All over the world, cities vie for the title of "gourmet city."
Unfortunately, not every city is advanced enough in the culinary arts to wear
this title. Those cities that have earned this title are renowned world-wide as
homes to some of the most beautiful food and the most reputable gourmet
restaurants. They represent a treasury of high quality cuisines. These cities
are normally well-kept and governed so that those who visit will want to come
back over and over—bringing both acclaim and tourism money. But perhaps more
importantly, each of these cities has a true love and respect for the food that
they create. While tourism is a necessary part of fame, not all of these cities
are tourist traps. In fact, you may have never thought about some of these
places as gourmet meccas. Regardless, one thing is certain: each of these cities
are a must see for any food enthusiast who wishes to excite their taste buds.
15) Singapore,
Singapore
The cuisine that can be found in Singapore has fused Chinese, Indian, Tamil,
Peranakan, and Malaysian cuisines together and has its own twists and surprises
for major foodies to enjoy. Some of the most popular local dishes include Roti
Prata, Satay, chili crab, Char Kway Teow, fried carrot cake, Hainanese chicken
rice, and barbequed stingray. One of the post popular dining experiences for
tourists is the cities open-air food complex. Here, there are many different
stalls that serve inexpensive, gourmet delights. Some of the most popular food
stalls in the complex include Newton Circus Food Center, Chomp Chomp Food
Center, Zion Road Riverview Food Center, and the Adam Road Food Center.
Singapore, Singapore:
If you are looking for a more formal setting, you can check out any of the
gourmet restaurants that Singapore has to offer. According to the Survival Chic
website, La Maison Fatien is the top gourmet restaurant in Singapore. Located in
Singapore’s heritage district, La Maison Fatien is a classic French bistro that
is a perfect option for lunch or dinner. Once a pre-war conservation house, La
Maison Faiten provides a warm and welcoming environment for guests to enjoy an
amazing meal. Other popular gourmet restaurants that are worth noting include il
Lido, Mango Tree Restaurant, The Song of India, and Café Samar.
14) Honolulu, Hawaii
When most people think of Hawaii, they often think about scenic beaches and
hula-dancing. However, Honolulu, Hawaii is an amazing city that will provide you
with some amazing eats. The state as a whole has been home to several James
Beard Award winners, including George Mavrothalassitis, Roy Yamaguchi, and Alan
Wong. In Honolulu specifically, the cuisine is a unique mix of Asian cuisine and
Pacific Island cuisine. Some of the top dishes that can be found in Honolulu
include Kalua pork, Lau Lau, Poi, Lomi salmon, Poke, and butterfish. Some of the most popular Honolulu eateries include Kaka’ako Kitchen, Umeke Deli, Little Village Noodle House, Vino, and Yanagi
Sushi.
Honolulu, Hawaii:
If you are looking for restaurants that cater to fine dining tastes, you will
have many different options available to you. One of the most elite options in
Honolulu is Chef Mavro’s. The menu at Chef Mavro’s includes local favorites such
as Hawaiian-raised shrimp that is dusted with garam masala, green apple
remoulade, and poached lobster served with Pirie mango. Another popular option
for fine dining is Alan Wong’s. At Alan Wong’s Pacific, fish is the star. The
restaurant serves amazing local dishes, including ginger-crusted Onaga with miso-sesame
vinaigrette, and Opakapaka with truffle Nage and tapioca pearls.
13) Fes, Morocco
The cuisine that can be found in Fes is influenced by Moorish, Berber,
Mediterranean, African, and Arab cuisines. Unlike other cities, the main meal of
the day in Fes is the midday meal. Some of the most popular foods in Fes cuisine
include beef, couscous, poultry, lamb, local fruits, and sheep. These
ingredients can be found in popular dishes like Tagine, Pastilla, and Harira.
Though the restaurants in Fes feature some of the best Moroccan foods, they are
also known for embracing cultures from around the world.
