17 Places Every Foodie Needs To Eat At

We’re already salivating.
Are you a person who is up at the crack of dawn just to make sure you get a table at the newest brunch spot? Do you jump online to secure a booking at a Michelin star restaurant months in advance? Turn your nose up at food that’s out of a packet?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you are a rare breed of individual – a foodie. Granted, foodies love their nosh and won’t settle for anything less than the best. So to help out fellow foodies worldwide, we’ve complied a list of what we think are cafes and restaurants too good to miss. Let’s call it a bucket list of places every foodie needs to eat at.
1. Franklin Barbecue, Austin, USA
They say everything is bigger and better in Texas and when it comes to ribs, they aren’t lying. Franklin Barbecue’s ribs have been named best in Texas and in the US multiple times and this place opens every day for lunch and closes only when they sell out!
2. Rules, London, UK
Where better to get a Yorkshire pudding and some great pub grub than from the oldest restaurant in London? Known for their oysters, pies, puddings and classic game cookery, Rules first opened in 1798 and has been serving Britons and tourists alike ever since.
3. The Fat Duck, Bray, UK
If you are a self-proclaimed foodie you already know Fat Duck head chef Heston Blumenthal is the master of the imagination as he combines science and food to create some of the most supreme meals. Fat Duck has been named restaurant of the year, Best Restaurant in the World and Best Restaurant in the UK and typically books out up to six months in advance.
4. Ristorante Alle Bandierine, Pisa, Italy
Just around the corner from the infamous Leaning Tower of Pisa, sits the Ristorante Alle Badierine. Family owned and run for over 20 years, the restaurant delivers the most authentic and delicious Italian without the price tag. A must if you are in Pisa.
5. Shangri-La, Sydney, Australia
High tea is no longer a bore when you are eating Anna Polyviou’s menu at the Shangri-La, Sydney. You’d never receive a day-old pavlova or predictable cucumber sandwich here. Indulge in the sugar rush while your sip on fancy tea and treats that will delight your eyes as much as your tastebuds.
6. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand
A contemporary Indian restaurant with flair, found in the heart of Bangkok, Gaggan Anand serves “edible artwork” with dishes with playful names such as Beauty and the Beast and Green with Envy.
7. Moeders, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This is comfort food at its best. Moeders, Dutch for mother, is a restaurant that celebrates mothers and their home cooking. The decor us humble, with walls filled with images of employees and customer’s loved ones, but its meals are traditional Dutch dinners that are truly decadent.
8. Kozue, Tokyo, Japan
If the view doesn’t take your breath away here, the food certainly will. Kozue sit’s on the Park Hyatt’s 40th floor and serves haute Japanese cuisine that has to be experienced in your lifetime.
9. KB CaféShop, Paris, France
With a great reputation among tourists and locals, if you’re a coffee snob then this is the spot for you. The owner of KB CaféShop travelled world to find the coffee beans they use in this cafe.
10. John’s of Bleeker St, New York, USA
Known to be one of the best spots to grab a pizza in Manhattan, John’s has been open since 1929 and features some of the best pizza sauce in the city. If you’re up from some American style pizza, plan to wait in the line, because this place is as popular as it gets.
11. Restaurant Levante, Valencia, Spain
Valencia is the home of paella, so where better to indulge in this traditional Spanish dish? Restaurant Levante is family run and offers some of the most authentic paella in the city.
12. Epicure at Le Bristol, Paris, France
Epicure at Le Bristol in Paris is the epitome of gourmet. Eric Frechon, head chef has created “a temple of gastronomy that is absolutely French” within his restaurant, with this chocolate globe a favourite among patrons.
13. Cos Maggiore, London, UK
Listed as one of the most romantic restaurants, Cos Maggiore’s food is as good as its atmosphere. With apple blossoms covering the ceiling, candles and open fire, the Covent Garden restaurant delivers the whole package.
14. Rang Mahal, Singapore
This place offers some of the best North Indian in Singapore and though it may surprise you, that’s saying something. The Rang Mahal has been open for over 40 years and doesn’t look to be slowing down as it continues to push the boundaries of food leaving a legacy of excellence in gastronomy.
15. Five Point Burgers, Sydney, Australia
Labeled as McDonald’s on crack, this burger joint is not what you’d expect. Greasy, yes. Cheap, yes. Delicious, a million times yes. You can turn your nose up all you want, but after tasting one of these bad boys you’ll never be satisfied with anything else.
16. Alinea, Chicago, USA
Named the best restaurant in America, Alinea is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. With a tasting menu of 18 to 22 courses, it includes an edible balloon, meals small enough to sit on a spoon and large enough to be laid out on the table. It is simply a must do.
17. D.O.M., São Paulo, Brazil
Using the ‘jewels of the Amazon’ D.O.M showcases Brazilian cuisine as owner Alex Atala combines his love of history and botany to create an unbelievable tasting menu highlighting the country’s v ery best and freshest produce.
Images courtesy of franklinbarbecue.com, eatatgaggan.com, rules.co.uk, lennardy.com, alvinquah.com.au, goodcoffeeinparis.com, alifewortheating.com, healthytravelblog.com, tripadvisor.co.uk, lebristolparis.com, closmaggiore.com, rangmahal.com.sg, au.timeout.com, blog.unicasport.com, youtube.com, businessinsider.com, domresaurante.com.br
Isabelle is a writer who has a hundred-and-one side-splittingly funny stories about growing up at an all-girls boarding school, with a chocolate habit that requires constant monitoring. Follow Isabelle on Twitter.