places to visit for good food

• Meet the Team
• Work With Us
• Itineraries
• Italy Travel Guide
• Hawaii Travel Guide
• Travel Tips

21 Top Foodie Destinations Around the World

If you love food and want to explore some really fantastic foodie destinations, we’ve got the list for you! Adding culinary activities to your vacation itinerary is one of the best ways to experience the culture of the destination you’re in. 

This list contains 21 of the best places to go for foodie vacations. If there’s one thing we truly believe here at Savored Journeys, it’s that eating well and traveling well go together like… well, you can’t have one with the other, as they say.

» Looking for awesome dining experiences to travel for? Try these 10 Most Remote Dining Locations . You might like How to Recreate International Dishes at Home.

For us, it’s part of the experience to taste the  tapas in Barcelona , the sushi in Tokyo , chocolate in Switzerland, and that incredibly delicious sauerkraut soup in Prague . That’s why we make it a priority to visit top foodie destinations around the world. If you agree, then you’re probably a foodie traveler, just like we are.

We make food a priority during our travels, in order to experience the culture, learn about the people, and immerse ourselves in what makes this place unique. Yes, we believe you can do all of that through food.

Read more about our favorite foodie cities: Paris | London | Bologna

Table of Contents

Why We Travel For Food And So Should You

Culinary vacations are becoming more popular now than ever before. We’ve all started to realize that many of our favorite things to do on vacation and the strongest memories we take back home with us have to do with food.

Maybe you took a really great food tour , or you learned to make pasta in Italy, or you ate at a particularly amazing fine dining restaurant. Those are all cherished memories now.

Have you ever noticed how even the faint aroma of something you ate on vacation instantly takes you back to when you experienced it? Tasting an Argentinian Malbec transports me to a tasting room in Mendoza . The smell of galangal and lime instantly brings to mind the Thai cooking class we took in Chiang Mai.

Even the sight of choclo (really large corn) gets me excited for the intense flavors of Peruvian food . Just ask Nick – “big corn”, makes me unreasonably excited. Food is powerful. It’s what makes us who we are as a people. It is an essential part of life and community.

In fact, I seriously question whether you can experience the real, authentic side of a culture without experiencing the food.

After all, what is Thailand without a plate of Pad Thai, China without Dim Sum, Canada without poutine, Mexico without street tacos?

Indulging in Michelin starred restaurants , veering off the beaten path to where they make the best fried noodles, immersing yourself in pasta making in Chianti, or even accepting a dare to eat balut in the Philippines – these are the things vibrant memories are made of. Check out these vegetarian food experiences too!

Top Foodie Vacations Around the World

We are always searching for culinary vacations that promise incredible dining options, fun food-inspired experiences and some really good wine to wash it all down with.

And while there are so many great locations around the world that satisfy that craving, some stand out more than others in the culinary department. I have to admit, even picking only 21 destinations that we think are foodie heaven is hard – there are so many!

When it comes to foodie destinations, the best ones have irresistible food that’s you can’t find anywhere else. Some will immediately come to mind, like Italy and Spain. Others you have to search a little for.

1. Mendoza, Argentina

Some of the best wines come out of Mendoza, but did you know about its culinary scene? Mendoza is a perfect spot for foodies who want to enjoy all three of pillars of good travel in one destination: good food, wine and adventures.

Many of the top wineries in the region serve impressive multi-course wine lunches from their winery restaurants that have often have breathtaking views of the Andes from every seat and include as much wine as you want to drink.

Visit these wineries and restaurants for a complete foodie experience in Mendoza:

• Bodega Ruca Malen (lunch and wine tasting)
• Andeluna Cellars (lunch and wine tasting)
• The Vines of Mendoza (for a comprehensive tasting)
• Siete Fuegos (Fine dining on an open fire — and stay at The Vines Resort & Spa – check prices and read reviews )

Tours you may enjoy:

• All day, small group, luxury wine tour with gourmet lunch
• Maipú Wine-Tasting Tour from Mendoza Including Trapiche Winery

2. Paris, France

When people plan their trips to Paris, they tend to forget that the city is a foodie paradise, even though it’s in France. There are so many fun food things to do in Paris that will enhance your sightseeing, help you build lasting memories, and create a diverse and interesting itinerary. 

With so many delicious French foods to try, croissants and Croque Monsieurs belong right there alongside the Eiffel Tower and Sacre-Coeur. No vacation to the French capital is complete without trying the foods that make the country so unique – yes, escargot and frog’s legs included!

Whether that’s a stop off one of Paris’ many street food markets to check out the products, at a local crepe stand, or on a full-day food tour , there are many ways to taste and enjoy Paris.

If you have extra time, you can also get outside of the city to either the Bordeaux wine regio n or Champagne wine region . Reims and Epernay are two of the main Champagne cities to visit to learn more about French wines .

Tours you might enjoy:

• Montmartre Hill Sweet & Savory French Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour
• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

3. Tuscany, Italy

One of the top things on most foodie’s bucket lists is to take cooking classes in Italy . We dream of making tender, homemade pasta and rich meaty tomato sauces, drinking wine in Tuscany and eating briny olives and antipasto on the terrace overlooking the vineyards.

This experience can be found all over Italy — there’s no shortage of cooking schools and wine tasting tours.

One of our favorite areas in Tuscany is Chianti. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous and easy to get around (see our self-guided Chianti tour ideas), there are dozens of amazing Chianti Classico wines to try. Here are some of our favorite places to stay in Tuscany for wine tasting.

I’ve always been enchanted with Montepulciano, as well.

Montepulciano is a charming hilltop town in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, known for its picturesque streets, historic architecture, and world-class wineries. The town is surrounded by rolling hills covered in vineyards, and the local wine industry is a major part of the economy and culture.

There are several wineries in and around Montepulciano that offer tours and tastings, like Avignonesi, Poliziano, and Boscarelli.

• Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside
• Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour from Florence

4. San Sebastian, Spain

It might not be a major cosmopolitan city like Paris or London , but San Sebastian is perhaps the greatest food destination in the world, with more Michelin stars per capita than any other city and a thriving pintxos scene that you won’t believe until you see it.

It makes the list not only because of the overabundance of haute cuisine, but because it is literally paradise, with its incredible view over the crescent bay and the beautiful La Concha Beach. There are three 3-star restaurants, among a handful of 1- and 2-starred places, plus a plethora of pintxos bars serving gourmet-style bites that are just as good as any fancy meal you’ve ever had.

• Here’s a great evening pintxos tour in San Sebastian that you’ll love.
• Arzak – 3-stars — one of the top restaurants in the world — not to be missed.

Just an hour or so from San Sebastian is the Rioja wine region of Spain, where you’ll also find some really incredible food from Michelin star chefs and formidable home-style restaurants. One of the funnest foodie things we’ve ever done was a pinchos crawl down the tiny streets of Logrono, Spain. It’s a foodie’s dream!

• Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour with a Local Expert
• PINTXOS in San Sebastian – Private Gastronomic and Cultural Adventure

5. Bordeaux, France

Combine the delicious wines of Bordeaux with the gorgeous scenery and you have the vacation every foodie has been dreaming about in France. You should plan for at least a week in Bordeaux to give it justice. You can spend two days in the Left Bank and two days in the Right Bank , and still only scratch the surface of the wine and food possibilities.

Also, be sure to spend time in the center of Bordeaux, where we found some really incredible food options, from wine bars to street food markets. The newly opened wine museum is also very much worth a visit.

A bike tour through Bordeaux is perfect for wine enthusiasts, foodies and really anyone who wants to enjoy the countryside while biking through some of the world’s most beautiful vineyards.

You can enjoy a winery biking tour through the Left Bank or the Right Bank. The area around Saint Emillion is my favorite, and it’s flat and easy to ride.

Imagine foie gras, duck confit, and black truffles paired with bold and complex Bordeaux wines. You’ll be having gourmet lunches and dinners paired with world-class wine every day. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Check out these guided foodie activities in Bordeaux:

• Small-Group Saint-Emilion Day Trip from Bordeaux
• Bordeaux Gourmet Food Walking Tour with Lunch

6. New York City, New York, USA

New York City is also a culinary capital of the world. Here you’ll find incredible food everywhere, from street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants and even a few completely outrageous foods that you won’t find anywhere else.

Culinary trends seem to start and end in NYC. But one of the things that makes this city so great is the high number of really talented chefs that call it home. Most of them have restaurants there that aren’t insanely hard to get into, so you can eat dinner made by a master. Some to check out are Le Bernardin, Eleven Madison Park, and Cosme (by the legendary Mexico City chef of Pujol ).

Be sure to also make it to favorites like Katz Delicatessen, Momofuku Noodle Bar, and the Peter Luger steakhouse. You’ll also find huge, thin slices of New York Pizza, street hot dogs, Jewish delis, extravagant brunches. It’s all there waiting for you to discover.

• Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour
• Chelsea Market and High Line Food Tour

7. Tokyo, Japan

I’m a huge sushi fan. Who isn’t, right? In Tokyo, you will find the freshest, best, most amazing sushi in the world. If that’s not reason enough to head to Japan for your next foodie vacation, I don’t know what else I can say – WAIT, yes I do.

How about the really fun, totally cool izakayas you can find in all the back alleys and small crevices around the city. It sounds like dive bar quality, but it’s so not. In fact, it’s an adventurous foodie’s dream. Or the old Tsukiji outer market , which is an absolute must visit in Tokyo.

You’ll see foods you’ve never heard of before , even lots of unique Japanese drinks , and get to sample tons of things along the way. In Japan, you can eat the best of every type of food they make, from gyoza to okonomiyaki to ramen and takoyaki. Nearly every chef is a master at his cuisine.

Another great activity in Tokyo for food lovers is participating in a traditional tea ceremony. You can see what it’s all about and learn the proper manners in an informal ceremony in Hamarikyu Gardens . These things and more are part of our complete 3-day foodie guide to Tokyo.

• Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour
• Walking Food Tour of Shibuya at Night

8. Bangkok, Thailand

I think Thai food is very much a universally loved cuisine. Getting to try authentic Thai dishes the way they were meant to be eaten (at a night market or from a street vendor in Thailand ) is one of the best culinary experiences I’ve ever had.

In Bangkok, there are opportunities for cooking classes , food tours, street food for every meal, even Michelin star restaurants. For an even more unique experience, head out of town to the nearby floating markets to witness something you won’t see anywhere else. Make sure you try the mangosteens. Oh so good.

The best thing about Bangkok food is that there is a lot of it everywhere. There used to be street food vendors dispersed throughout the city, but now there are conglomerations of food stalls that you can find in the city. Some of our favorites are Bangkok’s Chinatown Market, Wang Lang Market, and the Chatuchak weekend market.

No matter where you’re staying, there is likely a street food market nearby. Be sure to keep your eyes open as you walk around. Street food is definitely the way to go in Bangkok. It’s so cheap and it’s delicious.

• Bangkok Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk
• Chef designed Bangkok Food Tour for 8 Exclusive Guests

9. London, England

Another big city that is often overlooked as a food destination is London . But don’t make this mistake! London is the food capital of the world. No where will you find the array of international food choices , dining experiences , and foodie activities  that you will find in London.

People often think London doesn’t have good food – or that it consists merely of fish and chips and pub food. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, London is one of the biggest food cities in the world. You can find every type of cuisine imaginable in the city. Plus, where else in the world can you find nearly dozens of afternoon tea choices ?

You can browse around London’s many markets , including Camden Market and  Borough Market – which are two of our favorites, or you can stop for a street food break at the really cool and fun Boxpark in Shoreditch.

We absolutely love Soho for the dizzying array of food choices. You can’t walk three steps without coming up a different restaurant, wine bar, pub, waffle bar, gelateria – you name it.

• London East End Food Tour
• Secret Food Tour: London Bridge & Borough Market w/ Private Tour Option

10. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia, is a great food city, with many great restaurants to check out around the city. Some of our favorite restaurants in Melbourne are located on Flinders Lane. Two that I highly recommend are Chin Chin and Lucy Liu.

While staying in Melbourne, don’t miss the opportunity to get out to the wonderful Yarra Valley wine region. There are more than a dozen of wineries to visit. It’s a cool climate, so they produce a lot of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and some sparkling.

We love food and wine events, and Melbourne, Australia is home to one of the best, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival . The festival extends for 17 days in March and features global culinary superstars who host events, create unforgettable dishes for participants to sample and draw crowds of over 250,000 each year.

• Melbourne Foodie Discovery Walking Tour
• Yarra Valley Wine & Food Day Tour from Melbourne with lunch at Yering Station

11. Stellenbosch, South Africa

Only an hour outside of Cape Town is the Stellenbosch Wine Region of South Africa. Of all the places we’ve been to for wine tasting, Stellenbosch is my favorite. The winery experience is so much more inviting and relaxed here.

You can take a tour with a group, so you don’t have to drive yourself, or you can plan your own winery tour with a designated driver. When you arrive at a winery, you’ll be able to  relax at a table or on a comfy couch and have the wine samples brought to you.

The region also has a large number of top restaurants with chef’s who know the wine well and create masterpieces that live up to the wine.  Some of the best foodie things in Stellenbosch:

• Rust en Vrede Restaurant
• Overture at Hidden Valley Restaurant
• Spier Winery and Eight at Spier Restaurant
• Visit Stellenbrau Brewery

When you’re done eating your way through Stellenbosch, there’s another nearby wine region to explore: Franschhoek. Both areas are well known for their gourmet cuisine and fine wines.

• Full Day Afrivista Wine Tours from Stellenbosch
• Wine Tasting and cultural tour with a wine maker

12. Bologna, Italy

While there are many touristy things to do in Bologna and the surrounding area, it truly is one of the best culinary vacation spots in the world.

There are so many food experiences to have in this area, from a full blown DOP food tour that takes you to a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory, a Parma ham production facility, and a home where traditional Balsamic vinegar is made, to a more intimate cooking class in the city, you simply will not run out of food-related things to do.

The Emilia-Romagna area (of which Bologna is the capital), is known for its wine, but you may think it’s only home to the sparkling semi-sweet Lambrusco wine. Lambrusco is found mostly in the northern part of the region, but Romagna makes mostly Sangiovese red wines, in a style not too different from neighboring Tuscany.

A wine-tasting trip to Romagna will reveal a whole new world of wine you didn’t know was out there.

• Bologna Food Tour from a local perspective
• Secret Food Tours Bologna w/ Private Tour Option

13. Mexico City, Mexico

When we were preparing to go to Mexico City , thoughts of indulging in real, authentic Mexican food were all I could think about. I could eat burritos, carnitas, enchiladas, tacos and guacamole all day, every day and be perfectly content.

If that sounds like something you might say, then a culinary trip to Mexico City should definitely be at the top of your list! There are a lot of great eating experiences to have around Mexico City. We found some really great restaurants , like Pujol and Maximo Bistrot. We tried many different mezcals and tequilas, and spent an entire day wandering around Mercado Roma, tasting awesome foods.

We also highly recommend taking a food tour – we like this historic center food tour . You may even want to try your hand at making some of these foods – if you’ve never handmade a tortilla, I think it might be time you tried!

Here’s a cooking class that includes a food market tour.

• Colonia Roma Food Tour
• A Night of Tacos and Mezcal in Mexico City

14. Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan

When it comes to food, Japan has more dishes to love than nearly anywhere. But for me, the star of the show is one single street in Osaka, called Dotonbori . And one of my favorite things to eat there is the famous Osaka dish, Okonomiyaki, pictured above. Dōtonbori is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka.

It runs along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city. It’s not a huge area. It covers only about 8 blocks. But it is absolutely jam packed with restaurants, food stalls and street vendors selling every type of food specialty Japan is known for. I would make a special foodie trip to Japan, just to visit Dotonbori and eat my heart out.

Around 5pm, Dotonbori Osaka turns from a fairly quiet, mostly deserted street, into a bustling and utterly jam-packed food metropolis with lines of hungry people queued up to buy trays of hot-off-the-grill gyoza , yakisoba, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, sukiyaki! If you can eat it, they are selling it. On Dotonbori food is king!

• Eat, Drink, Cycle: Osaka Food and Bike Tour
• Sushi Cooking Class in Osaka
• Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

15. Lima, Peru

You wouldn’t think it, would you? But Peru was named the top South America Food & Drink Destination by Frommer’s and for very good reason. Peru has a multicultural population that includes immigrants from Spain , China, Japan and more, and that helps to create a thriving food scene with regional variations that are unique and unexplored. 

Lima’s signature dishes, like ceviche and chicharones, are becoming favorites around the world and opening people’s eyes to the flavors of Peru. (Read our guide on foods you must try in Peru.) Restaurants like Astrid & Gaston have been delighting foodies for many years in Lima.

Superchef Gaston Acurio of La Mar and many others are priming the city with a modern take on traditional favorites. Now is the time to experience Peru’s food scene, before it is fully discovered.

⇒ Where to stay in Lima, Peru: Hilton Lima Miraflores ( see prices and read reviews )

• Lima Gourmet Food Tour: Evening Experience
• Peruvian Cooking Class Including Local Market Tour and Exotic Fruit Tasting

16. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans food expands way past typical American food. It has a style and culture all its own, with Creole and French influences. It’s an amazing place to explore if you’re a foodie who likes to try new things.

Not only does New Orleans have an abundance of great chefs and dining experiences , it also boasts a rather sophisticated cocktail scene. Many of the cocktails served in New Orleans are routed in the city’s eclectic past, and come not only with a swizzle stick, but a long history that you’ll want to hear all about.

• Unique foods you’ll want to try in New Orleans
• Shortcut Guide to the best restaurants, cocktail bars and things to do in New Orleans
• Click to see the best hotels on and near Bourbon Street .
• New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option
• New Orleans Cooking Class

17. Copenhagen, Denmark

A must-do on many foodie’s list is Copenhagen , Denmark, to eat at  Noma , a highly acclaimed restaurant that’s spent many years at the top of the  The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Chef/owner Rene Redzepi knows how to delight diners with his ultra-modern menu, now in a new location on the edge of Christiania. However, Noma remains very difficult to get into, not to mention expensive.

Even if you can’t make it to Noma, Copenhagen is blessed with chefs who came out of the Noma kitchen to build their own restaurants like 108, Amass, and Sanchez.

A few of our favorite options in Copenhagen are 1 Michelin star Relae, the first all-organic restaurant to make the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Baest (from the same owners), and 2 Michelin starred AOC.

For a more laid back food experience, head to the trendy food-filled Reffen on Copenhagen’s industrial Refshaleøen, where food trucks and stalls sell high quality International dishes.

Where to stay in Copenhagen: 71 Nyhavn Hotel ( see prices and read reviews .)

• The Copenhagen Culinary Experience Food Tour
• The Art of Baking Danish Pastry

18. Hong Kong

Hong Kong a wonderful food city, with all kinds of great food stalls, restaurants, and dishes with many cultural influences to try. One of the best ways to acquaint yourself with the food and to discover some of the best places to eat and drink in Hong Kong is by taking a food tour.

There are a dizzying number of restaurants in the city, not to mention foods that many Western travelers haven’t even heard of before. Let an expert guide you through the experience. Probably the most iconic food in Hong Kong is dim sum. There are even a few super affordable dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong with Michelin stars.

You must go to one of these top-rated restaurants to order a full meal of dim sum. For a Michelin-star meal, head to Tim Ho Wan. Another one to try is One Dim Sum . Roast goose is the dish I will never forget. It’s an iconic Hong Kong dish that you absolutely must try. The crunchy skin and layer of rendered fat over tender meat. It’s a thing of true joy.

We ordered roast goose in a tiny restaurant called Yat Lok Roast Goose in the Central neighborhood on Hong Kong Island.

• Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts
• Hong Kong Markets Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

19. Istanbul, Turkey

One of the best places you can travel to for an amazing foodie trip is Turkey . As one of the most visited countries in the world, Turkey has a lot to offer visitors. From seaside resorts on the Mediterranean Sea, historical sites, welcoming people, rich culture, amazing museums and delicious Turkish dishes, a trip to this county will be quite memorable.

Whether you’re spending time in Istanbul, Capadoccia, or one of the other popular cities in Turkey, you’ll be able to try great food everywhere you turn. Each area has a spin on the dishes they serve, but look out for things like Doner Kebab, Meze, Pide, and Baklava.

• Taste of Two Continents Food Tour
• The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals: Private Street Food Tour

20. Naples, Italy

Each region of Italy has its own unique list of specialty foods you must try, and Naples is no different. From the iconic Neopolitan pizza, to deep fried macaroni, to rum-soaked sponge cakes, you really must spend some time eating your way through Naples to fully discover the city and all its charms.

Be prepared. There are a LOT of great things to eat in this city.  If you’re looking for a way to experience the best Italian food in Naples, there’s really no better way to do it than to go on a food tour with Eating Europe . We spent a week venturing around the city to find the best pizza.

Our favorite pizza in the city was at Pizzeria Da Attilio, but there are memorable pizzas at 50 Kalo and Antico Borgo Ai Vergini . These are just a few of the top of their game. Other foods to try include Pizza Fritta, Cuoppo and Pasta Frittatine.

• Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert
• Street Food Tour of Naples with City Sightseeing and Top-Rated Local Guide

21. Catalunya, Spain

If you’ve been to  Spain , you already know that the entire country is vastly rich in culture, heritage, and especially  products and foods  that are specific to each micro region. Catalunya is one of those regions, and the amount of unique products, recipes and foods you can find there is astounding.

Catalunya has a very complex food culture. Not only does it have specific products that you don’t find in other parts of Spain, each of the smaller areas of Catalunya also have their own unique dishes that other areas of Catalunya don’t have. As a foodie in that area, you really will become immersed in a rich food culture. Even if you wanted to avoid it, you couldn’t. Food is so much a part of who they are.

While there, we discovered a plethora of products and foods you must try. You can visit wineries (there are many different wine regions – including Priorat and Emporda , plus they make Cava in Catalunya.)

With all of these great culinary destinations, you’ll never run out of food-centric vacations to take. We’ve been to each one of these and have loved them all. The variety of food around the world is just astounding.

Why not visit some of your favorites and find new dishes to love!

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

Related Posts:

• 36 Best Beach Drinks to Order at All-Inclusive Resorts (+ Recipes!)
• 13 Unconventional Things To Do in Washington DC
• 11 Port Houses to Visit in Porto

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

26 Food and Drinks You Must Try in France

12 Super Tasty Portuguese Foods You Must Try in Portugal

16 Tasty Foods You Must Eat in Spain

What to Eat in Naples (+Naples Food Tour)

Like this post? Why not save it to Pinterest? FOLLOW US  on  Pinterest ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  for more great travel inspiration and tips.

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

48 thoughts on “ 21 Top Foodie Destinations Around the World ”

Nice list! I have been to a Lima, New Orleans, Tuscany, Switzerland, & Bordeaux and definitely agree! I turn every trip into a foodie destination, and while some places are better than others I have yet to be disappointed by the overall food anywhere. Right now I’m parked in South Korea and finding this food to be some of my favorite in the world!

Thanks for posting your thoughts, Katie. With so many awesome food destinations around the world, it’s hard to narrow it down, but I think most foodies would agree that these are some of the very best. I loved South Korea too. So much good food. I look forward to reading more about your adventures there.

Have you never been to Turkey?

oh my goodness! I have a lot of traveling and eating to do! I have been to Spain twice but not San Sebastián but love the food there! And Tuscany-so good! I went to a South African wine tasting recently so can’t wait to get there in person to drink the wine! And hardly a Better place in the US like NOLA!

Right? It’s hard to beat any of these places for good food. That’s what I love so much about traveling for food – there’s always more to discover!

Pingback: Coffee Shops in Asheville NC & Farm to Table in Asheville

Pingback: What is Cornerstone Content (and Why Your Site Needs It) | Make Traffic Happen

Pingback: Things to Do in Cape Town, South Africa: 15 Must-Visit Spots

Well I thought reading the article would help me choose a foodie destination for our 10th anniversary but now I’m famished and I can’t pick one location!!!so im going to ask as a foodie who’s travelled on a foodie vacation, where would you go?!? Ok let me rephrase that if you had to choose 1 place that’s amazing and you could visit again where would it be? Suggestions greatly appreciated!

I know, food overload! Where you go depends greatly on the type of food you like and whether you want to do mostly food things, or historical things too. If I had to pick one, is go with Bologna Italy. You can do so many different food activities there, plus extend down into Florence and Tuscany. My second choice would be Tokyo. If you like Japanese food, you will be in foodie heaven there.

Have you been to Bilbao, Spain?

Yes and we love the food in that region!

always malaysia is a food paradise

Hi, Great list. Thank you for your post. I have a passion for travel and food as well and I gained a lot of information from your post. It creates motivation for me a lot. I hope that in the near future, you will have other posts like this. Best regards

Glad you enjoyed it!

nice post thanks

Left out Istanbul, Turkey. Best food ever!

You’re right, Carolyn. I love Turkish food too.

Wonderful blog! Thanks for sharing!

Pingback: Best Honeymoon Destinations - Orlando Wedding Photographers : Kristen Weaver Photography

Great blog. Thanks for sharing..

www.luxxpress.com

You left out Vietnamese street foods in Ho Chi Minh city . Also street foods in Hong Kong.

Absolutely! We’ll be sure to add those to the list in the future.

You are missing Ho Chi Minh City.

Thank you! This list is really helpful. Our website is also about foods to eat in different cities. https://foodieadvice.com/

Pingback: Blog BeeducationSua liberdade de viajar é do tamanho do seu passaporte

Pingback: Eating Well On The Road: 6 Tips For Vacation Dining – Trending Headline News

i’m gonna cry..where is malaysia….it’s country with the food paradise???uwahhhh

So sorry! I agree that Malaysia is a fantastic foodie paradise.

Pingback: Ways to make your family vacation extra special this year

Pingback: [Travel guide] 7 Amazing Places to See in Victoria, Australia — Trip Jotter Dot Net

I’m a merchant mariner and I’ve traveled my whole adult life going all over the world trying good eats. I just came back from SE Asia and I’m pretty astounded that you would include Manila on this list. If there is a great Philippino dish to try it’s certainly the Sinigang not street squid (which I do love). However, the food game in PI isn’t on par with the rest of Asia. Have you been to Borneo? I’m in San Diego right now and I can honestly say that the food game here is better than half of these cities listed.

Part of the fun of traveling for food is to try these different cuisines and decide which ones you like the most. 🙂

Hi..I think you forgot India here ….I assume you never been to India.

We have, in fact, been to India and are headed back in January. This list can’t possibly be all inclusive. It’s just a taster of options for people looking to do culinary vacations. Thanks for adding India.

Missed Chengdu, China in the heart of Sichuan cuisine!

Worth a visit if you get a chance! The food, people and city are lovely!

Thanks Patrick!

Southern Italy (especially Naples and Sicily) is never mentioned in these rankings but it’s probably the best foodie region in Europe, easily topping Central and Northern Italy (Rome, Tuscany, Bologna, Venice and so on).

Thanks Christian. We visited Naples and Puglia this year and loved the food. It’s definitely a good addition to the list.

Pingback: 6 Adventurous Vacations for Couples | Savored Journeys

Pingback: How to Find the Best Food On Your Vacation - Taste That Recipe

Hey Laura, just finished reading the article, and god I’m so craving for that Neopolitan Pizza and a glass of wine imported from Italy only!!!!

Sounds amazing, right?!

