Top 7 Culinary Destinations and Food Festivals Around the World This Fall
While the Mona Lisa captivates many in Paris, discerning travelers prioritize the city's world-class chocolate. This fall, experience the Salon du Chocolat at Porte de Versailles, alongside events like Taste of London in Regent's Park, the Valle Food & Wine Fest near Ensenada, and the International Alba White Truffle Festival in Italy's Piedmont region. Discover compelling reasons to travel for exceptional cuisine—here are seven expert-recommended destinations.
London
London features over 70 Michelin-starred restaurants, with three earning the prestigious three-star rating: Mitsuhiro Araki’s intimate nine-seat omakase at The Araki, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester.
The city also showcases innovative openings from acclaimed chefs, such as Quique Dacosta’s modernist Arros QD (signature paellas), Nathan Outlaw’s seafood haven in The Goring Hotel (red mullet with devilled shrimp butter and chicory), and Adam Handling’s refined British fare at the Belmond Cadogan Hotel (must-try Scottish lobster, British oysters, and English caviar for Sunday lunch).
Visit November 15-18 for Taste of London in Regent’s Park, sampling top spots like Hoppers, Bao, and Dominique Ansel Bakery amid scenic lanes.
Singapore
Singapore surpasses cities like Berlin, Chicago, and San Francisco with 39 Michelin stars, including the world’s first Michelin-starred street food.
The newly reopened Raffles Singapore hosts Anne-Sophie Pic’s three-Michelin-star La Dame de Pic (try Chou Cao-herbed Berlingots) and Alain Ducasse’s BBR in the historic Bar & Billiard Room, featuring wood-fired rotisserie and pizza. Don’t miss the restored Long Bar’s signature Singapore Sling.
Arrive October 11-12 for The Great Wine & Dine Festival at Resorts World Sentosa, showcasing 400+ wines, craft sakes, and global celebrity chef bites.
Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
Known as Mexico’s Napa Valley, Valle de Guadalupe near Ensenada boasts ideal elevations and a Mediterranean climate yielding exceptional reds. Standouts include Javier Plasencia’s Finca Altozano and David Castro Hussong’s Fauna, where local ingredients shine in dishes like ahi tostadas with jicama kimchi.
Catch the Valle Food & Wine Fest on October 5 at Finca Altozano, featuring 50 top US and Mexican chefs, including Wolfgang Puck and Nancy Silverton, plus valley wineries and stunning views.
Alba, Italy
Join 500,000 visitors at the International Alba White Truffle Fair in Piedmont’s Alba, running eight weekends from October 5. White truffles (Tuber Magnatum Pico) command up to $4,000 per pound.
Enjoy wine tastings, pasta workshops (egg-based stuffed varieties are specialties), and truffle-enhanced menus. Restaurants offer shavings by the gram—pair with pasta or fried eggs for optimal flavor.
Dubai
Dubai’s dining scene elevates with global stars like Michael White’s two-Michelin-starred Marea, highlighting crudos such as sea bream panzanella or yellowfin tuna with oyster crema.
At W Dubai - The Palm, Akira Back’s Japanese-Korean spot offers tuna pizza and AB tacos, while Massimo Bottura—top-ranked by World’s 50 Best—leads Torno Subito with exceptional tagliatelle and tiramisu.
Tokyo
Fall in Tokyo celebrates the harvest with street sweet potatoes, grilled sanma, and weekend food festivals for ramen, beer, and matcha, set against vibrant maple foliage.
With 308 Michelin stars—twice Paris’s tally—options abound. RyuGin excels in autumn with fall fungi enhancing Sanuki Wagyu and Toban Sukiyaki.
Paris
The world’s premier chocolate event, Salon du Chocolat, marks its 25th year at Porte de Versailles from October 30-November 3. Expect 500+ exhibitors, pastry workshops, sculptures, a bookstore, cultural performances, and a chocolate fashion show.
