Best Foodie Destinations Revealed for 2025

Jakarta: Indonesian Delights

Rendang and Beyond: Iconic Indonesian Dishes

Jakarta, the bustling capital of Indonesia, has secured its spot at the top of Time Out’s list for 2025, and it’s easy to see why. The city is a treasure trove of culinary delights, with rendang often cited as one of the most delicious foods in the world. This slow-cooked, tender beef dish, infused with spices like lemongrass, turmeric, and chilies, is a staple in Indonesian cuisine. However, rendang is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Jakarta’s culinary scene.

Indonesian cuisine is a rich tapestry of flavors, influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European traditions. Dishes like nasi goreng, a fragrant fried rice dish, and sate, marinated and grilled meats, are ubiquitous and beloved. For those with a sweet tooth, bubur ayam, a savory chicken porridge, and es krim, a popular shaved ice dessert, are must-tries.

Seafood lovers will relish Jakarta’s coastal location, offering fresh catches like ikan bakar (grilled fish) and udang bakar (grilled prawns). Vegetarians and vegans are also well-catered for with dishes like gadon-gadon, a tofu salad, and tempeh goreng, fried tempeh. The city’s diverse food scene ensures there’s something for everyone, making it a foodie paradise.

Street Food Markets: Jakarta’s Foodie Hotspots

Jakarta’s street food markets are a sensory overload, offering a symphony of scents, sounds, and tastes. Pasar Baru in Central Jakarta is a bustling market where you can find everything from fresh produce to ready-to-eat street food. The night market Pasar Malam Tanah Abang transforms the area into a foodie haven after dark, with stalls selling martabak, a savory pancake, and air matahari, a slice of fried dough soaked in sweet syrup.

For a more organized street food experience, head to Jalan Surabaya in Menteng, where dozens of food stalls line the street, offering a variety of dishes from across Indonesia. Here, you can try bubur ayam from a famous stall that has been operating since the 1970s, or indulge in a es teler, a sweet, layered pudding with grass jelly, jackfruit, and coconut milk.

No visit to Jakarta would be complete without exploring the Gambir Food Market, near the historic Istiqlal Mosque. This market is a UNESCO-recognized site, showcasing the city’s rich culinary heritage. Here, you can sample nasi campur, a mixed rice dish with various toppings, or soto betawi, a rich beef soup with vermicelli noodles.

Diverse Influences: Jakarta’s Melting Pot of Flavors

Jakarta’s culinary scene is a testament to its history as a melting pot of cultures. The city’s Chinese community has significantly influenced Indonesian cuisine, introducing dishes like mie goreng (fried noodles) and bakmi (egg noodles). The Arab influence is evident in dishes like oppor ayam, a chicken stew, and gula javani, a type of palm sugar.

The Dutch colonial era left its mark on Jakarta’s food scene with dishes like roti bakar (Dutch-style bread) and ijs krim (ice cream). Meanwhile, the Indian influence can be seen in dishes like kari ayam (chicken curry) and roti canai, a flatbread often served with curry.

This diverse mix of influences has created a unique and vibrant food scene in Jakarta, one that continues to evolve and innovate. The city’s food stalls and hawker centers are where this diversity shines, offering a plethora of dishes that cater to every palate. Jakarta’s culinary scene is not just about the food; it’s about the experience, the culture, and the community.

Honorable Mentions: Top 10 to 20 Cities

Marrakech: Moroccan Magic

Spices and Flavors: Marrakech’s Culinary Highlights

Marrakech, the vibrant heart of Morocco, is a city that seduces the senses with its rich culinary heritage. The medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a labyrinth of markets where the air is thick with the aroma of spices like saffron, cinnamon, and cumin. These spices are the backbone of Moroccan cuisine, used in dishes like tagine, a slow-cooked stew, and couscous, a staple grain dish.

Marrakech’s culinary scene is a harmonious blend of Berber, Arab, and Andalusian influences. The city’s souks are a treasure trove of fresh produce, from plump dates to pomegranates, and meat markets offer a variety of cuts, including the famous kefta, ground lamb seasoned with spices.

For those with a sweet tooth, Marrakech offers a range of sweet treats, including msemen, a flaky pancake, and b’stilla, a sweet and savory pie filled with pigeon meat and almonds. The city’s tea culture is also a highlight, with mint tea being a staple, often served with an orange blossom twist.

Traditional Dishes: Must-Try Moroccan Eats

No visit to Marrakech would be complete without trying some of its iconic dishes. Pastilla, a sweet and savory pie filled with pigeon meat and almonds, is a Moroccan specialty that’s a delight for the taste buds. Mechoui, a whole roasted lamb, is another must-try, often served with khobz, a traditional Moroccan bread, and zallouka, a tomato and eggplant salad.

