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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

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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!

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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!

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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/

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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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!

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.

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

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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.

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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 :)

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These Are the Best Food Cities in the World

In these cities, to travel is to eat, and eat well.

This year's World's Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented as a result of COVID-19. The results reflect our readers' experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year's honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be.

Traveling foodies are insatiable — trust us, we know. To us, to travel is to eat, and eat well. If the ideal trip to you involves more eating than sightseeing or if you find yourself booking reservations at restaurants before anything else, then this list of Travel + Leisure reader-voted destinations is for you.

Our readers ranked these 25 locales as the top foodie destinations of the year. From the birthplace of mezcal to the cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants and chefs, these are the best places to visit with an appetite.

Many of the cities on this list are within the same country or region, so allow this list to guide you through your very own foodie tour. From Japan's Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka to Mexico's Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende and, of course, France's Lyon, Paris, and Aix-en-Provence, you can head in any direction and find the start and finish of your dream foodie crawl.

Alternatively, dedicate all your time to unpacking the dishes and culture of some incredible locations like Mendoza in Argentina's wine country or Beirut, Lebanon's capital city, where the produce is as exceptional as the appreciation for the experience of food.

Even the gastronomical capitals of the world, like Paris, have moved down our list to make room for America's very own New Orleans and Charleston.

Let your curiosity rather than your established palate lead you on your next trip. Forget your favorite foods and, instead, travel with an open mind, knowing the myriad of dishes waiting for you to try them.

Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure

The birthplace of mezcal, Oaxaca comes in first place this year. It's known for the way it marries its culinary traditions (think mole , molotes , and fresh, soulful dishes) with the innovative flavors of modern Mexican cooking.

A consistent winner for food tourists, the capital city of Lebanon draws in culinary talent from all over the world, but it's the traditional dishes crafted by Lebanese chefs themselves who continue to impress year after year.

3. New Orleans

Traditional NOLA dishes have always been outstandingly delicious, but this Southern city continues to impress the palettes of people from all walks of life more and more year after year.

4. San Sebastián

Donostia to the Basques, or San Sebastián, is home to some of the best seafood in the world and a staggering number of Michelin stars per square meter. Pintxos are the local style of tapas and, while traditionally delicious, serve as a canvas for some of the city's culinary innovation.

5. Florence

Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

From fettunta , the original garlic bread, to ravioli nudi , or naked ravioli, the food of Florence eventually appears all around the world at some of the most famed restaurants. Why not go to the source?

Gelato, pasta carbonara, and pizza are just the start — the abundance of culinary hotspots and traditional restaurants led by generations of the same family give the city's nickname "Eternal City" a double meaning.

There may be no better place to restaurant hop and make entire days of eating than Gion, Kyoto — a waterfront neighborhood with slender streets full of almost exclusively restaurants, high and low.

8. Charleston

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Charleston's rich food scene stems from its people. Black-owned restaurants paved the way for this Southern city's reputation for amazing American soul food.

You could probably eat at a new restaurant in Tokyo every hour for the rest of your life and not hit every great one. While you may not visit this Japanese city exclusively to eat (there's too much else to see and do), visiting the themed, renowned, and hidden restaurants should definitely be on the agenda.

10. San Miguel de Allende

One of Mexico's more cosmopolitan cities, San Miguel de Allende has become home to some of the country's most talented and innovative chefs. But the local, traditional dishes that have always been there still reign supreme.

11. Singapore

The stalls of the many hawker centers across Singapore make the food culture what it is in this diverse country. Each market stall usually specializes in one dish that's been perfected over generations.

It wouldn't be a list of the best foodie destinations without this legendary locale. From croissants to steak frites, Paris is a culture and fashion-loving foodie's dream.

13. New York City

So many people living in New York City are originally from somewhere else, and they've brought their dishes with them...as well as the creativity and ingenuity that make the NYC food scene so vibrant.

A city you could eat in for the next 100 years without getting tired, Lyon serves French classics and fresh, modern dishes without the waiting list and price tag of Paris.

15. Bologna

Dubbed Italy's culinary city, Bologna has a way of life that almost revolves around its food. And with ingredients as quality as the cars that hail from this region, why wouldn't it?

16. Chiang Mai

This city in Northern Thailand has some of the most renowned street food in the world. Quick and casual, the culture around eating here doesn't accept shortcuts, no matter how fast the food is.

17. Mexico City

As the chefs of Mexico City combine global and national flavors more and more, this Mexican locale has become a major draw for foodies from around the world.

18. Aix-en-Provence

Traditional, "home-cooked" French cuisine is the way of this university city in the Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, so while the glossier spots are deservingly popular, the hidden, side-street establishments are just as deserving of praise.

19. Chicago

When it comes to American staples, Chicagoans know how to do it up right (and greasy). But fine dining has more than settled in this Midwestern city and delivered its own approach to the concept — think warm hospitality meets culinary luxury.

20. Bangkok

Another legendary Thai street food destination, Bangkok's confidence bleeds into its culinary atmosphere. If you're from the West, you're likely to have something you've never tried before — and it's likely to be amazing.

21. Barcelona

Eating and drinking go together all night long in Barcelona. Tapas keep you energized during nights out dancing and drinking, but they are also rooted in tradition and encourage a deeper enjoyment of each and every item you eat.

22. Mendoza

This Argentinian wine country, home to some of the world's best malbecs, has claimed its own corner of the gastronomic and foodie travel scene with its unreal cuts of meat and fresh, unique produce.

The takoyaki , okonomiyaki , and izakayas of Osaka, or the "Nation's Kitchen," are calling. And lucky for us, the latter doesn't close until late.

24. Hong Kong

Another vast city full of more culinary adventures than one could experience in a lifetime, and dim sum is only where the list begins.

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

Wine and tapas are a way of life in this Spanish city. Don't leave without trying paella , but that better not be the only thing you eat ( cocido madrileño, oreja a la plancha , and more await).

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2020 .

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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

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• THE CITIES ISSUE

21 best food cities around the world

Our data-backed index of the globe’s most delicious destinations makes for a moveable feast.

One excellent meal is an example. Two is a coincidence. Thousands of excellent meals is a trend. Here we present a data-driven index of the world’s best cities for food lovers, based on qualitative evaluations by locals and visitors alike.

To create this index, we partnered with Resonance Consultancy , a global advisor on economic and tourism development. They measured the number of high-quality restaurants and culinary experiences from online channels (including Google, Facebook, Instagram, and TripAdvisor) in more than 200 cities to identify the world’s most delicious destinations.

With the menu written, the feast commenced. We interviewed local experts to highlight edible adventures in each city on our list, from street food to haute cuisine, iconic dishes, markets, and restaurants. “People are learning that food is the vehicle to understand a culture,” says Marwa Preston, founder of Wanderbeak , a Barcelona-based company that offers gastronomic experiences. “After just a few meals, suddenly the unknown feels familiar.” Eat the world, one bite at a time!

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The Top 30 Best Foodie Cities to Travel to in 2024

Travel and food go together like baguettes in Paris and bagels in New York, and the best foodie cities know this. When you travel, you’ll relish your trip more when you listen to locals about where to find the best bites in the area.

What do the best food cities have in common? It's simple: A pride in local traditions paired with dishes you’ll only find in these destinations. 

Below, you’ll find Cozymeals’ top 30 best foodie cities to visit — whether you’re in the mood for the best hot chicken in Nashville or a craft beer in San Diego.

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The Best Foodie Cities in the U.S.

The best foodie cities around the world.

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1. Washington, D.C.

There’s more to Washington, D.C. than museums and monuments; it’s also one of the best foodie cities in the country. D.C.’s food scene has seen a farm-to-table renaissance, boasting slow-cured charcuterie, artisanal baked goods and some of the nation’s highest-regarded restaurants. 

Take your taste buds (and your toes) on a memorable stroll along Georgetown’s glittering waterfront, grabbing a bite in the countless chef-inspired eateries found in this historic area. Or, if you’re staying closer to the city’s core, check out the local food vendors at Eastern Market by the Capitol. They're especially perfect for low-key date ideas in D.C .   

2. Portland, ME 

Portland, Maine has emerged in recent years as one of the best foodie cities around, luring a bevy of young and imaginative chefs. This coastal city’s picturesque perch above the Atlantic Ocean affords its restaurants fresher-than-fresh seafood — including salty-yet-supple oysters, Maine lobster and juicy mussels. 

Easily driven to from Boston, Portland merits a weekend (or more) filled with brioche-cradled lobster rolls or cold-water oysters. 

3. Burlington, VT

Framed by rolling green mountains and the glistening waters of Lake Champlain, you’ll find one of the best foodie cities in Burlington, VT, which boasts a coterie of palate-pleasing bistros and crave-worthy cafés. 

Spend the afternoon wandering the boutique shops and farm-to-table eateries that line the pedestrian-friendly Church Street here. Be sure to nibble and nosh on dishes that honor Vermont’s farm flavors — sharp cheddar soup, maple-glazed pancakes or mulled apple cider in the fall months.   

4. Columbus, OH

Most famous for Ohio State University, Columbus has flourished as of late as one of the best foodie cities worthy of anyone’s attention. 

Whether you’re in the mood for hand-cured charcuterie or flaky croissants that Parisians would gladly gobble up, Columbus’ food scene vaunts farm-to-table cafés, local-owned bakeries and restaurants opened by the city’s immigrant communities. 

5. Savannah, GA

Where can you enjoy a Southern biscuit while strolling centuries-old magnolia trees crowned in blossoms? In Georgia’s southern jewel, Savannah, which is one of the best foodie cities in the U.S. 

Home to countless Victorian mansions, Savannah is also a paradise for anyone stirred by historic architecture paired with delectable eats. The nearby ocean makes the entire Savannah region, including the beach-framed Tybee and Jekyll islands, a dream destination for lovers of seafood. Savannah must-eats include she-crab stew, shrimp-and-grits and cornmeal-crusted fried oysters. 

6. Nashville, TN

Considered the Country Music capital of the U.S., Nashville has come into its own as one of the best foodie cities, producing inspired BBQ, its namesake Nashville hot chicken and creative Southern-inspired fare. 

