Time Out, a well known global media and hospitality business, asked locals to assess their city's food scene based on 18 key factors, including aspects such as quality, affordability, family-friendliness and innovation. Rankings for each city were determined by these local reviews and combined with the opinions of experts from Time Out's panel of editors, food critics, and chefs, who weighed in on the most exciting culinary destinations right now. The result? A mouthwatering lineup of 20 cities that perfectly blend time honoured traditions with bold, contemporary flavours. An Indian city has proudly secured a place among the world's top food destinations. Can you guess which one? Explore the full list to find out!


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1. New Orleans


(Image Source: Pinterest/eaterdotcom)

(Image Source: Pinterest/eaterdotcom)




New Orleans has a lively culinary scene that is shaped by a variety of influences like French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and African flavours. The seasonally boiled crawfish is a local favourite, but a satisfying bowl of gumbo offers comforting flavours and taste year-round. Classic dishes such as shrimp creole, jambalaya, and red beans with rice can be found across town, in modern eateries that blend Louisiana flavours with Senegalese, Mexican, and Indian cuisine. With 93% of locals who praise its dining scene, New Orleans is one of the top cities for food lovers.



2. Bangkok 



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Bangkok's Old Town and Chinatown are famous for a reason. They offer the best noodle bowls and vibrant street food. Som Tam is a staple food of Bangkok. At the legendary food stalls, this zesty green papaya salad with fiery chillies is an invincible delight, especially when paired with sticky rice and grilled chicken. With an impressive 86% of the locals, the Bangkok food scene rated 'good' or 'amazing', with 47% of food experts supporting them ranked second on the list.


3. Medellín



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No matter your budget, Medellín offers a rich and diverse culinary experience. Wandering through traditional markets, enjoy the creamy chirimoya, tangy sweet gulupa, and revitalising uchuva berries. Enjoy hearty local cuisines such as cazuela or bandeja paisa in any barrio. Enjoy fine dining across El Poblado, Envigado, and Laureles.  


Chicharrón salad is an outstanding dish with farm fresh meats and fragrant flavours. Medellín is the most budget friendly city on the list. 89% of the locals call the food affordable, while 94% say it's cheap to drink a cup of coffee.


4. Cape Town



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Cape Town's rich cultural diversity makes its food scene one of the most vibrant and diverse in the world, offering something for every flavour and budget. The city is influenced by Asian, European, and African flavours and is known for its unforgettable and bold cuisines. A true local favourite is the flavourful almighty Gatsby, a giant bread roll stuffed with hot chips, salad, and your choice of fillings. With an impressive 95% approval rating, the Mother City stands out as a top dining destination.




5. Madrid



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Madrid's cooking scene has long been legendary and is more exciting than ever at this point. The city is home to some of the world's best plant based restaurants, filled with natural wine bistros, and thriving with small bakeries, and innovative young chefs who redefine Spanish cuisine. Try everything for the real Madrid's magic. Fresh vegetable dishes can help you increase your simple products to an extraordinary level. With 90% of locals praising its dining scene and tying with New Orleans for fourth place in the food expert vote, Madrid firmly holds its place as a global food hotspot.


6. Mexico City



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In Mexico, food is more than just a meal, it's a way of life. In recent years, chefs have embraced global techniques and combines them with traditional flavours to create innovative and exciting dishes. Chiles en nogada, is a must try here during the season. The city was second among food experts, winning 42% of the total votes. Locals reflect this feeling, with 80% rating the dining scene as 'good' or 'amazing' and 68% describing the food as 'delicious'.


7. Lagos



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In Lagos, food is deeply interwined with culture, history, and everyday life. The city's vibrant culinary scene reflects the rich heritage of Nigeria, from smoky suya, Lagos's most famous street food, to Igbo delicacies like Ofe Nsala, a spiced white soup with catfish. Afro-Brazilian influences shine through in dishes like Frejon. a coconut and black beans dish that is enjoyed during Easter, but the smoky party jollof rice has gained global fame. Lagos is one of the cheapest food destinations in the world. 88% of locals find drinking inexpensive and 68% say that dining here is budget friendly.


8. Shanghai



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Beijing may be China's cultural capital, but Shanghai reigns as its culinary epicenter. With neary 25 million residents and a deep rooted food history of 5000 years, the city is a paradise for Chinese cuisines lovers. Here, regional specialisation can be enjoyed from all over the country, whether it is the bold taste of Guizhou, Xinjiang's spice dusted skewers, or tropical inspired dishes of Yunnan. But first, start with Shanghainese cuisine, expecially shengjianbo. It is a pan fried soup dumpling that has a crispy bottom and pork filling. Shanghai's dining scene has received a 92% approval rating and has placed it fourth amoth the best food cities worldwide.


9. Paris



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Even in a city that has long been celebrated as a world of gourmet food, the Parish food scene has become more dynamic than ever before. New exciting restaurants are constanty emerging. The city has breathtaking wine bars, bistros, and cafes, where the food lingers in the memory forever. While in Paris, don't miss saucisse purée, which is a bistro classic that's brought to the city by Auvergne innkeepers, comforting Parisians for over 150 years. Paris scored highly across all metrics, except affordability. Tt ranks as the second least affordable food city on the list.

