50 unforgettable food experiences worth travelling for
Where do the experts go for the world's best food and drinks? We've got their tips for everything from sky bars to street food, from Lima to London.
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Anyone can search “best noodles in Singapore” or “best fine dining in Paris” online. But there’s only one sure-fire way to compile the best food tips when you travel: ask a local, or someone who travels and eats for a living (or both).
As a food and travel writing veteran, I travel the world for at least half the year hunting for good things to eat, from Lima to Nashville to Margaret River. I asked nine other food fanatics to join me in recommending the best dishes, restaurants, bars and food experiences in their cities, or cities and regions they know well, and they didn’t disappoint. Start dropping pins on your Google Maps now.
OUR EXPERT PANEL
Molly Codyre, London: London-based Kiwi, the Foodism deputy editor and 2024’s Guild of Food Writers Drinks Writer of the Year.
Nianne-Lynn Hendricks, Bangkok: Food journalist, former restaurateur and self-confessed “gin nerd” who jetsets the globe seeking good food.
Erwin Sper, Paris: Concierge at Hôtel Dame Des Arts in Paris.
Andrianto “Andy” Wirya, Sydney: The executive chef of Sydney’s Island Radio is well versed on street foods from Sydney to Jakarta.
Anthony Femia, Melbourne: Cheese obsessive who owns Maker & Monger at Prahran Market.
Adwait Anantwar, New Delhi: is executive chef of exciting Indo-Japanese restaurant Inja.
Nicola Lee, Singapore: Food writer and World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy Chair Southeast Asia (South).
Mr Hieu, Vietnam: Hanoi-based tour guide with AVG Travels, a Melbourne travel company.
Chiara Pavan, Venice: Head chef and co-owner of Venissa, and a global gourmand.
SKY-HIGH ROOFTOP BARS
Views: The sunset over Venice Beach. Alexandra orders: A Pina Colada slushy.
2. Cirrus9 at The Oberoi, New Delhi
Views: The whole city skyline including the Unesco World Heritage Humayun’s Tomb. Adwait orders: The Emperor Yao’s Pleasure, served in a teapot.
Views: London on every side. Molly orders: Beavertown Neck Oil craft beer and pizza.
Views: A full 360-degree panorama of Bangkok. Nianne-Lynn orders: A Songkran cocktail.
5. Hôtel Dame des Arts Rooftop Bar, Paris
Views: Everything from the Eiffel Tower to Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Erwin orders: The Capri Iced Tea.
6. Bar Blondeau at the Wythe Hotel Brooklyn, New York
Views: The Manhattan Skyline. Anthony orders: A Martini Blonde and oysters
BEST STREET FOOD
7. Crêpes in Paris
“Crêperie Des Arts is a classic Breton stop for a crêpe on the go,” says Erwin.
8. Pho in Hanoi
“In Hanoi we have many delicious pho restaurants with traditional flavours. Pho Ly Quoc Su, Pho Bat Dan and Pho Cuong, are a few we recommend. All are in the Hoan Kiem downtown district,” says Mr Hieu.
9. Hot dogs in Chicago
“A Chicago dog is different to any other hot dog: the rules are it must have a poppy-seed bun, beef dog, fresh tomato, a spear pickle and a sport pepper and celery salt. They sell them everywhere but I like mine with a side of sass from The Wieners Circle in the Lincoln Park neighbourhood,” says Alexandra.
10. Laksa and bak chor mee in Singapore
“Singapore’s hawker cuisine has been listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage by Unesco and there is so much to choose from. They still use charcoal to prepare the delicious gravy for the laksa at Sungei Road Laksa, which is now helmed by the second generation of the family. For bak chor mee, or minced pork noodles, head to Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle on Crawford Lane. Expect to queue, but it’s worth it,” says Nicola.
11. Meatballs in Jakarta
“Glodok Chinatown is my go-to for street food. Each stall has its own specialty, passed down through generations. I always go for bakso goreng – deep fried hollowed-out meatballs. So simple but so good,” says Andy.
