Culinary tourism is a popular type of tourism throughout the world, but what exactly is culinary tourism? Is it different from food tourism? Why is culinary tourism important? And which destinations are best known for culinary tourism? This article explains.
- What is culinary tourism?
- Importance of food tourism
- Culinary tourism activities
- Best cities for food tourism
- Culinary tourism in Bangkok
- Culinary tourism in Tokyo
- Culinary tourism in Honolulu
- Culinary tourism in Durban
- Culinary tourism in New Orleans
- Culinary tourism in Istanbul
- Culinary tourism in Paris
- Culinary tourism Marrakesh
- Culinary tourism in Mumbai
- Culinary tourism in Miami
- Culinary tourism Rio de Janeiro
- Culinary tourism in Beijing
- Food tourism- further reading
What is culinary tourism?
Culinary tourism, also often referred to as food tourism, is all about exploring food as a form of tourism. Whether that be eating, cooking, baking, attending a drinks festival or visiting a farmers market – all of these come under the concept of culinary tourism. It’s something you don’t even really need to travel to do. Heading to your nearest big city or even the next town over, specifically to eat at a certain restaurant, classes as food tourism! During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people also cooked dishes from around the world at home in an attempt to bring an element of travel into their kitchens.
Video: What is culinary tourism?
Importance of food tourism
Food tourism is a vitally important component of the travel and tourism industry as a whole. When booking a trip, people tend to consider a variety of factors – and food is high on the list of priorities. The World Food Travel Association says that money spent on food and drink while travelling accounts for 15-35% of all tourism spending. Culinary tourism is therefore an important source of income for local economies. Its importance is recognised internationally: UN Tourism has held an annual World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism since 2015, and UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network includes dozens of designated ‘Cities of Gastronomy’.
Culinary tourism is also an important branch of tourism in that it can promote local businesses, as well as help to shine a light on different cuisines. For so many cultures, their cuisine is a huge part of who they are. Culinary tourism helps to celebrate this, by attracting interested tourists who are keen to try something new and share it with the world. In this way, it definitely helps to boost community pride and is a great example of cultural tourism.
This type of tourism is also important to tourists. It provides a chance to try new foods and flavours, and discover new cultures through their taste buds. Visitors who engage in food tourism come away with new recipes to try, new foods to introduce their friends to, and memories that they will always associate with their sense of taste.
Culinary tourism activities
There are many activities which come under the remit of culinary tourism, or food tourism. Some of the most common include:
- Eating and drinking out: going to restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, tea shops and so on. These are all examples of culinary tourism.
- Food/beverage tours: you can book onto organised food and drink tours when visiting a new city. These are run by guides who will take you to various foodie spots throughout the city – usually small businesses – to try local delicacies.
- Farmers markets: visiting a farmers market at the weekend to buy fresh produce is seen as a form of food tourism.
- Cooking classes: learning to make a local dish, whether that be pierogi in Poland or pasta in Italy.
- Tasting sessions: brewery tours, distillery visits and vineyard visits (see wine tourism), where visitors learn how something is made and then try it for themselves.
Best cities for food tourism
Most cities, major or otherwise, have excellent examples of food tourism, and so do many small towns and villages. Below are some of the world’s best-known destinations for culinary tourism, and what makes each one special.
Culinary tourism in Bangkok
Thai food is famous around the world, and Bangkok is one of the world’s great street food cities. Markets such as Wang Lang Market and Yaowarat Road in Chinatown are packed with stalls selling everything from snacks to full meals. Since the Michelin Guide arrived in Thailand in 2018, several street food vendors have been recognised- most famously Jay Fai, whose stall has held a Michelin star. In 2024, tom yum kung was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Bangkok is also home to Cabbages and Condoms, a themed restaurant run as a social enterprise. Its profits support the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), which promotes family planning and community development- an example of how culinary tourism can fund social causes.
Culinary tourism in Tokyo
Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, but it is just as famous for its ramen shops, izakayas (informal pubs) and sushi counters. Traditional Japanese cuisine, washoku, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013. Guided food tours of old-style neighbourhoods, such as the market streets of Yanaka, are a popular way for visitors to explore local food culture.
Culinary tourism in Honolulu
Honolulu’s food scene reflects Hawaii’s mix of Polynesian, Asian and American influences. Dishes to try include poke (marinated raw fish), the ‘plate lunch’ (meat with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad), loco moco and shave ice. In the 1990s, a group of local chefs launched the ‘Hawaii Regional Cuisine’ movement, which championed local ingredients and helped put Hawaii on the culinary map.
Culinary tourism in Durban
Durban in South Africa is famous for its curries, thanks to its large Indian community, and is the home of bunny chow. The dish- half a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with curry- is now served across South Africa, but many visitors travel to Durban to try the original. Local food guides such as Eat Out list the best places to find it.
