From famed fresh seafood in renowned destinations to wining-and-dining in lesser-known spots, eating your way around is a great way to experience new places and the local culture.
Whether visitors attend specific gastronomical events or want to wander cities with intriguing street food, we’ve rounded up 13 food destinations around the world to fuel an upcoming foodie trip.
Local delicacies
Fresh seafood in Florida’s Paradise Coast – Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades, USA
Escape to Florida’s Paradise Coast and revel in its natural landscapes, sophisticated neighbourhoods and fresh seafood offerings from the Gulf waters. With its prime location on the coast, chefs are known to create menus that support local farms and producers, offering a sustainable and organic approach to providing farm-to-table and sea-to-table dining.
Sustainable practices are highlighted during the annual Stone Crab season, which runs from May – October. Only one claw is harvested per crab, which is then returned to the Gulf waters to regenerate for the following season.
Tacos and tequila in Greater Palm Springs, California, USA
With a strong Spanish influence, the southern California desert is an exciting dining destination for flavours, spices and authentic recipes from Mexico. As the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians found their home in Greater Palm Springs and early Spanish settlers arrived, their influence brought the much-loved cuisine serving the likes of tacos, tostadas, fajitas and more to the nine cities. Try El Mexicali Café in Indio for a family-run restaurant with traditional specialities, or Casuelas Café in Palm Desert for outdoor dining and margaritas.
Renowned street food in Osaka, Japan
Known as the food capital of Japan, Osaka is a bright and friendly city with eateries and street food stalls lining its streets until late. Wander alongside Dontonbori’s waterside for stalls serving the famed local snack of Takoyaki- battered balls often containing octopus legs with a savoury sauce – while bowls of ramen and okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake dish, are just as popular. After trying local delicacies, the streets of Osaka boast international restaurants from Italian to Korean and budget to luxury.
Foodie events
Farm-to-Fork Festival, Sacramento, California, USA
Farm-to-fork is the way to live in the Sacramento region. For more than a century, it has been an agricultural powerhouse boasting a year-round growing season and an ideal climate. Local restaurants utilise the abundance of regionally grown products to create an unparalleled freshness, so whether it is a burger restaurant or an elegant dinner, local ingredients will be on the table.
As the seasons change, so do restaurant menus in Sacramento, ensuring an authentic taste of local flavour. Visit Sacramento hosts its annual Farm-to-Fork Festival in September and is known to be the most anticipated food and music celebration on the West Coast.
California Wine Month in Sonoma County, California, USA
Oenophiles will want to raise a glass to California Wine Month. Every September, the wineries of the Golden State celebrate harvest with special tastings, wine demonstrations, dinners and more. Wine and gastronomy lovers should explore Sonoma County with its unique experiences. Visitors can indulge in dairy delights along the California Cheese Trail or tour a farm via the Farm Trail.
Gastronomy lovers should also head to some of Sonoma’s many fine dining spots including SingleThread Farm. Guests will be treated to an 11-course tasting menu, showcasing the seasonal bounty from the SingleThread Farm, nestled in and amongst the Dry Creek Valley, bringing 24 acres of biodiversity to wine country.
The Cornucopia Food and Drinks Festival, Whistler, Canada
Take your taste buds to the edge of anticipation at Cornucopia in Whistler, where food and drink are turned loose. Taking place from November 10-20 with additional weekend programming from November 4-6 and 25-27, there is no limit to what visitors can explore when they open their palate to fresh ideas that are full of life and flavour.
Discover the best food and drink from BC and beyond at Whistler’s 11- day fall festival of food and drink with winery dinners, grand tastings, drink seminars, culinary workshops and more. Cornucopia’s rich and wide-ranging programme is sure to satisfy the senses, so take advantage of great accommodation deals for an unforgettable culinary stay in the Coast mountains. Every day of Whistler Cornucopia is filled with a wide array of events to choose from.
Markets
Late-night bites to morning farmers’ markets in West Hollywood, California, USA
Renowned as a mecca for fashion, design and its contemporary vibe, West Hollywood is a hub of chic restaurants, alfresco dining and late-night bars. Try fine dining from acclaimed chefs at restaurants such as Nobu, Petrossian or Catch, while the city’s love for rooftops also brings casual drink and dining spots with late-night entertainment and LA skyline views.
