Time Out, in partnership with Intrepid Travel, released its 2025 Best Cities for Food list on Monday, naming Lima, Peru as the top destination, followed by Bangkok, Thailand and Mexico City, Mexico. The ranking, based on resident surveys and expert panels, highlights a mix of street fare, fine dining and affordability across ten global hotspots.

Lima’s 80% resident approval fuels its #1 spot

According to the report, 80 percent of Lima’s residents praised the city’s food quality while 85 percent highlighted its affordability, making it the most budget‑friendly entry on the list. Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, points to the rise of neo‑tavernas and independent restaurants that are redefining the local palate... Notable venues include the Nikkei‑fusion restaurant Maida,crowned The World’s Best Restaurant for 2025, and Fernandini in the bohemian Barranco district, led by chef Rodrigo Fernandini.

Bangkok’s 81% local endorsement secures second place

Bangkok earned 81 percent of local votes for food quality, with 66 percent of residents finding dining affordable,according to Time Out’s data. The city’s culinary renaissance is evident in emerging districts such as Song Wat Road and Talat Noi, where concept‑driven eateries thrive. Highlights include Sorn, Thailand’s first three‑Michelin‑starred restaurant, and ThongSmith, famed for its refined boat‑noodle reinterpretation.

Mexico City’s innovative taco scene drives its third‑place finish

Mexico City captured the third slot thanks to a vibrant blend of traditional tacos and avant‑garde cuisine, a trend Joanna Reeve, General Manager UK & Ireland at Intrepid Travel, says connects visitors to local culture. Neighborhoods like Condesa, Juárez and San Miguel host a mix of Mediterranean, Asian and French influences, while chefs such as Enrique Olvera at Pujol elevate Mexican staples with nixtamalized tortillas and native quelites.

London’s surprise entry into the top five

London broke the Asian‑centric dominance by landing in the global top five, a testament to its diverse food culture and thriving restaurant scene... Residents praised the city’s ability to offer everything from street‑level markets to Michelin‑starred venues, reinforcing the ranking’s emphasis on authenticity and variety.

Who decides the rankings and what remains unclear?

The methodology blends resident surveys with expert panel scores, yet the exact weighting of factors such as price, diversity and innovation is not disclsed. Additionally, the list does not reveal how many cities were considered before narrowing to the final ten, leaving readers to wonder about the breadth of the competition.