Italian cities occupy 6 spots; Indian city bags 5th spot

World’s 10 best food cities of 2025-26 list: Nearly half of global travellers now book restaurant reservations even before their flights, according to a 2025 Hilton Trends report.

Additionally, the report also highlights that about one in five travellers select their destinations specifically to discover new restaurants and unique culinary experiences.

Reflecting the growing importance of food in travel, which often sparks meaningful cultural exchanges and brings people together, TasteAtlas, a renowned food and travel guide, is hosting its 2025/26 World Food Awards.

The report ranked 100 of the best food cities out of 18,828 based on the highest average ratings for the regional and national dishes most commonly served there.

Top 10 best food cities in the world, 2025-26:

European cities notably dominate the rankings of the best global food cities, claiming eight of the top 10 spots in the 2025-26 list.

Italian cities specifically occupy six of them, and Italian cuisine is also ranked the world’s best in the same year, highlighting their culinary excellence.

Interestingly, Lima, the capital of Peru, has entered the top 10 in the 2025-26 rankings, pushing Osaka, Japan, from 10th to 11th place this year.

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1. Naples, Italy

4.99 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Pizza Margherita, Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, Sfogliatella

2. Milan, Italy

4.99 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Risotto alla Milanese, Cotoletta alla Milanese, Panettone

3. Bologna, Italy

4.98 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Tagliatelle al ragù, Tortellini in brodo, Lasagne alla Bolognese

4. Florence, Italy

4.89 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Ribollita, Pappardelle al cinghiale

5. Mumbai, India

4.78 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Bhelpuri, Pav bhaji, Vada pav, Modak, Ragda pattice

6. Genoa, Italy

4.78 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Trofie al pesto, Farinata di ceci, Trenette al pesto

7. Paris, France

4.77 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Foie gras, Steak tartare, Escargot, Crème brûlée

8. Vienna, Austria

4.76 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Apfelstrudel

9. Rome, Italy

4.74 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Cacio e pepe, Carbonara, Tiramisù, Pasta alla gricia

10. Lima, Peru

4.74 ★

Must-Try Dishes: Ceviche, Lomo saltado, Pollo a la brasa, Tiradito

Source: TasteAtlas World Food Awards 2025/26 | Ranked from 18,828 cities based on regional and national dishes

Indian Express InfoGenIE

Six cities in India were featured, with one among the top 10:

India is renowned for its rich culinary heritage and diverse flavours, with Mumbai earning the distinction of being ranked the world’s 5th best food city in 2025–26.

Mumbai is famous for its street food, like bhelpuri, pav bhaji, vada pav, and more. (Source: Pexels)

Joining it on the global top 100 list are Delhi at 48, Amritsar at 53, Hyderabad at 54, Kolkata at 73, and Chennai at 93 — each celebrated for its unique gastronomic traditions and vibrant food culture.

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Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager – Content at The Indian Express. She leads the Top 10 section, curating list-based features on key national and international developments, and manages daily news content. She also produces SEO-driven articles and collaborates with the Lifestyle team to conduct interviews with notable artists and write workplace culture features. … Read More