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São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo boasts one of the world's most vibrant culinary cultures, with 14 Michelin-starred restaurants. Dishes you won't want to miss include "coxinha"—a golden-brown shredded chicken dish shaped like a chicken drumstick—and "feijoada"—a rich and flavorful black bean stew. These two dishes can be found on the menus of most cafes, bars, and food markets. Visitors can also sign up for market tours to sample local specialties and enjoy some of the city's best cuisine.
DOM restaurant in São Paulo is one of the best restaurants in the world. Source: DOM
A reputable address for enjoying cuisine when visiting São Paulo is DOM – one of the best restaurants in the world, where authentic Brazilian flavors are revived by the skillful hands of chef Alex Atala. The Fasano São Paulo Hotel is also an ideal location for food lovers, with its Michelin-starred restaurant featuring modern Italian cuisine serving pasta and seafood.
Madrid, Spain
The Spanish capital is known for its world-class museums and relaxed pace of life, as well as its impressive culinary culture, bringing together talented chefs from around the world with unique cooking styles and methods. With over 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, Madrid is considered a "paradise" for food lovers.
Individual food tours are readily available, allowing visitors to admire and explore countless restaurants, tapas bars, food markets, and more, where local specialties are showcased in a unique and appealing way, reflecting the city's traditional style. Don't forget to visit the 3-Michelin-star restaurant, DiverXO, located within the NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding. The owner is chef Dabiz Muñoz, renowned for his bold and innovative style.
Rimini, Italy
With its golden Adriatic beaches, stunning historic architecture, and unique cuisine, Rimini is one of Italy's gems. It's no surprise that life here revolves around fine dining, and it's been voted one of the best food destinations by Booking.com travelers.
The only Michelin-starred restaurant in Rimini is Abocar Due Cucine. Source: Abocar Due Cucine
For convenience, you can sign up for a small group street food tour and stroll through the cobblestone streets, admiring Rimini's elegant bakeries and discovering classic Italian cuisine. Even the street food stalls offer excellent local delicacies such as Rimini's signature "piada," a hot, unleavened bread topped with soft cheese.
Rimini's only Michelin-starred restaurant is Abocar Due Cucine. Located in a cozy setting, the restaurant treats diners to dishes with Italian and Argentinian influences. The signature dish is "soyotta," a combination of red onion and soy sauce, but created using a multitude of complex cooking techniques and local flavors.
Lyon, France
With 17 Michelin-starred restaurants, Lyon is known as the culinary capital of France. Lyon's cuisine blends ingredients from northern France, including the freshest seasonal vegetables, wines, and olive oil sourced from southern valleys. Visitors often can't miss the experience of savoring traditional dishes at tables covered with checkered tablecloths, or immersing themselves in specialized French food tours.
The two-Michelin-star restaurant La Mère is the ideal place to experience Lyon's culinary scene. Source: La Mère
Visitors should try La Mère, a two-Michelin-star restaurant, to experience Lyon's culinary identity. Founded in 1921, it has become a haute cuisine training academy and is frequented by politicians and celebrities. Today, the restaurant serves traditional dishes with a more modern twist – including its signature dish, chicken stuffed with black truffles, along with a fine wine list.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai's culinary scene is renowned for its Friday buffets – lavish events featuring live cooking demonstrations, diverse menus, and a celebration of local cuisine. Dubai's restaurants are fantastic for social media enthusiasts to share stunning food photos, and even the street food stalls and food trucks offer a wide variety. A Dubai street food tour allows visitors to immerse themselves in a journey through Dubai's historic streets and savor traditional dishes, including Arabic and Indian cuisine, all within a few hours.
Awarded Best European Restaurant in Dubai in 2021, Marina Social will delight diners with its 15-hour roast ribs and innovative take on traditional Italian dishes. Serving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, this restaurant features Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton and offers diners stunning marina views while enjoying a truly luxurious meal.