Awesome write-up! Food tours are an amazing experience not only for foodies but for travelers who are interested in the culture of the destination as we all know that cuisine and food culture of any destination is based on historical influences and the uniqueness of the environment. For my tour, Delicious Kyiv: Ukrainian Wine & Appetizers Tasting Tour all wines and specialties of Ukrainian cuisine are prepared with ingredients from local wineries and farms.

I’m disappointed with the list. You missed Charleston, SC big time. It is a foodie destination and the best vacation destination.

We love Charleston too, but we wanted to keep the list short and not focused only on the U.S.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Travel Resources

10 of the world’s best foodie destinations (and what to eat when you get there)

Mar 1, 2024 • 12 min read

From dim sum in Hong Kong to barbecue brisket in Texas, be inspired to travel just for these epic flavors © Sammyvision / Getty Images

Have you ever eaten something so delicious while traveling that it becomes the defining memory of your trip? We have, too.

So, to ensure that will happen again, plan your next trip to an incredible foodie destination. We know just where you should go — and what you should eat when you get there. 

Here are 10 of the destinations and dishes, selected from our book Ultimate Eats , that we think are worthy of planning a trip around.

1. Try pinxtos in San Sebastián, Spain

Travelers heading to San Sebastián  in Spain will find an incredible city bursting with Basque culture, and surrounded by golden beaches and verdant hills. But there’s one compelling reason to visit that rises above all the others:  pintxos . The tiny bites (known as tapas outside of Basque Spain) are best consumed with an accompanying drink, seeing as you’ll be taking this particular culinary journey as a bar-hopping escapade through the streets of San Sebastián.

Originally small open-faced sandwiches, pintxos can today be experienced in many incarnations, from the traditional, piled-high toppings on bread, to molecular-gastronomy renditions with flavors that belie what you see on your plate. Needless to say, almost every local ingredient is represented. It’s hard to list favorites, but the simple examples are often the ones that blow your mind: battered white asparagus, a tuna-and-anchovy tart or maybe mushrooms braised with garlic.

To get the full pintxos and San Sebastián experience, have a lazy day in the city and surrounds, take an afternoon nap and then head out around 9pm. You’ll never be more than a few minutes from your next bar, a whole new menu of tasty treats and a whole new group of people eating and drinking.

2. Eat curry laksa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

One of the most compelling parts of visiting  Kuala Lumpur is wandering through the streets, finding fantastic little hawker centers tucked into the shadows of towering skyscrapers. At this feast for the senses, you’ll truly complete the experience when you sample a rich and creamy curry laksa .

On  Madras Lane , just off Petaling St, you’ll come across competing curry laksa stalls vying for your attention. Pick the one with the longest queue. When you have the bowl in your hands, choose a plastic chair (make sure it’s connected to the stall where you bought your laksa or you’ll be in trouble) and begin the swoon-worthy, sweat-inducing process of eating. Come again the next day to try the neighboring stall’s version.

A heady mix of spices and flavors (such as fresh turmeric, galangal, chili, candlenut and shrimp paste) go into the curry mix, which, when combined with coconut milk, creates the signature fiery-orange hue of the noodle soup. Two types of noodles (thin rice and thick egg) – along with shredded chicken, shrimp, cockles, tofu puffs, bean sprouts, a sprinkling of fresh chili and mint and a squeeze of lime – make up the rest of the lip-smacking ingredients. It’s an only-in- Malaysia experience.

3. Take a sushi master class in Tokyo, Japan

Japan offers a truly awe-inspiring array of food experiences , with few as memorable as sampling sushi in Tokyo . We wish we could say that if you’re going to eat sushi in Tokyo, go to Sukiyabashi Jiro or Sushi Saito, but the inordinately long waiting lists to get into either restaurant take the shine off the experience. That said, if your hotel concierge can work their magic, do not miss your chance; the sushi mastery on show at both places is undeniable. In the absence of this bit of good luck, however, there are some superb sushi restaurants in Tokyo that dish up life-changing experiences without the wait. Cases in point include Mantensushi Marunouchi and Jūzō Sushi.

Most top-end sushi chefs will serve their sushi  omakase- style, which just means you leave it to them and they will select, prepare and serve your sushi as they see fit. Don’t kick back and relax just yet, though – there are some etiquette rules to abide by. First, when your fresh piece of sushi is placed in front of you, pick it up with your hands rather than chopsticks, and don’t dip it in soy sauce or ask for any extra wasabi. The chef has seasoned the offering, so it is something of an insult to modify the flavor. Between courses, it’s fine to use chopsticks to pick up pickled ginger and the  oshibori  (hand towel) to clean your fingers.

Take your time and interact with the chef; it’s such an intimate setting and a perfect opportunity to learn more about this ancient culinary art form. Remember to pay attention to the rice as well as the fish. Sushi masters spend years perfecting their rice and consider it as important as all the other ingredients. Soak it all in – the tradition, the skill, the respect, the service, all amounting to the quintessential Japanese dining experience.

4. Taste tantalizing beef brisket in Texas, USA

Travel to Texas , US , and you’ll quickly learn something important about the locals: they know their barbecued meats. So when they line up for four or more hours to get some, it has to be special. That’s the situation at  Austin ’s  Franklin Barbecue  six days a week. Through the Franklin’s menu includes pulled pork, ribs, sausage and more, the main attraction is its smoked beef brisket.

The team here keeps it simple, rubbing the meat with a mix of salt and black pepper, then cooking it “low and slow” in oakwood smoke until it’s fall-apart tender and encased in a thin, salty crust. It’s a juicy, smoky Texas classic, judged best-in-class by Texans themselves. You could drive to Lockhart , the state-legislated “Barbecue Capital of Texas,” and be back in the time it takes to get into Franklin’s. But the queue is good fun, you can have a beer and meet some friendly Texans while you wait – and damn, that brisket is good .

5. Travel to Bangkok, Thailand, for som tum  

Hit the streets of Bangkok  and prepare for sensory overload. While the sights of the Thai capital will astonish you, you’ll have a similarly intense experience when you try som tum , green papaya salad. Som tum is a bang of flavor: it’s sour, salty, sweet and intensely fiery. It’s also texturally extraordinary, combining the crunch of peanuts with cool slivers of pale green papaya and carrot, and small, sweet, juicy shrimp and tomatoes. It’s sold from street vendors all over  Thailand  but is particularly beloved in the capital, where it feels like there’s a seller on every corner.

Grabbing a plate of som tum on the street, amid all the traffic chaos and the stifling heat, is a rite of passage for visitors to the city, and the epitome of this is the rambling, streetside shack  Jay So . But if you would prefer to revere your salad in relative peace and quiet, the restaurant  Somtam Nua , at the Siam Center on Siam Sq, has a worthy version – tamed slightly for Western palates but still delicious.

Continue your restaurant tour of Bangkok at these local favorites.

6. Heap toppings on  smørrebrød  in Copenhagen, Denmark

Stylish Copenhagen lures in travelers looking to soak up contemporary art, admire amazing architecture and shop for vintage clothes . But the perfect food experience in Copenhagen, a Danish smørrebrød , is anything but fussy – just take a slice of rye bread, put some butter on it and then heap it with whatever tasty ingredients you like.

But it’s not really that simple. There are some rules to smørrebrød that help to elevate it to something beyond just a piece of bread with toppings. First, thin toppings go on first, followed by the bulkier kind; second, when eating more than one kind of smørrebrød at once (and this is nearly always the case; good luck stopping at one), you start with the slice that features herring, move on to fish, then meat, then finish with cheese. This carefully choreographed sequence is designed to gently walk your palate through the flavor combinations so that one never overpowers the other.

If you’ve never had smørrebrød , before there are some classic combinations you’ll see all over  Denmark : for example, pickled herring, onion and dill; mayonnaise, boiled egg, shrimp, dill and lemon; roast beef, pickles, onions and horseradish; and blue cheese, apples and bacon. But these are just a tiny sample of the almost limitless number of toppings.

Copenhagen’s smørrebrød institution,  Restaurant Schonnemann , has been serving up the open-faced sandwich since 1877. Here, presentation is so delicate and refined it resembles sushi in style. Try the following for an ultimate smørrebrød experience, otherwise known as the world’s best sandwich degustation: herring marinated in dill cream with capers, onions and a fried egg; smoked salmon and smoked halibut with a crab and mayonnaise salad, tomato and basil; a breaded cutlet of pork with apples, thyme and onions; and, finally, Camembert with blackcurrant jam. And to drink? Why there are only more than 140 different schnapps, aquavit and genevers to choose from. That should do nicely.

Save these Copengahen restaurants to your itinerary.

7. Savor crayfish by the sea on New Zealand’s South Island

New Zealand ’s scenery is a big allure for travelers who want to experience its incredible array of mountains, fields and coastlines. But beyond its eye-candy appeal, this lush environment also produces a wealth of delicious ingredients. On the east coast of New Zealand’s  South Island , about two hours’ drive north of Christchurch , is the picturesquely situated town of  Kaikōura . The town is famous for the abundance of marine life present offshore – with sperm whales, dolphins and seals often spotted close to land – with its name deriving from the Māori words kai (meaning food) and kōura (crayfish).

Trading on its namesake are numerous fresh seafood vans up and down the nearby coastline. Of these, one of the oldest – and best – is  Nin’s Bin . A 20-minute drive from the center of town, this basic blue-and-white converted caravan has a few wooden picnic tables scattered outside where locals and well-informed travelers hunker over fresh crayfish and mussels with a view over the Pacific Ocean. Nin’s Bin prepares its crayfish with butter, garlic and a sprinkling of parsley, letting the fresh and sweet flesh shine. Add a squeeze of lemon, throw in a cold beer and hope for a sighting of sperm whales – it could be the perfect afternoon.

Quotas on the number of crayfish being caught in this region have been put in place to protect the marine life here and promote sustainable practices. As such, many of the local shacks and restaurants, including Nin’s Bin, have strict seasonal opening hours worth scouting out before your visit.

8. Don't miss bowls of bibimbap in South Korea 

South Korea  offers up an incredible variety of experiences  in a tiny package. Likewise, one of its most popular dishes, bibimbap, offers a dizzying array of flavors in just one bowl. Beef and sautéed vegetables such as shiitake mushrooms, spinach and eggplant are piled on to warm, white rice and flavored with spicy chili paste and an umami-rich fermented soybean paste, topped with either a raw or fried egg. There are two main types of bibimbap:  jeonju -style, which comes in a cold bowl, and  dolsot , which comes in a piping-hot earthenware bowl – making it the perfect dish for any season.

Whichever one you choose comes to you like a display meal, with all the ingredients fanned out over the rice – so take a moment to admire the pretty culinary spectacle and know that the ingredients are chosen for specific reasons. The red of the chili pepper represents your heart, the green vegetables are for your liver, the yellow of the egg yolk is for your stomach, black or very dark items (mushrooms or soy sauce) are there for your kidneys and the white rice is for your lungs. Next, dive right in, mix the whole lot up and give your insides a boost.

9. Take a pilgrimage to Naples, Italy, for the perfect pizza 

Wander the pulsing, narrow streets of Naples  and you’re sure the catch a whiff of its most famous food: pizza. While there are infinite numbers of ways it can be prepared, there’s one version of our worldwide food obsession that will always stand prouder than the rest: the original margherita pizza from Naples. To eat margherita here is reminiscent of a religious experience – you’ll find zealous disciples of specific restaurants.

It’s believed the worldwide phenomenon was first created when a local baker prepared dinner for the visiting King Umberto and Queen Margherita in the 19th century. Legend has it he made three pizzas, and the queen was taken with the flavors of the tomato, mozzarella and basil version, in the colors of the Italian flag. From then on it has been named in her honor.

So where to eat it? One of the longest-standing establishments is Di Matteo . The huge, cerulean-tiled pizza oven fires out light and stretchy toasted pizzas that fly out of the door to pizza lovers on their own personal pilgrimage, and locals who appreciate the exalted position they find themselves in. If the queue is too long at Di Matteo, stroll the streets and find your own place of worship.

10. Snack on dim sum in Hong Kong 

Dim sum (which means “light snack”) is served all over the world – but nowhere does it like  Hong Kong . In fact, Hong Kong’s dim sum is a destination in itself. Dim sum (also known as  yum cha , which translates to “with tea”) has evolved from the traveler ritual of stopping for tea and snacks while on the road into what might be the world’s best brunch.

In Hong Kong you can sample your dim sum as simply or as extravagantly as your predilections go. At multiple locations across town,  DimDimSum does its tidbits traditionally – you’ll find that the  siu mai  (steamed pork dumplings),  har gow  (steamed shrimp dumplings) and  char siu bao  (BBQ pork steamed buns) are all excellent. The atmosphere is buzzing with students, travelers and lovers of dim sum on a budget.

At the other end of the spectrum are the Michelin-starred establishments like  Duddell’s  and  Fook Lam Moon . At the painfully elegant Duddell’s the classics are given an elaborate twist: think pork-and-shrimp dumpling with scallop and caviar, or a deep-fried pork-and-shrimp wonton with foie gras. By contrast, Fook Lam Moon’s mood is classic Cantonese, but still caters to Hong Kong society’s elite with offerings that come with small unexpected flourishes, such as the siu mai with crab roe or the steamed squid with curry sauce.

Whether jostling for elbow room at budget restaurants or sitting in elegant surroundings as silent carts glide towards your table, Hong Kong dim sum is the definitive version to try before the proverbial bucket gets kicked.

This article was first published May 7, 2020 and updated Mar 1, 2024.

Explore related stories

Sep 16, 2024 • 10 min read

Learn how to shop like a local in Thailand, exploring wet markets, supermarkets and neighborhood speciality shops.

Sep 2, 2024 • 5 min read

Aug 15, 2024 • 7 min read

Aug 12, 2024 • 7 min read

Aug 11, 2024 • 6 min read

Aug 7, 2024 • 8 min read

Jul 18, 2024 • 8 min read

Jul 1, 2024 • 4 min read

Jun 21, 2024 • 9 min read

Apr 2, 2024 • 10 min read

What to eat in Moscow? Where to eat in Moscow? 33 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Moscow

Olivier Salad

MAIN INGREDIENTS

Olivier salad is a Russian salad with variable ingredients, but it is typically made with chopped vegetables, meat, and mayonnaise. The key ingredients include diced potatoes, vegetables, eggs, chicken, or ham. This salad is one of the most important appetizers at the New Year's salad buffets in Russia, as well as in some of the other countries of the former USSR. The original was invented in the 1860s by Lucien Olivier, a chef in the popular Moscow restaurant called L'Hermitage . Olivier guarded the recipe until he died, but it is believed that the recipe was stolen by an employee who watched the chef at work, so the salad is still made today. Another theory says that the recipe for the new Olivier salad was developed by one of the restaurant's customers who wanted to keep the salad alive after the chef passed away. Olivier salad as we know it today is nothing like the original version, because it was called game bird mayonnaise , made with gourmet ingredients such as black caviar, capers, hen, and crayfish tails. Over time, the salad evolved and most of the gourmet ingredients have been replaced with more common ones such as peas, chicken, ham, and pickles. Today, the variations are endless, but most Russian chefs agree on one thing: adding carrots to the Olivier is a heresy. Interestingly, Olivier salad is also sometimes called Russian salad, while the meatless version is called French salad or francuska salata , probably due to the French name of its creator. The Spanish version is known as ensaladilla rusa. It is so popular in Spain that it's an important part of the Spanish gastronomy as well as being a staple in schools and summer camps all over the country. Ensaladilla rusa is also one of Spain's most popular tapas – in some cases, it's even served free of charge if you order a beer. There's also the Piedmontese insalata russa, typically consumed as an appetizer, and with many variations, so the salad might also include ingredients such as pickled cauliflower, anchovies, and tuna. Interestingly, in the Italian municipality of Carrù, tuna is an obligatory element of the salad.

Olivier salad is a Russian salad with variable ingredients, but it is typically made with chopped vegetables, meat, and mayonnaise. The key ingredients include diced potatoes, vegetables, eggs, chicken, or ham. This salad is one of the most important appetizers at the New Year's salad buffets in Russia, as well as in some of the other countries of the former USSR.

MOST ICONIC Olivier Salad

Mari Vanna Moscow

Grand Cafe Dr. Zhivago

Café Pushkin

Pelmeni is one of Russia's national dishes, a small dumpling with a delicately thin dough, filled with anything from ground meat or fish to mushrooms. The fillings can be mild or very spicy, depending on the amount of seasonings such as various fresh herbs, black pepper, and onions. Pelmeni dumplings are served in almost every Russian restaurant, as well as in numerous Russian homes where each family has their own recipe for the dish.

Pelmeni is one of Russia's national dishes, a small dumpling with a delicately thin dough, filled with anything from ground meat or fish to mushrooms. The fillings can be mild or very spicy, depending on the amount of seasonings such as various fresh herbs, black pepper, and onions.

VARIATIONS OF Pelmeni

MOST ICONIC Pelmeni

Lepim i Varim

Varenichnaya №1

Beef Stroganoff

When it first appeared in the mid-19th-century Russia, beef Stroganoff was a dish made out of lightly floured beef cubes that have been sautéed and cooked in a simple sauce made from stock and mustard with only a small amount of sour cream. The origin of the dish is unclear, but it is most likely linked to a French chef—or a French-trained chef—working for the Stroganoff family. Although Russian in origin, the dish is strongly influenced by the French style of cooking—this is most obviously seen in the way the beef is cut, in either cubes or strips. The first known recipe appeared in Elena Molokhovets’s A Gift to Young Housewives, published in 1871. Since then, the dish has had major alterations. The beef is still cut in strips, but the sauce is much richer; with sliced mushrooms and onions that are cooked with beef stock and thickened a bit with sour cream that is only stirred in at the end. The dish is traditionally served with potato straws, but is often served with either rice pilav, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes.

When it first appeared in the mid-19th-century Russia, beef Stroganoff was a dish made out of lightly floured beef cubes that have been sautéed and cooked in a simple sauce made from stock and mustard with only a small amount of sour cream.

The origin of the dish is unclear, but it is most likely linked to a French chef—or a French-trained chef—working for the Stroganoff family. Although Russian in origin, the dish is strongly influenced by the French style of cooking—this is most obviously seen in the way the beef is cut, in either cubes or strips.

MOST ICONIC Beef Stroganoff

Yolki-Palki

Russian Pub

These traditional Russian pancakes are prepared with flour, eggs, milk, yeast, and a pinch of salt. What distinguishes them from other pancakes is the addition of yeast, since similar equivalents mostly do not add any leavening agents. The batter is poured over a hot pan, shaped into a circle, and fried for a couple of minutes on both sides. The tradition of preparing this traditional Russian dish originates from ancient times: it was a ceremonial dish, served during the pagan holiday called Maslenitsa – a week-long festivity praising the end of winter and the celebration of spring. With their shape and color, blini symbolized the long-awaited Sun. However, blini are not consumed exclusively during Maslenitsa, as they have become one of the most popular dishes in Russia, and are also commonly eaten around the world. Blini are extremely versatile and can be served with sweet or savory fillings. Some of the Russian favorites include various jams, condensed milk, while the most famous savory version is topped with fish roe or caviar.

These traditional Russian pancakes are prepared with flour, eggs, milk, yeast, and a pinch of salt. What distinguishes them from other pancakes is the addition of yeast, since similar equivalents mostly do not add any leavening agents. The batter is poured over a hot pan, shaped into a circle, and fried for a couple of minutes on both sides.

MOST ICONIC Blini

Buloshnaya Cafe

Ukha is a rustic Russian soup consisting of a broth filled with herbs, seasonings, root vegetables, and fish such as salmon, cod, perch, and trout. A bit of vodka is often added into the pot while the soup is simmering. Although it originated as a simple broth, it evolved into an elaborate dish during the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was served in Russian courts. Apparently, the soup is so good that it was even a favorite of Ivan the Terrible.

Ukha is a rustic Russian soup consisting of a broth filled with herbs, seasonings, root vegetables, and fish such as salmon, cod, perch, and trout. A bit of vodka is often added into the pot while the soup is simmering. Although it originated as a simple broth, it evolved into an elaborate dish during the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was served in Russian courts.

MOST ICONIC Ukha

Gusyatnikoff

Savory pastry.

Pirozhki is one of the most popular Russian dishes, often sold as street food, although it can also be made at home. The pocket-sized, oval-shaped pirozhki are yeast dough buns stuffed with a variety of ingredients such as fresh fruits, jams, and cottage cheese for the sweet varieties, or meat, eggs, vegetables, fish, and rice for the savory versions. They can be either baked or fried. The name pirozhki can be literally translated to little pies . Pirozhki are commonly consumed as a snack, and today, they are prepared in numerous versions throughout the world.

Pirozhki is one of the most popular Russian dishes, often sold as street food, although it can also be made at home. The pocket-sized, oval-shaped pirozhki are yeast dough buns stuffed with a variety of ingredients such as fresh fruits, jams, and cottage cheese for the sweet varieties, or meat, eggs, vegetables, fish, and rice for the savory versions.

MOST ICONIC Pirozhki

Solyanka is a traditional Russian soup made with meat, fish, or mushrooms, and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, olives, and cabbage. The soup is usually served with lemon wedges on the side, but it is also flavored with lemon juice during the cooking process. If meat is used, it is typically beef, pork, or chicken. Solyanka is also well-known as a hangover cure and it is traditionally served with sour cream.

Solyanka is a traditional Russian soup made with meat, fish, or mushrooms, and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, olives, and cabbage. The soup is usually served with lemon wedges on the side, but it is also flavored with lemon juice during the cooking process.

MOST ICONIC Solyanka

Stolovaya No 57

The fundamental dish of Russian cuisine is known as kasha , a porridge that has represented an essential Russian meal for centuries. Russian kasha refers to various dishes which are created with cereals, most commonly rice, wheat, or millet, and pseudocereals like buckwheat and quinoa. The dish is usually boiled in water and milk, and ranges from sweet to savory in flavor. It can be modified by numerous additions such as fresh or dried fruit, preserves, cheese, butter, vegetables, nuts, or honey. In the past, the porridge was traditionally prepared in cast iron pots and slowly baked in the oven during the night. This authentic Russian dish holds a strong symbolic meaning–it is the first solid meal served to children, and is typically served during funerals, thus symbolizing the circle of life. Varieties of the dish, prepared with different cereals, are often found in other Slavic countries such as Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus.

The fundamental dish of Russian cuisine is known as kasha , a porridge that has represented an essential Russian meal for centuries. Russian kasha refers to various dishes which are created with cereals, most commonly rice, wheat, or millet, and pseudocereals like buckwheat and quinoa.

MOST ICONIC Kasha

Medovik is a popular Russian layered honey cake consisting of honey-infused, almost biscuit-like sponges that are coated with thin layers of cream. Although there are numerous variations of the cake, the custard is usually prepared with whipped cream or various combinations of condensed milk and butter. It is believed that the cake first appeared in the 1820s and was initially created for the wife of Alexander I of Russia. The addition of condensed milk probably originates from the Soviet era, while modern variations may include berries or even chocolate. Medovik is traditionally decorated with ground walnuts and is commonly served on various special occasions.

Medovik is a popular Russian layered honey cake consisting of honey-infused, almost biscuit-like sponges that are coated with thin layers of cream. Although there are numerous variations of the cake, the custard is usually prepared with whipped cream or various combinations of condensed milk and butter.

MOST ICONIC Medovik

Carne grill+wine

Herring under a fur coat (shuba).

Shuba or herring under a fur coat is a unique Russian salad consisting of three distinctive layers: salted herring, potatoes, and beets. The salad often has more than three layers, mostly consisting of apples, onions, or hard-boiled eggs. Most people believe that it was invented by a tavern owner named Anastas Bogomilov at the beginning of the 20th century. The red color of the beets symbolizes the red flag, and potatoes symbolize the staple food of peasants and workers. Today, the salad is a well-known staple at Russian New Year celebrations.

Shuba or herring under a fur coat is a unique Russian salad consisting of three distinctive layers: salted herring, potatoes, and beets. The salad often has more than three layers, mostly consisting of apples, onions, or hard-boiled eggs.

MOST ICONIC Shuba

Guriev kasha

Ptichye moloko

Pozharsky cutlet (Pozharskaya kotleta)

Mushroom Julienne

Mimoza Salad

20 Best Food Cities in the U.S., Ranked

20 best foodie cities in the u.s..

Many American cities have impressive food cultures. But which ones are the crème de la crème ? 

To help foodies pick their next destination, we've gathered up the top 20 cities in the U.S. for a culinary adventure. Some may be expected, but others will surprise you.  And we guarantee all these culinary hotspots have truly diverse food scenes that make them worth your time.

Bon appetite!

20. Denver, Colorado

The Mile-High City is a great place to go if you’re a foodie with a sense of adventure. It’s home to an emerging craft spirits scene; cuisine from countries not often represented in the states, including Trinidad and Tobago ; and, of course, plenty of cannabis-infused treats.

As local chef Carrie Baird put it in The Chicago Tribune , “Everyone’s pushing the envelope” in Denver. And that makes it one of the most exciting cities to eat your way through.

What to Eat in Denver

Even Denver’s signature dish has some edge. Rocky mountain oysters , for the uninitiated, are not seafood, but deep-fried bull testicles — and they’re surprisingly delicious. The Buckhorn Exchange , a steakhouse dating back to 1893, serves a mean version and delicious steaks that earned the restaurant a spot on our list of America's best steakhouses .

The easiest way to sample the city’s different cuisine styles is by heading to one of many large markets and food halls — like the Denver Central Market , the Source and the Stanley Marketplace , where old favorites and new dishes meet.

Denver also has a strong farm-to-table movement, represented at standout restaurants like Mercantile Dining & Provision , Beast & Bottle and Potager — the city’s local-cuisine pioneer.  

19. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia isn’t one of those under-the-radar food cities: It wears its local cuisine and customs with pride.

The City of Brotherly Love gets heated when discussing which restaurant makes the best cheesesteaks (or if the roast pork sandwich is actually the superior option). It touts such nationally known icons as the historic Reading Terminal Market.

What to Eat in Philadelphia

A cheesesteak is a must, obviously, and while everyone has their favorites, you can’t go wrong at Tony Luke’s or John’s Roast Pork . 

But there’s so much more to Philly than its signature sammy. For instance, Caphe Roasters is known for its delicious Vietnamese coffee — yes, it's a thing — and sandwiches, while Doro Bet brings Ethiopian fare to locals and visitors alike.

18. Tampa, Florida

Tampa is likely one of the more surprising cities on this list, but Brian Connors, clinical instructor of food and beverage management at Florida International University, notes that “Tampa’s got this young vibe happening, where a lot of young professionals and young families with a lot of disposable income and education are moving into that area.”

Additionally, it’s one of the craft beer hubs of the East Coast. “They go hand-in-hand,” Connors says. “Where that craft beer culture is, foodie culture is as well, and vice versa.”

What to Eat in Tampa

While overshadowed by Miami, Tampa also knows its way around Cuban food, including the beloved Cuban sandwich, which was invented here. The Ybor City neighborhood hosts some of the city’s best restaurants hawking food from Florida’s southern neighbor, with Columbia Restaurant and Carmine’s Ybor among the best.

Wash your meal down with some of that famous craft beer; the city is home to both major producers like Yuengling and up-and-coming breweries like Cigar City Brewing .

