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1. LONDONGet a crash course in British food culture by exploring bustling Borough Market, at the south end of London Bridge. Vendors peddle everything from just-caught seafood and just-picked produce to artisanal cheeses and blue-ribbon baked goods. Be sure to sample traditional fare such as a full English breakfast at the Regency Café or fish and chips at the century-old Golden Hind. Sup on contemporary cuisine at The Hand and Flowers, England’s only Michelin two-star pub. Feeling adventurous? Cruise to Carousel, featuring rotating chefs and concepts. (Read our guide to London.)

Photograph by Yiu Cheung, Getty Images

21 best food cities around the world

Our data-backed index of the globe’s most delicious destinations makes for a moveable feast.

Reporting byNevin Martell

March 19, 2019

2 min read

One excellent meal is an example. Two is a coincidence. Thousands of excellent meals is a trend. Here we present a data-driven index of the world’s best cities for food lovers, based on qualitative evaluations by locals and visitors alike.

To create this index, we partnered with Resonance Consultancy, a global advisor on economic and tourism development. They measured the number of high-quality restaurants and culinary experiences from online channels (including Google, Facebook, Instagram, and TripAdvisor) in more than 200 cities to identify the world’s most delicious destinations.

With the menu written, the feast commenced. We interviewed local experts to highlight edible adventures in each city on our list, from street food to haute cuisine, iconic dishes, markets, and restaurants. “People are learning that food is the vehicle to understand a culture,” says Marwa Preston, founder of Wanderbeak, a Barcelona-based company that offers gastronomic experiences. “After just a few meals, suddenly the unknown feels familiar.” Eat the world, one bite at a time!

Nevin Martell writes about travel, food, parenting, and pop culture. Follow him on Twitter @nevinmartell.

This article first appeared in the April/May 2019 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.