Best cities for food lovers in 2026: From Lima to New York

(CNN) — When scoping out a travel itinerary, it all comes down to what a city offers. Some visitors designate an entire day to exploring a historical site or hiking up a mountain to a stunning overlook.

But others have their eyes set on one thing: menus. Exploring a city through its food gives you a taste — literally — of that place. And deciding where to go to follow your cravings this year just got a little easier. Publishing giant Time Out has released a ranked list of the world’s best food cities.

The Peruvian city of Lima came out on top. Widely considered Latin America’s culinary capital, this coastal metropolis is known for seafood delicacies like ceviche and causa Limeña, an elegant cold layered potato dish. For those who want to eat well without making a dent in their wallets, the city was also rated the most affordable for eating out among the 20 food cities on the list.

Virigina Gil, USA Editor at Time Out, says a food city is more than just a great place to eat.

“The cities on this list are known for their ingredients, iconic cuisines and deep-rooted food histories that have influenced how people eat around the world,” Gil said in an email to CNN Travel. “They’re not just where food lovers are flocking today; they’re places that have drawn travelers in search of great meals for decades.”

To get a clear idea of which cities were foodies’ favorites, Time Out surveyed 24,000 local residents across 150 cities worldwide, questioning them on the quality of restaurants and food, affordability at eateries and the culture of the city. Editors and food experts from Time Out evaluated the findings and only included the highest-ranked city in each country.

Coming in at No. 2 for the second year in a row, Bangkok, Thailand, offers an “unmatched street food culture,” according to Time Out. Culinary adventures in this city offer sweet, spicy, sour and salty flavors across famous dishes that can cost less than $5.

Mexico City comes in third, offering a diverse food scene ranging from Michelin-star restaurants to local street markets. The taco al pastor, a favorite featuring pork and pineapple, is even honored in a “taco corridor” located on Lorenzo Boturini, a 12-block stretch in the eastern part of the city.

In fourth place, London is considered to have one of the most diverse food scenes in the world. You can find virtually every cuisine from every part of the globe, all wrapped up in one place. The UK city scored highest on the list among locals for restaurant quality. Borough Market, perhaps the city’s oldest food market, dating back to the 12th century, is considered a must-try for many tourists.

Barcelona, Spain, where the food scene is heavily influenced by its Mediterranean history, rounds out the top five. Time Out notes the local markets and Catalan traditions that make this city one of the best. Some local staples to sample include Pa amb tomàquet (tomato bread) and patatas bravas.

Gil noticed a common thread after combing through the data: A genuine love of food.

“Each place has its own dynamic history — migration patterns that gave rise to new dishes, native ingredients that shape its gastronomic identity, and culinary traditions that continue to influence how people eat today,” Gil said.

The top US city on the list comes in at No. 15: New York City. Time Out highlights the connection between New York’s food scene and its rich immigrant history. A collection of cuisines from those who moved from overseas, the city boasts some of the best pizza, bagels, pastrami and more.

Lima, Peru

Lima is known as one of the culinary capitals of South America. It is known for its extremely fresh seafood, the national dish of Peru is ceviche; a dish featuring raw white fish marinated with fresh lime juice, salt and spices. 

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok's food scene is a mix of street foods, fresh seafood and rich curries. Must try iconic dishes include Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong: a hot and sour lemongrass soup, and Pad Kra Pao: a wok-tossed spicy chicken or pork stirfry. 

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City is known for vibrant street food, rich corn-based staples and historic fusion dishes. The ultimate city staple is Tacos al Pastor: corn tortillas stuffed with adobo-marinated pork and topped with fresh pineapple, onions and cilantro. 

London, United Kingdom

London is known for traditional British comfort foods and must-try classics, including crispy fish and chips, roast, and a full English Breakfast which includes bacon, sausage, eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and black pudding. 

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is celebrated for its distinct Catalan cusine, a blend of Mediterranean seafood with rustic island ingredients. After trying the legendary 'tomato bread' and patatas bravas, be sure to check out Crema Catalana, a citrus custard with cinnamon and topped with a carmelized sugar crust.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnamese food is celebrated for its balance of fresh herbs and balanced flavors. The national dish is pho, a flat noodle soup in a rich bone broth featuring thin slices of beef, bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and lime. 

