You know what they say, eating well and traveling well go together, and you can’t have one with the other. Exploring a country through its food is often the best part of the adventure, and leaves you with memories you can relive over and over in your own kitchen. From eating your way through Bangkok’s night markets and tasting wines in the mountains of Mallorca to enjoying lobster fresh out of the sea, these are foodie trips every Black woman should take to engage her senses and her tastebuds.
NOTE: At the time of this post, the U.S. Department of State deems these international areas safe to travel, but as always, please exercise caution whenever you are traveling.
Thailand
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Bangkok is the foodie city that has it all. From streetside stalls and hole-in-the-wall joints filling the air with the scent of lemongrass and spicy peppers, to Michelin star rated restaurants like Nahm, Bangkok is arguably the world’s most vibrant foodie scene. Spend the day exploring local markets and learning traditional Thai cuisine at the famous Blue Elephant Restaurant, or explore the city on a night food tour via tuk tuk with Bangkok Food Tours. Looking for a drink? Q&A Bar – a swanky gem hiding down a residential alley – serves up old school elegance, while Eat Me pours Thai cuisine inspired cocktails like Laab Moo, a vodka cocktail with shallot, mint, culantro, roasted rice, and Serrano ham.
South Africa
Moyo Restaurant South Africa
Though it might best be known for safaris, wines and Nelson Mandela, the food scene in South Africa should not be slept on. Moyo, which means heart in Swahili, pays homage to traditional African cuisine in Johannesburg’s Melrose Arch area. Over in Cape Town, enjoy fine dining at the swanky Test Kitchen, or let loose at a local weekend braai at Mzoli’s. Try your hand at making delicious Malay cuisine and explore the city’s colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood with the Bo-Kaap Cooking Tour or escape the city for the day and head into Stellenbosch for a wine tour with Wine Flies.
Spain
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Barcelona and Madrid may be the first names on everyone’s lips when it comes to Spain’s culinary scene, but they aren’t the country’s only foodie hotspots. Mallorca, an island off of Spain’s eastern coast, is a truly immersive culinary experience. From delicious seafood at La Muleta to wine tastings in Pollença, a Mallorcan paradise between the mountains and sea, and olive oil making in the rustic Mallorcan countryside, you will get a hands on lesson in Spanish cuisine. Use Viator to find foodie tours on a budget, or if you have a bit coin to splurge, check out Mimo Mallorca.
St. Croix
BES Craft Cocktail Lounge
Over the last few years the food scene on the island of St. Croix has exploded. The mash up of Caribbean cultures has made it a unique culinary destination that has caught the attention of foodies everywhere. Sign up for a cultural walking tour with V.I. Food Tours to not only learn the history of the island while navigating the streets of Downtown Christiansted, but explore local restaurants serving Crucian/Trinidadian, Crucian/Latin, Vegan/Vegetarian cuisines and more. Balter dishes Crucian fine dining, while BES Craft Cocktail Lounge serves the best housemade liquor infusions in Christiansted. The highlight of the St. Croix culinary scene is the annual St. Croix Food and Wine Experience that takes place in April.
Belize
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Fun in the sun isn’t the only thing the Latin American country of Belize is known for. With so many different cultures living together in the same country, it’s only natural that Belize would have a wide variety of food. From traditional foods to amazing BBQs, there’s lots to love about eating here, but its the annual San Pedro Lobster Fest aka a seafood lovers dream that brings thousands to the area each year. The festival marks the reopening of lobster season in the country and marked by fun block parties, lobster crawls, musical performances and of course, tons of beach time. The event takes place in June, so make sure you book accommodations and flights early to get the best deals.