Some restaurant dishes are so legendary that food lovers will travel across the globe to seek them out. And we’re not just talking about high-end, expensive food here; some of the world’s greatest meals are served at humble spots you might otherwise overlook. Here, we take a look at the amazing restaurant orders that should be on everyone's bucket list, from once-in-a-lifetime meals at expensive restaurants to cult-favourite fast food dishes.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the world's tastiest culinary gems worth a journey, counting down to the tastiest of them all.
We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each dish in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.
Somewhere between a very light souffle and a billowing meringue, Salzburg’s Salzburger Nockerl sees mounds of sugar baked low and slow until the top is slightly browned and chewy, while the underneath remains cloud-like and soft. The dessert is often dusted with icing sugar to represent the city’s snowy peaks and served with a berry cream. The ultimate place to try it is at the refined St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, one of the oldest restaurants in Europe. Tucked within the ancient walls of St. Peter’s Abbey, it first opened as an inn and now serves traditional Austrian comfort food, a zingy, modern brunch menu and an incredible Salzburger Nockerl.
The Moran family has been running this legendary seafood spot for seven generations since it opened in the late 1700s, and there’s no better place to sample Ireland’s sensational seafood. Housed inside a cosy thatched cottage on Kilcolgan River, Moran's is the place to feast on the freshest gigas oysters, renowned for their soft and briny flavour. Get them on the half shell if you like your oysters straight-up, though they also come grilled with garlic breadcrumbs. Be sure to order a hunk of house-made soda bread with Irish butter.
Buttery, flaky and undeniably delicious, the Franzbrötchen is a tasty baked treat enjoyed across northern Germany and is particularly popular in Hamburg. Traditionally eaten for breakfast, it’s a sweet pastry finished with butter and cinnamon, though some bakers will add in raisins and chocolate. Ask any Hamburg local where to try this and they’ll direct you to Franz & Friends, a small bakery located inside the Wandelhalle Hamburg train station. The spot offers a classic style alongside flavours like banana and caramel.
A decadent dessert featuring puréed, sweetened chestnuts topped with lightly whipped cream, the origins of this delicacy, named for its resemblance to a snow-capped mountain, are still disputed between Italy and France. For us, though, the place to sample Mont Blanc is Angelina, the renowned tea house and patisserie located in Paris and established in 1903. Here the signature creation sees a ball of crackling meringue covered in airy, whipped cream and chestnut paste vermicelli. The sophisticated atmosphere at this elegant spot just adds to the appeal, as does the famed hot chocolate.
Thought to have originated in Switzerland in the mid-19th century, cordon bleu is most often made with pork or veal cutlets, which are pounded until thin, before being stuffed with slices of ham and Swiss cheese and either folded in half or rolled, then covered with breadcrumbs and fried until perfectly golden and crispy. While the dish is now famous around the world, for a taste of something truly special head to the St. Alban Stübli in Basel, which has been in operation for over a century and serves an elevated version of the classic dish that diners rave about.
The original mac ’n’ cheese, Älplermagronen (or Alpine macaroni) is a decadent dish from the Alpine region of Switzerland, consisting of pasta, potatoes and onions, bound together in a rich cream and cheese sauce. For a real Alpine adventure, head to Alpgschwänd – an idyllic mountain farm that’s only accessible via gondola (unless you’re a skilled mountaineer, that is). Locals say the remote spot makes the best version of the hefty carb feast you can get, and the breathtaking views seal the deal.
Deliciously crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside, pollo a la brasa (which simply translates to 'roast chicken') is one of Peru's most beloved national dishes. To make it, a whole chicken is marinated in a zingy blend of spices and herbs, then cooked slowly on a rotisserie – either over an open flame or in an oven. Lima is peppered with rotisserie chicken chains, but Pardos is the go-to spot to try the dish at its very best. Founded in 1986, the chain has branches all over Peru, and it has amassed a loyal following for its supremely tasty chicken and house-made sauces.
