Holidaymakers looking to sample delicious cuisine don’t need to leave the UK for their next trip.New research suggested one in five Britons (19 per cent) plan their entire holiday around cuisine, so great dining is important when choosing a destination. Food lovers are also more likely to explore closer to home, with 29 per cent taking three leisure trips with at least one overnight stay in the past year, showing the growing appeal of UK-based foodie breaks.From Michelin-starred restaurants to buzzing food markets and viral eateries, travellers are shaping their itineraries around standout dining experiences.With that in mind, new analysis by SIXT revealed the best destinations in the UK for food travel, ranking cities based on tourist search interest, highly rated food attractions, Michelin-starred restaurants and globally recognised dining venues.Unsurprisingly, London topped the list | GETTYThe best UK destinations for food travelLondon – 71.69Edinburgh – 52.95Glasgow – 33.66Newcastle-upon-Tyne – 32.05York – 28.40Nottingham – 28.21Cardiff – 27.39Leeds – 26.76Manchester – 24.26Liverpool – 22.91Unsurprisingly, London tops the ranking thanks to its huge variety of restaurants, international dining scene and a large number of Michelin-starred venues. But beyond the capital, the list highlights how much the UK’s food culture is thriving across the rest of the country.The results also show that Britain’s best food experiences are no longer concentrated around London. Northern cities dominate much of the top 10, proving that exceptional dining can be found well beyond the M25.Cities such as Newcastle, York, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool have all secured places among the UK’s top foodie destinations, thanks to vibrant culinary scenes and highly rated restaurants.Newcastle emerged as the highest-ranking northern city in the list. From locally sourced dishes at the famous Grainger Market to a growing number of fine-dining venues, the city’s food scene has developed into one of the most exciting in the country.With 17 Michelin-starred restaurants and a strong focus on local produce, Newcastle’s mix of traditional markets, independent eateries and high-end dining has helped cement its reputation as a foodie hotspot in the North.Scotland ranked well, with Edinburgh and Glasgow rounding out the top three | GETTYYork was named as a strong contender in the north of England | GETTYAs culinary travel continues to grow in popularity, destinations across the UK are benefiting from travellers keen to sample local specialities and discover standout restaurants.Whether it’s planning a weekend break around market hopping, booking a table at a Michelin-starred venue or exploring independent cafés and street food spots, food is increasingly becoming the main event rather than just part of the trip.The UK has plenty of spots worth visiting for a culinary getaway, but for those looking further afield, the world’s top holiday destinations for foodies have been named. Our Standards:
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