Tasting different foods in the country you’re visiting is every traveler’s need, even if they’re not foodies. But some people put so much importance on food that they’re visiting different places specifically to get the taste of it. This is the very definition of food travel.
Now, we know what you’re thinking - there are too many restaurants to choose from! How do you know which ones to visit for the best culinary experience? That’s where we step in.
We’ve accumulated a list of 7 restaurants, all in different countries, that you simply must visit on your travels - or travel to visit them. Yes, the food and overall experience they provide are just that good.
Ready for the culinary adventure of your life? Let’s begin.
Central in Lima, Peru
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First, let’s talk about the restaurant crowned the best worldwide in 2023 - Central Restaurante. Based in the capital of Peru, this place is owned by chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz and serves as his safe space for trying new food combinations that he then adds to the menu.
Even though Central’s interior isn’t much to behold, dining at this classy restaurant is still a real treat. You can choose from many different tasting menus and the freshness of their ingredients is unmatched.
But what makes this restaurant stand out from the others in the culinary capital of South America? The way they blend ingredients to form the perfect menus that take their customers through the world’s ecosystems. But don’t just take our word for it - this is a must visit restaurant you should experience yourself.
Alchemist in Copenhagen, Denmark
Seeking an otherworldly experience? Look no further than the Rasmus Munk’s restaurant, nested in the industrial area of Copenhagen - Alchemist. This restaurant specializes in something called holistic cuisine, aimed to transform dining as we know it.
The holistic cuisine is meant to be experienced, and what you encounter at the Alchemist people usually describe as “wild”. This isn’t just a classic case of ‘food so quality it feels like you’re in a dream’… it’s so much more. How? Imagine eating your meal from a tongue-shaped spoon. Or, better yet, being served a hyper-realistic silicone head and having to open the top to reach your food. Oh and yes - both the tongue and the head are molded from the real thing.
The restaurant asks all its guests to come with an open mind, and it seems you will definitely need it to taste Michelin two-star food.
Kitcho in Kyoto, Japan
If you’ve ever found yourself in Japan, you’ll know that luxury experiences are abundant. This is especially true for Kyoto - once capital of this beautiful country and now the proud home of shrines, traditional houses, and out-of-this-world gardens.
So, in the sea of unique Kyoto restaurants, we’d like to introduce you to Kitcho. Once you step past the unassuming gates, you’re immediately transported to traditional Japanese ‘minka’ where your dining experience begins. Surrounded by glorious and perfectly maintained gardens, you’ll indulge in tea-ceremony kaiseki-style meals.
And the food? Only the finest and freshest ingredients the chef could find, prepared using different techniques, resulting in the kind of food that pleases all of the senses. It’s no wonder this restaurant has a total of three Michelin stars.
Maison Pic in Valence, France
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One could not make a list of must-visit restaurants without mentioning the legendary Maison Pic. Owned by the renowned Anne-Sophie Pic, this restaurant will take you through a culinary journey you’ve never experienced before.
And what’s special about this luxury experience? Maison Pic only has two menus that Anne-Sophie uses as catalysts on her lifelong quest towards perfection. Guided by her incredible palette, sense of smell, and emotions, what the head of the Pic group brings to the table is more than just food - it’s art, making you feel something unique with each bite.
The creativity and excellence of this family business have been rewarded with three Michelin stars, each generation of chefs having one of their own.
Quintonil in Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico also has a restaurant to brag about, especially when Quintonil has been on “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” since 2015 and currently sits comfortably in the top 9. But this isn’t the only important thing you should know about this restaurant.
Quintonil is run by a husband and wife tag team, Jorge Vallejo and Alejandra Flores, and they’re doing an exceptional job bringing you comfort and uniqueness in both food and ambiance.
Some of the items on their seasonal menu aren’t for the faint of heart, including insect-based foods and the like. However, having an open mind is all you need to enjoy the true Mexican flavors.
Even though Quintonil has no Michelin stars, it still offers a luxury experience, with the majority of ingredients coming from their own urban garden not 30 meters away from your plate.
Lido 84 in Gardone Riviera, Italy
There’s a certain comfort in Mediterranean food - the warm pasta with a rich sauce, seafood and its intricate ingredients to match, and more. But this kind of comfort food can definitely be made luxurious, and Lido 84’s menu is proof of that.
Owned by chef Riccardo Camanini, this lakeside restaurant has two tasting menus - one classic and one for those daring enough to try something new. Of course, you can also find pasta, meat, and fish dishes that awaken your senses and prepare you for exceptional desserts.
When you pair Michelin one-star food with rustic luxury interior and lake views, you get an experience you’re sure to remember for a long time.
Sublimotion in Ibiza, Spain
Finally, we’ve arrived at our last destination, and what better way to seal this culinary journey than with an experience worth around $2,000. The most expensive restaurant in the world boasts an impressive culinary performance, immersing its guests in a place that merges reality with fantasy. With the rise of AI, Sublimotion has also added Metaverse to its roster of experiences.
The owner and chef Paco Roncero says he wants to transform the way people enjoy food and bring out the magic of never getting bored over the 75,000 times we sit down to eat during our lifetimes. Being on the same level as everyone else during a meal is a great way to communicate, and that’s another element of the performance the chef wanted to toss into the mix.
But the main character on the Sublimotion stage (or table) is, of course, the food. Using molecular gastronomy to bring dishes to life, Paco Roncero creates unique tasting menus that, accompanied by the performance, are there to charm even the toughest crowd. The two Michelin stars are a testament to food quality and taste, but what they actually serve is something you’ll have to see for yourself.
Ready for your next culinary adventure?
Life's too short to settle for just one of these experiences! So, if you have the chance - try as many of them as you can. But what if you’re not all that adventurous, especially when it comes to trying different kinds of food? You can still have unique journeys that seemingly transcend reality. And how? With Elite Travelers!
Elite Travelers is your trusty all-in-one travel buddy that helps you book accommodations with ease. With appropriate accommodations come luxury experiences, and if you ever dine at any of these must-visit restaurants - don’t hesitate to let us know!