Avoid the bourbon-fueled mayhem downtown and head instead to edgy East Nashville, where local coffee roasters and charming chef-inspired bistros like Butcher & Bee have sprouted up in the last decade, providing no end to delicious things to do in Nashville.

7. Seattle, WA

Framed by snow-capped Mt. Rainier in the distance, Seattle is one of the best foodie cities on the West Coast. Offering hungry travelers wild-caught seafood and the original Starbucks location, Seattle will leave you craving seconds and thirds. 

The Pike Place Market , overlooking the dazzling Elliot Bay, is a delicious place to start your tasting tour of Seattle and also a very scenic spot for a date idea in Seattle . Here, you can watch fishmongers carve up ruby-red wild salmon or head to nearby Top Pot Doughnuts for a yeasty treat. Foodies should also consider a Seattle food tour to explore the best bites in the city.

8. Denver, CO

As Colorado’s mile-high city, Denver foods belong to an ever-evolving culinary scene, featuring classic cocktails served in retro decor, elegant French bites and sizzling Sichuan noodle dishes. 

The city’s main train terminal, Union Station, has been attracting food-loving travelers since its recent renovation. Here, you might shop for a read at Tattered Cover Bookstore and then wolf down bone marrow brûlée at Mercantile Provisions. For a more relaxed way to explore one of the best foodie cities, head to the River North (RINO) district — home to coffee roasters, craft breweries and eye-popping street murals. 

9. Chicago, IL

Chicago is whatever food fantasy you want it to be — from pierogi in a Ukrainian Village deli to a 3 a.m. “Chicago dog” by Wrigley Stadium. Home to deep-rooted immigrant communities, Chicago vaunts no uniform food culture, which makes it one of the best foodie cities to explore.

In South Chicago’s Pilsen district, you can nosh on Mexican street tacos or tender steamed tamales. In Uptown’s Vietnamese enclave, you might slurp pho or bite into a crusty bahn mi. And, if you’re hankering Chicago-style deep dish pizza, indulge your cheesy cravings at Gino’s East. Looking for hip, eclectic fare? Don't miss out on exploring Wicker Park restaurants .

If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can explore the local food scene with help from an expert guide on a food tour in Chicago .

10. Milwaukee, WI

Beer, brats and... brioche? Milwaukee is one of the best foodie cities that mixes the old and the new, evidenced by traditional stick-to-your-bones German brauhaus fare being served on the same street as more of-the-moment farm-to-table eats. 

German and Eastern European immigrants left their imprint on this historic Wisconsin city — gifting beer lovers drafts served out of steins and hand-breaded schnitzel. For one of the best views in town, enjoy a glass of wine at the café housed inside the lakefront Milwaukee Museum of Art. 

11. San Diego, CA

Fish tacos. Nonna’s gnocchi. And beer, beer, beer. Yup, you’re in San Diego — SoCal’s always-sunny and ever-so-scrumptious spot for one of the best foodie cities in the country. 

San Diego foods are influenced by the cultures that put down roots in this beachfront town and the city’s historic fishing industry. For a life-changing fish taco in San Diego, skip the touristy Mexican joints in Old Town and trek instead to Ortiz’s Taco Shop or Taco’s Mimi.

In the bustling Little Italy neighborhood, you can enjoy a craft draft beer at Ballast Point Brewery before digging into a plate of pasta (served straight from a cheese wheel!) at the superb Monello restaurant. 

12. Asheville, NC

If you’re looking for craft brews and comforting bites, search no further than the charming mountain town of Asheville, NC, which holds its own as one of the best foodie cities to visit.

Nestled in the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville tempts travelers with more breweries per capita than any other U.S. city — you can enjoy over 100 local drafts! Frothy favorites of ours include Burial Beer Co. (try the Skillet Donut Stout), Big Mountain Ciderworks and Lookout Brewery (the Dark Town brown = yum). 

For sustenance with your suds, relish rustic fare at Rhubarb, which also vaunts a constantly-changing beer menu and ample list of local North Carolina cheeses.   

13. Los Angeles, CA 

Los Angeles’ city limits span a massive 469 square miles, covering sun-drenched canyons, cliff-framed beaches and innumerable ethnic enclaves. Whether you’re in the mood for the best brunch in Los Angeles or Koreatown restaurants that will delight your palate, LA is one of the best foodie cities that will leave you drooling for more. 

A must-stop in LA is the vast Los Angeles Farmers Market — founded in 1934 and hosting over 100 gourmet grocers and fresh food vendors. 

14. Berkeley, CA

While many travelers to the Bay Area stick to San Francisco, those in-the-know head to Berkeley, the birthplace of the now-ubiquitous California cuisine, for a taste of one of the best foodie cities.

Located in the sunnier East Bay, Berkeley hosts a “Gourmet Ghetto” that will charm the most demanding of foodies. This North Berkeley neighborhood houses Alice Water’s incomparable Chez Panisse — the original farm-to-table restaurant. For a less formal lunch, nosh alongside the Berkeleyites at Cheeseboard Pizza; the pie selection changes daily and spotlights locally-grown vegetables and quality cheeses, both Californian and imported. 

Another great way to savor the best neighborhood eateries, hot spots and hidden gems is on a food tour in the Bay Area . Food tours are a unique deep-dive into the best foodie cities, with expert insight from a local guide. 

15. Miami, FL

Rum. Empanadas. Ceviche. It’s not just sun-soaked beaches and jet-set elegance that define Miami, it’s also the culinary history here that make it one of the best foodie cities.

Whether you’re trying tostones in Little Havana or sipping cocktails at South Beach’s swank Sweet Liberty Drinks, Miami will make your mouth water. For a romantic date idea in Miami , La Mar (inside the waterfront Mandarin Oriental) has perfected Peruvian-Japanese cuisine — including succulent ceviches, astounding anticuchos and the charred-to-perfection catch of the day. 

16. Philadelphia, PA

Needlessly overshadowed by its bigger neighbors (NYC and DC), Philadelphia possesses a thriving restaurant scene all its own and definitely earns a spot on the list of best foodie cities. So, when you travel to Philadelphia, chow down on more than a touristy Philly cheesesteak. 

Food-inspired adventurers — especially those looking for a unique date idea in Philadelphia —  might peruse the vendors and restaurants at the historic Italian Market (open since the 1880s) or pomegranate-glazed lamb shank at Zahav. For a refreshing local try, dig your spoon in a “water ice” — a dessert you’ll only find in Philly that blends water, sugar and fruit juice into the granddaddy of Italian ice.

17. San Francisco, CA

With wine country to the north, ocean to the west and farm country down below, San Francisco is hands-down one of America’s best foodie cities. Whether you’re craving an artisanal sourdough loaf from Tartine Bakery or a Mission-style burrito from El Farolito, San Francisco has something for every palate — from street eats to Michelin-awarded elegance. 

For the best dim sum in San Francisco, skip the touristy Chinatown and head instead to Clement Street in the Richmond district. If you visit San Francisco on the weekend, you’d be remiss to miss the Ferry Building Farmers Market held each Saturday overlooking the Bay Bridge. 

And for a true gourmet taste of one of the best foodie cities in the country, you can’t go wrong with a food tour in San Francisco . It also makes a great date idea in San Francisco . Nothing beats bonding over good eats!

18. Austin, TX

When it comes to things to do in Austin , eating is always high on the list. In Texas’ capital, you can enjoy slow-smoked BBQ, $2 breakfast tacos and Japanese-style ramen. In the last decade, Austin has positioned itself as one of America’s best foodie cities, luring talented chefs from the East and West Coasts. 

For a farm-to-table meal, Dai Due is a meaty must — be sure to order the wild boar roast. For Texas-style BBQ (aka smoked brisket), check out Lambert’s Downtown. After a night partying in Austin’s dive bars, chow down at Joe’s Bakery (open since 1962) in East Austin; here you can nosh on a Tex-Mex breakfast taco with eggs, cheese and chorizo wrapped in warm flour tortillas.

19. Atlanta, GA

There’s more to appreciate in Atlanta than peach trees and Olympic torches — especially if you’re hungry. As one of the South’s biggest and best foodie cities, Atlanta boasts enviable eateries that run the gamut from hole-in-the-wall barbecue joints to sprawling modern food halls, making Atlanta foods some of the most diverse in the South, much less the U.S.

For Southern cooking your mee-maw would appreciate, check out the historic Mary Mac’s Tea Room. Lovers of Asian cuisine won’t be disappointed by the Buford Highway, a stretch just north of the city that abounds with authentic Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Indian restaurants and supermarkets.

20. New York City, NY 

There’s more than one manner of biting into the Big Apple, from twirling up tagliatelle on Staten Island to digging in to cheesecake in Brooklyn. One thing is for certain, and that’s that NYC is undoubtedly one of the best foodie cities in the world.

Feeding Manhattanites since 1997, Chelsea Market boasts a European-style promenade brimming with vital-making vendors like Buddakan (Asian fusion) and Tings (jerk chicken). In downtown Brooklyn, you can go back in time at Junior’s, creating classic cheesecakes since 1950. 

Up north in the Bronx, you’ll find old-school Italian eats along Arthur Avenue. Our chefs’ favorites here include family-run gems like Casa Della Mozzarella (fresh cheese made daily) and Calabria Pork Store (specializing in handmade salami). 

A great way to try the Big Apples’ feast of flavors is with a food tour in NYC that explores the city’s nom-worthy neighborhoods. Why settle for just one eatery when you’re visiting the best foodie cities? Whether you're looking for a culinary adventure in the incredible food halls in NYC or you're on a specific mission for the best dim sum in Chinatown, NYC , you will find what you seek and more. 

21. Boston, MA

Chowder. Pizza. Pubs. Boston foods pack a flavorful wallop worthy of a trip or three on your journey to visit the best foodie cities around.

For a bit of time travel, head to the Warren Tavern in Charlestown, a pub that opened in 1780. They serve up crave-able clam chowder and fresh-shucked oysters. To sample some of the  best pizza in Boston,  head to Boston’s North End — the city’s Little Italy —  for a pizza fired in an 80-year-old oven at Regina’s. (You can also try different North End pizza on one of several food tours in Boston .) 

