I don’t know about you, but when I travel, I tend to be guided by my taste buds! Where other people lose weight through hiking and packing in 30,000 steps a day, well, I tend to come home a few KG heavier… at least the airline can’t charge me extra for that baggage!

But for me, getting to know the local culture is best done via food. It’s the thing that brings people together and tells the stories of the people and their history in such an interactive and sense-awakening way.

Whilst indulging in the local cuisine is great to do wherever you find yourself, if you’re someone seeking out the best places to travel for food, then we’ve got you covered.

I hope you’ve come on an empty stomach!

Two very exciting travelled about to try Seafood Paella in Spain
We LOVE food!
Photo: @danielle_wyatt

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Why Travel for Food?

I mean, why not! Like I said, food is the way into the soul of a place. It’s often an intricate reflection of the culture of not just a country, but each region or city the dish is from. The unique mix of ingredients and flavours has often been cultivated over generations, with pieces of history adding layer upon layer. 

It’s the thing that brings families, friends and strangers together several times a day. If there’s one thing we all share across the world, it’s the need to eat, and through this universal necessity, we can all come together.

9 Best Countries for Food

Right then, let’s get to it because I’m getting hungry just thinking about this post!

1. India – Nic 

India, ahh India, the place where I managed to somehow eat my weight’s worth of naan,  paneer and chaat! As a Brit, I’ve got a bit of an obsession when it comes to Indian food back home, which, given the current political climate, is ironic to say the least, but I’ll leave that for another rant! This meant, though, that India was top of my bucket list countries to visit when it comes to food, and as a veggie, I also knew it would be fire (literally and figuratively, I have to say!) 

But, I was curious if the dishes I’d been used to at home would be anything like those in India… well, the answer, kinda, but it was like going from black and white to colour! A literal explosion of flavours, many of them I’d never experienced before. It was like turning the dial up to a depth I didn’t even know existed. 

One of the craziest things I learnt whilst travelling in India was that a dish being spicy and hot are, in fact, different things. Mind-blow! To say this trip opened my eyes, mind, palette, and senses is an understatement. As a vegetarian and a lifelong fan of Indian food, I was like a literal kid in a candy store. Around every corner was a restaurant, street food stall or cafe to try something new, and my biggest tip for India is to try them all!

A curry, naan bread, rice and tikka paneer in Bundi, India. Indian food
I literally dream about this place in Bundi.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short

Best 3 Regions for Food & Where to Stay –

Best Dishes to Try –

  • Shahi Paneer
  • Pani Puri
  • Gulab Jamun
  • Dal Baati Churma
  • Aloo Tikki Chaat
  • Momos
  • Pav Bhaji 

The Best 3 Food Experiences in India – 

Nic
Nic: Senior Editor & Roaming Renegade

2. Vietnam – Taya

As a self-proclaimed foodie, arriving in Ho Chi Minh was a sensory overload, and the food was no exception. The unknown bowl of greens that littered every unsuspecting pho joint on each street corner had me intrigued, but I was still too skittish to really dive in. It turns out I was about to fall headfirst into a Vietnam-sized hole I never knew my heart had been missing.

Sure, you’ve got your bahn mi’s and pho, but delve into the weird and wonderful culinary side of this country and you’ll find juicy meatballs in bun cha, crispy pork and prawn pancakes in bahn xeo and smoked barbecued skewers in nem lui. 

Every dish is as fragrant, fresh and flavourful as the last, with no two dishes being the same. The pho you get in Saigon will vary wildly from that of Hue or Hanoi, so you really need to collect those Pokémon cards as you work your way through the country.

And don’t get me started on the coffee. Thick like motor oil and strong like jet fuel, Vietnamese coffee will take you to new heights of caffeination. Try it with salt, coconut, even egg…coffee in Vietnam will truly ruin your standards of your bog standard latte anywhere else in the world. Literally, if I were going to plan my perfect travel day, it would revolve around the stuff!

A delicious bowl on pho and a can of beer at a Vietnamese street food stand in Hanoi.
Beer and a pho, yes please!
Photo: @audyscala

Best 3 Regions for Food & Where to Stay –

Best Dishes to Try –

  • Bahn xeo – my fav!!
  • Pho
  • Com Tam (broken rice)
  • Bahn Mi
  • Bun Cha
  • Bun Bo Hue

The Best 3 Food Experiences in Vietnam – 

Taya
Taya: Editor & Resident Foodie

3. Thailand – Dani

There is absolutely no competition in my mind when it comes to the best cuisine in the world. Thailand comes out on top every. single. time. It’s the perfect combination of light, fragrant flavour with a sprinkle of creamy, rich, deliciousness. Thai food is one of the only cuisines that I could firmly commit to eating every day for the rest of my life.

