The World's 3 Best Food Destinations, According to the World Culinary Awards

New York City’s Le Bernardin was crowded as the best restaurant in North America, while the double-Michelin-starred Mezzaluna in Bangkok, Thailand, won the title of best restaurant in the world. The title of best new restaurant in the world went to La Dame De Pic, inside The Link Dubai.

But the awards aren’t just for restaurants and bars, as they also recognize the world’s best food destinations. And if you’re a foodie, here’s where you’ll want to go in 2025.

World’s Best Culinary Destination 2024: Dubai, UAE

It should be no surprise that Dubai, one of the most luxurious, expensive, and boundary-pushing cities in the world, won the title of the world’s best food destination of 2024. It’s emerged as a culinary hotspot, blending diverse flavors from around the world with local Emirati influences. The city is renowned for its eclectic dining scene, with Middle Eastern, Asian, European, and North American influences. Signature dishes like shawarma and machboos (spiced rice with meat) showcase local flavors, while luqaimat, a sweet fried dumpling, is a popular traditional dessert.

Dining in Dubai ranges from luxury experiences at celebrity-chef-owned restaurants to vibrant street food markets, like those along Al Dhiyafah Road (a local favorite for cheap eats that don’t sacrifice quality). In Dubai, you’ll also find plenty of creative and boundary-pushing food innovations, with venues dedicated to unexpected fusion cuisine and molecular gastronomy. Dubai’s annual three-week food festival every April further highlight its position as a global food hub, attracting chefs and food enthusiasts alike.

The World’s Best Culinary City: Hanoi, Vietnam

If you’re in the mood for an urban vacation and want every meal to be a 10 out of 10, you’ll want to head to the best culinary city of 2024: Hanoi, Vietnam. It was one of eight nominees, including Los Angeles, California; Cape Town, South Africa; and Lima, Peru. But Hanoi likely took the top spot for its rich food heritage that blends Vietnamese and French influences, as well as its vibrant street food culture.

Iconic dishes like pho, a fragrant noodle soup with beef or chicken, and bun cha, grilled pork served with noodles and fresh herbs, are quintessential to the Hanoi experience. Othe rmust-tries include Banh mi, the Vietnamese baguette sandwich, and cha ca, or turmeric-marinated fish with dill. You’ll find both available throughout the city, and fresh and local ingredients are the standard, whether you’re at a pricey five-star restaurant or budget food stall.

And speaking of food stalls: When you’re in Hanoi, visit at least one or two corner food vendors, where chefs prepare dishes in tiny mobile kitchens, often passed down through generations. Eating in Hanoi is an immersive experience, and locals and visitors alike will gather at small sidewalk tables to savor fresh, affordable meals. Vietnamese food offers no shortage of vegetarian options, and considering you can get a fresh banh mi and local beer for under $2 US in most markets, you won’t go broke if you try to taste your way through the city. And don’t forget to try at least one Vietnamese coffee while you’re there.

The World’s Best Emerging Culinary City: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

It should be no surprised to anyone that follows tourism trends that the emerging culinary city of 2024 is in Saudi Arabia, a country making a massive economic and cultural push to become a tourism hotspot. The honor went to Riyadh, a city known for having a dynamic blend of traditional Saudi flavors and international influences. Popular dishes include kabsa (spiced rice with meat), mutabbaq (stuffed flatbread), and jareesh (cracked wheat with an oatmeal-like consistency.

But the country’s ongoing tourism push has also lead to plenty of new international restaurants and upscale dining venues, with cuisines ranging from Italian and Japanese to Indian and Lebanese readily available. Now, the city boasts modern cafes, trendy food trucks, and vibrant dining districts like Riyadh Front (a purpose-built leisure destination) and more than 50 restaurants Al Nakheel Mall. Riyadh’s food culture also emphasizes hospitality, often with communal dining experiences, particularly at traditional restaurants.

Regional culinary award winners

In addition to specific cities, the World Culinary Awards also recognizes the best countries for foodies in each region of the world.

If you’re in Africa in search of the continent’s best food, head to South Africa, which won the top spot. The best culinary city on the continent is also in South Africa, with Cape Town winning in the honors (perhaps due to its thriving wine scene, too).

Hanoi’s victory meant it took the top spot in Asia, but the best culinary country in Asia wasn’t Vietnam: it was Thailand. If you’re headed to the Caribbean in search of the world’s best cuisine, set your sights on Jamaica, as the country and the popular tourist city of Montego Bay swept the region’s awards. While Lisbon, Portugal, was named the best culinary city in Europe of 2024, it was Italy that won the honors for the best destination for foodies.

Within the Indian Ocean, head to the adventure-filled island of Mauritius for the best eats — including the best deserts, as the country has a strong history of sugar and rum production. The best culinary city in the region is also on Mauritius: the country’s capital, Port Louis. In Latin America, the World Culinary Awards crowned Peru as the tastiest country in the region, and its capital city of Lima as the best culinary city within Latin America. Dubai, of course, took the honors in the Middle East.

Though North America has only three countries, it was still included in the awards, with the US taking the top spot for culinary destination and Los Angeles winning the award for best culinary city.

The full list of winners from countries and regions across the world is available on the World Culinary Awards website.