Bangkok has been ranked the second-best food city in the world for 2025, rising from sixth place in 2024. according to a survey by Time Out magazine.

In the magazine’s list of the World's 20 Best Cities in 2025, Bangkok came after New Orleans in the United States. Each city was ranked according to quality and affordability ratings, alongside a score from a panel of Time Out food experts.

The magazine says, “While 86 percent of locals rated Bangkok’s food scene ‘good’ or ‘amazing,’ the Thai capital received the highest share of votes from food experts, which catapulted it to second place. Asked how they’d describe the food in their city – world-renowned for its street eats – locals were most likely to say ‘delicious,’ followed by ‘fast and convenient’ and ‘diverse.’

Bangkok’s Chinatown, or Yaowarat, remains the city's top culinary destination. Banthat Thong Road, which was quiet in the past, has transformed into a bustling food hotspot, and was also ranked the world's 14th best street by Time Out.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan stated that the Government places importance on upgrading the Thai food industry. For instance, it has promoted the use of local raw materials of good quality and developed Thailand as a regional food hub.

She cited Thai food as a source of “soft power,” which will help promote the favorable image of Thailand in the world at large. The higher ranking of Bangkok as the world’s second-best city for food reflects Thailand’s potential for further growth in other sectors, as well, such as tourism, food exports, hotel business, logistics, and agriculture.

Thai cuisine is recognized internationally for its unique tastes, and it has been discovered by various international magazines, with many articles written in praise of its flavors.

Bangkok has been named one of the best cities in the world for street food, which is gaining more popularity at the global level. Street food culture also enhances Thailand’s reputation as the Kitchen of the World.