Although you can dabble in the likes of chicken feet, quail eggs, fried insects or a classic blood soup, there are also some Thai dishes that undoubtedly take me back to home comforts. You can beat the familiar flavours of Thai green curries or a sweet Pad Thai. It’s completely up to you how much you want to stretch your taste palate. The best part is that Thailand is so affordable, you can try them all!

Travelling from the north to the south, you’ll be able to experience a completely different set of flavours. In the north, the climate is cooler, and it’s ties to Myanmar, China and Laos flow through in the food – you’ll find the dishes are slightly milder, earthy and full of herbs. 

Whereas the south is closer to the Malaysian and Indonesian borders and shares the same love for bolder, spicier flavours with a tropical, coconut-based curry. These big bowls of rich, creamy-based dishes, yum.

Pad Thai with eggs from a street food vendor in Thailand
Nom nom!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short

Best 3 Regions for Food & Where to Stay –

Best Dishes to Try –

  • Khao Soi 
  • Massaman Curry
  • Tom Yum Goong
  • Pad Kra Pao (Holy Basil Stir-Fry) – my fav!!
  • Mango Sticky Rice
  • Pad See Ew (Stir-Fried Soy Sauce Noodles)

The Best 3 Food Experiences in Thailand – 

Dani
Dani: Editor & Oceanic Explorer

4. Sri Lanka – Harvey 

Sri Lanka is like a dance party for your taste buds. Vibrant, spicy, and you never know which dish is going to steal your heart. Bursting with flavour, each dish is packed with fresh local produce, and CHEAP. I got addicted to Kottu, a hot, sexy mix of chopped roti, veggies, and curry sauce. After a long day in the surf, a plate of this hits different. 

Walk past any little shop or street food stall and you’ll see trays of pre-cooked bites sitting ready to grab and go. You’ll find delicious roti stuffed with vegetables or egg, hot samosas, and even crispy dosa folded up with spicy fillings. Some of the snacks are so simple but so good. Literally, one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka is to just try ALL the food!

The real beauty of Sri Lankan food is the variety. It’s not about one dish, it’s about mixing five or six. Buffets are everywhere, and you can pile your plate with dhal, jackfruit curry, eggplant, sambol, with a side of egg hoppers and whatever else tickles your fancy. 

The moral of the story: Get used to curry, you’ll eat a lot of it. And if you want to fully embrace the local way, you’ll end up scooping up rice and curry with nothing but your fingers.

sri lankan curry buffet food
If I could have piled it higher… I would!
Photo: @danielle_wyatt

Best 3 Regions for Food & Where to Stay

Best Dishes to Try –

  • Rice and Curry – Usually served with 4–5 sides like dhal, sambol and curries.
  • Kottu Roti 
  • Pol Roti (Coconut Flat Bread)
  • Hoppers
  • Pol Sambol 
  • Seafood Curry
  • Dhal Curry
  • Crispy Dosa

The Best 3 Food Experiences in Sri Lanka

Harvey
Harvey: Editor & Double Protein Champ

5. Indonesia – Maz

Let me start by saying I am anticipating being roasted for this, but I will die on the hill that is Indonesian cuisine. While this may not spring to mind as one of the top foodie destinations, I believe Indonesia is undoubtedly one of the countries with the best food. 

From the clear, warming soto that somehow still hits in the tropics, to the plethora of different sambals unique to each dish. And try holding me back from indulging in kelapas. Young, slimy, chewy, sweet, fatty, refreshing coconuts enjoyed at the beach, on the road, with lime, with ice, with beans, you name it, it works.

I will say, though, if you’re searching for foodie destinations, you’re going to have to go guerilla. I’m not talking about the fine dining at Potato Head, or smoothie bowls at Alchemy. I’m talking bubur from the side of the road and the best riverside warung that closes on Tuesdays because Mba is hosting prayers at the mosque. 

Trust me when I say there is so much more to Indonesian cuisine than nasi goreng. If you have the confidence to explore off-the-beaten-path street eats, you will (in my experience) be rewarded. 