Any trip to Boston would be incomplete without satisfying your sweet tooth at Flour Bakery. The sticky buns will have you crying sugary tears.

22. Portland, OR 

Picking out the best foodie cities is about as easy as finding just one food to eat for the rest of your life. But, if you had to pick just one, Portland is a pretty good choice. 

Brimming with artisanal food makers and chefs devoted to sustainably-sourced dining, Portland offers food lovers too much tastiness for just one trip. Here, you might nosh on buttery-crumbly goodness at Pine State Biscuits. Or, you could chomp on ribs and cornbread at Podnah’s Pit BBQ.  

On the weekends, indulge in French-inspired brunch at Canard — try not to weep when you bite into the “duck stack,” meaning pancakes capped in a duck egg. For a wow-worthy sip, stop in at Teardrop Lounge, the bar that single-handedly launched the craft cocktail craze Portland is now famed for. You get to choose from classics, house originals and “friends” (concocted by guests or outside bartenders). It's a top-notch spot for a memorable date idea in Portland .

Portland, we promise, is one of the best foodie cities that will pamper your palate.

23. Montreal, Canada 

Poutine, maple syrup and bagels. There’s only one town where these three eats exist in scrumptious harmony: Montreal. And they’re waiting for you here in one of the best foodie cities in Canada.

As Quebec’s largest city, Montreal tickles your taste buds with an abundance of dishes locals love. Prime among these is poutine — French fries embellished with cheese curds and gravy (they’re addictive, trust us). 

In addition to French-Canadian classics like maple cream pie and tourtière (meat tart) making this one of the best foodie cities, visitors to Montreal should try the city’s pride and joy: Bagels. Unlike its New York cousin, Montreal-style bagels are smaller, sweeter and wood-fired. You’ll find these at Brossard Bagel. Another must-nosh dish here is a smoked-meat sandwich from Schwartz’s Deli.      

24. Toronto, Canada 

Canada’s biggest city, Toronto, sits scenically on Lake Ontario. There's never a shortage of things to do in Toronto , but — being home to a diverse array of ethnic enclaves and high-end restaurants  — the city will especially tempt taste-driven travelers with its status as one of the best foodie cities. 

Must-try dishes here include dumplings in Chinatown, gyros in Greek Town and pastizzi pastry in Little Malta. Toronto houses a huge Italian-Canadian community, so if you’re hungry for the perfect pizza or plate of pasta, head straight to Trattoria Taverniti or Marinella. The local chefs are also eager to teach, and cooking classes in Toronto are a fun way to learn how to make all of these specialties and more.

25. Paris, France

Baguettes. Escargot. Croissants. The mere mention of gay Paris evokes a tableau of délicieux dishes, which is why Paris may be the most beloved of all best foodie cities on this list. 

Along Paris’ elegant boulevards, you might nibble on chewy macarons at Pierre Hermé or sip a café au lait at the glass-roofed Closerie des Lilas. For a bite of Parisian pain (bread), stop by the family-owned Mahmoud M’Seddi’s Boulangerie (voted the best baguette in Paris in 2018) and much-praised Maison Pichard (in business for 20 years now). 

26. Quebec, Canada

Quebec’s capital will transplant you back in time, whether you’re there to explore the history, architecture or one of the best foodie cities. Built in1608, Quebec brims with meandering alleyways and castle-like stone walls. You’re not in France — you’re in Canada’s historic heart. 

So, when you travel to Quebec, do as the Quebecois cooks do and feast on farm-fresh fare. You might enjoy an epic brunch at the palatial Chateau Frontenac (the beef wellington here is swoonsville) or an ooh-la-la omelet at Le Continental. For rustic Quebecoise cuisine, lick your lips at Lapin Sauté — try the braised rabbit legs or smoked duck breast.

27. Barcelona, Spain

For one of the best foodie cities on this list, head to Barcelona. Both modern and medieval, Barcelona beckons food-loving tourists with tempting tapas, ocean-fresh seafood and chefs’ eclectic creations. 

Amble down the Ramblas, a pedestrian corridor facing the seaport. Along the way, stray over to Plaça San Jaume for tapas and on-tap cervezas at Craft Barcelona. No foodie can deny themselves lunch at La Boqueria — a covered open-air food market, brimming with tiny eateries and fresh food vendors. 

Craving seafood served with a Catalan accent? Choose from the countless straight-from-the-sea spots in the beachfront Barceloneta district. Your options are endless in one of the best foodie cities in Spain.

28. Rome, Italy

Italy’s capital city is one of the country’s best foodie cities, which is no small feat for a place as steeped in tasty traditions as Italy. 

When in Rome, it’s best to skip the tourist traps and nosh where the Romans do — grabbing a square slice at Pizzarium or twirling your fork around yolk-yellow carbonara at Felice a Testaccio. For the best tiramisu in Rome, head to Pompi — you can pick from the classic, banana and chocolate, pistachio or strawberry versions! If you'd rather have an experienced local guide to show you the ropes, opt for a food tour in Rome so you can all of the deliciousness with none of the hassle of navigating by yourself. 

29. Vancouver, Canada

Oysters, dumplings and blueberries — oh my! Welcome to British Columbia’s culinary crown jewel, where you’ll find one of the best foodie cities on this list.

With a mild climate and fertile coastal waters, Vancouver vies with other West Coast towns to be considered the best foodie cities in the Pacific, with an incredible array of eateries and cooking classes in Vancouver to choose from. When in town, there are two things you simply have to eat: Authentic Chinese cuisine and juicy oysters. 

In the city’s vibrant center, you can nosh on spicy lamb noodles at Xi’an Cuisine or enjoy Cantonese dim sum at Yue Restaurant. For a date idea in Vancouver , slurp down oysters and a bottle of wine at Blue Water Café. You could also book a food tour in Vancouver and have an experienced local guide introduce you to the best spots in town for for some very Vancouver victuals. 

30. Bologna, Italy 

One of the best foodie cities in Italy (Italians agree) is Bologna, tucked between Florence and Venice. Bologna’s maze of medieval stone streets house boutique food shops, homey trattorias and historic cafés. It also invented such drool-worthy Italian classics as tortellini, mortadella, fresh lasagna and, of course, Bolognese ragù. 

Spend an afternoon ducking into the delis and food stalls along Via delle Pescherie Vecchie. A great spot here for a plate of prosciutto and Parmigiano (served with a glass of Lambrusco wine) is the historic Salumeria Simoni. You can order straight from the deli or sit for a food-filled aperitivo drink. 

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With our 30 best foodie cities to travel to in 2022, the hardest decision is choosing which one to visit first. Which one are you most excited to explore this year?

Hungry for more ways to indulge in great eats? Whether you’re looking to hit the town visiting the best foodie cities or kick back at home with some of the best food movies , you’ll find plenty to explore with experience on Cozymeal. https://www.cozymeal.com/canada/toronto/cooking-classes

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

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22 Apr 2024

DC is not larger than Philly, by land or by population. Philly's population is more than double that of DC. 712k in DC and 1.6 million in Philly.

29 Jun 2022

No New Orleans?? Lmao! This list seems a bit out of touch

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Best of the Best Destinations

If your itinerary is centered around breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with plenty of stops for snacks in between, these destinations will keep you busy (and full). 

The Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel. It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of our 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this milestone.

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The 15 Best Cities In The World For Food

Where is the best food in the world? Here we’ve done our best to narrow the search and find the world’s favorite cities for food. Whether they specialize in traditional recipes or experimental methods of cooking, these 15 cities stand out above the rest for their unique creations and beloved contributions to the culinary world.

New orleans, louisiana, usa.

New Orleans’ distinct cuisine is inspired by the city’s multifaceted heritage. The melting pot of flavors unique to the city takes notes from Native Americans, French settlers, Africans, Southern American culture, and Caribbean, Creole, and Cajun spices. Four distinct dishes are the Po-Boy, an overstuffed sandwich of fried shrimp, oysters, catfish, soft-shell crab, or roast beef smothered in gravy and served on French bread; gumbo, a stew of West African vegetables like okra all served over rice; jambalaya, a spicy Cajun or Creole mix of seafoods, meats, vegetables, and rice; and beignets, donut-like squares of deep-fried dough dusted with powdered sugar.

Tokyo, Japan

Lyon, France

Paris stands out for drawing in tourists to sample fine French cuisine, but it is Lyon that has been internationally recognized as one of the best food cities. Fine regional cuisine and produce surround the city from nearby Charolais, Savoy, Dombes, and other locations, and high-quality wines come from neighboring Beaujolais and the Rhone Valley. The cuisine is defined by its simplicity and rich, heavy qualities. Bouchons , family-run bistros that have become integral to the Lyon food scene, are known for their distinctive homemade cuisine, atmosphere, and décor.

San Sebastián, Spain

Pintxos , a style of eating similar to tapas , rules Northern Spain. Traditionally, pintxos are small snacks served on skewers that are eaten with drinks in a social atmosphere, but they are not shared like tapas. In San Sebastián chefs have started experimenting with pintxos, and instead of customers choosing from readily provided options at the bar, chefs are preparing the dishes to-order. This new way of eating pintxos means each dish is freshly and extravagantly made, like a small gourmet meal. The city is generally known for its high-quality everyday food and is one of the best spots to order fresh seafood.

Marrakesh, Morocco

The Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakesh is a typical city square by day, but in the evening the space transforms into a festival-like atmosphere. Storytellers, snake charmers, and tarot card readers flock to the square to perform, and a few hours later food stalls take their places, and the smell of fresh street-food fills the moonlit air. Dishes like shish kebabs, mechoui (slow-roasted lamb), fried eggplant, and couscous are popular and cheap from the food stalls. Large barrels filled with spices like saffron and turmeric and huge bowls of piled-up olives are colorful giants that are standard sights in Marrakesh’s markets. Outside the city walls, away from the rush of the markets, fine dining in extravagant restaurants can be found where visitors can try a traditional Moroccan tagine.

Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Louisville is becoming a new epicenter for food lovers in the United States. The city is on the rise, and its culinary scene has rapidly evolved to include fine dining at casual and classy establishments alike. Going out for a burger has transformed into a gourmet experience, and Southern cooking has been molded into a culinary affair by blending traditional recipes with unique ingredients that emphasize fresh, seasonal, and local produce. These high-quality eateries are quirky and affordable, and they signal the start of a budding culinary capital that fully departs from Kentucky’s well-known fast food chain.

Georgetown, Malaysia

As the capital of the state of Penang in Malaysia, Georgetown is home to some of the finest street food in the world, or hawker food as the locals call it. Many vendors use the same recipes that have been used for generations with hints of Chinese and Indian fusion. The most famous dish is called car koay teow , and it is made of flat rice noodles stir fried with prawns, cockles, scrambled egg, bean sprouts, strips of fish cake, and chili paste.

Florence, Italy

Florence is known worldwide for its art, history, architecture, fashion, and also its distinctive cuisine. The rustic food has been largely unchanged over the years, and it dates back to ancient civilizations. Specialties of thick-crusted, salt-less bread and saucy pastas grew out of the traditions of simple peasant eating. Today, the same dishes are made into fine-dining meals. Florence is rich with fantastic local produce like world-class olive oil, mellow cheeses, and grilled meats. Popular dishes are thick, hearty soups, Chianti wine, and roasted or wine-braised game like boar, deer, and rabbit.

The capital city is exploding with new restaurants with each seeming to be more chic and nuanced than the last. No set style of cuisine has claimed the limelight, but rather a changing mentality has Londoners looking for the most unique experience and high-quality, unusual ingredients. The newest hotspot is constantly changing, and pop-up restaurants make it even more difficult to track down the best dining. From molecular gastronomy to posh fast food and rooftop bars to labyrinthine speakeasies, London’s cuisine culture is keeping foodies on their toes.

Santiago, Chile

Santiago chefs have gained worldwide attention for their purely Chilean cuisine. Menus feature hyper-seasonal and rare, local ingredients that take advantage of all Chile has to offer. Some fine examples of Chilean dishes are scallops stewed in a traditional sauce of chickpeas and tomatoes, tomato and pepper pebre (Chilean salsa), and a braised beef stew. Leche asada , a dessert of baked custard with caramel sauce is a tasty end to any meal.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Food is a serious venture in the Scandinavian culinary capital, a city with one of the best-ranked restaurants in the world, Noma . Many of the city’s restaurants fill their reservations months in advance, but eating well doesn’t have to take weeks of planning. Budget eaters can take advantage of great food like Copenhagen’s smørrebrød , an open-faced sandwich piled with fish, meat, or vegetables or Danish-style hot dogs from Harry’s Place, a humble hot dog shop that has been voted the best eatery in the city by locals. Copenhagen is known for fearless experimentation with food, unconventional ingredients, and artful displays.

San Diego, California, USA

In the typical Southern Californian style, San Diego has an exciting but relaxed vibe that runs through to its cuisine. Although L.A. and San Francisco are the better-known food destinations in California, San Diego is gaining traction as one of the best in the nation with more and more local restaurants serving fine Mexican and seafood dishes. The city has large numbers of farms that make farm-to-table an obvious choice. Baja cuisine—vibrant and flavorful dishes featuring fresh seafood, chiles, tomatoes, and citrus from the region of Mexico just south of California—is particularly popular.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This lively city is known for excellent street food, atmospheric fine dining establishments, and everything in between. When France colonized Ho Chi Minh City, a combination of French styles and Vietnamese flavor led to a delicious creation—the bánh mì . The word only means ‘bread’ in Vietnamese, but foreigners know it as the sandwich served on French bread and made with meat—steamed or roasted pork belly, grilled chicken, or Vietnamese sausage—pate, sliced cucumber, coriander, pickled carrots, and other vegetables. Other traditional dishes include pho , a noodle soup with meat and vegetables; op la , eggs prepared with slices of meat and onion; and bún riêu, a tomato and crab-based broth with noodles and meat or tofu.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires used to be known for serving only cheap steaks, pizza, and pasta, but recently it has grown into a top eating and drinking destination. You’ll still find the quintessential grass-fed beef and wines from Salta and Patagonia, but a new food-loving generation has taken over to reinvent those traditional dishes. Porteños , people who live in Buenos Aires, know their street food. A dish commonly found from street food vendors is choripan: a split chorizo sausage on a sandwich topped with chimichurri sauce. Empanadas stuffed with meat or vegetables are another beloved food-stall find.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver is located on Canada’s west coast and the region has some of the best agricultural land with the longest growing climate. Farm-to-table dining was perfected in Vancouver before taking over the food industry. The city has become a huge force in the food truck business with popular trucks selling tacos, Indian cuisine, and even egg-centric dishes. Vancouver is also a huge destination for authentic Asian dining and sustainably-caught seafood. With such a large focus on sustainability and local eating, Vancouver has effortlessly attracted great chefs to its shores.

Bologna, Italy

Spaghetti with meat sauce may not seem like a radical dish these days, but Bologna is where the traditional Bolognese got its start. The authentic dish is actually served with the flat tagliatelle pasta, not spaghetti. The city is also famous for its tortellini served in warm, rich broth, and mortadella , the city’s well-known wide sausage.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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15 Best Food Cities in the US in 2024

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

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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!

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The 38 Essential Honolulu Restaurants

Fried chicken and Champagne with stunning sunset views, rainbow-colored mochi at a decades-old shop, veal schnitzel with liliko‘i at a James Beard winner, and more of Honolulu’s best meals

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Outside interests have made money in Hawai‘i for centuries, including in food. Waves of restaurateurs from the continental U.S. and abroad have opened restaurants in Honolulu, with everyone from Japanese conglomerates to Michael Mina setting up shop. But simultaneously, Honolulu’s homegrown businesses have been able to ride the most recent wave of excitement to expand themselves. In the last decade, tiny mom-and-pop restaurants opened second locations, while established local chains expanded their reach. More and more chefs have worked to learn about Hawai‘i’s history and culture to respectfully incorporate aspects into their restaurants. That is to say, diners in Honolulu are a bit spoiled for choice.

Updated, February 2024:

Like elsewhere in the world, hotels in Honolulu have stepped up their food and beverage programs, especially in Waikīkī, where upscale properties are offering ever more enticing options. Take the new Arden Waikiki in the Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head hotel, where chefs Amanda Cheng and Makoto Ono apply their international experience to Hawai‘i’s local ingredients. At the other end of Waikīkī, La Vie in the Ritz-Carlton serves a five-course modern French menu in a stunning, open-air dining room. Still, Waikīkī remains one of the best dining neighborhoods for a range of budgets (scaled for inflation), including affordable icons like Maguro Brothers; now in an expanded storefront, the business continues to offer some of the freshest poke and sashimi for about the average price of a cocktail at a Waikīkī hotel.

Eater updates this list quarterly to make sure it reflects the ever-changing Honolulu dining scene.

Martha Cheng is a Honolulu-based writer for a number of local and national publications, and is the author of The Poke Cookbook.

Wicked Hi Cafe

Ashley Moran and Brandon Slowey started making honey slushies with local fruit, like liliko‘i and pineapple, as a complement to Slowey’s beekeeping. Along the way, they also picked up a passion for sourdough, and now their cheerful North Shore cafe, tucked away in Waialua, also serves sourdough pita sandwiches, pizza, and fantastic liege waffles that often sell out by noon.

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Waiahole Poi Factory

This is one of the few Hawaiian restaurants (see here for a definition of what Hawaiian food actually is) owned by native Hawaiians. Charlene and Calvin Hoe bought an actual poi factory in 1971, using it primarily as an art gallery, then began serving food in 2009. Today, it’s also one of the few places that serves fresh pa‘i‘ai , cooked taro pounded with a lava rock pestle on a long wooden board to a mochi-like consistency. You’ll have to call in advance to reserve some, and if you’re lucky, you might catch the Hoes’ son, Liko, pounding it near the outdoor tables. Try the kanaka nui plate, a combination of pretty much everything on the menu, add a side of ho‘io (fiddlehead fern) salad, and finish with the Sweet Lady of Waiahole, warm kulolo (a taro and coconut dessert) topped with a scoop of haupia (coconut) ice cream.

Honolulu loves breakfast, and few places do it better than Over Easy, a warm, happy family operation anyone would be proud to support. Delicate, golden, crispy-edged pancakes are the highlight of sweet dishes, but don’t leave without trying the pig hash with lomi tomatoes and Okinawan sweet potatoes, or the bacon-cabbage broth poured over a bowl of rice and Portuguese sausage. Outside seating and takeout are available.

Helena’s Hawaiian Food

If you’re only going to one spot for traditional Hawaiian food, make it Helena’s. Locals have been lining up since the day Helena’s opened in 1946, though a James Beard America’s Classics award in 2000 has brought in even more diners. First-timers should order set menu D, which comes with kalua pig, lomi salmon, pipikaula (air-dried, juicy short ribs, quick-fried for crunch), and squid lū’au (a savory dish of octopus and taro leaves in coconut milk), along with poi or rice.

Palace Saimin

Saimin, an only-in-Hawai‘i mashup of Chinese-style noodles in a Japanese-style dashi broth, is at its best at Palace Saimin. Here, the menu consists only of saimin, wonton min, udon, and teri beef sticks. The interior, as simple and satisfying as the menu, has hardly changed since the place opened in 1946. If you’re taking out, make sure to get the soup packaged separately from the noodles so they don’t get soggy.

Liliha Bakery

Liliha Bakery’s beloved cases are stocked with mochi donuts, rainbow layer cakes, and (the local favorite) Coco Puffs, a chocolate-pudding filled cream puff topped with butter frosting. But the original Liliha Bakery also happens to double as a legendary diner , serving excellent crisp waffles, butter rolls with nuclear red jelly, and oxtail soup. Though the business now includes five locations, a seat at the counter of the original Liliha on Kuakini Street is still the best move.

