Best holidays for food lovers

Love trying new dishes while you travel? You’re not alone. For food lovers, the best holidays are the ones filled with local flavours, street eats, and unforgettable meals.

Whether you crave fresh seafood, spicy street food, or fine dining with a view, there’s a perfect destination out there waiting for you. Let’s explore the best holiday spots where the food steals the show. 

Tips for planning the perfect food holiday

Planning a food-focused trip? Here are a few easy tips to ensure every bite is worth it.

Do your research: Before you go, look up local dishes, food blogs, and markets. A quick read can help you find the hidden gems, not just the tourist spots.

Book a food tour or cooking class: They’re a fun way to learn about the local culture and try new flavours. Plus, you often get to eat like a local, not just like a visitor.

Leave room in your schedule (and your stomach): Don’t plan too much. Some of the best meals are the ones you stumble upon while exploring.

Check for food festivals: If you can time your trip with a local food festival, even better. They’re a great way to taste lots of different dishes in one spot.

Be open to trying new things: The most memorable bites are often the unexpected ones. Say yes to something you wouldn’t normally eat, you might love it!

Top destinations for food lovers

Japan:

If you love food, Japan should be high on your list. Every region has its own special dishes, and the quality is second to none. Whether you’re eating at a Michelin-starred sushi counter or grabbing noodles from a train station, the care and flavour are always there.

From fresh seafood to sizzling street snacks, Japan offers a full-on food adventure. Here’s a taste of what you can try in different parts of the country:

Tokyo: 

• Try: Sushi, tempura, wagyu beef.
• Don’t miss: Conveyor belt sushi spots, tiny ramen shops, and luxury tasting menus.
• Tip: Visit Tsukiji Outer Market for snacks and fresh seafood.
  

Osaka: Japan’s street food capital

• Try: Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu.
• Don’t miss: Dotonbori, a lively food street packed with neon signs and endless bites.
• Tip: Eat like a local, standing up at casual food stalls is normal here.
  

Kyoto: Elegant and seasonal cuisine

• Try: Kaiseki (multi-course fine dining), matcha desserts, yudofu (tofu hot pot).
• Don’t miss: Traditional tea houses and riverside dining in summer.
• Tip: Keep an eye out for local sweets, made with seasonal ingredients.
  

Sapporo (Hokkaido): Seafood and hearty comfort food

• Try: Miso ramen, fresh crab, and soup curry.
• Don’t miss: Morning seafood markets and winter food festivals.
• Tip: Hokkaido is also famous for its creamy dairy products.
  

Fukuoka: Noodle heaven

• Try: Tonkotsu ramen (rich pork broth), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).
• Don’t miss: Yatai, open-air food stalls that pop up at night.
• Tip: Go on a ramen crawl to try different styles in one city.

Currency to bring: 

Japan uses the Japanese yen (JPY). Cash is still king, especially at food stalls and small eateries, so make sure to get your holiday money before you travel.

Italy:

Every corner of Italy offers its own delicious dishes, shaped by history, family tradition, and local ingredients. From a quick slice on the go to slow, multi-course meals, Italy does it all with heart and flavour. 

Each region has its own signature style, and eating your way around the country is half the fun. Here’s a taste of what to try and where to find it:

Rome: Classic and bold flavours

•  Try: Carbonara, supplì (fried rice balls), porchetta.
•  Don’t miss: Local pizzerias, bustling food markets, and cafes near historic spots.
•  Tip: Visit Testaccio Market for authentic Roman bites.

Naples: The birthplace of pizza

•  Try Neapolitan pizza, sfogliatella (flaky pastry), and fried seafood cones.
•  Don’t miss: Street vendors near the Spanish Quarter and seafront eateries.
•  Tip: Order pizza with a local red wine, it’s a match made in heaven.

Florence: Rich and rustic dishes

•  Try: Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak), ribollita (hearty soup), truffle pasta.
•  Don’t miss: Open-air food markets and countryside wine tastings.
•  Tip: Try the local olive oil, it’s some of the best in the world.

Bologna: Italy’s food capital

•  Try: Tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in broth, mortadella.
• Don’t miss: Covered walkways packed with delis and bakeries.
•  Tip: Join a cooking class to learn how to make fresh pasta.

