Best Places for Food
Compare places ordered by Nomadr’s stored culinary scene tier, with the number of distinct cuisines named in the research used as a tie-break.
Ordered by our stored culinary scene tier, with the number of distinct cuisines named as the tie-break. 333 of our 333 cities qualify; cities we hold no tier for are left out rather than ranked last. Showing the top 50.
How we score this
This list is ordered by tier rather than scored. Our research places each city’s culinary scene in a tier, and only cities in the “exceptional”, “rich”, “solid” or “basic” tiers appear here. They are ordered by tier, then by the number of cuisines named in our research, then alphabetically, and the first 50 are shown. Cities we hold no tier for are left out rather than placed last.
- 1Sydney · AustraliaGood to know: Hawker laneways (Spice Alley, Eating World, Sussex Centre in Chinatown) offer excellent value meals AUD$10–25 in a communal eating environment.exceptional
- 2New York · United StatesGood to know: NYC has world-class dining across all price points from $5 dim sum to $400+ tasting menus; budget around $15-25 for casual meals, $45-75 for mid-range, $300+ for fine dining.exceptional
- 3Cape Town · South AfricaGood to know: Cape Town's City Centre, Green Point, Sea Point, Bree Street, and Woodstock are the primary nomad and expat dining hubs with the highest restaurant density and diversity.exceptional
- 4Hong Kong · Hong KongGood to know: Dim sum is traditionally enjoyed at breakfast or lunch (yum cha), starting around 6-7 AM; most dim sum restaurants close by mid-afternoonexceptional
- 5Los Angeles · United StatesGood to know: Los Angeles has one of the most diverse and affordable food scenes in the US despite high average restaurant prices; the best value lies in street tacos, food trucks, and neighborhood gems rather than sit-down restaurants.exceptional
- 6Miami · United StatesGood to know: Miami's culinary identity blends Caribbean, Cuban, Latin American, and global influences; expect strong Caribbean seafood traditions (conch salad, stone crab) alongside contemporary international dining.exceptional
- 7Singapore · SingaporeGood to know: Hawker culture is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (2020); expect queues at famous stalls but lines move quickly.exceptional
- 8Tokyo · JapanGood to know: Cash is still king at many ramen shops, soba eateries, and street-food stalls; major credit cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely accepted in restaurants and department stores.exceptional
- 9Dubai · United Arab EmiratesGood to know: Budget meals are found in Deira, Al Karama, and Satwa neighborhoods—the same areas with authentic Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Iranian cuisine at street-food prices (AED 10–50 per person).exceptional
- 10London · United KingdomGood to know: Supermarket meal deals (sandwich, drink, snack/fruit) are available for around £3–£3.99 and represent excellent value for quick lunches.exceptional
- 11Melbourne · AustraliaGood to know: Melbourne's food culture revolves around laneways and hidden gems; many of the city's best restaurants are tucked away behind unassuming entrancesexceptional
- 12Buenos Aires · ArgentinaGood to know: Argentines eat dinner very late—typically 9–11 PM; many restaurants don't open kitchens until 8 PM.exceptional
- 13Manila · PhilippinesGood to know: Street food and wet markets (dampa) like the one at Macapagal Boulevard offer authentic local dining experiences where diners select fresh seafood then have it cooked on-site.exceptional
- 14Mexico City · MexicoGood to know: Street food is genuinely safe when hot and freshly prepared—tacos from busy vendors are reliable and affordable.exceptional
- 15Berlin · GermanyGood to know: Döner kebab is genuinely a Berlin institution — the dish was invented in Berlin in 1972 when Kadir Nurman first served grilled meat in pita bread.exceptional
- 16Chicago · United StatesGood to know: Never ask for ketchup on a Chicago hot dog—it's considered a culinary faux pas.exceptional
- 17Ho Chi Minh City · VietnamGood to know: Street food is extraordinarily cheap (₫25,000–60,000 / $1–2.40 for a full meal) and generally safe from reputable stalls; locals are the best guide to quality.exceptional
- 18São Paulo · BrazilGood to know: São Paulo is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan, resulting in exceptional sushi and izakaya diningexceptional
- 19St. Moritz · SwitzerlandGood to know: Service charge of approximately 15% is typically included in bills; small additional gratuity is customary.exceptional
- 20Stockholm · SwedenGood to know: Weekday lunch specials (dagens rätt) between 11am–2pm offer the best value for dining out—expect proper, carefully prepared mains at SEK 130–170, far below dinner prices.exceptional
- 21Taipei · TaiwanGood to know: Taiwan has some of the strictest vegan/vegetarian labeling laws in the world—ask for English menu or use translation app at unfamiliar restaurants.exceptional
- 22Bangkok · ThailandGood to know: Bangkok's street food is incredibly affordable (50-100 THB = $1.40-2.80 USD) and generally safe—choose stalls with high customer turnover and food cooked to order at high heat.exceptional
- 23Lima · PeruGood to know: Menu del día (lunch special) at casual restaurants costs 10–15 PEN; eating lunch instead of dinner saves 50–70% on meal costs.exceptional