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Ethel’s Grill

Ethel’s Grill has been serving truck drivers, politicians, chefs, and tourists near the docks for decades. Ryoko Ishii bought the restaurant in 1978 and never bothered to change the name. Today, her daughter and son-in-law serve comfort food that reflects their mixed heritage of Japanese, Okinawan, Mexican, and local culture. The seared ahi sashimi topped with soy-marinated garlic chips is a longtime classic, while the Okinawa-inspired taco rice — composed of layers of rice, ground beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese topped with a fried taco shell — is a more recent addition to the menu. Given its tiny dining room, Ethel’s continues to only offer takeout, which you can take to picnic at the nearby Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park.

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The 38 Essential Hawai‘i Restaurants

Nami Kaze Hawaii

One of Honolulu’s most exciting new restaurants, Nami Kaze serves freewheeling brunch during the day and izakaya-style small plates at night. Daytime dishes include teishoku (Japanese set breakfast), honey walnut shrimp waffles, and omelets that are really silky chawanmushi with toppings like mentaiko cream or maitake mushrooms in mornay sauce. After a decade helping other chefs open restaurants, chef/owner Jason Peel is really letting loose. At dinner that means Kona baby abalone done oysters Rockefeller style and ulu (breadfruit) tots with barbecue sauce. Mix and match; it’s all good fun.

The Pig and The Lady

The Pig and the Lady is a must-visit spot for its modern Vietnamese flavors. Its famous pho French dip is offered at lunch, while even more playful dishes are on the frequently updated dinner menu, which recently included escargot baked in green curry sauce and scallops over seaweed porridge with dollops of dried aku XO sauce. You can also find the Pig and the Lady’s more traditional noodle soups, rice bowls, and sandwiches at its farmers market stalls.

Fête Hawaii

Chef Robynne Maii was recently awarded a James Beard award — Hawai‘i’s first in almost 20 years — for her restaurant that features great cocktails and a menu that combines French, Italian, Korean, and Hawai‘i influences. Open from lunch through dinner, Fête turns out hits like carbonara with Portuguese sausage and rose veal schnitzel sauced with liliko‘i. Definitely order off the specials menu, which usually showcases Hawai‘i’s seafood and the best produce in season, and don’t miss the house-made rocky road ice cream for dessert. There are a few outdoor tables, and takeout is also available.

On a hip corner of Chinatown, restaurateurs Danny Kaaialii and Jonny Vasquez set up the Daley, Encore Saloon, and Pizza Mamo, serving hyper-focused, platonic ideals of smash burgers, tacos, and pizza, respectively. Pizza Mamo is the newest of the trifecta, where Kaaialii and Vasquez teamed up with pizzaiolo Matthew Resich to create thin-crust Brooklyn-style pies and thick, crispy cheese-crowned Detroit pizzas that are some of the best you’ll find on or off the island.

Morning Glass Coffee

Since Morning Glass opened in 2011, plenty of other cafes have sprung up with interiors and menus seemingly designed for the ’gram. Morning Glass has retained its rustic, no-frills look, focusing instead on its coffee and solid baked goods, including a liliko‘i honey biscuit and savory breakfast sandwiches.

A Highly Opinionated Guide to Drinking Coffee in Honolulu

8 Fat Fat 8 Bar & Grille

Hawaiian-Chinese food is almost a regional cuisine of its own. At this divey karaoke and sports bar (also a genre of its own in Honolulu), you’ll find fine examples like crunchy gau gee (fried dumplings) and cake noodles (noodles pressed together and pan-fried). The menu also includes 8 Fat Fat 8’s own specialties, including salt-and-pepper fried pork chops and the crisp-skinned Fat Fat Chicken.

Bar Māze is the second venture of Justin Park and Tom Park (no relation). Their first, Bar Leather Apron, is still a must-visit for some of the best cocktails in Honolulu, but the food there can be an afterthought. Not so at Bar Māze, where the Parks partnered with chef Ki Chung to create a stunning cocktail-paired tasting menu (you can also request a nonalcoholic pairing, but even the booze version is surprisingly light). On the tasting menu (the only option), Chung brings Korean and Japanese influences to dishes like donabe with wagyu, served ssam-style. The restaurant doesn’t offer substitutions and reservations are required.

Kyung’s Seafood

Kyung’s central location and casual digs make it a favorite of chefs and in-the-know locals. It’s best in the evenings, for a night of good company coupled with seafood and spicy Korean fare that demands booze. Order the large sashimi platter to share, add on a few hot dishes and a pitcher of strawberry soju slush, and call it a night. Kyung’s also makes great poke (especially the salmon-‘ahi mix).

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Hana koa brewing co..

One of Honolulu’s most popular breweries, in Kaka‘ako’s brewery corridor, Hana Koa offers an ever-changing tap list, from the staple Rooftop pale ale to the recent Snoop POGG, an imperial kettle sour ale riffing on Hawai‘i’s beloved drink of passionfruit, orange, and guava juices. The ground floor has a lively and open atmosphere, while the second floor hides a more intimate cocktail bar.

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Inaba Restaurant

Homemade soba is the draw at this Japanese gem. Come for the lunch specials, which include soba topped with Hokkaido uni and ikura, and the battera set: pressed mackerel sushi with soba on the side. Then return for a dinner of hot soba with seared duck and mushrooms.

Chengdu Taste

California import Chengdu Taste helped bring Sichuan cuisine to Honolulu. Between the boiled fish with green peppers and the toothpick cumin lamb, it’s all about Sichuan classics executed with finesse. It’s best to bring a group; the menu is long and portions are heaping. Meanwhile, its sister restaurant downstairs, Mian, specializes in noodles and meaty wontons in pork bone broth or hot chile oil. Both restaurants offer takeout.

Izakaya Torae Torae

Torae Torae applies playful creativity to staple izakaya dishes. Take the donburi menu, which offers a standard chirashi as well as a kaisen don, upgraded with amaebi (including their fried heads) and buttery coins of ankimo, monkfish liver known as the foie of the sea. The Gluttony Bowl includes otoro and uni, topped with yamaimo (yam) and a slow-cooked egg. Natto lovers will revel in the stamina don, which combines the gooey fermented beans with equally slippery yamaimo, as well as okra and a raw quail egg.

Wallflour Bake Shop

Ellen Stavro and Javier Flores fold their experience working in pastry and fine dining restaurants in New York, Las Vegas, and San Francisco into exquisite viennoiseries like cream cheese guava danishes and twice-baked black sesame and chocolate croissants. The duo produces an impressive variety, from the constantly changing pastries (the must-try tarts have featured flavors like liliko‘i and mango sticky rice Parisian flan) to naturally leavened breads, such as purple rice sesame sourdough and Japanese milk bread. Find them at the Kaka‘ako farmers market every Saturday and every other Monday at ‘ili‘ili Cash & Carry (skip the line and preorder online from Tuesday to Friday).

Fujiya Hawaii

This mochi shop has been around since 1953, but recently changed ownership, resulting in new flavors like a purple sweet potato daifuku and yuzu marmalade manju. The classics, such as red bean daifuku and milk-flavored chi chi dango, are still available too. Few other mochi shops anywhere are able to meld the old and new as beautifully and deliciously as Fujiya.

MW Restaurant

MW Restaurant represents Hawai‘i regional cuisine at its best. Wife-and-husband team Michelle Karr-Ueoka and Wade Ueoka (both formerly of Alan Wong’s) convey warmth and attention to detail in their intimate dining room. Favorites include the mochi-crusted kampachi, miso honey glazed butterfish, and all of Karr-Ueoka’s desserts, especially her ethereal, seasonal fruit shave ice. Downstairs, in the more casual cafe Artizen, find oxtail soup and strawberry matcha cake, along with weekly specials.

Waiola Shave Ice

There are newer and brighter shave ice spots offering fresh-made syrups or organic options. Waiola doesn’t have any of that, but everyone still lines up at the original location on Waiola Street for the no-frills nostalgia. The shop offers the best bang for your buck when it comes to shave ice: $3 scores you a large cone or cup with up to three flavors. Plus, Waiola has an enormous selection of flavors. Don’t leave town without trying the li hing mui (salty dried plum), liliko‘i cream, and pickled mango.

The 9 Most Refreshing Shave Ice Spots in Hawai‘i

The Lanai at Ala Moana Center

This new food court at Honolulu’s open-air mall houses outposts of some of the city’s favorite small eateries, including Musubi Cafe Iyasume , which offers 20-some varieties of freshly made Spam musubi — with ume, avocado, or even unagi. There’s also Ahi & Vegetable , known for its spicy ahi and poke bowls, as well as inexpensive nigiri. The Hokkaido-based chain Brug Bakery offers pillowy soft breads and sweet and savory treats, from curry pan (a doughnut filled with Japanese beef curry) to an pan (a baked bun filled with sweetened azuki paste). You’ll find tables outside, and if you need extra dessert, head around the corner to Palme D’Or Patisserie for exquisite Japanese cakes by the slice.

Bozu Japanese Restaurant

Honolulu has plenty of excellent izakayas, but Bozu stands apart for its creativity within the izakaya framework of grilled, fried, and raw small plates. You’ll find classic and new preparations side by side on the menu: impeccable sashimi and a raw surf and turf roll of uni, beef, shiso, and yam; a braised pork belly kakuni alongside an American-style beef stew made with tongue and topped with melted cheese. Always order off the specials menu, which might include firefly squid, barely bigger than a thumb, with mustardy miso, or fish and chips Japanese-style: fried flounder and its crispy bones.

The Curb Kaimuki

What started out as a coffee truck parked at the University of Hawaiʻi is now (after a change in owners) one of Honolulu’s most beloved cafes. You’ll find a noteworthy coffee program, as well as specials like a pandan matcha latte. Pair your drink with bites like kinako sugar toast, made with brioche from Breadshop next door, or miso buckwheat cookies. The Curb also doubles as a natural wine bar on weekend evenings and carries an eclectic selection of international and local chocolate bars, including Singapore’s Fossa Chocolate and homegrown bean-to-bar Mānoa Chocolate.

Mud Hen Water

Mud Hen Water offers Hawaiʻi-born chef Ed Kenney’s modern interpretation of Hawai‘i food. Known for his work at Town Restaurant and Mahina & Sun’s, Kenney manages to appeal to dining trends while fully respecting Hawaiian ingredients. Standouts include the porchetta rolled with lūʻau and loaded baked bananas with curry butter. Brunch includes a biscuit with mapo gravy and pork sisig, the sizzling Filipino dish, but made with pig’s head. Find cheerful outdoor seating beneath string lights in the courtyard.

