8 food destinations to visit in 2025

It’s the things you eat that stay with you. Freshly caught sardines in Lisbon, ramen in Tokyo’s backstreets, barbecue brisket in a dusty roadside diner in Texas — what we eat often shapes where we go and what we do. It offers a way of experiencing a destination beyond its landmarks, to get under the skin of a culture and the people who live there. In 2025, the world’s kitchens will continue to inspire wanderlust as new restaurants, dining trends and accolades emerge. Here’s our pick of the destinations that promise to serve up more than just a meal.

1. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico has long been a favourite destination for foodies, but if you needed any more encouragement to visit, the 2024 arrival of the Michelin Guide is it. Among the stars to be awarded was one to Taquería El Califa de León, a humble spot in Mexico City. Expect long queues as visitors wait for a taste of the ‘exceptional’ (in the words of Michelin) Gaonera taco, filled with thinly sliced beef filet seasoned with nothing more than a little salt and a squeeze of lime. Several of the city’s restaurants also feature in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants rankings, including Quintonil, Pujol and Rosetta, all of which are commended for their modern and inventive takes on Mexican cuisine.

(Where to eat in the Mexican capital.)

2. Sicily, Italy

Pasta alla norma, caponata, cannolo, pasta con le sarde. These iconic Sicilian dishes have helped crown the Italian island European Region of Gastronomy 2025. Lauded for its sustainable approach to agriculture and commitment to protecting its species and traditional foods, Sicily is hosting a year-long gastronomic celebration, with a host of events taking place every month. From a cuttlefish festival in Donnalucata’s historic port in March to a luxury train tour around Etna’s volcanic wine region in April, and celebrations of Sicily’s beloved ‘green gold’, the pistachio, during the August-September harvest season — 2025 is the year for serious food-lovers to visit.

3. Cumbria, UK

Home to the coiled Cumberland sausage, renowned breweries, distilleries and exceptional cheese, Cumbria has long attracted visitors with its high-quality produce —as well as its dramatic scenery. And in 2025, new travel itineraries launch across the county showcasing its excellent food — routes covering the city of Carlisle, the showstopping natural landscapes of the Lake District and the Cumbrian coastline highlight ultra-local food experiences, farm-to-fork dining, Michelin-starred restaurants and more. Each itinerary includes local walks and sustainable travel options, with tips on public transport connections and information about bike and e-bike rental.

4. Alabama, USA

2025 is the Year of Alabama Trails, with food taking a starring role in several exciting new routes created by the US state’s tourist office. The best of these sends you on a self-guided tour around Alabama’s classic neighbourhood restaurants, many of which are family-run and have been in operation for over 100 years, giving visitors a slice of local history as they eat. The route includes stops such as Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain in Scottsboro, an 1869 pharmacy-turned-cafe that’s home to a retro 20ft-long soda fountain counter. Or Chris’ Hotdogs, in Montgomery, located on the landmark Dexter Avenue, where Martin Luther King Jr accepted his call to ministry and where civil rights activist Rosa Parks made a stand by refusing to give up her bus seat.

5. Cape Town, South Africa

After hoovering up at this year’s World Culinary Awards — including winning the title Africa’s Best Culinary City — Cape Town is moving up the ranks on the world food stage. Several restaurants across the South African capital also scooped awards, including Africa’s Best New Restaurant, for Salon, a fine-dining restaurant popular for its global tasting menu, featuring flavours from as far afield as Italy, Philippines, Marseille and South Africa. The city’s La Colombe restaurant, meanwhile, was one of only three new entries on the World’s Best 50 Restaurants list, with the judges impressed by chef James Gaag’s eight- and 10-course fusion tasting menus. Add all that up and there’s plenty to tempt hungry travellers to Cape Town in the year ahead.

6. Busan, South Korea

South Korea’s vibrant second city is rapidly emerging as a culinary destination. A busy port city known for its abundance of fresh seafood and local produce, Busan is home to a first-rate street food scene, but it’s also seen a new wave of chefs, including Palate owner and chef Kim Jae-hoon, quietly elevating its dining scene. So much so the city has caught the attention of global food critics — Michelin launched its Seoul and Busan Guide in 2024, praising the latter’s ‘gourmet culture’. Out of the 43 restaurants highlighted in Busan, three received stars, while 15 were awarded bib gourmands, reflecting the city’s great value when it comes to dining out.

(Why you should try Busan’s street food.)

7. Croatia

Croatia is in the midst of a culinary renaissance, with local chefs honing their skills abroad before returning home to revitalise traditional dishes and open their own places. Mario Mandaric, for instance, worked at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck, eventually returning to Zagreb to head up Michelin-starred Noel. In October 2024, he opened Bistro 96, serving French-Croatian fusion dishes. Ivana Urem Marohnic, meanwhile, launched Korica, an artisan bakery in Zagreb, after training in San Francisco and Strasbourg. Adding to this, Agli Amici, in the historic Istrian port town of Rovinj, this year became the first restaurant in the country to receive two Michelin stars, offering refined tasting menus highlighting Croatian produce. Beyond fine dining, you’ll find a variety of unique food experiences across the country, such as the Gacka Honey Trail, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of local beekeepers in the unspoilt Lika region.

8. Catalonia, Spain

As Catalonia takes on the title of World Region of Gastronomy in 2025, it’s the perfect time to explore its food scene — and not just in Barcelona. Casa Nova, in Sant Martí Sarroca, for example, where chef Andrés Torres creates refined dishes using a sustainable approach that’s earnt him a Michelin Green Star. Or Oller del Mas, a winery offering fine dining using local, organic ingredients at its Bages 964 restaurant. Or, most famously, Girona’s three-Michelin-star El Celler de Can Roca, founded by the legendary Roca brothers: Joan, Josep and Jordi. The trio recently unveiled a new project, Esperit Roca. Set within a 19^th-century former mountain fortress, it’s a combination of restaurant, hotel, distillery, ‘creation space’ and permanent exhibition.