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Travel + Leisure
01-08-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Here's Where T+L Editors Love to Travel for Food
When it comes to discovering a destination, few experiences are as revealing (or as delicious) as exploring its food scene. We asked the Travel + Leisure team to share the cities that left the strongest impression on their taste buds, from street food havens to fine-dining capitals. Whether it's bold flavors or rich culinary traditions, these food cities are the ones that served up a long-lasting experience for T+L. "Thailand is one of those places where the food itself is the destination. When my husband and I honeymooned in the land of fish sauce and chilies a few years ago, our itinerary read more like a menu, our days and nights revolving around where and what we'd eat next: boat noodles slurped outside a street stall in Bangkok; fragrant khao soi at a Chiang Mai recommendation we'd gotten from a local Uber driver; green curry in a countryside cooking class using ingredients we'd handpicked just nearby; a whole, salt-crusted fish with an ice-cold Singha on the beach in Railay; and sweet mango sticky, well, anytime we had the chance. What makes Thailand's culinary scene stand out is its flavors, yes—a pungent alchemy of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy (sometimes all at once)—but it's also about the accessibility of absurdly good food. You don't need reservations or a big budget. Some of the best meals we had came wrapped in banana leaves or served in plastic cups with a straw. Street vendors are revered like celeb chefs, and we ate well whether we were sitting outside on a wobbly plastic stool devouring som tum or tucked into a Michelin-starred restaurant being served course after course. Eating in Thailand isn't just for sustenance; it's about exploring, nourishing not only your stomach, but your senses, from following your nose through a night market or learning to pound curry paste from scratch in a countryside cooking class." — Alisha Prakash, Associate Editorial Director "When it comes to the range and quality of cuisines, New York City can't be beat. Sure, the tacos are still not as great as Los Angeles, but where else can you get top-notch cuisine from places like Uzbekistan, Armenia and Ethiopia? The diversity of Japanese cuisine alone is amazing, whether you want sushi, tempura, soba noodles, or grilled eel. That said, it's the fried chicken, caviar, champagne at Coqodaq that made me fall in love with the city again. It feels like a party every night." — Denny Lee, Articles Editor A bowl of Bucatini All'Amatriciana and small market in Rome, Italy. Nina Ruggiero/Travel + Leisure "In Rome, life is centered around food. From the espresso crowds spilling out of tiny cafes in the mornings to long afternoons spent at sidewalk tables over pasta and wine, there's no better way to live, if you ask me. I studied abroad in Rome over 15 years ago, and I've been returning regularly ever since—mainly to eat. Without fail, I'll have a bowl of bucatini all'amatriciana in front of me within half an hour of stepping foot in the city center. If you're there in March or April, you must also eat artichokes everywhere you go. I don't make the rules." — Nina Ruggiero, Senior Editorial Director "Many American cities have their own culinary specialties but New Orleans has such a distinct preserved cuisine that stands out from other destiantion in America. Only enhancing it further are the micro-communities of immigrants who are thriving in the food space. It's a living, breathing fusion of cultures—French, African, Spanish, and Creole, to name a few. From iconic staples like gumbo and beignets to neighborhood po' boy shops, I always feel like the city tells a story with every meal. I've had some of the best Honduran and Vietnamese food here. I've been to New Orleans eight times and I'm always down to go back—just for the food." — Susmita Baral, Senior Editor "Taiwan has one of the most diverse and vibrant culinary scenes in the world because of its political history. Original Taiwanese cuisine is largely Indigenous cuisine—there are 16 recognized Indigenous communities in Taiwan, each with its own foodways. Over the centuries, immigrants from the Chinese mainland, the vast majority of them from Southern China, came to Taiwan for all sorts of reasons: to farm, fish, and, in general, most came to Taiwan to try their luck if they hadn't been able to make it on the mainland." — Mae Hamilton, Digital Editor "Charleston is the "It City" for Southern cuisine. South Carolina's Lowcountry benefits from an incredible local bounty of fresh produce and seafood, and for hundreds of years, the diverse mix of people that have called this region home have shaped what we now see as quintessential Southern food. And its not just the deep food history that makes Charleston special; new chefs and experiences are redefining what Lowcountry cooking can be and bringing new flavors and cuisines to this South Carolina city." — Elizabeth Rhodes, Senior Editor Tacos and a scenic street in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. From left:;"In San Miguel de Allende, T+L's No. 1 city in the world for 2025, the dishes are colorful, textured, flavorful and indicative of the vibrant culture there. Mexican cuisine is some of the best food I love to have when I travel. I was drawn to San Miguel being a quaint city with bustling elements so I knew there would be high-end restaurants, as well as local mom and pop shops where the food is just as good." — Kareema Bee, Senior Visual Producer "Whether you're wandering a night market or sitting down for a lengthy barbecue dinner, Korean food is perfect for sharing and trying lots of different things. I loved that small dishes of banchan (daikon, kimchi, bean sprouts, and other pickled veggies) and rice accompany almost every meal; the artfully arranged little bowls are also incredibly aesthetically pleasing." — Elizabeth Cantrell, Senior Editor Scenic view of Portland Harbor in Maine and an iconic lobster roll from Even Tide. From left: DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images; Jess Feldman/Travel + Leisure "The culinary leaders who come here are truly not afraid to be creative. (Spoiler alert: it's not just lobster rolls and oysters.) There's Southern food at Hot Suppa, New England-inspired Asian at The Honey Paw, and delicious fine-dining restaurants that do specialize in seafood, but in the best way, like Scales or Fore Street." — Jess Feldman, Special Projects Editor "Hong Kong has a trend of savory cocktails that I'm OBSESSED with. Not your typical dirty martinis. It's also home to the best bar in asia (according to 50 