Five Under-the-Radar Cities Where You Can Find Great Food

Aug. 13, 2026 | By PoliticsMoneyCulture Editors

Some of the world’s most memorable meals are waiting far beyond the familiar culinary capitals of Paris, Rome and Tokyo. A new Tatler Asia guide highlights five less-celebrated cities where local food alone may justify the journey.

Dalian, a port city on China’s Yellow Sea, is renowned for exceptionally fresh seafood—particularly dumplings filled with briny sea urchin—and lively street stalls serving coal-grilled oysters, scallops and squid.

Bursa, Türkiye’s first Ottoman capital, is the birthplace of İskender kebab: thinly sliced lamb served over torn pide bread with tomato sauce, melted butter and yoghurt. The original recipe dates to 1867.

In Accra, Ghana, seek out waakye, a deeply satisfying combination of rice and beans accompanied by plantains, eggs, avocado and fiery shito pepper sauce.

Medellín, Colombia, counters with the famously substantial bandeja paisa and an increasingly adventurous cocktail culture built around aguardiente and tropical fruits.

Finally, Kochi offers the layered flavors of Kerala’s historic spice coast. Highlights include the elaborate vegetarian sadya feast, spicy pearl spot fish cooked in banana leaves, fermented rice appam and freshly tapped palm wine.

What unites these destinations is more than excellent food. Each city’s cuisine reveals centuries of trade, migration, empire and cultural exchange—making every meal a particularly delicious history lesson.

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Will Travel for Food!

These guides will help you find your next mouth-watering destination.

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The Culinary Traveler’s Kit

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Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Eats — 500 exceptional food experiences around the world

1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die by Mimi Sheraton

Moleskine Travel Journal — useful for recording memorable dishes and culinary discoveries

Lonely Planet China 2025–2026 — for planning a deeper visit to Dalian and northeastern China

Lonely Planet Türkiye — culinary and travel inspiration for Bursa and beyond

Lonely Planet Colombia — includes Medellín and Colombia’s regional culture

Lonely Planet South India & Kerala — for Kochi, Kerala cuisine and the Malabar Coast