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is one of the most culturally diverse food capitals of the world. Cafe culture thrives in Melbourne, all-day coffee and fancy toast is an Aussie favorite. Australia's most recognized food item is Vegemite, a thick spread made from leftover yeast. 

Beijing, China

Beijing is known for it's vibrant street food, roasted meats and strong fermented flavors. Hot Pot and late-night small plates are a staple in Beijing. Peking duck is a must-try, the city boasts it is more than a dish, but an experience. 

Athens, Greece

Athens is known for its hearty Mediterranean comfort food, vibrant street eats and fresh sweet treats. Souvlaki and gyros are Athenian staples, featuring roasted meat, warm pita bread, tzatziki (a garlic-yogurt sauce) onions and tomatoes. 

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is known for its fresh seafood, hearty meat dishes and savory pastries. Portugal's most famous soup, Caldo Verde is a light spicy broth with kale and chorizo. This dish is usually served with cornbread. Try codfish dumplings, bread soup with shrimp and end with malasadas: fried dough and coated in sugar or cinnamon. 

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town's food scene is a fusion of African, Dutch and Cape Malay influences. Local staples include Bobotie: a spiced minced meat casserole, Bunny chow: hollowed bread filled with curry, and samosas. 

Osaka, Japan

Osaka is Japan's street food capital. The city's motto is kuidaore, meaning eat until you drop. The city's signature dish is Takoyaki, fried octopus balls served with a sweet and spicy sauce. Other city specialities include Okibinuyaki: savory cabbage-filled pancakes and Kushikatsu: skewered meats and vegetables battered in deep-fried. 

Bangalore, India

Bangalore, also known as Bengaluru, has a rich "darshini" or fast-food culture. It is known for its legendary breakfasts, savory rice dishes and traditional sweets. Bisi Bele Bath is a traditonal Karnataka meal of rice, lentil, mixed vegetables and ghee. Benne Dosa are buttery crepes known for their soft, spongy center with crispy edges. 

Naples, Italy

Naples is the birthplace of modern pizza, and known for their bold Mediterranean flavors. Italian street food takes a twist on the traditonal favorite. Pizza Fritta is a deep fried pizza crust stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella and pork. When in Naples, pasta is a must eat dish. There is no shortage of signatures to choose from. Be sure to end the meal with an Italian pastry. 

New York City, USA

New York's food scene is heavily influenced by international staples and street food. Must try New York foods include pizza by the slice and hand-rolled, water-boiled bagels. The Big Apple is known for their bodega sandwiches and street meat carts.

Hong Kong, China 

Hong Kong is known for its fusion of traditional Cantonese cooking, unique street snacks and British colonial flavors. Dim Sum is the preferred dining method, making dumplings and steamed buns city staples. Unique street foods include deep fried curry fish balls, Hong Kong French toast - served with peanut butter, and egg tarts. Don't forget a milk tea. 

Buenos Aires, Argentina

A good hearty steak is the most famous dish in Argentina, and the country consumes more red meat per person than another other country in the world. Prime cuts of grass-fed beef are cooked over open flames and serveed with a chimichurri sauce, made from a vinegar base with garlic and parsley. Other must try items include empanadas and dulce de leche dessert. 

Marseille, France

From traditional fish dishes and robust soups Marseielle's food scene has rich North African influences. Bouillbaisse is the city's most popular dish, it is served in two parts. A rich saffron stew with croutons followed by a local rockfish. Aioli is traditonally served alonside boiled cod, steamed vegetables and boiled eggs. Pizza is also a staple and the city is lined with wood-fired pizza food trucks. 

Copenhagen, Denmark

Stegt Flaesk is Denmark's national dish, consisting of crispy pork belly and is served with boiled potatoes in a rich, creamy parsely sauce. Locals say Smorrebrod is the ultimate Danish lunch. It is a dense, dark bread topped with meats such as pickled herring, roast beef or shrimp and garnished with a remoulade. 

Medellin, Colombia

Medellin is famous for Paisa cuisine, a hearty meat-and-carb heavy food style. The region's signature paisa dishes include Bandeja Paisa: a giant platter of meat, beans, rice and plantains. It is often served with fried egg, plantains, avocado, and arepas. Columbian arepas are typically thin, flat and made of white corn. They are served with butter traditionally. Other must eats while in Medellin are empandas, chicharron [deep fried pork skins]. Columbia has a variety of exotic fruits and fresh juices are often sold in markets and on street carts.