From elegant afternoon teas to Michelin-starred meals and dining in a rainforest canopy, these luxurious experiences deserve a spot on every foodie’s bucket list.
Forget the ordinary – these luxurious foodie adventures are straight out of your dreams. Imagine touching down amid Napa Valley vines via helicopter or witnessing culinary prowess up close at a private chef's table. Craving something whimsical? Indulge in high tea at a high-society hotel or take a tour far away with your favourite celebrity chefs to unlock a country's soul through its gastronomy.
Want to tantalise your tastebuds and create memories that linger long after the last bite? Read on for the most exceptional bucket list experiences for foodies.
Discover gourmet experiences
Dine at a Michelin three-star restaurant
It's the pinnacle of culinary achievement, and only 144 restaurants in the world (as of 2024) currently hold the honour of three Michelin stars. Dining at one of these venues is an absolute must for any true gourmand. While one-starred restaurants are worth a stop and two-starred spots are worth a detour, three-starred venues stand apart as meriting an entire journey being planned around them. Through unique style and personality, three-star chefs' menus evoke emotional experiences that you'll remember for a lifetime. Since they're peppered throughout Europe, Asia and the United States, you'll never have to travel too far to find one.
Take a wine tasting tour by helicopter
Soar above rolling hills and lush vineyards in unparalleled style on a boutique wine country tour by helicopter. It's an intimate way to experience the world's most prestigious food and wine regions, from Bordeaux’s esteemed estates to the sun-drenched slopes of Rioja and the sprawling vistas of Napa Valley. Touch down from your scenic journey and immerse yourself in exclusive cellar door tastings among the vines. This Margaret River region tour even pairs tipples with a multi-course meal, during which you can listen to winemaking secrets and local history as you sip away the afternoon.
Join a celebrity chef-guided tour
Ever wonder where top chefs eat when they travel? Then it's high time you joined a chef-designed tour. Travel through Vietnam or India under the guidance of your favourite chefs – think names like Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and Miguel Maestre – as you delve into the culinary heart of your chosen region. Sprinkle your days with exclusive market visits, street food tours and cooking demonstrations alongside all the typical cultural stops. Then savour multi-course meals accompanied by your chef-guides at renowned restaurants and hidden local haunts that they have personally chosen. Plus, these exclusive journeys ensure that you'll travel and sleep in style, with included roundtrip flights and the most luxurious stays each country can offer.
Watch culinary art in action at a chef’s table experience
For an intimate experience like none other, try dining at a chef’s table. From your seat before the kitchen's stage, you'll gain insight into the inner workings of a restaurant. Witness the meticulous skill and dedication required to craft high-end cuisine and watch as masterful chefs pour their hearts and souls into a mouth-watering selection of dishes. If you’re lucky, you might try striking up a conversation with one and enjoying a first-hand look at their creative process and the philosophy that drives them.
Join this Ultra Lux tour through Croatia for a chef's table experience with winemaker Andro Tomic.
Indulge in high tea at a high-end hotel
Pass an afternoon in refined charm during a high tea to remember. Book a decadent afternoon tea at the likes of The Plaza Hotel in New York, The Ritz London or Raffles Singapore and indulge in delicate cucumber sandwiches, floral petit fours and fluffy scones served warm with clotted cream and fresh preserves. Experience impeccable service and imported loose-leaf tea as you drink from fine china, or spirit your afternoon away with a bottle of champagne as you relish your bite-sized treats in utter luxury.
Dine in one of the world’s most unique settings
Looking for an adventure that goes beyond the palate? Fear not – you can find a plethora of unusual, piquant dining experiences in every corner of the world. At Under in Norway, guests venture more than five metres under water to sample seasonally driven Nordic dishes as waves lap along the ceiling and fish swim by. If you prefer to take to the sky, visit Thailand's Soneva Kiri where you can dine in a bamboo pod, suspended above the Gulf of Thailand in a tropical rainforest canopy. And on the ground in Peru’s Sacred Valley, Mil offers an Indigenous-inspired degustation overlooking ancient Incan ruins.
Looking for more inspiration? Discover the World’s Most Romantic Restaurants.
Featured image: Il Salviatino, Tuscany. Supplied.