Aside from popular eateries, the city is also known for its weekly Helen Albert Certified Farmers’ market, currently held each Monday featuring organic and farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, fresh fish and flowers.
Take a bite of Seattle, Washington, USA
From farmers’ markets and street food to award-winning restaurants and fine dining, Seattle is a city that has it all. Ballard is a great area to get a taste of the city’s distinctive culture – visitors can watch boats return with their haul whilst eating fresh-off-the-dock seafood at Chinook’s at Salmon Bay.
Every Sunday, Ballard Avenue transforms into Ballard Farmers’ Market which is filled with Washington-made produce and craft beer. Foodies are spoilt for choice with Pike Place Market – one of the oldest continuously operated farmer’s markets in the United States which offers locally sourced specialty foods and delicious beverages. Not to mention China and Japan Town which has an array of family-run authentic restaurants such as Gan Bei and Itsumono.
Japan’s biggest fish market, Tatehana Wharf, Hachinohe, Japan
Japan is a nation renowned for fish, and there’s no better place to sample some than Hachinohe, Japan’s northern frontier. Located on the coast in the Aomori Prefecture, Hachinohe is home to Japan’s biggest fish market at Tatehana Wharf. The region is famous for uni – sea urchin – which can be enjoyed raw, in a soup or on a seafood platter with other fish.
Tours and experiences
Sample locally-made produce in SLO CAL, California, USA
Home to hundreds of farms, vineyards and daily year-round farmers markets, SLO CAL is the perfect destination for visitors seeking a farm-to-fork lifestyle. Connecting visitors to locally-grown and locally-made produce throughout the SLO CAL region, FARMstead ED offers tours, workshops, educational experiences and events at local farms and ranches.
The SLO County Farm Trail passes some of the key local growers and visitors can witness the making of products such as olive oil, jam, cider, meat and dairy. Enjoy one of many farm stays in the region, such as The Groves on 41, located on a working olive farm, or MarFarm, a magical haven set amongst vineyards and a private menagerie.
Wine and dine at Deer Valley Resort, Utah, USA
A destination which prides itself on offering a five-star experience, dining at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, is always a lavish affair. The Mariposa at Silver Lake Lodge offers tasting menus and wine pairings served in a rustic yet elegant setting, whilst Empire Canyon Grill is a must-visit for hearty meals and fresh salads.
For a truly memorable experience, Fireside Dining in Empire Canyon Lodge is inspired by European Alpine traditions and features a four-course menu, with each served from a stone fireplace, including a raclette course.
Burgh’ Bits and Bites Tour, Pittsburgh, USA
A haven for foodies, Pittsburgh boasts over 50 breweries and a diverse selection of international cuisines such as Pierogies and the Primanti Brothers’ signature sandwiches which grew to fame through the truck drivers. Connecting travellers to Pittsburgh’s local communities through food, ‘Burgh Bits and Bites’ offers a selection of five walking tours around Pittsburgh’s popular neighbourhoods, along with a mouth-watering food tasting experience. Established 14 years ago, the tour focuses on the exciting culinary history of the former ‘Steel City’. Tour locations include the Strip District, Lawrenceville and South Side, showcasing food which is rich with flavour and diversity. Prices start from £38 per person.
Culture and cuisine with Colorado Springs Tours, Colorado, USA
Colorado prides itself on farm-to-table cuisine, with many of its mountain restaurants serving up dishes made using local produce. With Rocky Mountain Food Tours guests can experience once-in-a-lifetime food tours located in Colorado Springs.
Whilst every tour is unique, experience the Pikes Peak backdrop and four to five exclusive locations including a speakeasy, celebrity chef Brother Luck’s restaurant, an underground bar, a popular Colorado Springs fine dining restaurant and more. Guests can get a behind-the-scenes look into the popular culinary scene downtown, whilst seeing it from a local perspective. Prices start from £53 per person.
Paella making in Valencia, Spain
What better place to learn how to cook Spain’s national dish than in Valencia – the birthplace of paella. Accompanied by a chef, this tour takes travellers to one of the city’s top food markets, going to various stalls to select the finest ingredients to prepare the paella, including some secret ones that will give dishes an authentic Valencian taste. After a welcome drink, it’s all hands on deck as the chef guides through the steps to create the perfect paella. The evening culminates with a family-style dinner where everyone can sample their handmade dishes. Very Valencia offers the class for £56 per person.
