Take Your Taste Buds Abroad: 10 Cities with Mind-Blowing Food

Florence isn’t just the birthplace of the Renaissance, it’s also the birthplace of the food people travel across the world for. This is the land of hearty, rustic Tuscan cuisine that’s been perfected over centuries. Start with bistecca alla fiorentina, a massive T-bone steak that’s charred on the outside and juicy on the inside, the kind of meal that requires a serious appetite and zero shame. Pair it with a bowl of ribollita, a thick bread-and-vegetable soup that tastes like a warm hug, or pappa al pomodoro, a tomato-and-stale-bread situation that’s waaay better than it sounds.

And obviously, do not sleep on the pasta here. Order pappardelle al cinghiale (wide noodles with wild boar sauce) and thank us later. The sauce is rich, meaty, and deeply satisfying in a way that makes you understand why Italians take food so seriously. Grab a glass of Chianti from one of Florence’s historic wine windows, tiny architectural gems that have been serving wine since the 1600s. These buchette del vino were originally created during the plague as a contactless way to serve customers, and today they’re one of the coolest ways to grab a drink in the city.

For the full Italian-food deep dive, check out the brand-new Italy Food Tour: Florence to Rome Feast, a 9-day journey that’s basically a love letter to Italian cuisine. You’ll make fresh pasta with local wine pairings, float over Tuscany in a hot air balloon at sunrise, and eat your way through trattorias that have been family-run for generations. It’s the kind of trip where every meal feels like an event, from artisan cheese tastings in Pienza to sipping Vino Nobile in Montepulciano. This isn’t just sightseeing with some food thrown in, it’s a full immersion into what makes Italian cuisine so special.

Lima has become one of the world’s top food destinations, and it’s not hard to see why. This is where traditional Peruvian cuisine meets cutting-edge culinary innovation, where street food stands next to some of the best restaurants in Latin America. Start with ceviche, Peru’s national dish, fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice with onions, cilantro, and ají peppers. The fish should be impossibly fresh, the lime should make your mouth pucker, and the leche de tigre (the citrusy marinade) is so good you’ll want to drink it straight.

Try lomo saltado, a stir-fry that blends Peruvian and Chinese influences with tender beef, tomatoes, onions, and fries all mixed together and served over rice. And don’t miss anticuchos, grilled beef heart skewers that are smoky, tender, and served with a spicy ají sauce that’ll make you forget you’re eating organ meat.

For something sweet, grab picarones, fried dough rings made from sweet potato and squash, drizzled with chancaca syrup. They’re crispy, sweet, and the perfect street food snack. Wash it all down with a pisco sour, Peru’s signature cocktail made with pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and a dash of bitters. It’s frothy, tart, and dangerously easy to drink.

Learn to make Pisco sours on Peru & Machu Picchu Adventure

Bangkok’s street food scene is legendary, and for good reason. The city is a sensory overload in the best way possible, with food vendors on every corner serving up dishes that are spicy, sweet, sour, and salty all at once. Pad Thai, stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, tofu, peanuts, and lime, hit every flavor note. But don’t stop there.

Try som tam (green papaya salad) for a spicy, tangy kick that’ll wake up your taste buds, or khao soi, a rich coconut curry noodle soup from northern Thailand that’s pure comfort food. The crispy noodles on top add texture, and the broth is creamy, spicy, and deeply flavorful. For something more adventurous, grab some moo ping (grilled pork skewers) marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, or a plate of pad krapow (stir-fried basil with meat and a fried egg on top). The runny yolk mixing with the spicy basil is the stuff of dreams.

If you’re brave, sample some fried insects from a street cart—they’re crunchy, salty, and surprisingly good. Crickets, grasshoppers, and silkworms are all fair game. Wash it all down with fresh coconut water straight from the coconut, or a Thai iced tea that’s sugary enough to make your teeth hurt but worth every sweet sip. Bangkok is proof that some of the best food in the world comes from a cart on the side of the road.

Try Michelin-level street food on Thailand Getaway

Tokyo is a city where you can find Michelin-starred restaurants next to tiny ramen shops that have been perfecting one dish for 50 years. Start with ramen; there are entire neighborhoods dedicated to it. Whether you go for tonkotsu (rich pork broth that’s been simmered for hours), shoyu (soy sauce-based), or miso, you’re in for a bowl of pure comfort.

