From Southern Italy to Thailand, discover 11 destinations where you can eat exceptionally well, perfect for those who love combining coastline, local flavours, and authentic experiences.
Is there anything better than coming back from the beach, taking a shower and sitting down for a lovely dinner? Or wandering through a coastal town, walking for miles and stopping again and again to try the local street food?
To us, that’s pretty much paradise. That’s why we’ve rounded up 11 incredible food destinations around the world, perfect for anyone who loves combining the sea, local flavours and genuinely authentic experiences. From southern Italy to Thailand, these are the top summer spots where the views are stunning… but the real magic is on the plate.
And for each destination, you’ll also find a Foodie Tip: a little insider suggestion for those who love discovering a place through its cuisine.
Majorca: traditional cuisine and desserts
On the Spanish island of Majorca, you’ll find vineyards, peaceful villages, mountainous landscapes, and beautiful beaches. Whether you’re swimming in a hidden cove, admiring Palma’s cathedral or hiking through the Serra de Tramuntana, the island offers a perfect blend of nature and culture for a summer escape.
Why Majorca is perfect for food lovers
When it comes to food, Majorca delights with a creative and characterful local cuisine. From fresh seafood to traditional dishes such as sobrassada and tumbet, every plate feels touched by the island sun. And if you’ve a sweet tooth, don’t miss the famous ensaimada, a beloved local pastry.
What to eat in Majorca
- Ensaimada, the island’s signature pastry
- Sobrasada, a soft, spiced cured meat
- Tumbet, a vegetarian dish
- Fresh grilled fish
- Arroz brut, traditional Majorcan rice
Foodie tip:
- Explore Fornalutx with a guide and sample its famous artisan ice cream
- Visit Alcudia’s colourful market and try the local ensaimada
Calabria: authentic flavours and tradition
Calabria is one of the most genuine regions in southern Italy, perfect for anyone who loves to travel through taste. With seaside villages, centuries‑old traditions and wild landscapes, it offers a food experience that’s both intense and heartfelt.
Here, the cuisine is simple yet full of character, built on local ingredients and recipes passed down through generations.
Why Calabria is perfect for food lovers
With its strong identity and bold flavours, Calabrian cuisine is a journey within the journey. Chilli peppers take centre stage, along with specialities such as ’nduja and the famous Tropea red onion.
From seafood specialities along the coast to the rustic dishes of the inland countryside, every area offers something different yet always true to its roots.
What to eat in Calabria
- ’Nduja fromSpilinga
- Tropea red onion
- Fileja (traditional hand‑rolled fresh pasta)
- Grilled swordfish
- Local cheeses such as pecorino and caciocavallo
- Petrali, festive biscuits filled with dried fruit
Foodie tip:
- Join a farm demonstration where you’ll see cheese being made and learn how to prepare fresh pasta, followed by a traditional lunch.
- Or visit an olive mill to uncover the secrets of extra-virgin olive oil, complete with a tasting and a tour of Nicotera.
Rhodes: Greek cuisine and seaside tavernas
Rhodes is one of Greece’s most beautiful islands , perfect for anyone seeking crystal‑clear seas, history and a cuisine rich in Mediterranean flavours.
Between medieval towns, traditional villages and tavernas by the water, the island offers an authentic experience where food is an essential part of the journey. To dive deeper into what to do in Rhodes, read Adam’s guide.
Why Rhodes is perfect for food lovers
Rhodes is ideal for anyone who appreciates honest cooking, built on simple dishes full of flavour.
The local tavernas are at the heart of the island’s food culture: here you can try traditional recipes prepared with fresh, often locally sourced ingredients. The relaxed, friendly atmosphere makes every meal feel even more special.
What to eat in Rhodes
- Meze (a selection of small dishes to share)
- Souvlaki (grilled meat skewers)
- Tzatziki
- Fresh fish and fried calamari
- Dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs)
- Moussaka
Foodie tip:
Discover the island’s true culinary soul, with a tour of traditional villages and a surprising tasting of local craft beer.
Cyprus: meze and Middle Eastern influences
Cyprus is an island full of surprises, thanks to the variety of its landscapes: from golden beaches to inland mountains, with villages where time seems to have stood still.