Don't be put off by the name – Moreton Bay bugs are actually flathead or skipper lobsters, named after a bay in Brisbane, Queensland. They have a stronger taste than other varieties of lobster and are the centrepiece of one of Melbourne’s most iconic restaurant dishes – Moreton Bay bug spaghettini, which is served at old-school Italian spot Il Bacaro. The simple but sensational dish consists of juicy lobster, delicate house-made spaghettini, garlic, chilli and rocket. It's been on the menu for a quarter of a century, so you know it’s something special.
Every country has its own style of delicious doughnut, and Austria is no different. Here you’ll find locals arguing over which bakery makes the best marillenkrapfen. Golden brown in colour and dusted with icing sugar, this delicious treat should be light, made fresh and finished with a sweet apricot jam filling. Many agree that Vienna’s old-style bakery K.u.K. Hozuckerbäcker L. Heiner offers an incredibly tasty option, defined by its crisp exterior and fluffy centre.
Made with pan de barra (Spanish baguette), the bocadillo is a sandwich style eaten across Spain. Fillings vary from region to region, but venture to Madrid and you’ll find restaurants serving up the crispy bread piled with fried calamari. This meal is incredibly popular in Plaza Mayor, though most locals agree the best sandwich in the square can be found at Bar La Campana. Affordable, prepared fresh and stuffed to bursting with fried calamari, it’s a simple dish that attracts crowds – so be prepared to wait in line for a while.
You could say Oklahoma’s contribution to the burger hall of fame is the original smash burger. To make this Depression-era fast food, a hefty helping of perfectly caramelised, crispy-on-the-edges onions is smashed onto one side of a juicy beef patty, then topped with melted cheese. It sounds simple, but it’s one of America’s most-loved specialities, copied by burger joints all over the world. For a taste of the best, head to Sid’s Diner in El Reno – a storied spot that has been slinging the delicacy since 1989.
The lesser-known cousin of Neapolitan pizza, pizza fritta (or fried pizza) is a legendary Italian street food whose humble beginnings stretch back to World War II, when people didn’t have easy access to pizza ovens. It consists of a particularly light, fluffy dough that's stuffed with classic pizza ingredients, then fried carefully in hot oil until golden brown, puffy and crispy. Tucked away in the backstreets of Naples, Pizzeria De' Figliole is the temple of pizza fritta, offering just a few different flavour options – including a sweet version stuffed with Nutella. It’s a dish best consumed piping hot from a piece of greasy paper.
There are regular bacon sandwiches, and then there’s the Dishoom Bacon Naan Roll. Dishoom is a small British chain that pays homage to the old Irani cafés of Bombay, and its wildly popular twist on the classic breakfast sandwich is more than worth the hype. The restaurant’s zingy, spicy version sees super-crispy streaky bacon, cream cheese, fresh herbs and house-made chilli jam stuffed inside blistered, warm-from-the-tandoor naan bread. Perfect with a cup of chai or a mango lassi.
Although it's said there are as many types of paella as there are villages in Spain, paella Valenciana is regarded as the original paella. The classic dish consists of rice cooked alongside chicken thighs, rabbit, three types of beans, tomatoes and snails, all generously seasoned with saffron and smoked paprika. At Casa Carmela, a family-run restaurant that has been in operation for almost a century, paella Valenciana is prepared over fire and according to time-honoured tradition – it’s also always placed in the middle of the table and served with a wooden spoon.
For a pizza experience that has the seal of approval from Pope Leo XIV, you’ll want to try out Aurelio’s Pizza. Originating in Homewood, Illinois, this popular joint (now a mini chain) has been slinging pizza pies since 1959. It’s been a favourite of Pope Leo’s since the 1960s, so much so that in July 2025 he was hand-delivered an Aurelio's pizza that had travelled from Chicago all the way to the Vatican. With that loyalty, you know it’s got to be good. Try the pepperoni-topped thin crust for an authentic taste of Aurelio’s, and you won't be disappointed.
Vietnam is a food lover's paradise brimming with amazing dishes, but in Hanoi there’s a particularly iconic delicacy that begs to be tried: chả cá Lã Vọng. It’s a bright, light and spicy dish of turmeric-fried fish cooked with vermicelli, dill, ginger, galangal, onions and shrimp paste. It was invented at Hanoi’s Cha Ca La Vong restaurant back in 1871. Today the original spot still only serves this signature dish, and guests eat it from charcoal burners at communal tables.
