Where Food Lovers Go for a Taste of Adventure

Here are some travel destinations for foodies around the world. If you love exploring different cuisines and diving into local dishes, these ideas will have you mentally booking flights. I have also included a few must-see sights in each place, so you can build a trip that is as delicious as it is memorable. I have visited Bangkok, Barcelona, Istanbul and New Orleans myself. For Tokyo I rely on feedback from clients who have travelled there and on specialist suppliers in the region.

Foodie Escapes with a Side of Adventure

Want this tailored to your pace and your appetite? I can plan this as a multi-stop itinerary or a single city break, and add experiences like market tours, cooking classes and day trips. You can also browse more ideas in my Travel Guides & Articles or look at my culture and food tours.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a food lover’s city, with a huge range of restaurants and street-food stalls. From sushi to ramen to tempura, there is something for everyone here. Dishes to try include savoury okonomiyaki, which you will find in Tokyo as well as in its home region of Osaka, the city’s own monjayaki, creamy matcha ice cream, and takoyaki, the crisp-shelled octopus balls that are another Osaka favourite.

Tsukiji Outer Market: around 460 shops and restaurants serving sushi, sashimi, rice bowls and tamagoyaki on sticks. The wholesale fish market itself moved to Toyosu in 2018.
Shibuya Crossing: often described as the busiest crossing in the world, with up to about 3,000 people crossing on one green light, and a great spot for people-watching.
Senso-ji Temple: historic Asakusa temple surrounded by traditional shops and snacks.

Japan small group tours are a good way to see more of the country with an expert leader: Japan small group tours.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is known for its street-food scene, where you can find a variety of affordable and very tasty local dishes. Top picks include pad thai, tom yum goong, and mango sticky rice. Make time for Chatuchak Market too, where around 15,000 stalls fill the weekend with food, drink and shopping.

Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred temple, inside the Grand Palace grounds.
Chatuchak Weekend Market: thousands of stalls and endless snacks.
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): a riverside temple with a porcelain-covered spire and views over the Chao Phraya River.

My Thailand small group tours bring the street food and temples together with a local guide.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a culinary destination that deserves a place on your list. The city is famous for tapas, small plates meant for sharing. Must-tries include patatas bravas, grilled octopus, croquettes, and a paella, a dish that comes from Valencia and is served across the city.

La Sagrada Familia: Gaudí’s basilica, still being built, with its stained glass.
Park Güell: colourful mosaics and views. The best-known areas need a timed ticket booked in advance.
La Rambla: lively strolls, markets and plenty of places to eat well.

Istanbul, Türkiye

Istanbul is a melting pot of cultures, and the food reflects it. Expect everything from kebabs to mezze to Turkish coffee. Try lahmacun, a thin Turkish “pizza”, a classic döner, and finish with Turkish delight.

Hagia Sophia: iconic domes and centuries of history. It is a working mosque again, foreign visitors pay an entry fee for the upper-gallery route, and entry rules change, so I confirm them before you go.
Grand Bazaar: over 4,000 shops selling textiles, jewellery and carpets, with plenty of places to stop for a coffee or a snack. For spices and sweets, the nearby Egyptian Bazaar is the place.
Blue Mosque: beautiful tilework and a calm moment in the city. It closes to visitors during the five daily prayers, which I build into your day.

New Orleans, USA

New Orleans is a food destination you can plan a whole trip around. The city is famous for Creole and Cajun cuisine, a mix of French, Spanish, African and Native American influences. Must-tries include gumbo, jambalaya and a po’boy. And yes, you should have a beignet.

French Quarter: architecture, music and iconic restaurants.
Preservation Hall: the place for authentic New Orleans jazz, on St Peter Street.
Garden District: grand homes, oak-lined streets and a slower pace.

Quick planning notes

What’s a “foodie trip” in your style?

A mix of standout meals and local favourites, plus experiences that make it memorable: market visits, a cooking class, a street-food evening, or a day trip that adds a bit of adventure. For how food shapes a place, see How Food Helps You Understand a Place.

Can you build this as a multi-centre itinerary?

Yes. I set the routing, transfers and timing so it feels like a holiday, not a logistics project.

Can vouchers be used towards foodie experiences?

Yes. If you are gifting an experience, vouchers can go towards a new trip, an existing holiday balance, or add-ons like excursions and tickets. Gift ideas live here: travel gift vouchers.

I hope these foodie destinations have inspired your next adventure. Whether you are craving sushi in Tokyo or beignets in New Orleans, there is a world of great food waiting to be explored.

Planning a Food Trip With Me

This is a personal service from start to finish. I plan the route and book every part of it, and if anything changes while you are travelling, you call me and I deal with it.

As a travel agent I have 30 years of adventure travel experience, and I have visited around 80 countries myself, so my advice comes from experience and not from a brochure.

There is a belief that travel agents cost more. Booking with me does not. Many suppliers charge the same price whether you book direct or through me, and others sell to the trade only, on contracts with competitive pricing. Either way you pay no more for having me plan and book the trip, and your booking carries ABTA and ATOL protection where stated on your booking. You can read more in why book with me.

Call or WhatsApp 0117 452 1159 or email bridget@worldclassadventures.co.uk

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