- 24Seoul · South KoreaGood to know: Street food is primarily snack material rather than full meals—ideal for grazing but expect to visit multiple vendors for a satisfying experience.exceptional
- 25Copenhagen · DenmarkGood to know: Copenhagen is among Northern Europe's most vegan-friendly cities, with abundant plant-based options across all price points—from budget bowls to Michelin-starred experiences.exceptional
- 26Courchevel · FranceGood to know: Michelin tasting menus can reach €400 per person, while excellent mid-range tables offer more accessible formulas around €80-120.exceptional
- 27Kuala Lumpur · MalaysiaGood to know: Hawker centres and food courts offer complete meals for MYR 8-20 (USD 2-5), making them ideal for budget travelers and quick eatsexceptional
- 28Barcelona · SpainGood to know: Tapas culture is central to Barcelona dining—standing at neighborhood bars while eating is how locals eat; small plates at €2–3 each allow you to try many dishes affordablyexceptional
- 29Rome · ItalyGood to know: Many traditional Roman trattorias charge a small cover (pane e coperto) of €1.50–3 per person, included in the bill.exceptional
- 30Kyoto · JapanGood to know: Kyoto's food culture emphasizes seasonality and local ingredients (kyo-yasai); dishes and menus change with seasons for peak freshness.exceptional
- 31Sapporo · JapanGood to know: Sapporo miso ramen alley (Ganso Ramen Yokocho near Susukino) has limited hours—many shops close after lunch and reopen in the evening.exceptional
- 32Canggu · IndonesiaGood to know: Batu Bolong and central Canggu are the main dining hubs with highest restaurant density; Berawa has upscale options; Pererenan adds quieter alternatives nearbyrich
- 33Manchester · United KingdomGood to know: Manchester's food scene is substance-over-spectacle: hearty Northern classics sit alongside globally inspired cuisine in converted mills, basement pubs, and independent dining rooms without pretension.rich
- 34Oslo · NorwayGood to know: Oslo is one of Europe's most expensive cities for dining.rich
- 35Auckland · New ZealandGood to know: Budget dining is concentrated at food halls like Harbour Eats (Commercial Bay) with excellent value; expect $15-20 NZD for filling mains.rich
- 36Brisbane · AustraliaGood to know: Brisbane's dining scene has expanded rapidly in 2024-2025, with major new openings positioning it on par with Sydney and Melbourne.rich
- 37Manama · BahrainGood to know: Adliya is the primary dining district for nomads and expats with concentrated mid-range and international restaurant options within walking distancerich
- 38Reykjavík · IcelandGood to know: Reykjavik's dining is generally expensive; eating out costs significantly more than in most Western countries due to import costs.rich
- 39San José · Costa RicaGood to know: Barrio Escalante is the unofficial gastronomical center of the city with numerous restaurants, cafés, and bars concentrated in one walkable area.rich
- 40Adelaide · AustraliaGood to know: Adelaide restaurants are among Australia's most affordable, especially compared to Sydney and Melbourne, with many top mid-range restaurants offering excellent value lunch specials and early-week set menus.rich
- 41Edinburgh · United KingdomGood to know: Edinburgh is not a budget-dining city overall — Royal Mile restaurants charge £25–£40 for mid-range mains at dinner.rich
- 42Glasgow · United KingdomGood to know: Glasgow ranks among the world's most vegan-friendly cities with dedicated vegan restaurants, vegan-focused music venues and widespread plant-based offerings across price points.rich
- 43Ibiza · SpainGood to know: Traditional menú del día (set lunch menu) at local restaurants offers the best value: €15–20 for three courses including starter, main, dessert, and drink.rich
- 44Kathmandu · NepalGood to know: Thamel and Paknajol are the best neighborhoods for affordable restaurants; both are adjacent and easily walkablerich
- 45Kigali · RwandaGood to know: Street food in Kigali is both safe and delicious—brochettes, rolex (rolled chapati with eggs), roasted maize, samosas, and mandazi are perfect for budget eating.rich
- 46La Paz · BoliviaGood to know: Almuerzo (set lunch menu) is the best value: typically 15–30 BOB ($2–4) including soup, main course, and drink, served 12:30–2:30 PM at local comedores and markets.rich
- 47Mui Ne · VietnamGood to know: Seafood dominates Mui Ne's food scene—the region's coastal location makes fresh fish, squid, crab, and shrimp abundantly available and affordable, often half the price of Ho Chi Minh City.rich
- 48Oranjestad · ArubaGood to know: Aruba has over 250 restaurants island-wide; reservations are recommended, especially at popular spots.rich
- 49Paris · FranceGood to know: Eat with the seasons—follow local dining rhythms by checking daily chalkboard specials rather than printed menus, as these reflect fresh market arrivals.rich
- 50Penang · MalaysiaGood to know: George Town is the primary nomad/expat neighborhood - all restaurant prices and locations reflect this area unless otherwise notedrich
Questions about this list
- Which place comes first for food?
- Sydney, Australia, comes first on this list, in the “exceptional” tier.
- How many of these places are in the “exceptional” tier?
- 31 of the 50 places shown, including Sydney, New York and Cape Town.
- Which country has the most places on this list?
- Australia, United Kingdom and United States, with 4 places each.