A Louisville foodie favourite, the hot brown is comfort food at its finest. It’s essentially an open-faced turkey sandwich finished with crisp bacon and creamy, cheesy Mornay sauce – and it’s irresistible. It can be found served up at joints across the Kentucky-based city, but locals say you really can’t beat the version at The Brown Hotel, where it was invented in 1926.
If you’re in need of a quick comfort food fix, it doesn’t get much better than poutine – ideally served from a no-frills roadside stand. But for something a bit more elegant, Montreal fine dining institution Au Pied de Cochon is famous for its elevated take on Canada’s signature dish. The poutine here still has all the classic hallmarks of the fast food version (perfectly crispy fries, squeaky cheese and rich, dark gravy), but all the flavours are ramped up to the next level. The classic poutine is delicious enough, but the decadent foie gras version, made with duck fat fries, a decadent duck gravy and buttery foie gras, is out of this world.
You can grab a plate of tongue-tingling fried chicken at restaurants all over Nashville, Tennessee, but Prince's remains the gold standard for the simple but delicious dish of crunchy fried chicken doused in a spicy sauce. The story goes that the fast food favourite was invented by accident in the 1930s when Thornton Prince’s wronged girlfriend coated his fried chicken in cayenne pepper in an attempt at revenge. Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for her), it was delicious. Prince went on to open a chicken shop selling the recipe and these days, the bustling joint is still run by his family. The concise menu features whole wings, legs, breast, tenders and sandwiches, all smothered in a spice mix that ranges in strength from plain to blazing XXX hot.
Naples is the home of pizza but the nearby small city of Caiazzo is home to the best pizzeria in the world. Chef Franco Pepe’s family have been baking in the region for three generations and, by sourcing his ingredients from the immediate area and ensuring they are of the highest quality before creating his fluffy dough in his exceptional best pizza ovens, his restaurant is a mecca for pizza-lovers.
For an unforgettable taste of nyama choma – which literally means 'grilled meat' in Swahili – head to this buzzy outdoor dining hotspot, where you can feast on a huge variety of local meats, roasted over an enormous charcoal fire at the centre of the restaurant. Alongside juicy steaks, lamb and grilled chicken, you’ll also find goat, crocodile, ostrich and all kinds of sizzling game meats, which are served tableside by an army of carvers.
One of Porto’s most elegant cafés also happens to serve its most joyfully unsophisticated delicacy. Dating back to 1921, Café Majestic is a Belle Époque gem with mirror-lined walls and opulent period features. Alongside elegant cakes and afternoon teas, the spot also serves a sensational Francesinha sandwich. Portugal’s take on the croque monsieur consists of Portuguese sausage, ham and roast beef, served with a fried egg and an incredibly rich beer and cheese sauce. The city may have more famous Francesinha spots, but none are as gorgeous as Majestic Café.
Gelato aficionados flock to Europe’s oldest – and possibly the world’s finest – ice cream parlour in Turin, where well-turned-out staff scoop gelato into cups with due reverence. Plough through the medley of hazelnut ice cream, chocolate ice cream, vanilla ice cream, mint stracciatella, sorbet and gianduja, before finally sampling a famous Pinguino popsicle (the first-ever ice cream on a stick).
Queues snake around the block long before this Bangkok restaurant opens, but it’s well worth the wait – Thipsamai is the place to taste an original version of Thailand’s most famous dish. A sweet and spicy egg-wrapped combination of noodles, prawns and prawn-oil sauce, pad Thai is a comfort food classic.
Abalone is one of the most expensive shellfish you can eat, and fans say there’s nothing quite like its sweet, buttery and slightly salty flavour. For a taste of the best, head to Hong Kong’s legendary three-Michelin-starred Forum. Founded in 1977 by the late Yeung Koon-yat – a celebrity chef who was affectionately known as ‘the abalone king’ – the restaurant’s signature dish is Ah Yat Abalone, which is said to taste like a cross between scallops and foie gras. The dish is made by soaking the shellfish in water for 24 hours, then simmering it for more than 10 hours in a special sauce, which gives the dish its distinctive flavour.
