Brits Are Ditching Paris: Europe's Best Food Cities for Autumn Revealed

Brits Are Ditching Paris: Europe's Best Food Cities for Autumn Revealed

London beats Paris as three UK cities make Europe's foodie Top 10, while Lyon takes the overall crown.

London, 22 October 2027 - New research from Hellotickets has revealed the best European cities for a foodie getaway this autumn, with London ranked as the continent's second-best culinary destination, ahead of Paris, Rome and Lisbon.

The study analysed Europe's leading city break destinations based on culinary reputation, diversity of cuisine, local food culture, seasonal specialities and overall appeal among food-focused travellers.

French food capital Lyon claims the top spot, while London ranks second overall thanks to its unrivalled global food scene. San Sebastián takes third place, followed by Bologna and Istanbul, one of Europe's fastest-growing foodie hotspots.

Europe's Best Food Cities for Autumn 2027

| Rank | City | Country | |---|---|---| | 1 | Lyon | France | | 2 | London | United Kingdom | | 3 | San Sebastián | Spain | | 4 | Bologna | Italy | | 5 | Istanbul | Turkey | | 6 | Rome | Italy | | 7 | Edinburgh | United Kingdom | | 8 | Paris | France | | 9 | Lisbon | Portugal | | 10 | Cardiff | United Kingdom |

The results highlight the growing strength of the UK's culinary scene, with three British cities making the European Top 10. London ranks as Europe's top capital city for food lovers, while Edinburgh and Cardiff both outperform famous gastronomic destinations including Florence, Porto and Prague.

London's position reflects the city's unique mix of Michelin-starred restaurants, iconic food markets and one of the world's most diverse dining scenes. Edinburgh continues to build its reputation through contemporary Scottish cuisine and outstanding local produce, while Cardiff's rise reflects growing interest in Welsh food culture and independent dining.

One of the biggest surprises in this year's ranking is Paris, which finishes eighth despite its reputation as one of the world's most famous food destinations. The findings suggest travellers are increasingly favouring cities that combine strong local food traditions with accessibility, variety and value for money.

Istanbul is another standout performer. Ranking fifth overall, the city has become one of Europe's most exciting culinary destinations thanks to its vibrant street food culture, historic food markets and rich blend of European, Middle Eastern and Asian influences.

"Autumn is arguably the best season of the year for a foodie city break. Harvest festivals, truffle season, wine events and seasonal produce create some of the most authentic culinary experiences travellers can have. While established favourites continue to perform strongly, we're also seeing destinations such as Edinburgh, Cardiff and Istanbul attract increasing attention from food-focused travellers."

Jorge Diaz Largo, CEO of Hellotickets

Key findings

• Lyon is Europe's best foodie city for an autumn getaway.
• London ranks second overall, finishing ahead of Paris, Rome and Lisbon.
• Three UK cities feature in Europe's Top 10: London, Edinburgh and Cardiff.
• Paris ranks eighth despite its global culinary reputation.
• Istanbul is Europe's highest-ranked emerging foodie destination.
• The UK places more cities in the Top 10 than any other country.

About Hellotickets

Founded in 2017 by Jorge Díaz Largo and Alberto Martínez, Hellotickets is a global platform for booking experiences, tours and activities. It offers more than 50,000 experiences, attractions and events across over 130 countries, with local-currency booking available in 30 markets. Backed by investors including Pillar VC and Techstars, the company has more than 70 employees and operates as a fully remote business with a four-day working week.