Yakitori Ando

One of the hardest reservations to get in town is at this omakase yakitori restaurant, hidden in the corner of a parking lot behind a bank and jiu-jitsu school in the Kaimukī neighborhood. Takashi Ando helmed the grill at Honolulu’s yakitori restaurants for more than two decades before he opened his own place and did away with menus. Here, he presides over a charcoal grill, attending to skewers of chicken cartilage and hearts, bacon-wrapped mochi, and Kaua‘i shrimp. Dinner ends with motsunabe, beef intestines simmered in a clear dashi broth. It’s omakase only and BYOB. Prices average around $60 a person.

Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery

As the lines outside Pipeline can attest, people have been hitting the comfort carbs hard during the pandemic. Like the best spots, Pipeline fries its malasadas to order, and you should definitely enjoy one while hot. But Pipeline breaks away from the crowded field with superior shelf life. The malasadas actually remain delicious a day after you pick them up. They’re not too greasy, strike the perfect balance between airy and heft, and come dusted in sugar, coffee, cocoa, or puckeringly sour-sweet li hing powder.

The 16 Essential O‘ahu Bakeries

Make a reservation at La Vie around sunset to witness the full glory of one of Honolulu’s loveliest, open-air dining rooms. On the eighth floor of the Ritz-Carlton, chef Patrick Collins offers a five-course, French-inflected dinner, which might include swordfish au poivre or Big Island abalone with black truffle and sunchoke. Or for something a touch more casual, grab a seat at the bar on Wednesdays for fried chicken and Champagne.

Koko Head Cafe

Koko Head Cafe serves some of the best brunch in Honolulu . Chef Lee Anne Wong’s daytime dining spot in charming Kaimukī attracts locals and visitors ordering ambitious riffs on Hawai‘i breakfast staples, like miso-marinated fish with eggs, or “Koko Moko,” Wong’s take on loco moco that includes a beef patty, garlic rice, mushroom gravy, and tempura kimchi. Eater restaurant editor Hillary Dixler Canavan recommends the breakfast congee — tricked out with sausage, cheddar cheese, and croutons — “for a particularly soulful example of the flavor building Wong does best.” The restaurant is currently open for dine-in and takeout.

Ono Seafood

Located on the side of a residential apartment building, the poke spot from mother-and-daughter team Judy Sakuma and Kim Brug is the place to go for classics. The ‘ahi poke comes with sweet, ginger-spiked shoyu sauce or a mixture of crunchy limu (seaweed), coarse sea salt, and nutty, oily ‘inamona (kukui nuts) . Everything is packed to-go, but the fatty chunks of ahi served over hot rice are best eaten immediately at the tables just outside the shop, alongside sashimi, taegu (candied codfish), and boiled peanuts.

Have you heard the commercials? “Next stop, Zippy’s!” Hawaiʻi’s iconic family diner chain has many locations throughout the state serving many purposes. Kids grow up with Zippy’s chili (now sold frozen so parents can ship it to homesick college kids) and Apple Napples (flaky apple turnovers). It’s also a great place for late-night munchies, like the fried chicken with a side of chili-cheese fries. Proper dinner options, like the Zip Min (a deluxe bowl of saimin noodle soup) or the Zip Pac (mahi mahi, fried chicken, Spam, and teriyaki beef over furikake rice), never fail to please.

Maguro Brothers

Maguro Brothers’ two locations are hard to find: One is hidden deep inside Chinatown’s Maunakea Market, the other in the basement of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. At either spot, though, it’s all about sashimi platters, donburi (get the king salmon sashimi with uni over rice), and poke by the bowl or pound. The fish quality is excellent, but it’s the outstanding knife work that makes Maguro Brothers stand out. The donburi and poke might be served in takeout boxes, but you won’t find such beautifully cut fish casually sold to go anywhere else.

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Restaurant Suntory

For a good time, make it Suntory time at Restaurant Suntory in Waikīkī. The restaurant specializes in beautifully prepared teppanyaki, sushi, and washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine). Think: kamameshi that steams in its iron pot tableside and single-serving shabu shabu. Because this is a restaurant by Suntory, there are plenty of whisky highballs made with Hibiki, Yamazaki, or Hakushu (also available served neat, of course).

Tonkatsu Tamafuji

You have to overcome a lot of skepticism to get locals to pay $20 for katsu when they can get it in a plate lunch for less than $10. But given how difficult it is to score a reservation at Tonkatsu Tamafuji, it appears a lot of people have bashed through that psychological hurdle. Attention to detail shows in the quality of the pork itself, the house-made panko crumbs that fry up into an ethereally crisp crust, and the accompaniments: a bowl of sesame seeds to grind at the table and then spoon into a plummy tonkatsu sauce. If you can’t get a reservation, the tonkatsu holds up surprisingly well for takeout.

One of Honolulu’s most beloved beachside restaurants, just steps from the sand on the quiet end of Waikīkī, was recently refreshed by new ownership of the Kaimana Beach Hotel. Morning views and eggs Benedict are the perennial draw here, in the shade of the 100-year-old hau trees. But it’s also the perfect place to catch the sunset, along with a revamped cocktail menu of modern tropical drinks and dinner dishes including a crisp-fried octopus with miso bearnaise that’s executed with a light touch befitting the outdoor setting.

Arden Waikiki

The married chefs Amanda Cheng and Makoto Ono, who made their names in Canada and Hong Kong, took over the kitchen at the Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head hotel, on a quiet stretch between Waikīkī and Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head). They serve elegant, understated dishes; some of the best sound the most plain, like roasted cabbage or mushroom rice. Local meats and seafood shine, as in a Maui venison tartare, scattered with mizuna and bubu arare (rice crackers), or the grilled Kaua‘i prawns, simply dressed with shio koji butter, chili garlic crunch, and calamansi. Order the foie gras terrine, which may be the most playful rendition you’ve ever seen.

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11 Underrated US Food Cities You Need To Visit At Least Once

Forget the usual suspects. Places like New York and Los Angeles have always boasted Michelin-starred marvels, but America's foodie scene goes much deeper. From the soul-warming comforts of the South to the vibrant and unexpected flavors of the Midwest, a surge of up-and-coming gastronomic destinations is tantalizing taste buds and captivating adventurous eaters. And some are a much easier, quicker, and more affordable trip.

A treasure trove of hidden delicious delights that embrace innovation and a strong sense of community among chefs and restaurateurs, these cities are where passionate food lovers are actively redefining regional cuisine. Brimming with unique flavors and fresh, local ingredients, each city has faced its share of challenges (shout out to Detroit) and made efforts to put themselves on the map as major food spots worth the journey. While "underrated" might be a tad on the subjective side, we've selected 11 cities that we feel don't get nearly the hype they deserve based on how infrequently they are featured as foodie go-to spots. These are places with plenty to try (and some boast their share of culinary awards!), but it's rare to see them top many recommended lists. Let's fix that. 

Ditch the tourist traps and culinary clichés — delicious adventures await you all across the United States in some of the most unexpected and underrated food cities. 

Houston, Texas

Houston's reputation can often revolve around space exploration and energy giants, but beneath the city's industrial hum lies a thriving, multicultural food scene. This metropolis is a tapestry of ethnicities, reflected in its lively restaurant landscape. Noted for its Tex-Mex , Asian, and Southern influences, Houston offers far more interesting fusion flavors than one might expect. Vietnamese refugees brought their love of pho and bánh mì, flavor-bombing Tex-Mex coexists with authentic Colombian fare, and West African chefs bring dishes steeped in dozens of flavors and made with hours of preparation. Ever heard of a Portuguese-Indian restaurant? I hadn't either, but it's right there in Houston, and it's called Da Gama. 

Houston isn't just about international influences, though. Texas classics like perfectly smoked brisket and breakfast tacos find their home here alongside innovative takes on traditional Southern cuisine. This culinary melting pot fosters a world of creativity, with chefs combining different flavors and techniques to create dishes that are distinctly Houstonian. Whether you crave a steaming bowl of gumbo or a perfectly cooked steak, Houston is a culinary adventure that seamlessly suits every palate. 

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is often overshadowed by its flashier coastal counterparts, but scratch beneath the surface, and you'll discover a city brimming with tasty delights. Forget about generic chain restaurants — Columbus boasts a thriving independent restaurant scene where chefs champion local farms and showcase personalized and innovative takes on classic Midwestern fare. As it gains a reputation for more sustainable practices and locally-sourced food, Ohio's biggest city is making a name for itself as a place where passionate chefs experiment and diners relish the unexpected.

Explore the historic North Market, a foodie haven overflowing with fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and international specialties. Sample melt-in-your-mouth donuts from legendary Schmidt's Bakery, or savor a perfectly cooked steak at one of the many cozy chop houses. Diverse neighborhoods like Short North offer Ethiopian delights and authentic Korean BBQ, while trendy spots in Italian Village treat you to their contemporary takes on pasta and wood-fired pizzas. From award-winning ice cream joints to a booming craft brewery scene, Columbus offers a delightful surprise for every eater. 

Tucson, Arizona

Sun-baked Tucson might surprise you. Forget stereotypical Southwestern fare — this city is home to a culinary scene unlike any other. Here, ancestral recipes meet maverick chefs, and the unique desert landscape flavors every dish. Tucson's crown jewel is Sonoran cuisine, a fusion of Mexican and Native American traditions with Spanish influences. Savor carne asada sizzling on mesquite grills, or indulge in a bacon-wrapped burrito bursting with local goodness. Fresh tortillas are made daily from heritage grains, and fiery salsas with regionally grown chiles add a kick.

But Tucson's culinary canvas is vast. Historic barrios overflowing with family-run restaurants serve generations-old recipes while trendy spots showcase local farms with seasonal menus and reimagine classic dishes with a Southwestern twist. An absolute must-try is the world-renowned Sonoran hot dog, a masterpiece wrapped in a pillowy bun and adorned with unique toppings like pinto beans and jalapeño relish. And if you can get a table, Tumerico was ranked the #1 restaurant by Yelp in 2024 for vegan Mexican cuisine, which is sure to send dining interest in Tucson skyrocketing. 

