Best Food Spots While Traveling – Top Restaurants and Must-Try Culinary Experiences
When it comes to traveling, food isn’t just fuel for the journey—it’s a destination in itself. Imagine indulging in fine dining at an exquisite restaurant with a view of the Eiffel Tower or savoring the local flavors at a hidden gem in Tokyo’s bustling streets. Best food spots while traveling
With the rise of food tourism, our taste buds have become the new passport, guiding us to places where the cuisine is as important as the sights. And that’s where Trip.Gourmet steps in, offering a curated list of the world’s top restaurants that will make your travel experience unforgettable.
The Rise of Food Tourism
Why Food Matters When You Travel
Traveling is no longer just about sightseeing or ticking off items on a bucket list. It’s about experiencing the world through all your senses, and taste is at the forefront. Whether you’re biting into a perfectly seasoned sushi roll in Japan or relishing the delicate layers of a croissant in Paris, these culinary experiences shape our memories of places.
Food Tourism: A Growing Trend
Food tourism is booming, with more travelers prioritizing culinary experiences. According to Trip.com, there’s been a 30% year-on-year increase in users searching for food-related keywords globally. Keywords like “fine dining” and “local specialities” are leading the charge, with travelers increasingly choosing destinations based on the food experiences they offer.
Sunny Sun, Vice President of Trip.com Group and CEO of Trip.Gourmet, shared:
“More travellers are excited to explore the world through the universal language of food. At Trip.Gourmet, we celebrate culinary excellence, from fine dining to local flavours. Our new rankings and upgrades empower travellers to savour exceptional gastronomic experiences wherever they go.”
Trip.Gourmet: Your Ultimate Food Travel Guide
What is Trip.Gourmet?
Trip.Gourmet, part of the Trip.com Group, has been at the forefront of food tourism since its inception in 2016. It’s your one-stop food guide, offering everything from global restaurant rankings to travel-focused food content, and now, even reservation options. Whether you’re looking for the best fine dining restaurants or local eateries, Trip.Gourmet has got you covered. Best food spots while traveling
The Global Rebrand Launch
On a recent Trip.Gourmet Global Rebrand Launch held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, several exciting updates were announced. These upgrades are set to revolutionize how we explore food while traveling, ensuring that every bite you take is worth the journey.
Exploring the New Trip.Gourmet Features
Expanded Global Selection and Ranking System
Trip.Gourmet has expanded its global reach, now covering over 10,000 restaurants in more than 300 cities worldwide. The new ranking system categorizes restaurants into four themes: Fine Dining, Local Restaurants, Light Bites, and Restaurants with Views & Experiences. This approach blends the best of travel and dining, ensuring that the restaurants you visit are not just about the food, but the entire experience. Best food spots while traveling
Trip.Best Integration: A One-Stop Guide
One of the most exciting updates is the full integration of selected restaurants within the Trip.Best lists on the Trip.com app. Now, you can seamlessly discover top accommodations, activities, dining, and nightlife all in one place. It’s like having a personal travel concierge at your fingertips.
Unveiling the World’s Best Restaurants
The Fine Dining Experience
Several fine dining establishments from the Asia-Pacific region were recognized at the awards ceremony, including Odette, Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda and CUT by Wolfgang Puck in Singapore; Kubu at Mandapa in Bali; Potong and Le Du in Bangkok; SÉZANNE and RyuGin in Tokyo, and La Yeon and Bicena in Seoul.
When it comes to fine dining, Trip.Gourmet recognizes excellence with its prestigious Black Diamond list. Almost 50% of the top restaurants hail from culinary giants like France, China, and Japan. These countries dominate the fine dining scene, with Europe making a strong showing too. Imagine dining at Core by Clare Smyth in the UK or savoring the exquisite dishes at L’Oiseau Blanc in France—these experiences are the pinnacle of luxury dining.
Local Restaurants: A Taste of Authenticity
But fine dining isn’t the only way to explore a destination’s cuisine. Local restaurants offer a taste of authenticity, giving you a glimpse into the heart of a culture. Whether it’s the street food in Bangkok or a family-run trattoria in Italy, these eateries bring you closer to the soul of the place.
