When travelling to new cities, you get to see the sights, meet new people, and, of course, try the local food. But not all cities are culinary havens. Some places, despite being popular travel destinations, just don’t measure up when it comes to cuisine. These are 20 of the most popular cities with surprisingly terrible food.
London
“Some of the best restaurants in London can be found outside of central London and in its thriving neighbourhoods,” according to CN Traveller—which explains why many tourists in the centre, and on a budget, some up against disappointing food. Much of the local cuisine can be bland and uninspiring, and traditional British dishes like bangers and mash or fish and chips often fail to impress.
Venice
Venice is a breathtakingly beautiful city, but its food often leaves much to be desired. The city’s tourist-heavy areas are filled with overpriced restaurants serving mediocre meals, and many visitors complain about bland pasta dishes. It’s not uncommon to encounter pizza that tastes more like cardboard than a delicious Italian staple.
Moscow
Russia’s capital might be known for its historic landmarks and vibrant culture, but its food scene is often criticised. Traditional Russian cuisine can be heavy and unappealing to many visitors, and dishes like borscht and herring under a fur coat might not be to everyone’s taste.
Reykjavik
The stunning landscapes and unique culture of Reykjavik make it a popular travel destination—but its food can be a real disappointment. Icelandic cuisine features some rather unusual dishes, like fermented shark and sheep’s head, which can be off-putting to many travellers.
Cairo
A city full of history and wonder, Cairo’s food scene nonetheless often leaves visitors unimpressed and while street food is plentiful, the quality can be hit or miss. Traditional dishes like koshari and ful medames can be delicious, but they’re often poorly executed.
Los Angeles
Despite its status as a cultural melting pot, Los Angeles, which has a plethora of dining options, has food that is overpriced and underwhelming. The quality of food can vary wildly, and finding a consistently good meal can be a challenge.
Athens
Athens is known for its ancient ruins and vibrant nightlife, but its food scene can be a letdown. While Greek cuisine is beloved around the world, many visitors to Athens find that the local food doesn’t measure up, including tourist traps serving subpar souvlaki and moussaka, which are all too common.
New Delhi
Bursting with colour and life, New Delhi’s food can still be hit or miss, and street food is a major part of the city’s culinary landscape, but hygiene standards can be questionable. This leads to many visitors suffering from “Delhi belly.” Even in more upscale restaurants, the quality of food can be inconsistent.
Cancun
Cancun is a top vacation spot for its beautiful beaches and nightlife, but the food scene is often disappointing, thanks to the city being filled with all-inclusive resorts that serve bland, uninspired meals. While there are some hidden gems, many tourists find themselves eating the same mediocre dishes day after day.
Manila
A bustling city with a lot to offer, Manila and its Filipino cuisine have some delicious dishes, but they’re not always easy to find. Many restaurants serve poorly prepared meals that don’t do justice to the country’s culinary heritage; and the city’s fast food culture also means that high-quality, traditional dishes can be hard to come by.
Oslo
Oslo is known for its stunning fjords and modern architecture, but Norwegian cuisine can be quite bland, with an emphasis on boiled potatoes, fish, and meat. The high cost of dining out also means that many tourists end up spending a lot of money on meals that aren’t particularly memorable.
São Paulo
While the city of Sao Paulo has some excellent restaurants, many of them are prohibitively expensive, and the quality of street food and more affordable dining options can be inconsistent. This can result in a frustrating culinary experience for visitors, leaving tourists wanting more.
Munich
Munich is famous for its beer and Oktoberfest, but its food can be a letdown; traditional Bavarian dishes like sausages, pretzels, and schnitzel can be heavy and repetitive, and many visitors find the food to be overly salty and lacking in variety. For a city that’s known for its festive atmosphere, Munich’s food scene can be surprisingly monotonous.
Hong Kong
A bustling metropolis, unfortunately Hong Kong’s diverse food scene can be hit or miss. The city is filled with high-end restaurants that are often overpriced, and finding good, affordable meals can be a challenge. Street food is popular, but hygiene standards can be a concern.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city of canals and culture, but traditional Dutch cuisine is often quite basic, with dishes like stamppot (mashed potatoes with vegetables) and herring that might not appeal to everyone. The quality of food in tourist areas can also be disappointing, with many restaurants serving bland meals.
Johannesburg
While the city itself has a lot to offer, the food in Johannesburg can be disappointing, with traditional South African dishes like pap and boerewors being an acquired taste. The quality of dining options can be inconsistent, too, therefore finding a good meal can be a challenge.
Lima
Lima is known for its rich history and stunning coastal views, and while Peruvian cuisine is celebrated worldwide, many of the city’s restaurants serve mediocre versions of traditional dishes. Tourist areas are filled with overpriced eateries that don’t do justice to the country’s culinary heritage.
Brussels
Brussels might be famous for its chocolate and beer, but if you want a varied diet during your trip, its food scene can be lacklustre. Traditional Belgian dishes like mussels and fries can be hit or miss, and many visitors find the local cuisine to be heavy on the stomach. The quality of restaurants in tourist areas can also be disappointing.
Dubai
The food in Dubai can be surprisingly underwhelming. The city’s dining scene is dominated by expensive, high-end restaurants that often fail to deliver on quality. Traditional Emirati cuisine can be hard to find, and a lot of tourists leave Dubai feeling that the food doesn’t live up to the city’s luxurious reputation.
Prague
One final city that’s popular for anything but its food is Prague; known for its stunning architecture and rich history, traditional Czech dishes like goulash and dumplings can be repetitive. The quality of food in tourist areas is often poor, too.
