Best Cities in the World to Eat Well
By admin on 2014-12-26

10. Shanghai

Favorite dishes in this Chinese metropolis, according to the International Culinary Tourism Association, include hairy crab, as well as Sheng***n mantou, a pan-fried bun stuffed with pork and gelatin. Wu***ng Road is great for street food, while Xintiandi--a car-free neighborhood--offers plenty of high-end restaurants, including Cantonese Ding Tai Fung and Southeast Asian The Spice Market.

9. Milan

While Aimo e Nadia, Don Lisander and Il Teatro are some of Milano's most well-loved restaurants--according to Jason Goldsmith, general manager at Chicago's Spiaggia restaurant--they're also some of the most pricey, with main courses starting at $40 per plate. Golsmith, who lived in Milan from 1993-97 and has spent a considerable amount of time there each year since, instead suggests affordable spots like Luini--which serves panzerotti, or a calzone-like fried dough pocket filled with tomato and mozzarella--and La Terza Carbonaia, which specializes in charcoal grilled beef, as well as "Bomba con prosciutto," a pizza dough that puffs up into a ball then is draped with razor thin-sliced prosciutto.

8. Beijing

Of course there's Peking duck, but other local dishes such as beggar's chicken--baked in lotus leaves and clay--and Bifengtang prawns, fried in garlic and spices, also please. Fangshan Restaurant serves traditional imperial cuisine, a Manchu-Han buffet, which includes everything from turtle soup to bear's paw. For an international menu, visit Aria in the China World Hotel.

7. Hong Kong

The former British colony has an international feel, and so does its food. Favorites, according to tourism experts, include everything from Dim Sum to Tandoori-style chicken to wonton noodles to a fish ball on a stick. Spring Moon in the Peninsula Hotel serves Cantonese dishes--including a steamed pork dumpling with shark's fin--while Alain Ducasse's SPOON offers up unique twists on French favorites, such as steamed foie gras with chutney pears and poached Boston lobster.

6. Madrid

Tapas, unsurprisingly, is a big part of this Spanish capital's cuisine and can include cured ham, cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon, olives and pan con tomate, a toasted country bread coated with tomato, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Cocido Madrile?o--a chickpea stew with cabbage, celery, carrots, potatoes, chicken and pork--tripe and Sopa de Ajo (garlic soup) are also favorites of locals and tourists alike. Thick hot chocolate paired with spicy-sweet churros are the ultimate street desert. Notable restaurants include Botín, Lucio and Viridiana.

5. Barcelona

If venturing two hours north of the city to gastronome paradise El Bulli isn't in the cards, there's still plenty to eat in Barcelona, from seafood paella to traditional Catalan dishes like Escalivada--made of roasted, smoky vegetables--codfish salad and pan con tomate, a requisite tapa served globally. For a tapas meal, Cal Pep is renowned, while Can Majo gets points for its shellfish.

4. Mexico City

While Americans and Canadians don't necessarily consider Mexico City the ultimate in Mexican food, Anholt says that those across the pond and farther east understandably associate the name with the cuisine. In Mexico City, you'll find top-notch tamales at El Monasterio, traditional poblano dishes at Casa Merlos and hot chocolate at El Cardenal.

3. Tokyo

Sashimi, gyoza, udon, tempura. These are all traditional Japanese foods that that are devoured around the globe. In Tokyo, these foods reign alongside lesser-known dishes such as Okonomiyaki--a batter and cabbage pancake topped with meat or seafood--or Gyudon, which is beef and onion served over a bowl of rice. Tokyo upscale favorites include Shunju, Gonpachi and Inakaya, a robatayaki restaurant.

2. Rome

One of bread wiz Jim Lahey's inspirations for his Sullivan St. Bakery is Rome's Forno bakery in Campo de' Fiori, which serves breads and cakes as well as thin, square slices of pizza topped with cheese and veggies like zucchini. Of course, Caprese sandwiches are a favored street food. When it comes to high-end restaurants, La Pergola--an Italian restaurant run by a German chef--and Il Pagliaccio, an Italian-Japanese fusion spot--are top choices.

1. Paris

Whether it's 404's Moroccan menu, L'Agassin's traditional bistro dishes or lunch at Granterroirs market off of the Champs-Elysées, Paris is still the place for food lovers. Must-visit bakeries include Poilane for sourdough and butter cookies; Le Grenier à Pain for chocolate tarts and apricot bread; and Pierre Hermé for macaroons. When it comes to dinner, the choices can be a bit overwhelming. The traditionalist should consider Plaza Athenee--where chef Alain Ducasse offers dishes like Dover sole with clams and cockles as well as poultry pie--while more adventurous types might try Frenchie, a hip spot in the Second Arrondissement that serves fresh, market-inspired dishes like house-smoked trout with green, purple and wild asparagus.