Many hardcore amateur chefs and gourmands (self-described “foodies”) give gastronomy top billing when they travel…and travel companies are happy to accommodate them, offering culinary vacations and culinary tours that allow them to not only taste but learn to cook exotic cuisines.
But even if you’re not obsessed with food, that doesn’t mean you don’t care about what you eat while traveling. Adriane Berg, founder of The Ageless Traveler, describes herself as “anything but a foodie” who nevertheless loves to savor new culinary experiences while away from home. She shared with us her favorite places for mind-blowing meals while traveling.
First, for the foodies
There’s certainly nothing wrong with being especially interested in food. After all, it’s a powerful angle through which to really get to know a place. The possibilities are endless, but here are a few ideas for die-hard enthusiasts…
New Orleans
Learn to mix the spices that make Cajun cuisine world famous, then share what you’ve made with your fellow student chefs. TheMardisGrasSchoolOfCooking.com
Oaxaca, Mexico
Preparing classic southern Mexican dishes begins with a visit to the market to select ingredients. Then you’ll combine them under the guidance of a local chef, and pair the meal with a local mezcal. GetYourGuide.com
Umbria, Italy
In this tour for women over 45, travelers stay in a renovated 12th-century hilltop villa and join an olive harvest, oil production and truffle hunting. Next Tribe.com
Argentina
This memorable experience has you sharing good food, camaraderie and fine wines. Plan it as your reward after hoofing the trails around the famous nearby Iguazu Falls. The Argentinian Experience.com
Cambodia
This unique adventure brings you into the welcoming home of a family. Together, you will shop for ingredients at a local market, then learn how to prepare a variety of Cambodian dishes. Meeting the family is a treat (bringing gifts for the children is a nice idea). Veronika’sAdventure.com
And for the rest of us
If travel for you is more about sightseeing and other non-food–focused activities, there’s still a wealth of “incidental” culinary experiences awaiting you. That’s especially true now because many of the venues you’ll be visiting have begun to invest in chefs, bars, cafés and dining rooms that offer fine culinary experiences. You may not be there specifically for the food, but a great dining experience still awaits. Here are a few favorites…
Museums
The beauty of museums is that they showcase curated collections of culturally important items all in one space. Fortunately, many of the great museums also have amazing places to dine…
New York City
Café Sabarsky at Neue Galerie. The museum is dedicated to 20th-century German and Austrian art (Klimt, Klee and the Bauhaus school). The dining space is inspired by turn-of-the-century Austrian cafés, furnished with authentic period pieces. Don’t miss the Matjes Herring (pickled herring with egg, apple and red onion) or the sachertorte (dark chocolate cake with apricot confiture). NeueGalerie.org/cafesabarsky
Bilbao, Spain
Nerua at Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. For lovers of contemporary art, the Guggenheim boasts an iconic Gehry-designed building and a permanent collection that includes Rothko, Koons, Serra and Bourgeois. The restaurant’s menu is seasonal and reflects local flavors. It’s a rare opportunity to enjoy Michelin-rated authentic Basque cuisine, whether it’s tuna belly, sea bass or lamb racks. NeruaGuggenheimBilbao.com/en/
Hotels
Some of the finest dining anywhere can be found in the great hotels of the world…
Anaheim, California
Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. This is a great way to introduce the kids to formal dining. With choices that include thyme-roasted partridge, wild boar ragout and agnolotti filled with braised spring greens, it’s a family adventure within a family adventure. The restaurant and patio are currently being renovated and, according to Disney, “thoughtfully enhanced to welcome more guests for al fresco dining.” It should reopen soon. Disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/grand-californian-hotel/napa-rose
Floriana, Malta
Contessa at the Phoenicia. Located along the Grand Harbour, the Phoenicia is a five-star hotel with incredible dining. To save a few euros, visit during lunch—you’ll still get to try the culatello (cured hind leg of pork) or, if you’re vegan, the qarabaghli moqli fried summer squash and its flower. Phoeniciamalta.com/restaurant-bars/contessa/
Athens, Greece
The Tudor Hall, King George Hotel. The King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is an upscale 1930s establishment in the heart of Athens from which you can view the Acropolis while you eat. The Tudor Hall restaurant serves gourmet and Greek dishes including turbot with fennel, pork carré with spices, and charcoal-grilled saddle of lamb. Tudorhall.gr
Shanghai, China
Yue Chinese Restaurant, Sheraton Shanghai Waigaoqiao Hotel. Chain restaurants don’t get much better than this. If you’re the kind of person who starts humming with joy when you try something exquisite, the bird’s nest soup just might have you entertaining your fellow guests. Marriott.com/en-us/dining/restaurant-bar/shaws-sheraton-shanghai-waigaoqiao-hotel/5979374-yue.mi
Train stations
Plenty of rail lines have come to understand that being in transit doesn’t mean we want to lower our culinary standards…
Paris, France
Le Train Bleu at Gare de Lyon. The ornate, Baroque-style walls and ceilings seem more fitting of a royal residence than a train station. Add in some sophisticated maître d’s who flambée your meals and carve off meats at the table, and you have a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. Le-Train-Bleu.com/en/
Berlin, Germany
Hans im Glück at Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Set up like a cozy birch forest, this eatery in Berlin’s main station offers burgers, snacks, soups and salads, all made with fresh ingredients. Try the Ziegenmaid salad with goat cheese, beetroot, walnuts and pumpkin seeds…or chow down on the vegan Erbsenkönigin burger made with a plant-based beef patty, mustard and cucumber relish. Hansimglueck-burgergrill.de/burger-restaurant/berlin-hauptbahnhof
Department stores
Who doesn’t get hungry when out shopping for souvenirs? Some high-end department stores offer world-class dining…
New York City
Café Jalu at Printemps. The iconic French department store now has a location in lower Manhattan. In its Café Jalu, enjoy a pain au goyave and a passionfruit and chocolate macaron, washed down with a Haïtien chocolate made with coconut milk, cinnamon, anise and vanilla. US.Printemps.com/cafe-jalu/menu
London, UK
The Georgian at Harrod’s. What better place to experience an authentic English high tea? With a pianist playing in the background, take tea with cakes, scones, confit duck sandwiches with marmalade, and pistachio religieuse. Harrods.com/en-gb/c/restaurants/the-georgian
Sightseeing venues
For most non-foodies, sightseeing is the real reason we travel…so it’s always a joy when the attraction can provide a memorable culinary experience.
Palm Springs, California
Pines Café at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The funicular sweeps you up through five climate zones as you rise above the gorgeous Coachella Valley. At the summit, in the rustic, cafeteria-style Pines, try the vegetarian lasagna or the sliced meat loaf with brown gravy. PSTramway.com/dining/
Cumbria, UK
The Peter Rabbit Café at the World of Beatrix Potter. This delightful Lake District attraction plunges you into the Peter Rabbit universe. Supplied by its own organic kitchen garden, the café offers an authentic afternoon tea that Potter fans of all ages will love. WorldOfBeatrixPotter.com/our-venues/the-peter-rabbit-cafe
Adelaide, Australia
Magill Estate Restaurant at Penfolds winery. A trip to Penfolds is practically a pilgrimage. Far from an afterthought, its restaurant is staffed by fine chefs, and the menu changes regularly based on seasonal availability. Penfolds.com
