After reading the diabolical list that was the Taste Atlas “Best Cuisines in the World 2025” I have decided to compile a new list, as decided by me. Why have I done this?
Well firstly the Taste Atlas list was pure stupidity. After all they had Indonesian at number 7, BEFORE the rest of South-East Asia, as well as other nonsense.
Click to see my top street food cities.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Cuisines in the World
1. Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnamese food wins because it does not try to be clever. It just works. Fresh herbs actually matter here, not as garnish but as a core ingredient. Pho is the obvious headline act, but it is only the entry point. Bun cha, bun bo Hue, banh xeo, banh mi, and the entire rice and noodle ecosystem are balanced, light, and brutally addictive. It is street food that beats fine dining without breaking a sweat. You can eat this three times a day and never feel wrecked.
2. French Cuisine
French cuisine is technique. Butter, sauce, timing, and arrogance. Every modern kitchen owes France money whether they admit it or not. From bistro staples like steak frites and confit de canard to regional monsters like bouillabaisse and cassoulet, this is food that set the global rulebook. Yes, it can be pretentious. Yes, portions can be annoying. When it is done right it is still untouchable.
3. Japanese Cuisine
Precision, discipline, and obsession. Sushi is the global export, but real Japanese food goes much deeper. Ramen culture alone could justify a top three ranking. Add tempura, yakitori, okonomiyaki, kaiseki, and regional comfort food, and it becomes unfair. Japanese food respects ingredients and punishes shortcuts. Simple on the surface, ruthless underneath.
Click to see the best street food dishes in Japan.
4. Spanish Cuisine
Spain understands pleasure. Jamon, cheese, olive oil, and seafood are treated with respect and not buried under nonsense. Tapas culture encourages grazing, drinking, and arguing, which is exactly how food should be enjoyed. From Galicia seafood to Andalusian frying and Basque grilling, Spain delivers variety without losing identity.
5. Korean Cuisine
Fermentation, fire, and attitude. Korean food hits hard and keeps going. Kimchi is not a side dish, it is a lifestyle. BBQ culture is social and aggressive in the best way. Stews like kimchi jjigae and doenjang jjigae are deep and comforting. This is food designed for drinking and surviving winter. Oh and yes we have combined North and South Korean cuisine here.
6. Mexican Cuisine
Corn, chili, and time. Real Mexican food is ancient and regional, not Tex Mex bullshit. Tacos al pastor, mole, pozole, tamales, and endless salsas make this one of the most complete food cultures on earth. It can be cheap, refined, messy, or ceremonial and still deliver every single time.
7. Italian Cuisine
Simplicity done correctly. When Italian food fails it is because someone added too much. Pasta, tomatoes, cheese, and cured meat are enough when the ingredients are good. Regional diversity keeps it interesting, and the comfort factor is unbeatable. It is food that makes people emotional for a reason.
8. Chinese Cuisine
China is not one cuisine, it is many. From Sichuan fire to Cantonese subtlety, from dumplings to noodles to whole roast animals, the depth is insane. Chinese food can be fast, ceremonial, greasy, or delicate and still feel authentic. Anyone ranking this outside the top ten is lying.
9. Lebanese Cuisine
The king of mezze. Lebanese food is built for sharing, grazing, and long conversations. Hummus, baba ghanoush, grilled meats, fresh bread, and sharp salads all work together. It is fresh without being boring and rich without being heavy. Perfect drinking food.
10. Ethiopian Cuisine
Unique and uncompromising. Injera is the base of everything, and once you get it, you really get it. Spiced stews, slow cooking, and communal eating make this one of the most distinctive cuisines on the planet. It is not trying to please everyone, and that is exactly why it belongs here. Distinctive, ancient, and communal. Injera, rich stews, and spiced dishes make it unique. Eating is social and bold, and flavours are intense and satisfying.
11-20 Best Cuisines in the World
11. Portuguese Cuisine
Seafood, salt, and history. Portuguese food is criminally underrated. Grilled fish, seafood rice, pork dishes, and pastries like pastel de nata punch above their weight. This is food shaped by the ocean, and it shows.
12. Brazilian Cuisine
Big, messy, and regional. Feijoada is the headline, but Brazilian food changes wildly by region. Grilled meat culture is elite, and street snacks are dangerously addictive.
13. Indian Cuisine
Spice, technique, and regional chaos. Indian food varies massively across the country, and that is its strength. Curries, breads, snacks, and sweets form one of the most complex food systems anywhere. Oh and also check put Sikkimese Cuisine.
