Thailand
Chef and owner of Philadelphia’s Her Place Supper Club Amanda Shulman recently returned from her honeymoon in Thailand, and she said the food was incredible. She recommended any street food cart that serves Thai pork sausages stuffed with vermicelli noodles. Shuman added that in Chiang Mai, there’s a roadside restaurant called Neng’s Earther Jar Roast Pork, which is filled with clay barrels and makes fat pork bellies until the skins are crispy. In Bangkok, Shulman called Sorn one of the best fine dining experiences she ever had, calling every bit unabashedly delicious.
London, United Kingdom
Ed Szymanski, the chef and owner of Dame in New York City, called the modern London dining scene the most exciting dining scene anywhere in the world. London has restaurants that have high-quality produce coming from Spain, France, and Italy, as well as seafood from the northern parts of the United Kingdom. Szymanski said all of these things combine to create a very diverse dining scene. Most restaurants serve modern British cuisine, but the city’s food options don’t stop at British food. You can also find Indian, Spanish, Pakistani, Italian food and more. Still, if you want an all-for-one spot for local drinks and food, visit Borough Market.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Shulman said New Orleans has some of the most delicious and diverse food experiences, but there’s not enough stomach space to eat all the good the city has to offer. The city is known for its food culture, which comprises Cajun, Creole, Souther, and French cooking: think gumbo, beignets, jambalaya, and more. One affordable item on menus throughout the city is po’boys, a sandwich that’s typically made with roast beef, fried shrimp, or fried oysters and served on crusty bread. For a good po’boy, Shulman recommends Frady’s One Stop. Additionally, she suggests Cane & Table, a seasonally-focused restaurant that specializes in Cuban and Caribbean food.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa, is a place that’s full of complex local flavors along with fresh produce and lots of great wine. Plus, it’s stunning and relatively inexpensive, according to Sofia Deleon, the owner of Philadelphia’s El Merkury. Specifically, the region is known for its Chenin Blanc wine, a type of white wine that’s crisp and white. One of her favorite places to drink South African wine is Babylonstoren Wine Estate, a winery where everything is grown in-house. In addition to wine, Deleon says Cape Town is known for its Cape Malay food, which is a mix of Indian, South African and Malaysian flavors.
Mexico City, Mexico
According to Szymanski, Mexico City, Mexico, is another fantastic place to eat because there’s a never-ending list of places to go to in Mexico City. It’s one of the largest and most eclectic cities in the world, and the tapestry of street vendors, high-end restaurants, markets, and mezcal bars means there’s always something fun around the corner. Mexico City is known for its range of food, which includes fresh tacos, making taquerias a must. One of his taqueria recommendations is El Torito, which serves suadero, tripe, or a mix of both. The area is known for its barbacoa, or slow-cooked lamb, and mezcal, a Mexican liquor made from agave. Additionally, you should follow your nose and eat the street tacos that look good, go to a market in Mexico and eat the things that look good.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Gregory Gourdet, chef and founder of Kam in Portland, Oregon, says that Mexican cuisine is such a significant part of American cuisine that he’s always drawn to Mexico. He was blown away by his first trip to Oaxaca in 2021 because the culture and history are so rich. In Oaxaca, you’ll find foods like moles, a traditional Mexican sauce, tlayudas, tamales, and barbacoa, in addition to the local vegetables and fruits that are grown there. Regarding where specifically to go in the city, Gourdet said Criollo and Alfonsina are both fantastic restaurants. You can also visit the Zapotec village of Teotitlan del Valle to participate in traditional cooking classes at El Sabor Zapoteco. Additionally, the city has several food markets that are must-visits.
Austin, Texas
When you think of Austin, Texas, you’ll likely think of barbecue and tacos, and for a good reason. These foods are intertwined into the history of the area and can be found throughout the neighborhoods of the city. Andrew Taylor, the chef and owner of Big Tree Hospitality, said Austin is the place that stood out to him when it comes to food destinations. There are barbecue places like la Barbecue and Franklin Barbecue in Austin itself, in addition to options outside of town. Still, there’s much more than barbecue and tacos in Austin. Taylor said he also tried great Mexican, Japanese, and Caribbean food.
