This summer, a chocolate bar from a Dubai shop became TikTok’s most sought-after food trend.
Travelers now plan trips to try viral foods, just like they visit Italy for pizza or Japan for sushi. TikTok inspires food lovers to journey for specific culinary experiences.
Visiting supermarkets abroad is now a trendy holiday activity. Travelers share their culinary finds online, boosting interest in unique local treats.
From Dubai’s chocolate bar to New York’s pickle buns, here are the viral foods luring travelers worldwide.
Dubai’s Must-Try Chocolate Bar
A chocolate bar from an independent chocolatier in Dubai captivated TikTok this summer. Influencer Maria Vehera’s video of herself tasting it in her car gained millions of views.
The bar’s soft filling combines pistachio, tahini, and Knafeh—a traditional Middle Eastern dessert—all coated in Swiss milk chocolate. Each bar costs about 68.25 AED (around €17), making it a luxurious treat.
Foodie Pilgrimages for Viral Creations
New York’s Pickle Bun Craze
Food enthusiasts are traveling hundreds of miles to try a pickle sandwich from a New York deli. The viral creation from Seven Brothers features hollowed-out gherkins as “bread,” filled with cured meats and cheeses.
The deli serves over 200 pickle buns daily, with visitors coming from Upstate New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Its unique twist on a classic deli sandwich has made it a TikTok sensation.
UK’s Viral Baked Potato Experience
The Spud Brothers’ jacket potato van in Preston, UK, has gone viral on TikTok. Their baked potatoes, topped with baked beans, chili con carne, and garlic butter, draw long lines of hungry customers.
One dedicated traveler flew 23 hours from Australia just to try their famous baked potatoes, underscoring TikTok’s power to influence global food tourism.
Parisian Artisanal Butter as a Coveted Souvenir
TikTok has made artisanal butter a must-try Parisian souvenir. The standout brand, Le Beurre Bordier, is praised as the world’s best butter. While it’s sold in select shops worldwide, food influencers flock to Paris to get it fresh.
Hand-churned in wooden cylinders, the butter comes in unique flavors like seaweed and pepper. It’s become a favorite among travelers seeking authentic culinary souvenirs.
Florence’s Iconic Focaccia Sandwich
All’Antico Vinaio’s focaccia sandwich in Florence gained fame long before TikTok, but the platform boosted its global status. The shop’s weekend lines stretch for hours, with about 10,000 panini sold each weekend.
Filled with gourmet ingredients like truffle salami, pistachio cream, stracciatella cheese, and fig jam, the sandwich’s appeal has fueled the shop’s expansion. All’Antico Vinaio now operates in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and other Italian cities.
From Paris to Preston, TikTok’s influence on food tourism continues to grow. Viral food creations inspire travelers to explore global cuisine and turn tasting trips into unforgettable experiences.
