The million dollar question: Where in the world can you try the best local food?
We decided to rummage through our database and combine the findings with restaurant ratings on Google.
What we did was the following: we combined the average of the ratings of the best local and regional dishes served in a particular city, the average rating of the national dishes served in that city, and the average Google rating of the best traditional restaurants in that city.
On the top! And voila – here is a list of the best cities in the world to enjoy local food according to our database and users’ ratings in it.
1. FLORENCE, ITALY – SCORE: 4.71
2. ROME, ITALY – SCORE: 4.68
3. LIMA, PERU – SCORE: 4.66
Check this list
25. THESSALONIKI, GREECE
SCORE: 4.52
Credits: shutterstock
LOCAL TIP: Don’t miss bougatsa, a flaky pastry filled with custard or cheese, best enjoyed at a local bakery for breakfast.
Thessaloniki, the vibrant cultural capital of Northern Greece, is celebrated for its rich history, Byzantine architecture, and lively waterfront promenade. The local food scene in Thessaloniki is a delightful representation of traditional Greek cuisine, with bustling markets and lively tavernas. Thessaloniki’s traditional food is characterized by its Mediterranean flavors, fresh ingredients, and the generous use of olive oil.
Adored like no other dessert, bougatsa, a flaky pastry filled with custard or cheese, is something the locals are especially proud of.
Credits: shutterstock
A unique aspect of Thessaloniki’s food scene is the prevalence of ouzeries, taverns that serve ouzo, a traditional Greek spirit, alongside small plates of appetizers called meze.
LOCAL FOODS YOU HAVE TO TRY:
○ Bougatsa
○ Trigona panoramatos
○ Gyros
○ Koulouri Thessalonikis
○ Spanakopita
36. HERAKLION, GREECE
SCORE: 4.47
Credits: shutterstock
LOCAL TIP: Try the local dakos, a Cretan dish made from barley rusks, tomatoes, feta cheese, and olive oil, at a traditional taverna.
Heraklion, the vibrant capital of the Greek island of Crete, is renowned for its ancient history, archaeological sites, and stunning coastal views. The local food scene in Heraklion revolves around traditional Cretan cuisine, enjoyed in seaside tavernas. Heraklion’s traditional food is characterized by its Mediterranean flavors, fresh ingredients, and generous use of olive oil.
One of the delectable dishes that are hard to miss is dakos, a barley rusk topped with tomatoes, feta, and olive oil.
Credits: shutterstock
A unique feature of Heraklion’s food scene is the widespread availability of raki, a strong, locally-produced spirit typically served with a meze platter.
Staka, a rich, creamy sauce made from goat’s milk that might not be well-known outside Crete, is a cherished local favorite that showcases the city’s culinary traditions.
LOCAL FOODS YOU HAVE TO TRY:
○ Dakos
○ Antikristo
○ Gamopilafo
○ Kalitsounia
○ Kleftiko
38. ATHENS, GREECE
SCORE: 4.46
Credits: shutterstock
LOCAL TIP: Venture to a local bakery and try a freshly baked tiropita, a Greek cheese pie made with layers of phyllo pastry.
Athens, the ancient capital of Greece, is renowned for its rich history, archaeological sites such as the Acropolis, and its sunny Mediterranean climate. The local food scene in Athens relies on a delightful assortment of traditional Greek tavernas and bustling street food vendors. Athens’ traditional food is characterized by its fresh Mediterranean flavors, local ingredients, and generous use of olive oil.
When talking about street food, the first thing that pops into mind is souvlaki, a delicious skewer of grilled meat found in almost every of the city’s establishments.
Credits: shutterstock
A unique aspect of Athens’ food scene is the prevalence of kafeneia, traditional Greek coffeehouses that also serve meze and drinks.
Trahana, a type of pasta made from fermented milk and wheat, might not be well-known outside Greece, but it really shines in various dishes of Athenian gastronomy.
LOCAL FOODS YOU HAVE TO TRY:
○ Moussaka
○ Saganaki
○ Souvlaki
○ Loukoumades
○ Horiatiki salata