Top 10 Food Cities
What makes an urban legend? A dish so unforgettable it becomes just as famous as its birthplace.
This list was first published in the National Geographic book The World's Best Cities.
Louisville, Kentucky
Invented as a midnight snack for revelers at the Brown Hotel (335 W. Broadway), Hot Brown, an open-faced turkey sandwich on Texas toast with bacon, tomatoes, and a cream sauce, gives eaters plenty to get excited about, day or night.
Chennai, India
Chicken 65 is to India’s restaurants what buffalo wings are in the United States. It is widely believed India’s spicy, deep-fried chicken starter was invented at Chennai’s Buhari Hotel by the hotel’s founder and possibly named after the number of chilies in the original recipe.
Buffalo, New York
Spicy, tangy buffalo wings, a favorite of bar crawlers the world over, owe a debt to the city’s Anchor Bar Restaurant (1047 Main St.), where the chicken finger food was born in 1964.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh City, became the hot spot for the popular Vietnamese crispy bread sandwich bánh mì, originally served on a French baguette, after gaining independence from France in 1954.
Lyon, France
In a country whose cuisine is arguably the world’s finest, Lyon is considered its foodie epicenter. It seems only juste the city has a dish named after it: famed Lyonnaise potatoes, sliced and pan-browned spuds with onion and parsley.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Famed for their chili, Cincinnatians chow down on two million pounds of the city’s spicy stew (beans optional) a year. Order like a local: three-way (on spaghetti topped with cheddar), four-way (add onions or beans), or five-way (all of the above).
Osaka, Japan
Street food takoyaki is so beloved in its birthplace of Osaka that there’s even a theme park–like museum dedicated to the grilled balls of octopus batter, topped with seaweed flakes and served with sweet takoyaki sauce.
Bologna, Italy
Spaghetti with meat sauce is a staple of college students everywhere. But the real deal is pasta Bolognese, named after the city where it was created. To reestablish its authenticity, the city’s chamber of commerce staged a cook-off in 1982 to choose an official version. (Rule No. 1: It’s served with flat tagliatelle, not skinny spaghetti.)
Edam, The Netherlands
For centuries the most popular cheese in the world, still eponymous Edam is named for the town harbor where it was sold. In summer months, you can still watch farmers navigate the ancient canals and ferry taking rounded hunks of the cheese to the market.
Ensenada, Mexico
When the Ensenada market opened in 1958 and began selling fresh, local seafood, the fish tacos became the stuff of legend. Today, foodies flock to Ensenada’s many street stands serving the classic combo of fried fish and shrimp topped with mayo, salsa, and cabbage.
Go Further
Animals
- Fireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state parkFireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state park
- These are the weird reasons octopuses change shape and colorThese are the weird reasons octopuses change shape and color
- Why young scientists want you to care about 'scary' speciesWhy young scientists want you to care about 'scary' species
- What rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlifeWhat rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlife
- He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?
Environment
- What rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlifeWhat rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlife
- He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?
- The northernmost flower living at the top of the worldThe northernmost flower living at the top of the world
- This beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on NigeriaThis beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on Nigeria
- What the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disasterWhat the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disaster
History & Culture
- Scientists find evidence of ancient waterway beside Egypt’s pyramidsScientists find evidence of ancient waterway beside Egypt’s pyramids
- This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?
Science
- Why pickleball is so good for your body and your mindWhy pickleball is so good for your body and your mind
- Extreme heat can be deadly – here’s how to know if you’re at riskExtreme heat can be deadly – here’s how to know if you’re at risk
- Why dopamine drives you to do hard things—even without a rewardWhy dopamine drives you to do hard things—even without a reward
- What will astronauts use to drive across the Moon?What will astronauts use to drive across the Moon?
- Oral contraceptives may help lower the risk of sports injuriesOral contraceptives may help lower the risk of sports injuries
- How stressed are you? Answer these 10 questions to find out.
- Science
How stressed are you? Answer these 10 questions to find out.
Travel
- A guide to Philadelphia, the US city stepping out of NYC's shadowA guide to Philadelphia, the US city stepping out of NYC's shadow
- How to make perfect pierogi, Poland's famous dumplingsHow to make perfect pierogi, Poland's famous dumplings
- The best long-distance Alpine hike you've never heard ofThe best long-distance Alpine hike you've never heard of
- Fireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state parkFireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state park
- How to explore the highlights of Italy's dazzling Lake ComoHow to explore the highlights of Italy's dazzling Lake Como
- Going on a cruise? Here’s how to stay healthy onboardGoing on a cruise? Here’s how to stay healthy onboard