17. Sacramento, California

Often overlooked in favor of trips to more famous cities in the state, Sacramento has come into its own as a major food destination.

Between the access to fresh, local ingredients and low rents that attract innovative chefs , the city not-by-the-bay is the ideal place to start a restaurant. 

What to Eat in Sacramento

Sac-town has been touting its farm-to-table cred since before that was cool, so make sure to seek out spots utilizing ingredients sourced local. The aptly named Localis is one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in the city and features a rotating menu, depending on what’s in season.

Brunch is also de rigueur here. For this, try Echo & Rig — a steakhouse that also happens to be one of the city’s buzziest brunch locations.

16. Orlando, Florida

Rows of chain restaurants may come to mind when you think of Orlando. And for good reason — it’s one of the biggest test markets in the country for fast-food joints.

The next thing you probably think of is Disney World. And according to Connors, that’s one of the main reasons Orlando is perfect for foodies. He calls it the “Disney Effect” — not only are there some amazing restaurants on Disney property, but the theme park’s many eateries serve as a training ground for chefs.

The city also touts what Connors calls “micro-foodie heavens” in neighborhoods outside the theme-park zone.

What to Eat in Orlando

One of the best restaurants in Disney territory is Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort. Its seasonal menu delivers, and there’s a healthy array of vegetarian options available.

Renowned fusion chef Norman Van Aken has had his restaurant, Norman’s , in the city for years, and it remains a must-visit.

The best local neighborhoods to eat your way through are Winter Park and College Park; both are havens for hip establishments serving inventive fare.

15. Oakland, California

Oakland might not immediately spring to mind when you’re thinking about food destinations, but don’t let its proximity to San Francisco, its well-known food-mecca neighbor, throw you off. This city can more than hold its own.

Oakland has landed on various top 10 food lists in recent years, thanks to its diverse culinary offerings, produced using ingredients from nearby farms. The variety of foods on tap makes sense, considering Oakland is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the U.S. 

What to Eat in Oakland

Be sure to check out Swan’s Market in historic Oakland for a variety of offerings, including Michelin-quality sushi and French-inspired small plates at Delage , coastal cuisine at The Cook and Her Farmer and made-from-scratch Californian-Mexican food at La Guerrera's Kitchen.

The market demonstrates the city's breadth of cultural influences to delicious effect.

14. Portland, Oregon

The affordable, high-quality food in Portland earns it a spot on this list. Famous for its farm-to-table culture and the availability of the freshest ingredients, PDX is a dream come true for innovative chefs.

Looking for something more casual? Portland has you covered there, too.

What to Eat in Portland

For your daytime pleasure, enjoy the highest caliber food carts, specialty doughnuts ( Voodoo is legendary for a reason) and some of the best pizza in the country (try Apizza Scholls ).

By night, enjoy a superlative white-tablecloth option, like bold Argentinian favorite Ox or French bistro Le Pigeon . And, of course, don’t forget to partake of Portland’s world-famous microbrewing scene, a fine complement to excellent food.

13. Seattle, Washington

Seattle doesn’t fare well in terms of affordability, but at least you can trust that what you’re paying for will be worth it.

The home of the iconic Pike Place Market and the first Starbucks is not just about throwing fish and mass-produced lattes. In recent years, it’s become a culinary leader, thanks to its special combination of easily accessible fresh seafood, ethnic diversity and an innovative spirit.

What to Eat in Seattle

If you’re in the mood for seafood, there’s plenty of it, including at Ivar’s Acres of Clams , Hitchcock and Matt’s in the Market .

Or try something different at the Flintcreek Cattle Co. , which serves up responsibly raised game meats like bison hanger steak and wild boar shoulder, as well as hearty vegetarian fare including pickled vegetables in a blue cheese-tahini sauce.

In addition to new American cuisine, there’s plenty of international offerings as well, like Lebanese food at Cafe Munir or Caribbean sandwiches at Un Bien .

12. Charleston, South Carolina

We can't imagine a foodie list without Charleston. That's because the food scene in Charleston goes well beyond the typical Southern fare of barbecue and fried cuisines. (Though the barbecue and fried food are terrific, of course.)

Given its geographic location on the coast, surrounded by marshlands (also known as the “Lowcountry”), the Holy City touts cuisine influenced by spices that made their way in via the colonial trade, ensuring plenty of diverse cuisines. Plus, the seafood is first-rate. 

What to Eat in Charleston

When eating in any foodie city, it's great to experiment — but essential to try the classics.

“My advice is when you are in a city you may not be familiar with, don't look for the restaurant you like — find out if there is a food that the city is well known for and eat in those restaurants,” Dr. John L. Stanton, professor of food marketing at St. John’s University, and founder and editor of the Journal of Food Product Marketing, tells Far & Wide.

Traditional faves like roasted oysters, garlic crabs, and shrimp and grits mark the famous seafood scene in Charleston. Try these and other Lowcountry staples at the locally beloved Poogan's Porch and Slightly North of Broad.

11. Houston, Texas

In 2018, GQ named Houston the “new capital of southern cool,” largely because of its thriving food scene.

America’s fourth-largest city has some amazing barbecue, of course, as every Texas metropolis worth its salt must. But Houston’s food culture is about more than smoked meats. Like Oakland, the city benefits mightily from its ethnic diversity , which makes it an ideal spot to try all kinds of cuisine.

What to Eat in Houston

First thing’s first: When it comes to the 'cue, Houston is particularly good at brisket and ribs. Try both at Gatlin’s BBQ , which lands on most best-of lists for a reason.

Outside barbecue, where to begin? For a taste of the city’s diversity, try the Cajun-Creole brasserie Eunice and State of Grace , where Atlanta restaurateur and Houston-native chef Ford Fry serves up everything from Thai curry Spanish octopus to wild boar Bolognese to cream cheese-frosted cinnamon rolls.

10. San Diego, California

Like the other entries from California on this list, San Diego benefits from being relatively close to abundant produce, ensuring the fare here is fresher than fresh.

Add in some of the most creative chefs in America, and you have the recipe for a winning foodie destination.

What to Eat in San Diego

Not sure where to start? A reservation at Herb & Wood is a good bet, with menus that change daily featuring a modern Italian bend.

Opt for some of the city’s other gems, like southeast Asian food with a California twist at Dija Mara or coastal cuisine at The Marine Room , which features sweeping views of the sea.

Oh, and make sure to carve out time to try the San Diego-bred California burrito, stuffed with all the usual fillings plus a healthy helping of French fries. Nico’s Mexican Food and Lucha Libre serve what are widely regarded to be the best renditions.

9. Atlanta, Georgia

This Southern-to-the-core city touts plenty of deliciously fatty Southern staples, from fried chicken and waffles to country-fried ham to cat heads (biscuits smothered in sausage gravy). But this is also a city very much on the cutting edge, with James Beard accolades to its name and even a surprisingly robust vegetarian/vegan scene.

It’s this mix of the old and new, classic and surprising, that keeps foodies flocking to Hotlanta.

What to Eat in Atlanta

For belt-loosening Southern classics, head to one of the city’s South City Kitchen outposts. But to find some of the boldest flavors, you’re going to want to venture out of the downtown area and into the local neighborhoods. Visit Bacchanalia for a pre-fixe seasonal farm-to-table menu or the Iberian Pig for meat-centric Spanish tapas (vegetarian options are available, too).

There’s a lot going on in southwest Atlanta, between Greens & Gravy soul bistro, or plant-based burger joint the Slutty Vegan . And though you might not expect this southern city to be a hotspot for authentic Asian food, family-owned Sichuan restaurant Masterpiece or Hayakawa will change your mind.

8. Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas may not be known for its cultural offerings, but it is known for having some of the best restaurants in the world. Though food used to be an afterthought — expansive buffets were a way to get people in the door of casinos — that is no longer the case.

Ever since Ruth’s Chris came to town in 1989, luxury dining options in Sin City have proliferated; now even the buffets are high-end. It’s also the epicenter for celebrity-chef outposts. If you have a favorite chef from the Food Network, chances are you can eat their food in Vegas.

What to Eat in Vegas

Wolfgang Puck was one of the first A-list chefs to set up shop in Vegas, opening his first outpost more than 25 years ago. Today, you can still try his cuisine at various restaurants around town, including  CUT .

You can also dine out at Nobu Matsuhisa for sushi, named after the legendary Japanese chef; Guy Savoy’s restaurant at Caesar’s Palace; and Pierre Gagnaire’s only restaurant in the United States, among many others.

7. Austin, Texas

If you think of food from Austin and breakfast tacos and barbecue immediately spring to mind, you wouldn’t be wrong. But there’s far more to Bat City than these Texas standards.

The city seemingly adds a new restaurant to its culinary scene every week. And like the hipsters who increasingly populate it, it’s nothing if not trendy. Austin was an early pioneer in the food truck, farm-to-table and fusion-cuisine movements. Of late, it’s embraced the natural wine trend.

This is one of the cities to watch when anticipating what’s next in food and drink.

What to Eat in Austin

True, Austin touts diverse culinary options, but you can’t leave without trying some of its homegrown barbecue. Franklin Barbecue and La Barbecue do it best.

Get a taste of the food-truck scene at Odd Duck , which started as a wildly popular truck before moving into brick-and-mortar digs. Best known for its pork belly sandwiches, the restaurant also serves up new twists on old favorites like beer sherbet, redfish ceviche and chicken-fried fish head.

There’s also a lot of interesting fusion food happening here, like izakaya-meets-smokehouse restaurant Kemuri Tatsu-ya ; the Elizabeth Street Cafe , crafting inspired French-Vietnamese cuisine; and Barley Swine , which serves up flavors from far and wide using hyper-local ingredients.

6. Miami, Florida

Miami ranks so highly because of the authenticity of its food, Connors explains.

The region is experiencing a boom of what Connors calls “pockets of authenticity, where restaurants are becoming hyper-focused on one particular thing” in neighborhoods like Wynwood or the Brickell financial district, as well as surrounding areas like Coral Gables and even up to Fort Lauderdale.

What to Eat in Miami

A few years ago, Peruvian food was the craze — and while the fervor has died down a bit, it’s still well worth eating in the Magic City. Jaguar Latin-American Kitchen serves some of the best Peruvian food outside Peru, including a perfectly tangy ceviche.

Today, it’s all about food from Oaxaca, Mexico. Get in on the hype by trying the queso fundido with Oaxaca cheese at Bakan .

And then, of course, there’s high-quality Cuban food, a Miami favorite for decades that will never go out of style. Try the best Cuban food of your life at local chain La Carreta .

5. Washington, D.C.

Our nation’s capital has been getting a lot of attention as a food destination. Culinary options run the gamut from Michelin-starred fine-dining spots that cater to political A-listers, to a plethora of excellent food trucks — and everything in between.

The one caveat here? Like New York, the D.C. food scene doesn’t come cheap.

What to Eat in Washington, D.C.

Unlike some of the other cities on here, D.C. isn’t known for any one particular dish or style. Instead, your best bet is to try a little bit of a lot of things.

Our picks? The inventive food stalls at Union Market, which include modern Israeli vegan street food at Shouk and old-school NY soda-shop Buffalo & Bergen ; the bountiful brunch bread options at Le Diplomate ; and the unlimited small plates of Balkan food at Ambar .

4. Los Angeles, California

As a city full of immigrants and transplants, it makes sense that L.A. has one of the most exciting food cultures in the country. It’s also relatively easy for a new chef to get started in this town, thanks to an abundance of food trucks and the opportunity to set up shop in a small strip mall.

In a city where many residents look like (or are) models, it also makes sense that healthy eating reigns supreme. The city’s vegetarian and vegan scenes are second to none, with PETA naming it “vegan heaven.”

What to Eat in L.A.

Go full California at Baroo Canteen , which serves up fermented veggie and grain bowls, or Plant Food + Wine , where star chef Matthew Kenney puts his indelible spin on vegan dishes.

Downtown L.A. (or DTLA, as it’s become known) used to be no-man’s land but, today, hosts some of the best eateries in the area, including hotspot Bestia , serving elevated Italian food.

L.A. has always been a city of neighborhoods. To try a lot of what the city offers in one place, visit the historic Grand Central Market , where you can sample offerings from some of L.A.’s favorite cuisines.

3. Chicago, Illinois

Like the other great immigrant cities on this list, the Windy City has no shortage of international cuisine and plenty of local favorites. But what really makes the city stand out is its balance of haute fine dining and low-frills comfort food. It touts 22 restaurants with coveted Michelin stars, for instance, but also counts the humble hot dog among its signature dishes.

Little wonder the city is so frequently lauded, including being named the 2017 Restaurant City of the Year by Bon Appetit.

What to Eat in Chicago

The aforementioned hot dog, sold at stands throughout the city, is of course a must; just make sure to hold the ketchup, as is Chicago custom.

Deep-dish pizza also famously hails from the city (try Gino’s East or Lou Malnati’s , among many excellent options), as does Chicago-style popcorn, a mix of cheddar and caramel flavors that can be enjoyed at Garrett popcorn shops throughout the city.

With vibrant Greek, Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican and Chinese neighborhoods, you can eat your way around the world over a weekend. For a taste of the high-end options, there’s  Parachute (featuring James Beard Award-winning chefs).

2. San Francisco, California

The City by the Bay is the personal favorite of St. John’s University’s Stanton. “There are so many great seafood restaurants, but there is also a downtown with all sorts of ethnic food,” he says. “Additionally, they have one of the best Asian restaurant scenes. Add in the beauty of the city, and it's my number one.” 

And while we don't place it in the same place as Stanton, it's a worthy runner-up.

What to Eat in San Francisco

With so many options — that only seem to be getting better — it can be hard to choose where to eat in San Francisco. Waterfront spot Angler , serving that exemplary seafood Stanton was raving about, surely won't disappoint. It was named Esquire’s best new restaurant of 2018.

Next, try Scandanavian food at Kantine , pinsa (pizza’s older cousin) at Barbara Pinseria and western Indian Gujarati cuisine at Besharam , before sampling Chinese food to your heart’s content at China Live Market Restaurant .

Then, book your next trip because there’s a lot more to eat.

1. New York, New York

“In my expert opinion, New York is still the one to watch,” Connors says. “New York is still the epicenter of defining and then creating food trends.”

It's no wonder, then, that NYC ranks as No. 1 in our hearts. With restaurants and shops from virtually every corner of the planet, each of the five boroughs has something different to offer. Plus, fine dining doesn’t come better — NYC has 73 Michelin stars , more than any other city in the country.

Yes, it's not always affordable, but you can also find a delicious slice of pizza on practically every corner for less than $5.

What to Eat in New York

If you don’t know where to start, head to one of the city’s many food halls or open-air markets, like Smorgasburg , Gotham West Market , Chelsea Market , Essex Market or DeKalb Market Hall , to sample a little bit of everything.

Better yet, take the 7 train to Queens, making stops in the Little India area of Jackson Heights  before ending up in Flushing — boasting one of the largest and fastest-growing Chinatowns in the country and some of the best noodle, dumpling and dim-sum spots in the city.

15 Best Food Cities in the US in 2024

Home | Travel | North America | United States | 15 Best Food Cities in the US in 2024

There are so many top food cities in the US that it can be hard to narrow down the list to just a few. Still, there are some American cities that stand out for having a high concentration of amazing restaurants, dishes, and cuisines, making them the best food destinations in the US.

If you consider yourself a foodie, this list of the best places to eat in the United States is the guide you need to travel around the US and eat all the best food. I’ve made sure to include a wide spread of US food cities all over the country, so you’ll get a good variety.

Are you ready to find out the best food cities in the US ? You’re in for a few surprises, although you’ll also find some of the usual picks on this list (which are popular for a reason!). Let’s get into it!

1. New York City, NY, one of the best food cities in the US

No list of the best cities in the US for foodies would be complete without New York City . As a melting pot, NYC has lots to offer in terms of food, whether it’s Michelin-starred fare at some of the NYC’s best restaurants , cuisine from just about anywhere in the world, or cheap (and delicious!) pizza.

While you’re there, be sure to sample some of NYC’s must-try foods , including bagels, hot dogs, dim sum , and, of course, cheesecake and pizza . In fact, going on one of New York City’s best food tours is the perfect way to try all the greatest hits of NYC dining. My favorite food tour is this Lower East Side one , where you’ll get to eat Chinese dumplings, potato knishes, Italian cheeses, and more.

Don’t forget to check out the city’s food markets (Chelsea Market is a great one!), and be sure to venture outside Manhattan, too. You’ll find everything from delicious pizza at Lucali in Brooklyn to incredible Nepalese food in Jackson Heights.

2. New Orleans, LA, one of the best foodie destinations in the US

Anyone who calls themselves a food lover simply has to visit New Orleans , one of the best foodie cities in the US . After all, NOLA is the birthplace of Creole cuisine , a product of the city’s mix of French, Spanish, Acadian, West African, Caribbean, and Native American cooking influences. The Big Easy also boasts plenty of restaurants that serve Cajun cuisine , another distinctly Louisiana cooking style.

There are so many incredible dishes worth trying: gumbo, jambalaya, po-boys, crawfish etouffee, beignets from Café du Monde …the list goes on and on. The easiest way to make sure you try all the top New Orleans delicacies is with this food and history tour , where you’ll sample hot sauce, boudin, a Muffuletta sandwich, and more as you wander around the historic French Quarter.

Beyond Cajun and Creole spots in this food capital of the US , you’ll also find delicious Trinidadian food at Queen Trini Lisa, tasty Senegalese fare at Dakar NOLA, and even yummy vegan soul food at Sweet Soulfood.

3. Chicago, IL, one of the cities with the best food in the US

Any fans of The Bear will know that Chicago has one of the best food scenes in the US . As a top food city in the USA , the Windy City boasts a variety of Michelin-starred restaurants, including the world-renowned Alinea. You also can’t go wrong with more down-to-earth eats like the city’s famous deep-dish pizza and hot dogs .

As with all the best food cities in America , a great way to get to know the city and its food is on this food tour , which takes you to top landmarks like the Wrigley Building, the Bean, and Millennium Park while you try deep-dish pizza, beef sandwiches, hot dogs, and brownies.

If you’re a beer fan, check out one of the city’s many breweries like Revolution Brewing or Dovetail Brewery. This is also a city where you’ll find amazing street tacos, steakhouses, fried chicken, pierogies, and ramen places.

4. San Francisco, CA, one of the food capitals of the US

If you’re a foodie, there are plenty of reasons to visit San Francisco , one of the best food cities in the USA : it’s home to sourdough, Mission burritos, over 50 Michelin-starred restaurants, the oldest Chinatown neighborhood in North America , and the birthplace of farm-to-table food , Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse.

One of the best things to do in San Francisco is to take this culinary walking tour of Chinatown , where you’ll sample dim sum, fortune cookies, tea, and more. Be sure to check out Japantown, the city’s many great coffee shops, and the farmers’ market at the Ferry Building Marketplace too.

Any fans of Italian food should head to North Beach to visit Tony’s Pizza Napoletana and Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe. San Francisco is also very close to Napa Valley and Sonoma if you want to visit wineries and try some local wines.

5. Los Angeles, CA, one of the best cities in the US for foodies

Los Angeles is a well-known food capital of the US for good reason. Head to Koreatown for tons of incredible restaurants (try Soban or Park’s BBQ), check out the city’s plethora of food trucks, and visit the Los Angeles Farmers’ Market for groceries and great eateries.

There are also plenty of swanky spots, pop-up dining experiences, and, of course, taquerias. For great Mexican food , check out Guelaguetza in Koreatown or La Casita Mexicana in Bell. If a little celebrity spotting is what you’re after, try The Ivy in Beverly Hills or The Polo Lounge on Sunset Boulevard.

Another amazing option and one of the best things to do in Los Angeles is visiting Little Tokyo and stopping by Hama Sushi for some affordable and delicious sashimi and rolls. Surprisingly, even Disneyland has some great food options, so you’ll definitely eat well in this US foodie city .

6. Austin, TX, one of my favorite foodie towns

One of the best food destinations in the USA is Austin , Texas, hands down. Because it’s Texas, you can’t leave the city without having sampled delicious barbeque and incredible Tex-Mex . Top spots include Salt Lick BBQ for their all-you-can-eat barbeque (which you can try on this food and wine tour ) and Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop for all-day Tex-Mex breakfast food.

Other iconic Texan dishes you must try include chili, chicken-fried steak, and Frito pie. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to eat well in Austin either, since the city is well-known for its fleet of food trucks that serve up amazing churros, bao, ceviche, and more.

Of course, if you’re more interested in fine dining, you’ve got plenty of options, including the American gastro pub Salty Sow and top sushi spot Komé: Sushi Kitchen. If you’re a beer fan, be sure to check out the local craft brewing scene. You can even tour breweries like Austin Beerworks and Jester King Brewery.

7. Charleston, SC, one of the US cities with the best food

Eat your fill of delicious Southern cooking in Charleston , one of the best places to eat in America . This coastal Southern city is famed for its seafood , particularly oysters, but there are so many other amazing dishes to try here: fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, hush puppies, sweet tea, okra soup, and more.

This food tour , where you’ll sample pralines, barbeque, and more, is the perfect way to get acquainted with the city’s cuisine. If you’re exploring the Charleston food scene on your own, check out Bertha’s Kitchen for Southern soul food, FIG for Southern fine dining, and Pink Bellies for Vietnamese with a fun twist.

This is a big brunch city where brunch joints offer everything from dim sum and biscuits to catfish and French toast, so be prepared to spend your weekend chowing down. Don’t forget to try a Lowcountry boil (shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, and Old Bay seasoning) before you leave.

8. Boston, MA, the best food city in America

No trip to Boston , one of the top 10 food cities in the US , is complete without sampling the legendary local seafood and having a lobster roll with clam chowder , which you can try on this seafood tasting tour . You can also check out Little Whale Oyster Bar for what some have called the best lobster roll in Boston or eat at a classic spot like Legal Sea Foods.

Any fan of Italian food should head to the North End, Boston’s Little Italy neighborhood, which boasts all kind of fresh pasta, pizza, and cannoli. My favorite food tour in the city is this one , which takes you to multiple North End pizzerias while also showing you Charlestown, Bunker Hill, and the Freedom Trail.

Of course, you can also find plenty of other great food from around the world. Pop over to Chinatown for dim sum and dumplings, dine at O Ya for top-notch sushi, and try Celeste for Peruvian favorites like ceviche.

9. Portland, ME, one of the best cities for food in the US

Portland, Maine (not to be confused with Portland, Oregon, which is also on our list!) is yet another of the top food cities in the US on the East Coast. Like Boston, Portland is a fantastic place to have seafood, oysters, and lobster rolls . The city also boasts an exciting food scene that has drawn in lots of talented, creative chefs.

The farm-to-table movement is huge here, so be prepared to enjoy lots of fresh, local ingredients. Pop over to Fore Street for seasonal fare from an award-winning chef or try Chaval for French- and Spanish-influenced cuisine. Another great option is this culinary walking tour , where you’ll sample chowder, chocolate truffles, local honey wine, and more.

Don’t forget to stop by Duckfat for their legendary Belgian-style fries and Izakaya Minato for delicious Japanese small plates. Beer lovers will enjoy exploring the city’s various breweries and trying local craft beers from Allagash Brewing Co., Bissell Brothers Brewing Company, and more.

10. Portland, OR, one of the best food cities in the USA

Don’t forget about the other Portland, in Oregon , across the country on the West Coast and another of the best foodie cities in the US . Here, you’ll find great wineries , a huge variety of food carts, and ultra-fresh local ingredients sourced from the nearby Willamette Valley, which you can also purchase at the city’s many farmers’ markets.

One of the best things to do in Portland is to food cart hop on a tour like this one , where you’ll visit seven food carts and a brewery, the perfect way to get the quintessential Portland foodie experience. If you’re more of a wine fan, I recommend booking this wine tour , where you’ll get to visit three different wineries in Willamette Valley.

Of course, you’ll also want to try some of Portland’s best restaurants, which feature food from all over the world. Head to Nong’s Khao Man Gai for Hainanese chicken, Langbaan for inventive Thai food, and Coquine for delicious brunch.

11. Houston, TX, one of the best places to eat in America

As a multicultural city and one of the best places to eat in the United States , Houston has a lot to offer in terms of great food. You’ll find everything from barbecue and brisket to Viet-Cajun fusion, soul food , and, of course, food trucks . This food capital of the US is a true foodie’s paradise.

Of course, you can’t leave the city without having some Tex-Mex . The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation is legendary, but Little Pappasito’s Cantina and Teotihuacan are other fantastic options. You’ll also want to check out Amrina for Indian fusion, Phat Eatery for Malaysian, and The Pit Room for brisket.

Soul food fans shouldn’t miss The Breakfast Klub, where you can try their famous catfish and grits, and chicken and waffles. Houston is also well known for having some of the best fried chicken in the US , which you can try for yourself at spots like Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken.                                                                                                      

12. Philadelphia, PA, one of the most diverse food cities in America

One of the US cities with the best food , Philadelphia balances plenty of local specialties with award-winning restaurants and diverse cuisine from all over the world. No visit is complete without having the famed Philly cheesesteak , one of the best things to do in Philadelphia , although first you’ll have to choose between big rivals Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks.

Another must-try are homemade Pennsylvania Dutch doughnuts , which you can find at Beiler’s Bakery in Reading Terminal Market . While you’re grabbing doughnuts, be sure to explore the market, which boasts eateries with all kinds of international cuisine, as well as arts and crafts stalls. This food tour will take you around the market and let you sample soft pretzels, tomato pie, and more.

Yet another must-visit for any foodie is the historic Italian Market , where you’ll find bagels, cannoli, gnocchi, and more. If you’re looking for fine dining, try Parc for classic French food, Suraya for Lebanese, and White Yak for Tibetan cuisine.

13. Louisville, KY, one of the top food cities in the US

Eating in Louisville will show you exactly why it’s one of the best cities for food in the USA . Home to award-winning restaurants, barbecue, and mint juleps, this city is definitely a place you’ll eat well. A must-try here is the city’s signature dish, the Hot Brown , an open-faced sandwich with turkey, ham, bacon, and Mornay sauce.

You also can’t leave the city without trying some of its famous bourbon . This distillery tour will allow you to sample bourbon from all the best spots, like Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark. Top fine dining spots to visit include Jim Fry’s for French-influenced Southern cuisine, Mayan Café for traditional Mayan cuisine, and J. Graham’s Café for the home of the Hot Brown.

A trendy neighborhood that’s worth exploring and has lots of great restaurants is Nulu . Go it alone or take this guided tour , where you’ll get to eat bourbon balls and fried chicken, and even visit a home that Thomas Edison once lived in.

14. Omaha, NE, one of the best places to eat in the USA

Omaha may be a surprising pick for best food city in America , but it was actually named one of Food & Wine ’s “Next Great Food Cities” in the US . The farm-to-table movement is a huge part of the city’s dining culture, and there is a variety of diverse cuisine. You can get everything from falafel at El Basha Mediterranean Grill to Burmese at Kathmandu Momo Station.

Top farm-to-table spots include FarmHouse Cafe, Railcar Modern American Kitchen, and Block 16. Steak is a big deal in Omaha, so you’ll find plenty of great steakhouse options throughout the city. Try the whiskey-marinated steaks at The Drover or stop by Johnny’s Café to experience this classic steakhouse that’s been open for just over a hundred years.

