Foodie Adventures: The Best Places to Eat While Traveling Off the Beaten Path
Ever noticed how some of the best stories start with a wrong turn and an empty stomach?
If you’re a foodie who loves unique culinary experiences with a touch of adventure, we’ve put together seven bucket list destinations you should look into before you start planning your next trip.
7 Bucket-List Culinary Experiences for Foodie Travelers
Whether you’re dreaming of street food in Hoi An or want to sail from Seattle toward Alaskan flavors, here are seven culinary experiences you should add to your bucket list.
1. Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca is a true hidden gem for foodie lovers, but it’s often overshadowed by Mexico City and Cancun.
Smoky moles, paired with chicken, turkey, and tortillas, are a favorite among locals and tourists. They’re particularly special because they take several days to prepare. Hand-pressed tlayudas, which are Mexican pizzas, are another must, as is mezcal straight from rural distilleries.
And be sure to stop at Casa Oaxaca or La Teca if it’s a variety of authentic dishes you’re after.
2. Hoi An, Vietnam
This might be a charming UNESCO town, but the soul-warming dishes also make it a haven for foodies.
Cao lầu noodles (made with water from ancient town wells) and crispy banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) are unlike anything you’ve tried, as is the fresh seafood. For an unforgettable experience, take a street food tour on a bicycle.
As for restaurants, don’t miss Bale Well as well as Miss Ly Café.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand has one of the biggest varieties of food to offer and is a big hit with travelers who prefer farm-fresh ingredients.
You can expect fresh seafood, local lamb, native herbs like kawakawa, and wines from world-renowned vineyards. However, for something truly unique, make sure you attend a sheep-station feast in the South Island and a Māori Hāngī feast (Hiakai in Wellington is great for this!).
4. Lucca, Italy
For foodies heading to Italy, skip Rome and Florence and head straight to Lucca.
This beautiful Tuscan town specializes in dishes like farro soup, wild boar ragu, and creamy pecorino paired with honey. And if you plan your visit during Autumn, you can join a truffle hunt and dine on them afterward.
Trattoria da Leo and Ristorante Giglio are two establishments you should particularly visit during your visit.
5. Alaska, USA
Alaska serves up some of the freshest ingredients straight from the sea, forest, and river banks you will ever taste.
Some must-try dishes include wild-caught salmon grilled over open flames, reindeer sausage, and berry pies. You can enjoy these types of dishes at a cozy restaurant lodge or even on a boat.
The Saltry in Halibut Cove and 49th State Brewing Co. are two spots you should definitely stop off at.
6. Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is all about fresh, flavorful coastal cuisine with a Balkan twist. Dishes are basic, but packed with unique flavors.
Squid grilled with olive oil is a simple dish, but not one you should miss. Wine and cheese pairings are another must, as everything is sourced from local farms and can generally be enjoyed with a beautiful view.
Be sure to pay a visit to Konoba Catovica Mlini as well as Tanjga Family Restaurant during your trip.
7. Ishigaki Island, Japan
Moving away from Tokyo, you’ll find Ishigaki Island, home to one of Japan’s most distinct food cultures.
Here, you can try Ishigaki beef, which is even richer than Kobe, sea grapes (a salty, poppy seaweed), and purple sweet potato desserts. It’s unforgettable, high-end dining at its finest.
Almost every restaurant is worth mentioning, but Ishigaki Yoshida and Funakura no Sato definitely stand out.
Culinary Delights Await
If food is your thing, you’re certainly not short on choices when it comes to one-of-a-kind dining experiences. It’s more a question of: Where should you go first?
