TOP 10 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR FOODIES IN 2022 + MUST-TRY DISHES

It’s crystal clear that eating out takes one of the most significant parts of our trips, so we have to roll with it, and we’re certainly not complaining.

Here are some ideas for your next foodie journey depending on the continent you’re planning to visit:

EUROPE

France

No French fries, folks. There’s a reason the word cuisine comes from the French language. French cuisine is known to have some of the most complicated food-making techniques. The main French gastronomical aspects - cheese & wine are the things not to miss.

The best city for foodies: Lyon.

Must-try dishes:

• Cassoulet
• Coq au vin
• Soupe à l'oignon
• Bœuf bourguignon
• Chocolate souffléa

Italy

Pasta, pizza, gelato, prosecco, pesto, parmesan… Did we miss something? The Italian secret is simplicity - it’s all about the quality & traditions. Little taverns full of people, food & laughter are what Italian cuisine is all about.

The best city for foodies: Bologna.

Must-try dishes:

• Risotto
• Gnocchi
• Lasagne
• Napoletana Pizza
• Spaghetti carbonara

Spain

Rich with seafood & sangria everywhere you go, Spain is the leader in the food world. If you’re used to going bar hopping - in Spain, you have to change it to tapas hopping. It’s what will allow you to get to know the city better by trying out the main dish at the same time.

The best city for foodies: Barcelona.

Must-try dishes:
 

• Tapas
• Paella
• Gazpacho
• Patatas Bravas
• Gambas al ajillo

ASIA

Thailand

A spicy stir-in, the culinary capital of south-east Asia. Even though the main base product here is rice, Thailand dishes are internationally influenced, and the cuisine offers a whole variety of choices. Try it all in local street markets to feel the vibe.

The best city for foodies: Bangkok.

Must-try dishes:
 

• Guay Teow (Noodle Soup) 
• Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup) 
• Som Tam (Spicy Green Papaya Salad)
• Tom Kha Gai (Chicken in Coconut Soup)
• Yam Pla Dook Foo (Fried Catfish with Green Mango Salad)

Japan

Yes, sushi, but people say it’s hard to count the other drinks & dishes it has to offer. While the locals have truly sweet teeth, expect to get some desserts you’ve never tried before. Just keep in mind - some of them might seem a tad unusual (or not so delicious, in other words) at first. But don’t rush to judge. It takes time to fall in love!

The best city for foodies: Osaka, but Tokyo goes just beside by having the most Michelin-rated restaurants worldwide.

Must-try dishes:

• ​Sushi
• Ramen
• Sashimi
• Tempura
• Okonomiyaki

India

This one’s one of the favorites among vegetarians since there’s a whole range of meat-free offers to choose from. The secret here is not that complicated either, and it’s called spices. 7 layers of herbs, and you might find the chicken - that’s what makes it so different from others.

The best city for foodies: Delhi.

Must-try dishes:

• Kebab 
• Bhelpuri
• Masala dosa
• Dal makhani
• Butter Chicken

China

This one’s spicy, you can count on that, and rice is a major staple food here - it’s a real paradise for authentic Asian cuisine lovers. You can choose the vibe depending on the day here: whether you’re in a mood for street food or a fancy Michelin-star restaurant.

The best city for foodies: Chengdu (a UNESCO city of gastronomy)

Must-try dishes:

• ​Hot Pot
• Dumplings 
• Kung Pao Chicken 
• Sweet and Sour Pork
• Peking Roasted Duck

NORTH AMERICA

Mexico

Taco Tuesday is every day, imagine? All vibrant & colorful, Mexican food is one of the oldest food cultures in the world. The destination has earned a UNESCO World Heritage designation for its food, and we believe it is highly underrated. To explore the cuisine more closely, we recommend diving into some food & cooking tours.

The best city for foodies: Mexico City, closely followed by Oaxaca.

Must-try dishes:

• ​Tacos
• Burritos
• Mollettes
• Chilaquiles
• Huevos Rancheros

AFRICA

Morocco

Couscous being the key ingredient, it’s prepared at every family house & every week. Morocco shows up in most of the best food destinations & you can expect to get an unforgettable African taste. It’s also known for the variety of seasoning & innovative ingredient combinations.

The best city for foodies: Marrakech.

Must-try dishes:

• ​Harira
• B'ssara
• Kefta tagine
• Fish chermoula
• Moroccan Chicken Bastilla

SOUTH AMERICA

Argentina

It’s not only about the wine & stakes, but they indeed are an enormous reason Argentina is on this list. Influenced by European & South American flavors, Argentinian cuisine is heaven for meat lovers. They’re not really into spicing things up (at least in the kitchen), and their food is complete opposition to most Asian dishes.

The best city for foodies: Buenos Aires.

Must-try dishes:

• Asado
• Alfajores
• Provoleta
• Chimichurri
• Dulce de leche

And if you already chose your foodie-dream destination, we don’t want you to splash on the hotel without the need to.

How much food could you order with $55 at a restaurant? We bet for at least a fancy steak! So do not waste money on hotels if you could waste it on food - RatePunk is there for you to show the cheapest option.