14. Greek Cuisine
Olive oil, grilled meat, and simplicity. Greek food is at its best when it stops trying to be fancy. Fresh ingredients, strong flavors, and zero nonsense.
15. Turkish Cuisine
The bridge between worlds. Kebabs, breads, stews, and meze dominate, and they dominate for a reason. Turkish food is generous, filling, and endlessly reliable.
16. Peruvian Cuisine
Seafood driven and creative without being stupid. Ceviche culture alone puts Peru on the map. Indigenous ingredients mixed with outside influence done properly.
17. Thai Cuisine
Sweet, sour, salty, and spicy actually balanced. Thai food understands contrast better than almost anyone. Street food culture here is world class.
18. Bengali Cuisine
Fish, mustard oil, and subtle spice. Bengali food is quieter than other Indian cuisines but deeply rewarding. Rice and fish done properly.
19. Serbian Cuisine
Meat, smoke, and comfort. Serbian food is heavy, direct, and honest. Grilled meats, stews, and bakery culture keep it real.
20. Cambodian Cuisine
Often overshadowed but quietly excellent. Fresh herbs, fermented flavors, simple soups, curries, and rice dishes. Complex, balanced, and rich in history. Underrated.
Best of the Rest Cuisines in the World 21-50
21. Romanian Cuisine
Rustic and filling. Soups, stews, and grilled meat dominate. Not fancy but effective.
22. Serbian Cuisine
Yes again. It deserves it. Bakery culture alone justifies the repeat.
23. Albanian Cuisine
Mediterranean with Balkan backbone. Grilled meat, seafood, and simple plates done right.
24. Polish Cuisine
Comfort food heaven. Dumplings, soups, and pork dishes designed for surviving winter.
25. Georgian Cuisine
Bread, cheese, and wine culture that borders on obsession. Khachapuri is undefeated. Also a great place to be an expat.
26. German Cuisine
Sausage, bread, and beer logic. When it works, it really works.
27. Algerian Cuisine
North African depth without the hype. Slow cooking and spice used properly. Really underrated
28. Argentinian Cuisine
Beef supremacy. Simple grilling and quality meat carry this cuisine.
29. Hungarian Cuisine
Paprika, stews, and serious comfort. Heavier than it looks.
30. Colombian Cuisine
Regional and filling. Soups, grilled meats, and street snacks lead the way.
31. Pakistani Cuisine
Bold spice and serious meat dishes. Rich, intense, and underrated.
32. Bulgarian Cuisine
Grills, salads, and yogurt culture. Simple but effective.
33. Moroccan Cuisine
Spice without stupidity. Tagines, couscous, and slow-cooked depth. Not as good as Algeria…
34. Syrian Cuisine
Levantine excellence. Mezze culture and grilled meats done right.
35. Iranian Cuisine
Rice mastery, herbs, and slow-cooked meat. Subtle and elegant.
36. Macanese Cuisine
A true fusion that actually works. Portuguese technique meets Chinese flavors.
Click to read about Macanese street food.
37. American Cuisine
Regional chaos. BBQ, diners, burgers, and excess when done well.
38. Tunisian Cuisine
Heat, seafood, and spice. Small country, big flavors.
39. Cypriot Cuisine
Greek and Middle Eastern overlap in the best way.
40. Hong Kong Cuisine
Cantonese precision and chaos combined. Dim sum culture is elite.
41. Malaysian Cuisine
One of Asia’s great mashups. Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences collide.
42. English Cuisine
Unfairly mocked. Pubs, roasts, and breakfasts still deliver.
43. Filipino Cuisine
Sour, salty, and pork heavy. Not pretty, very effective.
44. South African Cuisine
Braai culture and real flavor. Meat focused and proud.
45. Croatian Cuisine
Coastal seafood and inland meat culture combined.
46. Russian Cuisine
Hearty and built for survival. Soups, dumplings, and preservation.
47. Czech Cuisine
Beer food done properly. Heavy, comforting, and honest.
48. Nepalese Cuisine
Himalayan simplicity. Dumplings and lentils carry the show.
49. Chilean Cuisine
Seafood, grilling, and understated confidence. Long coastline, serious fish.
50. Armenian Cuisine
Ancient and proud. Grilled meats, flatbreads, herbs, and preservation-based dishes.
And that marks the Top 50 Cuisines in the world for 2026, by and according to The Street Food Guy, not some nonsense by the guys at Taste Atlas.
Expect major changes in 2027!