Omaha’s Old Market neighborhood is a historic downtown area where lots of shops and restaurants line the charming cobblestone streets. Head to Le Bouillon for fine French dining, Ted and Wally’s for homemade ice cream, and V. Mertz for a contemporary American menu full of local, seasonal ingredients.

15. Las Vegas, NV, one of the best foodie cities in the US

Las Vegas , my final pick for best food destinations in the US , is the perfect city to round out the list. Sin City boasts a number of swanky dining joints from world-famous chefs, and, of course, the all-you-can eat buffets alone are a great reason to visit.

Some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas include Best Friend, Roy Choi’s Korean-Mexican fusion place; Raku, a top spot for omakase and Japanese cuisine; and SoulBelly BBQ, the perfect stop for good soul food and barbecue. Be sure to stop by at least one of Las Vegas’ best rooftop bars to get great views of the Strip.

This walking food tour of Vegas will help you learn more about the city’s history and give you the chance to sample some of the city’s best dishes. On the weekends, don’t forget to grab brunch; Honey Salt and AmeriBrunch Cafe are two of my favorite brunch places.

I hope this list of the best food cities in the US inspires you to fulfill your foodie dreams and start planning a trip or two. As you’ll have seen, there are so many US cities with the best food , and now you should know exactly where and how to eat your way across the United States!

Let us know which of these cities you’ve been to and what you’ve tried there in the comments. Happy eating!

Ascen Aynat

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Follow our adventures and trips on instagram

Photography Tours

Iceland Photo Tour

Lofoten Islands Photo Tour

Death Valley & Alabama Hills Photo Tour

Monument Valley Photo Tour

Arches & Canyonlands Photo Tour

La Palma Photo Tour

Dolomites Photo Tour

Swiss & French Alps Photo Tour

Atacama & Uyuni Photo Tour

Patagonia Photo Tour

Photography resources

Online Photography Courses

2024 Milky Way Calendars

Photography Basics

Best Camera Settings

Milky Way Photography

Northern Lights Photography

Best Time to See the Milky Way

Travel Guides

NYC Travel Guide

Las Vegas Travel Guide

Grand Canyon Travel Guide

Antelope Canyon Travel Guide

Tenerife Travel Guide

Lanzarote Travel Guide

Fuerteventura Travel Guide

Iceland Travel Guide

Tromso Travel Guide

Bali Travel Guide

About Capture the Atlas

© 2024 CAPTURE THE ATLAS | Photography · Travel · Adventure | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

TERMS OF USE & COPYRIGHT   |   PRIVACY POLICY

Protect Your Trip »

The 15 best foodie tours in the usa.

Savor fresh seafood, authentic Tex-Mex and more during one of these highly regarded outings.

(Getty Images) |

Consider these gourmand-approved excursions when visiting America's top culinary spots.

Savannah Taste Experience: Savannah, Georgia

Sonoma Food Tour: Sonoma, California

Austin Eats Food Tours: Austin, Texas

Bite San Diego: San Diego

Walk Eat Nashville: Nashville, Tennessee

Taste of Houston Food Tours: Houston

(Jamie Francis | Courtesy of TravelPortland.com)

Forktown Food Tours: Portland, Oregon

Savor Seattle Food Tours: Seattle

Charleston Culinary Tours: Charleston, South Carolina

Gourmet Food and Wine Tours: Napa Valley

Melting Pot Food Tours: Los Angeles

Foods of New York Tours: New York City

Chicago Food Planet: Chicago

Doctor Gumbo Tours: New Orleans

Local Tastes of the City Tours: San Francisco

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best all-inclusive resorts for teens.

Holly Johnson Sept. 23, 2024

All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Mexico

Sharael Kolberg Sept. 20, 2024

The Best Pearl Harbor Tours

Amanda Norcross Sept. 19, 2024

Top All-Inclusive Cancun Family Resorts

Amanda Norcross Sept. 18, 2024

The Best Stonehenge Tours

Kim Foley MacKinnon and Ann Henson Sept. 18, 2024

Best Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours

Holly Johnson and Ann Henson Sept. 17, 2024

The Best Eiffel Tower Tours

Kristy Alpert Sept. 17, 2024

Fun Things to Do in Ohio

Gwen Pratesi and Heather Rader Sept. 17, 2024

The Top River Cruise Lines

Nicola Wood and Brittany Chrusciel Sept. 17, 2024

The 27 Most Haunted Hotels in America

Alissa Grisler Sept. 16, 2024

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Guides

These Are America's Next Great Food Cities

Creativity, innovation, diversity, and deliciousness are the hallmarks of America’s seven most exciting up-and-coming destinations for food lovers. Plus, we shine a light on four smaller cities punching well above their weight with their vibrant food and drink scenes.

It's an exciting time for food in America. The culinary landscape in cities big and small around the country has matured exponentially in the past two decades, a shift that has been thrilling to experience and to taste. The immense challenges of the last two years in particular have seen many chefs, restaurateurs, and makers leave bigger urban centers and return to their smaller home cities. This returning talent, plus a new generation of entrepreneurs, are spurring a burst of creativity, innovation and deliciousness in under-the-radar destinations all over the country. It is these destinations that make up Food & Wine's inaugural list of the next great food cities: the seven most exciting big cities, plus four smaller towns with populations less than 60,000 that have big food scenes. Each city profile highlights local chefs, restaurants, producers, pop-ups, retailers, food halls, markets, distillers, brewers, incubators, and more that make up the dynamic and diverse food culture of each place. Here are the 11 food cities worth traveling for in 2022. —Melanie Hansche

Cincinnati, Ohio

The next generation of chefs and makers is driving a culinary renaissance in the queen city.

There is something very special about a weekend morning in Cincinnati's Findlay Market , a historic quarter centered around a mid-1800s hall brimming with fresh-picked produce and the energy of thousands of hungry locals. They come here because they've been coming here their whole lives, in good times and bad, because it's tradition—which, in Cincinnati, is just about a religion; think New Orleans, but a day's drive to the north.

Love of food is nothing new around here. Some of us are old enough to remember when Jean-Robert de Cavel's Maisonette was one of the finest French restaurants in the country. (And don't get the locals started on their quirky regional dishes, like that famous cinnamon-laced chili typically served over spaghetti, with roots in restaurants owned by Macedonian immigrants.)

These days, however, a new generation of chefs and makers, some of them native sons and daughters returning from stints in cities as far away as San Francisco and New York, can be found turning all that tradition on its head. This is how you end up with Zuni Café–influenced, hyper-seasonal cooking at Tony and Austin Ferrari's Fausto ; modern Lebanese cooking (Kentucky lamb kofta) and baking (cardamom apple pine nut tarts) at Dominique Khoury's pop-up favorite Looqma ; little omakase thrills at Hideki and Yuko Harada's Kiki ; and cocktails in a salon-like environment at the lush Anjou . Even an ultra-mod food hall, Oakley Kitchen , made its splashy debut back in the early summer of 2021.

Add in a few seriously committed chefs, like Jose Salazar of Salazar , Mita's , and now Goose & Elder , and restaurateurs like Ashley and Austin Heidt at Dear Restaurant & Butchery , where you can take your charcuterie plate to go, and it all starts to get the tiniest bit overwhelming. Mull over your choice of chic Japanese-inspired pastries at Cafe Mochiko or perfect cappuccinos at the Ferrari brothers' Mom 'n 'em Coffee & Wine . The latter is one of the Midwest's essential cafés—so popular, they're building another across town. —David Landsel

Boise, Idaho

This new culinary capital can hold its own against northwest food hubs like Seattle and Portland.

Over the past few years, Boise has quietly been accumulating all the trappings of a great food town: craft breweries, third-wave coffee roasters, fancy doughnut shops, food trucks, and immigrant-run restaurants such as Kibrom's Ethiopian and Eritrean Cuisine and Ansots Basque Chorizos —the latter a testament to the region's vast Basque community. The James Beard Awards have put a national spotlight on a handful of the city's talent, such as chef Kris Komori and baker Moshit Mizrachi-Gabbitas. But now, new projects from both new-to-town talent and veterans of the region have truly made Boise a culinary capital that can hold its own against Northwest food hubs like Seattle and Portland.

In 2013, Komori raised Boise's level of cooking with his ahead-of-its-time fine-dining spot, State & Lemp. While that restaurant has since closed, his newest restaurant, Kin , hosts equally ambitious five-course Saturday suppers featuring unexpected flavor combinations like olive consommé with shrimp wonton, blue cheese, and jasmine. When the pandemic postponed the opening, Komori started offering haute picnics (think tiffins filled with smoked beets and shrimp succotash) on the restaurant lawn paired with live ballet and opera performances to support the local arts community. He's also emerged as a voice of change, tackling issues like food insecurity and racial equity.

Meanwhile, two newcomers are helping Komori elevate the dining scene. After earning accolades at Rye in NYC, chef Cal Elliott, a Boise native, has returned to serve dazzling cioppino, ceviche, and oysters at Little Pearl Oyster Bar . At the glamorous The Lively , chef Edward Higgins gets playful with local ingredients, giving Idaho ruby trout a Rockefeller twist with a vermouth butter crust. The bar program matches his culinary ingenuity with cocktails such as the cognac-and-chamomile-tea-based Pharaoh's Gold.

On the cool-yet-casual side, pandemic creativity gave rise to two new downtown food truck parks— Green Acres and The Switchback —each with yard games, live music, and alfresco workout classes. And later this year, the city will welcome its first food hall, The Warehouse , a 29,000-square-foot space with more than 20 vendors hawking everything from fancy waffles to artisan cocktails.

The state is still better known for its potatoes than its grapes, but with 1,300 acres of vineyards, the wine scene is one of the Pacific Northwest's best kept secrets. And women are leading the charge, like Idaho natives Leslie Preston and Melanie Krause, who cut their teeth in Napa Valley and Woodinville, Washington, respectively, before returning home to open two of the region's most exciting wineries, Coiled and Cinder . Both have tasting rooms along the Greenbelt, Boise's 25-mile riverfront path, and the vineyards of the Snake River Valley AVA—worthy of attention for their Rieslings and Viogniers—are a 40-minute drive from downtown. Last summer's opening of The Vino Camp (from $229, vinocampatsawtooth.com ) , a glamping retreat nestled between the vines of the Ste. Chapelle and Sawtooth wineries, finally gives visitors a hip base from which to tour the 17-some-odd wineries along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail. —Jen Murph y

Omaha, Nebraska

Storied steakhouses have been joined by a new wave of restaurants—and the best ice cream for miles around.

Nearly everyone is familiar with the Reuben—the sandwich of pumpernickel or rye bread slathered in butter; stuffed with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing; pressed; and grilled. But far fewer people know where it comes from. The longtime diner staple has more than a few origin stories, some of which sound like rather tall tales. But the most convincing one comes out of Omaha, Nebraska, where it's said a bunch of local merchants who played poker after hours at the Blackstone Hotel preferred the sandwich as their midnight snack.

For the longest time, you couldn't go to the Blackstone for a Reuben, seeing as the building was converted to offices back in the early 1980s. But Omaha didn't forget. Today, the Blackstone is a hotel once more, the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel (rooms from $161, thecottonwoodhotel.com ) , and Reubens are once more on order, now made with nutty Gruyère cheese and a hit of spicy mustard.

This revival of a legend—the hotel and the sandwich—didn't happen in a vacuum; their reemergence is just the latest bit of good fortune for the stretch of Farnam Street that has come to be known as The Blackstone District, a focal point for Omaha's most avid eaters and drinkers. You can eat everything here, or so it seems, from patacones, sandwiches made with thick slices of fried green plantain, at El Arepón Venezuelan Food inside The Switch beer and food hall to Nepalese dumplings doused in a sauce of peanuts, soybeans, and tomatoes from Kathmandu Momo Station inside Scriptown Brewing Company . There are Reuben sandwiches, including a very good one at Crescent Moon , a popular beer bar. For dessert, line up for some of the finest ice cream for miles—don't miss the blueberry-basil sherbet—at the chef-driven Coneflower Creamery , followed by espressos at Archetype Coffee , Nebraska's top roaster.

All this goodness is concentrated in just a few blocks, but Omaha seems to go on forever. Not far away is one of the more famous restaurants in the city, Modern Love . The vegan comfort-cooking spot has roots in Brooklyn but an owner (cookbook author Isa Chandra Moskowitz) with roots in Omaha. There are also fancy prix fixe dinners, like the simple yet elegant European cooking at Anthony Caniglia's Au Courant . And what is Omaha without the runza, that beloved regional interpretation of the bierock, a humble hand pie brought over from the Old World? Don't miss Kate Anderson's take on the Nebraska specialty at Carter & Rye , where the classic ground beef and cabbage filling comes wrapped in pretty puff pastry. —David Landsel

Indianapolis, Indiana

A new guard of food entrepreneurs is striving to make indy a city where everyone can eat well.

Few cities can claim to have a real diversity of cuisines; an abundance of affordable, quality dining options; and a vibrant mix of personalities championing food access for all. Indianapolis is one of them. Thanks to its exceptional ability to welcome a new wave of entrepreneurs while supporting those who paved the way, the Circle City has emerged from the past few challenging years as a destination where everyone can eat well.

Baked goods, in particular, have taken off. At downtown's Gallery Pastry Bar , Ben Hardy and Youssef Boudarine craft elaborate sweets like Brûlée Trillium (a croissant stuffed with berry compote, pecans, and brûléed Trillium, a decadent local triple-cream cheese) in an open-air kitchen and a dining room decorated with Moroccan lights and an Anthony Bourdain painting by Egyptian artist Salma Taman. And at the second outpost of Amelia's Bread —the sister business of city institution Bluebeard by acclaimed chef Abbi Merriss—guests have even more room to dig into the bakery's fudgy salted chocolate buckwheat cookies and croissant cinnamon rolls.

Whether you want to perk up or wind down, there's plenty of good stuff to drink, too. Coffee fiends will flip for Fletcher Place's Amberson Coffee & Grocer , where owner Hugo Cano pours vanilla-laced date lattes into glass jars (to eliminate single-use plastic). Hidden away behind an unmarked door in the historic Fountain Square Theatre is The Commodore , a speakeasy shaking things up with refreshingly zero pretense. For a completely unexpected wine pairing, visit The Lume at the Indianapolis Museum of Art to roam through an immersive, multisensory exhibit while sipping wines curated by sommelier Joshua Ratliff.

Quality casual is easy to come by in Indy, too. What once was the world's largest Coca-Cola bottling plant is now the Bottleworks District, an adaptive reuse project featuring The Garage Food Hall , where you'll discover Hard Truth Distilling Co., purveyor of toasted coconut rum, peanut butter whiskey, and other Indiana-made spirits, as well as the swanky, Art Deco Bottleworks Hotel (rooms from $209, bottleworkshotel.com ) .

The AMP , another food hall, is helping minority-owned concepts with low rents and creative freedom. One to watch is Melon Kitchens, a virtual restaurant incubator for seven projects by Black chefs, ranging from elevated grilled cheese to ramen. Because eating is a basic right and not a privilege, two women are taking charge to reduce food insecurity: Beloved restaurateur and activist Martha Hoover of Café Patachou and Bar One Fourteen is addressing child hunger with PataSchool, a visionary program that empowers schools to create better meals in their cafeterias. And since day one at her walk-up counter The Trap in the Eastside, a food desert where most residents lack access to affordable, nutritious food, chef Oya Woodruff has been giving out trays of boiled seafood smothered in her signature Trap Buttah (an irresistibly garlicky and herbaceous sauce) to those in need, showing she's committed to feeding everyone, no matter the cost. —Katie Chang

Jersey City, New Jersey

New York City's secret "sixth borough" is packed with vibrant food businesses and tastes.

When most people look for an exciting food city booming with options in the Northeast, they tend to think of New York City. However, mere minutes away by train is NYC's secret "sixth borough": Jersey City. Packed with vibrant food businesses, Jersey City isn't just a spot to drink in the breathtaking view of the skyline across the river—though it certainly is that, too—it's a food city where culture and community keep diners coming back.

Jersey City's huge Asian and Indian population makes up a quarter of its residents (one of the highest percentages in the country), and the food scene showcases a medley of delicious cuisines. First-generation Filipino American families go grocery shopping for bags of warm, fluffy pandesal—a common bread roll in the Philippines—or mocha-flavored cake layered with caramel from the Philippine Bread House and stock up on ensaymada, a rich brioche pastry layered with cheese and butter, at Red Ribbon Bakeshop . The hub of the South Asian community, Newark Avenue, is dotted with Indian and Pakistani restaurants. You can't go wrong here, but one local favorite is Rasoi , a 25-year-old restaurant known for its rich and spicy Punjabi fare. Also on this eat street is the Freetown Road Project , a restaurant from hometown hero chef Claude Lewis. The Chopped champion ties his Antiguan and West Indian roots to his hometown through dishes that range from curry chicken, a luscious stew served with hot, fresh, flaky roti, to dense slabs of mango bread drizzled with mango jam that comes with whipped cayenne cream cheese for spreading.

Italian cuisine also has deep roots here, and the city's new generation of pizza and pasta restaurants alone are worth a special visit. There's Dan Richer, a New Jersey native and James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef semifinalist, who skipped his college graduation to travel to Italy to learn how to make better pizza. At his restaurant, Razza , he tops crisp, fermented rounds of dough with fresh toppings sourced from local farms—the Garden State Margherita, for example, is sauced with crushed New Jersey heirloom tomatoes and oozes with fresh, milky buffalo mozzarella from Sussex County. For some of the best pasta this side of Liguria, make a reservation at Pasta dal Cuore , a pasta shop owned by Elena Cartagena, who makes fresh pasta every morning.

This city does a great job of satisfying sweet tooths, too. You can get a box of mixed cookies in flavors like cinnamon whiskey crackle from the excellent Bang Cookies or a rich banana pudding from Filipino-owned dessert shop Baonanas . Chase either with a coffee from Clo Coffee Co. , a pandemic-born business that is trying to change the conversation around quality, sustainable coffee. When you're ready for cocktail hour, grab a seat at the bar at Frankie , an Australian-inspired spot, to sip on one of their house cocktails or a pour from their selection of natural wines from Europe and Australia. And when it's time to go home, grab a souvenir bottle of whiskey or gin from local favorite Corgi Spirits . —Lauren Musni

Tucson, Arizona

There are many delicious reasons Tucson was designated a UNESCO city of gastronomy in 2015.

Arizona's second-largest city is the land of flour tortillas, and to do a visit justice, you should optimize your trip for maximum tortilla consumption, fitting in as many of the fresh, piping hot disks as you can in between visits to Tucson's quirky and charming museums (there's one dedicated entirely to miniatures ) and hikes through the Saguaro National Park.

In 2015, Tucson was designated a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, and many guidebooks will point you to tourist-oriented spots like the 100-year-old El Charro Café . El Charro's history alone makes it worth visiting for a quick snack, like the carne seca cheese crisp, a giant open-faced quesadilla topped with gooey cheese and piles of desert air–dried beef. However, the restaurants that really make the city great are not necessarily found in guidebooks, such as La Indita , which serves all the classics of a sit-down Mexican restaurant but also offers dishes like gently fried Tarascan tacos that honor founder Maria Garcia's Tohono O'odham heritage.

But back to tortillas. Make your first stop one of the three locations of La Estrella Bakery for the best doughnuts in the state and a package of tortillas so fresh that you can eat them plain from the bag while driving over to Anita's Street Market . The tiny neighborhood shop has a charming backyard that is perfect for consuming their egg-and-cheese-stuffed breakfast burrito. Follow that up with another bag of tortillas for good measure from St. Mary's Mexican Food , which also makes the best beans and rice in town. Tacos Apson is next for a solid bean-and-cheese burrito (or burros, in the local parlance), and finish the day at Taqueria Pico De Gallo (2618 S. Sixth Ave.) for a quesadilla that arrives to your table rippling with bubbles and oozing with stretchy, salty cheese­.

It's easy to fill up on tortillas and beans, but to come to Tucson and leave without eating at least one Sonoran dog would be a mistake. The Sonoran dog typically arrives on a soft bolillo roll and is loaded up with pinto beans, chopped tomatoes, onions, mayonnaise, mustard, and salsa verde—a combination that, as one fellow visitor observed, makes Chicago dogs look "extremely boring." You can find the best versions at El Güero Canelo ; BK Tacos , which even offers a version made with a vegetarian hot dog; and Ruiz Hot Dogs Los Chipilones (1140 S. Sixth Ave.) , which separates itself by serving its version on a toasted bun.

All those tacos, tortillas, and hot dogs are best washed down with a glass or two of wine from Arizona winery Sand-Reckoner , which cellars its wine and offers tastings in the sandstone basement of the recently opened "wine hotel" The Citizen Hotel . Tucson is also a great coffee town, thanks in part to the presence of the University of Arizona, with spots like Exo Roast Co. ; don't skip the mole dulce latte) and Presta , which makes the most refreshing espresso tonic in the city.

And when you can't eat a single tortilla ever again, a new slate of Tucson restaurants offers you a reprieve: spicy and garlicky hand-pulled noodles at Noodleholics , game-changing loaves at Barrio Bread , ambitious baked goods from 5 Points Market & Restaurant , pillowy pizzas and market vegetables from Anello , and silky-smooth chocolates made with local ingredients from Monsoon Chocolate . Maybe pack an extra suitcase: The tortillas, bread, and chocolate all travel incredibly well. —Khushbu Shah

Charlotte, North Carolina

The city and surrounding region are filled with ingenuity and forward-looking food projects.

Charlotte has always been fertile ground for culinary creativity, with rural roots just beneath the surface. Last year, that rich terrain inspired Subrina and Greg Collier (a 2022 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Southeast), the couple at the helm of Leah & Louise —famous for their smoked catfish stew with rice grits, field peas, and candied peppers and their iconic "river chips" (crispy chicken skins)—to launch the BayHaven Food & Wine Festival , a three-day event that honors Black chefs and foodways in the Southeast.

Other forward-looking food projects abound around town: A former textile mill is reborn as Optimist Hall , cultivating a collection of artisans like Zhang Qian, aka The Dumpling Lady ; Meherwan Irani of Botiwalla , a counter-service restaurant serving Indian street food; and Fonta Flora Brewery , which makes hyperlocal microbrews. More established, but no less innovative, The Market at 7th Street , a nonprofit food hall, has nurtured emerging food entrepreneurs for 10 years. Its tenants include Orrman's Cheese Shop , where Rachel Klebaur and her husband, José Espinosa, sell artisan cheeses and offer raclette nights, grown-up grilled cheese, and wine pairings; and Momo Station , a food truck–turned–fixture where owner AJ Dhital makes Nepalese dumplings according to a family recipe, as well as Asian-inspired tacos, rice bowls, lo mein, and kathi rolls.

Since 2004, the Johnson & Wales University Charlotte campus has been a fruitful contributor to the local food scene; in 2021, alums Jamie Barnes and Greg Williams opened What the Fries in South Charlotte, serving tasty loaded fries and burgers at a restaurant that's the latest expansion of their catering business of the same name. Chefs have also come from outside the region to plant the seeds for new concepts. It's been about a decade since Rocco Whalen, a Wolfgang Puck protégé, opened Fahrenheit , a contemporary rooftop restaurant in the Second Ward neighborhood. Cloud Bar by David Burke and Red Salt by David Burke inside Uptown's Le Méridien hotel are the newest, most visible examples of the value that chefs from all over see in the metro. Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch, who moved to town in the wake of 9/11, opened Church and Union Charlotte , formerly 5Church, and French-style brasserie La Belle Helene to critical acclaim.

Charlotte's reach extends past the city limits to include the five surrounding counties and dips into South Carolina. At the northern outskirts of the metropolitan area are Davidson and Cornelius, where James Beard–nominated Joe and Katy Kindred of Kindred and Hello, Sailor reside, feeding guests legendary milk bread and fish-camp-style plates. Anothercouple, Kevin Sr. and Denise Jonas (yes, those Jonases), have managed their sons' careers since they started in the entertainment industry but returned to Belmont to open Nellie's Southern Kitchen in honor of Kevin's grandmother. —Nikki Miller-KA

Small Cities with Big Food Scenes

Bozeman, montana.

Bozeman has long been better known for its natural wonders than its restaurants. But when the pandemic hit, those mountain panoramas became extra magnetic, and urban transplants flocked to the college town. One result? Its culinary scene exploded with global flavors. In the past year, more than a dozen restaurants dedicated to a singular obsession have opened in Bozeman, be it sushi at Izakaya Three Fish or barbecue at Bourbon . You can now find heirloom blue corn tortillas filled with seven-hour-braised prime chuck roast at Last Call Modern Mexican , baguettes and viennoiseries from a Paris-born and -trained pastry chef at Aurore Bakery , and vegan ramen and adventurous omakase at Tanoshii , the newest spot from longtime Bozeman chef Daniel Wendell. Recent transplants are making their mark, too, like James Beard Award winner and longtime Commander's Palace chef Tory McPhail, who left New Orleans last year to join Aaron Parker's restaurant group as culinary director, along with his sommelier wife, Britt, who is advising on the sake list at Dave's Sushi . And the 2020 opening of the Kimpton Armory Hotel (rooms from $229, armoryhotelbzn.com ) finally gave Bozeman its first boutique stay, complete with the town's only rooftop bar, a whiskey lounge, and a farm-to-table restaurant. —Jen Murphy

Biddeford, Maine

Think of Biddeford as Portland, Maine's quiet older sister with great taste—the one you ask for recommendations on nicely curated bottle shops and vintage clothing boutiques. A 30-minute drive south gets you from Portland to Biddeford; check into The Lincoln Hotel, a new 33-room boutique property in a former textile mill opening this summer (rooms from $299, lincolnhotelmaine.com ) . Visit Magnus on Water for Brunswick clams and a glass of sparkling Chenin Blanc, and carb load at Night Moves Bread , known for breads like anadama, a loaf made here with nixtamalized heirloom flint corn and molasses. For a soul-soothing cardamom bun, you'll want to head to Jackrabbit Cafe from 2011 F&W Best New Chef Bowman Brown—once you've fallen in love with his food, book a table for his nightly tasting menu at Elda , just upstairs. You'd be remiss to skip a pilgrimage to Rabelais , which has one of the country's largest selections of rare cookbooks, as well as a breakfast stop at vintage comfort food mecca Palace Diner . Oh, and that bottle shop recommendation? It's Lorne Wine . —Oset Babür-Winter

Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville has emerged as a vibrant dining destination. The city's first food hall, Dairy Market , brings together some of the area's brightest talent, like local restaurateur Wilson Richey of South and Central , a steakhouse inspired by the grilling cultures of South and Central America, and Angelic Jenkins of Angelic's Kitchen , where crispy fried whiting dredged in her signature seafood breading is the specialty. Along the Rivanna River, The Wool Factory , a lovingly preserved historic textile mill, offers three distinct options: ales at Selvedge Brewing, fine dining at Broadcloth, and coffee-wine nook The Workshop. For exceptional pastries like brioche feuilletée and the original Prezzant (a flaky, chewy pretzel-croissant hybrid), drop in to European-inspired bakery MarieBette . Proving that the tiniest restaurants can indeed be the mightiest are the colorful Conmole , where Benos Bustamante prepares moles based on family recipes from growing up in Oaxaca, and Luce , a hole-in-the-wall doling out fresh pastas like the Bolo(pappardelle tossed with pork ragù, mint, and toast crumbs) in paper cups to go. Because the region is the birthplace of American wine, a visit to In Vino Veritas by industry superstar Erin Scala is a must. To all of the above, add last year's reopening of the renovated Keswick Hall (rooms from $423, keswick.com ) , and there have never been more compelling reasons to visit. —Katie Chang

Greenville, South Carolina

Once a sleepy mill town, today Greenville hums with culinary energy. Thanks to the nearby headquarters of BMW and Michelin stimulating the local economy and attracting a culturally diverse workforce, restaurant menus are inventive and constantly evolving. Have dinner at The Anchorage , where returning local chef Greg McPhee (formerly of Husk in Charleston) and his team reinvent the menu every 10 days, or hit up Camp for an eclectic, global roster of shareable small plates. For a more casual vibe, at The Commons food hall, there's GB&D, where chef Alex George and his crew not only sling "a ridiculous number" of the most golden brown and delicious cheeseburgers (hence the name), but they also join forces to dial up the ever-changing dinner and cocktail menu. The next day, swing by Methodical Coffee in the same hall for coffee with a master's degree, grab street tacos and chorizo smashburgers at Comal 864 , drink craft Belgian beer underground at The Trappe Door , and then perk up at Society Sandwich Bar & Social Club with the Post Balone, starring fried bologna and a drippy fried egg. Grab a loaf of salt-studded stecca bread at Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery , rent a bike, and pedal the Swamp Rabbit Trail out to Travelers Rest for a late breakfast of crêpes at Tandem or an early dinner at the Topsoil Kitchen & Market , helmed by 2020 James Beard Awards semifinalist Adam Cooke . —Josh Miller

Related Articles

The value of a trip is not the time it lasts, but the intensity with which it occurs

35 Best Foodie Destinations in the US

Looking for the best foodie destinations in the US? Discover the best places to eat in the United States, top restaurants & typical American dishes.