10. Jakarta



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Jakarta's culinary scene is a genuine melting pot. It features influences from Indonesia's diverse ethnic groups and Dutch, Chinese, Arab, and Indian cultures. The city's vibrant street flood includes Madura's noodles, Sumatra's juicy satay, and smoky Chinese claypot rice. Kepiting Soka Saus Padang is a crispy soft bowl crab that is drenched in a sweet and spicy sauce. Jakarta has a 94% approval rating, making it one of the highest rated food cities in the survey.


11. Marrakech



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The rich ingredients and bold flavours of Morocco makes Marakech a true culinary delight. The city's distinctive dish, tangia, is a slow cooked lamb that's prepared in terracotta pot with fermented butter, preserved lemon, saffron, ginger, garlic, and cumin. Ths dish is nicknamed bent r’mad or ‘daughter of ashes' because it’s traditionally cooked in the embers of a hammam fire. Despite the world class cuisine, locals have ranked Marrakech the third most affordable city for dining and drinking.

12. Lima



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Peruvian cuisine has conquered the world with a storm, and Lima stands at its heart. The city's famous food scene has consistently gained global recognition thanks to the chefs who mix Peruvian coastal, mounyain, and jungle sourced ingredients. Eith 78% locals declaring their city's cuisine the most delicious in the world, Lima's food is also seen as famliy friendly. Despite its global acclaim, locals are the least likely to call its 'trendy.' 

13. Riyadh



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Riyadh's food scene thrives with a dynamic mix of high end restaurant and bold flavours. Grilled scallops, drizzled in umami butter and topped with passion fruit shiso salsa is a dish that you won't ever forget. With 91% of locals praising the city's quality dining, Riyadh ranks as te fifth highest rated city for restaurant excellence, proving its place as a rising culinary hotspot.

14. Mumbai



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The Mumbai food scene is as diverse as its people, languages, and culture. The city mixes flavours and creates unique dishes that are served efficiently. From savoury chaats to jumbo sandwiches, Beirut inspired frankie wraps to dry fruit topped faloodas, every bite is bold and unapologetic. Jini Dosa is a crispy roll of lentil and rice batter that is stuffed with vibrant veggies, Schezwan sauce, and local cheese. Mumbai is also the healthiest food city on the list, with 61% of locals describing the cuisine as delicious.

15. Abu Dhabi



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Abu Dhabi's food scene beautifully blends tradition with modernity, offering irresistible eats at every corner. Burrata pizza is a favourite of many people here as is has a perfectly blistered crust and pillowy, creamy burrata. 81% of the locals find the Abu Dhabi is not just about luxury, but also about affordable dining as well. Abu Dhabi is also a family-friendly food destination, making it one of the most welcoming cities for culinary experiences.


16. Cairo



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Egyptian culinary heritage dates back to the time of the pharaohs . Staples like koshary, a hearty mix of macaroni, rice, lentils, chickpeas, and spicy tomato sauce and molokhia, which is a flavourful jute leaf stew, have stood the test of time. 90% of the locals have rated Cairo's dining scene highly, the city's food is best described as diverse, offering a delicious blend of tradition and flavour packed dishes.


17. Porto



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Porto is a paradise for food lovers. This city combines tradition and quality with each bite. From family run tascas to fine dining, the city's culinary scene thrive from the fresh, seasonal ingredients and top tier local meat and seafood. The francesinha is Porto's most iconic dish that consists of a hearty and layered sandwich that's inspired by the French croque monsieur, and is packed with steak or roast meat, sausages, melted cheese, and a rich sauce. Locals celebrate their city’s cuisine as 'deeply traditional', making Porto a must-visit for authentic Portuguese flavours.


18. Montreal



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Montreal is a top notch destination for all the food lovers. This place offer everything from handmade corn tortillas to perfectly paired natural wines. The cuty's culinary scenes are diverse, bold, and unforgettable. Indulge in lobster spaghetti or pain perdu that's topped with maple caramel and dulce de leche ice cream. The city delivers killer flavours with 88% of the locals rting for the food scene as 'good' or 'amazing.'




19. Naples



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One of the oldest cities in the world, Naples, has a rich, traditional dietary culture. Its cucina povera, a humble yet ingenious style of cooking, transforms simple ingredients into legendary Neapolitan dishes. From pasta, potatoes, and provola to Maccheroni frittata and fried seafood cones, the flavours are timeless. Pizza fritta, a delicious deep fried classic dating back to post-war times, remains a local favorite. As the fifth most affordable city for food on the list, Naples offers incredible eats without breaking the bank.

20. San José



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San José is at the heart of a culinary revival, embracing Costa Rica’s native ingredients and traditional recipes after years of searching for a distinct food identity. One of the best cuisines here is tata pintos. This is a smoky gallo pinto that's served on a banana leaf, paired with fluffy egg cakes, fried cheese, juicy meats, or tortilla. With 78 percent of locals calling dining out budget friendly, San José ranks as the fourth most affordable food city on the list.