Food is a compelling reason for people to travel around the world, which directly affects their destinations, experiences, and even the connections between cultures. The above-mentioned global trend has been recognised by the World’s 10 Best Food Cities of 2025–26 list, recently published by TasteAtlas after a thorough evaluation of 18,828 cities worldwide.
The list confirms that no other country has such a big influence on the world’s cuisine as Italy, since six cities from that country are in the Top 10, while Mumbai stands 5th, thus dominating India’s lively food culture on the international scene.
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Why Food Cities Matter More Than Ever-
Culinary tourism is now a global phenomenon rather than just a niche trend. More and more, travelers prioritise their gastronomic experiences over flights, accommodations, or sightseeing.
Key Food Tourism Trends:
- Almost half of the travellers make restaurant reservations before flying.
- 5 out of 100 visitors select places primarily for their gastronomic experience.
- Food from the locality has become an important and powerful force in both the culture and economy.
- Real food experiences are one of the factors that have the biggest impact on making travel choices.
- The aforementioned changes in travel habits are the main reasons why the rankings of cities based on food have gained such important global attention.
Top 10 Best Food Cities in the World 2025–26-
European cities dominate the list, with Italy alone claiming six positions in the Top 10.
Global Rankings:
- Naples: Famous for Pizza Margherita
- Milan: Known for Risotto alla Milanese
- Bologna : Home of Tagliatelle al ragù
- Florence : Iconic Bistecca alla Fiorentina
- Mumbai: Celebrated for colourful street food
- Genoa: Famous for dishes with pesto
- Paris: Traditional French food
- Vienna: known for its Schnitzel
- Rome: Pasta classics such as Carbonara
- Lima: Renowned for Ceviche
Naples: World’s Best Food City 2025–26-
Naples claims the No. 1 position with an impressive score of 4.99/10.
Why Naples Tops the List:
The birthplace of authentic Margherita pizza.
- Protected by UNESCO
- Strong fishing tradition
- Long, storied culinary heritage
Must-Try Dishes:
- Pizza Margherita
- Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
- Sfogliatella
Naples represents simplicity, authenticity, and cultural preservation through food.
Italian Cities Dominate Global Rankings-
Solid presence of Italy indicates profound devotion to food habits remembered and handed down from generation to generation.
Italian Cities in Top 10:
- Naples
- Milan
- Bologna
- Florence
- Genoa
- Rome
Why Italy Leads:
- Pure ingredients of high quality are employed in simple recipes
- Robust local cuisines’
- Worldwide acceptance of pizza, pasta, and sweets
- The lifestyle of eating and living is intertwined with food
- Italian culinary art was no less than once again rated first in the world for 2025–26.
Mumbai: India’s Culinary Star at Rank 5-
Mumbai stands out as the only Indian city in the global Top 10, securing 5th place with a score of 4.78/10.
What Makes Mumbai Special:
- Legendary street food culture
- Cheap, different and available eating
- The result of migration, history and creativity
- Food that is strongly associated with everyday life
Must-Try Mumbai Dishes:
- Vada Pav
- Pav Bhaji
- Bhelpuri
- Ragda Pattice
- Modak
Mumbai’s ranking highlights the global appeal of Indian street food and its cultural richness.
Other Indian Cities in the Global Top 100-
India had six cities featured among the world’s Top 100 food cities.
Indian Cities Ranked:
- Delhi: Rank 48
- Amritsar: Rank 53
- Hyderabad: Rank 54
- Kolkata: Rank 73
- Chennai: Rank 93
Each city reflects India’s vast culinary diversity—from butter-rich Punjabi dishes to bold South Indian flavours.
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Highlights of Other Global Food Capitals-
Paris:
- 123 Michelin-starred restaurants to be found here
- On UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
- French culinary symbol
Vienna:
- Kaffeehaus culture on UNESCO’s heritage list
- Referable imperial sweets and traditional food.
Lima:
- Home to Maido Restaurant, the World’s No.1
- Fusion of Indigenous, Spanish, African, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines
How the Rankings Finalised-
The rankings are part of the TasteAtlas World Food Awards 2025–26.
Evaluation Process:
- 18,828 cities examined
- According to the mean scores of regional and national cuisines
- Emphasis on genuine local food interactions
- Ratings collected from worldwide food enthusiasts and master chefs
- The ranking praises places where food is deeply linked to customs and daily life
Key Takeaways:
Italy is the one to overshadow the Top 10 Food Cities 2025-26
- Naples takes the first spot in the world
- Mumbai takes the 5th position, the highest place for India
- The top 100 includes 6 Indian cities
- Worldwide food tourism is influencing travel trends.