Sushi is obviously a must, but don’t just hit the touristy spots. Find a small sushi bar where the chef is slicing fish right in front of you, where the rice is still warm and the fish is so fresh it practically melts in your mouth. Try okonomiyaki, a savory pancake loaded with cabbage, meat, and topped with mayo and bonito flakes that dance from the heat. It’s sometimes called Japanese pizza, but that doesn’t do it justice.

And don’t skip the convenience store food! Nigiri (rice balls) and karaage (fried chicken) from a 7-Eleven in Tokyo hit different. The quality is shockingly good, and it’s the perfect late-night snack.

Roll your own sushi at a famous fish market on Tokyo: City Experience

Lisbon is having a moment, and its food scene is a big part of why. This is the tinned fish capital of the world, and yes, canned seafood is actually cool here. Pop into a conservas shop and try sardines, mackerel, or octopus served with crusty bread and a glass of Vinho Verde. It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it’s very Lisbon. The fish is high-quality, often hand-packed, and the flavors range from simple olive oil to spicy marinades.

You also can’t leave without trying pastéis de nata, flaky custard tarts that are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Get them from Pastéis de Belém if you want the original recipe that’s been a secret since 1837 or grab them from literally any bakery because they’re all good. The best ones are served warm with a dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar.

For something heartier, order bacalhau (salted cod) prepared one of a thousand different ways, from bacalhau à brás (shredded cod with eggs and potatoes) to bacalhau com natas (cod with cream). Or feast on grilled sardines at a local tasca, especially during the summer festival season when they’re everywhere. Lisbon is proof that you don’t need fancy restaurants to eat incredibly well. Some of the best meals happen at neighborhood spots where locals have been eating for generations.

Enjoy dinner and a traditional Fado show on Portugal Adventure: Porto, Lagos Old Town & Benagil Caves

Paris is the city where even a simple baguette feels like a luxury. Start your day with a buttery croissant from a neighborhood boulangerie, the kind that shatters when you bite into it and leaves crumbs everywhere. The layers should be visible, the butter should be high-quality, and it should taste like you’re eating a cloud. Follow it up with a pain au chocolat or a croque monsieur, a ham and cheese sandwich that’s been elevated to an art form with béchamel sauce and perfectly melted Gruyère.

Cheese is an artform in France. Hit up a fromagerie and let them guide you through a selection of Camembert, Roquefort, and Comté. Each region of France has its own cheese traditions, and a good cheesemonger can tell you the story behind each one. Pair it with a baguette and some wine, and you’ve got yourself a perfect Parisian picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens or along the Seine.

Snails cooked in garlic butter and herbs, aka escargot, are can’t miss, but so are classics like steak frites (perfectly cooked steak with crispy fries) or coq au vin (chicken braised in red wine). And for dessert? Macarons from Ladurée or Pierre Hermé, or a slice of tarte Tatin, an upside-down caramelized apple tart that’s rustic and elegant at the same time. Paris is where food is an experience, not just a meal, where every bite is meant to be savored.

Wander Parisian markets with a local guide on Paris: City Experience

Barcelona’s food scene is all about sharing, snacking, and taking your time. Tapas are the move here, small plates of patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce), jamón ibérico (the best ham you’ll ever taste, from acorn-fed pigs), and pan con tomate (bread rubbed with tomato and drizzled with olive oil). Order a bunch and share with your group. The beauty of tapas is that you get to try everything without committing to one dish.

Paella is the main event everyone talks about, and for good reason. Get the seafood version loaded with shrimp, mussels, and squid, or go for a mixed paella with chicken and chorizo. The socarrat, the crispy rice at the bottom of the pan, is the best part. And don’t leave without trying churros con chocolate, fried dough dipped in thick, rich hot chocolate that’s basically dessert soup. It’s the perfect late-night or early-morning treat, especially after a night out.

La Boqueria market is a must-visit for fresh fruit, jamón, and people-watching. Grab a fruit smoothie, some fresh oysters, or a cone of jamón and wander through the stalls. Barcelona knows how to eat, and it knows how to have a good time while doing it.

