Great cities for food lovers

cities, culinary cultures — By Bob Riel on July 20, 2010 at 7:20 am

A spice market in India.

One of the best ways to experience a country’s culture is to eat its food. And, of course, explore its food markets. But what are the best places in the world to experience some of these culinary delights? There are the usual suspects, of course, but Gadling recently decided to come up with a list of 20 of the world’s greatest food cities that are not named Paris or New York. It’s a diverse and interesting group, stretching from Australia to Argentina and from Italy to India. Here is a sample of their selections:

Melbourne, Australia- The Botanical, the Koko, the Vue de Monde… some argue that Melbourne is the food capital of Australia, and for good reason. Melbourne is host to some of the most fantastic dining establishments in the world, and might just have more restaurants than any other city on the continent. Its strong fashion sense and sharp clientele demand a classy dining experience and only the tastiest cuisine can last in a city with such competition. Award winners abound in central Melbourne, so any visit here is unlikely to disappoint.

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA- If you love gumbo and jambalaya, take a trip to New Orleans for a traditional delight. In addition to the cajun food, make sure you try the fried pastries (beignets) paired with a cup of coffee while you’re in town. If you like to bar-hop and need a bit of liquor to cool your mouth from the jambalaya, try the French Quarter to move between establishments.

Buenos Aires, Argentina- Argentina’s capital is awash with cafes and shops, many specializing in just a quick bite to eat and many others capable of bringing the full bodied Argentinian flair to your plate (a new experience for many, a regrettable one for none). What really makes Buenos Aires’ kitchens worthwhile is their infusion of Spanish and Italian influences that form unique nuances derived from both, but brought to full potency only here, in Argentina.

Mumbai, India- Any foodie looking for a taste of truly authentic India will be satisfied (and stuffed!) here. No matter what variety you’re looking for, be it coastal cuisine or seafood, a good kebab, or just some hot tandoori, it doesn’t get any better than this. The unique spices and flavors native to India offer a festival for the palate you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. Stop in to any one of the “innumerable restaurants” in the area and be prepared for something spicy! You won’t be able to say “naan” to these choices!

Check out Gadling’s 16 other food cities in the full article. What would you add to the list?

Photo credit: Deepak via Wikimedia Commons.