Athens Secures Second Place in Global Culinary Rankings | GTP Headlines

A recent survey by Japan Rail Pass (JRP) reveals that Athens has claimed the second position among the world’s top gastronomic cities for dedicated food enthusiasts. In a comparative analysis of 30 capital cities, Athens was lauded for its distinctive cuisine, achieving an impressive score of 83.86 out of 100, narrowly following Paris.

The survey highlighted seven of Greece’s national dishes, deemed essential by food lovers. Despite hosting only 627 five-star eateries and 31 Michelin-starred restaurants, Athens captivated survey respondents with its traditional Greek fares like the “creamy yet crispy bougatsa” and moussaka. Additionally, the survey noted that dining for two in Athens is reasonably priced, averaging €49.89, which offers excellent value compared to other cities featured in the study.

Beyond the capital, Greece’s islands received praise for their mouthwatering local dishes, described as “substantial yet budget-friendly.”

Paris Maintains Leading Gastronomic Status Photo source: Unsplash Paris remains the preeminent global destination for gastronomy, achieving a remarkable score of 92.71 out of 100. The city boasts a vast selection of fine dining, with 500 Michelin-starred venues and more than 2,000 five-star establishments. Respondents highlighted 12 quintessential French dishes, cementing Paris as a prime choice for culinary aficionados. Despite its culinary prestige, meals in Paris are considered relatively cost-effective, with an average dinner for two priced at €69.84.

Tokyo: A Culinary Heavyweight Tokyo ranked third, scoring 81.34 out of 100, despite housing 4,738 five-star restaurants—more than twice that of Paris. Tokyo’s vibrant food scene and economical prices distinguished it in the survey. Dining for two in Tokyo averages €40.49, marking it as the most economical option among the top three cities.

Noteworthy Insights

According to the survey, 81% of travelers regard food as the highlight of their journeys. Zurich emerged as the priciest city for dining, with meal costs averaging €122.86 for two, whereas Seoul surpassed in the count of five-star restaurants, with 4,739 establishments.

Athens’ accolade of securing second place underlines its burgeoning reputation as a leading culinary hub, seamlessly combining authentic flavors with affordability to draw in food enthusiasts globally.

Source: GCT–Bill Kouras