These days, when people plan a holiday, food is right at the centre of the conversation. What locals eat, what the city is known for, and which dishes people love the most, all of this matters as much as sightseeing.With this growing interest in food, TasteAtlas has announced its World Food Awards for 2025 and 2026. The guide looked at 18,828 cities and selected the 100 top food cities based on ratings of the regular local and national dishes served there.From that list, these are the world’s top 10 food cities right now, which are going viral for their food and the must-try dishes each one is known for.
Naples, Italy | 4.99★
Must try dishes: Pizza Margherita, Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, SfogliatellaNaples is at number one. The food here is simple, classic and full of comfort. Many people feel a strong emotional connection with these flavours. It is a city where food feels like part of daily life.
Milan, Italy | 4.99★
Must try dishes: Risotto alla Milanese, Cotoletta alla Milanese, PanettoneMilan shares the same top rating. The food is rich, traditional and very rooted in the city’s culture. People often talk about the deep, strong flavours here. It continues to stay important in the global food scene.
Bologna, Italy | 4.98★
Must try dishes: Tagliatelle al ragù, Tortellini in brodo, Lasagne alla BologneseBologna is known for hearty pasta and homestyle cooking. The dishes feel warm, comforting and familiar. For many people, Bologna is one of the real hearts of Italian food.
Florence, Italy | 4.89★
Must try dishes: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Ribollita, Pappardelle al cinghialeFlorence brings together soups, pasta and famous grilled dishes. The food feels earthy and honest. It shows how simple ingredients can still create big flavours.
Mumbai, India | 4.78★
Must try dishes: Bhelpuri, Pav bhaji, Vada pav, Modak, Ragda patticeMumbai is the only Indian city in the top 10. The city’s food is busy, lively and full of life, just like Mumbai itself. Street food and festive favourites play a huge role in daily eating here.
Genoa, Italy | 4.78★
Must try dishes: Trofie al pesto, Farinata di ceci, Trenette al pestoGenoa is closely linked with pesto and simple local dishes. The food here is fresh, light and full of familiar flavours. It keeps tradition right at the centre.
Paris, France | 4.77★
Must try dishes: Foie gras, Steak tartare, Escargot, Crème brûléeParis continues to be known worldwide for its food. Classic dishes and elegant desserts shape its identity. For many travellers, food is one of the top reasons to visit Paris.
Vienna, Austria | 4.76★
Must try dishes: Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, ApfelstrudelVienna is popular for crumb fried cutlets, meat dishes and baked sweets. The food feels nostalgic and homely. It is often linked with old world charm.
Rome, Italy | 4.74★
Must try dishes: Cacio e pepe, Carbonara, Tiramisù, Pasta alla griciaRome is famous for simple pasta and classic desserts. The flavours are clean, direct and full of character. Many travellers see Rome as a must visit food city.
Lima, Peru | 4.74★
Must try dishes: Ceviche, Lomo saltado, Pollo a la brasa, TiraditoLima completes the list with seafood focused dishes and bold flavours. The food has a strong identity and clear taste profile. It now has a visible place in the global food space.Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)