I have asked travel & food experts to spill the best food cities to eat in America to help you decide where to go and what to ask for!

So let’s dive into the best travel destinations for food lovers in the US .

Best Foodie Destinations in the US

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza and hotdogs, but there are many more foodie experiences to be had in this city. 

The melting-pot effect of a big city means that Chicago has many foodie influences – from soul food to Szechuan, from mid-west classics, to the Mediterranean. 

One of the most exquisite dishes ever created comes from Avec, a modern Mediterranean restaurant in the West Loop.

Their chorizo stuffed dates, wrapped in bacon and served in a rich tomato stew, are beyond delicious; and really highlight the gastronomic levels Chicago has reached. 

Of course, you can’t visit Chicago without having some deep-dish pizza; and Lou Malnati’s is a hot favorite. Their ‘Malnati Chicago Classic’ pizza with buttercrust and lean Italian sausage is a thing of melting beauty. 

If you must try a Chicago hotdog, make sure it’s a Vienna beef dog from George’s Hotdogs in Bucktown – with onions, mustard, sweet relish, a dill pickle, tomato and more. And for dessert, how about soft chocolate chip cookies? 

A reason why Chicago is one of the best foodie destinations in the US is that it manages to elevate the most modest foods – their hotdogs are dressed up as if they are going to the theater!

Hannah – Hannah Henderson Travel

New Orleans

No foodie trip in the United States is complete without a stop in New Orleans. It’s one of the few cities in the United States that truly has its own cuisine.

There are so many famous dishes that come from New Orleans: the po’boy and muffaletta sandwiches, gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, pralines, and more.

Cocktail lovers can also indulge in many drinks that were invented here, like the Sazerac and the Ramos Gin Fizz.

There are so many fabulous places to eat in New Orleans that it can be difficult for a traveler to decide which ones to visit. After all, the city has over 20 James Beard award-winning restaurants.

A perfect eating day in New Orleans might start with beignets (a kind of square doughnut covered in powdered sugar) and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde.

For lunch, try gumbo and fried chicken at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. The legendary late chef at Dooky Chase’s, Leah Chase, was the inspiration for Tiana in The Princess and the Frog.

For dinner, enjoy one of New Orleans’s best fine dining experiences at Commander’s Palace.

You can indulge in their tasting menu, or you can order their specialties a la carte. They are best known for their turtle soup finished with sherry at the table and their marvelous bread pudding souffle.

By the end of this day, you’ll have tasted the very best New Orleans has to offer!

Stella Jane – Around the World in 24 Hours

There is little doubt that eating is one of the top things to do in New York . The Big Apple, as many affectionally call it, is more and more becoming a foodie destination in the US, with many visiting with the sole purpose to gorge on delicious food.

Throughout the years, the offer of food in New York has become outstanding.

From street food to fine dining; from Italian-American staples found in Little Italy to more authentic Italian cuisine; from Chinese to Thai and Japanese – you are bound to find anything to satisfy your taste buds and to match your budget needs.

Spend enough time in New York and you can feast on a different cuisine for every meal.

Yet, some foods scream New York more than others, and you really should not miss those.

Make sure to have a good slice of New York thin crust pizza – it’s very different from the Italian one, yet oh-so-good.

Another staple is the New York style cheesecake , best eaten at Junior’s.

Last, but definitely not least, New York is the best place to gorge on bagels and cream cheese.

Whether you want a sweet one or a savory one, you are bound to find something that tickles your tastebuds. The best bagels in town are those at Ess-A-Bagel – so popular it’s become a local institution.

Claudia Tavani – My Adventures Across The World

Los Angeles

Los Angeles definitely is one of the best foodie cities in the US on top of offering various popular sights.

Brimming with fantastic pubic markets , foodie truck eating venues, world class fine dining and even ethnic neighborhoods that host specific markets, restaurants and other specialty food venues to the ethnic and cultural heritage; even family friendly restaurants that kids will love!

You’ll find that every area of the city is very food focused with an interest in providing fresh and locally sourced, artisanal flavors and the best of what’s available nearby and from around the world.

It’s hard to specify a typical food that stands out in an international city like Los Angeles that boasts cuisine that covers all grounds of specialty, local or world class foods and dining.

But the must-try things to at least experience in the city is old California/Mexican heritage and foods especially in the Olvera street neighborhood with fantastic cafes and restaurants that cater to Mexican and Hispanic flavors. Must try are churros from Mr. Churro, Juanitas for taquitos and tamales and La Noche Buena for the perfect Brunch.

Close by is Japan town which is a short walk from Olvera street and hosts a variety of specialty foods, snacks, eateries and other fine dining covering Japanese foods.

Must try places include Marugame for delicious udon, Hide sushi for perfect sushi bites and B Sweet Dessert Bar for some yummy goodness. Los Angeles may not have it’s own local food but it sure is one of the best food vacations in the US.

Noel Morata – Travel Photo Discovery

Miami – Little Havana

Foodies visiting the States and keen to try something different should look no further than Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, one of the best places to visit in the US .

This diverse neighborhood is home to Hispanic residents not limited to Cubans who arrived in the neighborhood during the Wet Foot Dry Foot Policy that allowed them to apply for residency if they could reach the country.

As a result, there are plenty of tasty foods to try in Little Havana , most notably the Cuban dishes.

A popular restaurant to Le Pub known for its authentic empanadas and thimbles of super sweet Cuban coffee. These might look small but each thimble-sized cup contains more caffeine than the average Americano.

You also shouldn’t miss Old Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina known for its traditional Cuban sandwiches.

These meaty morsels made with pork ham, mustard, pickles and Swiss cheese are absolutely delicious and will keep you full for several hours.

As well as visiting these well-loved restaurants run by Cuban families, you can find the best food in Little Havana , Miami by wandering the streets and stopping at bakeries and gelato stores. Keep an eye out for moreish pastelillos filled with cream cheese and fruit fillings.

Rose Munday – Where Goes Rose?

Napa Valley

The Napa Valley in northern California is one of the most famous wine country destinations in the USA . But among the other things to do in Napa Valley, besides enjoying wine tastings , is savoring all the fabulous food on offer in area restaurants.

You can find a range of cuisines in the Napa Valley, from French to Italian, but it’s the local California cuisine that draws epicureans to the region. Many restaurants have kitchen gardens right out the back door or across the street.

Chef Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry is of course the most sought after culinary experience in the valley. But if you want to eat there when you visit, make sure you make reservations well ahead of time. The multi-course tasting menu is a treat you will long remember.

Farmstead, in St. Helena, is a great place for lunch or a more casual dinner, albeit with fresh-from-the-farm ingredients and full of local flavor. And for a really tasty burger, head to Gott’s Roadside, where you will see a long line at lunch time.

For great desserts you will want to visit Bouchon, also a Chef Keller enterprise, in Yountville.

With all the top-notch restaurants in the area, it’s not hard to see why Napa Valley is one of the best places to travel for food in USA.

Dhara – It’s Not About the Miles

San Francisco

San Francisco is my favorite food destination in the US ! There are so many amazing options that we could visit every weekend and not run out of awesome places to eat for years.

The special thing with San Francisco is how multicultural it is. You can find amazing foods in every cuisine, even as a vegan.

Some of my favorite vegan places in San Francisco are Shizen Japanese, Gracias Madres Mexican, Loving Hut Chinese, Nourish café health food. The list is endless.

We have many Michelin star restaurants in San Francisco and many inexpensive lunch joints. Some of our favorite are Californios Mexican, Rooh, Rasa, Taj Compton and Curry up Now Indian restaurants.

We have restaurants with stunning views and great food in food courts. More of our favorite are the Soup Company in food courts and Slanted Door by the bay.

San Francisco has a famous Chinese, Italian, Japanese and other ethnic neighborhoods that have the most delicious and ethnic food that won’t leave a dent in the wallets.

Most of all San Francisco is a leader in fresh, organic, and high quality produce.

California is blessed with amazing weather which produces the best produce all year round so we can have a huge variety of seasonal food any time of the year. Many restaurants pride themselves to cooking only with fresh produce from farms.

Do make a foodie trip to California and you’ll love it. While you’re visiting check out the lesser known mosaic stairs of San Francisco .

Nirmal & Jyoti – Story at Every Corner

Savannah, Georgia

If you’re looking for classic Southern food with a stylish flare, then Savannah, Georgia is one of the best food cities in America not to miss out on.

There’s plenty of grits, buttermilk biscuits, fried green tomatoes (and other fried foods) for sure, but Savannah food seems to dazzle in a special way that just leaves you wanting to come back for more.

Don’t leave town without including breakfast at The Collins Quarter Café in your Savannah weekend itinerary . It’s a popular spot, but they don’t take breakfast reservations, so plan to get there before 9 or 9:30 a.m. if you’re there on a Saturday.

The Collins Quarter has a lot of great gluten-free options on the menu as well as some solid vegetarian options. And come with a big appetite, because their servings are quite generous. I really enjoyed their Bananas Foster French Toast, and their lavender mocha is quite simply the best mocha I’ve ever had. They even sprinkle it with tiny lavender blossoms!

For plant-based fare, you can’t go wrong with Fox & Fig Café just a block from the historic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Though the dining room is small, the food and service are excellent.

As far as foodie travel destinations in the U.S go, you can’t go wrong with Savannah. In fact, you could visit Savannah for the food alone and leave happy.

Darcy Vierow—Plan, Ready, Go!

[su_note note_color=”#fffaa6″]

For more travel tips on Savannah , check out this detailed post about Cool & Unusual Things to do in Savannah , Georgia.

Lafayette, Louisiana’s Cajun Country

There are so many good things to eat in Lafayette , the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country, that I run out of hours in the day to try them all.

The local version of Cajun boudin (French for sausage) is a loosely packed mixture of rice, pork and seasoning. It’s an ingredient in a lot of dishes, but try it on its own if you can to fully appreciate it.

When crayfish are in season, look for a place that serves them by pound, boiled with Creole seasoning and accompany them with local beer. You mainly eat the tails, but if you’re daring you can suck the heads like the locals do.

At Mardi Gras, look for king cake, a distant cousin of the cakes that the French and Spanish eat at Epiphany. Here it’s a round, hollow tube filled with sweet cream cheese that can mixed with pralines, cinnamon or strawberry.

It’s always covered in green, purple and yellow sugar. It looks achingly sweet, but it’s the kind of rich, bready, not-too-sweet cake that’s good with morning coffee.

Ver esta publicación en Instagram Mardi Gras is coming! Have you ordered your King Cake? Leave a 👑 in the comments below if you want to order one! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #kingcake #epiphany #mardigras #noevalleybakery #bakerylife #bakeryelove #sffoodie #bayareaeats #foodlovers #sfeats #foodstagram #potd #sanfrancisco #noevalley #westportal #SFLegacyBiz #sffoodies #foodieppics #thesugarflies #sanfranciscofoodies #foodfluffer Una publicación compartida de Noe Valley Bakery (@noevalleybakery) el 10 Feb, 2020 a las 7:11 PST

Speaking of coffee, French Press puts a creative, modern spin on traditional ingredients and serves up a breakfast that will keep you full past dinner time.

Share a side of sweet-and-salty praline bacon while you tuck in to grits and grillades, chicken and waffles, or poached eggs topped with boudin and gumbo.

Eggs on biscuits with boudin and local Steen’s cane syrup is not for everyone but it’s Lafayette food summed up on a plate.

For a casual lunch or dinner, seek out Old Tyme Grocery. Order a po’boy sandwich at the counter, grab a drink from the refrigerator case and find a table in the homey back room. Unless you’re a very hungry linebacker a half sandwich will be plenty.

Order the catfish and crayfish sandwiches when they have them or the fried oyster one anytime. They come with local Zappo’s potato chips, but the thick-cut fries or too good to miss. You shouldn’t plan to eat for the rest of the day, but chances are good that you will. Read more about food in Lafayette, LA .

Eileen Gunn at FamiliesGo!

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland, Ohio is an excellent foodie destination in the US that often gets overlooked.  It is the home of celebrity chefs and various neighborhoods filled with both old and new standbys. 

Locals can’t even keep up with the number of breweries and restaurants that continue to pop up, and visitors would never run out of amazing restaurants to experience.

First of all, celebrity chefs, including the likes of Iron Chef Michael Symon, have restaurants in Cleveland. Symon has two restaurants on trendy East 4 th Street in Cleveland: Lola Bistro and Mabel’s BBQ. 

Chef Jonathon Sawyer is another celebrity chef who has been featured on The Food Network, and also has a restaurant on East 4 th called Greenhouse Tavern.

To dive deeper into Cleveland’s foodie scene , one needs to branch out into the neighborhoods surrounding downtown. Head just over the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge to Ohio City, where you’ll find famous landmarks, such as the food stalls at Westside Market and Great Lakes Brewing Company.

Alternatively, you could head just south to the Tremont neighborhood. Personally, this is where I go with my husband for many of our special date nights, as Tremont has some of the city’s best fine dining establishments.

My favorite restaurants in Tremont are Dante for its delectable polenta dishes and Tremont Taphouse for a casual environment that still has great food and beer.

This is just the tip of the iceberg and there are so many more places worth visiting, making Cleveland the perfect destination for foodies to explore. Besides, if you’re looking for fun things to do in the Buckeye State, you’ll love Spring in Ohio !

Theresa – Fueled By Wanderlust

Asheville NC

Asheville isn’t just a mountain town among the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Also known as “ Foodtopia ”, Asheville is becoming one of the best foodie destinations in the United States .

With James Beard award winning chefs and innovative culinary geniuses, fresh and local are not just buzz words thrown around the menu- it’s just the beginning of the foodie adventure.

Known for its laidback hippie vibe, Asheville is a fantastic place for vegetarians, vegans or the plant-based enthusiast . Always sourcing from local farmers and many restaurants utilizing the Appalachian culture, there is a diverse restaurant scene in Asheville.

But Asheville isn’t just for the health conscious. Meat loving restaurants like 12 Bones and #instaworthy donuts from Vortex Donuts are always packed with foodies.

From Spanish tapas at Chef Katie Button’s Curate and mouth watering barbecue at Buxton Hall, there are often more Asheville restaurants to choose from than number of meals in the day.

Christina Riley – NC Tripping

Poke Bowl is a traditional dish from Hawaii with diced raw fish. It can be served as a main course or an appetizer and comes in various forms and seasonings. The most popular fish is the aku, which is skipjack tuna. Some common ingredients include sea salt, soy sauce, inamona, sesame oil, limu, seaweed, and chili pepper.

The modern form of Poke Bowl has been popular in the Hawaiian Islands since the 1970s, but it has been eaten in various forms for many generations.

Hawaii is one of the best places to visit in the US for foodies and some other dishes that you shouldn’t miss to eat includes Poi, Kalua, Lomi-Lomi Salmon, and Laulau. The Kalua pig is a very tasty roasted pork dish that has been cooked since ancient Hawaiian times.

Nowadays, Poke Bowl also available in many cities in the US and some modern versions have been influenced by Japanese and other Asian cuisines.

Poke Bowls can be found in supermarkets in Hawaii or designated restaurants around the islands that have specialized themselves in serving Poke Bowls with different seasonings and styles.

It’s relatively cheap, especially in the supermarkets, and the bowls often come with rice. Foodland is a great place to go for fresh Poke Bowls.

Alexander Waltner – Swedish Nomad

Berkeley, CA

There was a time when everyone in the U.S. seemed to know that Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, California, was the birthplace of California cuisine . 

It had a corner on the market for a long time.  Still, when foodies come to town, including to San Francisco across the Bay from Berkeley, they want to make a stop here for a stellar meal.

Among the many super famous visitors are Paul McCartney, the Dalai Lama, and former President Barack Obama. There is often a limo out front.

Once Chez Panisse is checked off the list, it is time to visit some of the other famous places in the Gourmet Ghetto area that surrounds the restaurant.

A cup of coffee at Peet’s Coffee & Tea (which in 1966 became the first business in the U.S. to import specialty coffees and dark-roast whole coffee beans) on the next block, and a slice of pizza across the street at The Cheese Board Collective (a long-time collectively-owned business that has the largest cheese selection in the West) are also de rigueur.

Carole Terwilliger Meyers – Berkeley and Beyond

Dallas has a lot going for it. It’s one of the major airline hubs in the USA, so you can easily get there from just about anywhere, and once you arrive there’s so much to do and see. 

When we visit we head straight to Trinity Groves in West Dallas to eat at Beto and Son for fresh and delicious locally-sourced Mexican Food .

Trinity Groves is a 40-acre master planned entertainment district neighborhood just across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. Our friends live just a block away from the Restaurant Incubator where Beto and Son is located. 

Wildly successful restauranteur Philip Romano’s incubator program allows chefs and entrepreneurs to team up and open concept restaurants. It’s an attraction all on it’s own, and has grabbed a spot on Dallas’ Margarita Mile. 

At Beto and Son you can’t go wrong with the tacos, and I’d recommend doing the mix and match to try 3 of them.  I couldn’t get enough of the Gulf of Mexico Ceviche Tower; we probably ate it three times in a week. I didn’t try their award winning Liquid Nitrogen Margarita, but I saw it being prepared table side several times and was tempted to do it for the gram! 

Another food experience I wouldn’t want you to miss is the best grouper sandwich you will ever have, at Hillstone Dallas – Park Cities. Get it with a side of grilled artichokes! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Lizzie Lau – Lizzie Lau Travels

As a renowned foodie destination in the south , Memphis has so many restaurants to choose from. There are ones serving amazing barbeque, burgers fried in vintage grease, and desserts to die for.

You know you hit the jackpot when you find a restaurant that has a line out the door and it is a place that locals frequent. And in Memphis, there are several where you’ll see this.

There is the Central BBQ where you can get pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, baby back ribs, chicken wings, smoked sausage, and their famous barbeque nachos.

And there is Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken where you can get fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, and of course, fried chicken with baked beans, slaw, and the infamous slice of white bread.

If you aren’t sure of what to eat or where to go you can always sign up to do a food tour and explore more wonderful restaurants in the greater downtown Memphis. But, the best way to eat your way through a foodie destination is to wander around and go in the first place that smells good!

It may be underrated attractions wise but it sure is one of the top food destinations in the US .

Heather Raulerson – Raulerson Girls Travel

Minneapolis

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul (Minnesota) lie in the North Country where the growing season is short. That’s not necessarily a drawback. In Sweden, with a similar climate, they say the concentrated growing season intensifies flavors.

That might be one explanation for the adulation these cities garner from chefs and foodies.

In a recent Bloomberg magazine story, “Top Chefs Pick Favorite Cities Around the World for Great Restaurants,” Minneapolis was one of only two U.S. cities to make the list.

Skeptics expecting Midwest-bland meat and potatoes will be surprised at the diverse fare and the zesty attention to detail.

Asian cuisine, for example, is represented by everything from the French Vietnamese-influenced Ngon Bistro in St. Paul, to the casual, street food-inspired Hai Hai or the sophisticated Japanese comfort food of Zen Box Izakaya in Minneapolis.

Defying categorization, Young Joni, by James Beard awarded chef Ann Kim, serves up heavenly cauliflower, woodfired pizza, Korean short ribs, Thai skewers, and lovely salads. Young Joni’s discreet Back Bar tips visitors to the fabulous cocktail scene in these twin towns, too.

It helps that restaurants in the Twin Cities are supported by an active theater and arts scene, a health-conscious population, and a bundle of corporate headquarters peppered with top notch creative agencies.

Still, for those hankering for traditional Minnesota fare, Twin Cities restaurants deliver walleye (a sweet freshwater lake fish), nutty wild rice (hand harvested by Native Americans), tater tots and hot dishes, or a steaming Jucy Lucy (sic; a cheese-stuffed burger).

Anything goes, because this is where chefs–international and local–bring it all back home.

With various traditional meals and a feature in a big Magazine, Minneapolis is undoubtedly one of the best travel destinations for food lovers in the US.

Kristin Henning – TravelPast50.com

Nantucket, MA

Off the southern coast of Cape Cod, you’ll find Nantucket thirty-six miles out to sea. Here the locavore movement took hold well before it was a trend in the food industry.

Ingredients that are not farmed or foraged need to be imported. Scallops, clams, lobster, chocolate covered strawberries and smoked blue fish pate are a few Island specialties.

The abundance of seafood from the surrounding waters opens the door to menu preparations that could compete anywhere in the world.

Chefs take the winter months to travel off island and brings back inspiration from around the globe. That worldly influence can be seen on menus and contributes to the unique flavors of the island .

Local farms provide many of the vegetables; the tomatoes and corn from Bartlett Farm have developed a cult following. The one dish that will leave a lasting impression are the fresh scallops.

Chefs on The Grey Lady know the secret to a caramel crust on the outside and a melt in your mouth goodness interior that will leave a memory long after the ferry has rounded the lighthouse for your trip back to the mainland.

The Pearl, Nautilus and Straight Wharf are three of my favorites.

Alison Abbott – Green With Renvy

Naples, Florida

Naples, Florida, in the southwestern corner of the Sunshine State near the Florida Everglades is one of the most popular vacation spots in Florida.

In this Italy-inspired tropical town , high society and small town charm still go together like seafood and beer.

Add in the other fun things to do in Naples like world-class shopping, excellent white sand beaches, year round outdoor fun, and a vibrant restaurant scene, and it’s easy to see why Naples is one of America’s top foodie destinations .

Being right on the Gulf of Mexico means local food specialties like fresh Gulf shrimp, oysters, snapper, grouper, and other saltwater fish dominate the menu.

But the one dish everyone looks forward to each season are fresh Florida stone crabs. Stone crab fishing is a sustainable industry in Florida — by law, only one stone crab claw can be harvested at a time allowing it to grow back and delight us yet again!

There are so many great restaurants in Naples whether it’s high style or low, but for the freshest seafood several restaurants offer excellent options.

Captain & Krewe Seafood Market is ultra casual with fresh raw bar options. Bayside Seafood Grill in Venetian Village is the perfect waterfront location for fresh seafood. Most seafood restaurants have stone crabs in season, so don’t leave town without tasting a few!

With good food coupled with beautiful weather, Naples truly deserves to be on this list of best US cities for foodies.

Lori Sorrentino – Travlinmad.com

Nashville has been a foodie destination in the USA for a long time – pulling in travelers with the hot chicken, barbecue and meat and three options. But, is Nashville one of the top food cities in the US for vegans ? Believe it or not, yes!  

The vegan restaurants in Nashville are something worth talking about and traveling for. Nashville has been rapidly growing for a while now and with that, more and more restaurants are opening every day.

Make sure to try the hot “chicken” at The Southern V, the cupcakes at Sunflower Bakehouse, the lentil walnut cheeseburger at Avo, and pretty much everything at The Behive.

In between eating your way through the city, stay caffeinated at all the amazing local coffee shops, listen to live music every night, check out the Lower Broad nightlife scene, and take a hike in one of the many amazing city parks.

Ashley Elizabeth Hubbard – Wild Hearted

Portland OR

Portland is a food mecca ! The gastronomic scene is hot, hot, hot here with a vibrant food truck culture, excellent craft brew scene, and an emphasis on locavore ingredients from the Pacific Northwest.

[su_note note_color=”#ffe9de”]

Did you know that James Beard , the famous American chef and cookbook author was born in Portland? Besides The James Beard Foundation Awards are annual awards recognize culinary professionals in the United States.

In fact, many of today’s top chefs in Portland got their start at one of the local food carts, where diners then followed them to their fresh, organic farm-to-table restaurants . That’s just one reason why you can find more than 500 food carts dotting the city of Portland.

Whether you’re a carnivore, vegan, or gluten-free, you’ll find some of the best eats here ever.

Be sure to check out Andina, a wine and tapas bar with incredible Peruvian food, conveniently located downtown. For the best Indian buffet on a budget, head immediately to Swagat Indian Cuisine.

To steep yourself in Portland history, head to the iconic Goose Hollow Inn, owned by controversial former Mayor Bud Clarke. They serve the best Ruben sandwich on the planet!

Christina Román – Explore Now or Never

San Diego, CA

From açaí bowls to jampacked burritos, tiki bars to beachfront eateries, San Diego’s culinary stockpile is a window into San Diego’s sunny, seaside soul.

With its close proximity to Mexico, the ocean, and Los Angeles, the local menu is bursting with the best in Cali-Mex, seafood, and trendy, instaworthy dishes.

Make a pilgrimage to the original shop of Oscars Mexican Seafood, located on 703 Turquoise Street, and score a plate of smoked fish tacos. They also have fried fish tacos but the staff, who originally hail from Tijuana, all agree the smoked fish is where its at. If you have room, order a cup of their ceviche.

Another neighborhood in San Diego that foodies cannot miss out on is Little Italy, which has some of the best Italian food from this side of the Atlantic.

There are plenty of restaurants that will catch your eye but Civico 1845 will not disappoint. Not only is their pasta perfectly ‘al dente,’ but the extensive menu is also very accommodating to vegans and gluten-free eaters, which is a rarity in the world of Italian cuisine.

And did you know? San Diego is also known as the “Capital of Craft Beer.” With over 150 breweries to choose from, chances are you’ll be leaving SoCal with a belly full of good food and good booze.

Millette – The Next Somewhere

Named the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States , Tucson, Arizona should be a bucket list destination for any Mexican food lover.

Being that Tucson is just 60 miles from Mexico, it should come as no surprise that you’ll find some of the best Mexican food north of the border!

From super authentic taco stands to fine Mexican dining, Tucson does it all, and they do it well. One of the best things to do in Tucson is to eat! Be sure to eat as many tacos as possible, and sample the Sonora Dog, a specialty from this region.