best). It's also a great spot for high/low dining. The street markets are filled with fun and unique bites and the city is jam-packed with Michelin-starred restaurants." — Taylor McIntyre, Senior Visuals Editor Fresh crabs and crab soup from Baltimore, Maryland. Lydia Price/Travel + Leisure "While new luxury hotels and white-cloth eateries signal an uptick in Baltimore's tourism efforts, the city's culinary roots are deep and longstanding. Eclectic local cuisine draws from Southern soul food, coastal working-class creations, and influences from Polish immigrants. These hearty dishes hit the stomach like a warm hug, perfect for satiating the appetite after a long day of work on the Chesapeake. When you visit Baltimore, come hungry for Old Bay everything and crab served in every conceivable form." — Lydia Price, Senior Editor "The foodie love, pride and appreciation found all over Portugal was something I instantly connected to and fell in love with. Talking with locals in each city visited about their countries history and the food tied into it is an incredibly experience wherever you go but doing so in one of the oldest countries in Europe carries a little something extra. Even being seeped with so much history, having some of their most iconic treats and dishes being made for over 200 years, the kindness and ease of the people is truly what drew me in." — Alessandra Amodio, Digital Photo Editor A frothy cappuccino from a cafe in Portland, Oregon. "Portland, Oregon, is an eclectic heaven—and it's culinary scene represents just that. With its food cart culture, independent coffee shops, and roughly 83 microbreweries, it's no surprise this West Coast city attracts over 12 million visitors a year. I traveled here for the coffee culture for my solo birthday trip—and it consisted of reading in a new shop every morning while drinking locally roasted, ethically sourced coffee." — Jessica Vadillo, Editorial Assistant
South China Morning Post
24-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
‘Hometown flavours' on menu at popular Hong Kong shopping festival
A popular annual Hong Kong shopping festival being held next month will introduce a special zone featuring specialties from 10 mainland Chinese provinces and cities, with organisers also aiming to lure more tourists from across the border. The fifth edition of the Hong Kong Brands and Products Shopping Festival, which will be held from August 1 to 4 at Asia World-Expo, will include a limited supply of products such as sesame paste and Chinese sausage being sold for HK$1 each day. The fair organiser, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association, said on Thursday that it expected the four-day event to draw 60,000 visitors and generate sales of about HK$60 million, similar to last year. 'A key highlight is the new hometown flavours zone featuring authentic specialties and cultural elements from 10 mainland provinces and cities,' association president Wingco Lo Kam-wing said. 'This allows visitors to experience China's diverse culinary traditions in one venue while showcasing Hong Kong's role as a strategic gateway for mainland enterprises going global.' Albert Chuang (left) and Wingco Lo. Photo: Dickson Lee Around 300 booths will be spread across eight thematic zones, two more than last year. The exhibition will also introduce the Lai Yuen Playground Zone, which will offer amusement facilities and recreate beloved landmarks from the Lai Yuen Amusement Park which closed down in 1997.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Aloha Festivals 2025 to honor Hawaiian culinary traditions
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The annual Aloha Festivals is set to make its return to the island, with their 2025 theme celebrating the ʻāina's culinary traditions. 'Ko Kula Uka, Ko Kula Kai — Those of the Upland, Those of the Shore: Mauka to Makai,' is the theme for the annual celebration and is inspired by an ʻōlelo noʻeau, or Hawaiian proverb. The theme is intended to celebrate the impactful relationship between people and food, emphasizing how food strengthens community and Hawaiian culture. Gov. Green holds Memorial Day Ceremony in Kaneʻohe Through Hawaiʻi's history, those who lived in the uplands would offer crops such as taro to those who lived along the shore in exchange for fish. These exchanges weren't just the trading of food, but signified a kinship built on mutual aid and abundance. In modern times, the passing down of family recipes that become cherished heirlooms represent similar values of culinary-based kinship. For 2025, Aloha Festivals aims to return to the heart of the home: the kitchen.'For Aloha Festivals 2025, we honor the farmers, fishermen, chefs, home cooks and organizations who keep Hawaiʻi fed,' said Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, co-chair of Aloha Festivals. 'This theme reminds us that food is not just nourishment — it is memory, tradition and how we mālama one another.' The theme of Ko Kula Uka, Ko Kula Kai will be ingrained into all three of the festival's events, from ceremonial chants to food vendors and performances. Parade floats in the Floral Parade, which is in its 77th year, will be decorated with floral designs dedicated to the people and food of the islands. The schedule of Aloha Festivals 2025 events will be as follows: Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony, Sept. 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Royal Hawaiian The Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony marks the beginning of the month-long Aloha Festivals tradition, beginning at Helumoa Gardens at The Royal Hawaiian. The Royal Court Investiture honors Hawaiʻi's aliʻi. Following the Investiture, the Opening Ceremony will take place at the adjacent Royal Hawaiian Center. Hulu and mele will be performed to honor the royal legacy of the islands. New 'paw-some' dog park heads for Ewa Beach 71st Annual Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa, Sept. 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Kalākaua Avenue Hawaiʻi's premier block party is a large part of Aloha Festivals, which will feature craft and cuisine vendors. The event will display over 100 booths, as well as entertainment stages. 77th Annual Floral Parade presented by ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The annual Floral Parade will mark the end of Aloha Festivals, with a procession of floats and more parading through the streets of Waikīkī. The floats will be adorned with fresh flowers and feature horseback riders, marching bands and more. The parade will be from Ala Moana Beach Park through Kalākaua Avenue to Kapiʻolani Park. For more information on the Aloha Festivals, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
