Tokyo, Japan
In Tokyo, food is treated like an art form, with equal parts ritual, precision, and deep-rooted cultural pride. With more Michelin stars than any other city in the world, it’s heaven for fine diners, but equally as rewarding for convenience store snackers. You could eat a $300 omakase meal or a steaming bowl of tonkotsu ramen from a train station kiosk — and both could be life-changing. The level of care put into every bite and morsel is astonishing. Must-trys include sushi (Sushi Masuda for upscale, Sushi Dai at Tsukiji for the experience), tempura at Tempura Kondo, and a classic egg sando from any good konbini. Make sure to book omakase meals far in advance and don’t skip the department store food halls — they’re an absolute treasure trove of beautifully packaged snacks and regional specialties.
Oaxaca, Mexico
If Mexico has a culinary soul, it’s in Oaxaca. Earthy, spicy, and deeply textured, this is food that’s fiercely proud of its indigenous roots. Here you’ll find street-side tlayudas sizzling on charcoal grills and mole that takes three days to make. Markets are chaotic and fragrant places of joy, mezcalerías welcome you with warmth, and even the street food feels like works of art. Must-trys include mole negro at Casa Oaxaca, memelas at Doña Vale’s stand in Mercado Central, and quesillo (Oaxacan cheese) everywhere. To get the most out of a market experience, hire a local guide for a tasting tour. It’ll open your palate and unlock access to stalls you wouldn’t otherwise know to try.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is a city that wakes up hungry. From dawn till well after dark, the sidewalks are alive with the sounds of sizzling, slurping, and clinking bowls. The flavors are clean and bold, featuring tons of herbs, fish sauce, and lime — and each dish is perfectly balanced. Pho here is religion, bun cha tastes like smoky bliss, and every cafe seems to serve a new twist on Vietnamese egg coffee. Must-trys include bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien (famously visited by Obama and Bourdain), pho at Pho Thin, and egg coffee at Giang Cafe. Make sure you eat early, as many places sell out by lunch. And always look for plastic stools on the sidewalk: those usually indicate you’ve found yourself a gem.
Naples, Italy
Naples doesn’t care about polish — and therein lies its culinary superpower. It’s generous and deeply in love with its food. This is where pizza was born, but also where giant lemons grow on volcanic soil and every tomato tastes like it came from a nonna’s backyard. Even the simplest things (a spritz, a sfogliatella, a scoop of pistachio gelato) are best-in-class. Must-trys include Pizza Margherita at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, fried cuoppo at Friggitoria Vomero, and a warm sfogliatella at Pintauro. For the seasoned travelers: brush up on a few Italian food words so you can read the daily specials scrawled on chalkboards.
Istanbul, Türkiye
Straddling two continents, Istanbul's cuisine reflects a long and layered history of spice routes and cultural fusion. Start your day with a lavish Turkish breakfast spread, nibble on some simit by the Bosphorus, then dive into a lunch of grilled fish sandwiches, slow-cooked stews, and sweet, syrupy baklava. Dinners are slow and sociable, with mezze spreads and raki toasts often stretching into the night. Must-trys include mezze and grilled octopus at Karaköy Lokantası, köfte at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi, and Turkish delight at Hacı Bekir. Note: Don’t rush. Turkish meals are communal and conversational, meant for you to take your time — and always accept the tea at the end. It’s tradition.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona knows how to eat late, linger long, and delight in every bite. The tapas culture is alive and well, but so is its new wave of market-driven, produce-forward Catalan cuisine. The food here is vibrant, from the olive oil and charred vegetables to jamón and honey-drizzled cheeses. Even the simplest tomato bread feels like a work of passion. Whether you’re eating at a historic tavern or a Michelin-starred lab, the emphasis is on sharing and savoring. Must-dos include a tapas crawl through El Born (Bar del Pla is a standout), pa amb tomàquet at Quimet & Quimet, and fresh seafood at La Paradeta. Insider tip: Skip Las Ramblas. Instead, explore the smaller neighborhoods of El Born, Gràcia, and Poble-sec for food that’s far more local.
Hong Kong
Few cities live and breathe food quite like Hong Kong. Fast, bright, and constantly changing, the city is always serving a great bite (at any hour) to satisfy your cravings. From towering dim sum trolleys to hole-in-the-wall noodle shops, the city’s cuisine is a mix of its Cantonese traditions and global influence. A single day’s meals can include congee breakfast at a no-frills café, Michelin-starred roast goose lunch, and street skewers for dinner. Must-trys include dim sum at Tim Ho Wan or Dimsum Library, roast goose at Yat Lok, and egg tarts from Tai Cheong Bakery. A smart move would be to come hungry, and don’t be shy about sharing tables in busy cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong’s diners) — it’s part of the city’s fast-paced food culture and a great way to see what locals are ordering.