Singapore is officially one of the most authentic food destinations in the world

Singapore doesn’t need to brag about its food – the internet has already done it for us. According to a new study by travel insurance company InsureandGo, the Lion City ranks among the world’s top 15 most authentic food destinations, based on how real travellers describe their eating experiences online.

Singapore clocked in at 15th place, with a score of 58.1, holding its own among cities famed for deeply ingrained food traditions. The research dug through 1.3 million Google Maps reviews of restaurants, cafés, and bars in more than 140 cities, looking for places diners repeatedly called “authentic”, “local,” and decidedly not a rip-off. The result: a ‘Gastronomic Authenticity Score’, which measures how often food spots feel genuinely rooted in local culture rather than designed for Instagram or inflated prices.

At the very top of the list sits Bogotá, which snagged a perfect score of 100. Quito, Taipei and Medellín followed close behind, with Latin American cities dominating more than half of the top ten rankings. 

Asia still made a strong showing, with Taipei’s night markets helping it secure third place, while cities across Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore all landed in the top 15.

All in all, we’re not exactly shocked by the results. There’s good food everywhere in Singapore – from hawker centres to an endless stream of amazing restaurants and cafés across the island. And if you’re still unconvinced, head out and pick a place to feast at here.

Here are the top 15 cities with the most authentic food scenes:

1. Bogotá, Colombia – 100/100
2. Quito, Ecuador – 79.2/100
3. 3. Taipei, Taiwan – 76.4/100
4. Medellín, Colombia – 75/100
5. São Paulo, Brazil – 71.8/100
6. Varanasi, India – 69.5/100
7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 69.5/100
8. Lima, Peru – 69.4/100
9. Muscat, Oman – 67.2/100
10. Kathmandu, Nepal – 66.4/100
11. Zanzibar City, Tanzania – 66.3/100
12. Shanghai, China – 64.5/100
13. Da Nang, Vietnam – 61.7/100
14. Phuket, Thailand – 59.3/100
15. Singapore – 58.1/100

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