10 Countries With Overhyped Food Scenes & 10 With Unexpectedly Great Ones
A Friendly Reality Check Before You Pack
Food hype travels fast, and it can turn a whole country into a headline when what you really experience is a handful of neighborhoods and whatever’s closest to your hotel. This list is intentionally opinionated and mostly about expectations: “overhyped” usually means the tourist track doesn’t live up to the legend, while “unexpectedly great” means the everyday eating is better than people tend to assume. Here are 10 places with overhyped food scenes and 10 countries where the food is unexpectedly amazing.
1. Italy
Italy’s food is wonderful, but the hype can trick you into thinking every random spot near a major landmark will be transcendent. In reality, those areas can lean on tourist-friendly menus that feel more like souvenirs than meals. If you aim even slightly away from the obvious streets, the country’s reputation starts making a lot more sense.
2. France
France can feel overhyped when you arrive expecting effortless magic and run into formal service, strict hours, or menus that don’t flex. The best meals often come when you let the rhythm of the place lead, rather than trying to force a fantasy itinerary. Once you stop chasing “the best croissant in the world,” you’ll actually enjoy the croissants you’re holding.
3. Japan
Japan is legitimately incredible, but social media has made it sound like even a train-station snack will change your personality. When you’re tired, lost, or stuck in a tourist zone, the food can still be good while not matching the myth. The real win comes from small local places and regional specialties, not the “famous” line you waited in for an hour.
4. Spain
Spain’s big-city centers can turn tapas into a performance, where you pay more for vibe than for flavor. If you stick to the most obvious streets, you might wonder why everyone talks about it like it’s a spiritual experience. Get into neighborhood bars or smaller towns, and it quickly stops feeling overhyped.
5. Cuba
The funny thing about Cuban food is that it's almost always better at a Cuban restaurant abroad than it is in its home country. Cuba's limited ingredient availability and tourist-zone repetition can make dining feel more constrained. You’ll have the best luck when you seek out well-run paladares and focus on the dishes Cuba does confidently, rather than expecting endless variety.
6. United Arab Emirates
The UAE is famous for big, glossy restaurants, and that can set you up to expect constant culinary fireworks. Sometimes the experience is more about scene, spectacle, and status than it is about the food you’ll remember later. You’ll usually eat best when you chase humble regional spots and home-style dishes instead of the shiniest dining room.
7. Singapore
Singapore’s food scene is genuinely exciting, but the hype can gloss over how easy it is to spend a lot without feeling fully fed. If you only follow the most promoted stalls or trendy reservations, you might miss the depth that makes the place special. Hawker culture is the heart of it, and it’s strongest when you explore beyond the greatest-hits list.
8. Australia
Australia has serious talent, yet the hype can make visitors expect instant greatness in every coastal café. In some areas, the food skews stylish and pricey while leaning on similar global flavors. Once you look for regional seafood, immigrant food hubs, and local wine-country cooking, it becomes far more distinctive.
9. Netherlands
The Netherlands gets a lot of foodie buzz lately, but visitors can end up chasing trendy bites that don’t feel worth the excitement. In reality, it's very common for Dutch people to subsist on sliced bread and cheese. If you lean into Indonesian-influenced cooking, food markets, bakeries, and everyday snack culture, the country feels more rewarding.
10. Switzerland
Switzerland can feel overhyped if you arrive expecting constant culinary variety instead of a more traditional, comfort-forward style. In tourist-heavy towns, the menus can blur together in a way that makes meals feel predictable. It’s at its best when you treat it like a place for cozy regional dishes and excellent ingredients, not nonstop novelty.
Now that we've covered the countries with the most overhyped food scenes, let's talk about the most underrated ones.
1. Georgia
Georgia doesn’t always show up in casual “best food countries” talk, but that's wild once you taste it. The cuisine balances herbs, walnuts, tangy sauces, and bread in a way that feels both comforting and new. If you try khachapuri and khinkali in the right setting, you’ll start wondering why more people aren’t obsessed.
Athithan Vignakaran on Unsplash
2. Peru
Peru has been getting serious global recognition, but plenty of travelers still don’t realize how deep the food culture runs. Between ceviche, grilled anticuchos, and regional stews, it’s a country that rewards curiosity at every price point.
Pirata Studio Film on Unsplash
3. Vietnam
Vietnam is one of those places where a simple bowl of noodles can be a spiritual experience. The balance of fresh herbs, broths, and bright flavors keeps meals exciting without trying too hard. If you like street food culture, you’ll feel like you’ve found your people.
Khuc Le Thanh Danh on Unsplash
4. Poland
Poland quietly delivers on hearty, satisfying dishes that don’t need a marketing campaign. Dumplings, soups, and slow-cooked staples hit the spot, especially when you’re hungry and don’t want anything fussy. The best part is how often the food feels generous, both in portion and in spirit.
5. Lebanon
Lebanon’s food scene can catch people off guard because it’s so naturally abundant and shareable. A spread of mezze makes even a normal meal feel like an event you didn’t realize you were invited to. If you enjoy bright, herb-forward flavors and grilled meats, you’ll probably want seconds.
6. Portugal
Portugal gets talked about less than its neighbors, but the everyday cooking is full of simple, delicious confidence. Seafood, stews, and snackable bites feel approachable without being boring. And yes, if you eat a proper pastel de nata (custard tart), you’ll understand why the country doesn't bother with croissants.
7. Morocco
Morocco surprises people who assume “spiced” means “too intense,” because the flavors are often warm and layered rather than aggressively hot. Tagines and grilled dishes show off patience and technique in a way you can taste immediately. If you like food that feels both fragrant and grounding, Morocco delivers.
8. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka tends to fly under the radar, yet the food can be bold, bright, and deeply satisfying. Curries, sambols, and street snacks like stuffed roti bring heat and tang in combinations that don’t feel like copies of anywhere else. If you enjoy spicy food and vegetable-forward dishes, you’ll have an easy time eating well.
9. Ethiopia
Ethiopian food often surprises first-timers because it’s interactive and communal in the best way. Injera, stews, and spice blends create a meal that feels both comforting and exciting. You don’t just eat it, you participate in it, and that’s a big part of the charm.
10. Philippines
The Philippines can be unexpectedly great because the flavors don’t always fit expectations. You’ll find dishes that balance vinegar, garlic, sweetness, and smoke in ways that feel distinctive and memorable. If you give it a real chance beyond the most obvious picks, it’s hard not to leave impressed.
