Quick summary: Tokyo has secured the top position in a global study of culinary destinations, scoring 56 out of 60 for its exceptional blend of cultural richness, experiential dining, and uniqueness. The findings reveal that modern travellers are increasingly prioritising immersive food experiences over traditional fine dining, with Asian cities dominating the rankings due to their vibrant street food cultures and diverse heritage. This shift in tourism trends suggests that public policy and local businesses should focus on preserving authentic culinary traditions towards enhancing community well being and driving sustainable economic growth through food tourism.
Tokyo has been named the world’s top foodie destination in a new study by travel experts at AttractionTickets.com, scoring 56 out of 60 for its blend of uniqueness, cultural richness, and foodie appeal.
Food continues to be a major driver of travel for culinary enthusiasts, with many travellers actively seeking standout dining experiences around the world. These range from Michelin-starred restaurants to immersive and experiential food concepts. AttractionTickets.com’s new study identifies destinations offering the most memorable global food experiences.
How the ranking was measured
Each destination was scored out of 60 based on
- Foodie appeal
- Experiential dining
- Uniqueness
- Cultural richness
- Value
- Popularity
Top-ranked foodie destinations
Top 3 cities
- Rank 1: Tokyo, Japan – 56/60
Tokyo scored highly across uniqueness, cultural richness, and foodie appeal, reinforcing its status as a leading global food destination. - Joint Rank 2: Bangkok, Thailand – 55/60
Strong in flavour diversity and night markets. - Joint Rank 2: Mumbai, India – 55/60
Noted for iconic flavours and cultural richness. - Rank 3: Mexico City, Mexico – 54/60
Recognised for antojitos and vibrant street food culture.
Rank 4
- Istanbul, Turkey – 53/60
Strong culinary heritage spanning centuries. - Orlando, USA – 53/60
Distinguished by modern Michelin-recognised dining and immersive, experience-led restaurants.
Rank 5
- Naples, Italy – 52/60
- Seoul, South Korea – 52/60
Rank 6 (51/60)
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Marrakesh, Morocco
- Osaka, Japan
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Melbourne, Australia
- Singapore, Singapore
Rank 7 (50/60)
- Rome, Italy
- Paris, France
- New Orleans, USA
- Hong Kong, China
- Sydney, Australia
- London, UK
Rank 8 (49/60)
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Shanghai, China
- Los Angeles, USA
Rank 9 (48/60)
- Padang, Indonesia
- Lima, Peru
- Kyoto, Japan
- Lisbon, Portugal
Rank 10 (47/60)
- Fes, Morocco
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Milan, Italy
The study found that Asia leads the global foodie rankings, with Tokyo in first place and Bangkok and Mumbai tied for second. The region is highlighted for its balance of cultural richness, street food culture, and high-end dining experiences.
It also found that experience-led dining is becoming increasingly important. More travellers are seeking meals that go beyond food alone. Examples include Walt Disney World dining experiences in Orlando, robot and themed restaurants in Tokyo, and rooftop multi-sensory dining experiences in Singapore.
Cultural richness is another key driver of food tourism. Cities such as Tokyo, Mexico City, and Istanbul rank highly, showing that heritage and tradition strongly influence global food appeal.
Oliver Brendon, CEO of AttractionTickets.com, said: “Food has become one of the biggest drivers of travel, with people increasingly planning trips around where and what they want to eat. We’re seeing people shift away from traditional fine dining capitals and towards destinations that offer a more diverse and immersive food scene, whether that’s enjoying Edo-mae sushi in Tokyo, Pav Bhaji’s in Mumbai or braised short ribs at the Trattoria Al Forno in Orlando Disney World Resort. Ultimately, the most successful foodie destinations are those that offer variety, experiences and cultural richness, and give visitors a reason to keep coming back for more.”
The findings reflect the growing popularity of food tourism, where travellers prioritise immersive culinary experiences. AttractionTickets.com, a UK-based provider of attraction and theme park tickets, focuses on helping travellers access global experiences, particularly in destinations such as Orlando.