It seems like these days, everybody’s deluded into thinking they’re great cooks. Maybe it’s because of the Food Network’s rise in popularity, or Pinterest’s millions of cupcake recipes, or perhaps it’s the advent of a strange, strange thing called “food porn”. Whatever it is, as someone who readily admits that their skills in the kitchen are pitiful, I don’t mind at all. In fact, I’m the one reaping the benefits of friends showing off how great they are. “You ARE amazing!” I tell them, my mouth full of their delicious creations.
I’ve never understood the obsession with Chopped or Iron Chef or all the other hours of shows I’ve been forced to watch thanks to my more remote-control hogging friends, but the rise in food travel makes total sense to me. Why slave over the oven all day when you could hop across the country and have the world’s finest cuisine served right to your table? People are weird. Food travel is simple! Here’s our guide to the tastiest destinations around the world.
Traditional Gourmet
National: New York City
There’s just no getting around it — NYC is and will always be the capital of haute cuisine, at least in the U.S. The city’s restaurants almost always top national lists, and seven of them boast three Michelin stars. Since there are simply too many amazing restaurants to name, wander the streets and let your feet be your guide to the nearest hole-in-the-wall.
International: France
There’s a reason they named an entire culinary style after the French, the reason being their extremely yummy food. Visit Paris for the most prestigious, world-famous restaurants (there are 9,000 of them there!), Alsace-Lorraine for wine, beer, and champagne, Bretagne for seafood, the Loire Valley or Lyon for produce and cheeses, and Provence for citrus and spicier flavors.
Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives
National: The Southwest
Fans of Guy Fieri’s show won’t be surprised that the Southwest tops our list for the most “greasy spoon” shacks. In cities like Phoenix, Houston, San Diego and Santa Fe, a certain cowboy attitude remains, making it the perfect destination to try super-spicy chilies, sopopillas, and other Tex-Mex specialties.
International: Eastern Europe
For the homiest of restaurants, experience the charm of a region that hasn’t quite yet been raddled with Americanization to the extent that their Western neighbors have. Even though it’s popular among tourists, especially of the backpacking variety, there won’t be a T.G.I. Friday’s in sight. Try kielbasa in Poland, pilsner in Prague, and borscht in Russia. Avoid scurvy with a famous Bulgarian salad.
Soul & Southern Food
National: New Orleans
It’s the city where culture and cuisine collide. Here, you’ll find Haitain, Creole, Caribbean, French, African, Spanish, Native American, and Canadian influences not only in the restaurants, but in the fashion and architecture, too. If you’re looking for soul food with an international twist, put New Orleans on your to-do list.
International: St. Maarten
Since soul food is a uniquely American creation, you won’t find anything like it outside the Western hemisphere. For an international getaway, stay close to home and check out St. Maarten, the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Soul food gets a cosmopolitan twist in this Dutch and French island that takes pride in its famous haute cuisine and swanky, sunny vacation spots.
Exotic Food
National: Appalachia
While probably not considered “exotic” to the truly American, this region certainly has its fair share of quirks. Namely, the practice of eating what others might consider roadkill, “livermush”, dandelion wine, and plenty of other oddball dishes. WARNING: Luxury travelers, this is not your hood.
International: Southeast Asia
Often a backdrop for shows like Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Southeast Asia is simultaneously becoming a hot luxury travel destination as well as a go-to for the adventurous eater. If tuna eyes, lamb’s brains, and tarantula make your stomach grumble, this is the place for you.
Wine & Beer
National: The Pacific Northwest
Between Napa’s vineyards and Portland’s bevy of microbreweries, there’s no place to get a hearty buzz than the rolling hills and green forests of the Northwest. Only Vermont beats Oregon as the state with the most breweries per capita.
International: Argentina
Its Mendoza province is one of the nine Great Capitals of Wine, which also makes it a rapidly growing tourist destination. And as if you needed another reason to go to Buenos Aires, the Quilmes brewery, which is something of a national symbol, lies just outside the city.