When you think of cities famous for their cuisine, the first destinations that usually come to mind are Rome or Paris.
However, London has been named as 2026’s best food city in the world by Tripadvisor.
The UK capital came top in the Travellers’ Choice Awards, which looked at last year’s eight million online reviews to compile its ‘best of the best’ list.
Announcing London’s surprising foodie win, Tripadvisor said: ‘From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one.
‘The city’s energy means that no two days are the same.
‘Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred, enjoy a pint in a traditional, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – the possibilities are endless.’
In the ranking, London beat out Dubai, in second place, and Rome, in third place.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong – famous for its Pan-Asian cuisine – came in fourth place.
London has been named as 2026’s best food city in the world by Tripadvisor
In the ranking, London beat out Dubai, in second place
Rome was surprisingly in third place
Majorca was in sixth place, followed by Doha, Qatar, in seventh, Crete in eighth, Bangkok in ninth, and Marrakech in tenth.
Despite being the city with one of the most Michelin-star restaurants in the world, it was Paris that rounded out the top five.
The list was compiled using Tripadvisor’s ‘above-and-beyond reviews and opinions’.
The travel site’s website adds: ‘The Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel.
‘It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period.
‘Out of our eight million listings, fewer than one per cent achieve this milestone.’
Some people may not be too shocked by London’s culinary prowess, as it’s home to many restaurants that have been ranked the best in the world.
Three-Michelin-star chef Sergio Herman recently brought Frites Atelier – said to serve the ‘world’s best fries’ – to 34 Old Compton Street in Soho.
Da Michele was named Best Artisan Pizza Chain in the World – and has two branches in London
Core by Clare Smyth was ranked one of the best restaurants in the world by La Liste
A historic five-star hotel in Mayfair, London, The Ritz is known for its elegance, charm and opulent interiors
At this Dutch chain, diners can choose from a delicious menu of chips, chips and more chips.
Meanwhile, the ‘world’s best pizza’ can be found on Baker Street and in Soho, at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele.
London also does burgers very well. Bleecker Burger and Black Bear Burger came in second and third place, respectively, in the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurant burger awards.
Both restaurants have various joints across the capital.
Finally, seven London restaurants featured on La Liste’s ranking of the top 1,000 restaurants in the world.
These are Core by Clare Smyth, The Ritz, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Gordon Ramsay London, Sushi Kanesaka, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, and Brooklands by Claude Bosi.