A warung classic.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short

Best 3 Regions for Food & Where to Stay –

Best Dishes to Try –

  • Urab Sayur
  • Gado Gado
  • Bubur Ayam (I ask for it without chicken)
  • La Lapan – you might have to kiss a few frogs to find your fave, but mine’s at Warung Kemangi, the sambal is perfectly tomatoey and spicy! Their Soto Ayam is off the charts, too. 

The Best 3 Food Experiences in Indonesia – 

Maz
Maz: Editor & Undercover Witch

6. Philippines – Rhenz

As someone born and raised in the Philippines, of course, I have to brag about one thing we’ll never run out of, and it’s good food.  No matter where I travel, I always find myself chasing that taste of home. The comforting flavour of adobo, the sour kick of sinigang, or the juiciest, crispiest Jollibee Chickenjoy, that’s always best paired with rice.

What makes Filipino food extra special is its incredible diversity from island to island. From the crispy lechon of Cebu, the addictive sisig of Pampanga, best paired with a cold bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen beer or Mindanao’s fresh kinilaw straight from the sea, each dish tells the story of its roots. And the halo-halo, it’s proof that we Filipinos can literally turn random ingredients into pure happiness in a glass. It’s just one out of many reasons you’ll want to travel all around the Philippines and not just stick to one spot.

Also, food here is more than something you can eat, it’s more of an experience of how we celebrate life and show some love. The Philippines is basically a one giant buffet where every city, every tiny corner has its own speciality.

Honestly, if you call yourself a foodie and haven’t eaten your way around the Philippines yet, you’re missing out big time.

jollibee philippines fast food manila
Have you even been to the Philippines if you’ve not had a Jollibee?!
Photo: @joemiddlehurst

Best 3 Regions for Food & Where to Stay –

Best Dishes to Try –

  • Jollibee Chicken Joy and Spaghetti
  • Lechon
  • Adobo
  • Sinigang
  • Kinilaw
  • Sisig
  • Halo-Halo
  • Leche Flan
  • Lumpia (it can be fresh or fried)
  • Tortang Talong (eggplant omelette)

The Best 3 Food Experiences in The Philippines – 

Rhenz
Rhenz: Empress of the Virtual Assistants

7. Spain – Dani

After many, many meals across Spain and I can confidently say Spanish food is a full-on lifestyle. It’s not just about eating, it’s about how you eat: slowly, socially, and with zero apologies for carbs or olive oil. And I’m ALL about it. 

When I first visited Spain on a shoestring budget, their infamous menu del día was my go-to. If you’ve never come across this before, you can imagine it like a Tesco meal deal, except it is not some sad combo designed to be eaten on the go, but rather a homemade meal, created with love and designed to be eaten slowly. The “meal deal” includes a starter, a main, dessert, bread, and wine for under €15. Yep, it includes wine too! 

And then, there’s Tapas… the holy grail of Spanish dining. You’ve got patatas bravas – crispy potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and aioli that make fries look pathetic. Tortilla de patatas is a thick, golden omelette stuffed with potatoes. Croquetas are little fried balls of magic, usually stuffed with jamón (ham) or bacalao (salted cod).

A table full of tapas in Spain
Tapas is the food of the gods!
Photo: Nic Hilditch-Short

You can’t dine in Spain without pan con tomate y alioli on the table, which sounds basic, bread with tomato and alioli, but it’s a crunchy, garlicky dream. It is also probably the reason I usually pop on a couple of kgs in Espana 🙂 

Honestly, wherever you go in Spain, the food is fresh, rich, and made with love. I’d recommend skipping the places with menus covered in English flags and instead, finding a spot full of locals. You can always lean on your trusty Google Translate to read the menu!

