We are back with the Top 10 cities across the globe, where you would wish to dine in 2020. We’re looking at the most exquisite and uniquely thriving culinary scenes from around the world as per the taste of the traveler.
Akko, Israel
It might not be the city with the most name recognition in the country of Israel. But Akko certainly features prominently on the culinary map in 2019. The Wall Street Journal called it Israel’s best-kept secret. A Mediterranean coastal city Akko is arguably the single best place in the country for fresh seafood. But it also does most traditional Israeli dishes proud and because Akko is such a multicultural city. The food on offer is similarly diverse drawing influence from Palestine Yemen and beyond. The vast majority of the mouth-watering dishes you’ll try Akko at being served from carts and unassuming little restaurants and family-run establishments. The hummus, olives, baked goods and seafood are all must rise.
Cork, Ireland
Cork is the second-largest city on the island but it’s definitely first in food. Cheap eats, pub grub, baked goods, international cuisine, gourmet preparations, traditional plates heck. Cork even excels at vegetarian food thanks to Cafe Paradiso at the epicenter of this incredible culinary scene is the English market. Which can trace its roots all the way back to 1788? The market covers everything you could need but it’s local cheeses and meats along with traditional cork market dishes. That you simply must try including Tripe Roshin. As for the restaurants, there are too many notable ones to name on top of it. All Cork also does BIA extremely well both traditional preparations and craft beer. Cork is, without doubt, the culinary capital of Ireland. But we think that’s being modest it can compete with the very best that Europe has to offer.
Marrakesh, Morocco
If you’re traveling in search of flavor this is where you should get off. Marrakesh is world-renowned for its heavily spiced aromatic dishes for the record. The food of Marrakesh isn’t typically spicy in the hot sense. But rather just heavily treated with various savory spices, berries and fruit olives, oranges and lemons.
You can easily spend weeks in Marrakesh and still only managed to taste a fraction of the dishes available. But if there’s one preparation that everyone should try in their lifetime it’s the city’s trademark Tangia Marrakchia. Slow-cooked in a tagine with a special blend of spices and smen a clarified butter type ingredient that has a strong cheesy flavor. The city has always done its traditional dish as well. But as its international reputation Rises the food scene is also becoming increasingly diverse and exciting.
Richmond, Canada
We know after Marrakesh a city that you have likely never even heard of in Canada seems like an odd choice. But that honestly just makes Richmond status as a top-tier food destination all the more impressive, it’s really hard to earn it. Richmond is a coastal city in British Columbia and is technically part of the larger Metro Vancouver Regional District. Vancouver as a city does very well for itself in terms of the culinary scene. But Richmond has notably pulled ahead as a hyper concentrated area of authentic and cutting-edge. Asian cuisine Top Chef Canada judge Mijune Pak has gone so far as to call Richmond the best to be found outside of Asia. The New York Times have similarly singled out Richmond as having perhaps the best Asian food in North America. And the best thing is there’s great food in Richmond in every price point.
Malmö, Sweden
Located at Sweden’s southern extremity on the west coast. And being the country’s third biggest city Malmö hasn’t generally being considered a must-visit city. In fact up until recently many would have argued that its heyday had long since come and gone. But the last two decades have seen the city looking forward in a number of regards. Including biotech, architecture and its University. And when you manage to attract both new businesses and students, food isn’t far behind. Today Melmo’s culinary scene is a thriving one characterized by a focus on local ingredients and minimizing waste and unbridled creativity. Perhaps most enticing is the fact that it’s very much a global food scene. Malmo is on the cutting edge of the natural wine trend ensuring that a perfect pairing is always within reach.
Nagoya, Japan
Beginning to notice a pattern two cities that are relatively secondary. In terms of population, political importance and economic clout seem to be fertile breeding grounds for world-class culinary scenes. Nagoya is Japan’s fourth-largest city but it doesn’t often make it on two travel itineraries after being added to the Michelin Guide in 2018. However Nagoya is finally getting the attention it deserves from a culinary perspective. The major draw is Nagoya meshy a culinary tradition distinct to the city in the surrounding region. Some of the most common elements found in Nagoya cuisine are tamari, shrimp, protein chicken and wide flat food on noodles. Some of the dishes you must absolutely try in Nagoya include Tebasaki a type of fried chicken, Toriwasa was organ meat, Sashimi and Hitsumabushi an Eel dish.
Marseille, France
France is widely considered to be among the most influential nations culinary wise in the world. But while there’s no shortage of great restaurants to try in Paris the overwhelming number of tourists can detract from the experience. Especially for server has been dealing with them all day also the dish is being served tend to be traditional in Marseille. However French cuisine is not only delicious and refined but so ambitious and unafraid to experiment. Marseille is bursting at the seams with young talents and fresh palates who are taking the French classics and reinventing them. By drawing from other cultures especially those of northern Africa in the Mediterranean the end result is a culinary scene. The feels inspired and relative to Paris anyway surprisingly affordable. Marseille has been experiencing a cultural Renaissance and food is one of the driving forces.
Gyeongju, South Korea
Korean food has only fairly recently begun to make major waves internationally. The newly converted are flocking to its country of origin. There’s plenty of quality Korean food to be had in Seoul. But if you’re letting your taste buds put together. The itenary then the coastal city of Gyeongju is where you’re likely to wind up with only about a quarter million residents. It’s a small city but it’s big on flavor.
The cuisine of Gyeongju is in keeping with that of Gyeongju province in that it’s notably salty and spicy. Gyeongju bread is a specialty that despite being popular nationally originated in the city either Kyung Joo specialties. Include mud starch jelly, Samba lettuce wraps and Haejang-guk bone broth soup. Though there are great meals to be had at every price point you can honestly eat extremely well even if limiting yourself to Street food.
Monterrey, Mexico
Northeastern Mexico is a land of beef barbacoa and covered Ito young goat grilled on a spit over embers. Where weekends often feature carne Asada as a meal to bring the family together. In 2016 celebrated chef Guillermo Gonzalez better stay in called Monterrey Mexico’s best-kept gastronomic secret. And said that a focus on regional cuisine is what makes it so special. The scene is overwhelmingly populated by chef owners meaning that the food being served is exactly what the chef wants to be cooking. The most humble hole-in-the-wall joints turning out regional classics from family recipes to the city’s most high-end establishments. Bringing global inspiration to the city one thing is constant flavor always comes first.
George Town, Malaysia
Also known as a city of Penang Island, this former British settlement is today a foodie hub par excellence. One of the best places to eat in Asia and among the top culinary destinations in the world. What makes George Town so special is that it’s a melting pot that melds cuisines from all across Southeast Asia and beyond. And the locals aren’t afraid to get creative with fusion cuisine. The best part is it’s mostly super affordable street food being sold from cuts and little stands. With so many food centric suburbs streets and areas to explore. Including Goney drive new world path Chulia Street Penang Road and a time.
It sometimes feel like all of George Town is one big food hall or Hawker Center. You should sample as much as you can. Asam Laksa soup and Taiwanese Oyster Omelet and Nasi kandar curry and many more. While you’re digesting all that delicious food you can walk around and appreciate the city’s beautiful street art George Town is truly a feast for the senses.
