Must-eat dish: Pizza margherita

You can’t talk food in Italy without talking Naples – and you can’t talk food in Naples without talking pizza. A’ pizz was born in Naples in the nineteenth century as a quick, affordable meal for the city’s working classes, and old-school pizzerias (mostly centred around Via dei Tribunali, aka Pizza Street) continue to feed hungry Neapolitans today. While there are certainly elevated iterations around the city, it’s still the cheapest bite in Naples – locals named pizza a portafoglio the city’s best-value dish, a grab-and-go folded slice that costs around €1 a pop. And the proof is in the pie: Naples ranked as the most affordable city to eat out in our survey.

Why visit now ‘Neapolitan cuisine celebrates diversity, simplicity and the marriage between land, sea and history,’ says writer and Naples local Gabriela Proietti. ‘This rich food culture can be found everywhere in the city: it’s in the piping hot plates of pasta alla genovese and Neapolitan ragù, the morning sugar rush from ricotta-filled sfogliatella or rum-soaked babà, a stroll through the sixteenth-century Mercato della Pignasecca.

‘The energetic Quartieri Spagnoli district is erupting as the place to be for food right now, but don’t settle for any open-air trattoria. For the city’s crowning dish, pizza margherita, head to Santa Maradona, where owner Andrea Viviani honours Naples’ most prized possessions: pizza, football, and Diego Armando Maradona. And for Neapolitan culinary classics with a creative bistrot twist, pay a visit to CU.QU. / cucinadiquartiere.’

Must-eat dish: Kota sandwich

Cape Town might steal the limelight for its international cuisine (and our newly opened Time Out Market, on the V&A Waterfront, is testament to the culinary talent in the Mother City), but Jo’burg is a worthy rival for the title of South Africa’s food capital. From Ethiopian cafes in Little Addis to Nigerian and West African eats in the south of the city, you can eat your way across the continent here – though the majority of locals we surveyed recommended the city’s traditional South African delicacies, like the Sowetan kota sandwich, bunny chow and mala mogodu.

Why visit now ‘If Jo’burg is the soul of South Africa, Braamfontein is the pulse of the city. This central neighbourhood is home to some of my favourite places to eat, people-watch and dance, with some of the most innovative ventures combining the forces of food and culture,’ says Johannesburg food writer Thando Moleketi-Williams. ‘Head to Mamakashaka and Friends on De Beer Street for weekends of wine and hip hop, cocktails and playlists, a monthly book club and an exciting rotation of food collabs. A few blocks up on Reserve Street, Artivist is a restaurant and gallery space that’s recently launched a monthly fine dining Sunday brunch club residency by award-winning chef Katlego Mlambo. While you’re there, don’t miss speakeasy and live music space Untitled Basement.’

Must-east dish: Ceviche

Lima is not only the culinary capital of Peru, but of the entire South American continent. It’s home to the ‘world’s best restaurant’ in Central, but you can sample the Peruvian flavours on Central’s ten-course tasting menu everywhere across the city (and for a fraction of the price). Tangy pisco sours, citrusy ceviche and lomo saltado (Peruvian beef stir fry) all got the nod from locals in our survey, but when it came to value, the simple, hearty arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) was named the city’s most affordable dish.

Why visit now ‘Lima’s meteoric rise to leading culinary city was cemented last year when Central topped the world’s best restaurant list, throwing light on a country where ancient grains meet the fish-rich Humboldt Current and the culinary influences of Chinese and Japanese immigrant communities,’ says travel writer and Lima expert Steph Dyson. ‘The latter shaped Lima’s emblematic marinated fish dish, ceviche; you can sample it everywhere from five-star restaurants to portside markets, although my preference is at unpretentious Punto Azul. Limeño gastronomy is constantly evolving, too. Don’t miss Mérito, a lauded Venezuelan-Peruvian fusion restaurant where high Andean tubers and Venezuelan arepas meet.’

