Move over Paris and Rome – London has officially been declared the world's premier food destination. The UK capital has claimed the top spot in Tripadvisor's prestigious Travellers' Choice Awards for the Best Food City in the World for 2026.
A Culinary Victory Built on Millions of Reviews
The award is based on an analysis of eight million reviews and opinions submitted to the travel platform over a 12-month period. Tripadvisor's algorithm identifies destinations that receive a "high volume of above-and-beyond" feedback, with fewer than one percent of its eight million listings achieving this "Best of the Best" status.
In announcing the win, Tripadvisor celebrated London's dynamic and diverse culinary scene, stating: "From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one." The city's endless energy and possibilities, from historic pubs to exclusive fine dining, were highlighted as key to its appeal.
Global Competition and Surprise Rankings
London's victory saw it surpass some of the globe's most famous food hubs. Dubai secured second place, while Rome took third. Hong Kong, renowned for its Pan-Asian cuisine, came fourth. Perhaps the most notable result was Paris, home to one of the world's highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants, rounding out the top five.
The full top ten list for 2026 is:
- London
- Dubai
- Rome
- Hong Kong
- Paris
- Majorca
- Doha, Qatar
- Crete
- Bangkok
- Marrakech
Why London's Food Scene is Unbeatable
The award underscores London's status as a culinary powerhouse with depth at every level. It is home to numerous world-class establishments, including seven restaurants featured on La Liste's ranking of the top 1,000 globally. These elite venues include Core by Clare Smyth, The Ritz, and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester.
Beyond fine dining, London excels in global street food and specialist concepts. The city now hosts branches of L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, named the Best Artisan Pizza Chain in the World, and Frites Atelier, a Dutch chain famed for its premium fries. Furthermore, homegrown burger joints like Bleecker Burger and Black Bear Burger have been recognised among the world's best.
This combination of Michelin-starred excellence, innovative imports, and celebrated local gems creates a food landscape that is both vast and vibrant, justifying its new title as the planet's best food city for travellers in 2026.
