Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 have revealed the world’s top 10 cities for food, putting the spotlight on global culinary destinations from Asia to Europe. The annual list, based on reader votes, highlights where travellers find the most memorable dining experiences.
None of India’s cities featured in the 2025 list, with Tokyo, Japan, taking the top spot for its renowned culinary culture.
World's top 10 cities for food in 2025
1. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo has been named the best city in the world for food in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The city offers a wide range of dining experiences, from fresh sashimi at Tsukiji Outer Market to multi-course meals at Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as street food, grab-and-go sushi, ramen, and late-night sake spots, making it a top destination for food lovers.
2. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico, is celebrated for its rich culinary heritage shaped over centuries. The city blends Indigenous and local traditions, with roasted chillies, sweet corn, and flour tortillas featuring in both street food and refined dishes, while chefs continue to reinterpret traditional flavors with modern elegance.
3. Madrid, Spain
Madrid offers a vibrant food scene, from renowned restaurants like Restaurante Los Montes de Galicia and Sobrino de Botín to hidden local gems. Visitors can enjoy churros with chocolate, jamón ibérico, and innovative dishes made from fresh market produce in lively tapas bars, reflecting the city’s rich culinary culture.
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai’s food scene is a mix of bustling street markets and scenic dining spots, offering dishes like khao soi (curry noodle soup) and sai oua (herbed pork sausage). From casual noodle stalls to riverside meals under lanterns or mountain-view breakfasts, the city’s vibrant flavors attract both locals and travellers.
5. Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is known for its rich flavours and vibrant markets, featuring tropical fruits, empanadas, and llapingachos. Local chefs are modernising Ecuadorian cuisine, turning traditional ingredients into creative, visually appealing dishes.
6. Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa’s capital offers a diverse culinary scene influenced by African, Dutch, Malay, and Indian cuisines. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and steaks along the waterfront, sample local wines, or explore renowned vineyards like Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands.
7. Lisbon, Portugal
Grilled sardines, custard tarts and sweet-sour cherry liqueur; it could only be the sun-kissed Portuguese capital, says Condé Nast Traveller. "Traditional dishes tell the tales of generations of locals, from sailors to grandmothers who potter about kitchens with gluttonous grins. There’s authenticity at every turn and, thanks to Lisbon’s relatively compact nature, it’s never hard work seeking fabulous recommendations from residents."
8. San Sebastián, Spain
San Sebastián’s culinary prowess is no secret. The Basque city boasts the largest number of Michelin stars per capita, making it one of the ultimate bucket list trips for discerning gourmands. Every cobbled street in the Old Town hides a lip-smacking secret that a tourist will rarely find in guidebooks.
9. Palma, Spain
"Mediterranean dream with menus to match" is how Condé Nast Traveller describes Palma for foodies. Chefs reimagine Mallorcan traditions along winding streets, bakery foot traffic spills onto roadsides as travellers find shaded spots to devour sweet treats, and sunseekers lunch al fresco on hotel rooftops.
10. New York, US
New York City is a global food hotspot, offering everything from iconic restaurants like Carbone and Nobu Downtown to beloved treats like Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding. From artisan bakeries in Brooklyn to Michelin-starred dining in Manhattan, the city’s fast-paced culinary scene keeps both locals and visitors coming back for more.
None of India’s cities featured in the 2025 list, with Tokyo, Japan, taking the top spot for its renowned culinary culture.
World's top 10 cities for food in 2025
1. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo has been named the best city in the world for food in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The city offers a wide range of dining experiences, from fresh sashimi at Tsukiji Outer Market to multi-course meals at Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as street food, grab-and-go sushi, ramen, and late-night sake spots, making it a top destination for food lovers.
2. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico, is celebrated for its rich culinary heritage shaped over centuries. The city blends Indigenous and local traditions, with roasted chillies, sweet corn, and flour tortillas featuring in both street food and refined dishes, while chefs continue to reinterpret traditional flavors with modern elegance.
3. Madrid, Spain
Madrid offers a vibrant food scene, from renowned restaurants like Restaurante Los Montes de Galicia and Sobrino de Botín to hidden local gems. Visitors can enjoy churros with chocolate, jamón ibérico, and innovative dishes made from fresh market produce in lively tapas bars, reflecting the city’s rich culinary culture.
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai’s food scene is a mix of bustling street markets and scenic dining spots, offering dishes like khao soi (curry noodle soup) and sai oua (herbed pork sausage). From casual noodle stalls to riverside meals under lanterns or mountain-view breakfasts, the city’s vibrant flavors attract both locals and travellers.
5. Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is known for its rich flavours and vibrant markets, featuring tropical fruits, empanadas, and llapingachos. Local chefs are modernising Ecuadorian cuisine, turning traditional ingredients into creative, visually appealing dishes.
6. Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa’s capital offers a diverse culinary scene influenced by African, Dutch, Malay, and Indian cuisines. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and steaks along the waterfront, sample local wines, or explore renowned vineyards like Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands.
7. Lisbon, Portugal
Grilled sardines, custard tarts and sweet-sour cherry liqueur; it could only be the sun-kissed Portuguese capital, says Condé Nast Traveller. "Traditional dishes tell the tales of generations of locals, from sailors to grandmothers who potter about kitchens with gluttonous grins. There’s authenticity at every turn and, thanks to Lisbon’s relatively compact nature, it’s never hard work seeking fabulous recommendations from residents."
8. San Sebastián, Spain
San Sebastián’s culinary prowess is no secret. The Basque city boasts the largest number of Michelin stars per capita, making it one of the ultimate bucket list trips for discerning gourmands. Every cobbled street in the Old Town hides a lip-smacking secret that a tourist will rarely find in guidebooks.
9. Palma, Spain
"Mediterranean dream with menus to match" is how Condé Nast Traveller describes Palma for foodies. Chefs reimagine Mallorcan traditions along winding streets, bakery foot traffic spills onto roadsides as travellers find shaded spots to devour sweet treats, and sunseekers lunch al fresco on hotel rooftops.
10. New York, US
New York City is a global food hotspot, offering everything from iconic restaurants like Carbone and Nobu Downtown to beloved treats like Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding. From artisan bakeries in Brooklyn to Michelin-starred dining in Manhattan, the city’s fast-paced culinary scene keeps both locals and visitors coming back for more.
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