Chicago was just named one of the top 10 best food destinations in the world

Chicagoans have long known the city can cook. Now there’s fresh, international bragging rights to prove it.

A new global study by long-haul travel specialist Travelbag has named Chicago the ninth-best food destination in the world for 2026. The ranking analyzed 36 cities using a mix of metrics: number of food-related activities, average meal cost, Instagram and TikTok posts and annual Google searches for each city’s food scene.

Chicago lands ninth overall, with 35 food-related experiences logged in the study and an average cost of around $101 for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (excluding drinks). While that price tag might sting a little, the internet seems to think it’s worth it.

The city racked up 1.6 million Instagram posts under its location hashtag and more than 134,000 TikTok posts, making it one of the most viral foodie destinations in the top ten. In fact, according to the study’s social media breakdown, Chicago ranks fifth worldwide for Instagram and TikTok buzz combined. (Basically, while deep-dish and hot dogs may get the headlines, the algorithm is clearly feasting on much more.)

Topping the global list is Dubai, followed by Melbourne and Toronto. Bangkok earns points for affordability, while cities like Singapore, Sydney and Seoul round out the upper ranks. But Chicago’s placement feels especially sweet given the depth of its dining scene right now.

This year’s Michelin Guide alone reads like a greatest-hits album. Smyth holds three stars, while Alinea and Ever maintain two-star status—and Kasama recently joined the two-star ranks. Across the city, one-star spots like Boka, Elske, Galit and Indienne continue to showcase the range of flavors that define Chicago dining. That’s not even counting the Green Stars, Bib Gourmands and neighborhood gems that don’t require a tasting-menu commitment.

What makes Chicago’s ranking compelling isn’t just the fine dining flex. It’s the sheer sprawl of options: Mexican tasting menus under rumbling train tracks, Korean fried chicken in strip malls and Filipino pastries that sell out by noon. 

In other words, Chicago doesn’t just feed you. It feeds group chats, camera rolls and, apparently, the entire internet.

The top 10 best destinations for foodies in 2026

1. Dubai

2. Melbourne

3. Toronto

4. Singapore

5. Bangkok

6. Sydney

7. Seoul

8. Hong Kong

9. Chicago

10. Houston