The world’s 20 best cities for food in 2025 ranked by Time Out, with a city in the USA coming top. Do YOU agree with the results?

The 20 best cities in the world for food in 2025 have been revealed and ranked by Time Out – and this year it’s New Orleans that takes the crown. 

The Southern American city beat hot competition from other global foodie hotspots, including Paris and Madrid. 

To get the results, Time Out surveyed more than 18,500 people around the world about the food scene in their city and each destination was ranked on affordability and quality of cuisine. The data was then combined with scores from a panel of Time Out experts, from writers to chefs, who shared their insights on the ‘best cities for food around the world right now’. 

Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, says: ‘Food is the backbone of local culture in our cities and the reason many of us choose to travel – Time Out’s annual ranking of the world’s best cities for food celebrates culinary culture the world over and is a great bucket list for foodies. 

‘Informed by locals and bolstered by the insight and expertise of Time Out’s writers, food critics and Time Out Market chefs, this is the definitive guide for the hungry traveller. 

‘The cities on this list showcase the best of the old-school and the new when it comes to eating and drinking. In every city, you’ll find a real melting pot of cuisines, a wave of young chefs at the helm of cutting-edge kitchens, and traditional stalwarts serving up affordable classics.’ 

Scroll down to see the full ranking, presented here in reverse order…

10. Jakarta, Indonesia 

Time Out describes the Indonesian capital’s foodie scene as a ‘true melting pot, shaped by Indonesia’s diverse ethnic groups and global influences, including Dutch, Indian, Chinese and Arab’.  

What’s more, Jakarta picks up a 94 per cent local approval rating, making it the third-highest-rated city in the survey of residents, behind Cape Town and Paris. 

So where should you go to enjoy its ‘undeniably delicious and diverse’ cuisine? 

The experts at Time Out recommend street food hubs such as ‘Jalan Sabang and Jalan Pecenongan for Madura noodles, Sumatra’s grilled satay, and smoky Chinese claypot rice’.

The travel guide adds that ‘fine dining is on the rise too’, with restaurants including Caspar and Henshin ‘offering global flavours’. 

9. Paris, France 

The City of Lights’ culinary scene has ‘never been this electric’ and there are ‘new restaurants popping up everywhere’, reveals Time Out. 

Although Paris’s foodie scene is on the ‘pricier end’, the French capital earns a 95 per cent approval rating in the local survey with residents describing its culinary offering as ‘gourmet’ and ‘trendy’. 

Time Out’s experts recommend bistros such as Lissit and Cornichon for ‘reinventions’ of ‘French classics’ while wine bars such as Œillets, Furia and coffee shops Grave and Simple ‘simply buzz with energy’.  

For ‘fine dining’ the travel guide celebrates restaurants Vaisseau and Le Gabriel for their ‘unforgettable dishes’. 

Hunting for comfort food? 

Time Out says: ‘Try saucisse purée at Les Arlots – a timeless, comforting classic.’

8. Shanghai, China 

Time Out describes Shanghai as ‘China’s dining epicentre’ as it ‘offers 5,000 years of food history in one city’. 

China’s biggest city earns a 92 per cent approval rating from local residents, who describe its cuisine as ‘diverse’ and ‘trendy’. 

‘Regional cuisines thrive [in Shanghai], from Guizhou’s minority dishes to Xinjiang’s spice-dusted skewers and Yunnan’s tropical flavours,’ reveals Time Out. 

The experts also love Shanghai’s ‘neo-bistros run by young chefs’ who ‘are redefining local ingredients with global techniques’.

Looking for quintessential Shanghainese cuisine? 

Time Out recommends ‘shengjianbao, a crispy-bottomed, broth-filled dumpling’. 

7. Lagos, Nigeria 

Lagos is a ‘foodie’s dream’, says Time Out, a city where ‘food is woven into culture, history and daily life’ and the flavours are ‘bold and delicious’.

What’s more, it’s the second-most affordable city in the ranking for eating and drinking – 88 per cent of locals say ‘it doesn’t cost a lot to get a drink’ and 68 per cent say going out to a restaurant is ‘easy on the wallet’.

The travel guide recommends visiting Frejon, Lagos’s Brazilian quarter, for ‘smoky party jollof rice’, which is ‘world-famous’. 

Then there’s LÉ IYÁN, which ‘celebrates Yoruba cuisine’, and NOK by Alara and Slow Lagos, which add a ‘modern twist’. 

Time Out adds: ‘Street food thrives – akara [bean fritters] with agege bread and boli [roasted plantain] are daily staples, while puff-puff [deep-fried dough] satisfies sweet cravings.’

6. Mexico City, Mexico 

Mexico’s capital ranks particularly highly with Time Out’s food experts, who rate it second-best in the world. 

It also scores well with local residents, with 80 per cent giving Mexico City’s dining scene a rating of ‘good’ or ‘amazing’.

