The best culinary tourism destinations in the world

The best culinary tourism destinations in the world

Culinary tourism or food tourism is the study of food as a destination for tourism. It is now considered a vital component of tourism. Food is said to rank alongside climate, accommodation and sightseeing in importance to tourists.

Food tourism involves the active pursuit of unique and memorable food and drink experiences, as well as agritourism, that connect what is grown and produced in an area with what is prepared and enjoyed by local residents.

Food and drink can enhance virtually any travel experience.

Food tourism development is the process by which a destination seeks to maximize the economic potential of its local food system through tourism-related activities.

Food tourism can play an important role in preserving local heritage while building on existing tourism assets and stimulating innovation. By increasing visitor demand for local food and drink, food tourism contributes to the long-term sustainability of local agriculture, food systems, communities and culture.

Each tourist eats about three times a day, making food one of the main economic drivers of tourism. Countries such as Ireland, Peru and Canada are making significant investments in the development of culinary tourism and reporting positive results.

We present to you the 10 greatest culinary tourist destinations in the world

Tokyo

There's a reason why Japan consistently makes the list of the top 10 global food destinations – the uniqueness of its food culture. In 2013, traditional Japanese cuisine or "washoku" was added by UNESCO to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the second cuisine to be awarded this honor. For the Japanese, food is a means of establishing bonds between friends and family and is seen as one of the pillars of society. And the sheer variety of cuisine – from sushi, ramen and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) to the highly coveted Japanese Wagyu beef and the ubiquitous sticky rice – is truly astounding. In fact, Tokyo has more places to eat per square mile than New York and more Michelin stars than any other city in the world. And that's why Japan should definitely be on your list of the best food destinations to visit!

Expert tip: "Find the best sushi at Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market, which is also the largest wholesale market for fresh, frozen and processed seafood." - Brenda O'Connor, Travel Consultant, Japan.

Bangkok

Such is the fame of the city's street food joints that they are a tourist attraction in themselves. On street corners next to rows of stalls (some of them Michelin-starred) scattered throughout the neighborhoods, vendors with their large woks and pans are a ubiquitous sight. Dishes like the instantly recognizable Thai noodles and flavorful Thai curries to fried insects and more unusual offerings like Baak Bpet are tourist favorites. At the other end of the culinary spectrum, you have fine dining establishments such as the world-renowned Gaggan, Suhring with its German food, and Bunker serving contemporary American fare. So whatever your choice of food, rest assured that Bangkok will not disappoint.

Hong Kong

With over 11,000 restaurants, Hong Kong can stake its claim to be named the culinary capital of Asia. What gives the city's food its unique character and makes it one of our top 10 foodie destinations is the fusion of several influences – from Cantonese and other Chinese cuisines such as Peking, Shanghainese and Szechuan, to colonial (largely British) , Japanese, Korean and Southeast Asian food traditions. The city's most popular dish is its dim sum, or steamed and spicy meatballs, which have been elevated to an art form with variations such as black truffle har gau (shrimp dumplings). Equally popular are egg tarts and Hong Kong-style milk tea with roots in British cuisine. So if you want to spend a few days eating dishes that perfectly exemplify the East-meets-West tradition, Hong Kong is the food destination to visit.

Hanoi

Simple, effective flavors served in an atmosphere without unnecessary additives. Dishes like Pho (noodle soup), Bun Cha (grilled pork and noodles) and Pho Cuon (rice noodle roll) show how the cuisine is all about creating a balance between the five taste elements – sweet, sour, salty, bitter and spicy – thanks to his Chinese roots. Meanwhile, cuisine in the south in the capital Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, shows a strong French influence thanks to its former colonial past. This can be seen in dishes such as Banh Mi – a baguette with a pate-like filling, fried egg, pork, herbs and vegetables. Like France, Saigon enjoys a coffee culture, with cafes dotting its streets.

Mumbai

Just as the city brings together people from all over the country, Mumbai's cuisine is a delightful amalgamation of several influences. This includes the food of Koli fishermen, the original inhabitants of the city, the East Indian Christian community whose food is full of Portuguese influences, the Parsis who migrated from Persia, and the large Gujarati Bohra Muslim community. One of the most iconic dishes is the Bombay duck, ironically a pungent-smelling fish much loved by the British during their stay in the city. Another popular dish loved by visitors to the place is the pava pav, a deep-fried patty of fried potatoes, kneaded in a spicy sauce and stuffed into a bun. You'll be hard-pressed to find a street that doesn't have a makeshift stall selling vada or other savory snacks commonly known as chaat, part of Mumbai's vibrant street food culture.

