Picture this: You’re standing in a bustling market in Lima, the scent of grilled anticuchos filling the air, while vendors call out in Spanish about their freshest catch of the day. Your mouth waters as you watch a chef expertly slice paper-thin beef for what might be the world’s most perfect taco in Mexico City. This isn’t just travel anymore—this is food tourism, and it’s absolutely exploding across the globe in ways that would make your grandmother’s recipe book jealous.
Peru Claims Its Crown as Culinary King
Here’s something that’ll blow your mind: Peru has just won its third consecutive “Leading Culinary Destination in the World” award, beating out heavyweights like Japan, Spain, France, Italy, and Thailand. Think about that for a second—a South American country consistently outshining global food powerhouses. In 2013, 40 percent of all tourism to Peru was motivated primarily by food, generating about $700 million that year. But here’s the kicker: that was over a decade ago, and the momentum has only intensified. Peru is the only country to win the World Travel Awards’ culinary prize since the awards began in 2012, claiming six wins total. Lima, once considered just a stopover city, now sees hundreds of thousands of visitors every year arriving specifically for its amazing cuisine. The secret? Peru’s incredible biodiversity means ingredients you literally can’t find anywhere else on Earth—we’re talking about over 3,000 varieties of potatoes alone.
Mexico Gets the Michelin Star Treatment
Mexico has long been a favorite destination for foodies, but the 2024 arrival of the Michelin Guide has added serious credibility, with stars awarded including one to Taquería El Califa de León, a humble spot in Mexico City serving “exceptional” Gaonera tacos. UNESCO has dubbed Mexican cuisine a necessary element of human culture, and frankly, anyone who’s had a proper mole knows exactly why. The numbers don’t lie—Mexico is experiencing massive spending by international visitors in 2025, driven partly by favorable exchange rates. But it’s not just about the money. Mexico attracts wanderers from all corners of the globe who can’t resist the allure of its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and tacos that are practically a religious experience. From street food tours in Mexico City to cooking classes in Oaxaca, this country is serving up experiences that go way beyond your typical resort vacation.
China’s Culinary Tourism Boom Reaches New Heights
China’s culinary tourism market was valued at USD 8.2 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 31.3 billion by 2035—that’s nearly quadruple growth in just one decade. The demand is being driven by rising global interest in authentic Chinese cuisine, government initiatives promoting food tourism, increasing social media influence, and expansion of food festivals. What’s fascinating is how the market growth is attributed to the region’s emphasis on holding onto food heritage, advocating for Sichuan cuisine globally, and the emergence of spice-themed tourism and experiential dining. Chengdu is the place to indulge in spicy Sichuan cuisine and visit the adorable giant pandas, while you can explore the world’s tallest stone Buddha in nearby Leshan. It’s like getting a history lesson, cultural immersion, and the meal of your life all rolled into one perfectly spiced dumpling.
Japan Becomes the Ultimate Foodie Playground
Japan is a growing hub for culinary tourism, with food experiences ranging from Michelin-starred sushi to street ramen stalls. But here’s what’s really impressive: Japan has surpassed all previous tourism records, receiving over 10.5 million foreign visitors by March 2025, reaching this milestone faster than in any prior year, with March alone bringing 3.5 million travelers. The presence of high-quality restaurants and popularity of traditional Japanese cuisine known as Washoku is boosting the market, which is based upon traditional rice-based food items and miso soup. Think of Japan as the perfectionist chef who spent decades mastering their craft in secret, and now the whole world has discovered their restaurant. Japan’s tourism revenue soared to ¥2.3 trillion (approximately $16 billion), marking a 28.4% year-on-year increase. From late-night ramen runs in Tokyo’s backstreets to kaiseki dinners that are basically edible art, Japan offers food experiences that range from street-level authentic to impossibly refined.
India Spices Up the Global Food Scene
India’s food tourism sector is anticipated to expand the fastest due to the country’s abundance of traditional groceries, with curry, spices, and diverse Indian foods viewed as works of art that draw foreign tourists, along with the desire to learn more about Indian lifestyle, culture, and customs. India remains a top destination for spiritual and heritage-based travel, with experiential travel driving bookings—yoga retreats in Rishikesh, cooking classes in Kerala, and festival packages during Holi and Diwali are especially popular. Here’s the thing about Indian food tourism: it’s not just about the incredible flavors (though let’s be honest, the spices alone are worth the trip). The most sought-after Indian cities include Mumbai, New Delhi NCR, and Goa, with the United Kingdom emerging as the top origin market for travel searches to India. India is experiencing steady tourism growth, building on its 2024 total of 9.66 million foreign arrivals, with early 2025 trends suggesting further gains supported by increased foreign exchange earnings amounting to ₹2.78 lakh crore (approximately $33 billion). It’s like taking a masterclass in flavor while simultaneously getting a PhD in culture.