With a seasonal selection of food festivals, farm-to-table dining, and a tight-knit community among local chefs and producers, Tucson is only just beginning to take off. Upscale fine dining and hidden-gem street vendors are equally welcome in a place like Tucson that promises to be an unforgettably delicious adventure. 

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico simmers with a unique culinary identity often overshadowed by its breathtaking desert landscapes. This city has a food scene as fiery as its famous Hatch green chiles, and New Mexican cuisine thrives alongside unique and inspiring takes on regional favorites. Green chile, roasted to perfection and blended into sauces, salsas, and stews, forms the heart and soul of Albuquerque's food scene. Whether it's a steaming bowl of carne adovada steeped in red chile or a smothered breakfast burrito bursting with fluffy eggs and green chile goodness, this fiery pepper adds a distinctive kick to every dish.

But Albuquerque has plenty more to recommend itself beyond one little vegetable. Native American influences are woven throughout dishes like blue corn enchiladas and prickly pear margaritas. Food trucks put gourmet twists on classic street food while fine dining chefs reimagine New Mexican cuisine with inspiration from all over the world. Historic Old Town, a haven for traditional New Mexican restaurants and lively cantinas, is not to be skipped. Want to really treat yourself while you're in town? You have to check out Campo at Los Poblanos , a historic inn and organic farm that's gaining fame for its lavender, its distillery, and its Rio Grande Valley cuisine. 

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland throws off its industrial past to reveal a surprisingly sophisticated and diverse culinary scene. Greasy spoons are great and all (we love a good diner), but Cleveland offers so much more. A vibrant mix of comfort food classics with a twist alongside hidden gems bursting with ethnic delights and fearless chefs pushing boundaries is what makes this city so special. 

The beating heart of Cleveland's food scene is the historic West Side Market. Rows upon rows of local vendors tempt with fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and international specialties. Here, you can sample a perfectly steamed pierogi, a Cleveland staple with Eastern European roots, or grab a juicy kielbasa from a local sausage maker. 

But Cleveland isn't just about heritage. Upscale eateries like jaja (totally worth the splurge) lean into global flavors, and homey picks like Forage Public House champion local farms, crafting seasonal menus full of flavor. Craft breweries and trendy gastropubs bring masterful takes on classic dishes while trendy neighborhoods like Ohio City brim with restaurants that showcase more global flavors. Steaming plates of melt-in-your-mouth BBQ are in the historic Flats, and authentic Chinese and Korean cuisine can be found in (you guessed it) Asiatown. Cleveland is very much a city on the rise, and its food scene reflects that energy. 

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine often gets overlooked, but beneath its charming harbor lies a food scene as dynamic as the tides. Forget the stereotype of just lobster rolls (though those are not to be skipped!). Fresh, local ingredients take center stage, inspiring inventive takes on classic dishes and a celebration of global flavors. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Maine bounty. Walking through the historic Old Port, you'll find overflowing seafood markets. Michelin-starred restaurants like Eventide serve up creative takes on lobster, while waterfront shacks offer steaming bowls of clam chowder. 

But Portland's culinary canvas extends far beyond the ocean. Explore trendy spots in the West End that showcase farm-to-table cuisine. Cozy cafes like Tandem bake delicious pastries using local grains, and craft breweries like Shipyard and Rising Tide boast flavors inspired by the Maine coastline. Don't miss the chance to savor more finds in Little Italy or delve into the international street food scene.

Portland is a city where passionate chefs transform local ingredients into culinary art. From Michelin-starred marvels to hidden gem eateries, every bite is an adventure. 

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit's story is one of resilience, and its food scene is no exception. Often overshadowed by flashier cities, Detroit possesses a foodie community fueled by determination and a deep love for fresh, local ingredients. Forget generic chain fare — Detroit offers a unique blend of cultures and cuisines, simmering in a pot of creativity.

The heart of Detroit's culinary revival lies in its historic neighborhoods. Eastern Market bustles with vendors hawking locally-sourced produce, meats, and spices, inspiring chefs to craft seasonal menus that burst with flavor. Corktown, once a center for the auto industry, is now home to trendy gastropubs and Michelin-rated restaurants, where repurposed industrial spaces house innovative culinary experiences. 

But Detroit's soul lies in its soul food. Family-owned restaurants such as Detroit Soul dish up heaping plates of turkey wings, mac and cheese, ham hocks, and collard greens, infused with generations-old recipes and love. Meanwhile, vibrant pockets like Mexicantown and Chaldean Village offer authentic ethnic flavors, transporting you to different corners of the globe with every bite. They even have a localized variation on deep dish pizza ! 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City throws off its flyover-state label with a food scene as surprising as it is tasty. Forget endless steaks and fried food — OKC is a tapestry of flavors, with chefs redefining regional cuisine with their own takes on classic dishes and hidden gems serving up global delights.

Dive into the heart of Bricktown, a revitalized warehouse district brimming with trendy gastropubs and upscale eateries. Sample perfectly cooked, locally-sourced steaks alongside creative takes on Oklahoma classics. Don't miss the chance to savor juicy, wood-fired pizzas or sip locally brewed craft beers. Next, head to the Plaza District, a haven for international flavors. Savor steaming bowls of pho in Vietnamese noodle houses, or embark on a culinary journey through Latin America with Oklahoma City's incredible selection of taco trucks and authentic Mexican restaurants.

We would be kidding ourselves to add OKC and forget to talk up the barbecue. Renowned pit masters slow-smoke meats to perfection, dishing up melt-in-your-mouth brisket and tangy pulled pork doused in house-made sauces at hotspots like Clark Crew BBQ. Yum!

Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia, has a unique culinary identity that transcends stereotypical Southern fare. Forget fried chicken and pecan pie (though those definitely have their place). This city hides a thriving hub of restaurants where history meets ingenuity, and global flavors mingle with regional specialties.

The heart of Richmond's culinary scene lies in Carytown, a walkable neighborhood brimming with independent restaurants. Here, chefs champion local farms, crafting seasonal menus with a focus on freshness. Sample melt-in-your-mouth Virginia ham cured in traditional methods that have stood the test of time, or savor updated takes on Chesapeake Bay delicacies. And don't miss the chance to explore the city's burgeoning craft brewery scene. Venture into Shockoe Bottom to explore hidden gems serving up authentic soul food (shout out to Mama J's), a testament to the city's rich African American heritage. Explore pockets like the Fan District, where it's easy to stumble upon even more international flavors.

Richmond's food scene is a delightful rebellion against culinary stereotypes. Fueled by passionate chefs and a deep appreciation for local ingredients, it's a delicious adventure for every palate. 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee often gets overshadowed by Chicago's culinary clout, but beneath its Midwestern charm is a thriving food scene bursting with flavor. In addition to regional favorites like beer and cheese curds, Milwaukee's tasty treats include a focus on the German and Polish heritage of its population.

The Historic Third Ward is a necessary stop for adventurous eaters. Gastropubs reimagine classic dishes with global influences, upscale restaurants showcase seasonal menus featuring local Wisconsin bounty, and family-owned cafes dish up hearty breakfasts of fluffy pancakes and sausages, fueling the city's energy. Sample perfectly seared Great Lakes walleye or savor juicy cuts from local farms, all paired with the perfect craft beer from Milwaukee's booming brewing scene. 

Neighborhoods like Walker's Point are where you can pop in and grab fancier fare from Bodegon or more casual eats from Camino. Don't miss the chance to explore the Historic Mitchell Street offering authentic Mexican fare with steaming plates of mole and fresh tortillas. 

Asheville, North Carolina

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, is more than just a scenic escape. Asheville offers a unique culinary experience where farm-to-table freshness meets adventurous yet comforting Appalachian cuisine ready to surprise you. 

The beating heart of Asheville's food scene is the historic Asheville City Market. Rows upon rows of local farmers are ready to greet you with eye-catching seasonal produce, artisanal cheeses, and Appalachian specialties. Sample melt-in-your-mouth pimento cheese or savory ramp (wild leek) dishes, a seasonal delicacy. Here, chefs are inspired by the mountains, crafting menus that celebrate North Carolina's native herbs and produce.

Meanwhile, trendy restaurants in the South Slope district like Storm Rhum Bar showcase new takes on classic Southern comfort food with dishes like gochujang marinated gator with waffles. Explore hidden breweries nestled in historic buildings, and sip on craft beers brewed with local mountain water (so tasty). Don't miss the chance to try more global flavors in the eclectic River Arts District, where international restaurants transport you around the world with every bite. Asheville is a delightful fusion of mountain tradition and culinary creativity. 

EVERY Food Lover Should Visit These Places

Posted: July 28, 2023 | Last updated: February 26, 2024

Fork in the road

Take part in a New York food tour

In a city as large as New York, it would be impossible to discover all the best restaurants, cafés, and hole-in-the-wall eateries by yourself, which is why we like to leave it to the experts. There are as many food tours in New York as there are bagel vendors, so it all depends on what interests you the most – whether it’s exploring the city’s wine and nightlife, sampling Greenwich Village’s Italian cuisine, taking to the streets of Chinatown, or visiting a selection of the finest food carts around.

Go on a wine cruise in Bordeaux

With historic towns and cities, beautiful countryside, and some of the world’s most wonderful wine, Bordeaux is a traveler’s dream for so many reasons. But, if you ask us, the best way to soak it all up is by taking to the waters of the Garonne and Gironde rivers on a wine cruise, stopping off at vineyards, wineries, and cellars to sample a taste of the local vin du pays. While you’re in the area, don’t miss steak frites (steak and duck fat fries); they’re the perfect complement to a bottle of Bordeaux red.

Taste Canadian cuisine in Québec City

If you want to try treats that were born and bred in Canada, then you simply must make a stop in Québec City. Here, you can indulge your sweet tooth with gooey butter tarts, Tim Horton’s famous Timbits donut holes, and maple syrup-infused favorites like lollipops. More of a savoury person? Combine all your favorite food groups in one meal with a serving of poutine (fries covered in gravy and cheese curds), or try a hearty portion of Québécois meat pie – then wash it all down with a Caesar cocktail (a Bloody Mary-like cocktail made with Clamato).

