Skip to main content

It’s Official: These Are the Absolute Best Travel Destinations for Foodies

Epicureans Offer Tasty Nations to Get Gastronomic Games On

The survey results are in for Americans’ favorite destinations for food travel. And its foodie places south of the border that Americans still enjoy most.

To determine the best worldwide cuisine tasted on vacation, VacationRenter queried 1,000 (primarily) experienced epicurean travelers to crowdsource favorite food locales. Results revealed Mexico as the favorite country for foodies, but the survey did not stop with Central America. A recent release of findings from the vacation rental company unveils some fun facts and an interesting global road map for foodie travelers and brand-new gastronomic adventurers.

enchiladas with rice and beans
Alina555/Getty Images

Favorite Foodie Places in Europe

Italy and France finished a close (respective) first and second place for the best food in Europe. This should come as no great revelation given Italy’s vast edible spread and France’s reputation as the creator of Western cooking. In order to become a skilled chef in the U.S., extensive knowledge of French fundamentals is required.

Recommended Videos

What was a mild bombshell was that the United Kingdom found itself in third for Europe. English fare can be considered a somewhat bland, fried effort, but London does offer some of the world’s best restaurants, so perhaps food experts tilted VacationRenter’s queries toward the city. That’s certainly what a quoted surveyee said from one of London’s more affluent communities: “I ate at Gordon Ramsey’s flagship restaurant in Chelsea. I had a white wine risotto. It changed my life.”

mushroom risotto
Photo by Katrin Gilger Photo by Katrin Gilger

Favorite Foodie Places in South America

Argentina and Brazil dwarfed the field for best South American grub, though this wasn’t much of a contest. Succulent steak, rich cheese, and rich sauces dominate the rest of the countries’ neighbors just as much as its dual borders dominate the landmass.

Favorite Foodie Places in Asia

In a somewhat surprising twist, Vietnam did not make the list, leaving Singapore and Thailand to represent the best food in Southeast Asia. Singapore’s city-state is renowned for its seafood while Thai food is so delicious that it’s ubiquitous throughout the Western world.

Japan beat out China, Hong Kong, and Korea in the sprint for best East Asian fare with the latter two nations not even appearing on the list. Only 46% of people said that Japan had the best food in the region and 39% said China, so it would seem this was a more well-distributed answer to the question of countries with the best food. Japanese food can also be extreme, as described by one survey responder.

“I ate a live squid dish in Japan. It was still alive and moving,” VacationRenter quoted the volunteer.

Favorite Foodie Place in the World

It was Mexico, though, that dominated the results. Mexican food was the most popular among Millennials, the most likely to be recreated at home, and a favorite international destination for dining. According to Statista’s projected 2021 restaurant industry retail stats, 44% of Americans, almost every other person, purchase Mexican food at retail establishments. From street food to Michelin-star restaurants, the country is a culinary capital. This fact was also backed by the review of international foods. Of 1,000 people participating, fully 66% say that Mexico has the best food in Middle America. Considering that its borders once encompassed much of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, Mexico is as much a part of American culture as New England or the Pacific Northwest.

Over half the people surveyed described themselves as ‘Absolutely’ foodies with only 16% who did not agree with the label. Nearly six in ten subjects have dined in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Multiple sources assert that adding just one Michelin star to a restaurant can drive business up 20%. And two stars doubles that jump. With an expert foundation, VacationRenter’s findings form a legit guide.

To find more details and find Michelin-starred suggestions, dig into the survey below.

Learn More

Matthew Denis
Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest…
Miami welcomes Presidente Bar, one of Latin America’s best cocktail spots
Presidente Bar brings a bit of Argentina to Miami
Presidente Bar

Miami’s cocktail scene just got a major upgrade. This week, Presidente Bar, the legendary Buenos Aires-based cocktail institution, opens its doors in Wynwood, marking the bar’s highly anticipated U.S. debut. Known for its cinematic interiors and immersive drinking experiences, Presidente arrives with serious global acclaim, having earned a coveted spot on The World’s 50 Best Bars list and a #21 worldwide ranking in 2021.

Originally founded in 2017 inside a beautifully restored national heritage mansion in Buenos Aires’ Recoleta neighborhood, Presidente Bar quickly became a destination for cocktail lovers around the world. The vision comes from Sebastián “Seba” García, the bar’s Co-Founder and Creative Director, widely celebrated as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Figures in the Cocktail Industry by Drinks International. Now, Miami drinkers have the chance to experience the magic firsthand.

Read more
This quiet Italian region is Europe’s best-kept luxury secret
Looking for hidden luxury? Head to Umbria, Italy
Umbria, Italy

A new study from CV Villas has revealed Europe’s most underrated luxury destinations, and the quiet Italian region of Umbria tops the list. The travel agency analyzed reviews for top attractions across 50 lesser-visited European locations to uncover hidden gems that offer both luxury and authenticity. Umbria earned an impressive “underrated luxury score” of 94.67 out of 100.

Bordering Tuscany, Lazio, and Le Marche, Umbria is often called the green heart of Italy. Unlike its more famous neighbor, Tuscany, Umbria remains uncrowded, offering visitors a more intimate and authentic Italian experience. This landlocked region is known for its medieval hill towns, beautiful forests, and world-class cuisine.

Read more
This is the most expensive tourist city in the U.S. — but travelers love it
A trip to Aspen comes with a price tag
Aspen Colorado

Travelers looking for a budget-friendly getaway may want to steer clear of Aspen, Colorado. According to a new study from GOBankingRates, Aspen ranks as the most expensive tourist city in the U.S., but visitors can’t seem to stay away. The study analyzed 91 top U.S. destinations, narrowing the list to 55 cities based on cost factors like airfare, hotel stays, and dining expenses for two adults over a three-night trip.

Aspen’s amazing mountain views, luxury resorts, and world-class skiing come at a steep price. The total cost for a couple’s vacation in Aspen averages $2,708, with airfare alone costing $1,341. Hotel stays run about $791, and meals will set travelers back another $510. Even a domestic beer in this upscale town averages $7.50.

Read more