If you’re anything like me, food is one of the first things you think about when planning a trip. I love discovering new places through their flavors, whether it’s a casual street taco or a fine dining tasting menu. Over the years, I’ve explored some incredible culinary destinations and I’m sharing my favorites to help you plan your next foodie trip.
Whether you’re dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime culinary vacation or just want a solid list of the best places to travel for foodies, these are spots that belong on your foodie bucket list.
And if you’re not sure where to start, that’s where I come in. I help plan effortless, elevated trips centered around food, wine, and meaningful experiences.
1. Italy
Italy is classic and for good reason. Each region brings its own magic. I still dream about the pasta in Rome, the fresh seafood in Amalfi, and the gelato in Florence. Imagine a private cooking class in a Tuscan farmhouse, wine glass in hand and flour everywhere!
One of my all-time favorite Italian meals was at Da Ciccio Cielo Mare e Terra on the Amalfi Coast. The 100-year-old family-run restaurant is a true experience. One of the brothers picked us up from our hotel and welcomed us with cocktails and appetizers on the terrace. We sat inside for a long, leisurely dinner with their signature dish—spaghetti baked in parchment with clams. After dinner, they dropped back off at our hotel.
Their dad still grows the produce, and their mom makes the desserts. It’s the kind of place where every bite tastes like tradition.
If you want to eat your way through Italy without worrying about the logistics, I can help design the perfect foodie vacation destination based on your tastes.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is one of my all-time favorite cities for food. It’s thoughtful, creative, and deeply hygge—everything from the plating to the atmosphere is intentional.
I’ve eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world here, but I also love simple pleasures like a cardamom bun and coffee at HART Bageri. For lunch, Selma is my go-to for open-faced smørrebrød, and I always carve out time for a relaxed meal (and dip!) at La Banchina, followed by a sauna session on the dock.
Whether you’re into New Nordic cuisine or just love a cozy café, Copenhagen is a dream for foodies who appreciate creativity and comfort.
3. Charleston, South Carolina
I grew up in Charleston, and I can say with confidence that it’s one of the best food cities in the U.S. You’ll find fresh seafood, warm hushpuppies, and heirloom tomatoes on every menu during the summer.
Charleston’s food scene started with Southern roots, but now it’s a melting pot of global influence. Think handmade pasta at Sorelle, wood-fired dishes at Southbound, or the incredible tasting menu at Zero George. I love wandering the farmers market, grabbing a biscuit at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, and ending the day with oysters and a sunset view.
If you’re planning a weekend getaway, I’d love to help you uncover Charleston’s best bites—beyond just shrimp and grits.
4. Japan
Japan is a dream for anyone who appreciates precision and freshness. One morning, I ate sushi for breakfast at a Tokyo market. Later that day, I slurped down the best ramen of my life in Kyoto. Every meal in Japan felt like an experience from matcha lattes to multi-course kaiseki dinners.
In Kyoto, our multi-course kaiseki dinner at Monk on the Philosopher’s Path was unforgettable. Every dish was rooted in the season and the entire meal felt like art.
Even the convenience store onigiri in Japan is better than what you’d get at most restaurants elsewhere.
If you want to dive into Japan’s food culture but feel a little overwhelmed, I’ve got you. We’ll map out your foodie itinerary so you can focus on the flavors.
5. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is bold, vibrant, and layered in flavor. You’ll eat everything from street tacos to high-end masterpieces, and every bite is memorable.
The fine dining standout? Pujol. It lives up to the hype, especially the signature mole madre—aged nearly 3,000 days when we visited. It’s a simple dish, but the depth of flavor was unlike anything I’ve tasted.
Between food markets, mezcal tastings, and late-night tacos al pastor, Mexico City is an explosion of color and taste.
It’s a must for any serious foodie traveler and one I’d visit again in a heartbeat.
6. Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is where food meets atmosphere. Think fresh ceviche, hand-pressed tortillas, and grilled seafood, all in a dreamy jungle or beach setting.
One of my favorite meals was at Hartwood, an open-air restaurant tucked in the trees. We had whole grilled lobster under a canopy of stars, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle. The menu changes daily based on what’s caught and foraged—it’s rustic, beautiful, and unforgettable.
If you want to mix good food with laid-back luxury, Tulum is your place.
7. Greece
Greek food feels like home to me—fresh, unfussy, and full of love. My favorite meals are the simple ones: grilled octopus by the sea, vine-wrapped dolmades, or a tomato-and-feta salad bursting with flavor.
Sifnos is my favorite island for food. It’s known as the “foodie island” for good reason. The local tavernas take pride in traditional Cycladic cooking like chickpea stew baked overnight in a wood-fired oven. We sat on patios with local wine, the sea in view, and every meal felt like a celebration.
If you want a foodie trip with sun, sea, and soul—Greece is calling.
8. France
France is full of timeless culinary moments. Croissants in Paris and wine and cheese in the countryside—need I say more?
There’s something about wandering a French market with no plan—just gathering fresh baguette, fruit, and wine for a picnic. I’ve splurged on Michelin-starred meals in Paris and stumbled into cozy cafés where the onion soup changed my life.
Whether it’s a fancy tasting menu or a flaky pain au chocolat, France knows how to do food. I’ll help you blend the iconic with the under-the-radar.
9. Argentina
Argentina is bold, flavorful, and full of passion—and that’s just the food. In Mendoza, we sipped Malbec with mountain views and dined at Francis Mallmann’s Siete Fuegos, where everything is cooked over open flame.
From rich empanadas to tender steaks and buttery provoleta, every meal felt indulgent but deeply grounded in tradition. Buenos Aires also surprised me with its diverse dining scene—from parrillas to elegant spots like Aramburu with a stunning tasting menu.
It’s one of the best places to travel for foodies who want something a little different.
10. Faroe Islands
This one’s for the adventurous foodies. The Faroe Islands surprised me in the best way. The food is hyper-local, seasonal, and creative with things you won’t find anywhere else. I loved the quiet, the scenery, and the slow, thoughtful meals. Who would have thought these remote islands would be a home to a 2 Michelin star restaurant?!
The Faroe Islands are unlike anywhere I’ve been and the food is just as unique. It’s remote, wild, and stunning, and that energy comes through in the cuisine.
Dine at KOKS, a two Michelin-starred restaurant tucked in the middle of nowhere, where every course is a reflection of the land and sea. Think fermented lamb, sea urchin, and herbs foraged that morning.
If you’re a foodie who craves adventure and rare culinary experiences, the Faroe Islands will surprise and inspire you.
It’s a special kind of foodie vacation destination and one that sticks with you long after the trip ends.
11. San Sebastián, Spain
If food is the reason you travel, San Sebastián needs to be on your list. This coastal city in northern Spain is known for its pintxos bars, Michelin-starred restaurants, and gorgeous seaside setting. You will love hopping from one cozy spot to the next, sampling everything from jamón and anchovies to elevated tasting menus that feel like art.
It’s one of the best foodie vacation destinations in Europe—laid-back, beautiful, and absolutely packed with flavor.
Ready to Plan Your Next Culinary Destinations Experience?
Whether you’re dreaming of ramen in Tokyo, tacos in Mexico City, or fresh seafood in Charleston, your next trip can be built around the food you love most.
At Leisurely Travel Co, we help plan elevated, effortless itineraries that center around food, wine, and unforgettable moments. Let’s take your foodie travel dreams and turn them into a trip you’ll be talking about for years.
Let’s start planning your perfect foodie adventure.