Dining with a View: Restaurants for Experiences
Why Views Matter
What’s better than a great meal? A great meal with a view! Trip.Gourmet has recognized this by including Restaurants for Views & Experiences in their rankings. These are places where the scenery complements the cuisine, creating a dining experience that’s a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Top Picks for Dining with a View
Picture yourself enjoying a sunset dinner at a rooftop restaurant in Santorini or having lunch with a panoramic view of the Alps. These restaurants are more than just places to eat—they are destinations in their own right, offering a unique combination of food and scenery that makes the meal unforgettable.
Light Bites: Small Plates, Big Flavors
The Appeal of Light Bites
Sometimes, it’s the small bites that leave the biggest impression. Whether it’s tapas in Spain or dim sum in Hong Kong, light bites are a great way to sample a variety of flavors without committing to a full meal. Trip.Gourmet has included this category to highlight those eateries where you can enjoy a series of small, flavorful dishes.
Where to Find the Best Light Bites
From bustling food markets to cozy cafes, light bites can be found everywhere. Some of the top spots include the vibrant food stalls of Thailand, where each dish is a burst of flavor, and the quaint patisseries of France, where every pastry is a work of art.
The Luxury of Hotel Dining
A Rising Trend: Hotel Restaurants
Hotel dining is no longer an afterthought. It’s becoming a sought-after experience, with luxury hotels offering top-notch restaurants that attract both guests and locals. Nearly 41% of the Trip.Gourmet rankings are dedicated to luxury hotel restaurants, reflecting this growing trend.
Notable Hotel Restaurants
Some of the standout hotel restaurants include Lai Po Heen at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur and JAAN by Kirk Westaway in Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore. These establishments offer a dining experience that rivals the best standalone restaurants, with the added convenience of being just an elevator ride away from your room.
Easy Reservations at Your Fingertips
Seamless Booking Process
Gone are the days of struggling to get a reservation at a top restaurant. Trip.Gourmet now supports direct reservations to over 50,000 restaurants worldwide, partnering with leading booking platforms like The Fork in Europe, Chope in Southeast Asia, and OpenTable in North America. This makes securing a spot at your desired restaurant easier than ever.
How to Book Your Table
Simply visit the Trip.com app, find the restaurant you want, and make your reservation in just a few clicks. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner in Paris or a casual lunch in Tokyo, Trip.Gourmet ensures that your dining experience starts on a stress-free note.
A Love for Local Delights: The Food Guide Channel
Discover Local Culinary Gems
Trip.Gourmet has launched a new Food Guide Channel, available on both Trip.com and Ctrip. This feature is designed to help you uncover local culinary gems, recommending specialty food lists and must-try dishes in various destinations. It’s like having a local foodie friend guiding you to the best eats in town.
“Taste the Season” Campaign
In collaboration with Shangri-La, Trip.Gourmet has also launched the “Taste the Season” campaign. This initiative packages hotel stays with signature dishes and food vouchers, tying into the growing popularity of hotel dining. Whether you’re staying at a luxury hotel or just popping in for a meal, this campaign ensures you get a taste of the season’s best flavors.
Why Trip.Gourmet Stands Out
Years of Expertise
Since its founding in 2016, Trip.Gourmet has been dedicated to providing objective and fair food guides. Leveraging years of user data and authoritative culinary opinions, it offers the best dining experiences worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first food-focused trip, Trip.Gourmet is your trusted companion in the culinary world.
The Trip.Gourmet Global Rebrand
The recent rebrand and the Trip.Best Gourmet Awards Ceremony marks a new chapter in Trip.Gourmet’s mission is to deliver practical, accurate, and efficient food guides for global travelers. With these updates, Trip.Gourmet continues to be at the forefront of food tourism, helping you discover the world one bite at a time. Best food spots while traveling
Conclusion: Savor Every Moment
Traveling is about more than just seeing new places—it’s about tasting them too. With Trip.Gourmet’s new features and extensive restaurant rankings, you can turn every meal into a memorable experience. From fine dining to local delights, the world is your oyster and Trip.Gourmet is here to help you savor every bite. Best food spots while traveling