Where else would you go in search of the world's most exquisite pâtisserie treats but Paris? Odette is world-renowned for its perfect choux à la crème, colourful cream puffs loved for their melt-in-the-mouth pastry, creamy custard filling and delicate frosting. They’re available in several classic flavours, including chocolate, vanilla, caramel, praline and pistachio, but there are some incredible seasonal varieties, too. The shop is located in a charming, cobbled side street, so pull up a seat outside, order an espresso and a cream puff, and prepare for the quintessential Parisian experience.
Jerk spice and lasagne are a combination that probably shouldn't work, but Rasta Pasta makes it happen. This much-loved Italian fusion spot in Toronto’s Kensington Market has a dedicated fanbase for its signature Jerk Chicken Lasagna, a saucy, spicy delight that sees punchy jerk chicken nestled between layers of pasta, in your choice of Alfredo or rich tomato cream sauce. The Reggae Lasagna, a vegetarian version made with layers of ricotta, mozzarella and steamed callaloo, comes a close second.
When it comes to fast food burgers, the USA has too many amazing options to list. However, if it's fancy, elevated burgers you're after, you can't go wrong with a visit to Neon Pig. Burger lovers travel from across the globe to this old-school butcher's shop and restaurant to try its Famous Smash Burger, which has twice been named the best in America. Made with a special grind of aged beef fillet, sirloin, rib-eye, shoulder, New York strip and Benton’s bacon – and packed with onions, pickles and barbecue sauce – it's almost too delicious to describe.
You’ll probably see the huge queue before you actually spot Mustafa's, a famed Berlin kebab stand that attracts crowds of tourists (many of whom head straight to the spot from the airport) – but it’s safe to say that the phenomenal kebabs served here are worth the hype. Every element of the stall's signature chicken döner kebab is pure perfection; soft, warm, fluffy pitta breads are stuffed to the gills with fresh griddled vegetables, feta cheese, juicy slices of chicken and plenty of secret sauce. It's still heavenly if you opt to leave out the meat.
This delightfully old-school dish – featuring steak that's cooked and served on a wooden plank, surrounded by piped potatoes – was all the rage in Sweden in the 1970s. It's undergoing a bit of a revival at the moment, but it's been the signature dish at Villa Godthem for decades. This throwback spot, located in Stockholm's central Djurgården island, dates back to the 19th century. It serves a superlative rendition of the iconic dish, featuring tender striploin steak, bacon, green beans, a baked tomato, béarnaise sauce and duchess potatoes.
A global favourite, Caesar salad is one of the world’s most famous dishes. While you can enjoy this leafy mix in restaurants, cafés and takeaway spots across the world, nowhere does it quite like Caesar’s in Tijuana, Mexico. The salad was invented here by Italian chef César Cardini in 1924, and the team has been beautifully preparing it the same way ever since. Made tableside in front of diners, the recipe is simple, featuring romaine lettuce, anchovy paste, fresh garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, an egg yolk, olive oil, grated Parmesan and crispy baguette croutons.
Suya is Nigerian street food at its finest. To make it, juicy skewers of beef or chicken are generously seasoned in a fiery-hot dry marinade (made with ground peanuts and red peppers), then roasted over an open charcoal grill. University of Suya, a buzzy, no-frills spot that’s open pretty much 24 hours a day, is a mecca for the delicacy. In fact, it's widely regarded as the finest suya spot in all of Lagos. It really comes alive at night, attracting large crowds of locals to feast on perfectly charred beef, chicken gizzards, tripe and kidneys.
It goes without saying that Mexico City is a haven for taco lovers, with literally thousands of taquerías to visit. But for something different, head to Tizne Tacomotora, a fusion restaurant that takes inspiration from China, Lebanon, Japan and beyond. There are loads of fillings to try, but the must-order is the simple but sensational Avocado Tatemado – an avocado half that’s seasoned with a punchy and salty spice mix, then smoked and charred over an open flame until wonderfully caramelised. Served on house-made blue corn tortillas with salsa, it’s a triumph of taste and texture.
