When traveling, one of the things I’m most excited about is the food. Will it be delicious pho from Vietnam? The best galbi in Korea? Pad thai from Thailand? Before leaving, it is not atypical for me to spend hours online compiling a list of the must-eat places (that Aziz bit on Master of None is so accurate). To save you the trouble, here are some recommendations for bomb food, from 10 travel bloggers and myself, for countries all over the world.
Best Meals Around the World from 10 Travel Bloggers
Tien Hiang – Paris, France
France is notorious for being difficult meal-wise for vegans and vegetarians! And from experience, I can tell you that this is 100% accurate. However, if you look hard enough in the city of lights, there are actually a number of non-meat eater friendly restaurants. One of the first such restaurants I found in Paris is Tien Hiang where all the ’meat’ is actually vegan friendly substitutes. There’s dozens of dishes ranging from ham, pork, duck, chicken, beef etc. etc. What made this all the more special is that I was able to come here for my birthday!
-Sophie
Blog: Solo Sophie
Local cooking class – Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
I know what you’re thinking – this impeccable feast could only have been prepared by the nimble hands of an experienced chef with the callouses to prove it. Learning to cook Balinese style in Ubud alongside a local family was an unforgettable experience and better yet, dining amid the striking green rice paddies that surrounded their home is a moment I’ll never forget! The perfect balance of zingy spices, fragrant herbs and zesty seasonings were what made this one of the most flavour-intense meals I’ve ever had, from the crunchy, sweet spring rolls, to the tender beef rendang. Delicious!
-Kerri
Blog: Backpacking with Bacon
Café de Flore – Paris, France
Café de Flore is one of the most famous cafe’s in Paris and for good reason! I had one of the all-time best salads I’ve ever had here with leeks, walnuts, blue cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, and a poached egg to top. Their biscuits and tartes are also amazing. Dine here like Pablo Picasso once did as a regular for a late afternoon tea and lunch!
-Istiana
Blog: blogistiana.com
Local restaurant – Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ćevapi is a minced meat dish traditionally found in eastern Europe and served with a killer, red pepper sauce called avjar. I had mine in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina and I embarrassed myself by devouring the entire plate!
-Mia
Blog: Travel with Mia
Patsy’s Restaurant – New York City, New York, U.S.A.
My top meal moment was visiting Patsy’s Restaurant in Manhattan, NYC this past November. As a third generation Italian, I was blown away by the incredible sauce and the perfectly cooked meatballs. This was the first time my husband and I have gotten away since we’ve had children, and the location was ideal. It was romantic but completely spontaneous. With food that good and a long list of celebrity clientele, I couldn’t believe there wasn’t a wait list.
-Theresa
Blog: Theresa’s Reviews
Steirereck – Vienna, Austria
Le Veravin – Quebec City, Canada
Since I have Celiac Disease, I seek out the best gluten-free dishes when traveling, and I miss the days when I could eat anything like poutine. So when visiting Quebec City last year, my husband and I discovered Le Veravin (a 100% gluten-free restaurant), and their specialty is gluten-free gourmet poutine! French fries, cheese curds, and clear gravy make up this French-Canadian dish, and it’s absolute heaven on a plate. Be prepared to waddle around in full bliss afterwards!
Tima Irma – Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
We just finished 5 months through mostly Eastern Europe. Our best meal, without a doubt, was at Tima Irma in Mostar, Bosnia. Who knew Bosnia had amazing food? We had been through several weeks of overpriced and surprisingly bland food in Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro. Bosnia has more of a Turkish influence, so the food was generous, well seasoned with plenty of garlic, and inexpensive. All-in, it cost about less than US$15 for the two of us including wine and beer. We went to Tima Irma to eat both evenings we were in Mostar.
Local restaurant – Casablanca, Morocco
On my last day in Morocco, I was walking around the Casablanca medina and stopped to take a photo of a collection of tagines cooking on fire pots in the window of a store. The shopkeeper came out to check on them, saw me taking photos, and gestured for me to come in and have some lunch. I did, and it was the best tagine I had eaten in my whole time in the country.
-Jo
Choolah – Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.A.
A while back, my friend and I covered Choolaah’s opening in Fairfax, VA. It was the BEST Indian food I had in quite some time, and it was super affordable. Nothing tops great food and amazing company!
Al Toke Pez – Lima, Peru
Even though we were in Lima for only a couple of days, my friend and I came to Al Toke Pez multiple times. We got the combo plate and tried to speak in broken Spanish to the Japanese cashier and chef (with mixed results). I highly, highly recommend visiting for a chance to try some of the best calamari and ceviche in a country with restaurants full of them.
Banh Mi Phuong – Hoi An, Vietnam
This is another favorite that my friend and I visited multiple times during our 3 day stay in Hoi An. The bread always had the right amount of crunch and no matter which banh mi I got, it was always delicious. My friend, a vegetarian, also gives it two thumbs up.
—
If you liked this post, I would also recommend:
1. How to Find the Best Places to Eat in Any City – This is a must-read for any foodies venturing to a new city.
2. 5 Tips on How to Choose the Best Travel Partner – We detail the important things to consider before exploring with someone.
No Comments