Sip sangria and nibble Spanish pintxos on Barcelona, Ibiza & Valencia

Athens is where ancient history meets amazing cuisine. Souvlaki is the street food MVP here, grilled meat, usually pork or chicken, wrapped in pita with tzatziki, tomatoes, onions, and fries. Yes, fries in the pita. It’s cheap, it’s filling, and it’s everywhere. The meat is marinated and grilled to perfection, and the tzatziki is cool and garlicky.

For something more substantial, try moussaka, a layered dish of eggplant, spiced meat, and béchamel sauce that’s pure comfort. It’s rich, hearty, and the kind of thing you want to eat slowly. Spanakopita (spinach pie) and tyropita (cheese pie) are perfect for a quick snack, with flaky phyllo dough and savory fillings. And Greek salad here actually tastes like something, probably because the tomatoes are fresh, the olives are briny, and the feta is legit.

Finish your meal with baklava, sticky-sweet layers of phyllo dough, honey, and nuts. And if you’re near the coast, find a taverna and order fresh grilled octopus with a view of the sea. The octopus should be tender, charred, and dressed simply with olive oil and lemon. Athens is where you eat like royalty, drink ouzo, and soak up thousands of years of history.

Hit up Athens markets and tavernas on a food tour on Rome, the Amalfi Coast & Greece

Dublin might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of food, but it’s got some serious gems. Starting the day with a full Irish breakfast, complete with sausages, black pudding, white pudding, beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast, is actually heaven. Heavy and hearty, a full Irish is your fuel for a full day of exploring the city and beyond.

Fish and chips are a must, preferably from a spot near the water where the fish is fresh and the chips are crispy. The batter should be light and crunchy, and the fish should be flaky and hot. For something uniquely Irish, try boxty, a potato pancake that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It can be served as a side or stuffed with fillings like bacon and cheese.

And yes, you should absolutely have a fresh pint of Guinness at the Storehouse’s panoramic Gravity Bar—it just tastes better in Dublin. The pour is an art form, and the creamy head is perfection. Pair it with some soda bread, dense and slightly sweet, or a bowl of Irish stew, made with lamb, potatoes, and carrots. Dublin’s food scene is unpretentious, filling, and exactly what you need after a day of wandering cobblestone streets and exploring historic pubs.

Get a taste of Dublin after dark on Grand Tour of Ireland

Amsterdam’s food scene is all about snacking. Stroopwafels are the star, thin waffle cookies filled with caramel syrup that are best enjoyed fresh from a market stall. Place one over your coffee cup to warm it up, and the caramel gets gooey and perfect. Bitterballen, deep-fried balls of beef ragout, are the perfect bar snack, especially with a cold beer. They’re crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and dangerously addictive.

For something more filling, try poffertjes, tiny fluffy pancakes dusted with powdered sugar and served with butter. They’re sweet, light, and the perfect treat while wandering the canals. Or grab a cone of frites (fries) smothered in mayo or peanut sauce. The Dutch take their fries seriously, and they’re thick-cut, crispy, and absolutely delicious.

Herring is a Dutch classic, if you’re brave, try it raw with onions and pickles. It’s briny, fresh, and a true local experience. And don’t skip the cheese, Gouda and Edam are everywhere, and they’re way better than anything you’ve had back home. Visit a cheese shop, try some samples, and bring some home. Amsterdam is a city that knows how to snack.

Make gooey stroopwafels alongside a pro on Amsterdam, Paris & London

Eating isn’t just something you do between sightseeing. It’s how you connect with a place and how you understand its history and culture. The best meals aren’t always at the fanciest restaurants. They’re at the street cart where the vendor might not speak English but smiles and hands you a bite that changes your life. They’re at the family-run trattoria where the pasta is made by hand every morning. They’re at the market where you try something you can’t pronounce and end up going back for seconds.

When you travel with EF Ultimate Break, food is built into the experience. Whether it’s a Welcome Dinner with your group, a guided food tour through Roman neighborhoods, or a sushi-making class in Toyko, you’re not just eating, you’re tasting the culture. And that’s the kind of thing you can’t get from a guidebook. It’s the conversations with locals, the stories behind the dishes, the way a meal can transport you to a different time and place.

You don’t need a huge budget to eat well in most of these cities. Some of the best food is cheap, accessible, and made by people who’ve been perfecting their craft for generations. Street food, market stalls, neighborhood bakeries, these are the places where you’ll find the most authentic flavors and the warmest welcomes. So pack your stretchy pants, bring your appetite, and get ready to eat your way around the world.