Top 20 Global Food Cities of 2025: Is Your Fave City on the List?
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Time Out gathered insights from over 18,500 individuals to compile this list.
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Are you in agreement with their ratings? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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The top 20 best cities globally for cuisine in 2025 have been unveiled and ordered by Time Out — and this year it includes
New Orleans
that takes the crown.
The southern U.S. city outshone tough competitors from various international culinary hubs, such as Paris and Madrid.
To get the results,
Time Out
over 18,500 individuals globally were polled regarding the dining landscape in their respective cities. Each location received rankings based on cost-effectiveness and culinary excellence. Subsequently, this information was amalgamated with evaluations provided by a team of Time Out specialists—including authors and cooks—who offered perspectives on ‘the top destinations for gastronomy worldwide at present’.
Grace Beard, the Travel Editor at Time Out, comments: “In our cities, food forms the core of local culture, which often motivates people to embark on journeys. The magazine’s yearly list showcasing the globe’s top destinations for cuisine honors culinary traditions worldwide and serves as an excellent must-try guide for gastronomy enthusiasts.”
Guided by insights from both local residents and the seasoned professionals at Time Out— including their writers, food critics, and chefs at Time Out Market—this serves as the ultimate resource for eager explorers seeking delicious discoveries.
The cities featured here highlight the perfect blend of classic and contemporary dining experiences. Each location offers an array of culinary influences, with emerging talents leading innovative restaurants alongside long-standing establishments providing budget-friendly favorites.
Scroll down to view the complete list, shown below in descending sequence…
10. Jakarta, Indonesia
Time Out characterizes Jakarta’s culinary landscape as a “true melting pot,” molded by
Indonesia
‘ s varied ethnic communities and international impacts, including
Dutch
Indian, Chinese, and Arabic.
Moreover, Jakarta achieves a remarkable 94 percent local approval rating, ranking it as the third highest-ranked city among residents surveyed, coming after Cape Town and Paris.
Where can you visit to savor its ‘undeniably tasty and varied’ food?
The experts at Time Out recommend street food hubs such as ‘Jalan Sabang and Jalan Pecenongan for Madura noodles, Sumatra’s grilled satay, and smoky Chinese claypot rice’.
The travel guide also notes that ‘upscale dining options are increasingly popular,’ featuring establishments such as
Caspar
and
Henshin
‘offering global flavours’.
9. Paris, France
The culinary landscape of The City of Lights has never been more vibrant, with new eateries opening at every corner, as reported by Time Out.
Even though Paris has a food scene that falls on the ‘costlier side,’ the city receives a 95 percent satisfaction rate from locals who describe its cuisine as ‘gourmet’ and ‘fashionable.’
Timeout’s specialists suggest bistros like
Lissit
and
Cornichon
For reinterpretations of French masterpieces, while wine bars like
Œillets
,
Furia
and coffee shops
Grave
and
Simple
‘simply buzz with energy’.
In celebration of ‘fine dining,’ the travel guide highlights various restaurants.
Vaisseau
and
Le Gabriel
for their ‘unforgettable dishes’.
Hunting for comfort food?
Time Out recommends trying saucisse purée at
Les Arlots
— an eternal, soothing favorite.
8. Shanghai, China
Time Out characterizes Shanghai as ‘
China
known as the dining epicenter,” since it “presents 5,000 years of culinary history within a single city.
The largest city in China has received an impressive 92 percent approval rating from its locals, who praise its food scene for being both ‘varied’ and ‘fashionable.’
“Shanghai boasts a vibrant array of regional cuisines, ranging from the distinctive dishes of Guizhou’s ethnic minorities to the spiced kebabs of Xinjiang and the tropical tastes of Yunnan,” according to Time Out.
The experts also appreciate Shanghai’s ‘new bistros operated by up-and-coming chefs’ who ‘are reinventing local ingredients using international methods.’
Seeking authentic Shanghainese food?
Timeout suggests trying “shengjianbao, a dumpling with a crunchy bottom and filled with brothy goodness.”
7. Lagos, Nigeria
Time Out describes Lagos as a paradise for food lovers, noting that “food is deeply integrated into the culture, history, and everyday routines” of the city, with flavors that are both bold and delightful.
Furthermore, it ranks as the second most budget-friendly city when it comes to dining and drinking experiences—88 percent of residents believe that getting a beverage does not require significant expenditure, and 68 percent find that having a meal at a restaurant is quite economical.
The travel guide suggests exploring Frejon, Lagos’s Brazilian neighborhood, known for their renowned ‘smoky party jollof rice’, a dish celebrated globally.
Then there’s
LÉ IYÁN
, which celebrates Yoruba cuisine, and
NOK by Alara
and
Slow Lagos
, which include a ‘contemporary spin’.
Timeout mentions: “Street food flourishes—akara (bean fritters) paired with agege bread and boli (roasted plantain) are everyday essentials, whereas puff-puff (deep-fried dough) caters to those with a sweet tooth.”
6. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico
The city’s capital stands out notably according to Time Out’s culinary specialists, placing second globally.