Culinary tourism in New Orleans
As one of the culinary capitals of the US, New Orleans is incredibly popular with foodies. The city is a hotspot for food tourism, thanks to the various cultural roots here: Cajun, Creole and French. There is a whole range of tastes to try. Famous local dishes include:
- Po’boys: fried shrimp, generally, but sometimes beef or other seafood – served on a fresh crusty roll.
- Gumbo: this is a stew, again usually containing seafood, alongside bell peppers, onion and celery.
- Crawfish étouffée: a Cajun and Creole stew of crawfish in a rich sauce, served over rice.
- Muffuletta: a Sicilian-American sandwich served on a specific type of bread.
Culinary tourism in Istanbul
Split across two continents, Istanbul has one of the world’s richest food cultures, from street food such as simit, balık ekmek (fish sandwiches) and kebabs to meze and fine dining. The Michelin Guide launched in Istanbul in 2022, and Turkish coffee culture is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Food tours that cross the Bosphorus by ferry, visiting markets in Karaköy (Europe) and Kadıköy (Asia), are a popular way to explore the city.
Culinary tourism in Paris
Paris is famous for its bakeries, patisseries and cafés. The baguette was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2022, joining the ‘gastronomic meal of the French’, which was inscribed in 2010.
Paris is also one of the world’s great fine dining cities, with more than 100 Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as food markets, cheese shops and wine bars. Guided food tours in Paris are a popular way for visitors to sample a range of local specialities.
Culinary tourism Marrakesh
Moroccan food, from tagines to couscous, is a major draw for visitors to Marrakesh. Couscous was recognised by UNESCO in 2020 as shared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. Cooking classes that begin with a trip to the souk to buy ingredients are one of the city’s most popular tourist activities, and the food stalls of Jemaa el-Fnaa square come alive every evening.
Culinary tourism in Mumbai
India is another country where street food is king. Mumbai has plenty to offer, and one culinary tourism activity you can do is to spend an afternoon trying as many dishes as possible while simply wandering through the city. Mumbai’s signature street food is vada pav: a spiced, deep-fried potato fritter served in a bun with chutneys. Many people are surprised to learn that one of the most popular British foods– chicken tikka masala is not commonly found in India, although regional dishes such as pav bhaji, bhel puri and butter chicken are widely available.
Culinary tourism in Miami
Miami is known for its Latin American and Caribbean food, and Cuban food in particular. The Little Havana neighbourhood, centred on Calle Ocho, is famous for Cuban coffee, Cuban sandwiches and pastelitos, and cooking classes and food tours are popular with visitors. Further south, Key West is famous for its seafood and Key lime pie.
Culinary tourism Rio de Janeiro
Culinary tourism isn’t limited to food- it includes drink too. Brazil’s national spirit is cachaça, which is distilled from fresh sugarcane juice, and it is the key ingredient in the caipirinha, the country’s national cocktail. Rio is also known for its botecos (neighbourhood bars), churrascarias (barbecue restaurants) and feijoada, a black bean and pork stew traditionally eaten on Saturdays.
Culinary tourism in Beijing
Peking duck is the highlight of Beijing food. Restaurants such as Quanjude, founded in 1864, have made the dish famous around the world. Quanjude now has branches in many cities, but much of culinary tourism is about experiencing food in its place of origin- and eating at small, locally owned restaurants helps more of the money spent by tourists stay in the local economy.
Culinary tourism: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about culinary tourism.
What is culinary tourism?
Culinary tourism, also known as food tourism or gastronomy tourism, is travel motivated by food and drink. It includes eating at local restaurants and street food stalls, food tours, cooking classes, visiting food markets and tasting experiences such as brewery or vineyard tours.
Is culinary tourism the same as food tourism?
Yes, the terms culinary tourism, food tourism and gastronomy tourism are generally used to mean the same thing. Gastronomy tourism is the term most often used by UN Tourism.
Why is culinary tourism important?
Culinary tourism generates significant income for local economies- the World Food Travel Association estimates that food and drink account for 15-35% of all tourism spending. It also supports local producers and small businesses, celebrates local culture and helps to build community pride.
What are examples of culinary tourism?
Examples include a street food tour in Bangkok, a cooking class in Marrakesh, eating bunny chow in Durban, a sushi or ramen tour in Tokyo, visiting a vineyard in France or trying Peking duck in Beijing.
Which city has the most Michelin-starred restaurants?
Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, with Paris also among the leaders.
Food tourism- further reading
If you have enjoyed this article about culinary tourism, or food tourism, you may also find these articles helpful-
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- Overtourism explained: What is it and why is it so bad?
- Wine tourism explained
- Cultural tourism explained
- What is agritourism?
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