Here are a few notable Tucson restaurants :

• Los Tacos Apson: This no-frills taco shop is one of the best places to get authentic Mexican food for super cheap. And be sure to load up at their generous salsa bar!
• El Güero Canelo Restaurant or BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs: These rival restaurants both claim to serve the best Sonora Dog, a local favorite made with a bacon-wrapped hot dog, pinto beans, onions, tomato, salsa verde, mayo and mustard, all stuffed into a sweet bun. Choose one or try them both to compare!
• Mi Nidito: A town staple, Mi Nidito is a good spot for late-night eats, huge portions and a fun yet casual atmosphere. It is also famous for being a place in which Bill Clinton once dined!
• Cafe Poca Cosa: If it’s more of a refined atmosphere you’re after, this chic Mexican eatery will be just what you’re looking for. With an ever-changing menu, their dishes are fresh and inventive.

Katie – Two Wandering Soles

No Scottsdale, Arizona Guide is complete without a list of the ultimate foodie stops . Scottsdale is home to some incredible restaurants. You can experience everything from authentic Mexican cuisine, steak houses as well as organic, local and seasonal dining cuisine. 

For the ultimate modern Latin cuisine, make sure to visit the famous Mission restaurant. It is worth visiting just for the unique interior of Himalayan salt block walls. Two must things to order is one of their signature margaritas and their freshly made tableside guacamole. 

If you are looking for new-American comfort food ; then Citizen Public House will delight you with dishes derived from distinctly foreign places. It is conveniently located in Old Town Scottsdale.

I would recommend the original chopped salad. Layers of smoked salmon, couscous, Asiago cheese, arugula, pepitas, marinated tomatoes, dried super sweet corn and currants in a creamy buttermilk herb dressing. It is the most delicious salad I have ever had. The fall off the bone, fair-trade short ribs are coffee-rubbed with a parsnip puree and dried cherry bbq sauce. 

Diana – Diana’s Healthy Living

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is known as the city where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. But it’s also the cheesesteak capital of the USA .

No wonder, the iconic beefy sandwich was invented here and you’ll find a cheesesteak shop around every corner. The original creators, two brothers, now run the restaurants Pat and Geno but my personal favorite is Jim’s Steaks.

But you can’t just eat cheesesteaks all day long when Philadelphia has so much to offer for foodies. Hip cafes, vegan places and international food are lining the streets in the city center but the first place you should check out is Reading Terminal Market.

Located right next to the coach station and in the fashion district, it’s the ideal place to grab a quick bite or sit down for a whole. There’s so much choice here and the food is excellent. It’s always busy so avoid typical lunch hours if you can and opt for brunching or late lunches, for instance.

What can you try here? More cheesesteak, New Orleans cuisine, healthy veggie shots, watermelon smoothie, fresh fruits and more! Do get a map at the door so you find your way around because it can be rather overwhelming.

Annemarie – Travel on the Brain

Oklahoma Cit y

A few years ago, Oklahoma City wasn’t really a place you traveled to for food. However, it has now become one of the best vacation spots in the US for foodies .

It’s an underrated foodie city and I’m not just saying that because I spent a major portion of my life there. Oklahoma City is now a place where there’s a restaurant that suits everyone’s preferences.

The culinary options there also have a big international influence. For example, there are so many delicious Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian Indian, Thai, Japanese restaurants, plus more. The brunch scene there is also incredible.

You won’t go wrong with anything there, but you have to try steak and barbecue when visiting. These are the two staple items. The meat is one of a kind and it’s flavorful and tender.

The best barbecue restaurant is Iron Star. They serve everything from pulled pork to brisket to smoked chicken. The best restaurant to get steak is Cattleman’s Steakhouse. The prices are affordable and the steak just melts in your mouth.

Disha Smith – Disha Discovers

Tempe, a college town near Phoenix, is not just well known for Arizona State University, but it also has an amazing brew and food scene which makes it one of the US cities with the best food.

Four Peaks Brewery is one of the best bars in the Phoenix area and is famous for delicious eats along with its amazing beers. There are always seasonal beers on tap, but the most popular are the Kilt Lifter and the white ale. They serve a variety of food including the typical bar food, but they also have some eats that are inspired by Germany and the Southwest.

No visit to Arizona is complete without some Southwestern food !

Ghost Ranch, in Tempe, is the best place to grab some for dinner. Their famous Aztec cake is their take on a lasagna, they layer up corn tortillas with loads of chicken and cheese.

It is unique and absolutely delicious! Their prickly pear cocktails are also amazing, you simply must try their prickly pear froze margarita, a unique combination of a prickly pear frozen margarita with rose.

Be sure to visit Tempe, Arizona for some of the best eats in Arizona !

Constance Panda – The Adventures of Panda Bear

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

One of my favorite places for a foodie’s getaway in the US , is Milwaukee in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee, the state’s finance and commercial capital, is cool but for some reason it’s not on the radar of many travelers. That makes it the perfect place for those who aren’t a fan of large tourist crowds.

Milwaukee is particularly suited for those who are into food and museums. Indeed, Milwaukee with its large German immigration background in the previous centuries has some of the best, heartiest food in the US .

Some of the most typical food to eat is Friday Fish Fry, cheese curds and fruit dumplings.

I highly recommend the Lakefront Brewery for authentic Wisconsin atmosphere and food. For legendary cheese curds I recommend the Clock Shadow Creamery.

If you are wondering where to stay in Milwaukee , I recommend getting a lakefront hotel in order to be close to the best restaurants in town or enjoy a relaxing hotel with hot tub in room .

Paulina – Paulina on the Road

Read next: 10 Best Hotels with Hot Tub in Room in Milwaukee, WI .

Missoula, Montana

Missoula Montana is one of the best foodie towns in America we’ve ever visited. The incredible variety, freshness, and creativity of the meals are second to none. Vegans, carnivores, and everyone in between will find plenty to enjoy.

For breakfast, you can start out simply with a cuppa and a crispy croissant from Bernice’s Bakery or tasty pastry at Le Petit Outre. If you’re big on breakfast build your own plate at The Catalyst Cafe or go for the hearty huckleberry pancake at The Shack.

Choices for lunch range from delicious burgers at Top Hat, awesome nachos at Tamarack Brewing, wood-fired pizza and great salads at Biga Pizza, or downright messy and delicious bbq at Notorious P.I.G.

There are lots of ethnic spots dishing up authentic food that make a great dinner. The Greek Pastry Shop, El Cazador Mexican, Five On Black Brazilian Grill, and Iza Asian Restaurant are just a few. Enjoy Italian treats like house-made pasta at Caffe Dolce or soak up the old west vibe at The Montana Club.

In the mood for an adult beverage? Try Highlander Brewing Company, Plonk Wine, Montgomery Distillery, or Stockman’s Bar for a little fun with your drink.

Missoula is a college town with plenty of great food trucks too. Finish off with a Big Dipper Ice Cream or an amazing vegan Veera donut.

As beautiful as this Montana town is, you’ll also never go hungry with its huge array of delicious foods ready to satisfy your appetite.

Diana Laskaris – Food Travelist

Whilst the area north of San Francisco is famed for the wine making regions of Napa and Sonoma, where vines can be seen across the rolling hills of the area.

However, there is one area just across the bay of San Francisco, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, where it is its produce and restaurant scene which truly sells itself.

The county of Marin is dotted with artisan producers to explore along with a beautiful landscape and striking coastline.

You can take a tour with the fantastic Food & Farm Tours , kicking off in the hub town of Point Reyes Station to check out the likes of Bovine Bakery, with fresh pastries and cakes, Cowgirl Creamery, with an array of cheese and Brickmaiden Bread, where a freshly baked sourdough awaits.

Following this, head out to the coastline to try some unique sparkling mead and then sit on the shoreline and tuck into a platter of fresh and barbecued oysters – the ultimate way to enjoy this part of California!

Laura – The Travelling Stomach

Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock is surprisingly one of the culinary vacations in the United States located in the south of the country. Arkansas’s capital manages to mix the best of southern cuisine with innovative places to eat and impressive microbreweries.

The city has a huge range of award-winning restaurants , independent cafes and happening bars to choose from. You can definitely spend a good few days eating and drinking your way around town, it’s one of the most fun things to do in Little Rock .

There’s a real sense of foodie collaboration in the city as well, with many local producers working together to offer each other’s products. For example, Loblolly Creamery offers a ‘Bourbon Peacan’ flavour ice cream that contains bourbon from the nearby ‘Rock Town Distillery’.  

Some foodie treats you should definitely try when in town include a ‘Root Benny’ brunch from the Root Cafe, the legendary ‘sugar cookies’ from Community Cafe and an open-faced Fried Italian Bologna & Egg from Lost Forty Brewing.

Dependent on your budget and tastes there is a whole range of places to eat in Little Rock . Some of my favorite places to eat in Little Rock include Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken and One Eleven at the Capital.

Pip Jones – Pip and the City

Boise, Idaho

Idaho, in general, is mistakenly overlooked in American tourism, especially in the foodie realm. “But what’s in Idaho anyway?? PoTatOeS?!?” Skeptics may ask. WELL HERES THE SCOOP.

Yes, there are potatoes. A LOT OF POTATOES. So let’s start there. Idaho is the potato capitol of America , so you best believe they are serving up all KINDS of starchy goodness.

At Boise Potato Co, the fries are the main entree, and the choices are endless with five different types of potatoes, four different cuts, and over fifteen fry sauces! And it helps that the side of burger (with multiple patties – including Vegan!) are delicious too.

Boise has fantastic weather in the warmer months, and also the largest Baske community in the United States , so you can indulge in the most authentic Baske cuisine on one of Boise’s many beautifully decorated outdoor patios.

After, head to 8th street to catch a pint or two at a local brewery and taste some of the country’s best craft brews (no one does em like the northwest!). And since the town is so darn walkable, treat your tastebuds to Boise’s famed dessert: Butter Cake.

While Boise is known for its potatoes (and for good reason, they’re delicious!), it is an amazing foodie destination for American classics – including Native American restaurants like Mist’Delish.

Kay – The Awkward Traveller

Charleston, SC

There is no shortage of amazing food in Charleston. Already known to visitors as an historic jewel of the South, Charleston has developed a reputation for being a foodie destination in the US too.

Favorite Lowcountry dishes such as Shrimp and Grits and She Crab Soup are sought after by visitors, while locals eagerly await the seasons for oysters and soft shell crabs.

With an abundance of fresh local seafood and produce , chefs throughout Charleston rely on local purveyors to showcase the best the area has to offer. In fact, it has become a bit of a prideful joy to announce the local farms, fishermen, and grit mills sourced for their creations. This is particularly evident in restaurants like Husk which creates modern dishes inspired by southern tradition.

That’s not to say all the food in Charleston is rooted in the south. The menu at FIG, which stands for Food Is Good, is inspired by clean bold flavor combinations that feel more European than southern.

Another popular choice, Butcher and Bee, creates an “ever-changing menu of honest to goodness eats” that are as innovative at the restaurant space. And Asian favorite, Xiao Bao Biscuit serves multicultural Asian food in a trendy converted gas station.

And of course, don’t forget about the little hole in the wall restaurants known for their rich, honest home cooking. The fried chicken and collard greens at Martha Lou’s Kitchen are some of the best in Charleston.

And at Nana’s Seafood and Soul, devotees follow their Instagram feed to know when to order their famous garlic crabs.

Julien Casanova – Cultures Traveled

Flushing, NY

Who would think that an unassuming little neighborhood at the end of NYC’s #7 train, with a funny name like “Flushing” is actually one of the best foodie destinations in the US ?  Well, it is!

Flushing, in the NY borough of Queens, was originally settled by the Dutch, as was the rest of New York City . The town is named after an important Dutch harbor.

In the past couple of decades, the neighborhood has become a destination for Asian immigrants to settle. These hardworking immigrants have enriched and revitalized the once sleepy town and converted it into New York’s largest Chinatown . Although they call it a Chinatown, it really should be called “Asiatown” because the immigrants come from all over Asia.

Fortunately for NY residents, the immigrants brought with them all their culinary skills and established restaurants all over the city. You can walk down any street and sample cuisines from every Asian country . Some of my favorite restaurants include Mr. Chan’s, Pho Metro and Teriyaki One.    

Talek Nantes – Travels with Talek

Kansas City

We think one of the best foodie destinations in the US is definitely Kansas City, Missouri. And although they are known for their BBQ, there are a lot of unique places to eat in Kansas City which offer a variety of cuisines.

Like we mentioned though, Kansas City takes their BBQ serious and one of the best places to eat it is at Q39. They’re considered to be one of the best BBQ restaurants in Kansas City , but also one of the top restaurants in the city. We had their Brisket with Burnt Ends and they were delicious.

Another great restaurant in Kansas City is Beer Kitchen. They offer a large beer selection, from local breweries and all over the world. They also have a vegan menu and many vegetarian options, which isn’t always easy to find in a city known for its beef.

During our visit, we had the Creekstone Short Rib with cheddar grits and braised kale. The cheddar grits were amazing and went really well with the short ribs.

We would have never thought to put short ribs and grits together, but these unique dishes are what make Kansas City so special and a great foodie city .

Vicky Sosa – Buddy The Traveling Monkey

SPREAD THE WORD!

Pin this to your travel pinterest boards ↓.

If you found my post useful, would you consider sharing it on Pinterest? Click the “Pin It” button to share the full-sized version of the below images.

Sara Rodríguez

A passionate traveler with a mission: Help you plan your next trip easily and enjoy it to the fullest.

In this travel blog you will find everything you need to get inspired and organize your next adventure. Read more about my story here.

If You Liked This Post You May Also Like:

10 Romantic Things To Do in Atlanta for Couples & Fun Date Ideas

5 Essential Things To Do in Rome

Best tips for Solo Female Travel in Malaysia

10 Best places to visit in Ukraine in 2024

What Not to Do on a Plane: 7 Things to Avoid Doing – Revealed!

One Day in Savannah GA: Itinerary & What to Do in 24 Hours

2 responses to “35 best foodie destinations in the us”.

Living in a foodie town (New Orleans) it is always hard to go on a vacation and be disappointed by food! I’m going to save this list for some future foodie vacations!

Great post! Thanks for the info, can’t wait to visit! Feel free to check mine as well Travel to Morocco :)

Únete a la comunidad viajera. ¡Ya somos más de 300 mil viajeros!

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

17 Cities With the Best Food in the US | Must-Visit Places For Foodies

• Activities and Interests
• Best Of Travel
• Best Of Travel Awards: 2023
• Destinations
• Food and Drink
• News and Tips
• United States

Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

Whether you love food trucks or fine dining, you know happy travels and eating well go hand in hand. Debates, er, “conversations,” about where you should go to eat the best food can get heated . Avid travelers can be equally passionate about getting you to try the food in their hometowns as they are about suggesting their recent vacation spots. When it comes to food scene in the US, some cities are known and celebrated for their famous restaurants, while others boast hoppin’ food trails, amazing farm-to-table and ocean-to-table ingredients, and regional specialties you won’t find on menus anywhere else.

Our readers have voted and these are their picks for the best food cities from coast to coast.

17 Cities With the Best Food in the US – From Food Trucks to Fine Dining

1. new orleans, louisiana (winner), gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, po’boys.

NOLA’s Creole and Cajun eats, plus favorites like fluffy beignets served alongside chicory coffee, earned the number one spot on this list. Don’t miss your opportunity to taste some of the best at Emeril Lagasse’s iconic Commander’s Palace. In my opinion, New Orleans’s has a lot of hidden gem restaurants .

After a night out in one of the best foodie cities, Erika Ebsworth-Goold recommends Killer PoBoys, which offers unique twists on the sandwich, including pork belly, cheddar omelet, and Thai barbecue tofu options in addition to classic shrimp. If you have to have fried oysters on your po’boy (I do!), Eric Leath of Serious Eats says you should visit Bevi Seafood Co. , where you can also get “hot plates” with all kinds of seafood, sausage, and even fried green tomatoes.

Don’t miss Cafe DuMonde (world-famous chicory coffee and beignets) or Antoine’s, the oldest family-run restaurant in America . And for a taste of NOLA’s distinct Vietnamese cuisine — and evidence of the city’s melting-pot history — Ebsworth-Goold points diners to 9 Roses in the French Quarter.

Want More Seafood? Check out Anastasia Mills Healy’s eight favorite seafood restaurants to experience in New Orleans .

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near New Orleans, Louisiana

2. Boston, Massachusetts

Lobster rolls, italian eats, craft beer.

TravelAwaits ’ readers and writers love lobster rolls, and Boston serves up some of the best ( shh — don’t tell Portland, Maine, listed below). Get your Boston lobster roll fix at Neptune Oyster, one of the best restaurants in Boston , or Red’s Best in Boston Public Market. Both are in Boston’s historic North End, where you could eat your way through a day inspired by Michelle Snell’s favorite stops on a North End neighborhood food tour .

When it comes to Italian food in Boston , Andrea McHugh recommends the pillowy gnocchi (one of my favorite pastas!) at Trattoria Il Panino and one of Boston’s iconic cannolis across the street at Modern Pastry. Of course, you’re free to satisfy your curiosity and sweet tooth with a stop at Mike’s — which is less than a block away — for one of their super-famous cannolis.

Finally, the booming Boston beer scene deserves your consideration, even if you don’t drink. Many craft breweries’ tap rooms, including the highly regarded Trillium at Fort Point, have kitchens on site. Enjoy food created with locally sourced ingredients with or without a beer in hand.

Want To Splash Out? Make yourself a reservation at the Whitney Hotel’s Peregrine restaurant in Boston’s luxurious Beacon Hill neighborhood .

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Boston, Massachusetts

3. Kansas City, Kansas/Missouri

Barbecue, tacos, comfort food.

Kansas City is famous for its barbecue, so it’s no surprise it earned a spot in the top three (sorry, Memphis and St. Louis ). Tim Trudell and Jill Dutton both recommend Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, which has been in operation since 1958. Bryant, the so-called “King of Ribs,” served his barbecue to Presidents Truman, Carter, and Obama.

Dutton also recommends anyone traveling to Kansas City make time for tacos — delicious evidence of the area’s growing Hispanic population. In addition to ground beef and shredded chicken options, Kansas City, Kansas (“KCK”), restaurants , local chains, and even supermarkets serve tacos that range from super-traditional to trendy (fruit tacos at Paleterias Tropicana).

Need Comfort Food Or A Pick-Me-Up? Dig into the old-fashioned, pan-fried chicken at James Beard Award-winning Stroud’s Oak Ridge Manor. Or, for something internationally inspired that will put a little pep in your step, try a Vietnamese iced coffee from Cafe Cà Phê , recommended by Trudell, a true coffee aficionado.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Kansas City, Kansas/Missouri

4. New York, New York

Pizza, delis, everything else.

Anyone who’s been or dreams of going to the Big Apple is probably after at least one New York-style slice. New Yorkers Sue Davies and Regina Ang recommend the jumbo slices from Koronet in Manhattan and say “You can’t go wrong on Arthur Avenue” — aka Little Italy — in the Bronx. I had the best pizza of my life (served alongside a double-shot) at San Matteo Pizza & Espresso Bar on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan across the street from quaint Rupert Park. NY is one of the best foodie cities when it comes to pizza.

Of course, New York’s delis are just as famous as its pizza joints. You’ve probably heard of Katz’s, and if you’re up for the line, go for it. Davies and Ang also recommend Baz Bagels in Manhattan’s Little Italy for “traditional Jewish food — bagels and cream cheese, smoked fish, matzoh ball soup, potato latkes, and blintzes — with an LGBTQ twist .” Yes, this is the place where you can get your rainbow bagel. For an all-vegan menu, I can personally recommend Orchard Grocer , also in Manhattan.

Want More NYC Eats? Davies and Ang point readers to Le Colonial for Vietnamese fine dining and recommend these five amazing food tours to experience in and around New York City .

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near New York, New York

5. Chicago, Illinois

Hot dogs, deep dish, michelin stars.

Outside the Windy City, hot dogs might be regarded as “kid food.” That’s not so in Chicago, where eating one like a local means “all-beef hot dog, poppy seed bun, vegetable toppings… but never ketchup.” Jill Dutton suggests you check this snack off your bucket list at a neighborhood spot like George’s Hot Dogs or Red Hot Ranch (both in Bucktown), or The Wiener’s Circle (Lincoln Park).

Deep dish is not my jam, but Chicago’s offerings have an ardent following. I have friends who’ve driven through the night for Uno’s and flown pies from Lou Malnati’s to St. Louis. Even my toddler daughter loves it. If, like me, you’d rather skip the deep dish, check out pizza places that Chicagoans love .

Want A Michelin Bite? Try Black-owned Cleo’s Southern on Cottage, Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio, or Alinea, another reader pick for splurge-worthy restaurants in 2023.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Chicago, Illinois

6. Charleston, South Carolina

Waterfront dining, lowcountry flavors.

Charleston is a city at one with the water and its restaurants make the most of it. Carol Ivey recommends Fleet Landing, Saltwater Cowboys, and six other memorable establishments in her picks for Charleston’s best waterfront restaurants .

While in the Lowcountry, you’ll want to get a feel for its flavors. Sandi Barrett recommends the Frogmore Stew, a Lowcountry boil at Bowens Island Restaurant on Folly Creek. Try some she-crab soup at Poogan’s Porch, where you can enjoy brunch 7 days a week .

Planning A Night Out In The Historic District? Book a table at FIG (Food Is Good) — yet another reader pick for splurge-worthy restaurants — where Chef Mike Lata makes the most of the local ingredients that have put the Lowcountry on the foodie map.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Charleston, South Carolina

7. San Francisco, California

Chowder, chinese, taffy & treats.

San Francisco is hands down my favorite city in the United States, in no small part because of the delicious bites I’ve enjoyed there. If you eat seafood, chowder is a must. Carol Colborn and I both endorse Boudin Bakery’s chowder. For a full-on SFO experience, get it at Boudin at the Wharf, the bakery’s flagship location (conveniently a 10-minute walk from Ghirardelli Square, where literal squares of chocolate, and more, await).

In Chinatown , window shop while snacking on dim sum, grab a Mai Tai at Li Po Cocktail Lounge, or sit down for fine dining at Eight Tables by George Chen.

Sweet Tooth? Make your way to iconic Pier 39 where you can get saltwater taffies from Candy Baron or (my favorite) an old-fashioned candied apple from Trish’s Chocolate or The Fudgery.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near San Francisco, California

8. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Southwestern flavors, food with a view.

Red and green chile reign supreme in Albuquerque. Melody Pittman planned her recent Alburquerque trip all around food — breakfast burritos, to be exact! — and recommends establishments from the casual Owl Cafe to upscale Cocina Azul, plus the Indian Pueblo Kitchen at the can’t-miss Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

For food with a view of the striking Sandia Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert, see if you can get reservations at immaculate TEN 3 — one of the 12 restaurants with amazing views that our readers love . Or try Level 5, at Old Town’s Hotel Chaco, which rounds out the list of our readers’ favorite splurge-worthy restaurants .

Want To Dine Al Fresco? Kim Croisant recommends these nine fantastic restaurants in Albuquerque perfect for outdoor dining .

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Albuquerque, New Mexico

9. Portland, Maine

Lobster rolls, pub grub.

Boston may have come in second on this list, but it’s not the only city to boast a mean lobster roll. Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris recommend these nine delicious stops for a DIY Portland lobster roll crawl. Portland Lobster Company (stop number 8) even gets a shoutout in Melissa Curtin’s From Lobster Rolls to Blueberry Pie — d elicious restaurants to experience in Coastal Maine .

Portland’s craft beer scene is one of its defining features. If you’re into beer, Katy Spratte Joyce recommends checking the Bissel Brothers’ can-release schedule and planning your visit accordingly. Either way, treat yourself to a few hearty plates from their kitchen, which offers house-pickled veggies, locally sourced charcuterie boards, hearty sammies, and even a kids’ menu.

Want To Try An Unforgettable Donut? Writer Cindy Barks suggests Holy Donuts’ “creative flavors such as pomegranate, chocolate sea salt, and maple bacon” — all made with Maine potatoes as their “secret” ingredient.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Portland, Maine

10. San Antonio, Texas

Tex-mex, barbecue, riverwalk restaurants.

According to SJ Morgensen, if you’re a foodie of any sort, San Antonio belongs on your bucket list. It’s one of only two UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in the U.S., thanks in part to its unique Tejano heritage, which gives us delicious Tex-Mex cuisine. Try it at one of Morgensen’s eight favorite places for Mexican food in San Antonio or on this epic Tex-Mex food tour with Julia Celeste Rosenfeld . La Fonda on Main is another delicious Tex-Mex establishment.

Get your fill of Texas barbecue at Smoke Shack BBQ and Southern Kitchen, another San Antonio’s best restaurant contender that comes highly recommended, even by a transplant who was born and raised in Kansas City.

Headed For The RiverWalk? It’s the number one attraction in San Antonio and home to these fantastic hotels and restaurants that you’ll want to consider as you plan your getaway.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near San Antonio, Texas

11. Portland, Oregon

Asian flavors, food cart pods, donuts.

I’ve only been to Portland once, and when I think about it, the first thing that comes to mind is the boat of pineapple fried rice I devoured after visiting Powell’s Books. That was over a decade ago, and Portland’s Asian food scene has only gotten stronger and more diverse since then. Try Phuket Cafe or Oma’s Hideaway, two of Heide Brandes’s favorite restaurants to experience in Portland . Jo-Anne Bowen recommends Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen and Wendy Lee suggests Pok Pok for “authentic and delicious Thai food available at five locations throughout the city.”

Brandes and Lee both shout out Portland’s food cart pods, a can’t-miss experience. “Unlike the food trucks that roam the city, the food carts are semi-permanent structures, often gathered in parking lots or empty lots,” Lee explains. “It’s estimated that there are 500 food carts currently operating in the city.” Try Portland Mercado, 30 carts that represent more than a dozen countries, or Hinterland Bar and Food Carts for a pod that’s anchored by a full bar where you can enjoy your drink of choice along with your meal.

So You Want A PDX Donut? Of course you do. Brandes says, “No trip to Portland and its donut scene would be complete without hitting up the famous Voodoo Donut, made world-famous by introducing the maple bacon bar to the mainstream donut-eating public.” But today, Portland’s donut scene is so much more, and Brandes recommends you try Pedal’s Donuts of Portland Bike Tour because the proof is in the, well, donut.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Portland, Oregon

12. Nashville, Tennessee

Hot chicken, live music, more southern fare.

I am a huge fan of Nashville hot chicken , and so are our readers and writers. And with KFC discontinuing its Nashville hot strips (RIP!), you might as well pack your bags and go to the source. When in Nashville, get your fill at the original Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, or try Hattie B’s, Pepperfire, or Moore’s.

Whether you want more hot chicken or a taste of something else, you won’t want to miss a meal accompanied by live music when in Music City. Patricia King recommends these eight best Nashville restaurants with live bands .

Craving Southern Dining That Goes Beyond Fried Chicken? Amy Sward recommends The Loveless Cafe, Puckett’s Restaurant And Grocery, and French-meets-Southern cuisine at Liberty Common, one of nine incredible Nashville restaurants for outdoor dining .

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Nashville, Tennessee

13. Omaha, Nebraska

Steak, brunch, international flavors.

