Best International Culinary Destinations for UK & US Travelers

Let’s be honest: not every travel meal is memorable. We've all been burned by overpriced “local” food near tourist traps. But when you find the right destination — where the food is so good it makes you rethink your life choices — that’s where the magic is. Here are 7 international culinary destinations where the food is so legit, you might forget to take pictures (and that’s saying something).

1. Tokyo, Japan – Where Even Convenience Store Food Slaps

Talking about international culinary destinations, Tokyo is like Disneyland for food lovers. Fancy sushi bars, back-alley ramen joints, 7-Eleven sandwiches that somehow taste gourmet — it’s all here. And it’s clean, efficient, and weirdly calming for a city of 14 million. Eat this:

Any ramen, anywhere
Conveyor belt sushi (yes, even that)
Karaage (Japanese fried chicken)
That fluffy Japanese cheesecake

The vibe: No one’s trying to upsell you. They just care about making the food good. You’ll respect the hustle.

2. Lima, Peru – Underrated and Absolutely Crushing It

Lima doesn’t have the name recognition of Paris or Tokyo, but it should. The food scene here is creative, bold, and deeply rooted in tradition. You can get mind-blowing ceviche on the street or a 17-course tasting menu in a world-ranked restaurant. Your call. Eat this:

Ceviche with tiger’s milk
Lomo saltado (Peruvian-Chinese stir fry)
Pisco sour (not food, but necessary)

Why it works: It’s a mix of cultures — Indigenous, Spanish, Japanese, and African — all on one plate. It just works.

3. Bangkok, Thailand – The Street Food Standard

Talking about international culinary destinations, if you eat a bad meal in Bangkok, that’s on you. This city is overflowing with flavor — grilled meats, noodles, curries, fruit you can’t name — all for the price of a coffee back home. Eat this:

Pad kra pao (minced pork + holy basil)
Boat noodles
Anything on a stick from a street cart
Mango sticky rice (worth the sugar crash)

Real talk: If you’re nervous about street food, get over it. This is where the best stuff is.

4. San Sebastián, Spain – Pintxos and Wine. That’s It. That’s the Pitch.

This town is tiny but deadly serious about food. You can bar-hop for hours, eating pintxos (aka tapas on steroids), each one costing €2–3. It’s fun, delicious, and totally unpretentious. Eat this:

Grilled octopus
Salt cod everything
Gilda (anchovy, olive, and pepper on a toothpick)
Local txakoli wine

Don’t expect: Big menus or fancy plating. This is snack food done incredibly well.

5. Istanbul, Türkiye – History, Culture, and Kebab

Istanbul feels like eating your way through a museum — if museums smelled like grilled lamb and fresh bread. The food is bold, spicy, comforting, and made to share. Also: Turkish breakfast. Just trust me. Eat this:

Menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs)
Iskender kebab
Simit with cheese and olives
Tea, everywhere, always

Bonus: Even a random hole-in-the-wall spot will serve something better than most restaurants back home.

6. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Light, Fresh, and Addictive

If you love herbs, crunch, chili, and broth — Vietnam will ruin you in the best way. Ho Chi Minh City is busy and chaotic, but the food is somehow calming. It’s all about texture and balance. Eat this:

Pho (go early for the good stuff)
Banh mi (French bread, Vietnamese fillings, perfection)
Bun cha or bun thit nuong
Egg coffee (yes, it’s weird, and yes, it’s great)

Why go: You can eat like royalty for next to nothing — and everything is packed with flavor.

7. Naples, Italy – Come for the Pizza, Stay for the Attitude

Talking about international culinary destinations, Naples is gritty, loud, and chaotic — and the food reflects that in the best way. Forget refined. This is comfort food straight from the soul. Pizza here isn’t a dish; it’s a religion. Eat this:

Pizza margherita — done right
Fried pizza (yes, that’s a thing)
Fresh mozzarella
Espresso at the bar, no sitting

Heads-up: Don’t ask for pineapple. Or extra sauce. Or anything weird. Just eat the pizza and thank the pizza gods.

Final Thoughts: Travel for the Food, Stay for the Experience

You don’t need a checklist of “top 10 restaurants” or a spreadsheet of reservations. Just go where the food is honest, where locals line up, and where you’ll probably need a nap afterward. These international culinary destinations deliver — not because they’re trendy or Instagrammable, but because the food means something there. And honestly? That’s worth crossing an ocean for. Check out our website for more information. Also Read: Must-Have Food In New York