5 cities around the world where food is the only itinerary that matters

This is an alert for the foodies! There are plenty of destinations throughout the globe that are not merely places but food pilgrimages. Every cuisine has its own tale and can be discovered through the markets, street food stalls, and legendary restaurants of the destination. Here we give cities from around the globe where food is the central itinerary, which also works as an immersive method of understanding the history, culture, and personality of a region through its flavors.

One of the food critics wrote that Lyon is the gastronomic capital of the world, and the food here is the coming together of a multitude of regional culinary traditions. It is a must to go to Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), the historic bouchons, that offer the Lyonnaise specialities, and Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a legendary covered food market with artisinal cheeses, charcuterie, and seasonal specials. Some of the must-eat food items include Quenelle de brochet (pike dumpling served with Nantua crayfish sauce), Salade lyonnaise (greens topped with bacon, croutons, and poached egg), Cervelle de canut (fresh cheese spread infused with herbs), Coq au vin, gratin de cardon, and charcuterie breakfasts in the style of Mâchon.

This is the birthplace of one of the world's most popular food items – 'pizza'. One has to go there for some drool-worthy pizzas – ancient city centre pizzerias such as L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, Sorbillo, and Spaccanapoli – a busy street in the historic area with bakeries and street food stalls. Mercato di Porta Nolana is a market that offers seafood and produce. Everyone must try the yummy delicacies like the original Pizza Margherita, pizza fritta, and sfogliatella.

This location offers an excellent combination of various cuisines including French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean dishes. Try foods such as gumbo (meat or seafood with roux rich stew), jambalaya (seafood, sausages, or chicken with Cajun rice dish), po'boy sandwich (fried seafood or roast beef with crispy bread), beignets (powdered sugar-covered fried doughnut), and crawfish étouffée (shellfish stew with rice). This destination boasts many well-known food locations like the French Quarter for café life and the French Market for snacks.

One must visit Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, the vibrant heart of Marrakech that comes alive especially at dusk for a culinary adventure. Wander the souk markets, where you can taste fresh olives, dates, and local pastries while shopping for spices like saffron and cumin. For the best experience of authentic cuisine, one must book a dinner at a traditional riad. Some must-try foods here are tagine, couscous, and pastilla.

Melbourne is a food and coffee cultural tapestry of the world. One can walk through laneways like Degraves Street, Centre Place, and Hardware Lane. This is a lovely area and ideal for brunch or coffee culture discovery. One needs to explore areas like Chinatown for Asian cuisine and Lygon Street in Carlton for real Italian cuisine, based on the city's multicultural background. If you would like to purchase some fresh goods, go to the Queen Victoria Market for fresh local vegetables, fish, and handmade products. You should all experience flat white coffee here in Melbourne's classic style and high-class avocado toast with feta, dukkah (blend of spices), or poached eggs toppings.