Kobe beef comes from wagyu cattle raised in the Hyogo region of Japan. Its rich flavour and tender texture make it highly desirable (and pretty pricey) – and for steak fans, there’s no better meat. For a really special dining experience, head straight to the source. Kobe is a foodie city with plenty of steak restaurants, but Dining Mouriya is said to be the best of all. The kitchen strictly selects high-quality beef from Tajima cattle, the breeding cattle of Kobe, which are fattened for 32 months to maintain the quality of their subtle, tender and deeply savoury meat.
Known for popularising nose-to-tail cooking, chef Fergus Henderson celebrates the simple joy of traditional British foods like pies, kippers and Welsh rarebit at his trio of St. John restaurants. The menus at all three branches change with the seasons, but one thing you’ll always find is the cult-favourite Roast Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad. The dish combines wobbly, melt-in-the-mouth veal marrow (served still on the bone) with crisp toast, grains of sea salt and a slightly piquant parsley salad, which cuts through the meal's glorious richness.
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's eponymous California restaurant opened in the 1980s – and when Hollywood stars flocked there to try his signature dish, he instantly shot to fame, later going on to launch the Nobu chain with none other than Robert De Niro. His iconic Miso Black Cod recipe is famous for a reason; the buttery and luxurious fish is soaked for several days in a salty-sweet miso marinade, resulting in a silky, deeply seasoned delicacy. These days the dish is sold at Nobu outposts all over the world, but we think the original LA hotspot, Matsuhisa, is still the best place to try it.
Located on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Ladurée's original store dates back to the mid-19th century, when Pierre Desfontaines first thought of taking two macaron shells and joining them together with a delicious ganache filling. An exquisite tea shop opened above the pâtisserie so that people could enjoy their macarons straight away. Customers still visit in their droves today to snack on the classic sweet treat surrounded by acres of rich fabrics and walls painted in soft green and gold.
Spaghettieis, or spaghetti ice cream, is a cult-favourite German ice cream sundae designed to resemble a plate of spaghetti. To make it, vanilla ice cream is pushed through a spätzle press or potato ricer, turning it into noodle shapes. It's then topped with strawberry sauce and white chocolate shavings to resemble tomato sauce and shaved Parmesan. The uncanny creation was invented in the late 1960s by second-generation gelato parlour owner Dario Fontanella at Eis Fontanella in Mannheim, and it’s still a bestseller today.
Afternoon tea is treated as a fine art at Bettys, a legendary Yorkshire tearoom that was established by a Swiss confectioner back in 1919. Over the years it's grown into a small chain with five branches – but its flagship Harrogate location is the real draw, with its old-fashioned charm and impeccable bakes. Food lovers from all corners of the world regularly queue down the street to get a taste of its delicate, perfectly made finger sandwiches, elegant cakes and hand-picked teas. Don’t come away without trying the Fat Rascal – the tea room's signature plump, extra-fruity scone.
For an unforgettable meal that celebrates the rich heritage of Oaxacan cuisine, head to Casa Oaxaca: an elegant 18th-century colonial townhouse housing chef Alejandro Ruíz's acclaimed restaurant and hotel. Oaxaca City is generally considered to be Mexico's gastronomic heart, and Alejandro is a global ambassador for Oaxacan cuisine – particularly mole. His dishes put a modern twist on classic regional dishes, so expect the likes of rich and creamy white mole drizzled on crispy duck, and tender beef tongue with an umami-rich caper mole.
As any dedicated fish and chips fan will know, you’ll usually find the best version of this British favourite at the most unassuming, no-frills spots. Named the UK’s finest chippy by The Times newspaper in 2024, John Long’s certainly isn’t fancy, but food lovers still flock from miles around to taste the restaurant's fluffy-on-the-inside chips and perfectly cooked cod encased in crispy batter. The key to perfection at this revered Northern Irish chippy is the freshness of the fish (landed at Kilkeel) and the super-light batter, the recipe for which hasn’t changed since it opened in 1914.
Lucknow’s signature melt-in-the-mouth Tunday kebab (also known as galouti kebab) has an amazing history – it was first served to royalty in the 17th century and originally flavoured with a whopping 160 different spices. To make it, minced lamb or mutton is bathed in a secret marinade (which includes everything from ground papaya to coconut), before being formed into patties and fried in ghee. The best place to try the dish is Tunday Kababi, which was founded in 1905. These days it's one of the city’s most loved restaurants, famous for its sensational buffalo meat version.