Time Out reveals: ‘It’s not hard to see why it is a food-lover’s paradise. From a torta de chilaquiles to tacos al pastor, everyone has a favourite spot.’ 

The experts say ‘chefs are blending global techniques with local flavours’ in a move that has ‘propelled’ restaurants such as Pujol and Quintonil to ‘world fame’. 

And it’s not just local cuisine that gets a thumbs up. 

Time Out reveals: ‘A wave of top-notch Italian, Korean, and Thai spots – like Piazza Pasticcio, Jowong, and Ladyboy – are winning hearts. If chiles en nogada are in season, Nicos is a must.’

5. Madrid, Spain

Madrid’s residents are ‘the most likely to describe their city’s food as “diverse” and “experimental”‘, explains Time Out. 

And that’s a ‘winning combination’, as 90 per cent of local residents rate the Spanish culinary scene ‘highly’. 

Time Out adds: ‘The Spanish capital’s food scene is thriving, from El Invernadero, named the world’s best plant-based restaurant, to Michelin-starred La Tasquería, which elevates offal.’ 

The travel guide also recommends OSA, Chispa, Lur, and Tonton for ‘young chefs making waves’ while Sacha and La Tasquita de Enfrente are ‘beloved stalwarts’. 

The city’s must-try? 

Time Out says: ‘Head to Pabú, where chef Coco Montes transforms fresh produce into next-level dishes – Madrid’s latest culinary highlight.’ 

4. Cape Town, South Africa 

Earlier this year, the South African city took the crown for Time Out’s best destination in the world, an accolade which was ‘thanks in no small part to its incredible food scene’, explains the travel guide. 

Cape Town earns a 95 per cent approval rating from locals, with residents some of the most likely to call their cuisine ‘delicious’. 

‘A blend of Asian, European, and African influences’ makes Cape Town’s food scene ‘uniquely diverse’, according to Time Out. 

Time Out Market ‘brings the best of the city under one roof’ says the travel guide, while Bree Street, known as ‘Gourmet Boulevard’, has ‘must-visit spots like Boma and Iron Steak’. 

And Cape Town’s fish and chips ‘rival London’s’. 

But according to the travel guide, the city’s ‘must-try’ dish is the ‘almighty Gatsby – a towering bread roll stuffed with chips, salad and your choice of filling’. 

Tempted? Mariam’s Kitchen on the Foreshore has ‘one of the best’. 

3. Medellin, Colombia 

‘Medellín locals rated the city highly across the board,’ says Time Out, ‘but it particularly stood out for affordability – 89 per cent of locals say dining out is budget-friendly, and 94 per cent say grabbing a coffee is cheap.’

The guide stresses: ‘No matter the budget, the city offers rich culinary experiences.’

So where are the hotspots? 

Time Out says: ‘Stroll La Placita de Flórez for exotic fruits like chirimoya and gulupa, enjoy bandeja paisa [a platter that includes rice, chorizo and a fried egg] in any barrio, or indulge in fine dining in El Poblado, Envigado, and Laureles.’ 

To enjoy the city’s ‘playful side’, head to a food festival says the travel guide, while ‘top spots like La Cafetiere de Anita, Bistro El Mordisco and Mar Y Fuego highlight its global flavours’. 

2. Bangkok, Thailand 

The Thai capital’s food scene is ‘world-renowned’ says Time Out and 86 per cent of locals rate its culinary offering as ‘good’ or ‘amazing’. 

Bangkok also earns the highest share of votes from Time Out’s food experts, grabbing it second place overall for food in 2025. 

Time Out remarks: ‘Bangkok’s culinary magic lies in its versatility – whether it’s a Michelin-starred meal or a $3/£2.32 street-side feast under fluorescent lights, the experience is equally unforgettable.’ 

The travel guide recommends ‘wandering through Old Town or Chinatown’, following ‘the crowds’ and ‘eating what looks best’. 

The experts add: ‘For a top-tier som tam (green papaya salad), head to Hai Som Tam Convent, where green papaya, fiery chillies and sticky rice pair perfectly with grilled chicken and a cold beer.’ 

1. New Orleans, USA 

Taking the crown as the world’s best destination for food in 2025 is New Orleans. 

Its culinary scene ‘blends French, Spanish, Vietnamese and African influences offering everything from historic fine dining at Antoine’s to casual favourites like Parkway Bakery & Tavern’, says Time Out. 

‘Classic dishes’ such as ‘shrimp Creole, jambalaya, and red beans and rice’ can be found ‘citywide’, while ‘acclaimed’ restaurants Dakar, Acamaya, and Saffron put ‘fresh spins on Louisiana flavours’. 

The travel guide adds that there’s ‘always something delicious to try’ in New Orleans as ‘food takes centre stage year-round, with festivals celebrating gumbo, beignets, and more’.