Fes, Morocco:
Dar Roumana is a popular restaurant in Fes that is known for fusing French,
Mediterranean, and Moroccan cuisines together. According to the Trip Advisor
website, Dar Roumana is rated the number one restaurant that you should visit
while in Fes. According to reviews, the most popular dishes served at Dar
Roumana include braised rabbit, goat cheese soufflé, and poached pear and
raspberries. If you are looking for an eatery that is more laid back, you could
try Thami’s. This restaurant offers local cuisine to those looking to spend
less. The menu features dishes such as chicken Tagine, a Moroccan salad,
Pastilla, and couscous and vegetables.
12) Sicily, Italy
The cuisine in Sicily, Italy is mostly created around fish and sea food. Most of
the dishes that you can find in Sicilian cuisine include a variety of fresh
vegetables that are grown near Mount Etna. Traditional Sicilian dishes show
traces of Greek, Arab, Roman, and Norman influences. It is rare to find a
Sicilian dish that does not contain ingredients that are produced locally. Some
of the most popular ingredients used in Sicilian cuisine include eggplants,
olives, capers, swordfish, veal, and wine. Some of the most popular dishes
include Caponeta, Arancine, grilled fish, and veal Marsala. Sicilian cuisine is
also known to include some of the best dessert foods that you will ever find.
Popular dessert choices include Cassata, Cannoli, Frutta di Martorana, and
Gelato.
Sicily, Italy:
One of the most important things to remember about Sicilian cuisine is that
it is seasonal. During winter, the local markets carry grapes, mandarins, and
oranges. Famous dishes during the winter include Paninis, Arancine, Cannolis,
and Marzipan sweets. During spring time strawberries, apricots, sweet pears, and
cherries are found in local markets. Popular dishes during spring include fresh
pastas, swordfish, and tuna. Summer produce includes peaches, prunes,
watermelon, and cantaloupe. Meals that are popular during summer include Gelo Di
Melone and other refreshing offerings. In autumn, you will be able to find
olives, prickly pears, and chestnuts. Dishes such as Caponata and Pepronata are
some of the most popular during this time of the year.
11) Menorca, Spain
The cuisine in Menorca has traces of medieval Islamic and Catalan cuisine, and
often reflects the religious beliefs of its people. For example, the foods that
can be found in Menorca during Holy Week are some of the city’s most popular.
During Holy Week, the popular dishes that are served include fish stew, Sopa de
Ajo, pork loin pie, Torrijas, Easter doughnuts, and Passtissets, according to
the Menorca Live website. Each of these dishes are approved for eating during
Holy Week, but they are also staples in the Menorcan culture.
Menorca, Spain:
The recipes that have been developed in Menorca have made the city popular
for many different food enthusiasts. Famous recipes that have been developed in
Menorca include mayonnaise, lobster stew, Mao cheese, and Carquinyois. Other
famous Menorcan dishes include Rubiols, Menorcan-Style stuffed Aubergines, and
Panades. Some of the best restaurants to experience while in Menorca include Sa
Pedrera des Pujol, Es Cranc, Biniarroca, and La Caraba. Visiting any of these
restaurants in Menorca will allow you to truly experience Menorcan cuisine.
10) Napa Valley,
California
When most people think of Napa Valley, California, they think about a relaxing
day at one of the many wineries. What many people overlook is that Napa Valley
is home to some of the best cuisine that California has to offer. In Napa
Valley, it is common for dishes to be prepared with fresh ingredients that are
harvested on a daily basis. The cuisine style of most local Napa Valley
restaurants is a fusion on Pan-Pacific cuisine and ingredients that are grown
locally. Napa Valley cuisine is also strongly influenced by Spanish, Italian,
and Mexican cuisine.