Must-eat dish: Pho Saigon

Sweet, spicy, fragrant, fishy – however you’d describe it, Vietnamese cuisine never compromises on flavour, and you can sample the very best of it in Ho Chi Minh. Beyond the streetside food stalls and bustling markets hawking banh mi, snails, broken rice and offal stew are a clutch of Bib Gourmand and Michelin-starred restaurants serving up creative renditions of classic dishes. But by far the most mentioned dish in our survey was pho. The warming noodle soup – in the south typically heavily garnished with basil, coriander, chilli and hoisin sauce – is a Vietnamese staple, ubiquitous across the city.

Why visit now ‘Though Hanoi might be the birthplace of Vietnamese cuisine and culture, Ho Chi Minh has emerged as the country’s most exciting dining destination,’ says Ho Chi Minh writer Dan Q Dao. ‘In District 1, the central downtown hub, there’s Ănăn Saigon, chef Peter Cuong Franklin’s ‘new Vietnamese’ restaurant that nabbed the city’s sole Michelin star in last year’s inaugural guide to Vietnam. It’s within walking distance of Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa, a 30-year-old street food institution specialising in French-influenced Vietnamese baguette sandwiches, which originated in the city. Across the river in District 2 is a burgeoning modern restaurant landscape – the tasting menu concept Tre Dining and gastro-focused wine bar Little Bear stand out for their interpretation of Vietnamese ingredients and flavours through Western culinary techniques.’

Must-eat dish: Peking duck

Beijing is a city for carnivores. Asked which dish everyone should try when visiting their city, locals overwhelmingly put meat on the menu: gongbao chicken, hot pot, and (of course) peking duck were the most common answers. But veggies won’t be disappointed, either – stir-fried, steamed, spiced or parcelled in a dumpling, you can find the good stuff all over the Chinese capital. And while Beijing has its share of gourmet restaurants, the city’s many snack streets and night markets ensure eating out won’t cost a fortune – grab a jian bing (a Chinese savoury crepe) and a local beer and you’re set.

Why visit now ‘Peking duck is the quintessential Beijing cuisine, and my go-to spot is Siji Minfu,’ says Wendy Xu, editor at Time Out Beijing. ‘It’s not unheard of to wait more than an hour to be seated here, even when you book ahead, but their perfectly roasted ducks with crispy skin make waiting in line so worth it. If I’m looking for something a bit more fancy, I head to Qu Lang Yuan, where French-Chinese fusion cuisine shines with fresh local ingredients. For a true hole-in-the-wall experience, there’s no better place than Yudefu’s lamb hotpot. For something new and delicious in the Jing, don’t miss Puzzles and Greek Freak. Puzzles is a perfect sunshine brunch spot, featuring a European-inspired brunch menu, while Greek Freak is a go-to for authentic gyros and hummus.’

Must-eat dish: Som tum

Street food capital of the world, Bangkok unsurprisingly ranked as the third-most affordable city to eat out in. Sizzling in streetside woks or served up from a boat in a floating market, street eats are the lifeblood of the city; locals named som tum, a sweet and slightly spicy papaya salad found in many a sidewalk stall and rickety pushcart, as the Thai capital’s must-eat dish. Beyond the markets and no-frills food joints is a city flush with gourmet accolades: Bangkok has 34 Michelin-starred restaurants under its belt, and won big in the recent Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards.

Why visit now ‘We’re never surprised when Bangkok receives another accolade as one of the best food destinations in the world,’ says Top Koaysomboon, editor of Time Out Bangkok. ‘Street food is the heart of Bangkok’s food scene and it’s only becoming more exciting, with emerging foodie hub Ban Tad Thong rivalling the classic street food hotspot of Yaowarat Road. On the fine dining side, there are more restaurants with Michelin stars and 50 Best accolades than ever, which have given a much-deserved spotlight to beloved female chefs like Tam Debakham of Baan Tepa, Pam Soontornyanakij of Potong, and Garima Arora of Gaa. And any trip to Bangkok won’t be complete without a visit to Jay Fai’s. The queue is long, but you definitely have to go.’