It likewise receives high marks from locals, as 80 percent rate Mexico City’s culinary landscape as either ‘good’ or ‘amazing.’
Time Out shares: ‘It’s easy to understand why this place is heaven for food enthusiasts. Whether you prefer tortas de chilaquiles or tacos al pastor, there’s something for every palate here.’
Experts suggest that chefs are merging international methods with local tastes, a trend that has significantly boosted restaurants like
Pujol
and
Quintonil
to ‘world fame’.
And it’s not only the local food that earns praise.
Time Out discloses: ‘A surge of high-quality Italian, Korean, and Thai eateries – such as
Piazza Pasticcio
,
Jowong
, and Ladyboys – are capturing hearts. If chiles en nogada are available during their season,
Nicos
is a must.’
5. Madrid, Spain
The people living in Madrid are described by Time Out as being the most prone to characterize their city’s cuisine as both “varied” and “innovative.”
That makes for a ‘winning combination,’ since 90 percent of locals view the Spanish food scene very favorably.
Time Out notes: “The culinary landscape of Madrid is flourishing, ranging from
El Invernadero
, recognized as the world’s top plant-based eatery, to a Michelin-starred
La Tasquería
, which elevates offal.’
The travel guide additionally suggests
OSA
,
Chispa
,
Lur
, and
Tonton
For ’emerging young chefs causing a stir’
Sacha
and
La Tasquita de Enfrente
are ‘beloved stalwarts’.
The city’s must-try?
Time Out suggests: ‘Go to
Pabú
, where Chef Coco Montes elevates fresh produce to create exceptional meals – the newest gastronomic attraction in Madrid.
4. Cape Town, South Africa
Earlier this year, the
The South African metropolis claimed the top spot in Time Out’s best cities list.
a destination in the world, thanks largely to its remarkable culinary landscape, as mentioned by the travel guide.
Cape Town receives a 95 percent approval rating from its inhabitants, who are among the most prone to describe its food as ‘delicious.’
According to Time Out, Cape Town’s culinary landscape stands out as ‘distinctly varied’ due to the mix of Asian, European, and African flavors.
Time Out Market
As stated by the travel guide, it “offers the finest of the city all in one place.” Bree Street, dubbed the ‘Gourmet Boulevard,’ features ‘essential destinations such as
Boma
and
Iron Steak
‘.
And Cape Town’s fish and chips have their own competitor
London
‘s’.
However, as per the travel guide, the city’s ‘must-try’ dish is the ‘mighty Gatsby—a tall bread roll filled with fries, salad, and your preferred stuffing’.
Tempted?
Marium’s Cuisine at the Waterfront
Has “among the finest.”
3. Medellin, Colombia
Medellín residents gave high marks to their city overall,” states Time Out, “and what really set it apart was its affordability—89 percent of locals find eating out to be wallet-friendly, and an impressive 94 percent consider getting a cup of coffee as inexpensive.
The guide emphasizes: “Regardless of your budget, the city provides abundant culinary delights.”
Where exactly are these hotspot areas?
Timeout suggests: “Take a walk through La Plazita de Florez to discover tropical fruits such as chirimoya and gulupa, savor bandeja paisa—a dish featuring rice, chorizo, and a fried egg—in any neighborhood, or treat yourself to gourmet meals in El Poblado, Envigado, and Laureles.”
To experience the city’s ‘fun-loving vibe’, check out a food fest as suggested by the travel guide, while also visiting top attractions such as
La Cafetiere de Anita
,
Bistro El Mordisco
and
Mar Y Fuego
highlight its global flavours’.
2. Bangkok, Thailand
The food scene in Thailand’s capital city is described as ‘world-famous’ by Time Out, and an impressive 86 percent of local residents consider its cuisine to be either ‘excellent’ or ‘outstanding.’
Bangkok also receives the largest portion of votes from Time Out’s food specialists, securing the second spot globally for cuisine in 2025.
Timeout observes: “The culinary charm of Bangkok stems from its adaptability — be it a Michelin-starred dinner or a budget-friendly street-food banquet costing around $3/£2.32 lit up by neon lights, each dining encounter leaves an indelible mark.”
The travel guide suggests strolling around Old Town or Chinatown, going with the flow of the crowd, and sampling whatever food catches your eye.
The experts suggest: ‘To find an exceptional som tam (green papaya salad), go to
Hai Som Tam Convent
, where green papayas, spicy chilies, and sticky rice complement grilled chicken and a chilled beer perfectly.”
1. New Orleans, USA
Crowning as the top global destination for cuisine in 2025 is New Orleans.
The food scene combines French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and African influences, offering everything from classic upscale dining experiences at
Antoine’s
to casual favourites like
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
‘, says Time Out.
‘Dishes like shrimp Creole, jambalaya, and red beans with rice’ are available throughout the city, and these eateries have gained acclaim for their offerings.’
Dakar
,
Acamaya
, and
Saffron
add ‘new twists to Louisiana flavors.’
The travel guide mentions that there’s ‘constantly something delectable to sample’ in New Orleans since ‘cuisine is front and center all year round, accompanied by festivals honoring dishes like gumbo, beignets, and much more’.
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