Cape Winelands

The vast vineyards of the Stellenbosch region of the Western Cape attract thousands of visitors each year eager to sip their world-renowned pinotage and partake in wine-centric adventures. What makes this region part of our top 10 food destinations is not only the impressive wine products, but also the several ways you can enjoy them, in its rolling valleys, modern tasting rooms and charming estates. Whether it's tram rides in the sprawling estates, wine experiences hosted by a professional winemaker, or wine tastings paired with some of the best local produce and viticultural insights, a holiday in the Cape Winelands will truly be a feast for the senses you. You can also dine at a number of fine dining restaurants in Stellenbosch such as Lista, Overture at Hidden Valley Winery and Jordan among others, making your culinary sojourn truly special.

Marrakesh

Arabic, Mediterranean and Andalusian with a touch of European flair – the crisp, uniquely aromatic cuisine of Morocco finds true representation in its western city of Marrakech. The city boasts an abundance of local produce that is combined with spices such as saffron or ras el hanout (composed of 27 spices) to create dishes with unique flavor combinations that make it part of our top 10 food destinations. This is best captured in tagine, a slow-cooked stew of meats, vegetables and spices, perhaps the country's most popular dish. The best food in Marrakech is found at makeshift stalls in the bustling souks or markets. As you sample crusty breads baked in communal wood fires, crushed liver, stuffed aubergines and sweet Moroccan tea, you will be surrounded by a dancer and storytellers, giving you a unique experience.

Mexico City

An ancient cuisine, Mexican food today is a combination of Spanish colonial influences and centuries-old traditions stretching back to the Aztec Empire and earlier. In 2010, UNESCO declared traditional Mexican cuisine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. So what makes the food in the city unmissable and part of our top 10 food destinations? The focus is on farm-to-table dishes, unique combinations like crickets and tacos, and fresh flavors. Locals say the regional food eaten in Mexico is very different in terms of depth of flavor compared to what is available in restaurants around the world that lean more towards Tex-Mex cuisine. The explosion of flavors and textures when you bite into a taco, a folded or rolled tortilla filled with seasoned ground beef, chicken or beans, perhaps the most famous of the city's street foods, is a gastronomic delight.

Mexico City

Mexican food today is a combination of Spanish colonial influences and centuries-old traditions stretching back to the Aztec Empire and earlier. In 2010, UNESCO declared traditional Mexican cuisine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. So what makes the city's food so famous and part of our top 10 food destinations? The focus of the dishes, unique combinations like crickets and tacos and fresh flavors. Locals say that the regional food eaten in Mexico is very different in terms of depth of flavor compared to what is available in restaurants around the world that lean more towards Tex-Mex cuisine. The explosion of flavors and textures when you taste a taco, a folded or rolled tortilla filled with seasoned ground beef, chicken or beans, perhaps the most famous of the city's street foods, delivers a gastronomic delight.

Cartagena

What puts Cartagena firmly on the map of the world's top 10 food destinations is the way the city's chefs and street vendors effortlessly combine local flavors. Cartagena's cuisine is a true art – it offers an abundance of fresh seafood and tropical fruits mixed with Spanish, African, Caribbean and local food influences, resulting in a unique culinary tradition. This incredible array of textures and flavors is perhaps best exemplified in the city's favorite breakfast, Arepas, or cornmeal pastries. They are grilled or stuffed with cheese, or deep-fried – thanks to the African influence – and sprinkled with beef. While colonial influences abound in the Old Town, the waterfront district of Bocagrande boasts a vibrant nightlife with its bars and trendy restaurants. There are also plenty of cafes, from old-fashioned local shops to chic cafes offering the best of Colombian coffee.

Lima

Surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the coastal city of Lima indulges in the abundance of marine life at its disposal - most famously in its iconic ceviche - raw fish cured in lime juice with a touch of pepper, served with raw onions and fresh cilantro , overflowing with sea flavors. If that's not reason enough to visit the city, consider this: Lima has featured on the prestigious list of best restaurants for the past few years. While Lima's seafood continues to be its mainstay, products from the Andes and the Amazon, such as paiche (Amazonian catfish) and tumbo (a rainforest fruit), are also incorporated into the cuisine. Another popular culinary tradition is Chifa, the fusion of Chinese Cantonese food with Peruvian ingredients originating from Lima's Chinatown.