MADRID and Barcelona are in the top six best cities to eat in the world, according to the Forbes guide.

This New York-based publication includes the results of a worldwide survey carried out last year.

Although overshadowed by the winner, Paris, and Rome and Mexico D.F. in second and third place respectively, Barcelona proved to be a popular fourth choice due to is variety of local and national dishes.

Seafood paella, bread with tomato and cod salad were among the favourites, with top restaurant El Bulli being named as a ‘culinary paradise’.

For tapas, Forbes recommends the restaurant Can Pep, and for seafood, Can Majo.

As for Madrid, Spain’s capital won sixth place partly due to its traditional chickpea and meat stew, cocido madrileño, as well as its cured ham, cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon, tomato bread and olives.

Madrid’s garlic soup and tripe dishes also got the thumbs up.

Other cities named in the top ten were Tokyo, Hong Kong, Peking, Milan and Shanghai.