One of the best indicators of how good a tour might be is in its user rating on a booking site. Unlike a published or blog post review where the experience might’ve been gifted, or the writer receives a commission for future bookings, reviews on booking sites are usually quite honest. They’ll usually tell you exactly what you can expect and whether they think it’s one of the best food experiences.
So when TripAdvisor recently shared the tours and experiences its users rated most highly, we took note. The data, part of TripAdvisors’ Travellers’ Choice Things To Do Awards, analysed all the food tours and culinary experiences it offered in the last year and then looked at their ratings and reviews to determine a list of the best of the best.
First on the list? A three-hour foodie adventure in Reykjavik, Iceland, that lets you taste some of the food at the capital city’s best places, including hot dogs, cheeses and ice cream, as well as learn about the country’s cuisine. You’ll also pass city landmarks like Parliament House and Hallgrimskirkja along the way, which will help give you a feel of the city.
Also on the list were foodie experiences in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Siem Reap, Cambodia and Rome, Italy. Ahead is the full list of the best food experiences in the world.
Reykjavik Food Walk – Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland
Explore Reykjavik’s abundance of food spots and expand your knowledge of Icelandic cuisine on this exciting food walk. No need to worry about stopping to pay at each venue, as food tastings are included. Stop at a variety of eateries, including restaurants and food trucks, passing by top landmarks such as Parliament House and Hallgrimskirkja along the way. Tastings may include Icelandic hot dogs, cheeses, homemade ice cream and lots more.
Private Street Food Tour by Motorbike
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
There’s no better way to get into the swing of Saigon than riding a motorbike. Enjoy the immediacy of scooter travel without the self-driving risks on this private guided foodie adventure. Pull up a kindergarten chair and channel Anthony Bourdain as you sample eight separate tastings at a range of street eateries. Savour city signatures from beer to banh mi sandwiches and curios such as sweet soup and barbecued scallops.
Khmer Cooking Class at a Local’s Home in Krong Siem Reap
Siem Reap, Cambodia
When it comes to learning to cook, books and YouTube videos are no substitute for the personal touch. This Khmer cooking class is limited to just six travellers for a real hands-on experience. Choose a time that suits you, then shop for fresh ingredients at a typical market and prepare four separate Cambodian dishes with a local in their home. The tour includes hotel transfers by tuk-tuk.
The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This immersive chocolate-making experience is ideal for travelling families or groups, or for rainy days. Create a unique souvenir by making your own Scottish-themed chocolate before heading to the tasting room to sample a wide selection of chocolates from both Scottish and international chocolatiers, including haggis chocolate, chilli chocolate and gin chocolate.
The Roman Food Tour in Trastevere
Rome, Italy
Dive into the flavours of Italy on a food tour that includes a dynamic array of tastings at local-favourite eateries throughout Rome’s Trastevere neighbourhood. Following a guide will let you take in the surroundings without worrying about finding your way around or where to go next. Plus, in addition to navigating the streets, your guide also helps you navigate the potentially confusing menu options so you can learn to order what you want.
Sherpa Food Tour: Local Foodie Adventure in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Explore the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires through your taste buds with this small-group tour. You’ll visit a total of four different restaurants, where you’ll sample at least eight drinks and dishes. A local guide will be with your group the entire time to teach you about local culinary traditions and answer any questions you may have.
Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami
Miami, Florida, US
Taste your way through Miami’s Little Havana neighbourhood on this food-walking tour. Try everything from Cuban coffee to home-style Cuban cooking, with plenty of tastings for a full lunch. Exploring Little Havana with a guide means you learn the stories behind each item you try, meet local artists, watch deft cigar rollers, and take in the bustling scene at Domino Park.
Barcelona Tapas Crawl Tour
Barcelona, Spain
Learn all about traditional pintxos (the Basque version of Spanish tapas) on a guided walking tour of Bilbao’s bars. At each stop, sample one or two of these delightful little bar snacks accompanied by a glass of wine, beer, or hard cider. Get an insider’s perspective of the ancient part of the city that dates back to 1300. Consider booking this tour at the beginning of your Bilbao vacation so you can return to your favourite hotspots for more pintxo sampling.
Hidden Gems of Old Hoi An
Hoi An, Vietnam
Immerse yourself in the culture and food of Hoi An with this small group walking tour. Follow your guide around the backstreets of Old Hoi An to visit local family producers of items like Cao Lau noodles and bean sprouts and learn about the local lifestyle, markets, temples, and architecture. Afterwards, enjoy five to seven tastings of dishes that incorporate the items you saw being made earlier.
The Premier Bilbao Gourmet Food Tour
Bilbao, Spain
Learn all about traditional pintxos (the Basque version of Spanish tapas) on a guided walking tour of Bilbao’s bars. At each stop, sample one or two of these delightful little bar snacks accompanied by a glass of wine, beer, or hard cider. Get an insider’s perspective of the ancient part of the city that dates back to 1300. Consider booking this tour at the beginning of your Bilbao vacation so you can return to your favourite hotspots for more pintxo sampling.
Related: Italy Has Approx. 8000 Beaches, But These 9 Are the Ones You Should Visit First
Related: Travel Experts Analysed 12 Months of Reviews, and Voted These Experiences ‘Best of the Best’
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