One of the best ways to explore a destination is through its flavors. It’s not just about what’s on your plate, but in your glass. Around the world, some cities go above and beyond, offering local pairings that are more than just delicious—they’re cultural experiences.
Whether it’s a flaky pastry paired with fortified wine or street tacos served with smoky mezcal, these 8 cities perfect the pairing game, giving food-loving travelers something to savor and remember. Let’s talk about pairing food with local drinks.
1. Porto, Portugal
Pairing: Pastel de nata + Tawny Port
Why it works: Portugal’s famous egg tart is a sweet custard dream, and when you pair it with a chilled tawny port, the caramel notes sing. In Porto, you can hop between pastry shops and historic port lodges in a single afternoon.
Pro tip: Visit Café Majestic for coffee and a tart, then cross the river to Graham’s or Taylor’s for a port tasting with cheese and chocolate or let us organize a perfect tasting for you.
2. Cape Town, South Africa
Pairing: Bobotie + Chenin Blanc
Why it works: Bobotie is a spiced meat pie with sweet-savory flavors that shine next to a crisp, slightly fruity Chenin Blanc—a South African favorite that’s having a global moment.
Pro tip: Visit Franschhoek or Stellenbosch for a taste of the Cape’s best pairings, included on our South Africa Wine & Safari Vacation.
3. Brussels, Belgium
Pairing: Moules-frites + Saison beer
Why it works: Mussels in white wine sauce, served with golden fries, call for something dry and effervescent. Enter: saison—a Belgian farmhouse ale that’s bubbly, slightly funky, and perfect with seafood.
Pro tip: Pair each course with a different Belgian beer. You’ll find entire menus dedicated to beer pairings here.
4. Tbilisi, Georgia
Pairing: Khinkali (soup dumplings) + Qvevri wine
Why it works: Georgia is the birthplace of wine, and its amber-hued, skin-contact wines made in clay vessels (qvevri) pair beautifully with hearty local dishes. Khinkali—juicy, meaty dumplings—balance perfectly with the tannic bite of an unfiltered Rkatsiteli.
Pro tip: Try a wine bar like Vino Underground to taste traditional qvevri wines alongside small plates like lobio and sulguni cheese.
5. Mumbai, India
Pairing: Butter chicken + Indian craft beer
Why it works: Mumbai’s vibrant street food and bold curries need refreshment, and India’s exploding craft beer scene delivers. A hoppy pale ale or mango-flavored wheat beer cuts through rich dishes like butter chicken or pav bhaji.
Pro tip: Visit Bombay Canteen or Gateway Taproom for regional dishes paired with creative cocktails and local brews.
6. Bordeaux, France
Pairing: Entrecôte à la Bordelaise + Left Bank red
Why it works: Bordeaux may be famous for its wine, but the food deserves equal praise. A juicy steak in a red wine-shallot sauce sings with a classic Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot blend from the Médoc.
Pro tip: Go beyond châteaux—try a casual wine bar in the Chartrons district to sample regional bottles with cheese, pâté, and duck confit.
7. Mendoza, Argentina
Pairing: Empanadas + Malbec
Why it works: Mendoza’s empanadas (often filled with spiced beef and olives) are baked to golden perfection and practically demand a glass of inky, bold Malbec. The wine’s dark fruit and spice echo the smoky meat and flaky pastry.
Pro tip: Tour vineyards on bike in the Uco Valley, stopping for empanadas and asado lunches with mountain views.
8. Adelaide, Australia
Pairing: Kangaroo loin + Barossa Shiraz
Why it works: Adelaide’s food scene is fearless, local, and bold—just like its wines. Kangaroo, a lean, gamey red meat, pairs perfectly with the spicy intensity of a Barossa Valley Shiraz.
Pro tip: Head to the Adelaide Central Market for snacks, then take a short trip into wine country for cellar-door tastings with seasonal lunch pairings.
From the dumpling houses of Tbilisi to the wine cellars of Adelaide, these cities prove that food and drink are made to be enjoyed together. So next time you travel, don’t just ask what’s for dinner. Ask what goes with it.
Want to learn more about pairing food with local drinks? Check out our featured travel destinations!
