A comprehensive new study has identified the ultimate global destinations for food lovers, with a beautiful Italian city claiming the top spot. The research, conducted by the food guide platform TasteAtlas, analysed nearly half a million ratings across 17,073 cities worldwide.
Italian Domination in the Global Food Rankings
Naples secured the coveted first place, celebrated globally as the birthplace of iconic dishes like pizza, lasagna, and macaroni. The city's rich culinary heritage and vibrant food scene propelled it to the summit of the list.
Italy's dominance was emphatically confirmed as Milan grabbed second place. The northern metropolis is famed for its creamy risotto and sweet panettone, and is also the historic home of the aperitif Campari. Not far behind, the city of Bologna, synonymous with spaghetti bolognese and tortellini, clinched third position.
Further Italian success saw Florence, Rome, Turin, Genoa, Ferrara, and Catania all feature within the prestigious top 30, underscoring the country's unparalleled reputation for gastronomy.
A Global Feast: Other Cities Making the Cut
While Italy stole the show, the list celebrated culinary excellence from across the world. Mumbai represented South Asian flavours with a strong entry, while European capitals Paris and Vienna also earned their places in the top ten.
Other global culinary hubs featured prominently, including Osaka and Kyoto from Japan, Lima from Peru, New York and New Orleans from the United States, and Istanbul from Turkey. The full top 30 presents a diverse map of must-visit destinations for any serious food enthusiast.
Notable Omissions and UK Disappointment
The study brought disappointing news for food lovers in the United Kingdom. No UK city managed to break into the top 30 rankings, with London notably absent. This placed the UK alongside other significant global cities that were missing, including Hong Kong, Barcelona, Bangkok, and Amsterdam.
For British travellers, however, there is a silver lining. A significant number of the top-rated cities, particularly those in Italy and Europe, are conveniently located within a short flight from major UK airports like Heathrow and Gatwick, with journey times often under two hours.
The TasteAtlas findings, published on 20 December 2025, offer a definitive guide for planning a gastronomically-focused holiday. They highlight that while the UK's own culinary scene did not rank among the elite this time, some of the world's very best food experiences are just a brief flight away.
