Storytelling with flavours
If you plan your travels around what you’re going to eat (same), these food museums deserve a spot on your itinerary. From temples to wine and pasta to wonderfully weird exhibitions that challenge your tastebuds, these institutions celebrate the stories behind what we consume. Expect interactive displays, tastings and deep dives into culinary culture — all served with a side of fun.
Alimentarium in Vevey, Switzerland
Set in a grand lakeside building overlooking Lake Geneva, Alimentarium is widely considered the world’s first food museum. Opened by Nestlé in 1985, it takes a big-picture look at what food means — culturally, scientifically and socially.
Interactive exhibits explore everything from global eating habits to the farm-to-table journey, while temporary exhibitions inject humour into the mix. The museum garden supplies fresh herbs and vegetables to on-site chefs, and workshops and cooking classes make it particularly welcoming for families.
Museum of Culinary Arts in Karnataka, India
A project of celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, this museum houses centuries of India’s diverse and creative culinary culture, featuring over 10,000 objects from every region of India, some dating back to the Harappan civilisation and others from Portuguese and Jewish settlers over the years.
It displays a 100-year-old ladle used to pour food in temples as well as unique plates and vessels from the Konkan, Udipi and Chettinad regions. The exterior of the museum is designed like a Harappan pot.
Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, France
Housed in a striking, swirling golden building, Cité du Vin is a full immersion into the global story of wine. Bordeaux may be its home, but the museum’s scope stretches from the ancient Caucasus to modern vineyards across the world.
Touchscreens and audio guides lead visitors through the science, history and culture of winemaking. Finish your visit at the panoramic restaurant or observation deck, where sweeping city views pair perfectly with a glass of something local.
Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka & Yokohama, Japan
Dedicated to one of the world’s most iconic convenience foods, the Cup Noodles Museum celebrates instant ramen and its inventor, Momofuku Ando. Both locations are brilliantly interactive.
Visitors can design their own Cup Noodles packaging, create instant ramen from scratch and slurp global noodle variations in the lively Night Bazaar food court. A playful factory-themed playground makes this a guaranteed hit with children.
Disgusting Food Museum in Malmö, Sweden (and touring exhibitions)
Not for the squeamish, this provocative museum showcases more than 80 foods that challenge conventional ideas of taste. From fermented delicacies to intensely pungent cheeses, the aim is to question what we consider edible.
Interactive stations and optional tastings encourage visitors to confront their own food boundaries while exploring how culture shapes flavour preferences. It’s weird, funny and surprisingly thought-provoking.
Museum of Bread Culture in Ulm, Germany
This museum traces the 6,000-year impact of a civilisation staple on human history. While there is no actual bread in this museum, it features the tools used to make it. It includes a gallery of bread artworks by Picasso and others, and has exhibits celebrating bread’s religious significance.
While you’re in the area, be sure to try ulmer zuckerbrot or sugar bread, a specialty of the 16th-century Salzstadel in Ulm’s old city.
Museu da Gastronomia Baiana in Salvador, Brazil
In Salvador’s historic Pelourinho district, this compact museum explores the rich fusion behind Bahian cuisine. Exhibits highlight Portuguese, African and indigenous influences that define the region’s food identity.
An on-site restaurant run by culinary students lets visitors taste what they’ve just learned about, and cooking classes offer a hands-on introduction to Brazil’s vibrant flavours.
Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) in New York City, USA
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New York’s Museum of Food and Drink pushes beyond traditional displays with immersive, sensory-driven exhibitions. Founded by food innovator Dave Arnold, MOFAD blends science, culture and technology.
Expect tasting and smelling adventures that unpack how flavours are created and perceived. It’s experimental, educational and refreshingly fun — ideal for visitors who prefer their museums interactive.
Musei del Cibo in Parma, Italy
This network of seven museums celebrates Emilia-Romagna’s culinary icons, from pasta and tomatoes to Parmigiano-Reggiano and Parma ham. Each museum follows the journey of its ingredient through history, craftsmanship and modern use.
Scattered around the Parma countryside, they offer a deliciously detailed portrait of Italian food heritage — and plenty of inspiration for your next meal.
World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia
Go back to the origins of this iconic beverage – World of Coca-Cola offers everything there is to know about Coca-Cola, a drink that essentially changed the world.
You can watch a bottling plant, decelerated for easier comprehension, and then taste some 60 global Coca-Cola products. The site also has advertisements from 1905 onward and a Pop Culture gallery.
Museum Kimchikan in Seoul, South Korea
Hidden inside Seoul’s COEX Mall, this museum is devoted entirely to Korea’s most famous fermented dish. Exhibits cover kimchi’s evolution, preparation methods and the environmental factors that influence its flavour.
Tasting stations allow visitors to sample different varieties, turning the experience into both a lesson and a snack break.
Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans, USA
This lively New Orleans institution explores the layered history of Southern American cuisine. Exhibits trace African, Caribbean and European influences, while hands-on displays celebrate iconic regional dishes.
The museum also houses the Museum of the American Cocktail, examining the evolution of mixology in the United States. Regular demonstrations and tastings keep the experience dynamic.
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Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