Best 3 Regions for Food & Where to Stay –

Best dishes to try:

  • Paella (Saffron Rice with Meat or Seafood)
  • Croquetas (Fried Béchamel Bites)
  • Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish Potato Omelette)
  • Salmorejo (Chilled Tomato Bread Soup)
  • Pan con Tomate (Bread with Tomato)
  • Patatas Bravas (Spicy Fried Potatoes)
  • Ensaladilla Rusa (Spanish Potato Salad)
  • Albóndigas (Spanish Meatballs)
  • Churros con Chocolate (Fried Dough with Hot Chocolate – YUM)

The Best 3 Food Experiences in Italy – 

Dani
Dani: Editor & Oceanic Explorer

8. Albania – Dani

The food in Albania absolutely blew me away. When I first touched down in Albania, I was dreaming of epic hiking trails and lush beaches. I didn’t expect to fall head over heels for the food. But wow, not only is this country a hidden gem, but so is its food. 

traditional albanian food
Photo: @danielle_wyatt

It’s like someone took the best bits of Mediterranean cooking, added the comforting flavours of the Balkans, and then sprinkled in some Ottoman spice, just for good measure. The tastes in this small but mighty country pack a serious punch. 

Although the flavours are wildly delicious, the part about Albanian food that I loved the most was how fresh, local, and homemade it is. Never have I tasted the effort and love that’s gone into a meal as much as I have in Albania. 

Imagine flaky pastries, grilled meals, creamy stews, fresh seafood, and homemade cheeses. Sure, you can eat at fancy restaurants, but some of the best food we ate was served up at the random taverns packed with locals engaged in passionate conversations over raki. 

Food is made to be shared and to be savoured. Large plates are ordered for the table, and bread is nearly always added for free. As a local friend told me, “That’s just the Albanian way”. 

The hospitality in Albania is, without a doubt, some of the most impressive I’ve ever experienced. Especially when you venture into the northern regions. Homestays and restaurants will take you in and feed you up like family. 

Best 3 Regions for Food & Where to Stay –

Best Dishes to Try –

  • Byrek (savoury filo pastry)
  • Tavë Kosi (baked lamb with yoghurt)
  • Fërgesë (pepper and tomato stew with cheese)
  • Qofte (grilled meatballs)
  • Peshk i Zgarës (grilled fish)
  • Speca të Mbushura (stuffed peppers)
  • Petulla (fried dough)
  • Lakror (layered vegetable pie)
  • Trilece (three milk cake)
  • Baklava (sweet pastry with nuts and syrup)

The Best 3 Food Experiences in Albania – 

Dani
Dani: Editor & Oceanic Explorer

9. Italy – Nic 

I can’t sign off on a post about food without mentioning Italy now, can I!? I mean, it feels like some sort of international hate crime otherwise. It’s just not right. 

After many, many trips to different areas of Italy, I feel like I saved the best for my last trip, Bologna. Seriously, Italy has sooo much good food to indulge in, but Bologna, mama mia, it’s the final boss of Italian food. Of course, it’s all about Tagliatelle al Ragù here, and I respect that, but my discovery of Gorgonzola e Noci was life-changing. Literally, gorgonzola with walnuts and, of course, pasta is creamy, salty, tangy, and crunchy all at once. Honestly, add this place to your Italian itinerary if you’re a foodie.

Of course, you can’t come here without eating margarita pizza in its hometown of Naples and carbonara right where it was born in Rome. 

I mean, wherever you find yourself in Italy, you can be sure the food will be fresh, authentic and made with passion. But a top tip is to stay away from touristy areas, wander down some random side streets and drop into the most janky-looking joint you can find, and once you’re there, only order something regional.

Pasta with tomato, basil and cheese in Rome, Italy. Amazing Italian food.
Only the freshest, tastiest ingredients in Italy.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short

Best 3 Regions for Food & Where to Stay –

Best Dishes to Try –

  • Tagliatelle al Ragù
  • Gorgonzola e Noci
  • Pizza Napoletana
  • Ribollita
  • Ossobuco alla Milanese
  • Carbonara
  • Cacio e Pepe

The Best 3 Food Experiences in Italy – 

Nic
Nic: Senior Editor & Roaming Renegade
A woman cooking Pad Thai on the street in Bangkok, Thailand
You know it’s gonna be good when it’s cooked on the street!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short

Final Thoughts On the Best Countries for Food

Right, there you have it! Go forth, my hungry explorer, and eat your way across the world. Whilst this list is by no means exhaustive, because honestly, I’ve had amazing food in pretty much all of the almost 80 countries I’ve visited, it does represent our personal favourites. 

I’d love to know what other places you think we should add to this list. Because I know ya’ll out there will be passionate about your favourite cuisines, and I am so open to discovering more tasty tasty food that has evaded me! 

Go for it, tell us we’re wrong, tell us we’re right, tell me why beans on toast is the king of all dishes!!