Places that should be on every foodie’s bucket list this year

Travel for food is the latest trend and more and more people are packing their bags for locations known as much for their scenic beauty as for their scrumptious cuisine. Taking into account this growing trend, 2019 should be the year of foodies who would not leave any stone unturned in exploring places or travelling an extra mile for an ultimate gastronomical experience. According to Ritu Mehrotra, Regional Manager India, Sri Lanka & Maldives at Booking.com “India is a country with a very diverse food culture, and ‘tasty food’ is almost always a prerequisite for us, wherever we go. We as a nation love to explore new destinations with unique cuisines. Food culture has now become an integral part of our overall travel experience, as it gives us an opportunity to immerse ourselves into the local culture and communities when travelling abroad. Food will play a huge role in defining travel choices in the year to come as more and more travellers open themselves to new experiences!” Here is a list of places every foodie must visit for an unforgettable gourmet experience.

This quaint place with an interesting topography appears to be a picture straight out of a postcard due to its pristine beauty, breathtakingly beautiful buildings and extremely civil population that greets you with Bonjour and Merci Bacu. Quebec is known for its Poutine, baked bean with lard, Tourtier, the traditional meat pie, Cretons, which is a pork dish and a variety of raw milk cheese and of course the maple syrup and candies, cookies, and dessert made from it. Don’t miss trying the maple syrup Taffy, the sticky candy that will remind you of your childhood!

Considered the birthplace of Italian Renaissance, Tuscany has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its scenic landscape and historic and cultural legacy. The main places to visit here of course are Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Sienna and Versilia. As many as seven localities in Tuscany have been declared as world heritage site. While most of us know that it is a primary wine region, it is also popular for its delectable cuisine too which is marked by its unparalleled simplicity and deliciousness. White truffles from Sant Miniato (visit only on October and November if you want to enjoy it), Florentine streak and Chianti wine are a must try here.

Everyone visits Dubai and thinks of Sharjah only in context of cricket matches. But Sharjah has much more than an international stadium for hosting matches. The cultural capital of UAE, Sharjah is a city of lovely architecture that reflects in its mosques and monuments. While you must not miss visiting the Butterfly Island, Rain Room, Mleiha and the car museum, you must go to the Souks or the local markets for delectable dates chocolates and amazing spices. The spice market here is a delight for food and cooking enthusiasts. An interesting thing here that you might want to experience is the auction of fish that takes places daily at 4 pm at Central Souk. Visit the Al Majaz waterfront for some exotic food. Dotted with restaurants, it will take your culinary experience a notch higher. Don’t miss trying the meat patties, white honey, biryani, date delicacies and of course Umm Ali, the traditional Middle Eastern dessert.

Why should everyone visit New York when you have the food culture literally transformed for better in San Francisco due to farm-to-table movement! If you want to try real clean and delicious food explore the city’s huge farmers markets and food halls for the best stuff you can imagine. Visit Café Boudin at Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf and indulge in fresh seafood, go to China Town for affordable street food and indulge in classic Californian food in the 100-year old Pied Piper Bar and Grill at Palace Hotel. Don’t miss the sour bread and Mission style burrito here.

Affordable and next-door, Sri Lanka is a must explore destination if you are travelling on a budget and start feeling home sick quickly. The food here will remind you of home but is quite different from it. The Fish Ambul Thyal (sour fish curry), Kottu Roti, Kukul Mas Curry (Chicken Curry) and Polos (green jackfruit curry) are a must try here. And of course, you should explore the pristine beaches, visit the ancient Buddhist city of Anuradhapur, explore Yala National Park, Mirissa, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Galle among other places.