The 20 best-eating cities in the world: there's an Italian one

The British magazine Time-out yesterday published the ranking of the 20 best cities in the world to eat in 2025, based on the evaluations of residents regarding the local gastronomic offer. A highly anticipated ranking in the sector and which is causing a lot of discussion. There is an Italian city in the ranking.

The criteria for evaluating the cities where you eat best in the world

The criteria considered included value for money, culinary innovation and the ability to appeal to a variety of palates. A jury of food editors and critics helped determine the final score.

The Ranking: The Top 5

• 1. New Orleans, United States. The capital of Louisiana took first place thanks to its rich culinary tradition, which combines French, Spanish and African influences. Typical dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya and po' boys are famous around the world.
• 2. Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok is famous for its street food, offering flavorful dishes such as pad thai and green curry.
• 3. Medellin, Colombia. The old-fashioned market of La Placita de Flórez, where you can taste fresh chirimoya, sweet and citrusy gulupa and uchuva berries, is the most popular.
• 4. Cape Town, South Africa, awarded for its cultural diversity. Bree Street, nicknamed “Gourmet Boulevard”, is the city’s restaurant street that rivals London for the quantity and quality of fish and chips. Among the most famous dishes is the gatsby, a sandwich filled with chips, salad and make-your-own condiments.
• 5. Madrid, Spain. The only European city in the top 5 of the World. The Spanish capital offers a complete culinary culture, ranging from ancient flavors to original flavors and new trends.

The others in the top ten of the cities where you eat best in the world

• 6. Mexico City, Mexico. The Mexican capital is best known for its now international dishes such as tortillas and spicy tacos. But the city is now full of international culinary influences. A whopping 42% of the votes were for the Mexican capital, by industry experts.
• 7. Lagos, Nigeria. According to Time Out experts, Nigeria’s largest city offers a mix of flavors that are the result of Afro-Brazilian influences. Lagos’s food scene reflects its diverse heritage, visible in dishes such as smoked suya or ofe nsala, a spicy white soup made with catfish.
• 8. Shanghai, China. Shanghai manages to attract regional foods and cuisines from the most remote parts of the country, such as the spicy skewers of Xinjiang, the tropical dishes of Yunnan or the traditional pan-fried soup dumplings.
• 9. Paris, France. It is no surprise to find the French capital in the top ten. In addition to the famous French bistros, the city has seen a huge increase in international and starred restaurants in recent years, increasing its value in the culinary culture.
• 10 Jakarta, Indonesia. The capital of Indonesia boasts a diverse culinary scene, fueled by the many ethnic groups that populate the archipelago and the cultural heritage of Holland, China and India. Popular street food options include noodles from the island of Madura, grilled satay from Sumatra and smoked Chinese clay pot rice.

From 11th to 20th place: there is Naples

• 11 Marrakesh, Morocco. There are many typical dishes that give value to this title, but in particular the tangia, a typical dish based on meat cooked in a clay pot, cooked in the ashes of the fire that heats the hammam.
• 12 Lima Peru. Chefs experiment with fusion dishes from Asia and Europe enriched with local ingredients. From the coast to the mountains, from the city to the jungle: the variety of environments allows for tastings at low costs. Appreciations for the ceviche, cold fish marinated in lime and chilies.
• 13. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The city is famous for a surprising variety of seafood dishes. The city's openness to exotic new things has made it one of the world's best in terms of food culture.
• 14 Mumbai, IndiaMumbai cuisine is a medley of flavours and spices, with iconic dishes like vada pav and pav bhaji.
• 15 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesThe Emirati capital is advancing as a culinary “melting pot” where traditional Arab cuisine embraces international flavors, from Japan to Italy.
• 16 Cairo – Egypt. The Egyptian capital is a perfect balance between history and modernity. Some of the dishes most loved by the inhabitants of Cairo, such as kohary and molokhia, have ancient roots, dating back to the time of the pharaohs.
• 17 Port – Portugal. Porto ranks seventeenth thanks to its authentic cuisine and the availability of fresh ingredients, both from the countryside and from the waters of the nearby suburb of Masotinhos. Residents consider the Portuguese city one of the best for its culinary tradition, with the francesinha being the king: a rich sandwich filled with meat, wrapped in melted cheese and topped with a fried egg.
• 18 Montreal – CanadaQuebec's most populous city is buzzing with excitement over the upcoming arrival of the Michelin Guide, which will select the city's best restaurants. Montreal aims to become a global hub for fine dining, offering dishes ranging from spaghetti with lobster to irresistible desserts like maple caramel and dulce de leche French toast.
• 19 Naples – Italy. The Neapolitan city is the only Italian one to be among the top 20 positions in the ranking. The magazine particularly rewards the cucina povera, understood as the ability to transform simple ingredients such as potatoes, beans and leftovers into refined dishes. Recognized as the world capital of pizza, Naples jumps to fifth place in terms of convenience while struggling on the innovation front
• 20 San Jose – Costa Rica. San José ranks 20th among the world's best food destinations. After years of faltering, the Costa Rican capital is experiencing a "culinary renaissance," according to a Time Out survey, led by young chefs who are reviving endangered local recipes based on ingredients indigenous to this exotic Central American country.