Napa Valley, California:
Because freshness is the key to many Napa Valley dishes, menus change on a
seasonal, and even daily, basis. True to Napa Valley roots, almost every dish
that is served is strategically paired with a wine that will complement the
dish. For the most part, Napa Valley cuisine is about portraying a high level of
class and style with each meal. While this means that the foods provided are of
high quality, it can also mean that they are more expensive. Some of the top
rated Napa Valley restaurants include Bosko’s Trattoria, Bounty Hunter Wine Bar,
and Celadon.
9) Sydney, Australia
The gourmet dining scene in Sydney is characterized by the global view of its
diners, food producers, and chefs. Popular offerings in Sydney include steak
houses, Chinese food, Nepalese, Indonesian, vegetarian, and Japanese cuisine.
The top international dishes in Sydney include grilled tuna jaw, Campechana, and
Bahn hoi.
Sydney, Australia:
The local Australian cuisine in Sydney is known for being fresh, and in most
cases, healthy. Some of the top dishes in Sydney
include biodynamic lamb, razor clams, Tomahawk steak, and fish and chips. The
top restaurants to find these dishes include Mongers, Moorlands, Berowra Waters
Inn, and Zest Work ‘n’ Grill.
8) New York City,
New York
There are a lot of
interesting facts about New York City, and one of them happens to be their
food. NYC is known for some of the best pizza that the world has to offer. The
city is also home to over 80 restaurants that have been awarded Michelin Stars. With such a diverse population, New York City
offers delicious cuisines from all over the world. Some of the top global
cuisines that can be found in New York City include Irish, Chinese, Italian,
Japanese, Thai, and French cuisines. Some of the most popular restaurants to
visit for global cuisine include the Spotted Pig, New York Noodle Town, Osteria
Morini, and DBGB.
New York, New York:
Not to be outdone by the global cuisine that can be found, New York City has
its own staples. Some of the most popular foods that are purchased in New York
City include New York style bagels, cheesecake, hot dogs, deli sandwiches, clam
chowder, and pizza. Though there are many places across the globe that claim to
serve New York style foods, nothing really compares to the original. Popular
places to find these New York City staples include Juniors, Randazzo’s Clam Bar,
Katz’s Deli, and John’s Pizzeria.
7) Lyon, France
Anyone who has visited Lyon, France can tell you that it is a city rich in
history that has a vibrant cultural scene. In Lyon, the traditional restaurants
are known as bouchons, and started popping up around the end of the 19th
century. Many of the bouchons that can be found in Lyon were started by cooks
that were laid off by wealthy families in the 1930’s. One of the cooks, Eugenie
Brazier, was one of the first of three to be awarded the coveted Michelin Star.
Today, around 20 of the restaurants in Lyon have been awarded Michelin Stars.
Lyon is known to be the gastronomic capital
of France. It is in Lyon that the gastronomic movement truly started and became
popular. For this reason alone, food enthusiasts from all over the world have
appreciated Lyon for its bold culinary techniques and inventions.
Lyon, France:
The cuisine that can be found in Lyon is a mixture of traditional Lyonnais
cuisines and Nouvelle cuisine. Traditional Lyonnais offerings include dishes
such as Andouille, tripe, chicken liver salad, Cerverias, and Cervelle de Canut.
The Nouvelle cuisine that can be found in Lyon includes more delicately prepared
dishes such as scallop tangerine Gastrique. Some of the most popular restaurants
that provide Nouvelle cuisine include Le Sud, Le Nord, L’Est, and L’Ouest.
6) San Francisco,
California
Those who have visited or live in San Francisco can tell you how diverse the
city's cuisine actually is. In San Francisco, the price range between the
different restaurants is surprising because you can go from spending a few
dollars at one place, and turn around and spend hundreds at another. Also
surprising, is that there is essentially a restaurant scene for everyone. In one
neighborhood of San Francisco you can find a plethora of health- conscious vegan
foods, while in another you will be able to find the largest Chinatown in North
America. What’s more, most of the international food that you can find in San
Francisco is extremely close to the food that can be found in each restaurant's
respective land of origin.
