Some travellers follow maps and explore ancient ruins. Others follow their stomachs and explore food festivals!
Sampling local food is an adventurous sensory experience. Every bite tells a story: history, migration, traditions, culture, and identity. Local cuisine isn’t just fuel; it’s community in a bowl. And increasingly, food lovers are planning entire holidays around it!
Food festivals have become the heartbeat of global culinary tourism; with everything from Michelin-starred pop-ups to firewalking vegan feasts. Whether you’re a fan of bold spice, ancient rituals, or Instagram-worthy plating, there’s something on the menu for every palate.
Here’s a list of 2025’s most lip-smacking festivals, curated with the help of travel experts at Flight Centre South Africa. Bring your appetite!
Food festivals to travel to in 2025
1. Anuga Select Brazil | São Paulo | 8 – 10 April 2025
Why go:
“Brazil was one of South Africa’s fastest-growing destinations in 2024, with bookings up 51% thanks to SAA’s direct flights to São Paulo,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager at Flight Centre South Africa.
Anuga Select Brazil is one of the largest food festivals in the Americas, bringing together global chefs, suppliers, and culinary pioneers. Explore thousands of international specialities, from traditional feijoada and churrasco-style meats to cutting-edge food sustainability innovations.
What to expect:
- A massive expo showcasing global food trends, sustainability efforts, and the most exciting gastronomy developments.
- Street food meets fine dining – Brazil’s finest culinary exports alongside international pop-ups.
- Seminars and workshops from renowned chefs, bringing bold, regional flavours to life.
Must-try bite:
If you only eat one thing, let it be Churrasco. Brazilian barbeque is world-famous! Indulge in perfectly seasoned and grilled meats, carved tableside. Add pão de queijo (cheese bread) and a caipirinha cocktail, and you’ve got yourself a purely Brazilian meal.
Need-to-know travel tip:
South African passport holders don’t need a visa for trips of up to 90 days – make sure you have at least two empty pages and at least six months’ validity. Enjoy São Paulo’s mild and pleasant April weather, perfect for exploring the city’s thriving food scene outside the festival.
2. Taste of London | Regent’s Park | 18 – 22 June 2025
Why go:
Set in one of the world’s culinary capitals, the food festival Taste of London condenses the best of the city’s gastronomic scene into five spectacular days. Chefs, food lovers, and trendsetters unite to celebrate the art of eating at this year’s London food festival.
What to expect:
- Dishes from London’s top restaurants, including Michelin-starred heavyweights and cult foodie favourites.
- Live cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs and upcoming culinary stars.
- Interactive tasting experiences like whisky masterclasses, artisanal chocolate pairings, and pasta-making workshops.
- A dedicated champagne garden, excellent for unwinding between bites.
Must-try bite:
If you only eat one thing, let it be Beef Wellington (with a modern twist). This classic dish represents London’s historic love of hearty meals, expertly made pastries, and elegant presentations.
Need-to-know travel tips:
Peak summer is the perfect time to enjoy longer daylight hours, buzzing street life, and rambunctious restaurants. Make reservations if you’re looking to explore the city beyond the festival (start booking your flights now!) Book multi-day passes for a slower, more immersive approach to this five-day-long festival. If you’re extending your stay, grab a London Pass for market access like Borough Market, food tours, and iconic landmarks.
3. Copenhagen Cooking Festival | Copenhagen | 15 – 24 August 2025
Why go:
Copenhagen Cooking is a 20-year institution with expertise in New Nordic gastronomy. Look forward to boundary-pushing flavour experiments, hyper-seasonal ingredients, and an explosive culinary meeting of diverse cultures. This year’s ingredient in the spotlight is the humble onion, where collaborating chefs from Provence and Norway celebrate its ability to add depth, richness, and complexity to nearly every dish.
What to expect:
- Exclusive chef-led dinners blending Scandinavian and Provençal techniques.
- ‘Tomorrow’s Food Talents’, where up-and-coming chefs and food entrepreneurs become restaurateurs for a day.
- Ingredient-driven food pop-ups, with the humble onion stealing the show in countless creative ways.
- Foraging and fermentation workshops: perfect for those who love experimental gastronomy.
- City-wide tastings and food walks take visitors through Copenhagen’s best bakeries, markets, and sustainable eateries.
Must-try bite:
If you only eat one thing, let it be the Smørrebrød with pickled onions. Denmark’s beloved open-faced sandwich gets a festival-worthy upgrade with high-quality rye bread, cured fish, creamy toppings, and the deep-sweet tang of Nordic pickled onions.
Top travel tips:
Book a seamless route via Dubai, Doham or Istanbul (and consider a multi-city itinerary and experience an additional top food capital en route). Visitors can enjoy Michelin-star dishes at much lower prices during the festival, giving you the rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s food scene without breaking the bank! Get yourself a bicycle and explore the city’s bistros and festival pop-ups the best (and fastest) way.
4. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 11 – 14 September 2025
Why go:
The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is the ultimate deep dive into the soulful and diverse food traditions of Southern America. Barbecue pitmasters, Creole chefs, and bourbon connoisseurs come together to showcase flavours passed down through generations.
What to expect:
- Tasting tents featuring Southern culinary icons like Texan smoked brisket, Louisiana gumbo, Nashville hot chicken, and buttery biscuits from Charleston’s best bakers.
- Interactive cooking classes and demos, guided by Southern chefs and food historians.
- Unique wine and whiskey pairings, spotlighting the South’s growing vineyard scene alongside its world-famous bourbon culture.
Must-try bite:
If you only eat one thing, let it be slow-smoked brisket with homemade cornbread. Atlanta’s pitmasters are known for their perfected smoking techniques. Pair with a tangy peach barbecue sauce for an extra Georgia-inspired kick.
Top travel tips:
Start applying early! South Africans need a US visa, which can take several months to secure. Consider pairing Atlanta with foodie hotspots like New Orleans or Charleston for a rounded Southern culinary tour.
5. Nine Emperor Gods Festival | Thailand | October 2025 (dates TBC)
Why go:
Set against the stunning backdrop of Phuket, the Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a deep-rooted Taoist tradition focused on self-purification, discipline, and devotion. It offers an immersive blend of spiritual rituals and vibrant food markets.
What to expect:
- Market stalls filled with Thai and Chinese plant-based dishes, sold in brightly decorated spaces with yellow and red “เจ” (vegetarian) flags.
- Enjoy a vast selection of tofu-based and mushroom-infused dishes that mirror the textures of traditional Thai meats.
- Take a leap of faith and experience the firewalking ceremonies, spiritual chants, and meditation sessions for those participating in the festival’s purification rituals.
Must-try bite:
If you only eat one thing, let it be Pink noodle soup (Yentafo). Typically made with pork blood broth, this vegetarian spin features mushrooms, crispy wontons, and a naturally pink fermented tofu base.
Top travel tips:
Thailand’s cooler season, October, is the best time to visit without the humidity of summer. Look for “เจ” signs to find strictly vegetarian foods, made according to religious guidelines (free from meat, eggs, dairy, and pungent garlic and onions). Consider attending the festival in Phuket and Bangkok, which hosts a massive version of the event.
Start your soulful food festival journey today
Whether sipping Champagne under the London sun, foraging in Nordic forests, or sampling delicious plant-based dishes in Thailand, one thing is clear: food isn’t just a part of travel, it’s the reason to go! These food festivals serve up the chance to connect across cultures, continents, and the table. They remind us that there’s a story, history, and community behind every bite.
As you plan your next holiday, skip the souvenir shops and follow the flavours. Let the world’s taste open your senses and create a magical trip! Bon voyage and bon appetit!