Our family spent a long weekend in Omaha this spring and we ate well . Obviously, steaks come first in Omaha, and I can recommend the swanky and romantic Committee Chophouse inside the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel (also the number one entry on Tim Trudell’s list of unique steakhouse dining experiences in Nebraska ).

Brunch is a thing in Omaha. Start your morning off right at one of these places to try, or opt for The Orleans Room — The Cottonwood’s take on a French bistro, where my sister and I enjoyed our Omaha brunch on Easter morning.

Want To Taste Japanese, Italian, Pan-African, And Beyond? You can have it all in Omaha. Check out our picks for best Italian restaurants in Omaha and fabulous ethnic restaurants to try . (I’m still sad I didn’t make it to Kathmandu Momo Station while we were in town!)

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Omaha, Nebraska

14. Seattle/Tacoma, Washington

Coffee, asian cuisine, fresh-caught and foraged food.

When you hear “Seattle,” you probably think “rain” and “Starbucks,” and no one is going to fault you for that. The city’s been dubbed the coffee capital of the country, and you’re welcome to visit and tour Starbucks’s flagship at 1912 Pike Place if you’d like. Or skip the line and get caffeinated at one of these nine delicious coffee shops to try in Seattle that aren’t Starbucks .

When you’re hungry for something more than bean water, Cindy Barks recommends “the culinary delights of China, Vietnam, Japan, and other Asian cultures” — all accessible in Seattle’s International District.

After The Best Fresh-Caught And Foraged Food In The Pacific Northwest? Check out these seven fabulous new restaurants to try in Seattle and Sage Scott’s favorite restaurants to experience in Tacoma, Washington .

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Seattle/Tacoma, Washington

15. Austin, Texas

Fusion, outdoor dining.

You’ve heard the call to “Keep Austin Weird,” and its fusion restaurants are doing their part. Try “flavorful cuisine featuring influences from Portugal and Goa (western India) with a Texas twist [that touts] blends of heat, spice, and acidity” downtown at Vixen’s Wedding, recommended by Janie H. Pace . Another great downtown spot, Suerte is where you can order traditional Mexican dishes made with the best Texas ingredients.

Want To Sit Outside? Make a reservation or snag a spot at any of these best Austin, Texas, restaurants perfect for outdoor dining .

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Austin, Texas

16. Las Vegas, Nevada

All-you-can-eat-buffets, fine dining, bbq.

Visitors can now skip the overindulgent all-you-can-eat-buffets for a taste of more refined fare. The foodie city has exploded with gourmet options and several swanky dining joints from world-famous chefs.

Some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas include Roy Choi’s Korean-Mexican fusion place, Raku, a top spot for omakase and Japanese cuisine; and SoulBelly BBQ, the perfect stop for good soul food and barbecue.

Also, be sure to stop by at least one of Las Vegas’ best rooftop bars to get great views of the Strip.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Las Vegas, Nevada

17. San Diego, California 

Seafood, fish tacos, beer, beer, beer.

San Diego’s exciting food scene has always been influenced by the cultures that put down roots in this beachfront town and the city’s historic fishing industry. It hasn’t always been known as a food city, but many of the city’s hottest restaurants like Matsu, a modern Japanese joint from Chef William Eick, have experienced an evolution in the food scene.

You can’t write about great food in San Diego and not mention tacos which are an absolute staple here. For a life-changing fish taco in San Diego, skip the touristy Mexican joints in Old Town and head instead to Ortiz’s Taco Shop or Taco’s Mimi.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near San Diego, California

Which US City Has the Best Food Culture?

New Orleans most frequently pops up as one of the US favorite food cities. From classic soul food like gumbo and jambalaya to modern, inventive fare, New Orleans has a distinct culinary signature, but also a diverse food scene.  

What Is the Biggest Food City in the US?

With 39.3 restaurants per 10,000 households, the biggest food city is San Francisco. Diners can indulge in dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants, and scores of farmers markets. No trip to San Fran is complete without sampling some sourdough, the city’s signature dish.

Which Best Food City in the US Has the Best Fine Dining?

Given it’s got close to 80 Michelin-starred restaurants, New York tops the list of the best food cities in the US for fine dining. New York lays claim to some of the biggest names in the business for those keen to expand their gastronomic horizons. 

Which Top Food City in the US Is Known For All-You-Can-Eat-Buffets?

Las Vegas food scene has been synonymous with buffets since the concept was first introduced to keep hungry gamblers from leaving the casino. The best all-you-can-eat-buffets in Las Vegas satisfy all cravings and palates.

What Are the Best Food Cities on Both Coasts in the US?

Some of the best food cities on the West  Coast are San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland, while on the East Coast, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia hold the top spots.

Linsey Stevens is a University of Chicago-trained editor who joined the TravelAwaits team in early 2019 and served as the site’s Managing Editor from January 2021 to April 2023. She’s also edited lifestyle and wellness content for other sites and print publications, plus the Nautilus award-winning 2017 book Iphelia: Awakening the Gift of Feeling from Tyrian Press. In addition to her writing and editing, Linsey has interests in travel, depth psychology, collaging, and magical realism. She calls the Midwest home but was born (and spent her young childhood in) Alaska and has spent time in Mexico, Australia, India, and the Caribbean. She serves on the board of the C.G. Jung Society of St. Louis and is passionate about eating well and the em dash.

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

6 of the best food cities in Italy through the dish that defines them

In a country where food is a social glue, you’re never far from a meal to remember — and these culinary destinations are beloved for their standout dishes and products.

Italian cuisine is an umbrella term. Menus around the country change drastically between territories and even between cities — a legacy of the region-states that governed the peninsula from the fall of the Roman Empire to the 19th century. For travellers, this translates to a wealth of hyper-local culinary destinations to discover, each with a distinct character. From the hearty specialities of Parma to the regional pasta of Bari, we round up six of the best through a standout dish or produce.

1. Genoa: pesto sauce

Herby and fresh, the best pesto evokes images of summer lunches enjoyed around shady, al fresco tables. Which makes perfect sense, considering its birthplace, Genoa, is the seafront capital of the Italian Riviera. Visit to sample pesto its true local form — made by grinding basil, garlic and pine nuts in a mortar, then dolloped over trofie (short cuts of twisted pasta). Try it at Il Genovese, which was founded in 1912 under the name Raggio as a sciamadda (a small restaurant with a wood oven used for making farinate , chickpea pancakes). It’s now owned by Roberto Panizza, creator of the World Pesto Championship: the biennial event sees 100 chefs face off in the city with their mortars and pestles.

2. Turin: agnolotti dumplings

Now a worldwide movement, Slow Food — an organisation that celebrates local cuisine and home cooking — started in 1986 in Bra, a town in Piedmont. A decade later, it gathered 30 miles north in Turin to launch Salone del Gusto, a biennial fair for small-scale producers. The city remains the perfect host, with specialities spanning coffee, pasta, meat and even breadsticks. With so much choice, it’s hard to pick one star dish, but a local favourite is agnolotti (roast-beef-filled ravioli). They’re served with gravy at Pastificio Defilippis, which sells fresh pasta on site, or with butter and sage at Fratelli Bruzzone Trattoria, where the take on the recipe is a century old.

( Where to find the best pizza and street food in Naples )

3. Parma: culatello di Zibello

Parma’s cuisine earned it a place in UNESCO’s Creative Cities network, and it’s easy to see why. It’s the home of giants like parmigiano reggiano and prosciutto di Parma (the country’s most prized ham), but travellers might be less familiar with culatello di Zibello . Delicate and sweet, this type of cured pork has been produced here for more than 250 years using the leg of locally bred pigs, and its processing now follows strictly regulated steps. All of this has given it the moniker ‘ re dei salumi ’ (‘king of cold cuts’); try it with ribbons of tagliolini pasta at restaurants like Osteria di Fornio.

4. Bari: orecchiette

Puglia’s capital has its fair share of attractions: there’s a 12th-century castle; a basilica with holy relics; and Arco Basso alley, where local nonne (grandmothers) sit all day kneading orecchiette (ear-like pasta) into shape. This   pasta has been handmade in homes around Bari for centuries and has become a   symbol of the city. Buy a bagful, then try it   in restaurants like Terranima , with turnip tops, anchovies, breadcrumbs and garlic. It’s   a pungent dish, and one that complements this port city’s standout starter: seafood crudo   (raw), served over ice, plain but for a   few   drops of lemon.  

5. Treviso: radicchio rosso

Amarognolo is the Italian term for a pleasantly bitter taste, and there’s no better way to experience it than by eating radicchio, a relative of chicory commonly grown around Treviso, an hour’s drive north of Venice. Restaurants here serve it all sorts of ways, but its morte migliore (‘best death’, an ingredient’s ideal use) is in a risotto with shallots and white wine — the way it’s served at trattoria Toni del Spin . Speaking of wine: Prosecco grapes are harvested outside the city’s ancient walls, on the UNESCO-listed hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. They’re linked by the Prosecco Road , which runs for some 30 miles, with cellars all along the route.  

6. Perugia: truffles

Italy’s green centre, Umbria has one main claim to culinary fame: heady, umami-flavoured truffles, which hide in the undergrowth of the region’s oak, beech and chestnut forests. Black and rare white varieties are famously found around the towns of Norcia and Spoleto, but for an all-round experience, base yourself an hour north, in the city of Perugia. You can join themed tours with the likes of Let’s Cook in Umbria, which takes you around the countryside with a truffle-hunting dog, and feast at dedicated restaurants. Al Tartufo pairs truffle with everything from tagliolini (ribbon pasta) to basil ice cream.

Become a subscriber and support our award-winning editorial features, videos, photography, and more—for as little as $2/mo.

Related Topics

• FOOD TOURISM
• STREET FOODS
• ANCIENT ROME
• RESTAURANTS

You May Also Like

Where to find the best pizza and street food in Naples

Where to eat the best beef wellington in the UK

These 21 culinary gems are worth a trip in 2024

Meet Mory Sacko, the chef shaking up Paris's fine-dining scene

Does Castle Douglas, Scotland's self-appointed 'Food Town', live up to the hype?

• Environment
• Paid Content

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• Here Not There
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

hungryoungwoman

19 Best Food Cities in Europe for Every Food Lover

Last Updated on January 25, 2020 by hungryoungwoman

I love to explore and write about food. I think it is something that’s just within me. To such heights, that I also sometimes plan my travels based on the food I am going to try there. I’m sure most of you must have been to some part of Europe, but have you wondered which are the best food cities in Europe?

I got in touch with a few of my favorite bloggers that have experienced some of the best food in Europe and were nice enough to share their recommendations with me. These cities are listed in no particular order as I feel they just cannot compete with each other. So, let’s get down to making a special European Food List, shall we?

Also read: Where and What to Eat in Singapore

19 best food cities in europe .

• Gdansk, Poland – Holly from Four Around The World

2. Budapest, Hungary – Ruth from Tanama Tales

As an avid traveler, I did a lot of research before visiting Budapest.  Most articles recommended getting deep into the food scene of one of the best Eastern European cities. So, we did exactly that!

We ended up experiencing rich, spicy and mouth-watering dishes.  We are eager to return and try even more food!

If you visit, I recommend trying the following dishes: goulash (a soup or stew of meat and vegetable, seasoned with paprika and other spices), chicken paprikash (chicken served with a sauce of sweet paprika and cream), stuffed cabbage (ground meat, rice, and spices are used for the filling), langos (deep-fried flatbread topped with sour cream and cheese or rubbed with garlic or garlic butter, sweet versions exist too), kolbice (sausages in a whole-wheat bread cone), grilled duck, gundel palacsinta (crepe filled with ground walnuts, raisin, candied orange peel, and cinnamon, served flambéed in dark chocolate sauce) and kürtőskalács (chimney cake).

You can find Hungarian specialties at several restaurants in the central Pest area, street food markets (there are several in the Jewish District) or the Great Market Hall.  For pastries and cakes, visit Café Gerbeaud, Café New York or Ruszwurm. See more here.

3. Sunderland, United Kingdom – Stuart from Go Eat Do

Sunderland is in the north-east of England, one of the United Kingdom’s emerging foodie regions. Long dismissed as part of the country that consumed stodge rather than gourmet produce, things are changing.

Twice a year, in springtime and autumn, Sunderland holds a restaurant that enables people to dine out for set prices in participating restaurants. That is helping to encourage locals to explore the university city’s restaurants and cafes. The Glass Yard, in the National Glass Centre, is an option if you enjoy well-presented dishes and riverside views.

Paul Clarke, of the George H Pickings Jr’s butcher’s shop, in the village of Boldon, has won several awards for his innovative sausages. Grill them and put them in a stottie cake, a type of flatbread that is a regional delicacy, and you have a delicious but simple meal that can be enjoyed at any time of day.

Overlooking the North Sea, Latimer’s Seafood Deli and Café is a good option for picking up freshly landed seafood for cooking at home or trying dishes prepared on the premises.

There’s a positive vibe in the city and plenty of tasty dishes for people to tuck into while in Sunderland. See more here.

4. Bologna, Italy – Michael from The World Was Here First

The northern Italian city of Bologna is undoubtedly one of the best food cities in Europe. In fact, for centuries, Bologna has developed the nickname of “La Grassa”, literally translating to “The Fat” which should give all travelers a hint about the fantastic food scene that exists here!

While many travelers to Italy make the mistake of only  visiting Bologna for a day,  typically as a stop from Florence to Venice, this city is definitely worth a longer stay for food lovers.

Bologna has an amazing restaurant scene where visitors can try traditional Bolognese food such as tagliatelle al ragu (flat pasta with a meat sauce that is widely seen as the inspiration for spaghetti bolognese), lasagne verdi (green lasagne made with spinach pasta) and mortadella (cured salume). You can try all these dishes at  Va Mo La  which is a cozy restaurant that also doubles as a library!

5. Lille, France – Jo from Over The Edge Of The Wild

Closer to Brussels than to Paris, the city of Lille is often overlooked by tourists who pass through the north of France, visiting Normandy, Calais, and Dunkirk before heading through to the Belgian capital. Those who hurry on in search of chocolate and waffles do their taste buds a disservice by failing to bid farewell to French fare, however, a stop in Lille would serve both purposes. With dozens of cafes and restaurants settled among the beautiful architecture of the Old Town, there is something to suit all tastes, but it’s really the juxtaposition of French favorites and Belgian specialties that make the city special.

Walking around, you’ll find vendors of crepes, smoutebollen (Flemish donuts), and waffles facing out onto the street fronts, and all of these can be acquired covered in delicious local chocolate. Of late, when it comes to le chocolat, there are various chocolatiers around the city including Maison Benoit, Au Chat Bleu, and Guillame Vincent, which are in stiff competition for the best variety and quality of cocoa delicacies on offer. You’d better visit them all to decide for yourself. See more here.

6. Rome, Italy – Allison from Eternal Arrival

If you’re a foodie and you don’t have Rome on your itinerary — move it right up on your eating bucket list! Italian food is one of the best cuisines in the world and Roman cuisine, in particular, is quite delicious.

The pasta in Rome is a popular food in Europe, rich and delicious with simple ingredients that nonetheless taste fantastic. My favorite Roman pasta is spaghetti alla carbonara, which is made with raw egg, pecorino cheese, pepper, and guanciale, a kind of cured ham used in many Roman kinds of pasta — and never cream, unlike carbonara pasta in the rest of the world.

Other delicious traditional Roman pasta includes pasta alla amatriciana and cacio e pepe. While Rome is famous for its pasta, its pizza should not be overlooked. After all, Rome is only a few hours away from the birthplace of pizza, Naples. The simpler the pizza, the better: my favorite is made with prosciutto and fresh arugula on top. Finally, don’t miss tasting Rome’s unique Jewish-Italian cuisine, especially the Jewish fried artichokes when they are in season!

7. Malaga, Spain – Sarah from A Social Nomad

The food scene in Malaga is simply awesome, made even better by the fact that it’s primarily focused around the traditional concepts of food in the region. It’s not an expensive city to be a foodie in as decent portions of tapas can be had for 2-3 euros (and they’re enough to share) and there are enough regional specialties to have you eating something different for your entire trip.

The start of any good food city has got to be the market – and Malaga doesn’t disappoint. Free samples of olives, hams, garlic, fruits, and the local almonds will have you hungry for more. You will, of course, have breakfasted on good coffee at Café Central with specialties like the pitufo (it translates as Smurf, but for the vegetarians amongst us is a fresh small baguette with butter and tomato).

You could head to the Malaguena beach and try sardines, (in season only) grilled on an open fire. Or you could graze all day in Tapas bar after Tapas bar – there are hundreds to try. One dish you should try is the traditional white seafood soup of Gapachuelo – you’ll find a great option tucked away behind the Cathedral at Mesón Rincón Catedral. See more here.

8.  Barcelona, Spain – Jess from The Longest Bus Ride

Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean Sea and is a city where any foodie can keep their belly absolutely stuffed for weeks on end. Patatas bravas is a popular homey dish. Seafood is fresh out of the sea and Catalan dishes invariably include tomato in one form or another.

The simplest dish is tomato bread which is simply a mash of fresh tomato and olive oil smeared onto bread as one might smear butter. Each restaurant has their own recipe and it is refreshing after a long day of walking around the city admiring Gaudi’s architecture.

After a tour of the Barcelona fisherman’s pier and auction, my guide offers advice on seafood restaurants in the city. I loved the small cash-only place packed full of people in the Barceloneta neighborhood. And, should you get tired of the hubbub of the city, just catch a quick train ride up north to Girona. It has a fantastic Old Quarter and is filled with wonderful restaurants in all price ranges including many Michelin starred places. See more here.

Want a Cheat Sheet? Download your FREE Best Food Cities in Europe Checklist! 

9. Paris, France – Katy from Untold Morsels

Brussels might not immediately come across as a foodie city as some other European cities – say Paris – would. But once you travel to this charming city, you will realize Brussels is one of the most underrated gastronomic destinations in Europe. 

Belgians have created a unique culinary culture influenced by adjunct France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The results are mouth-watering delicacies, including moules frites (a.k.a. Belgian national dish), waffles, chocolates, and fries to name a few.

Take fries for example. The thick, crispy slices of freshly fried potato chips are one of the most popular side dishes in the world. Despite its name, French fries are originally from Belgium. Belgians consider these fries a soul mate of mussels ; while eating by itself,    they prefer to match with mayonnaise or other varieties of sauce rather than ketchup.

If you want to visit a charming, artistic, cultural city that can also satisfy your palate, Brussels should be your next destination. Read more about 7 Things to Eat in Brussels here:  https:// chloestravelogue.com/7-things- to-eat-brussels/

16. Galway, Ireland – Erin from Epicurean Traveler Blog

When you think of Irish cuisine, fish and chips, seafood chowder, and hearty beef and potato stews might come to mind. However, there is much more to the culinary scene in Galway, Ireland.

Certainly, the city’s coastal location makes it an ideal destination for visitors hoping to taste fresh seafood. Diners will easily find oysters on the half shell, Atlantic salmon, monkfish, prawns, and mussels at local restaurants.

One of the best places for seafood is Oscar’s Seafood Bistro on Galway City’s west side. There the seafood is sourced from local fisherman and fishmongers. But, if it’s a classic fish and chips you are craving, head to Quay Street for McDonagh’s. Serving fish and chips for four generations, at McDonagh’s your fish is cooked to order and fresh chips are made from potatoes peeled that morning.

The high quality of food in Galway is also seen at McCambridge’s. The family-owned food hall stocks local, artisanal foods. In the upstairs restaurant, that commitment to fresh, local, and high-quality food shines through dishes like the delicious open-faced, goat-cheese sandwich I paired with the special soup of the day.

Whether browsing local markets or dining at high-end restaurants, travelers will find Galway, Ireland, is a foodie’s destination. See more here.

17. Vienna, Austria – Gizelle from Vienna: 101 Facets

Vienna is a teeming hotpot of many cultures and food fusion. There are a lot of markets where the diversity of the food culture can be seen, felt, and tasted. There’s a variety of cuisines offered around the 23 districts of Vienna. French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish, Greek, and a lot more yummy cuisines are represented.

Yet, Viennese cuisine is still the most popular. In Vienna, Heurigers/Taverns (Gasthäuser) are known to own their own vineyards and serve homemade Austrian dishes. The usual dish served among taverns is the Tafelspitz. It’s a simple dish of the tip (of meat), more particularly boiled veal or beef in a broth of root vegetables and spices. It is usually served with a mix of minced apples and horseradish, also with sour cream and chives. The meat is usually very tender, that it comes off when you pinch it with a fork. Plachutta, a famous local restaurant was named to have been serving the best Tafelspitz in the city.

There aren’t many signature dishes originally from Lisbon, this is because of the majority of people from Lisbon, if not all of them, come from the countryside. There are some dishes the city has adopted like ‘bacalhau á Bras’ (cod with egg and fried potatoes) or the famous ‘pastéis de nata’ (custard tart). You can find them almost everywhere. There are hundreds of small traditional restaurants all over the city that serve bacalhau á Bras you won’t have to look too hard. For pastriés the nata Manteigaria or the famous Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belem .

With the Atlantic Ocean on its doorstep, Portugal is a great place to eat seafood.  In Lisbon, Cervejaria Ramiro is famous for its shellfish, simple and fresh. During the summer months, sardines are a big thing and you will find them on the menu in most restaurants.

If you are visiting for the first time, I’d recommend a trip to the Time Out Market . A food court where you’ll find you loads of options from traditional Portuguese to gourmet burgers, sushi, seafood, pizzas and Asian. It’s a great way to sample some of Lisbon’s best restaurants all under one roof. See more here.

19. Slavonia, Croatia – Sarah-Jane From Chasing The Donkey

People have inhabited the fertile floodplains of Slavonia for thousands of years, and they have their own regional farm animals, and a killer baked goods offering.

The must-try food item to enjoy in Slavonia is Orahnjača. The uber-popular dessert is a walnut roulade, served as a treat for special occasions . With a filling of walnuts, homemade jam, and cinnamon, it’s both a savory and sweet dish perfect for filling up that last little space in your stomach after dinner. See more here. 

That was most of our list, so should we say it’s safe to call Europe the food capital of the world? I’ll let you decide that.

Interested in learning more about Europe? Check our packing list to Europe for all seasons or the best destinations to visit Europe in February. These will help planning for your Europe trip!

Until then, happy eating! xx

P.S. If you want to save and read later, here’s a pinnable version! 🙂

Related posts:

Share some love:.

8 thoughts on “ 19 Best Food Cities in Europe for Every Food Lover ”

Wow so many interesting types of food here. Thanks for the creative post!

• Pingback: Top Cities to Visit in Europe - Robe trotting
• Pingback: 15 Food Cities in Asia for the Ultimate Foodie - hungryoungwoman

We just moved to Europe and I basically only travel for the food lol I’m definitely adding a few of these places to my list!! Thank you for putting this together!

Haha thanks so much! Where are you based there?

• Pingback: What to Wear in Italy? Your Customized Italy Packing List - hungryoungwoman
• Pingback: Coronavirus Travel: How to Get a Refund for Travel? - hungryoungwoman
• Pingback: 8 Things to Eat in Australia for First Timers - hungryoungwoman

I'd love to know your thoughts! Cancel reply

• Travel Advice
• Travel Journal
• Travel Inspiration
• Destinations
• Photo Diary
• Work With Us
• Privacy Policy

12 Best Places In Maine To Visit

Nestled on the northeastern fringes of the USA, Maine is one stunning state to visit. With its rugged coastline, bayside towns and beautiful national parks, there’s a little slice of Maine that will appeal to each and every visitor. Honestly, there are so many of the best places in Main to visit dotted all across the state. You just have to find it! 

And this is where the harder part comes in. It can be tough to whittle down a concise list of places in Maine to visit on a trip. Especially, if you want to explore as much as possible with your time in the state.

So, to help you see the most gorgeous spots in Maine, I’m sharing some gems that I know you won’t want to miss. This way, you can focus on all the delicious food (trust me, the lobster is great here) and actually visit the state. 

Have the most amazing time exploring Maine. It really is a beautiful state. 

1.) Acadia National Park

Perched on the Atlantic coastline southwest of the city of Bangor, Acadia National Park is one place you won’t want to miss in Maine. You see, it’s one of the best places in the Northeast of the United States to explore the untouched rugged coastline of the North Atlantic. 

In fact, Acadia National Park is a 46,000-acre park with other mountains, cliffs, beaches, ponds, forests, and inlets that make this a perfect place to ramble, hike and explore the great outdoors. 

We absolutely loved the Cadillac North Ridge Trail , where you’ll explore, you guessed it, Cadillac Mountain. A heads up: Make sure to pack waterproof shoes with you, as the trails can get wet at certain times of the year. It’ll take you around three hours to hike, and you’ll cover just over four miles. It’s a great route and perfect if you don’t want anything super intense. 

Also, don’t forget about the  Wild Gardens of Acadia . It’s a great place to follow the trails and explore the stunning nature around the Jesup Path. It’s beautiful. 

Book this guided tour of Acadia National Park , which departs from nearby Bar Harbor, to make your trip easier. It’ll take you across to Sieur de Monts Spring, see Jordan Pond, and you’ll even have a lobster roll thrown in. It’s so good. 

Read more: Best places in Massachusetts to visit

2.) Augusta 

Around a 70-minute drive from Bangor, Augusta is the capital city of Maine and a really lovely place to visit for a half-day trip whilst visiting Maine. 

Augusta is also one of the best places in Maine to visit if you want to explore more of the state’s cultural history. Once here, you can visit Old Fort Western . It’s said to be the oldest wooden fort in all of New England and dates back to the 1700s. You’ll be able to explore the historic Garrison building and learn so much more about life in New England back in the 18th Century. 

Also, if you fancy a stroll, head out on the Kennebec River Rail Trail. This takes in the riverwalk along the Kennebec River. Plus, along the way, you can stop off at Otto’s on the River for a bite to eat. Their lamb shank is so good. 

Read more: Best places in the Northeast of the USA to visit

3.) Gulf Hagas

colloquially referred to as Maine’s very own Grand Canyon, Gulf Hagas is a vast canyon-like waterway that’s incredible to visit. It’s one of the best places in Maine to visit if you want to hike and are heading into the state’s heartlands.

For some stunning views, join the Gulf Hagas Trail, which will take you through the gorgeous landscapes of central Maine. Just be aware that, like much of the East Coast, it can get wet, so plan ahead and take layers with you. 

Also, you can easily partner a trip around the Gulf Hagas region of Maine with its famous lakes, too. Don’t forget to visit Moosehead Lake, Rum Pond and Upper Wilson Pond. 

Just be aware that there’s little in terms of services around this area of Maine, so choices can be limited in terms of accommodation and restaurants. For a bite by the lake, stop by Stress Free Moose Pub & Cafe . It’s an unfussy spot in Greenville serving a tasty chilli dog. 

4.) Nubble Head Lighthouse

Perched on the headland around the coast of York is Nubble Head Lighthouse . It’s a gorgeous stop to make, especially for a 30-minute break to stretch your legs before carrying on your Maine road trip. For the best views, head to sunrise (if you’re up) or sunset, where the orange hues are beautiful.

If you’ve got more time, stay a night in York itself and stroll Short Sands Beach, and explore York’s small Historic District. Here, you’ll get to see the Old Schoolhouse, York Townhall and stop by Fat Tomato Grill . Their homemade soups and Thanksgiving sandwiches are so good. 

