Every year, millions of Americans pack their bags and head abroad chasing adventure, retirement dreams, and – let’s be real – incredible food. Some land in places that feel like a warm hug from a stranger, where a plate of handmade pasta or a bowl of steaming pho makes everything right in the world.
Others arrive somewhere the welcome mat has been quietly pulled inside. The wrong destination can turn a dream food trip into a logistical nightmare, or worse, a genuine safety risk. So before you book that flight, here is what the data and real traveler research actually tell us. Let’s dive in.
1. Italy: The Undisputed King of Food Tourism
There is a reason Italy keeps showing up at the very top of nearly every food travel list. Italy continues to lead the global culinary scene, with Campania, home to Naples and famed for its pizza, claiming the top spot with an impressive rating of 4.47 stars, and Emilia-Romagna, renowned for its rich spreads of cheese, cured meats, and pasta, following closely behind with 4.45 stars.
According to the Pew Research Center, roughly three in five Italians hold a positive view of Americans, and in general, Italians respect Americans and always welcome them as friends – they adore the curiosity American tourists show toward Italian culture and love the way Americans enjoy their food.
As American travel to Europe continues to surge, a survey from Upgraded Points polling over 2,200 residents across 22 European countries found that experiences, stereotypes, and even politics shape hospitality abroad. Italy came out among the most welcoming, with just 2% of Italian respondents saying their country is unwelcoming to Americans. Honestly, that is about as low as it gets.
Italy remains a top destination for American travelers, and the country reached a record number of 65 million foreign visitors from all over the world in 2024. The food alone – from the hearty risottos of Lombardy to the fresh seafood of Liguria – justifies every single flight hour to get there.
2. Japan (Osaka and Tokyo): A Foodie’s Sacred Ground
Japan is in a league of its own when it comes to food travel. Japan, especially Tokyo, is widely regarded as the number one food destination in the world, with a vast array of high-quality culinary options from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, and Tokyo holds the top spot as the number one culinary destination globally, boasting more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city.
Osaka, Japan, was named the number one Trending Destination in the World for 2025, based on year-on-year growth of reviews, and is known as “the nation’s kitchen” with a thriving food scene as well as great shopping and nightlife.
Tokyo is one of the world’s greatest food cities – it is Japan’s ramen capital, with countless shops perfecting unique broths, and sushi defines Tokyo’s culinary soul, with etiquette encouraging you to use your hands and trust the chef’s seasoning, while omakase experiences offer the ultimate immersion into Japanese culinary artistry.
There is strong support for American tourists in Vietnam, but surveys similarly show Vietnam and Japan both earning remarkably warm receptions – the Vietnamese give visiting Americans such a warm welcome that many feel almost at home. Japan’s streets feel equally safe and accepting, making it a near-perfect destination on both the food and friendliness scale.
3. Vietnam: The World’s Number One Food Destination for Foodies
Here is the thing about Vietnam – it punches so far above its weight as a food destination that it shocked even the most seasoned travel researchers. More than half of Americans say they are most excited about what they will eat on an upcoming trip, and this year’s best Food Destinations list is led by Hanoi, Vietnam, which climbed two places to claim the number one spot in the world on Tripadvisor.
With the MICHELIN Guide’s debut in Da Nang, spotlighting its exceptional seafood and regional cuisine, this charming corner of Vietnam is set to welcome a wave of curious travelers, with 36 restaurants listed including 16 Bib Gourmands. Think of it like discovering a hidden restaurant that has been hiding in plain sight the whole time.
The city’s food scene blends fresh seafood, regional specialties, and traditional Vietnamese flavors, with dishes like mi Quang – a rich turmeric noodle broth – and bun cha reflecting the influence of both northern and southern Vietnamese cuisines.
Strong support for American tourists in Vietnam runs deep, with surveys showing roughly four in five of those interviewed by Pew Research Center positively inclined toward Americans. The food is fresh, affordable, and extraordinary. It is hard to say for sure that any other destination offers this combination at this price point.
4. Portugal: Europe’s Rising Culinary Star
Portugal is a rising star, winning hearts with fresh Atlantic seafood, robust wines, and heavenly pastries – the ocean’s influence is evident in dishes like bacalhau, but the pastéis de nata are the true showstoppers, and exploring local wine pairings becomes part of the adventure as regional varietals complement the cuisine beautifully.
The Algarve, along Portugal’s south coast, has beautiful cliff-side beaches, towns with cobblestone streets, and historical sites, and the region recently brought travel agents from the United States to Portugal to experience its beauty firsthand, with a new direct flight connecting the Algarve’s capital Faro and New York launching in the summer of 2025.
Portugal’s Alentejo and Algarve regions exemplify the country’s growing reputation for bold, hearty dishes and exquisite seafood. Official reports confirm that Portugal is among the most requested countries by prospective American expats and food travelers alike.
I think Portugal might be the most underrated food destination for Americans right now. The country is actively rolling out the red carpet for American visitors, the food scene is world-class, and the cost compared to France or Italy is noticeably more forgiving on the wallet.