VINEYARDS & WINERIES
12. Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
“Ten Minutes By Tractor in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is a standout. Their eight-course tasting menu is one of those meals where you can tell care goes into every detail.” – Andy
13. Piedmont region, Italy
“Monforte d’Alba, a medieval town in Italy’s Barolo country is where to base yourself to take day trips to Serralunga, Barolo and Barbaresco. It’s a wine-lovers’ paradise.” – Anthony
14. Margaret River, WA
“For a rustic vineyard lunch, Glenarty Road in Margaret River, WA, is beyond charming. Their home-reared lamb, served family-style, is delicious.” – Alexandra
15. London, UK
“We have some great urban wineries in London. I like Renegade, which has bars in Walthamstow and Bethnal Green, and sources grapes from across Europe. Their skin-contact malvasia and pinot noir are my favourites.” – Molly
FABULOUS FINE DINING
16. Mérito, Lima
A charcoal-dark exploration of Amazonian cuisine led by Venezuelan-born chef Juan Luis Martínez, formerly of the world-beating Central. Accolades: No.8 on Latin America’s Best Restaurants. – Alexandra
17. Akoko, London
Fire-fuelled West African cooking packed with flavour and refinement from founder Aji Akokomi. Accolades: Awarded one Michelin star in 2024. – Molly
18. Naar, India
A charming mountaintop exploration of Himalayan cuisine from former Masque chef/owner Prateek Sadhu, inside a luxury resort in the Himalayan foothills near Kasauli. Accolades: No.66 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, and the winner of La Liste’s Discovery Gem Award, 2025. – Adwait
Traditional lagoon cuisine from chef Enrico Bartolini inside Palazzo Venart hotel. Accolades: Two Michelin stars. – Chiara
20. Gaggan, Bangkok
A rock ’n’ roll riot through the mind and palate of renegade chef Gaggan Anand. Accolades: Asia’s No.1 restaurant, according to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. – Nianne-Lynn
A meticulously beautiful restaurant with unparalleled service and a magical wine list. Accolades: Australia’s Wine List of the Year 2024. – Anthony
A gastronomic cruise on an Art Deco yacht. Accolades: The only Michelin-starred boat on the Seine. – Erwin
EAT LIKE A LOCAL
23. Noodles in Bangkok
“My go-to noodle shop has always been Nai Soie Beef Noodle Shop on Phra Athit Road. It’s a mom-and-pop noodle shop with no frills or fancies. The broth has been going for more than 40 years. My tip? Order it with a drop of blood, “nam tok”-style, along with a dash of the green chilli and vinegar mix.” – Nianne-Lynn
24. Oysters in Paris
“Parisians love oysters with chilled white wine. Huguette Bistro is lively and local, perfect for an apéritif that turns into dinner.” – Erwin
25. Dim sum in Singapore
“Jade Palace Seafood on Orchard Road is excellent for dim sum and seafood. Locals head here for their excellent wine selection too.” – Nicola
26. Sushi, beer and gyoza in Tokyo
“Harmonica Yokocho is a maze of backstreet alleyways packed with lively izakayas where locals gather for post-work food and drinks.” – Adwait
27. Seafood in Jakarta
“Wiro Sableng Garden is one of the oldest seafood restaurants in North Jakarta, near where I grew up. They have a huge selection of seafood and grill it to perfection.” – Andy
28. Tripe in Milan
“Trippa Trattoria Milano is all about revisited Italian classics with a focus on offal.” – Chiara
29. Burgers in Memphis
“Locals love a beer and a burger in a dingy dive bar like Earnestine and Hazel’s, which is said to be the place that inspired The Rolling Stones’ Honky Tonk Woman. Their no-frills, late-night soul burger is an institution.” – Alexandra
30. Pasta in Melbourne
“Monday lunches at Tipo 00 are a ritual for hospitality professionals. The best seat is at the bar, sharing the pasta special with a friend and a carafe of Sicilian white wine.” – Anthony
COOL BAKERIES
31. Burnt Ends Bakery, Singapore
“Their jam doughnuts and addictive jalapeño sourdough (are) all made with an Australian touch.” – Nicola
32. Fortitude Bakehouse, London
“Their ham and cheese pain Suisse and Berber omelette batbout with harissa are must-orders.” – Molly
33. Copains Rive Gauche, Paris
“Chic, ethical, artisanal and totally delicious.” – Erwin
“Their pithivier with caramelised pork and shiitake mushrooms is next-level.” – Andy
“Their cream puff is unreal: a cookie choux filled with the silkiest cream custard.” – Adwait
36. Small Batch Roasting Co, Melbourne
“It’s primarily a café that serves delicious coffee but Charlie Duffy’s pastries are the real stars for me. Technically flawless.” – Anthony
FOOD TOURS
37. Singapore
“The Intan in Singapore is a living museum full of treasures, including 300 pairs of Peranakan slippers, founded by seventh-generation Peranakan Alvin Yapp. You can book a house tour which ends with a Peranakan high tea.” – Nicola
38. Hanoi
“AVG’s Hanoi Street Food tour is a culinary adventure where you’ll try pho, sticky rice, pancakes and banh mi. They allow you to explore bustling streets and hidden alleyways.” – Mr Hieu
39. Florence
“The small-group street food tours from Curious Appetite in Florence avoid the crowds and take you to the best places for Franciacorta, gelato and lampredotto.” – Alexandra
HOMESTYLE COOKING
The Sunday roasts with roast potatoes and Yorkshire pud from The Drapers Arms in London. – Molly
Rustic French bistro classics such as steak au poivreand crème caramel from Bistrot Paul Bert, Paris. – Erwin
Banana leaf-wrapped rice and beef rendang from homestyle Indonesian eatery Garam Merica, Sydney. – Andy
The agnolotti del plin and the tiramisu at Scopri in Melbourne. – Anthony
44. Osteria Contemporanea, Venice
Fresh vegetables from the market and daily caught fish from our own Osteria Contemporanea in Venice, overlooking the vineyard. – Chiara
Comforting but modern Jewish and Eastern European homestyle food like chicken soup with nokedli and tuna melt from Agi’s Counter in New York. – Alexandra
HANDS-ON COOKING CLASSES
46. Paris
“Maison Fleuret is warm, welcoming and seriously good. Their croissant class is a must.” – Erwin
47. Singapore
“The Kitchen Society offers Southeast Asian cooking classes with teachers like renowned baker Christopher Tan.” – Nicola
48. Bangkok
“Cooking with Poo And Friends is one of the best places to learn about Thai cuisine. Khun Poo is so good that even Jamie Oliver took a class.” – Nianne-Lynn
49. Sydney
“The Sydney Seafood School at the Fish Market is hard to beat. It’s all about quality produce and you get to eat the freshest seafood at the end.” – Andy
50. Melbourne
“Costante Imports in Preston for salami-making in winter and passata in summer. Just like our nonnas made when they first arrived in Australia.” – Anthony
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