Tokyo, Rome, Paris ... 6 great foodie destinations everyone should visit once

Oct 19 , 2019

When it comes to fine dining, the overall taste is about far more than what finds its way into your mouth.

Everyone needs to eat – which is why food might be humanity's most universally appreciated art form, a creative pursuit which welds pleasure and poetry with practicality and purpose – however mundane your meal might seem.

Fine dining, however, is another ballgame. For one, it’s about far more than what finds its way into your mouth, which is just a fraction of the experience; instead the ambience, hospitality and presentation of the food often leave the greatest impression.

Environment is everything. Travelling the world, there’s no better way to get to know a place than through its food, which offers a window into the cultural, social and ethnic factors which have shaped what’s on your plate.

Here we round up six of the world’s must-visit cities for flavour-hungry foodies.

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Paris, France

The fashion and art capital of the world is also equally renowned for its culinary culture. The refined nature of Parisians is clearly reflected in the rafts of dining options on offer in the French capital: Paris is filled with bustling coffee shops, the wafting aroma of croissants and cheesecakes filtering into the streets. Relish the macrons, caramels and lavish servings of chocolate in a typical French brasserie.

Tokyo, Japan

This progressive country is the birthplace of the world-famous sushi cuisine, which can be downright experimental, but always remains sumptuous to the palette. Also try the ultimate comfort food, okonomiyaki, which is a thin pancake with a batter base that can be rounded out with any filling you chose. Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is an epicentre of Asian fine dining – but don’t miss the attractive street food options, as well.

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Lisbon, Portugal

Thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is a paradise for the seafood lover. Your must-visit destination is the closest tasca – typically a small and homely traditional restaurant offering outstanding food. Try out the local cuisine including sardines, salted cod and octopus tossed in a delicious measure of olive oil. Also, try Portugal’s signature custard tart, pasteis de nata.

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London, UK

There is no better way to start off a day than munching through the artery-clogging spread of a traditional full English breakfast – and London is the ideal place to be initiated. Don’t miss out on Britain’s all-time favourite, fish and chips, and explore other hearty classics such as steak and kidney pie and shepherd’s pie, finished off with a sugary dessert of fruit trifle.

These may not be the most refined dishes, but London is also high on the global fine dining scene with various restaurants serving world-class food.

Rome, Italy

The Eternal City is a magical destination rightly deserving its lofty nickname – not least for the enduring popularity of its most popular foods. Here one can indulge in a variety of pasta options – the way they were meant to taste – relish a lasagne, or have a sweet-treat with tiramisu. It is interesting to know that Romans also have a penchant for deep-fried food, munching morsels of crispy batter filled with the likes of salt cod, zucchini flowers and rice with ragu (known as arancini).

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Amsterdam, Netherlands

If you have a thing for cheese, Amsterdam is like heaven in all respects. Try the delicious varieties of cheese such as Edam, Gouda, Emmental and Maasdammer. Amsterdam is also a breathtaking destination for a wide variety of desserts and cakes. Also, try visiting the Cheese Valley outside the city for even more dairy indulgence.

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This article originally appeared on CEOWorld Magazine .

Food and Drinks

Fresh croissants in Paris, Edam in Amsterdam or a full English breakfast served in London – these are the world’s dining destinations you will never forget