traditional pintxos with anchovies, olives and pickled spicy peppers.
Top Hotel in San Sebastian for Food Lovers
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
A charming boutique hotel set in a historic building, Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra is the epitome of beachfront luxury. In addition to easy waterfront and Old Town access, HotelsCombined visitors love the hotel’s La Brasserie Mari Galant Restaurant with its menu of authentic Basque cuisine and La Concha Bay views. Alternatively, Bar Swing serves food and drinks on its beautiful outdoor terrace.
The accommodation offers sea and La Concha beach views, as well as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs and room service. Suites add extra space with sitting areas, while Attic Terraces boast Jacuzzis and furnished terraces with water views.
Foodie Attractions Nearby:
- Mercado de San Martín (170 metres)
- Bar Txepetxa (850 metres)
- Arzak (3.1 kilometres)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 88 – USD 228
Guest Rating: 8.9
Address: C. Zubieta 2, San Sebastian City Centre, San Sebastian, Spain
Treat Your Taste Buds to These Delicious Travel Destinations
There’s something for every taste and preference on our list of delicious travel destinations, whether you prefer spicy dishes from an Asian hawker centre or want to indulge in a sweet pralines tart in France. Pair your culinary journey with a stay at one of these top hotels, which also offer on-site restaurants and nearby food-related attractions to satisfy your cravings.
Which is your favourite from our list of delicious travel destinations? Let us know in the comments below.
