These Countries Have The Best Food On Earth, According To The Masses
It's a fool's errand to try to find the best food in the world. What we eat is influenced by culture, nostalgia, and even genetics. That means that comparing one culture's cuisine to another is... kind of pointless (along with being inevitably infused with imperialistic notions of what food "ought" to taste like). Having said that, we are humans, and we enjoy ranking things and arguing about pretty much anything food-related.
This is especially true when it comes to the world's best food destinations. As a result, this headline and article.
Ranker asked their audience to name the best countries in the world for food. Over 40,000 people voted, and a list of the countries with the "best" food emerged. We're taking the top ten, which is admittedly heavily skewed toward Europe, but not entirely so. Are these the best food-producing countries in the world? That's something we'll never know. Even talking about an entire nation's food is reductive, because it eliminates the opportunity to highlight regionality.
What we do know is that all ten of the countries on the list have fantastic food scenes. To help you navigate these culinary havens, we've highlighted one dish from each to help you decide for yourself.
Hungary
The Dining Scene:
The food scene in Hungary is very distinct. The land of paprika has incredible delis, farm-to-table markets, and a love of spice that is uncommon in Europe. When one thinks of Hungarian food, one immediately thinks of neon red sausages hung over deli counters, steaming bowls of paprika-loaded goulash, smoked cheese, incredibly fresh produce, and plenty of sweet, bready treats roasted over open fires and dusted with sugary cinnamon.
Of course, Hungary is so much more than that. However, those culinary touchstones shine the brightest for anyone looking for a culinary escape outside of Europe's most popular destinations.
If you find yourself in Budapest, your best bet is to find a hot deli counter and order, well, everything! But make sure to order the goulash. Behind the counter, there is almost always a large pot simmering. With a few pieces of stewed beef or pork in a chili-based stew, it'll be full of paprika-laden goodness.
You're set for the day if you have some freshly baked bread for dipping.
Spain
Spain
The Dining Scene:
It's not surprising that Spain appears on any list of countries with the best food scenes. Spain's cuisine is as varied as it is delicious. The country is essentially surrounded by water, has one of Europe's densest agricultural areas, and continues to dominate the olive oil and wine industries.
It is nearly impossible to choose just one region of Spain to visit. It's like being forced to choose your favorite child. You'll never run out of great food in Spain, from the fiery asador grills and canned seafood of the Basque country to Valencia's paella to the piles of calamari along the Costa Brava to the cheeses of the high plains to the vermouth bars of Barcelona to the tapas bars of Seville.
It is nearly impossible to choose just one region of Spain to visit. It's like being forced to choose your favorite child. You'll never run out of great food in Spain, from the fiery asador grills and canned seafood of the Basque country to Valencia's paella to the piles of calamari along the Costa Brava to the cheeses of the high plains to the vermouth bars of Barcelona to the tapas bars of Seville.
It would be very simple to say paella here. As someone who has eaten paella at least a dozen times in Spain's "best" restaurants, I can say it's only been good twice. Every time I've tried it in Spain, the canned seafood has been both delicious and educational. A can of mussels in chili sauce, razor clams in pesto, or anchovies with capers is not your typical can of fish from the supermarket. Because of the processes, recipes, and attention to detail in the fishing, cooking, and canning, these tins reach crazy heights of deliciousness.
This is also one of the most readily available foods right now. If your town has a high-end grocer or deli, they will most likely stock canned seafood from Spain. It won't be cheap (a jar of real tuna in olive oil will cost around $10 or more), but it will be transformative. Begin with something simple, such as tuna, and work your way up.
Greece
The Dining Scene:
Greece appears to be a natural fit for the top five. The land of lamb gyros, endless seafood, funky farmhouse cheese, copious amounts of olive oil, and robust wines rarely leaves anyone hungry or unsatisfied. The entire country has the appearance of endless beaches, numerous islands, and dry farmland leading to rugged mountains. Greece is also small, especially when compared to the massive colonial empires of the Americas. That doesn't mean the cuisine is one-note; rather, it's dialed in — based on Mediterranean ideals, with a heavy emphasis on fatty fish, fresh produce, plenty of dairy and olive oil, and all the wine you can drink under that hot southern European sun.
You've probably had a gyro from a mall food court or food truck, and it was probably fine. The authentic version in Greece dials things back a notch by not overstuffing their gyros. Instead, you get a few shavings of spit-roasted fatty lamb with a lush yogurt sauce, some sliced onion, possibly a little tomato, and a few freshly cooked thick-cut fries wrapped in an impossibly soft pita with a slight sourdough funk.
It's devilishly simple, but very easy to get wrong. Add to that the possibility of eating one beside the ocean in this island and coastline rich country, and you have an unforgettable food experience.
Turkey
Turkey
The Dining Scene:
Turkey, like Greece, sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and the cuisine benefits from millennia of traffic that has passed through the country. Whether you're in the mountains or by the sea, the heart of Turkish cuisine is different. In general, the closer you get to the Middle East through the country's interior, the more the cuisine leans toward those foodways.
Similarly, the closer you get to Europe and the Mediterranean, the more the cuisine leans toward Mediterranean dishes.
Italy
Italy
Sure, some people go to Italy for the sights (the art, history, and architecture are all beautiful), but the food is almost always the main focus of any trip to Italy.
The Italians really did travel the world. There isn't a single place on the planet where you can't find pizza (or pasta). I've been to Afghanistan, the Congo, and Sumatra, and I've always found Italian pizza in some form or another. However, it is never the same as the variety and quality found in Italy (no, not even in the U.S., Brazil, or Argentina). I know that sounds exaggerated, but outside of Italy, you rarely find the unique toppings, perfect cheese, and great crusts that you find in Italy (even in the US, where we have some spectacular pizza).
In Sicily, grabbing a slice of french fry and hot dog pizza is a kitschy delight. A whole pizza from a street cart in Naples for less than $2 is the ultimate street food experience. What pizza is all about is debating which slice to buy by the kilo from a shop in Rome with some of the most outrageous toppings. While you can get very close to those experiences in the United States at places like L'antica Pizzeria da Michele in Los Angeles or 2 Amys in Washington, DC, the vibe and ingenuity of being in Italy and eating the ever-evolving, globally beloved gift of pizza is still missing.
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