Vietnam Surges as Asia’s Hidden Culinary Gem
Vietnam is stepping into the spotlight in 2025 with a tourism surge, welcoming over 9.2 million international visitors in just the first five months, marking a strong 21.3% year-on-year increase, turning Vietnam into one of Asia’s most sought-after destinations. European demand for Vietnam is climbing fast, with the country now ranking among the top five most-searched Asian destinations for summer 2025, with travelers from France, the UK, Germany, Norway, and Russia driving this momentum. What makes Vietnam special isn’t just the pho (though honestly, good pho is a religious experience). A mix of visa-free access, affordable luxury, and diverse landscapes is fueling the trend. Vietnam’s big three—Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi—continue to headline the travel experience, with Da Nang’s sandy beaches and proximity to UNESCO-listed Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City’s nightlife and history, and Hanoi’s centuries-old streets and lakeside cafes. Picture this: you’re slurping noodles at a plastic table on a Hanoi sidewalk, surrounded by motorbikes and the controlled chaos of Vietnamese street life—that’s not just dinner, that’s a full sensory adventure.
Sicily Claims Europe’s Gastronomic Crown
Sicily has been awarded the prestigious title of “European Region of Gastronomy 2025” by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), making it the first Italian region to achieve this objective of international recognition. Sicilian food and wine represent the entire island territory and its identity as the cradle of the Mediterranean Diet, teaching a healthy eating style that exalts fish and vegetables through recipes like caponata and parmigiana, plus the “theatre” of exhilarating first courses like “Pasta alla Norma,” considered as sublime as Vincenzo Bellini’s opera. The Regional Minister highlighted a program spanning twenty Sicilian municipalities in a coast-to-coast tour, with the title already driving collaboration between local producers, chefs, cultural organizations, and tourism stakeholders, using this recognition to build long-term strategies for economic growth and international visibility. Sicily isn’t just riding on pasta and pizza—this island has been a cultural crossroads for millennia, and every bite tells a story of Greek temples, Arab spices, and Norman influence. Sicily’s gastronomy is a testament to centuries of cultural exchange, with each civilization leaving its mark from ingredients to preparation techniques, creating incredible diversity of flavors and commitment to preserving and evolving food traditions.
Croatia Emerges as Europe’s Best-Kept Food Secret
Here’s a country that’s been quietly building one of Europe’s most exciting food scenes while everyone was looking elsewhere. Croatia is making waves with chefs like Mario Mandaric, who worked at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck and returned to Zagreb to head up Michelin-starred Noel, opening Bistro 96 in October 2024, while Ivana Urem Marohnic launched Korica artisan bakery after training in San Francisco and Strasbourg, and Agli Amici in Rovinj became the first restaurant in the country to receive two Michelin stars. Beyond fine dining, you’ll find unique food experiences like the Gacka Honey Trail, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of local beekeepers in the unspoilt Lika region. Croatia feels like Europe’s answer to the question “what if we took incredible local ingredients, added some serious culinary training, and didn’t tell anyone about it?” In the Croatian language, they have a beautiful word, blagovati (to dine), which denotes the hedonistic enjoyment of food with all the senses. That pretty much sums up what you’re in for—a country that understands that eating isn’t just about sustenance, it’s about pure, unadulterated pleasure.
Food tourism isn’t just a trend anymore—it’s become the lens through which millions of people are choosing to see the world. The market growth can be attributed to increasing consumer spending on travel & tourism, tourists’ desire to try food products made of locally sourced ingredients, and the rise in desire to explore local dishes as a way to connect with locals and gain insight into destination, history, and culture. These eight countries aren’t just serving meals; they’re serving up entire cultural experiences on a plate. The question isn’t whether you should pack your appetite for your next trip—it’s which of these incredible food destinations you’ll taste first. After all, passport stamps fade, but the memory of that perfect bite lasts forever. What dish will write itself into your travel story?