San Francisco, California
Because the city is so diverse in the type of cuisine that you can find,
there is no real specific cuisine style in San Francisco. This attribute is what
makes the city such an appealing destination for many food enthusiasts. San
Francisco is able to boast an impressive 23 restaurants that have received the
Michelin Star. Some of the top restaurants to visit in San Francisco include
Nopa, Frances, Lers Ros Thai, Bar Tartine, and SPQR. Each of these restaurants
will provide you with the diverse cuisine for which San Francisco has become
known and appreciated.
5) Hong Kong, China
With over 70 restaurants that have been awarded the Michelin Star, Hong Kong is
a great place to be if you are hungry. In Hong Kong, you will have the option of
visiting the local street vendor or getting gussied up for a memorable meal at a
five-star restaurant. The food that you can get in Hong Kong is nothing like the
food that you can get from your favorite local Chinese food restaurant. It is
much, much better. The local food that you will find in Hong Kong, regardless if
it comes from a street vendor or five-star restaurant is Cantonese cuisine in
its purest form. There has also been an explosion of gastronomic-style eateries
that will appease even the pickiest palate.
Hong Kong, China
The favorite dishes that you should try while in Hong Kong include Hong
Kong-style French toast, Hong Kong Style cheeseburgers, chicken feet, Five-layer
roast pork, and Cantonese preserved sausage. You should not
leave Hong Kong unless you have tried all of these popular dishes. Some of the
restaurants that you can try these dishes at include Lan Fong Yuen, the Denmark
Cake Shop, and Lei Garden’s Sui Yuk.
4) London, England
When some people think of London cuisine they immediately think of a fresh order
of fish and chips. While it is true that London restaurants serve some of the
best fish and chips, the culinary scene is so much more vibrant and diverse than
that. London is home to over 60 restaurants
that have earned prestigious Michelin Stars. Throughout London you can find
cuisine from all over the world. Popular world cuisines that are offered in
London include African, Greek, French, Italian, and Middle Eastern variations.
As more cultures continue to migrate to London, the cuisine offered there will
continue to change and develop. Because London locals are so open to
experiencing different cuisines, there is more opportunity for chefs to
experiment and to expand their culinary expertise.
London, England
If you want to try out the global cuisine that London has to offer, the best
spots include Manuka Kitchen, Abingdon, Thirty Six, and The Luggage Room. If you
are looking to try out local British restaurants that offer traditional British
cuisine, you will have no problem finding a place in London. Some of the top
traditional British cuisine restaurants include Rules, Simpsons-in-the-Strand,
Quo Vadis, and the Goring Dining Room. Some of the traditional British dishes
that you will be able to find in these restaurants include fish and chips,
Toad-in-the-Hole, cottage pie, bangers and mash, Yorkshire pudding, black
pudding, and Bubble and Squeak. If you are looking for a more casual atmosphere,
you may want to visit a local London pub. Some of the top London pubs include Zeitgeist, Earl Ferrers, St. Chad’s
Place, and the Faltering Fullback.
3) Bangkok, Thailand
For most food enthusiasts, Thai food is some of the most sought after. There is
no better place to taste delicious Thai food than in Bangkok. Some of the most
popular Bangkok dishes include Tom Yum Goong, Som Tum, Tom Kha Kai, Gaeng Daeng,
and Pad Thai. There are many different dining options that you can choose from
while in Bangkok. Street vendors, local hole-in-the wall eateries, and five-star
restaurants are all dining options that you have to choose from. In addition to
the best Thai food that you could imagine, Bangkok restaurants are also known
for serving excellent British, German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Indian
cuisine.
Bangkok, Thailand
Though many would assume that the five-star restaurants deliver the most
sought after dishes, it is the street vendors that shine in Bangkok. Some of the most popular street vendors in Bangkok
include Chaiyo Khao Man Gai, Udon Noodles, and Samong Moo. For those wishing to
give their feet a rest, you can try one of the many popular restaurants in
Bangkok. Popular restaurants include Gianni Ristorante, Baan Khanitha, and
Harmonique.
