The best world cities for food and drink

Sampling the local flavours is a huge part of the travel experience for many of us.

From sushi and sake in Japan to full-bodied wines in South Africa, these five popular escapes offer the ultimate culinary experience outside of Europe .

Not only were they rated among the best long-haul cities for 2024 in our survey of more than 3,000 people, but they all clinched four out of five stars or above for food and drink.

Read on to discover the world’s top getaways for foodies.

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1. Cape Town

Few world cities feel as close to nature as Cape Town, with the drama of Table Mountain and the rugged Cape of Good Hope in touching distance. High quality food and drink (awarded five stars by readers) at low prices are another draw. 

Cape Malay cuisine is unique to the Western Cape - a blend of Malaysian, Indonesian and South African flavours. Make sure to sample Babootie: curried ground lamb topped with a savoury egg custard, similar to moussaka. Koeksister is another classic; a cinnamon doughnut glazed with syrup and grated coconut. 

Sample these dishes and many more in the rainbow-hued Bo-Kaap district. The world-class vineyards of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are also just a short drive away. Watch the sun disappear behind its jagged peaks as you sip a fruity pinotage (a red grape unique to South Africa) in the vine-carpeted valley.

Which? Shorts podcast: Listen to our journey through captivating Cape Town

2. Singapore

Food has always been a huge part of Singapore's culture and heritage  where ancient temple gardens meet modern skyscrapers. 

While many come for a Singapore sling cocktail in Raffles Hotel’s Long Bar, you’ll enjoy a more authentic experience at the city’s famous open-air food markets (aka hawker centres). Hop from one sizzling stall to the next for a head-spinning journey through China, Malaysia, India and Indonesia. 

Hawker Chan’s was the first food stall in the world to be awarded a Michelin star. He lost it in 2021, but his humble soy-sauce-marinated chicken rice is as sought after as ever (just look for the enormous queue). Other local specialities include Laksa, a spicy coconut soup laden with seafood, and chilli crab.

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3. Bangkok

It’s here, and not the islands, that you’ll get a taste of the real Thailand - literally, when it comes to its excellent street food scene. Vendors set up their carts on every corner of the city, dishing up generations-old recipes. 

Beef, chicken or pork satay sticks are cooked over a hot grill and served with a peanut dipping sauce. Tom yum gung is another classic - punchy Thai soup that piles in tomatoes, lemongrass, shrimp, mushrooms and spices to make it sweet, sour and spicy all at once. 

Mango sticky rice is the nation’s favourite dessert; the Mae Varee shop in Thonglor serves it in multiple flavours, including pandan and green tea. 

You’ll find the raw ingredients at the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market - a multicoloured armada piled high with spices, dried fish and tropical fruits. A longboat will zip you through a maze of narrow canals, bordered by wooden stilt houses and palms, along the way.

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4. Sydney

Your favourite world city of 2024; many rack up the airmiles to marvel at the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge on the sun-spangled waterfront. But the food (rated four stars) will also wow - whether you’re city brunching or dining beachside after inhaling lungfuls of sea air on the famous Bondi to Coogee walk. 

Doyle’s on Watson’s Bay has been serving up fresh, local seafood for over five generations; its signature platter comes overflowing with oysters, stuffed jumbo prawns and baked scallops. 

The city’s coffee culture is also well known (a Sydney cafe controversially claims to have invented the flat white). Try a lamington on the side; vanilla sponge dipped in chocolate and coated in shredded coconut. 

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5. Kyoto

The former capital of Japan may be famous for its Buddhist temples, cherry blossom and geishas - but its food is also worthy of high praise. 

You’ll find all the Japanese favourites here; steaming bowls of ramen, fat udon noodles and excellent sushi (the saba-zushi - with salted mackerel - is a local speciality). 

However, Kyoto is more famous for its Kaiseki, a traditional aristocratic multi-course dinner showcasing the finest local and seasonal ingredients. 

Popular dishes include a soup with a dashi-based broth and sashimi. You can expect it to be accompanied with a cup of sake, Japanese rice wine which heightens the umami flavour of the food.