Order Otto's Canard de Rouen à la Presse (pressed Rouen duck) – a 19th-century dish that sees a cooked duck carcass crushed in a silver press at the table – and you'll get a side of theatre with your meal. Lots of brandy, plenty of drama and a big silver contraption all play a part in this three-course dining experience for two. Restaurants don’t get more unashamedly old-school than Otto's, whose other signature dishes include duck pie with truffle sauce, pressed lobster and all kinds of game meat, depending on the season.
If you want to get your hands on the greatest Chicago deep-dish pizza of all, head to Pequod's. Ranked as the number one pizza place in the whole of America by Yelp, the local institution opened in 1970. It's famed for its pies' amazingly crisp, cheesy edges, achieved by placing a ring of mozzarella around the rim of the pan; the cheese caramelises as the pizza cooks, forming an amazingly dark crust. Topping options are kept simple here – Pequod's recommends diners add no more than five for the best results.
Al Fassia might be one of Marrakech’s most famous restaurants, but the gorgeous spot is still a local favourite – which is always a good sign. The kitchen is run entirely by women and serves up the kind of hearty traditional cooking you’d normally only experience in someone’s home. Diners rave about the crisp pigeon pastilla (a salty-sweet pastry) and the mezze platters, but it's the authentic tagines that really stand out, delivering layer upon layer of complex flavours and textures. The go-to order is Tagine de Poulet à la courge caramélisée (chicken tagine with caramelised squash), but all of the tagines here are exceptional.
Founded in 1888, this foodie institution has been giving hungry New Yorkers the best sandwich experience money can buy for well over 100 years. The iconic deli has appeared in countless TV shows and movies – most famously, When Harry Met Sally – and is loved by tourists and locals alike, so you should expect to wait for a table. However, the enormous pastrami sandwiches, simply served on seedless rye bread with a healthy schmear of deli mustard, are well worth the wait. The pastrami at Katz's is cured slowly for up to 30 days, resulting in impossibly juicy, tender meat.
Picanha – a tender and flavour-packed cut of beef taken from the top of the rump – is a national obsession in Brazil, and you’ll find it pretty much everywhere that serves meat. However, for a taste of Rio’s finest, head to Churrascaria Majórica, an old-school steakhouse in the city’s historic centre that’s been a must-visit for meat lovers since 1962. Here the beef is prepared according to true churrasco tradition: over an open flame, with simple seasoning. A side of farofinha (a crunchy, crumbly dish made from toasted cassava flour) is essential.
The late, great chef Bill Granger pioneered the quintessentially Australian version of brunch culture, putting avocado toast on menus around the world. At his iconic restaurant chain Bills, which has four locations in Sydney (plus several overseas), the signature dish has been the same for years: wonderfully light, fluffy hotcakes, served with bananas and honeycomb butter. It’s an enduring favourite that's essentially Sydney on a plate.
Sushi is an art form – and its grand master is Jiro Ono, regarded as one of the greatest sushi craftsmen. His legendary restaurant, which featured in the award-winning 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, has just 10 counter seats and a waiting list that's months long, so getting a spot takes commitment. However, when you do get in, the omakase tasting menu of around 20 sushi pieces, made in front of you for immediate consumption, should provide an almost religious experience.
Din Tai Fung was founded in Taiwan in 1958 and has grown from a tiny mom-and-pop restaurant into an internationally recognised brand, with outposts all over the world. However, the flagship eatery in Taipei’s Da'an District is still going strong, churning out what many believe to be the world’s finest xiao long bao. Loved for their thin, delicate skin and juicy filling, these stunning soup dumplings are traditionally filled with pork, but also come stuffed with everything from crab roe to green squash and even truffle.
One of Barcelona’s most loved restaurants, Cañete is a wonderful place to eat traditional Spanish tapas with added fine dining flair. Located just off the touristy La Rambla, it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but you’re guaranteed a night to remember at this lively and welcoming bar and restaurant. Wait for a counter seat in the Barra, where clients gather around the bar for a drink and a few tapas. Quality products and attention to detail ensure the silky slivers of jamón Ibérico, zingy gazpacho, crispy fried fish and perfectly made pan con tomate make for an unforgettable meal.