2) Paris, France
Every day people from all over the world dream about experiencing authentic
French cuisine. If you know anything about French cuisine, you will know that
the best and most authentic place to experience it is in Paris. To say that
Paris is a gourmet city unlike any other would be a major understatement.
Throughout France, every region has its own unique style of cuisine. In Paris,
however, all of those styles come together, making it the best that France can
possibly offer. The ingredients that are used the most in French cuisine include
beef, chicken, goose, mushrooms, cream, wine, oysters, and an assortment of
fresh herbs and vegetables. The best types of French cuisine range from Haute to
Nouvelle offerings.
Paris, France
From the local bakeries to the five-star restaurants, there is no better city
to be in if you are looking for a good place to eat. With around 85 restaurants
that have been awarded Michelin Stars, the French people's love for excellent
food is apparent. Some of the top bakeries in Paris include Le Grenier a Pain,
Pain d’Epis, and Le Moulin de la Vierge. If you are looking for a café to visit
while in Paris, some of the best include Café Verlet, Merce and the Muse, and La
Cafeotheque. For a five-star dining experience in Paris, there is Le Meurice,
L’Ambroisie, and Arpege. Visiting any of these places will allow you to see
exactly why Paris is one of the most visited places when you want to experience
great food in a classic atmosphere.
1) Tokyo, Japan
Japanese cuisine has been popular in many cities across the globe. There are
many cities that try to learn from Japanese cuisine, and many cities that claim
to truly understand it. However, one of the only places where you can truly
experience Japanese cuisine is in Tokyo. The populous city is home to over 300
restaurants that have earned Michelin Stars. That astounding number, though
surprising to some, is completely understandable to those who have experienced
true Tokyo cuisine. Though there are many different cuisine trends popping up
all over Tokyo, the true star of Japanese cuisine lies in the traditional dishes
that you can find within the city limits. Some of the most sought after
traditional Tokyo dishes include Soba, Sukiyaki, Oden, Unagi, and Nabe. Popular
restaurants that serve these dishes include Namiki Yabusoba, Echikatsu, Konakara,
Kandagawa-honten, and Nabeya. Visiting any of these places will allow you to
experience traditional Tokyo cuisine at its best.
Tokyo, Japan
If you wish to explore the newer cuisine that Tokyo has to offer, there are
many different places that you can do so. Some of the popular, but
less-traditional, dishes in Tokyo include Gyoza with black-vinegar sauce,
orchid-root-thickened ice cream, sipping vinegar, green tea éclairs, and
Okinawan spam. The places where you can find these unique foods include Teppei,
Mikimoto Lounge, Ice Cream City, and Takashimaya Times Square. Each of these
places indicates where Japanese cuisine may be heading in the not-to-distant
future. Though Tokyo remains a city that respects and appreciates tradition in
its cuisine, it is also a city that is not afraid to experiment with different
techniques and recipes. It is the city’s lack of fear, mixed with its love for
tradition, that has caused it to become one of the most inventive cities when it
comes to gourmet cuisine.
Conclusion
With so many foodies and food enthusiasts constantly on the look out to find the
next best cuisine, it is easy to understand why all of these places can be
considered a gourmet city. Each of these cities has brought different techniques
and dishes to the culinary world. Though some of the techniques and dishes in
one city can contradict the techniques and dishes in another, they are all
important to the development of the culinary world. Each of these gourmet cities
will offer something different to food enthusiasts across the world. These
cities either appreciate and uphold culinary traditions, or they throw tradition
to the wind and take their own course. One of the great things about the
culinary world is that being traditional or non-traditional does not really
matter. At the end of the day what matters most is if a chef or cook has created
a meal that is worth remembering. If that can be done, there is truly no right
or wrong way. Each of these cities has come to recognize this to be true on some
level, which is why they have become memorable in the eyes—and mouths—of the
world.