Between nature, history and local traditions, every stop offers something different, and it’s often around the table that you discover the island’s most authentic side. To plan your trip at its best, read our complete guide to Cyprus.
Why Cyprus is perfect for food lovers
In Cyprus, food is a moment of sharing. Here you don’t order just one dish, but you sample a bit of everything, thanks to the tradition of the meze: a sequence of small plates that reflects the richness of the local cuisine.
Greek and Middle Eastern influences come together in simple yet flavourful recipes, prepared with fresh and often local ingredients.
What to eat in Cyprus
- Meze ciprioti
- Halloumi alla griglia
- Kleftiko, a base di agnello
- Souvlaki, spiedini di carne
- Tahini e salse tradizionali
- Loukoumades, dolci fritti con miele
Foodie tip:
- Join a tour of mountain villages with tastings of local food and wine
- Discover typical products such as honey and artisanal specialities directly from the producers
Campania: iconic flavours and good wine
Campania is a land of contrasts, where the sea meets the mountains and nature tells a story thousands of years old. Dominated by the presence of Vesuvius, this region offers unique landscapes and a deep bond between the land and its traditions.
It’s right on the slopes of the volcano that one discovers one of the most fascinating aspects of Campania: a gastronomic culture profoundly shaped by the very soil from which it springs.
Why Campania is perfect for food lovers
Campania brings together top‑quality ingredients and an extraordinary landscape.
The volcanic soils of Vesuvius give life to unique products, from intense wines to crops rich in flavour. Here, the cuisine is a balance of rural tradition and Mediterranean influences, where every dish tells the story of its connection to the land.
What to eat in Campania
- Neapolitan pizza
- Vesuvian piennolotomatoes
- Campania buffalo mozzarella
- Spaghetti with clams
- Local wines from the slopes of Vesuvius
- Traditional desserts such as sfogliatellaand babà
Foodie tip:
To truly experience the bond between the land and its cuisine, explore the slopes of Vesuvius and join a Vesuvius crater tour with a vineyard lunch.
Canary Islands: volcanoes and tropical flavours
The Canary Islands captivate with their contrasts: from black‑lava landscapes to lush green valleys, from sun‑drenched beaches to historic towns. Lanzarote and Tenerife, in particular, blend natural wonders with a distinctly island culture.
Why the Canary Islands are perfect for food lovers
These islands also boast a strong gastronomic identity, shaped by their isolated location and volcanic soil. Think of papas arrugadas with mojo sauce, tropical fruit, local goat’s cheeses, and surprisingly good wines that can hold their own against those from anywhere else.
What to eat in the Canary Islands
- Papas arrugadas with red and green mojo
- Fresh grilled fish
- Gofio, a traditional toasted‑grain flour
- Canarian‑style octopus
- Goat’s cheese
- Sancocho canario,made with salted fish
And much more, which you can explore further in our article on what to eat in the Canary islands.
Foodie tip:
Agadir: Moroccan flavours by the sea
Agadir lies on the Atlantic coast in southern Morocco. It’s a much‑loved destination thanks to its modern boulevards, the hilltop kasbah (fortress), the lively Souk El Had, a market with more than 6,000 stalls, and, of course, its long sandy beaches.
Amid the aromas of spices, street food and traditional cooking, every meal becomes a journey through Moroccan flavours.
Why Agadir is perfect for food lovers
Agadir’s cuisine is rooted in local produce: freshly caught fish, fragrant tagines, couscous, and traditional salads such as taktouka. Mint tea rounds off every meal in style, while the souks and local markets are the best places to discover the most authentic flavours.
What to eat in Agadir
- Tajine, with meat, fish or vegetables and spices
- Traditional cous cous
- Fresh grilled fish and seafood
- Harira (a traditional Moroccan soup)
- Meat skewers(brochettes)
- Moroccan pastries with honey and almonds
Foodie tip:
- Stroll through Souk El Had in the morning, where stalls piled high with colourful spices and fresh fruit awaken both mind and senses.
- Try the grilled sardines or the taktouka.
Algarve: seafood and endless beaches
The Algarve offers an irresistible mix of beaches, cliffs and clusters of whitewashed houses. From secluded coves to bustling fishing ports, this Portuguese region is the very essence of a seaside holiday.
