25 Hidden Culinary Gems: A Foodie’s Dream

One of the great pleasures of traveling worldwide is immersing yourself in a new place’s culture, sights, sounds, and tastes. But we love the travel trend of planning our next excursion around foodie destinations so we can experience a city plate by plate, restaurant by restaurant.

1. Bangkok, Thailand

Thai street food has long been known as a must-do when in Bangkok. The food halls and night markets are lined with food vendors offering authentic Thai delicacies to hungry customers day and night. But as a foodie destination, Bangkok is also resplendent with Michelin-star restaurants and tasting options at every price point, as well as food tours, cooking classes, and even floating markets just outside the city.

2. Barcelona, Spain

Dining in Barcelona is heaven for foodies. The tapas culture permeates every restaurant, café, and food cart, so Spanish gustatory pleasures can be experienced one “little plate” at a time. While many travelers arrive in Barcelona ready to take in Gaudi’s architectural triumphs or bask in the Mediterranean waters nearby, foodies can sample the seafood, Iberian ham, and churros tapas in little bites and fantastic Spanish wines.

3. Bologna, Italy

In the heart of Northern Italy is Bologna, once an Etruscan city and now a foodie destination that proudly shows off its ancient roots with historical markets like the Quadrilatero Old Market that has served the town since the Middle Ages. Foodies can get hands-on experience making pasta or tiramisu with classes at the Culinary Institute of Bologna or even dine at one of the 29 Michelin-star restaurants in town. Visitors to Bologna can also visit a nearby winery to enjoy another layer of flavors in this tasty Italian town, the capital of Emilia Romagna, also known as Italy’s Food Valley.

4. Charleston, South Carolina

This coastal city is well known for its southern charm and pastel row houses, but foodies worldwide descend on Charleston to taste her fresh take on low country dishes and soul food delicacies. Hundreds of restaurants in town and on the city’s coastal islands offer endless opportunities to taste this grand city’s seafood, barbeque, and low country flavors. But foodies here can also visit the Charleston Tea Garden, where you can walk amongst the tea bushes, dive into low country muscadine wine at Deep Water Vineyards, or take a Secret Food walking tour through historic Charleston.