If trying new food doesn’t excite you while traveling…you may need to re-calibrate yourself. I have become a foodie through travel and by living in Los Angeles, and I am lucky enough to have met a partner who is somehow even more of a foodie than me. So we travel to EAT among other things. I’m about to plug my 3 favorite cities for eating everything. Let me know if you agree or where you recommend in the comments 🙂
3. Bangkok, Thailand
Admittedly, Thailand wasn’t an easy place for me due to my peanut allergy. I was pretty stressed about finding things I could eat, thinking I would show up to any restaurant and they would sprinkle peanut dust on me like rice at a wedding. But, what I needed to experience to understand was that Bangkok is A MASSIVE sprawling metropolis with tons of pockets and restaurant types from all over the world. It was no problem to find whatever you wanted to eat, and most of the time, it was delicious.
My favorite meal that happened to be Thai food was a larb dish in a restaurant IN A MALL! But don’t judge me, malls are a huge thing in Bangkok, and everyone escapes to them because it’s so hot there! After this deliciously spicy larb dish (think Thai salad with ground meat and lots of spices), my friends and I hopped in a rideshare and met the nicest driver trying to practice her English. We gleefully asked her where we could find a good local dessert. She recommended that we try Bingsoo (something we’ve never heard of at the time). Bingsoo is not Thai, it’s in fact Korean, but it was very popular in Bangkok at the time we were there so there were lots of shops selling it. We went to the place she mentioned and found to our delight, portions bigger than my head of what looked to be shaved ice covered in chocolate or strawberries, matcha, red beans and other toppings, drizzled with sweet and condensed milk. We picked a few varieties to choose, and within the first bite, I was in love. I had found my true love in a dessert. Obviously, at the top of my travel list is South Korea so I can meet my true love’s origin, but I haven’t quite made it there yet.
I have been to Thailand twice, and food may or may not have played a part in that decision.
2. Barcelona, Spain
Spain in general has some of the greatest restaurants of all time. Just check any list. But being there in person really helps you understand the focus that city puts on food. Everything you taste has incredible effort put into it, from paella to those little cups they put prosciutto and Manchego into. The food is so good, everyone needs a nap in the middle of the day! And after that nap, go get another great meal. And after that meal, go to a cocktail bar, and make some friends. Because those friends might turn out to be the band members of Michael Buble and they might invite you to their concert the next evening for free. And you might absolutely say YES to that opportunity, and then go to a Michael Buble concert for free in Barcelona with your friends on a random night in September! Go to Spain and eat everything, your taste buds will never be the same.
1. Mexico City
People are so afraid of Mexico and I don’t know why. It’s straight up AWESOME. Mexico has some of the best food I’ve ever tasted in my life and Mexico City has never disappointed my taste buds.
I may have disappointed the god of Montezuma once or twice, but I can say, it was worth it. One of the best features of Mexico City’s restaurants if you’re coming from the US is the price. You can eat like a Queen at some of the best rated restaurants in the world. I’m talking three course meals for $30. Everything is affordable, even places you need reservations to get into. If you had 4 days in Mexico City, and wanted to live like royalty, you could do it pretty easily for $1,000 all in. (I can help you).
On my second trip to Mexico City, I finally got in to Rosetta, a restaurant across from my favorite bakery in the whole world, Panederia Rosetta (same owners, different building). They put down a plate of various breads and fresh olive oil and my friends and I lost our minds. From that moment, every plate was licked clean and I can safely say, I will fondly remember that meal and I miss it.
I’ve been to Mexico City three times now, and I plan to go back to eat even more food. However, don’t discount the rest of Mexico. I’ve also been to Guadalajara, Juarez, Tijuana, Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and Cozumel. I have never been disappointed with the food. And if you’re there during Dia de Muertos, pick up a pan de muerto!
Hope I’ve given you a mouth watering reason to travel soon. And if you’re in need of help planning a trip, send me an email and let’s chat.
Did I leave out your favorite foodie place? Let me know in the comments!
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