How to Be a Foodie Traveller in Five Easy Steps

“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.” 

These words were spoken by Anthony Bourdain, the late chef and writer, on the final episode of his popular travel show, No Reservations, in November 2012. People have truly taken his words to heart in the decade-plus since, especially since his tragic passing in 2018. Travel is booming and foodie travel is leading the charge in how people explore the world. 

Living in the wake of Anthony Bourdain, fuelled by inspirational foodie content on Instagram and TikTok, and embracing the culinary renaissance that has swept the globe, more people than ever before are putting food at the centre of their travels. Goway’s data shows a 21% increase in spending on cooking classes, food tours, and wine experiences, compared to 2022. Asia has seen the greatest boom in foodie travel, but the trend is cresting across the world, from the leading restaurants of Copenhagen to the barbeque joints of Cape Town and everywhere in between. 

But how do you get involved with this new trend in culinary tourism? How can you present yourself as a foodie on your Instagram reels and dazzle your friends with your newfound culinary sophistication? Paired with some best practices, advice from Goway’s Destination Specialists, and surefire restaurant recommendations, we’ve put together five easy steps to travel the world like a foodie. 

1. Eat What the Locals Eat

This is the golden rule of foodie travel. A true foodie goes where the locals go and eats what they eat. As Bourdain taught us, you can experience the soul of a destination in its food. Dine with locals in restaurants or even in their homes if you ever get the chance. Accept invitations. Follow the locals away from the tourist traps and towards the hidden bistros and quiet cafes that showcase the true culinary passions of the destination. Of course, this means that you need to learn a bit about local food etiquette, i.e. how to use chopsticks or whether you need to eat with your right hand. Go into these experiences with an open mind, be respectful, and learn as you go. The benefits of going where the locals go is that you often discover the best dishes that capture a destination in the truest sense.  

“Trattoria di Via Serra in Bologna, Italy is beloved by locals for its authentic Emilian dishes like handmade tortellini in rodo and rich tagliatelle al ragù. It’s unpretentious, family-run, and you’ll often need a reservation—even though it’s not flashy or touristy. What makes it special is the way they stick to tradition while letting ingredients speak for themselves. It’s the kind of place where locals bring their nonna—and that’s always the best sign.” - Jacqueline Fagioli, Destination Specialist 

Recommendation: Trattoria di Via Serra in Bologna, Italy 

2. Be Adventurous

Being a foodie means eating outside your comfort zone (at least initially). The beauty is that the more you eat different foods, the more comfortable you get with them, and soon enough you won’t bat an eye when someone offers you stir-fried cricket curry for lunch. However, being adventurous is not about bragging rights. It’s about experiencing all the diverse flavours of the world that you never thought you’d love. 

One of the most adventurous things you can do is eat street food. Anyone who has been to Bangkok knows that some of the best dishes are found on street stalls (some are even Michelin-starred). However, people grow wary of the cleanliness of street food. If this is you, the best tip is to remember step No. 1: go where the locals go. If a place has a bad reputation for poor food preparation, it won’t be popular with the locals, so go where you see the lineups of locals. By being adventurous in what you eat, you’ll discover new favourites. Being bold pays culinary dividends. 

“My favourite place in the world is an outdoor barbeque restaurant called Seman Abla in Kerdasa, just southwest of Cairo. This was the first place that I ever had grilled quail and now I’m absolutely addicted to it. Despite being a westerner, I was adventurous and discovered delicious local dishes here, from camel liver and kidney to quail.” - Jodi Hartnell, Destination Specialist 

Recommendation: Seman Abla in Kerdasa, Egypt 

3. Don’t Forget the Classics

Every country has a national dish. It might not be as sexy as the fusion dishes you see on Instagram, but it’s classic for a reason. Any foodie worth their salt will explore the classics while travelling, delving into the flavours that have come to define a culture. It’s always good to create a foundation for culinary discovery. It then gives you newfound appreciation for all the ways dishes are innovated and combined in the modern era. 

“Classics done well make for special culinary experiences, such as you get at Ekachan The Wisdom of Ethnic Thai Cuisine. This well-regarded Michelin-starred restaurant is known for its authentic Northern Thai dishes. It serves the classics, but foodies love its genuine and authentic flavours, and how the local chef embraces the slow food concept, using ingredients from across the country to craft dishes that bring traditional flavours to life. It pairs beautifully with the riverside setting and the rustic atmosphere. The spicy beef turmeric curry is especially exceptional, with an intense mix of herbs and spices." - Leo Liu, Destination Specialist 

Recommendation: Ekachan The Wisdom of Ethnic Thai Cuisine in Chiang Mai, Thailand 

4. Learn from the Experts

No matter how many Michelin-starred restaurants you’ve dined at or how many local specialties you’ve checked off the list, it’s important to realize there’s always someone who knows more about food than you. And it’s not only the content creators on social media who seem to know the perfect places to go. Learning from these online experts is a start, but it’s best to join experts in person to get the full experience. 

Again, local is king. People who have lived and breathed a destination, have cooked in its restaurants, have shopped in its markets, have been a part of its culinary community, are the ones who are best equipped to let you in on the secret. Bourdain understood this, which is why he gave so much authority to local cooks who poured their souls into the food that represented their home. Before travelling, do your homework about the cuisine with some online research. And when in destination, join cooking classes and food tours to get insight from experts on the ground. Travelling in the company of an expert will help you select the best when exploring a new city.  

“Joining a local guide helps you gain the local perspective and get the kind of insight you’ll never get from a book. Melbourne is a great place to explore with a guide, as you can tour the laneways to spot hidden gem cafes or eat your way through restaurants. You’ll hear the kind of stories behind the artwork and culture you’d miss otherwise. Guides will also help you get into incredible restaurants, such as Farmer’s Daughters in Melbourne. It has farm-to-table dishes highlighting ingredients from the Gippsland region of Victoria. The grass-fed beef carpaccio is divine.” - Joanna Palanuik, Senior Destination Specialist 

Recommendation: Farmer’s Daughters in Melbourne, Australia