The Best Food I’ve Tried Around The World: Unforgettable Meals That Still Make Me Smile

Drinking wine in the Scenic Rim, Australia.

One thing that sticks with me long after a trip ends is the food. Over the years, I’ve travelled to some incredible destinations. I’ve wandered through chaotic medinas, lazed on tropical beaches, hiked epic trails, and explored ancient cities. But some of my most vivid travel memories? They come from meals. Meals that made me pause, because I knew, “This is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.”

This isn’t just a list of fancy restaurants or Insta-worthy snacks. These are the meals that left a lasting impression… the kind that years later, you still talk about, dream about, and try to recreate at home.

Here’s a taste of the best food I’ve ever eaten around the world.

🇮🇹 Pasta in Rome, Italy

Let’s start with the obvious: pasta in Italy.

I know, I know… it sounds like a cliché. But sometimes clichés exist for a reason. I’d heard mixed reviews before my trip to Rome. Some Aussies even told me they preferred pasta back home. But let me tell you: every single pasta dish I had in Rome was a 10/10.

What made it special? The simplicity. Think: handmade pasta, olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs. That’s it. But when you’re sitting in a cobblestone alleyway, sipping wine, and twirling forkfuls of perfectly cooked spaghetti, it doesn’t feel simple. It feels divine. And weirdly, pasta in Italy doesn’t leave you feeling heavy. You walk away energised, and ready to do it all again at dinner.

🇼🇸 Taro Pasta in Samoa

This one surprised me. I had no idea what taro even tasted like before travelling to Samoa.

We were staying at a beautiful resort, and as a vegetarian (at the time), my options were limited. So when I saw taro fettuccine on the menu, I thought, why not? It blew me away. It was creamy, full of flavour and totally unique. I ended up ordering it most nights of the trip, even though I tried other dishes. That taro pasta still lives rent-free in my memory.

🇬🇷 Fresh Simplicity in the Greek Islands

My first trip to the Greek Islands was at 21. I’d grown up in outback Queensland, moved to Melbourne, and only just started exploring food in a real way. But Greece was a game-changer.

I don’t eat meat, so I was curious how I’d go in a country known for their lamb and seafood. But every dish, but no matter the island, the food was bursting with flavour. Fresh bread with olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes and feta, beautiful dips, salads that tasted super fresh. Even the most basic meals were unforgettable. I came home obsessed with recreating Greek dishes. And on my second visit (even while sick and medically restricted to a bland diet for a few days), the food was still spectacular.

🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Curries and Coconut Sambol

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, trust me… go to Sri Lanka. It’s one of the easiest places in the world to find meat-free meals.

Sri Lankan cuisine is vibrant, spicy, and comforting. I’d never tasted Sri Lankan food before I visited, but it instantly became one of my favourites. Think fragrant lentil dhal, creamy jackfruit curry, red rice, coconut sambol, fresh roti, and gotu kola salad. And everything was so fresh. There wasn’t a single bad meal in my time there.

🇲🇦 Moroccan Feasts in Fes

Moroccan food was already a favourite of mine, but Fes delivered one of the best meals I’ve had anywhere.

It was in a family home in the medina, and the meal began with what they called “salads”… small plates of warm spiced carrots, smoked eggplant, broad beans, and more. Then came the main: pastilla. Most ate chicken pastille, while mine was vegetarian and oh so good. Wrapped in crispy pastry, dusted with cinnamon… absolutely unforgettable.

For dessert? Fresh fruit, melt-in-your-mouth cookies (I think they called them snow balls), and almond biscuits. I remember sitting there, smiling from ear to ear, feeling bad for everyone else who was too sick to eat that night (there were a few upset stomachs from previous meals amongst the group). Because for me, it was hands down one of the best meals of my life.

That dreamy Moroccan meal in Fes (the entre).

🇦🇺 Smoked Pumpkin in Northern NSW, Australia

Australia isn’t known for a specific cuisine… we’re more of a multicultural food melting pot. But we do have access to some of the best produce in the world. Especially in Melbourne, my old stomping ground. Still, the best dish I’ve ever eaten in Australia? A smoked pumpkin dish at a beachside restaurant in northern NSW.

Served on a bed of couscous with pomegranate seeds, it was smoky, sweet, and just perfect. I was moving interstate at the time and didn’t even realise how much that one meal would stick with me. I dreamt about it during COVID lockdowns and was devastated when I realised I couldn’t just pop out and get it again. As a vegan, it’s hard to find smoked dishes… but this one really hit the spot.

☕ Vietnamese Coffee in Vietnam

As an Aussie, I take my coffee seriously. Our café culture is next-level. So I was shocked when Vietnamese coffee completely stole my heart.

Iced, with condensed milk and served in a slow-drip metal filter… it wasn’t what we thought we were ordering. But it was love at first sip. Sweet, strong, and so refreshing on a hot day. Best mistake we ever made in Vietnam.

🧆 Falafel in Jordan and Egypt

I’ve eaten a lot of falafel. But the falafel in the Middle East… especially Jordan and Egypt, is a whole new level.

In Jordan, they use chickpeas. In Egypt, fava beans. Both versions were insanely fresh, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and often served with mountains of hummus, and fluffy pita. I could (and did) eat it every day.

🇪🇸 Patatas Bravas in Malaga, Spain

Spain was a little trickier for plant-based options, especially with tapas. But patatas bravas saved the day… particularly at one little sports bar in Malaga on our first night.

Crispy potatoes with a beautiful creamy sauce. We talked about those potatoes for the entire trip. Nothing else came close.

🇳🇿 Trendy Bites in Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland wasn’t always known as a foodie destination… but on a recent work trip, I was blown away. Trendy bars, modern vegan menus, fresh local produce… it had a Melbourne vibe that I loved. I didn’t eat a single bad thing.

🍷 Wine Regions That Blew Me Away

I’m no sommelier, but I do appreciate a good glass of wine. And some regions really delivered:

• Italy – Red wine in Rome? Yes please.

• Australia – The Scenic Rim, The Barossa, Hunter Valley, Margaret River… so many incredible regions right here at home.

• New Zealand – Gorgeous whites and scenic vineyards.

• Spain – Even the €2 supermarket wine was amazing (no seriously). Plus, we did a wine tasting at an organic vineyard inside a castle near Montserrat. One of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just the Food

When I think about these meals, it’s never just the food. It’s the setting, the experience, the people, the new flavours… The way I felt in that exact moment. That’s what makes these meals truly unforgettable.

Ready to Eat Your Way Around the World?

If you’re planning your own bucket-list adventure, be sure to check out my destination guides and travel tips. And don’t forget to check out Planning Like A Pro In 5 Easy Steps… it’s packed with everything you need to plan smoother, more soul-filling travels (with room for lots of good food along the way).