Alternatively, head to  Sun & Surf Restaurant , which is on the coast. They serve up some tasty bacon-wrapped scallops. 

5.) Portland

Portland, not to be confused with the one in Oregon , is a pretty great city in Maine to visit. It’s the perfect stopping point whilst on a road trip exploring some of the best places in Maine while driving the coastal routes. You can easily spend two nights in Portland, and it can act as a gateway city to stay and explore the wider area.

Once in Portland, make sure to visit the yummy Farmer’s Market . Serving fresh local foods, organic dairy, juicy fruits, meat and sweet treats. Though it’s small, it’s a great way to have a taste of the local area. 

Also, don’t forget to visit Luke’s Lobster at Portland Pier. They serve some of the city’s best lobster—all fresh to order. Just be aware that it can get busy on the weekends, so plan ahead in case you’re short on time. 

Oh, and make sure to spot the Portland Observatory . It’s a historic signal tower—the only one left in the US made entirely of wood. It dates back to the 1800s and is an integral part of the city’s long history. They also run guided tours, every 30-minutes. 

For a little afternoon trip from Portland, take the boat to Peaks Island just off Portland itself. It’s a gorgeous little island for a stroll, and the boats go across it at least every hour during the day. Once on Peaks Island, you can ramble to Battery Steele, walk the coastal route from the Casco Bay Ferry stop and stop by the Cockeyed Gull for a bite to eat. 

6.) Moosehead Lake

I briefly touched on Moosehead Lake earlier, but it deserves its own mention. It’s one of the best places in Maine to visit if you’re heading further inland through the state. 

Now, Moosehead Lake is huge, so don’t expect you’re going to cover all of it within one trip. Choose specific spots, like Mount Kineo State Park (if you love hiking) or Lily Bay State Park. These are both stunning. Though, as I mentioned before, there’s not much in terms of restaurants around here – so plan ahead. 

7.) Quoddy Head State Park

Perched right on the international border between Canada and the United States, Quoddy Head State Park is a great place to visit. You see, it’s the easternmost point of the United States and the whole area is stunning. 

If you love hiking, then the Coastal Trail is a goal that you should hit. However, the fascinating feature that comes with this hiking challenge is that you enjoy some awesome ocean views. You will see so much of the coastline around the Quoddy Channel to the cliffs of Great Manan Island in New Brunswick Canada.

Oh, and don’t forget to spot West Quoddy Head Lighthouse , too.

8.) Port Clyde

If you’re travelling down the coast in Maine, then make sure to make a stop off at Port Clyde on the St Geroge Peninsular and explore more of Clark Island, too. It’s only small, but that’s its charm, in my opinion. 

Once you’re in the area (and driving around by car), make sure to stop off at Marshall Point and visit the Marshall Point Lighthouse and museum that’s steeped in history from the 1800s. Also, there’s Drift Inn Beach which is great for ramble. 

Oh, and if you’re heading further north up the peninsular, make sure to grab lunch at McLoons Lobster Shack . Their lobster stew and steamed Maine lobster are so good. 

9.) Cape Elizabeth and Portland Light

Just on the outskirts of the city of Portland is Portland Head Light , one of the most famous lighthouses on the East Coast. It dates back to the 1700s and has been warning incoming ships of land for centuries since.

It’s an absolute gem of a place to visit and totally beautiful to visit at sunrise (if you’re up early enough). 

Also, you can easily include a visit to nearby (by car) Kettle Cove and Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth. Kettle Cove and crescent beach are adjacent to each other and so lovely for a little stroll on a warm day. 

10.) Rockport

North of Manchester-by-the-Sea and nearby Salem , that’s across the border in Massachusetts , Rockport is one of the best places in Maine to visit when exploring the coastline here (and around Gloucester itself). 

Once here, you have to head over to Roy Moore Lobster Company that’s been serving lobster here for over 100 years. They serve up some of the freshest Maine lobster in the region. It’s a pretty unfussy spot and the lobster is always incredible and totally fresh. 

Oh, and be sure to spot Motif #1. It’s a replica of the wooden shack that once stood here in the 1800s. It’s so cute. 

11.) Allagash Wilderness Waterway

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is one of the best places in Maine to visit when you’re exploring the northern stretches of the state. You see, it’s near the Canadian border and is so easy to include on your trip if you’re heading further north. 

Now, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is very remote and, in terms of facilities, it’s lacking. So, if that sounds like a bore to you, then maybe give Allagash Wilderness Waterway a miss. 

If it doesn’t, great! Make sure to head out kayaking (with a qualified guide) or take in the views on Allagash Mountain Trail. It’s such an untouched and totally unspoilt area. 

12.) Baxter State Park

Right in the heart of Maine, Baxter State Park is well worth visiting as you meander the roads taking you from the coast and up towards Canada. You see, it’s about halfway up Maine and a perfect stopping point for a few days trip as you explore more of the state. 

Once here, make sure to spot Mount Katahdin. Honestly, it’s hard to miss – especially as it’s Maine’s tallest peak. Katahdin rises from Baxter State Park.

Once here, there are heaps of hikes to choose from. You’ve got the Helon Taylor Trail that’s accessible in the summer months and you can find out more information here . Though this is for only the most skilled hikers – the hike can be extreme, and it’s not for anyone that’s not looking for a serious challenge and serious elevation gain. 

13 Very Best Places In Massachusetts To Visit

• Destinations
• Hotels & Homestays
• Food & Drink
• People & Culture
• Mindful Travel
• Readers' Travel Awards
• Escape to Rajasthan
• READERS TRAVEL AWARDS
• #LOVEGREATBRITAIN
• TAJ SAFARIS
• BOUTIQUE HOTELS
• CNT TOP RESTAURANT AWARDS
• DESTINATION WEDDING GUIDE
• DON’T TRAVEL WITHOUT IT
• #UNDISCOVERAUSTRALIA
• ESSENTIALLY RAJASTHAN

15 best places to visit in Vadodara that are not tourist traps

Gujarat’s cultural capital traces its name back to its banyan trees. The city was originally called Vatpatraka, which translates to “in the belly of the banyan (vata) tree”. Early English travellers took to calling it Brodera, which then led to the widespread usage of Baroda .

Once the capital of Baroda State, ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty between 1721 and 1949, its multicultural ethos came to be shaped by Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the erstwhile Maharaja of that state. According to Dr Maitree Vaidya Sabnis, associate professor in the history department at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU), Gaekwad provided his people access to “gardens, museums, art, and architecture”, much like cities across Europe.

Tradition and cosmopolitanism coalesce in this ‘big little city’. “This may be the only city [in India] that once had 10 palaces,” says Chirag Munjani, who has been running Vadodara Heritage Walk for the last 12 years. Here is a roundup of the best places to visit in Vadodara:

Best places to visit in Vadodara

Architecture, lukshmi vilas palace.

An architectural masterpiece, the palace is spread over 3 million square feet—three times the size of Buckingham Palace. Commissioned by Sayajirao ahead of his wedding to Chimnabai I of Tanjore, the 170-room monument was built over 12 years for £180,000 (nearly Rs200 crores).

Its Indo-Saracenic style of architecture blends elements from Rajasthani , Gujarati , and Islamic aesthetic, with European forms. Domed chhatris, arches, jharokhas, and carved stone motifs ornament the exterior. The Darbar Hall has Moroccan mosaic floors, Belgian stained-glass windows, glass murals from Germany , and a stunning lacquered ceiling with geometric patterns. There are Italianate courtyards with water fountains, sculptures in bronze, marble, and terracotta by artists, chandeliers, a vintage elevator (the first in Gujarat), and expansive grounds, including a golf course.“The interiors are a blend of architectural styles such as Rococo, Baroque, and neo-Gothic,” says Radhikaraje Gaekwad, of the erstwhile royal family of Baroda, adding that about 25 per cent of the palace is open to the public today.

Another feature is the Navlakhi stepwell, which harks back to Gurjar rule, and is named for the nine lakh gold coins spent to build it. Water from this step well, which has never run dry, was used during the construction of the palace. Every year for Navratri, the estate lights up for the Lukshmi Vilas Palace Heritage Garba. “It's our way of making the city’s rich past relevant to its present,” says Gaekwad. Tickets: Rs200 Timings: 9.30am–5pm; Mondays closed

Vidyadhar ni Vav

Gujarat is said to be home to more than 100 vavs—traditional, subterranean water harvesting systems, often cool resting places on hot summer days.

The 500-year-old humble Vidyadhar ni Vav, located by a small lane on the Sevasi-Sindhrot Road, is perhaps not known to many, even in Vadodara. “Named after a local spiritual leader, this architecturally stunning stepwell lies just outside the city's boundaries and has a small temple a couple of storeys down,” says Ketki Gadre, local travel enthusiast and environmental consultant.

“Built with brick masonry and stone, it boasts perfect symmetry and features intricate sculptures, including motifs, floral designs, bells, and animals etched into its walls and pillars,” says Gadre. In recent times, the stepwell has become a popular location for pre-wedding photo shoots . The entrance to the stepwell is nondescript and, at times, desolate so make sure to ask for directions and be watchful. Entry: free Timings: All day

Qutubuddin Hajiro

This often-missed mausoleum commemorates Qutubuddin Muhammad Khan, the revered tutor of Salim, the son and successor of Akbar, and his son, Naurang Khan. Located in the midst of what was once a beautifully designed Persian-style garden, the 1586 monument is an imposing structure built on a high octagonal platform in the style of the Mughal tombs in Delhi. Each side of the high platform has five arches; the central one takes you to the upper level. The mausoleum has a double dome, topped with a three-tiered finial. The real grave is in an underground chamber, with Quranic texts in Arabic carved on lintels, arches, and above the jalis on the walls. A stepwell near the tomb is said to have supplied water to the garden. In Hajira: A symbol of Emerging Mughal Power in Gujarat , Vibhuti Parikh writes, “A symbolic representation of the Indo-Islamic tradition, the Hajira bears a striking resemblance to Humayun’s Tomb (New Delhi).” Entry: free Timings: 10am-7pm

The Central Library

Dating back to 1906, the library was at first situated in Lukshmi Vilas Palace, starting with a collection of 20,000 books donated by the Maharaja. Later, it was moved to a new building where it still stands. The most impressive aspect of this structure is its stack area, designed like a warehouse. “The three-storeyed space with long, glass-paned windows allows more light as the floors of the upper two levels were made with two-inch thick glass imported from Belgium ,” Munjani says. It is the perfect place to peruse old books and magazines. Don’t miss the special collection of 73 miniature books, in the two-feet-high cabinet, and the copy of the Indian constitution with original signatures. Entry: free Timings: 10:30am-6:10pm (Monday closed)

ART & CULTURE

Baroda museum and picture gallery.

Sayajirao had a deep love for education and fine arts, which became the foundation for the Baroda Museum. Construction of the building began in 1890 “in conformity with the traditional local Maratha architecture, showcasing a wooden framework filled with brick walls”, says Munjan. The museum also houses souvenirs from Gaekwad’s travels to various parts of the world . It has impressive collections on archaeology, natural history, geology, and ethnology. The attractions include an Egyptian mummy, the skeleton of a blue whale, Akota bronzes that date to the 5th century A.D., a collection of Mughal miniatures, and a gallery of Tibetan arts. Tickets: Rs100 Timings: 10am-5pm (Thursdays closed) Wheelchair accessibility only on ground floor

Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum

The museum, located in the Lukshmi Vilas Palace premises, showcases a fine selection of art pieces, including European Renaissance and Rococo paintings, portraits, marble busts, and a stunning range of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings. Chandrashekhar Patil, historian and art conservationist, says Raja Ravi Varma was welcomed as a guest during Sayajirao’s rule. “Ravi Varma created 40 paintings, including some of his most iconic works such as Sita Bhoomi Pravesh, while in Vadodara,” he says. More than 25 of Ravi Varma’s paintings are on display at the museum . Tickets: Rs150 Timings: 9:30am-5pm (Mondays closed)

Tambekar Wada

The three-storeyed Maratha mansion may look derelict from the outside, but the inside is sure to leave you spellbound. This 19th-Century structure served as the residence of Bhau Tambekar, once Diwan of Baroda state. “Tambekar Wada is built around a courtyard and has a rectangular grid of rooms," says Sonali Lele Desai, architect and actor. “The delicate woodwork and the intricate paintings offer a window into Maratha architecture.” A flight of steep stairs takes you to Vadodara’s hidden treasure: rooms bursting with a riot of colour, courtesy fresco-secco work. Walls, columns, doors, windows, even the door jambs are painted with mythological murals and ornate floral motifs in vibrant colours. Stories from the Mahabharata and the Puranas can be seen on the walls, with Krishna omnipresent. “Apart from these, there are non-religious paintings that hark back to history: the British attack on a Maratha fort, scenes from the Anglo-Maratha war, beautiful floral motifs, and more,” Lele Desai says. Drop by in the early hours to get a good exterior shot of the wada. Entry: free Timings: 10am-5pm

Kirti Mandir

The former king commissioned Kirti Mandir in memory of his ancestors. Built in 1936 as part of his diamond jubilee celebrations, the E-shaped building is built in the Indo-Saracenic style and has a 35-metre high central shikara, which is topped by a bronze finial showcasing the sun, the moon, and the earth. The impressive structure holds one of Vadodara’s best kept secrets: five fading frescoes by painter Nandlal Bose. A pupil of Abanindranath Tagore, Bose was known for his “ Indian style” of painting. He also went on to illustrate the pages of the original Indian Constitution. After your visit, head to nearby Dairy Den, Vadodara’s first ice cream parlour famous for its soft serve. Entry: free Timings: 9am-12pm; 2:30pm-5pm

Aurobindo Ashram

All noise seems to quieten once you enter Aurobindo Ashram, home to Aurobindo Ghosh during his stay in Vadodara from 1894 to 1906. Ghosh, who joined the Baroda State Service, went on to become vice-principal at Baroda College (now MSU), and gained fame as a philosopher, social and political thinker, and yogi. The large red-brick structure, nestled among beautiful gardens, brings to mind an old English bungalow, courtesy the sloping roofs, tall tower, and large wooden windows. The spacious ashram has 23 big and small rooms, including a library, which contains his works and books written about him, and a study room. The first floor has a meditation hall that’s open to all. There is a store on the premises that stocks organic products, souvenirs, and books. Entry: free Timings: 10am-6pm Wheelchair accessibility only on the ground floor

NEIGHBOURHOODS

To soak in Vadodara’s imperial heritage and stories, be sure to spend time in the city’s busy and beautiful old precinct. Munjani's Vadodara Heritage Walk offers customised walking tours through these parts that last for 2.5 hours. “Walking is the best way to explore the beautiful buildings of the MSU, including the heritage arts faculty building, a stunning example of Indo-Saracenic architecture,” he says.

Vadodara by Foot also offers self-guided walks including the Tankshaal Walk, which takes you to the mint; the Sarkarwada Walk, which reveals the history of the first royal residence built in Vadodara; and the Kothi Kacheri Walk that winds its way through many old structures, and more. The Old City’s also teeming with iconic food establishments, some of which are street stalls, and others just longtime fixtures of their neighbourhoods.

Canara Coffee House , the oldest cafe in Baroda, is known for its spicy misal, topped with cold yogurt and crunchy sev, which has provided sustenance to generations of college goers. Not to be missed is Pyarelal Kachoriwala in Mangal Bazaar, which offers the most unusual kachori : it’s stuffed spiced moong dal paste and topped with puffed rice and tart chutney. Gajra Café, Gujarat’s first eatery championing the LGBTQIA+ cause, is a laidback hangout with a curated menu with Marathi and Gujarati dishes. Dayal Petis , in Sursagar area, has been serving ragda and pattice to Barodians since 1960. For a variety of traditional Gujarati dry snacks, such as bhakarwadi and lilo chevdo, head to Jagdish’s OG store in Jubilee Baug.

The expansive gardens, also known as Sayajibaug, serve as the lungs of modern Vadodara. It has more than 98 species of trees and a network of roads that draws residents for their morning exercise. Many Barodians have childhood memories of riding the toy train inside the zoo. The Bandstand, ideal for yoga practice, is surrounded by four gorgeous statues on four sides, which include a regal woman hunter and a man cuddling an infant. Morning walks in the garden can end with a pick-me-up from the vendors outside: coconut water, juice, tea, coffee , or soup. Entry: free Timings: 5am-11pm

Alembic Art District

This is a former industrial site envisioned as an art district, where existing architecture has been given a makeover to focus on community and connection. The city centre is the creative heartbeat of Vadodara, housing art studios, exhibition spaces, and a performance venue. It also has a variety of F&B options, including a kombucha microbrewery, a Japanese diner, and a food court. “The Distillery, a multidimensional venue for the performing arts, and the outdoor amphitheatre are perfect for events, workshops, and live music. The skateboarding park is a favourite with children and teens,” says Janavi Iyer, programming head at an FM radio station. Entry: free Timings: 10am-10pm

Alkapuri was once the only upscale residential and business district of Vadodara. People and offices may have moved to newer areas in the last decade, but Alkapuri still holds its own. It's uncharacteristically green, and has numerous stores, cafés, and hotels in the vicinity. The railway station and bus stand are located here as are a couple of malls that house top brands and fast-food chains. Restaurants worth exploring include The Old School Eatery , noted for its Indian street food, Rajasthani, and Punjabi platters. However, its pav-bhaji is the piece de resistance. Thali lovers can try Mandap , Govinda's (at the nearby Iskcon Temple), or Prasadam for an authentic Gujarati thali. The delicious samosa sandwich at Vishal Sandwich has always drawn crowds. A section of the RC Dutt Road, also in Alkapuri, transforms into khau galli by night, offering street eats like pani puri, khichu, lassi, vada pav, and dosa. Sukhadia is renowned for its fafda-jaledi, a savoury gram flour snack, seasoned with black pepper and hints of carom seeds, paired with jalebi.

SHOPPING SPOTS

Nava Bazaar

Known for being the ultimate place to shop for Navratri, the market comes into its own ahead of the festive season. Multiple small vendors selling chaniya-cholis, blouses, oxidised accessories, and mirrorwork bags set up shop along the road, creating a melange of colour and sparkle.

Baroda Prints

Baroda Prints started with a small shop in the Salatwada area more than 50 years ago. The company uses hand-block printing techniques, and is known for its fabrics, salwar kameez, sarees, skirts, tops, and kurtas. Mona Patel, a college student I see on a shopping run, vouches for their clothes. “It’s a great place to shop and offers total value for money,” she says.

• 2024 Sexiest Men Of the Moment
• Of The Essence
• Celebrity News
• If Not For My Girls
• The State Of R&B
• Time Of Essence
• 2024 ESSENCE FASHION HOUSE
• SSENSE X ESSENCE
• 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
• Fashion News
• Accessories
• 2024 Best In Beauty Awards
• Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
• 2024 Travel Awards
• Relationships
• Bridal Bliss
• Lifestyle News
• Health & Wellness
• ESSENCE Eats
• Food & Drink
• Money & Career
• Latest News
• Black Futures
• Paint The Polls Black
• Essence Holiday Gift Guide 2023
• 2024 ESSENCE Fashion House
• 2024 Black Women In Hollywood
• 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House
• 2024 ESSENCE Film Festival
• 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
• 2023 Wellness House
• 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
• NaturallyCurly

8 Places To Go This Fall For Every Type Of Traveler

With the peak summer travel season behind us, fall is actually one of the best times to take a trip. You’ll experience fewer crowds in most destinations and may score discounts on hotels and flights . Maybe you’ve been wanting to hit up a white sand beach or spend a weekend museum hopping. Or maybe your ideal vacation includes checking out fall foliage and hiking through a quiet forest . If you’ve been considering taking a break to recharge or plan an adventure, we’ve rounded up eight fall travel destinations – for every type of journeyer.

For Foodies – St. Maarten

St. Maarten has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean and a top-notch international food scene. Choose from various Asian, French, Italian , Indian, Latin , and Middle Eastern restaurants, and don’t leave without sampling the island’s local rum, St. Maarten Guavaberry . Book a stay at the all-inclusive Sonesta St. Maarten , which has separate adults-only and family-friendly hotels. Though you may be here for the food, the island is also great for relaxing. Hang out at one of the island’s 37 gorgeous beaches, book a ride on the steepest zipline in the world, or stop by WeCulture , the newly opened Carnival Museum.

For Adventure Seekers – Chattanooga, Tennessee

For some fall fun stateside, check out Chattanooga. The Southern city has lots to offer for a couple’s trip or a family weekend getaway. Want outdoor activities? Choose between kayaking or canoeing with Chattanooga Guided Adventures or hiking the nearby waterfalls near Signal Mountain. For something a bit lower impact, bike or stroll down the city’s 16-mile Riverwalk , which hugs the banks of the Tennessee River, and stop at one of the restaurants or cafes. If you’re up for it, you can go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River or outdoor rock climbing at Stone Fort , just 30 minutes from Chattanooga. For a hotel close to the action, book a room at the charming Dwell Hotel downtown.

For Culture Seekers – Mexico City , Mexico

Mexico City has gained popularity among travelers in recent years, and the buzzy city has great dining, museums, and archeological sites. Plan your stay around the newly opened Kimpton Virgilio , located in the upscale Polanco neighborhood. The hotel offers complimentary bicycles to explore the neighborhood. Landmarks near the property include the Bosque de Chapultepec , a sprawling city park, and several art galleries like the National Museum of Anthropology and the Museo de Arte Moderno . Dine at Pepe Mesa Española , the hotel’s tapas bar, or at the top-rated Quintonil .

For Fall Foliage Chasers – Boyne Falls, Michigan

New England often gets all the attention for its beautiful fall foliage, but some of the best fall scenery is in the Midwest. If you’re chasing that quintessential fall landscape of bursting yellow and orange leaves, you’ll fall in love with Boyne Falls, a tiny town in northern Michigan. The area is home to SkyBridge Michigan , the world’s longest wood frame suspension bridge. Hanging over 100 ft in the air, the bridge offers panoramic views of Boyne Valley and the hills of Northern Michigan. Complete the weekend by checking into the cozy Boyne Mountain Resort , a year-round ski lodge with an indoor water park, golf course, and zipline course.

For Couples – St. Vincent

If your love language is quality time and you’re craving some one-on-one time with your partner, consider booking a visit to St. Vincent. The lush, secluded island is a favorite among honeymooners and couples looking for quiet time together. The island also recently welcomed the new Sandals St. Vincent , and the all-inclusive property has 11 specialty restaurants and four pools, including a stunning 300 ft infinity pool. Spend your time canoodling at the resort, book a day trip to explore Kingstown, the island’s capital, or visit Mustique and Bequia, neighboring Grenadine islands. If it’s a special occasion, consider upgrading to a beachfront pool suite or a luxe overwater villa, both of which come with butler service.

For the Entertainment Enthusiasts – Las Vegas, Nevada

While Las Vegas draws crowds year-round, during the fall months, the heat subsides, and travelers can enjoy cooler temps during the day. Dubbed “The Entertainment Capital of the World,” the desert city is ideal for travelers who want access to dozens of concerts, nightlife, and comedy shows. The food scene in Las Vegas has also transformed in recent years. The city boasts several celebrity chef-backed restaurants like Bazaar Meat by José Andres and Gordon Ramsay Steak , and fantastic hotel restaurants like Michael Mina at the Bellagio and Komodo at the Fountainbleu. Book a room at Resorts World Las Vegas , which hosts three different hotels (Hilton Las Vegas, Conrad Las Vegas, and Crockfords Las Vegas), and enjoy the property’s onsite spa, casino, and boutique shopping.

For Wellness Seekers – Costa Rica

If you need a few days of “me time” in a gorgeous tropical setting, head to Costa Rica, a Central American country known for its laid-back culture and friendly locals. Consider a stay at The Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo , a five-star resort with activities for the whole family. The property offers nature-inspired guest rooms and multi-bedroom villas and residences, which are great for large families or groups. While you could relax at the pool or book a spa massage, the resort makes it easy to explore the surrounding area. The Papagayo Peninsula is the perfect spot for kayaking, fishing, riding horseback, or even taking surfing lessons.

For Fresh Air Fanatics – Greenough, Montana

If you’ve never heard of Greenough, Montana, the tiny town is about 25 miles east of Missoula and packed with lots to do. One of the best places to experience the fresh mountain air is at The Resort at Paws Up , a 37,000 sq ft ranch resort with luxury tents, cabins, and stand-alone residences. The resort also has a SkyLine Aerial Adventure Park , which includes swinging platforms, tight ropes, and spider nets. After a day of activities, book a relaxing spa treatment, enjoy fine dining or outdoor dinner, and end the day by making s’mores over your own private fireplace.

COMPANY INFORMATION Our Company Customer Service Essence Ventures Change Your Address Contact Us Job Opportunities Internships Media Kit SUBSCRIBE Newsletters Give a Gift of ESSENCE Print & Digital App FOLLOW US MORE ON ESSENCE Home Love Celebrity Beauty Hair Fashion ESSENCE festival ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

This Small Town in Tennessee Was Just Named the Best Place to Retire in the U.S. South

According to Southern Living and Investopedia, these are the best places to retire in the U.S. South.

When it comes time to retire, many Americans head south for the warm weather. And if you're reaching retirement age but don't know where to go, Southern Living and Investopedia (both part of Travel + Leisure 's parent company, Dotdash Meredith) have determined the best places to retire in the South.

To come up with this list, the team started with the 41 top-rated destinations from Southern Living’s The South’s Best 2023 series. Then they compared each place's stats for home and rental affordability, average resident age, unemployment, best industries for jobs and wages, and the prevalence of restaurants, hospitals, and colleges.

Find six of the 12 best Southern cities for retirement below, and read the full list at southernliving.com .

Tim Pennington/Getty Images

Best All Around: Chattanooga, Tennessee

With a population of 184,000 people, Chattanooga offers plenty of things to do but still retains something of a small-town vibe. It's a particularly great spot if you have grandkids, who might be interested in visiting attractions like the Tennessee Aquarium , Creative Discovery Museum , and the Incline Railway at Lookout Mountain . Tennessee also has the second fastest-growing economy in the country thanks to its affordable real estate, job market, and recreation scene.

"If you love history, culture, scenic beauty, adventure, and fun — all in a family-friendly environment — Chattanooga is the place to be," Lizzer Graham, a native Chattanoogan and a real estate agent at  Fletcher Bright Realty/Luxury Portfolio International , told T+L. "The neighborhoods here in Chattanooga are as diverse and wonderful as the city itself. "

Best for Food: Greenville, South Carolina

There are more than 110 restaurants in downtown Greenville, making it easy to go out to eat twice every weekend without repeating a restaurant for a full year.

Best Beach Town: St. Augustine, Florida

One of the oldest towns in the United States, St. Augustine is known just as much for its beaches as it is its impressive Spanish-style architecture.

Starcevic/Getty Images

Best for Arts & Culture: Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is home to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), so it's no wonder this town is a hotspot for the arts. It also has 70 parks, so there's always some nature nearby.

Best Access to Nature: Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Eureka Springs is located near the 1,610-square-acre Lake Leatherwood City Park, which has 25 miles of walking trails. The town is built around more than 60 hot springs and their associated parks, too.

Best for City Lovers: Fort Worth, Texas

If small-town retirement life isn't for you, Fort Worth might be your city. It's a cultural hub with museums like the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, not to mention a vibrant downtown food scene.

Related Articles