Traveling with Your Palate: The Era of Food Tourism

Food tourism has become one of the primary motivations for travel. According to the World Tourism Organization, more than 80% of travelers consider gastronomy a decisive factor when choosing a destination. It is no longer just about visiting monuments and beaches: modern travelers seek authentic culinary experiences that connect them with the culture, history, and traditions of each place they visit.

If you are a food traveler, Encontrable is the perfect tool to discover restaurants, markets, food tours, and culinary experiences recommended by locals at every destination.

Colombia: A Rising Gastronomic Destination

Colombia has positioned itself as one of the world's most important emerging gastronomic destinations. Bogota has restaurants that feature on the list of Latin America's best, combining contemporary technique with indigenous ingredients like araza, cupuacu, and the Santander big-bottomed ant. The capital offers a culinary scene ranging from popular markets like Paloquemao to world-class restaurants in the G zone.

In the Coffee Region, cities like Pereira offer farm-to-table experiences where ingredients are harvested the same day they are served. Fresh mountain river trout, freshly roasted coffee, and the region's exotic fruits create a gastronomic experience impossible to replicate elsewhere.

Mexico: Gastronomic Heritage of Humanity

Mexican cuisine was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and rightfully so. From Oaxacan moles with more than 30 ingredients to Yucatecan cuisine with its Mayan roots, Mexico is an inexhaustible gastronomic universe. Yucatan deserves special attention: cochinita pibil, papadzules, sopa de lima, and poc chuc are dishes combining millennial techniques with flavors found nowhere else.

Mexico City is considered one of the world's gastronomic capitals, with a scene ranging from legendary taquer铆as to restaurants appearing on The World's 50 Best list.

Brazil: Diversity on Every Plate

The immensity of Brazil is reflected in the diversity of its gastronomy. Sao Paulo is the gastronomic capital of South America, with more than 12,000 restaurants representing cuisines from around the world. Paulista feijoada, meat rod铆zios, and Sao Paulo-style pizza (the city has more pizzerias per capita than Naples) are essential experiences.

In Salvador de Bahia, Afro-Brazilian cuisine is a sensory journey with acaraj茅, vatap谩, caruru, and moqueca as protagonists. Rio de Janeiro contributes carioca feijoada, gaucho-style churrascos, and a bar and botequim scene that defines Brazilian social life.

Food tourism represents more than 25% of total international traveler spending, establishing itself as the fastest-growing segment in the global tourism industry.

Malta: Authentic Mediterranean

For those seeking Mediterranean gastronomy off the most touristy circuits, Malta is a revelation. The island offers cuisine that fuses the best of Italy, North Africa, and Great Britain with top-quality local ingredients. The Marsaxlokk fish markets, Valletta's pastizzeriji, and Gozo's rural restaurants offer a genuine Mediterranean gastronomic experience without the crowds of better-known destinations.

Other Essential Gastronomic Destinations

  • Peru (Lima): Considered the gastronomic capital of Latin America, with ceviches, tiraditos, and constant unceasing innovation
  • Japan (Tokyo): The city with the most Michelin stars in the world, from street ramen to imperial kaiseki
  • Italy (Emilia-Romagna): The birthplace of Parmesan, prosciutto, and the most perfect egg pasta on the planet
  • Thailand (Bangkok): Street food that has been awarded Michelin stars, accessible for mere cents
  • Spain (San Sebastian): The highest concentration of Michelin stars per capita in the world and an incomparable pintxos culture
  • India (Delhi): A subcontinent of flavors concentrated in a city with thousands of ancestral street stalls

How to Plan a Food Trip

To make the most of a food trip, research before arrival is essential. Read specialized blogs, consult locals through platforms like Encontrable, and book popular restaurants in advance. Don't limit yourself to trendy restaurants: local markets, family-run fondas, and street stalls often offer the most memorable and authentic experiences.

Tips for the Food Tourist

  1. Research regional specialties before traveling and make a list of must-try dishes
  2. Book food tours with local guides who know the destination's culinary secrets
  3. Visit municipal markets first thing in the morning for the freshest and most authentic experience
  4. Learn basic culinary vocabulary in the local language to communicate with cooks
  5. Document your experiences: photos and notes will help you remember and share discoveries

Explore more gastronomic destinations and plan your next culinary adventure on our blog. Discover how culture influences the cuisine of each destination, check our specialized travel guides, and prepare with the best tips to turn every trip into a memorable gastronomic experience.