If you are passionate about travel, chances are that you are equally passionate about food. Every avid traveler is looking for an adventurous holiday that intertwines travel and food. While one is aware of the conventional food destinations that are famous in the world, there are some hidden gastronomic treasures that every foodie would like to know about.
Why not discuss some off-the-beaten-path food destinations that can offer an extraordinary culinary adventure? Whether one is cruising for 3 days from Tampa, exploring local food markets in Quebec, or walking on the lively streets of Spain, it is time to embark on a delectable journey.
Look forward to a truly unforgettable gastronomic experience at lesser-known food destinations that will delight and inspire you and expand your culinary horizons.
Table of Contents
Granada, Spain
Located in the Andalusian region, the captivating city of Spain, Granada is sure to captivate you with its diverse flavours. With the influence of Moorish and Spanish cuisines, you will be delighted to savour the unique fusion of tastes that is not to be found elsewhere. Embrace the delightful tradition of hopping from one tapas bar to another and enjoy an enticing selection of traditional recipes. Some of the must try dishes include –
- Patatas bravas – hands down one of the best potato based comfort food
- Albóndigas
- azpacho – a tomato based soup
- Fideua – a spanish pasta similar to vermicelli
- Jamon – a ham preparation
- Tortilla
- Churros – fried dough snack
- Croquetas – fried bread crumbs
- Paella – spicy rice recipe
Panama City
Panama City is fast blossoming due to the rising number of local eateries and restaurants run by legendary local chefs. The food scene is sure to satisfy any foodie who will always have options due to the combination of Latin, Caribbean, and international flavours. Enjoy fine dining and cheap eats prepared with locally sourced fresh ingredients and with international fusions. You will be amazed by the variety in the menu, based on Panamanian ingredients and delicacies.
Here’s a list of delicacies from Panama that you must not miss when there –
- Hojaldra – the fried bread
- Sancocho – a vegetable stew
- Carimanola – a deep fried delicacy that is a must try during breakfast
- Chorizo Tableno – traditional sauces
- Bollo – boiled and mashed corn balls wrapped in corn husk
Oaxaca, Mexico
The city of Oaxaca, in the southern part of the USA, is enjoying new popularity among foodies because of its exotic culinary experiences. The vibrant markets and local entries are worth checking out because of the traditional moles and fried grasshoppers. You can walk through the busy markets to savor different varieties of food and enjoy rich chocolate confections. Enjoy the culinary paradise to the fullest while you are here. The wide variety of food and the affordibility is what makes Oaxaca one of the off the beaten path food destinations around the world.
Some more of the food items that you must try when in Oaxaca include –
- Famous Mexican comfort food – enfrijoladas
- nieve
- Mexican bread
- Chocolates
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai offers you something extra when it comes to enjoying Thai delicacies. Foodies love the Thai city because of the colorful and flavorful street foods and bustling night markets. Enjoy conventional dishes such as khao soi and sausages for a completely unique culinary adventure. One can even sign up for a cooking class to grasp the amazing secrets of Lanna cuisine and analyze the secrets of their magnificent cooking. On our own trip to Chiang Mai, we enjoyed the buzzing night street food from the stalls and outside malls.
Although Chiang Mai buzzes with non vegetarian food. But what makes it one of the off the beaten path food destinations around the world is it’s unique vegetarian food. Some that we tried from the roadside were –
- Veg Pad Thai Noodles
- Waffles from makeshift carts
- Coconut pulp refresher drink
- Freshly cut fruit bowls
If you are vegetarian like us, here’s some tips on finding vegetarian food in Thailand.
You might as well like this read on Chiang Mai from our blog –
Free Walking Tour of Chiang Mai Old City
50 things to do while in Chiang Mai
Kerala, India
Get ready to embark on a joyful ride in the gourmet lanes of Kerala, the spice paradise of India. Apart from the Ayurvedic spa, backwaters, and houseboats, you should try out the unique cuisine with varied influences of French, Malabari, Arabian, and British. The rich Kerala cuisine with delectable flavors is sure to keep your tastebuds enticed and salivating. Do not forget to explore the local spice markets and shop for the complex, aromatic spices. In fact, you can take a guided tour of the spice gardens of Kerala while on a trip here.
Some of the local dishes of Kerala that are a must try when on a trip to Kerala include –
- Banana Fritters fried in coconut oil
- Kerala Parota
- Vegetables Stew
- Kadala Curry
- Avial
When visiting places in coastal Kerala, like Varkala or Kochi and the backwater regions like Kumarakom or Alleppey, trying fish recipes is a must if you are a non vegetarian. One of the fondest memories that Abhishek has from our trip to Kerala is from our stay on a houseboat in Kerala. Wherein, the chef on the boat had prepared some fish recipes. After a fresh catch from the lake. Which was very delicious.
If you happen to be in Kerala around the famous Onam festival, then you must try Onam Sadhya. It is a platter of 26 unique traditional dishes of Kerala served on a banana leaf platter. The combination of the 26 recipes will arouse all your taste buds from sweet to sour to tangy to spicy. It’s a true brunch treat. Now a days there are even restaurants serving Onam Sadhya daily as it has gained so much popularity.
All in all, Kerala is definitely one of the best food destinations around the world.
Naples, Italy
When it comes to cuisines around the world, you simply cant leave Italian cities from the list. They might not be completely off the beaten path food destinations around the world as Italian food is world famous. But, they are still worth a mention. Particularly Naples in Italy which is the birth place of Pizza. There are certain food joints in Naples that are famous for their traditional Italian pizzas. And have long waiting queues all through the day. Some of the must try recipes when in Naples include –
- Pizza – particularly the authentic pizza margarita
- Pastiera – A traditional food of Easter and Christmas time
- Mussel soup
- Frittatina napoletana
- Casatiello – one of the famous Italian bread
- Buffalo Mozzarella
