Travel Index: Data Reveals the Best Destinations in Europe for Foodies

Paris revealed as the best destination for food lovers according to a new study

One of the best parts about visiting a brand new destination is the opportunity to experience new culinary delights, as each city worldwide offers its own interpretation of local cuisine.

However, with so many unique destinations worldwide, it can be difficult to narrow down the options and choose one.

To assist with this delicious dilemma, Riviera Travel has created the Best Destinations for Foodies Index, ranking European locations with the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants, food tours, and culinary classes to reveal Europe's top culinary cities.

Top 10 Best Destinations For Foodies

The index revealed Paris as the go-to city for food lovers, with an overall score of 82. The French capital is home to more than just iconic landmarks - offering travellers a choice of 458 food tours and 96 culinary classes. Eateries in Paris are incredibly high-quality, with an impressive 118 Michelin Star restaurants.

In second place, Rome scored 43 points ranking as another top location for foodies. Overall, the city offers travellers 113 food tours and 238 culinary classes - meaning there's plenty to keep visitors entertained throughout their trip. With 17 restaurants boasting at least one Michelin Star, expect top-rated Italian cuisine.

London places third in the ranking, with the English capital receiving a score of 32. In total, the city has 75 Michelin Star restaurants, with Sabor and Hide two wonderful examples of the high-quality eateries available in London. Additionally, visitors can take advantage of the 47 food tours and 28 culinary classes, making the city a great option for food-obsessed travellers.

With over 300 food tours, it's no surprise to see Porto make the top ten. The Portuguese city scored 24 points and placed fourth in the ranking. Altogether, there are five Michelin Star restaurants offering varying cuisines of the highest quality, and there are also 21 culinary classes for people aiming to improve their cooking abilities.

Also scoring 24 points, Madrid is placed joint fourth in the ranking. Spain is home to a range of culinary delights, including paella and tapas and Madrid is a wonderful way of experiencing these dishes first-hand. In total, the city offers 26 Michelin Star restaurants, 180 food tours and 30 cooking classes.

The Italian city of Venice scored 18 points in sixth place. It has five Michelin-starred restaurants, including the popular Ristorante Quadri. Furthermore, with 198 food tours, travellers can experience local dishes while taking in the picturesque sights of the Venetian canals. The city also offers 34 culinary classes.

Berlin is seventh in the ranking with a score of 11 points. Germany's capital city proves another great option for food lovers, with 21 restaurants boasting at least one Michelin Star. For those considering venturing into Berlin, there are also four culinary classes and 57 tours to choose from.

Istanbul places eighth in the ranking, scoring eight points. Like most of the destinations in this top ten, there's plenty to keep travellers busy, with 50 food tours and 21 culinary classes dotted throughout this wonderful destination. With seven Michelin-star establishments, the Turkish city has a range of high-quality restaurants.

Also scoring eight points and placing joint-eighth is Nice. This iconic French city is the originator of popular dishes such as salade niçoise and ratatouille. Overall, there are 74 food tours and nine culinary classes, and Nice also offers eight Michelin-starred restaurants. It's easy to see why two French locations make the top ten, with high-quality cuisine available throughout the country.

Finally, rounding off the top ten ranking is Copenhagen. The Danish capital scored seven points altogether but still ranked as a go-to choice for foodies. There's plenty of choice in the city, with 23 food tours available and 16 culinary classes helping people elevate their cooking skills. Restaurants in Copenhagen are extremely high-quality, with 13 Michelin-star eateries.

Speaking on the research, Will Sarson, Travel Expert at Riviera Travel, said: 

"It's extremely interesting to see how cuisine differs across the globe, that's why we found it appropriate to rank the top ten cities for foodies, analysing high-quality restaurants and the number of food-related activities on offer.

"From paella in Spain to pasta in Italy, each country and individual city has its own unique spin on cuisine. Overall, it was great to see destinations like Paris, Rome and Madrid all make the top five, with these destinations known for their local dishes and high-quality food establishments."

Find Riviera Travel's Foodie Index in full here.