The Jemaa el-Fnaa square is the epicenter of Marrakech’s food scene, where you can find a variety of street foods. Here, you can try brochettes, marinated and grilled meats on skewers, or kefta, spiced ground meat in a flatbread. For a unique experience, visit the snake charmers and storytellers, who have been a part of the square’s tradition for centuries.

Marrakech’s rooftop terraces offer a unique dining experience, with stunning views of the medina and the Atlas Mountains. These terraces often serve a mix of international and Moroccan dishes, providing a modern twist on traditional flavors. For those looking to explore beyond the medina, the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is just a short train ride away, offering a blend of modern and traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Lima: Peruvian Perfection

Ceviche Central: Lima’s Seafood Delights

Lima, the vibrant capital of Peru, is a city that has made a name for itself as a global foodie destination. At the heart of Lima’s culinary scene is ceviche, a dish that showcases the city’s coastal location and rich culinary heritage. This fresh and zesty seafood dish is made with marinated raw fish, usually lime juice, and a variety of vegetables and spices.

Lima’s ceviche culture is a testament to the city’s pre-Hispanic roots, with the first records of the dish dating back to the Inca Empire. Today, ceviche is a staple in Lima, with countless variations across the city. Barbarian ceviche, for example, is known for its spicy, bold flavors, while Cevicheria offers a more traditional take on the dish.

Beyond ceviche, Lima’s seafood scene is diverse and exciting. Ceviche bars like Central and La Mar offer a range of seafood dishes, from pulpo a la gallega (octopus) to conchas (scallops). The Miraflores district is home to many of these bars, with Ceviche Bar being a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

Street Food and Markets: Lima’s Foodie Scene

Lima’s street food scene is a vibrant and essential part of the city’s culinary identity. Chifa, a fusion of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine, is a popular street food, with dishes like lomo saltado (stir-fried beef) and arroz chaufa (fried rice) being must-tries.

The Mercado Central in Lima is a bustling market where you can find a variety of fresh produce, meats, and seafood. The market is a sensory experience, with vendors shouting out their wares and the aroma of fresh sushi and ceviche filling the air. Here, you can sample anticuchos, grilled beef skewers, or causa, a layered potato dish with avocado and seafood.

Lima’s food halls are another highlight, offering a mix of traditional and modern Peruvian cuisine. Mercado, a trendy food hall in the Barranco district, features a variety of stalls serving everything from pizza to ceviche. The Mercado Central in Miraflores is another must-visit, with a variety of food stalls and a rooftop terrace offering stunning views of the city.

Riyadh: Saudi Arabian Flavors

Traditional Saudi Cuisine: Must-Try Dishes

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is a city that blends tradition with modernity, and its culinary scene is no exception. Traditional Saudi cuisine is hearty, flavorful, and deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture. Kabsa, a fragrant rice dish cooked with spices, meat, and vegetables, is a staple in Saudi cuisine and a must-try for visitors.

Mandi, a slow-cooked lamb or chicken dish, is another traditional favorite, often served with rice and a side of samosa, a savory pastry. Mouloukhiya, a green leafy vegetable dish, is a popular side dish, while falafel and shawarma are common street foods.

Riyadh’s traditional dishes are often cooked with safoori, a local spice blend, and rose water, adding a unique twist to the flavors. The city’s coffee culture is also a highlight, with Arabic coffee being a staple in Saudi society. Often served with dates, this coffee is a symbol of hospitality and is an essential part of any visit to Riyadh.

Modern Eats: Riyadh’s Growing Food Scene

Riyadh’s food scene is not just about tradition; it’s also about innovation and modernity. The city has seen a surge in international cuisine, with Italian, Japanese, and American restaurants becoming increasingly popular. Zuma, a Japanese restaurant, is a popular spot for sushi lovers, while The Cheesecake Factory and Applebee’s cater to those with a sweet tooth or craving for American comfort food.

The city’s food halls and street food markets are also a testament to its growing food scene. Fuddruckers and TGI Fridays offer a variety of international dishes, while Al Othaim Mall features a variety of food stalls and dining options.

Riyadh’s café culture is another highlight, with Starbucks and Costa Coffee being popular spots for coffee lovers. The city’s rooftop bars and terrace restaurants offer stunning views of the city, making them perfect for a relaxed evening or a romantic dinner.

Mumbai: Bollywood Bites

Street Food Extravaganza: Mumbai’s Iconic Eats

Mumbai, the bustling metropolis of India, is a city that never sleeps, and its food scene is as vibrant as its cultural landscape. At the heart of Mumbai’s culinary scene is its street food, a sensory experience that reflects the city’s diverse cultural heritage. The city’s streets are lined with food carts and stalls, selling everything from vada pav (fried potato patty in a bun) to pav bhaji (thick curry served with a soft bread roll).

Pani puri, a crispy puri filled with tamarind water, potatoes, and spices, is another street food favorite. The city’s chaat culture is also a highlight, with dishes like bhel puri (puffed rice with vegetables and spices) and sev puri (puri topped with sev and