40 Must-Try Dishes From Around the World (41 Photos)

Here are 40 iconic dishes from around the globe that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. Fair warning: do not read this on an empty stomach!







When in Vietnam, a steaming-hot bowl of pho—a fragrant beef noodle soup—is an absolute must.





Treat yourself to the extraordinary tasting menu at El Celler de Can Roca. Located in Girona, Spain, this Catalan restaurant was crowned the World’s Best Restaurant in 2013. The seven-course menu with wine pairings will set you back around $248.



Grab a crispy falafel pita loaded with fresh veggies in Israel. Local favorites Gabai and Ratzon serve up falafel that’s truly finger-licking good.



Indulge in a melt-in-your-mouth, juicy steak at the legendary Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn, New York.



Share a pan of rich seafood paella—fragrant saffron rice loaded with fresh seafood and chorizo—at Can Majó on Barcelona’s waterfront.



Savor an exquisite Ottoman feast at Turkey’s 18th-century Çırağan Palace, overlooking the Bosphorus.



Take a bite of authentic, gooey Neapolitan pizza in Naples, Italy.



Grab a crispy Baja-style fish taco fresh off a street cart in Los Cabos, Mexico.



Master the art of eating soup dumplings (xiao long bao) in Shanghai: use your chopsticks to dip the dumpling in soy sauce, place it on a soup spoon, pierce it to release the rich broth, and enjoy it all in one perfect bite.



Try feijoada, Brazil’s national dish—a hearty stew of black beans cooked with pork and beef cuts.



Bite into a crispy catfish, oyster, or fried chicken po'boy in New Orleans, Louisiana. And if you're feeling adventurous, don't miss out on the alligator sausage.



Cool off with a cup of artisanal gelato from Grom. You can find shops all across Italy—from Rome and Florence to Milan and Venice—plus a few locations worldwide.



Feast on bite-sized dim sum treats in Hong Kong, featuring everything from dumplings and pork buns to turnip cakes and savory noodles.



Enjoy warm, cheesy arepas con queso (grilled corn cakes stuffed with cheese) in Cartagena, Colombia.



Dig into iconic Canadian poutine in Montreal—a dish of hot crispy fries smothered in rich brown gravy and squeaky cheese curds.



Taste world-class sushi at Sukiyabashi Jiro, the legendary Tokyo restaurant featured in the acclaimed documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi."



Sink your teeth into slow-smoked, crispy pork ribs at Arthur Bryant's Barbeque in Kansas City, Missouri.



Watch wildebeests roam while enjoying breakfast at a luxury tented camp in Singita Grumeti, located in Africa's Serengeti.



Slurp up a spicy, tangy bowl of asam laksa—a flavor-packed fish noodle soup in Penang, Malaysia.



Take a bite out of a jelly-filled Voodoo Doll doughnut at Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Oregon.



Refresh yourself with a bowl of Bahamian conch salad and an ice-cold Kalik beer while relaxing with your feet in the sand listening to the ocean waves.



Dine at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, arguably the peak of fine dining in Paris. The seasonal four-course tasting menu comes in at €380 (around $500).



Bite into a crispy empanada filled with savory meat, melted cheese, or fresh vegetables in Santiago, Chile.



Experience the extravagant four-course tasting menu ($175) at Quay, Australia’s most celebrated restaurant. For dessert, indulge in the famous "Guava Snow Egg"—a heavenly creation of guava, strawberry, custard, and meringue.



Savor the rich aromas of a slow-cooked lamb tagine in Morocco, cooked to tender perfection with raisins, almonds, and warm spices.



Treat yourself to a slice of Sachertorte, Vienna's iconic chocolate cake, at historic Austrian coffeehouses like Café Landtmann or Demel.



Order an authentic Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.



Enjoy Berlin's ultimate street food: Currywurst—sliced pork sausage smothered in curry ketchup, served with a soft bread roll.



Tuck into classic fish and chips in London.



Sit down for a traditional South Indian breakfast and enjoy a masala dosa—a crispy crepe stuffed with spiced potatoes and onions—served alongside fresh tea.



Relish a buttery, juicy lobster roll in Bar Harbor, Maine.



Experience an outstanding five-course tasting menu at The Test Kitchen, one of Cape Town's most exclusive dining spots in South Africa.



Enjoy a steaming bowl of moules-frites (mussels and French fries) in Brussels, Belgium.



Pick your own cut of steak and watch the pitmaster grill it to perfection at Cabaña Las Lilas, Buenos Aires' famous steakhouse in Argentina.



Treat yourself to an unforgettable meal at Thomas Keller's world-renowned restaurant, The French Laundry, in California.



Savor a savory plate of arroz con pollo—a delicious mix of seasoned chicken, rice, vegetables, and black beans—in Havana, Cuba.



Sample wild game like elk, venison, or bison at The Gun Barrel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.



Sample dozens of local hawker delights in Singapore, from Hainanese chicken rice and laksa soup to savory satay skewers.



Join in on the quintessential French tradition: a sun-soaked picnic featuring crusty bread, soft cheeses, charcuterie, and a chilled bottle of rosé in the South of France.



Indulge in the gooey melted cheese and warm tomato sauce of an authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza.