World Travellers Are Revealing The Most Mind-Blowing, Worth-Every-Penny Restaurants They've Been To Around The World, And Now I'm Questioning All My Food Choices
As a loud-and-proud foodie, I'll confess the truth: I've travelled embarrassingly long distances solely for the food. And I'd do it all over again — because when a restaurant really knocks you off your feet, it's a unique experience that goes beyond words.
If you don't like food or travel, I fear you're gravely missing out. And I also fear we could never be friends.
So recently, I went searching on Reddit to find some restaurants that tourists can't stop thinking about — the places that may get get tons of hype, yet still seem to leave people speechless. Here are some of the places people mentioned:
1. First, "I had an absolutely phenomenal dinner at WING — it was the highlight of my Hong Kong trip. Easily one of my all-time favourite meals in the last 12 months, and that's counting several celebrated places." Plus, this restaurant was just ranked number three on the list of Asia's best restaurants of 2025.
"They delivered a broad spectrum of modern Chinese dishes that are full of substance and sensibility."
– vinoyvaca
2. Also in Hong Kong, " The Chairman. It's the consistent, best Cantonese food choice of many top-end Cantonese chefs in Hong Kong." And this one made it on the list, too — it was ranked the second-best restaurant in Asia this year.
– New_Let_2494
3. " El Preferido de Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Milanesa a la Napolitana was really, really delicious. And I'm a big fan of McDonalds fries and thought nothing would be better than those, until I tried El Preferido's fries."
"They were very crispy and a had a little tinge of sweetness to them. I miss those fries a lot."
– tomsawyertravels
5. " Osteria Santo Spirito in Florence, Italy. It was one of the highlights of our trip."
– nathanaz
"Lasagna I still dream about."
– bluelizard5555
NBC / Via giphy.com
6. " Bar Cañete in Barcelona. Sat at the bar and had the best food and wine — so fun to watch the chefs in action."
— thesmallestwaffle
"One of the best meals I've ever had...and it was literally next door to my hotel! We ate there twice just because it was so close, and so amazing!"
— beachlvr1
7. " L'As du Fallafel, in what was once Paris's most vibrant Jewish neighborhood."
"Best falafel I've ever had. I literally think wistfully about it every time I come accross a so-so falafel here in the States."
8. " Mama's Fish House in Maui, Hawaii. We only got drinks and apps because we weren't exactly planning on eating there, but next time we go we're definitely going for a full meal."
— 47981247
10. " Lee Brasserie in Tallinn, Estonia."
— thesirensoftitans
"A million years ago I worked with the chef from Lee. A year and a bit ago, we were in Tallinn, so I messaged him out of the blue. Was treated to an absolutely sensational evening by he and the team."
— MuskratGriffin
11. " Fuku Noki in Sapporo, Japan. They had a unique tomato broth soup ramen (honestly it was more reminiscent of pasta than ramen) but that rich umami creamy broth still sticks out to me until this day. The noodle texture was also just right for the broth to cling to and to give it a bite."
"Honestly recommend this place for anyone looking for unique and/or pork-free ramen in Sapporo. Plus the owner was really friendly!"
– yodelingllama
DigiPub / Getty Images
12. " Antalya Kebab in Budapest. That kebab changed my life."
— MarcellusxWallace
13. " Quán Ut Ut in Saigon, Vietnam. Street American-style BBQ with local beers and Asian heat (spice and weather…). Best ribs I've ever tasted."
— polymath77
14. "The scallops at Andina, a Peruvian restaurant in Portland, Oregon."
— thriftingforgold
"This restaurant is amazing. Had the grilled octopus and I still talk about it to this day almost six years later."
— BC_Samsquanch
15. "I've been to Marmaris, Turkey several times and there's a restaurant called Golden Plate that I go to every time. I've never even seen a menu, I just ask for a recommendation and it is AMAZING every time! I've never been disappointed."
— rlikesbikes
16. " Hisa Franko in Slovenia. Went out of our way to eat there. Great road trip and incredible meal and wine pairing. Amazing."
— fancybeadedplacemat
17. " Bullock's Bistro in Yellowknife, Canada. The fish are fresh out of Great Slave Lake. I had the pan-fried arctic char, and I still think about it."
— pleuschr
18. " Little Vincent's Pizzeria on Long Island. They add cold cheese on top of the pizza once it's cooked. Never had anything like it since."
— sirachasamurai
Fox / Via giphy.com
20. "I was scrolling through these looking for Gaggan in Bankok — easily the most memorable meal of my life. The chef's table there isn't just a meal; it's a performance."
"The thing that made it especially cool for me was that I was sat next to an Indian chef who had competed in and done very well on MasterChef Australia. So, he was able to explain both the techniques and the base foods that the chefs were adapting. Incredible."
— fraxbo
21. "At a jazz club in Mexico City, I got a caesar salad prepared tableside by the grandson of Caesar Cardini. It was the best caesar salad I have ever had in my life."
"Unfortunately, the restaurant did not survive COVID."
— Prince-Minikid
22. " Ergon Agora in Thessaloniki, Greece. Greek food with a modern flair, but still so tasty, fresh, and humble. I went there in 2017 and still think about that place, often thinking how to add Thessaloniki to a trip just for this place!"
— aucnderutresjp_1
23. "In my own country, the UK, I loved this restaurant called the Happy Lamb in London. It's near the British Museum and does fantastic make-it-yourself hot pot food. So delicious!"
— Dependent_Break4800
24. And finally: " New York Pizzeria in Hamilton, New York. I've had pizza throughout Italy, New York, and many other places, but nothing as good as the slices I had while a student at Colgate in upstate New York."
"I don't know if this is because I was usually fairly drunk when I ate it. Many years after graduation I took my husband, and he agreed that there was something really special about those slices."
— 3C1J
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