When talking about the truly world-class food experiences, I would suggest that you need 3 things:
- High standard of the food 🍤- doesn’t need to be Michelin Star style dining, but the food needs to be exceptional.
- A touch of Unique 💫 – you’re not travelling for a food experience to eat a generic internationalised menu. Instead you want something that is tied to that city / country and ideally not found elsewhere.
- Fun 🎢 – it amplifies the wow, heightens the overall experience and has you planning when your next return trip will be.
- Great atmosphere 🥳 – the heart of just about any foodie experience.
Plenty of cities in the world offer high-end dining and neighbourhoods with atmosphere – New York, Paris, London, Sydney etc. But when you throw in Fun and the Unique factor, the contenders drop dramatically and this is where the likes of San Sebastian and Bologna win. Here is my top 5:
#1 San Sebastian – Pintxos touring
San Sebastian is widely considered to be one of Europe, if not the world’s, gastronomic centres with its array of Michelin Star restaurants often competing for the world’s title of best restaurant. But it is the Pintxos scene – Basque-style tapas – in the Old Town that steals the show and fully live up to the hype.
More than anything, it’s all just fun. The vibe is positive, the bar owners are chirpy, and it’s a bit of an adventure as you take the plunge into the huge variety of restaurants and bars, seeing the delicious dishes piled high and shoving your way to the bar to kick start your journey of Basque cuisine.
Its a close call with Bologna, but San Sebastian just pips it. See Pintxos in San Sebastian for the highlights and tips. Wow factor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
#2 Bologna – the heart of Italy’s pasta and cheese
Bologna pushes San Sebastian hard for top spot. Start with the food – Bologna is widely seen as Italy’s gastronomic centre, so high quality ✅. Bologna and its surrounding towns are the home of Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan Cheese), Parma Ham, Tagliatelle al Ragù (“Spaghetti Bolognese” but don’t tell the locals 🤣), tortellini, mortadella and balsamic vinegar. Unique ✅.
It has just the most incredible Old Town – not just in terms of the beautiful architecture, but also for its sensational atmosphere – the oldest university in the world is right at its centre and so is filled with a combination of students, people going about their daily activities and tourists looking for good food. Atmosphere ✅.
Wandering through the super tight alleyways looking for the best restaurants for pasta, best cheeses, best deserts and best drinks is a joy. Fun ✅.
Wow factor ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
#3 Lyon – France at its best
Its hard to pull together a foodie list and not have Lyon on there – similar to Bologna, Lyon is very much the gastronomic heart of France, and that is one hell of a standard ✅ ✅.
It has a perfect location – sitting between northern butter-and-cream France and the olive-oil south France, right near incredible farming land, some of the best wine regions on the planet, and fresh mountain produce from its proximity to the Alps.
The city is insanely elegant with its cathedrals, river walks between the Saone and Rhone, sophisticated squares and UNESCO World Heritage status – Lyon isn’t loud or showy, it’s quietly brilliant, and one of the easiest French cities to simply enjoy ✅.
Wandering through the beautiful riverside St-Antoine-Celestins Market to picking up a dozen #1 oysters for €12 and then heading for a leisurely lunch at Brasserie Gabriel in Saint-Jean gets it on the list alone ✅.
See the travel entry Lyon – France’s gastronomic capital for more tips. Wow factor ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
4. Shinjuku – Tokyo’s food-and-drink playground
Japan has the highest standard of food anywhere in the world. That might disgruntle many French, but they obviously haven’t spent time in Japan. Fish dishes – best in Japan. Noodles – best in Japan. Grilled meat – best in Japan. Heck, Italian and French food – often best in Japan!!! It is a wonder to be in a country that even the most basic meal sees immense pride and time put into it and it is a sheer joy to eat there ✅ ✅.
There are many candidates from within Japan itself, but its hard to look past Tokyo for its sheer vibrancy and options of restaurants. And within Tokyo, Shinjuku would be my choice – the tiny winding alleys of Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho have dozens of tiny izakayas, yakitori bars and late-night eateries packed close together. It’s chaotic, authentic and perfect for hopping from place to place. Knocks fun and atmosphere out the park ✅ ✅.
Nights out in Tokyo. Wow factor ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
5. Mercado de Puerto – Uruguay’s historic centre for parrillas
The former produce market in Montevideo’s Ciudad Vieja district is iconic. Wrought steel beams overhanging open air train tracks and platforms share a glimpse of its former industrial function and almost Victorian-era design. Yet it has now been converted into a cultural and culinary centerpiece of the city, packed to the rafters with restaurants serving some of the best steaks and red wines to be found anywhere in the world ✅.
The central focus is undoubtedly the Uruguayan parrilla – open-fire barbecue. Inside, rows of grills sizzle with beef ribs, chorizo, morcilla, and offal, filling the air with smoke and the unmistakable aroma of asado ✅ ✅. Restaurants and counters line the interior, where diners can sit close to the fire, pair their meat with local Tannat wine, and experience Uruguay’s deep-rooted beef culture firsthand.
Beyond the food, Mercado del Puerto is about atmosphere ✅. On weekends especially, the surrounding streets come alive with musicians, artisan stalls, and a steady flow of locals and visitors. It’s the kind of place where lunch stretches into the afternoon, wine flows freely, and you get a vivid taste of Montevideo’s social and culinary identity in one compact, historic space.
Loved my time there and would jump at the chance to go back. For more tips see the individual travel entry – Eating in Mercardo de Puerto in Montevideo. Wow factor ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