No place is more celebrated for its barbecue than Texas, and there are several cult restaurants across the state – but none really compare to Franklin. Anthony Bourdain dubbed the joint’s beef brisket (which is notoriously difficult to cook) as the best he’d ever had, and the legions of fans that make a pilgrimage here every year certainly agree. This no-frills Texan smokehouse started life as a food truck, but these days, you’ll have to wait in line for hours to be served its luscious sliced beef brisket with pickles, onions, barbecue sauce and white bread.
British chef Heston Blumenthal has countless signature dishes – including snail porridge and bacon and egg ice cream – but it's his Meat Fruit that’s arguably the most iconic. Served at his two-Michelin-starred restaurant Dinner, set inside the swanky Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London, the recipe is based on a dish served at Henry VIII's royal court. It consists of a rich, perfectly light chicken liver and foie gras parfait covered in a ‘peel’ of mandarin jelly, which is decorated to look exactly like a piece of fruit. It takes several days to perfect, and fans say it tastes as good as it looks.
As bucket-list meals go, the elaborate tasting menu at Thomas Keller’s California restaurant probably ranks top for many foodies. This fine dining spot is famous the world over, carrying three Michelin stars and delivering classic French cuisine to the highest of standards. Keller has plenty of famous dishes, but Oysters and Pearls is probably his most iconic, consisting of shucked oysters submerged in a pool of creamy pearl tapioca custard, topped with a generous quenelle of white sturgeon caviar. Oysters and Pearls is pretty much as opulent as it gets – and happily, it’s always on the menu.
This traditional Roman dish is arguably one of the world's most loved pasta dishes. You can grab sensational takes on spaghetti carbonara at restaurants all over the city, but foodies in the know say the version at Roscioli Salumeria, a gastronomic hotspot that doubles as a bakery, deli and wine shop, is simply unbeatable. Each individual ingredient is treated with the utmost love and attention, from the freshest al dente pasta to the crispy, savoury guanciale (cured pork jowl), silky eggs and the seasoning – just the right amount of black pepper and pecorino Romano.
Austria’s most legendary comfort food, the crispy and crunchy wiener schnitzel is made by pounding, salting and rolling a veal cutlet in a crust of flour, eggs and breadcrumbs, then pan-frying it in butter or lard to golden perfection. For a taste of the best, head to Figlmüller in Vienna – a buzzy family-run restaurant that is said to have been serving the original wiener schnitzel since 1905. Traditionally served with boiled potatoes or a light potato salad, it’s a real treat.
If you’re already a fan of this indulgent curry, which was invented in Delhi in the 1950s, you’ll be utterly blown away by the one served at Gulati. This culinary landmark has been serving high-quality North Indian fare in the heart of Delhi since 1959, and it has a loyal following for its incredible Murgh Makhani, also known as butter chicken. This version sees whole bone-in pieces of chicken marinated in spices before being cooked slowly in a rich, buttery, tomatoey sauce. It’s devilishly delicious.
A Chinese restaurant favourite across the world, Peking duck has been cooked and eaten in Beijing since the Imperial era. There are countless methods of preparing and cooking it that go back centuries, but it’s a contemporary spot that’s said to make the world’s best. Da Dong (and its founder Dong Zhenxiang) is renowned for pioneering a new method of cooking Peking duck using a spherical wood-fired oven – the technique creates meat that’s lean but exceptionally juicy and tender, with perfectly crisp skin. Da Dong has several branches, but the original Michelin-starred spot in Beijing’s Dongcheng District is the most iconic.
Sure, Campania’s capital is positively brimming with excellent and historic pizzerias, but L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele is considered by many to be the best in the entire world. Owned by the Condurro family, this venerable Naples pizza parlour was founded in 1870 (you may also recognise it from the film Eat, Pray, Love) and is known for Neapolitan-style pizza. With its thin base and puffy, charred crust, Pizza Napoletana is made with just a few simple ingredients: tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil leaves..
Now discover the world’s best desserts everyone should try
Last updated by Emily Shardlow-Price