Taste Atlas has released its much-anticipated annual rankings, reshaping the global culinary leaderboard and sparking fresh debate among food-loving nations. The new list highlights returning favourites, unexpected placements and strong regional performances across Europe and beyond.
Italy returns to No 1
Italian cuisine climbs back to the top spot for 2025/2026, reclaiming the crown after a year in second place. Last year’s winner, Greece, now sits comfortably in second position, maintaining its reputation as one of the world’s leading culinary traditions.
The rest of the top ten includes a wide geographical spread:
3. Peru
4. Portugal
5. Spain
6. Japan
7. Turkey
8. China
9. France
10. Indonesia
Cypriot cuisine is listed in 100th place.
Best dishes worldwide
Taste Atlas highlights thousands of user reviews to compile its rankings of the world’s most beloved dishes. At No 1 this year is Vori-vori, a traditional Paraguayan soup made with cheese-filled cornmeal dumplings. Neapolitan pizza, an enduring global favourite, ranks second.
Italy appears again in third place with Tajarin al tartufo bianco d’Alba, a pasta dish from Piedmont enriched with white truffle.
The list features a mix of global staples, from Central Texas-style barbecue to popular Asian dishes and regional Italian pastas. Greek cuisine also stands out, with kontosouvli placed in sixth position among the world’s top dishes.
Top food regions
When it comes to regional gastronomy, Taste Atlas crowns Campania as the world’s best food region, followed by Emilia-Romagna. Crete secures third place, leading a particularly strong showing for Greece.
Other Greek regions that feature in the top ten include:
• Macedonia (5th)
• Cyclades (6th)
• Peloponnese (8th)
• North Aegean (10th)
These rankings reflect regional culinary heritage, iconic local dishes, traditional recipes and the strength of each area’s food culture.