Archeological records suggest that humans have been preparing and eating seafood for at least 165,000 years - and I think it’s safe to say we’ve gotten pretty good at it. Some of the world’s greatest delicacies come from our oceans, lakes, and rivers.

Finding these yummy ocean delicacies is a main motivation for a lot of travellers around the world.

While traveling to experience authentic foods from different cultures is nothing new, culinary tourism has become more popular than ever, due largely to the rise of food bloggers and social media.

According to the World Food Travel Association’s, 81 percent of respondents “learn about food and drink when they visit a destination,” and “believe eating and drinking help in understanding the local culture," while 59 percent "believe that food and beverage is more important when they travel than it was five years ago.”

For me, it’s all about the seafood, which is just one of the many reasons that I am primarily travelling to coastal destinations. The very best seafood is found close to the waters where it was caught to ensure it is as fresh as possible.

Seafood is one of the most regional foods in the world, in which the identity of the seafood dish is strongly linked to its destination. In fact, place-based seafood was actually the theme of a recent episode of the “Social FISHtancing” podcast, which I co-host with colleagues from the Coastal Routes Lab. In the episode, we discussed how shellfish is a very regional seafood product, where people are willing to travel to a certain destination just to get it from the local area. Think, Maine lobster, Florida Keys conch fritters, and San Francisco clam chowder.

I’ve been fortunate to enjoy so much delicious seafood around the world, which made narrowing down this list incredibly tough! Here are some of my favourite seafood spots around the globe and a few others that have come highly recommended by other seafood lovers!

Maine – Lobster

Often called the ‘King of Seafood’, the firm white flesh of lobster is dense with rich, delicious flavour. Maine is lobster capital of the world – in 2018, the state landed 119 million pounds, which is over $484 million dollars in value. There are so many different ways to enjoy lobster from it being simply steamed or boiled, baked into a lobster risotto, lobster mac n cheese, or tossed with mayo and stuffed in a crispy lobster roll. In Maine, you’ve got a range of dining options as well, from white-tablecloth establishments to lobster shacks next to the water, so no matter what time of day or what budget you’re operating under, you can enjoy fresh Maine lobster.

Portugal – Bacalhau (Codfish)

Bacalhau is Portugal’s most treasured seafood dish. Bacalhau refers to codfish that has been salted and dried in the sun. This ancient preservation method allows the cod to be stored indefinitely at ambient temperatures, without the worry of bacteria or mold growing on the highly saline dried codfish. Traditionally there are more than 365 different ways to prepare bacalhau, one for each day of the year. No matter where you are in Portugal, from big city centres like Lisbon to small towns in the Alentejo wine region, you’ll find bacalhau being served in a variety of different ways.

Mozambique – Prawns

With a long coastline and abundant fishing grounds, Mozambique is home to some of the most outstanding seafood in the world. In major cities like Maputo, locals head to fish markets every Sunday to get their share of fresh, locally caught seafood. Prawns in particular are cherished here for their large size, delicious flavour, and succulence.

Açores – Lapas (Limpets)

Just like mainland Portugal, seafood is a delicacy on the Açores Islands. Here, it’s all about the lapas, or limpets. Lapas are typically pulled off the volcanic rock along the shoreline and can be eaten raw or grilled. Grilled lapas, called lapas grelhadas in Portuguese, are usually served in a sauce of butter, garlic, and a drizzle of lemon.

Tokyo – Sashimi

A visit to Japan is not complete without a stop at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, the world’s largest fish market. Here, the auctioneers chant and wave their hands to grab the attention of buyers who diligently inspect their seafood products with flashlights. Much of this fresh fish is travelling only a short distance, to one of the market’s food stalls to for a classic Tsukiji sashimi breakfast. This will be the freshest, most beautiful sashimi you’ll ever enjoy – glistening slices of tuna, tender shrimp, bright red salmon wedges, and even little heaps of uni (sea urchin) will make you never want to leave!

Sussex – Scallops

If you’re planning to travel to the British town of Sussex, plan to visit in February. That’s when the town hosts its famous Rye Bay Scallop Week, which marks the peak of scallop season. Thousands of scallops are shucked and sold, from food trucks and market stalls, as well as in the many pubs and restaurants in the town. The event has become a giant celebration of the tasty, highly prized bivalves and includes tasting events, cookery schools, demonstrations, and live music.

Finland – Herring

The only thing more coveted in Finland than their sauna’s is their post-sauna snack: a plate of sweet-and-sour marinated herring. The fish is purchased at Kauppatori (the market square) and served on dense brown bread with mustard and dill. The October, the Finish even host their own “Herring Fair” where fishermen sell their fresh catch in the market square, a 300-year old tradition that shows no signs of slowing down.

Belizean Cayes – Lionfish

The Caribbean Sea plays a huge role in everyday life on these tiny islands, supporting both food and job security through their fishing and tourism industries. You’ll have no problem finding a beachside grill loaded up with jerk-spiced fish that’s been line-caught by the locals. Lionfish are an invasive species in the Caribbean, but healthy and delicious to eat – so really, when you eat a lionfish in Belize, you’re helping to protect the oceans! Environmental protection groups are especially keen on protecting the Belizean waters as they are home to the world’s second-largest coral reef ecosystem.

Louisiana –Shrimp

Located along the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is famous for its gulf shrimp, oysters, and fried fish sandwiches. The most authentic way to eat seafood in Louisiana is New Orleans style: blackened with pepper. For a special treat, visit New Orleans in October to check out the New Orleans Seafood Festival. Another great place in Louisiana to travel for seafood is Baton Rouge, which is famous for crawfish. Attending a Southern crawfish boil is a must when you’re in the American South, and crawfish étouffée is a dish similar to gumbo that shouldn’t be missed.

Sicily – Sardines

Fresh seafood is absolutely divine on the Italian island of Sicily. The way that seafood here is prepared has both European and North African influences, so you’ll find both no-frills trattorias and fancy establishments here. Local favourites include sardines and sea urchins, which are fished from right off the coast. Spaghetti al ricci is a simple and traditional dish that takes a lot of time and effort to make and features locally caught sea urchins!