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A crispy pork bánh mì. A steaming bowl of ramen. A perfectly-seasoned fish taco. A bowl of fresh gnocchi so good that you dream about it for weeks.
Whether you’re travelling across the globe to taste different food, or you’re just trying out the new Thai joint around the corner from home, having access to a variety of cuisines is so damn good.
And we’re blessed here Down Under – an Australian city has been named the world’s most diverse food city, with another in the top ten.
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Melbourne is officially the best place on the planet for foodies, a new study has revealed.
The research team at Holafly analysed destinations from around the world to determine where travellers can experience the widest range of cuisines, fine dining, and dietary-friendly options all in one place.
Melbs took out the top spot, beating New York, London, and Paris, to be crowned the world’s global culinary capital.
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Data shows that 79 per cent of Melbourne’s restaurants serve international cuisine, which is the highest share of any city analysed.
Any Aussie will agree (even if begrudgingly) that Victoria’s capital is definitely the best place in the country for eating – from its thriving café culture to its world-class restaurants, hidden gems, and laneway bars.
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Part of what gives Melbourne such a diverse food scene is its long history of migration.
The city has been built by generations of different cultures overlapping and leaving their mark – from Chinese immigrants in the 1850s gold rush to an influx of Italians and Greeks after WWII.
In the ’70s and ’80s, refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia settled in suburbs like Richmond and Footscray, turning phở and bánh mì into Melbourne staples.
As of 2026, over 140 cultures are represented in Melbourne’s population.
Second place in the ranking went to Berlin. The capital city of Germany has iconic street food like currywurst and kebabs, as well as modern international restaurants, with 78 per cent of its food offerings being international cuisine.
Munich and Miami tied in third place.
Influenced by Latin American and Caribbean cultures, Miami offers a vibrant food scene: everything from Cuban cafes and beachfront ceviche bars to elegant fine dining restaurants.
Sydney also made the top ten list, coming in at ninth place, with 65 per cent of its eateries offering international cuisine.
Unlike Melbourne, where a lot of the diversity is concentrated in the inner city and its famous laneways, Sydney’s best food is often found in outer suburbs.
In fact, Parramatta was recently named one of the best foodie destinations in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, praised for its “melting pot flavours”.
Other highlights include Cabramatta for Vietnamese cuisine, Harris Park, also known as “Little India”, Hurstville and Chatswood for Chinese dining, and Lakemba for Middle Eastern fare and its night markets during Ramadan.
Where to get the best food in Melbourne
Keen to try some diverse food? Head to:
- Lygon Street (Carlton): The heart of “Little Italy.”
- Oakleigh: Famous for its Greek community and charcoal meats.
- Victoria Street (Richmond): A go-to for Vietnamese cuisine.
- Koreatown (CBD): Recently officially recognised, this area is a bustling hub for Korean street food and nightlife.
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