5. Ireland: Friendliest Welcome in Europe
The country consistently lauded as the friendliest to American tourists is Ireland, renowned for its genuine warmth, welcoming culture, and strong historical ties to the United States. While Irish food once had a humble reputation, Dublin and the wider food scene have undergone a genuine transformation over the last decade.
Irish culture emphasizes hospitality, storytelling, music, and a strong sense of community, and these elements resonate with many Americans who appreciate the warmth, humor, and authenticity of the Irish people – the historical connection fueled by immigration and shared values adds a sense of familiarity, while Irish pubs known for their convivial atmosphere and live music are a major draw for tourists seeking an immersive cultural experience.
There is an exceptional bond between the two countries, including similar values, culture, and a common language, making Ireland one of the friendliest and easiest countries to visit. For a food trip with zero social friction – where you will never feel like an outsider – Ireland is essentially a cheat code.
The food scene now stretches well beyond the classic pub fare, with artisan producers, award-winning seafood chowders, and farm-to-table restaurants thriving across the country. While Ireland is generally considered incredibly friendly, some potential downsides exist – accommodation and travel can be expensive, especially during peak season. Plan accordingly, and you will be well rewarded.
6. France: The Complicated Case (On the “Avoid” Side)
This one is going to sting for some readers. France has one of the greatest food cultures on earth – few would argue that. However, the welcome mat for Americans is not quite as warm as the croissants might suggest.
France ranked as the least welcoming European country toward American tourists, with 15% of locals saying they view their country as unfriendly toward U.S. tourists – a number that stands dramatically higher than Italy’s 2% or Belgium’s 1.9%. That gap is not subtle.
The food is still extraordinary, but an uncomfortable experience with locals can genuinely dampen even the best meal. Rounding out the top five least hospitable European nations were Hungary at nearly 9%, Norway at 8%, Denmark at 7.5%, and Spain at nearly 7%. France leads that unwelcoming pack by a wide margin.
The cultural friction is real and well-documented. Many American travelers report feeling dismissed or looked down upon, especially if they don’t speak French. It’s hard to say for sure whether this is improving or worsening, but the 2025 survey data speaks clearly enough on its own.
7. Venezuela: An Absolute No-Go
Venezuela is not just an unfriendly food destination for Americans. It is, by most credible accounts, one of the most genuinely dangerous countries on earth for a U.S. passport holder. Venezuela was placed under a Level 4 travel advisory as of December 2025, just before a U.S. military operation in January 2026 that launched airstrikes into the country.
Venezuela is one of the most genuinely dangerous countries on earth for a U.S. passport holder – despite its natural beauty and cultural allure, it is one of the most dangerous countries due to rampant crime and political instability, with armed robbery, carjacking, and kidnappings common, and a judicial system that rarely prosecutes criminals.
Since the re-election of President Nicolás Maduro in July 2024, civil unrest has only escalated, with violent demonstrations, killings, and mass arrests making Venezuela a no-go for American tourists – and with looming Western sanctions on the Maduro government, Western travelers, especially Americans, also face the threat of arbitrary detention.
No plate of food, no matter how culturally significant, is worth your safety or your freedom. Venezuela’s food heritage is genuinely interesting, but the conditions on the ground make it essentially impossible to experience that food culture in any safe or meaningful way.
8. Russia, Belarus, and Myanmar: Where the Door Is Effectively Closed
These three destinations warrant their own combined warning, because they represent a different category of risk – not just hostile attitudes, but active governmental dangers for Americans. Despite Russia’s continued appeal as a tourist destination, the country is currently off-limits due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, with limited assistance for unlawful detentions, singling out of U.S. passport holders, and limited flight alternatives among the reasons the U.S. State Department warns against travel.
Belarus is another such location, with the warning a product of political tensions and the ripple effects of the war between Russia and Ukraine, given Belarus’s tight ties to Russia. Myanmar is a notable exception to Southeast Asia’s otherwise safe reputation, with potential wrongful detentions, civil unrest, and limited healthcare resources among the primary reasons the U.S. State Department advises against travel there.
Level 3 and Level 4 advisories from the U.S. State Department constitute serious risks to travelers’ safety – Level 3 urges Americans to reconsider travel, while Level 4 more decisively declares “do not travel,” with kidnapping, civil unrest, and terrorism among the higher risks associated with Level 4 countries. All three of these destinations fall under the most serious warning tiers.
The food cultures of Russia and Myanmar are genuinely fascinating on paper – fermented flavors, bold spices, centuries-old culinary traditions. Still, the real-world risk profile for Americans traveling to these countries right now goes far beyond mere cultural friction. Many of these travel warnings aren’t personal – they’re political, with international sanctions, terrorism, diplomatic retaliation, and military conflicts playing a huge role.
At the end of the day, a food trip is supposed to be one of life’s great joys – a chance to sit down with a culture through its most honest and generous expression. The world’s best food destinations are not just about the plate in front of you. They’re about feeling safe, welcomed, and free to explore. The five friendliest destinations above offer all of that in abundance. The destinations to avoid are a reminder that context always matters, no matter how delicious the cuisine might be. What destination on this list surprised you the most?
