If you're a traveller and a foodie (which often go hand in hand), you're probably already aware of the signature dishes and most celebrated restaurants in popular international destinations. But what's one to do after a light continental brekkie at the hotel and a lot of walking and sightseeing when the midday hunger pangs start calling?
Evening meals might take pride of place for art and finery, but find out how the locals lunch. It's sure to tempt your tastebuds!
New York
The quintessential New York snack might look basic, but the taste of a good kosher bagel is unrivalled. Most Manhattanites go for "lightly toasted, with a schmear" (of cream cheese), but as we know, Americans like variety. Linseed with sundried tomatoes? Yum. Sourdough with salmon and capers? Yes please. And if you have your druthers, go for a fresh one at
Bagel Bob's. Trust me.
New Orleans
Don't even think about coming to New Orleans without getting your gumbo on. This delicious Cajun stew blends crayfish, capsicums, prawns and
andouille sausage, and is usually served over rice. Gumbo is traditionally served on Fridays for lunch, and the best gumbo spots in the city are often out of stock by 1pm, so queue early! Favourite bowls of mine have been at
Martin Wine Cellar and
Galtoire's in the French Quarter.
Singapore
One of this tiny country's most famous exports to our shores is chilli crab. A hard-shelled crab cooked in thick gravy with a tomato chilli base, it's a bit messy as far as street-stall eating goes, but well worth the stain on your shirt. In Singapore arguably the best chilli crab can be found at East Coast Seafood, a collection of hawkers and restaurants that specialise in several uber-tasty varieties of the classic.
London's East End
Eastenders are known as hard-working, hard-living folks. They also have pretty hard stomachs — come lunchtime, don't be surprised if jellied eels, or eel pie, appear before you as traditional tucker. Though the dishes are no longer popular (unless you're an old-school nanna), you can still get your hands on jellied eels at
Harrods, but I prefer to stick to East End stalwart F Cooke & Sons.
Switzerland
After a hard morning on the slopes, there's nothing quite like rosti to fill you with energy for some black diamond runs before sunset fondue. Grated potatoes fried in butter, they've been copied across the globe (hash browns, anyone?) but it is hard to beat a big plate of rosti in your Swiss
hüte after some world-class skiing.
Saigon
Pho is Vietnam's traditional noodle soup. It is said that
pho was invented in the north, tweaked in the centre, and perfected in the south. And my favourite bowl of this delicious taste of Asia comes from
Pho Hoa. I highly recommend the raw beef
pho, tarted up with lemongrass, shallots, mint, chilli sauce and soy bean paste. Yum.
Tokyo
The breakneck speed of business-bonanza Tokyo means you won't find the locals lazing over a long, luscious lunch in the sun. A shame! But when in Tokyo it's a good idea to eat like the Japanese, and at lunchtime that means grabbing bento from your nearest train station. Elaborately prepared in gorgeous lacquer boxes by homemakers for nearly a millennia, it's now more common for a working (wo)man to opt for a disposable box of rice, fish or meat and pickled or cooked vegetables for a quick but tasty midday nibble.
Fiji
Kava is a traditional alcoholic drink made from the root of the kava plant in Fiji. The sandy-brown liquid used to just be served at special ceremonies, but these days it has become a part of the drinking culture nationwide. The best kava is meant to come from Taveuni, due to the extra-rich soil in the area. But after you knock a few of these back, you won't be able to tell the difference. Just make sure you're stumbling distance from a hammock.
Naples
As the home to the delicacy known the world over as pizza, you'd be hard-pressed to find something resembling Domino's in this town. Traditional Neapolitan pizza is unique, as it is made with San Marzano tomatoes (which grow on the volcanic plains of Mt Vesuvius) and mozzarella di bufala campana (the milk of which comes from semi-wild water buffalos).
Da Michele has been dishing up arguably the best pizza in Naples for more than 150 years, and if you're brave enough to face the litter-strewn streets of this rough and tumble town, reward yourself with an authentic pie.
Durban
A totally tasty and typical midday snack in Durban, South Africa, has to be
bunny chow. A hollowed-out bread roll is filled with curry (mutton, chicken, or veggies and beans will do), and served as the quintessentially South African fast food. In Africa's busiest port city, just ask for "Johnny's bunnies", and you'll be pointed towards the closest Johnny's Chip 'n Ranch, my favourite D-town chain.
Amsterdam
The traditional lunch in Amsterdam sounds a bit less appetising than the idea of passing an afternoon in a "coffee" shop to me, but to each their own. And if you'd like to go local, just rock up to what you'd likely guess to be any old ice-cream van parked near a canal, and ask for herring in a bun. Yes, herring in a bun. I have to say I wasn't brave enough to try, but have been told that the vendor at Albert Cuyp Markt serves up a good fishy sambo.
Istanbul
Most of us have probably gotten a dodgy kebab on the stumble home from the pub, but please don't think these are representative of the customary lunchtime nosh in Istanbul. For the best doner kebab make a beeline for
Kosebasi, which has been named as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world by
Condé Nast Traveler magazine. No midnight takeaway will ever taste the same!
Bali
Take a break from the poolside cocktailing and hit the market. That's where you'll find the best padang going. Padang is a traditional curry, and there's a huge variety to suit all tastes. I'm a fan of the fish head variety, served in a banana leaf. Just don't look it in the eye.
Madrid
Spaniards are famous for their long, involved, usually boozey midday feeds, which are generally followed by a siesta (although this tradition is sadly dying out in today's hustle-bustle world). But if you've got the time, spend your euros on a tortilla, a traditional Spanish omelette. At
Flash Flash, a famous local lunch spot, try from more than 70 varieties of tortilla. But please honour tradition and allow for a nanna nap afterwards to aid in digestion!
View all of the best 'lunch on the go spots' here:
Do you have any favourite local snack spots, or global delicacies to share? Tell us about it.