Sicily: Sun-kissed and flavour-packed

•  Try: Arancini, cannoli, pasta alla Norma.
•  Don’t miss: Beachside seafood shacks and lively town markets.
•  Tip: Sample granita and brioche for breakfast—it’s a local favourite.

Currency to bring: 

Italy uses the euro (EUR). Card payments are common, but small cafés and markets often prefer cash. It’s best to sort your euros before you go!

Mexico:

If you love bold flavours and street food with serious character, Mexico is the place for you..

Whether you’re grabbing tacos from a busy street corner or sitting down for mole in a family-run restaurant, the food here is always made with love and packed with taste. Here’s what to eat and where to find it:

Mexico City: A street food paradise

•  Try: Tacos al pastor, tamales, tlacoyos.
•  Don’t miss: Late-night taco stands and bustling food markets like Mercado de San Juan.
•  Tip: Pair your tacos with a glass of fresh horchata or agua de jamaica.

Oaxaca: The land of moles and tradition

•  Try: Mole negro, tlayudas, quesillo (Oaxacan cheese).
• Don’t miss: Local mezcalerías and traditional food stalls in the city centre.
•  Tip: Visit during a food festival to try rare regional dishes.

Guadalajara: Hearty and full of flavour

•  Try: Birria (slow-cooked meat stew), tortas ahogadas, and pozole.
•  Don’t miss: Street-side torta stands and casual eateries packed with locals.
•  Tip: Spice levels can be high; taste first before adding more salsa.

Yucatán (Mérida): A mix of Mayan and Spanish flavours

•  Try: Cochinita pibil, panuchos, sopa de lima.
•  Don’t miss: Early morning markets and slow-cooked dishes wrapped in banana leaves.
•  Tip: Try a cooking tour to explore ancient ingredients like achiote and sour oranges.

Baja California: Fresh and modern coastal eats

•  Try: Fish tacos, ceviche, lobster with butter.
•  Don’t miss: Beachside food trucks and wineries in the Valle de Guadalupe.
•  Tip: Local chefs blend Mexican and international styles, great for foodies.

Currency to bring: 

Mexico uses the peso (MXN). Cash is still your best friend for food stalls, taxis, and beach vendors, so make sure to sort out your currency before you fly.

South Korea

South Korea needs to be on your list if you’re into spicy food. Whether you’re grabbing bites from a late-night market or feasting on BBQ with friends, eating here is always an experience. Here’s where to go and what to eat:

Seoul: A city that never stops snacking

• Try: Korean BBQ, kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes),
•  Don’t miss: Gwangjang Market for bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap (mini seaweed rolls),
• Tip: Most BBQ spots let you grill at the table, go with friends, and try a bit of everything.

Busan: Sea, spice, and street food

• Try: Milmyeon (cold wheat noodles), eomuk (fish cake skewers)
•  Don’t miss: Jagalchi Fish Market, grab a dish fresh from the sea and have the local produce cooked on the spot.
•  Tip: Head to Haeundae for beachside food stalls and sunset snacks.

Jeonju: The heart of Korean comfort food

• Try: Bibimbap (mixed rice bowl), kongnamul gukbap (bean sprout soup), jeon (Korean pancakes).
• Don’t miss: Hanok Village for traditional Korean meals served in old wooden houses.
• Tip: Jeonju is known for its generous portions.

Gwangju: Bold flavours and local pride

• Try: Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken), kimchi jeon, guksu (noodles).
•  Don’t miss: Local restaurants where everything is homemade and nothing is rushed.
•  Tip: The side dishes (banchan) here are unforgettable; don’t be shy to ask for more.

Incheon: Gateway to global flavours with a Korean twist

• Try: Jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles), haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork).
•  Don’t miss: Chinatown for Korean-Chinese fusion and late-night food streets.
• Tip: It’s a great place to try dishes you won’t find elsewhere in Korea.

Currency to bring: 

South Korea uses the won (KRW). Cash is handy for street food stalls, markets, and taxis, so it’s smart to get your currency sorted before you travel.

Takeaways 

If you travel with your taste buds, the world is full of flavour. From sushi in Tokyo to tacos in Mexico City and pasta in Rome, every destination brings something unique to the table.

Pick a place that excites your appetite, pack some cash for street eats, and dive in. Your next unforgettable meal is just a flight away.

FAQs