Life moves at a slow, relaxed pace here, and much of the experience revolves around food: simple, often family‑run restaurants where freshly caught fish is always the star of the table.
Why the Algarve is perfect for food lovers
When it comes to gastronomy, the Algarve is a paradise for anyone who loves fish. Its proximity to the ocean guarantees incredibly fresh ingredients, often caught the very same day, while traditional recipes highlight the simplicity and quality of the produce. Eating here means enjoying a genuine experience, with dishes that are straightforward yet full of flavour.
What to eat in the Algarve
- Grilled sardines
- Seafood and fish cataplana
- Grilled octopus
- Fried calamari
- Arroz de marisco (seafood rice)
- Ameijoas (Portuguese‑style clams)
Foodie tip:
- Try the catch of the day in a tasca(a traditional Portuguese eatery)
- Explore the local markets to discover the variety of Atlantic fish and seafood
Koh Samui: street food and night markets
Koh Samui is a tropical paradise in the Gulf of Thailand, with palm-fringed beaches, gentle hills and a relaxed “sabai‑sabai” way of life. But beyond the sea, it’s the food that makes the journey truly unforgettable.
Among night markets and roadside stalls, the island offers a vibrant gastronomic experience, full of intense aromas and dishes prepared on the spot.
Why Koh Samui is perfect for food lovers
The island’s cuisine is a vibrant mix of fresh seafood, spices and fruit. From the steaming Tom Yum Goong soup to the Som Tum salad and the famous sticky rice, here you’ll taste the true essence of Thai gastronomy, often prepared just like at home.
What to eat in Koh Samui
- Pad Thai
- Som tam,green papaya salad
- Chicken satay with peanut sauce
- Thai curries (red, green, massaman)
- Mango sticky rice
- Spring rolls
Foodie tip:
- Visit the Lamai Night Market or the Fisherman’s Village Night Market.
- Try the fresh fruit smoothies, refreshing and wonderfully sweet.
Penang: spices and street food
The state of Penang, in Malaysia, is one of the most multicultural and visited areas of the country. The region is famous for its peaceful beaches and for the lively city of George Town, rich in street art, temples, historic buildings and night markets. However, the real star of Penang is the food.
Why Penang is perfect for food lovers
Considered one of the world’s street‑food capitals, the island offers an intriguing mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisine. Dishes such as char kway teow (stir‑fried noodles) and roti canai, a flatbread served alongside curry, are just some of the delights you’ll find on every street corner.
What to eat in Penang
- Char kway teow,stir‑fried noodles
- Penang laksa,fish‑based soup
- Hainanese chicken rice
- Roti canai with curry
- Satay with peanut sauce
- Cendol, shaved‑ice and coconut dessert
Foodie tip:
- Try the Penang Assam Laksa from a street stall in George Town: a tangy, savoury soup made with fish, tamarind, mint and local spices.
- And if you want a guaranteed hit, Penang Road Famous Laksa is one of the spots recommended by the Michelin Guide.
Riviera Maya: Caribbean waters and Mayan cuisine
The Riviera Maya, along the coast of the Yucatán, is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. White sandy beaches, crystal‑clear waters, cenotes and Maya ruins perched above the sea, it’s the perfect place for travellers seeking a mix of nature, culture and relaxation.
Here, the gastronomy reflects the rich Maya heritage and colonial influences.
Why the Riviera Maya is perfect for food lovers
Cochinita pibil, ceviche, pozole and chiles rellenos are just a few must-try dishes. At the heart of every recipe are simple yet bold ingredients such as corn, chilli and lime, which turn every meal into a journey of flavour. From the simplest street‑food bites to traditional Mexican dishes, every meal is an explosion of taste.
What to eat in the Riviera Maya
- Tacos (al pastor, fish or meat)
- Ceviche
- Fresh guacamole
- Quesadillas
- Cochinita pibil, Yucatán‑style marinated pork
- Churros
Foodie tip:
- Enjoy a shrimp ceviche under a beachside palapa in Tulum
- Try iced agua de jamaica, you’ll instantly fall in love with it
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