Must-eat dish: Nasi lemak

The Malaysian capital is a big, delicious melting pot, with a food scene influenced by Malay, Chinese and Indian culture and reflective of centuries of migration. Nasi lemak, an aromatic dish of coconut milk rice, crispy anchovies, cucumber and boiled egg, was named the city’s must-eat meal, followed by Thai tom yam soup and roti canai, a crispy pan-fried flatbread.

Why visit now ‘Kuala Lumpur punches well above its weight with some of the most sought-after food in all of Asia,’ says Kuala Lumpur writer Ng Su Ann. ‘Make time for our many kopitiams, mamak and hawker stalls, and neon-lit night markets to sample our world-famous street fare, like laksa, roti canai, and nasi lemak. From cafés to omakases, from supper clubs to bars with skyline views, the city’s food scene has more to offer than ever. Over the past few months, we’ve welcomed a number of notable new restaurants well worth the reservation: there’s Pickle Dining, where fermentation and pickling is all the rage, and the new nusantara eatery Kai spotlights flavours from across the Malay Archipelago. My go-to when friends visit? APW in Bangsar has 103 Coffee (maybe the best coffee in the city), and Olivia Deli for tapas and sangria, a sushiya, wood-fired sourdough pizzas, natural wines and more.’

Must-eat dish: Vada pav

Mumbaikars are rightly proud of their city’s food scene, scoring it the highest for quality of all cities surveyed. Locals’ favourite dishes are proof that this city is full of explosive flavour: fiery manchurian (roughly chopped vegetables or meat, fried and smothered in a sticky sauce), creamy butter chicken, and street food staple vada pav (a deep-fried potato dumpling stuffed into a bread roll, accompanied by red and green chutneys) were named Mumbai’s must-eats.

Why visit now ‘Mumbai’s food scene is reflective of the city’s diversity, with ingredients and flavours from across India and the world,’ says Mumbai writer Kunal Bhatia. ‘Everyone has a favourite find here, from a street vendor for a quick bite to rooftop bars with sweeping views. New restaurants are always opening in the lively neighbourhoods of Bandra and Lower Parel, but my favourite places to eat are in my home turf of Versova. Goan food at the newly opened Sorozai is delectable, but I find myself equally drawn to old favourite Tanjore Tiffin Room – its sampling platter of 16 rice and curries is always an instant hit.’

Must-eat dish: Mandi

With its man-made islands and vertiginous skyscrapers, we all know Dubai isn’t afraid to innovate. In recent years, the city’s propensity for pushing boundaries has extended to the city’s food scene, with new-wave dining experiences and emerging local chefs scooping up awards left, right and centre. The emirate, home to the world’s largest expat community, is a magnet for international culinary talent, attracting some of the world’s best chefs at the helm of some of the world’s best restaurants. But while it’s possible to sample cuisine from almost anywhere on earth here, locals named traditional Middle Eastern dishes – namely mandi rice, shawarma and charcoal-grilled chicken – as their must-eats.

Why visit now ‘Growing up in Dubai, I’ve seen the food landscape evolve enormously over the past 30 years,’ says Yousra Zaki, food editor at Time Out Dubai. ‘Right now, the city’s culinary landscape is more diverse and creative than it’s ever been. We’ve seen a rise in incredible chef-led dining experiences that break all the rules; Moonrise, for example, has created its own version of ‘Dubai cuisine’ with a 12-course omakase menu (one of the dishes is inspired by – of all things – food court alfredo pasta). Another home-grown concept, Jun’s (Time Out Dubai’s Best Asian Restaurant 2024) is all about third-culture cooking, with dishes influenced by Chinese, Indian and North American cuisine; an approach that really reflects Dubai’s multicultural population. It’s such a vibrant industry, one where chefs and restaurateurs stand with and support each other, matching healthy competition with interesting collaborations. We can’t wait to see what the next five years bring.’