Do a pintxos crawl through San Sebastián

San Sebastián is considered by many to be Spain’s foodie capital, which is high praise indeed considering the staggering range of gastronomic delights the country has to offer. It’s all down to pintxos: tapas-like finger foods served at bars throughout the Basque Country. There are hundreds of places that offer up these tiny snacks, but we recommend heading to the Old Town and Gros districts for the best of the bunch. Expect everything from boquerones (fresh anchovies served in vinegar and olive oil) to grilled octopus and txangurro, the famous Basque crab.

Try the world’s best sushi in Tokyo

From its high-end restaurant show-stoppers to its on-the-go convenience store offerings (and all sorts of other fantastic creations in between), there’s nowhere better in the world to sample sushi than Tokyo. Don’t miss the Japanese capital’s signature sushi style: Edomae sushi, a delicacy that combines expertly compacted, wasabi-smeared rice balls with meticulously cut fish that holds onto its seasonings, resulting in maximum umami. You can find it among the other super-fresh fish and seafood at the famous Tsukiji Fish Market , as well as in the hip eateries and conveyor belt cafés of the nearby Ginza district.

Tuck into platefuls of Texas barbecue

They say everything is bigger in Texas – and when you’ve seen a plate piled high with authentic Texas-style barbecue, you’ll understand why. Here, mighty slabs of brisket are slowly cooked to perfection in custom-built pits; the sausage (usually kielbasa) comes regular or spicy, but is always satisfyingly smoky; and the ribs are a triumph of melt-in-the-mouth goodness. As if that meaty trifecta weren’t enough, if you’re lucky, your meal will come complete with a side of hushpuppies: golden, doughy, ball-shaped nuggets that are perfect for dipping.

Graze on street food in Mexico City

Tacos, quesadillas, tamales, tortas… whatever tasty morsels catch your eye in Mexico City, they’re likely to be surprisingly cheap, flavorful, and abundant. We’re not exaggerating when we say that there are thousands of food stalls to choose from among the markets of this must-visit foodie Mecca. Head over to Coyoacán Market for the best tostadas (tasty tortillas piled high with toppings), try tacos al pastor at historic restaurant El Huequito , and indulge in a crispy, rolled-up flauta or two at the excellent street food market outside the Chilpancingo Metro stop. Delicioso!

Experience South Korean cuisine in Seoul

Like South Korean TV shows, films and K-pop music, South Korean cuisine seems to be sweeping the globe right now – but if you want to try the best of the best, you should set your sights on Seoul. From fried egg-topped bibimbap (a rice dish) to grilled, marinated beef bulgogi (fire meat) and spicy-and-sour kimchi, the food here is fresh, tongue-tingling and riotously colourful. And then there’s the KFC (no, not that KFC). In Seoul, Korean-fried chicken is the crispy, crunchy fast food on everyone’s lips.

Stroll through the souks of Marrakech

Stalls, souks, spices… Marrakech is a sensory overload, in the best possible way. Inquisitive taste buds will love local delicacies like peppery snail soup, slow-steamed sheep’s head, and tehal (stuffed camel’s spleen), while mint tea, tagine, chebakia cookies, and sweet and savory chicken b’stilla pie are local treats pretty much everyone can enjoy. Then, of course, there’s the orange juice. Once you’ve tried it freshly squeezed, why not try it in delectable cake form at Nomad  – a restaurant in the medina that overlooks the famous Rahba Lakdima ('spice square')?

Experience pizza in Naples

Sure, you might be able to find good pizza pretty much everywhere in Italy these days, but Naples is an absolute must-visit if you want to try the real deal. The birthplace of the classic tomato, mozzarella and basil margherita that we know and love today, Campania’s capital is positively brimming with pizzerias: Pizzeria Oliva da Carla e Salvatore, Sorbillo and L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele (which you may recognise from Eat, Pray, Love ) being a few our favorites.

Visit Copenhagen, Scandinavia’s foodie capital

Rød pølse (red sausages served hot dog-style), Smørrebrød (open sandwiches with every topping imaginable), and Flæskesteg (roast pork baked with spices and cloves) – the pronunciation of Copenhagen’s big-hitting dishes may be a little tricky to get your tongue around, but the flavors sure aren’t. In fact, to add to its flourishing street food scene, the city has no fewer than 13 Michelin-starred restaurants – making it Scandinavia’s undisputed gastronomic capital. Whether you choose to go high-end or quick and easy is your call.

Do a food stall crawl in Bangkok

You simply can’t go to Bangkok without sampling its street food. First of all, it's everywhere – and it’s a great way to get under the skin of the local culture. For the finest street eats of all, make your way to Chinatown, where you’ll find all manner of dumplings, pancakes, soups, and curries prepared hot and fresh from stalls billowing with aromatic steam. And who could forget pad Thai? Grab it and go, or opt for a sit-down serving at Pad Thai Thip Samai restaurant – it’s the locals’ favourite for a reason.

Satisfy every food craving in London

Welcome to the city that has absolutely everything – food-wise, at least. In London, classic British dishes like pie and mash, Scotch eggs, and Sunday roasts exist in harmony with tasty fare plucked from every corner of the globe. Just visit one of the city's bustling food markets for proof. At Borough Market you’ll find a touch of Spain at Tapas Brindisa ; at KERB King’s Cross, you’ll stumble upon Lebanese chicken shish wraps ( Lil Watan ); and at Mercato Metropolitano you’ll encounter the capital’s best gelato ( Badiani ). 

Taste hangi-cooked lamb in New Zealand

There’s a reason why New Zealand lamb is so popular around the globe. Grass-fed and raised free-range on farms with clean air and water, it’s lean, tender, and full of nutrients – and, most importantly, it’s incredibly tasty. You can find it on restaurant menus up and down the country but, for something a little different, why not try it Maori-style, cooked in a traditional hangi oven? The technique involves filling a pit with heated stones, placing leaf-wrapped lamb and vegetables on top, covering it with earth, and cooking to smoky perfection.

Feed your soul in New Orleans

Cajun and Creole food is hearty, spicy, and all-round scrumptious, and the best place to eat both cuisines is New Orleans. Prepare for a party on the streets and in your mouth as you taste your way through delights like gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish pie on a foodie crawl of the city – then quench your thirst with a rum-based Hurricane cocktail (or, if you’re feeling brave, a fluorescent green Hand Grenade). Got room for a hefty, overstuffed po’boy sandwich afterwards? No? Trust us, you’ll want one anyway.

Visit the vineyards of Mendoza

Backed by the Andes and filled with pretty, leafy avenues, Mendoza can be found deep in the heart of Argentinian wine country, and travelers say that, in harvest season (December-March), there’s nowhere quite like it. The vineyards in the surrounding countryside are the home of the Malbec grape: a deep-purple marvel of a berry whose flavor is best sampled on a winery tour. Whether you choose to go tasting in the Maipú Valley or wet your whistle in Luján de Cuyo is up to you; just don’t miss out on a grilled meat asado lunch while you’re at it.

Tuck into fish curry in Goa

What’s better than Goa’s glorious palm-lined beaches, warm winter temperatures, and beautiful architecture? Three words: Goan fish curry. The Indian state's most famous dish is also (arguably) its most delicious, thanks to its rich, flavorful blend of spices, ginger, garlic, and coconut – plus, the fish (usually shrimp, kingfish, or mackerel) is marinated in lime to give it an extra-tangy kick. There’s nothing like tucking into a bowlful at a local, family-run restaurant or a dhaba – a roadside food stall – for a true only-in-Goa experience.

Sample Singapore’s iconic eats

Singapore is a destination that punches well above its weight when it comes to mouth-watering street-food dishes. For starters, there’s tasty mud crab (chili or pepper? That part's up to you); Hainanese chicken rice (the country’s unofficial national dish); creamy, coconutty curry laksa; and the ever-controversial durian fruit, which is so pungent that eating it is forbidden in enclosed public spaces. Got room for more? Try peanutty satay, char kway teow noodles, and ice kachang (sweet iced beans) – and don’t forget to order a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel afterwards.

Eat healthy (and delicious) food in Bali

Bali and wellness holidays often go hand in hand. But this isn’t a destination where eating healthily is done solely for detox purposes – in fact, it’s an absolute pleasure. Wholesome, fresh, and very often grown using organic farming methods, the food at Bali’s hippest eateries is also hugely Instagrammable; think pretty smoothie bowls, colorful matcha green tea beverages, cleansing juices, and plenty of raw and vegan menu options.

Breakfast on ackee and saltfish in Jamaica

Start your day right in Jamaica with a hearty portion of ackee and saltfish – the country’s national dish. It’s a simple-but-satisfying recipe: ackee, a pear-shaped fruit brought to Jamaica from West Africa in the mid-1700s, is boiled up with saltfish, a type of dried, salted whitefish. Add vegetables and seasonings (scotch bonnet peppers, onions and tomatoes are the classics), and you’ve got a nutritious breakfast packed with Caribbean flavor.

Sample the street food of Cartagena

If you love trying new and exciting food while on your travels, Colombia’s Caribbean port town of Cartagena could be perfect for your next adventure. Street food here is cheap and plentiful, and it comes in all shapes and sizes. For breakfast on the go, try an arepa de huevo (a cornmeal cake packed with egg and ground beef); for lunch, indulge in a perrito caliente hot dog topped with cheese, crunchy potato sticks and plenty of sauces; and for dinner, go all-out with a patacón con todo – a plantain sandwich bursting with chicken, chorizo, butifarra sausage, and cheese.

Taste Middle Eastern favorites in Istanbul

There are so many reasons why Istanbul makes a wonderful holiday destination – amazing Bosphorus views, Byzantine-era palaces, a captivating blend of Eastern and Western cultures – but it’s the Turkish capital’s never-ending array of fabulous food that really excites us. Take a wander around the city and you’re sure to encounter the likes of deep-fried halka tatlisi dough rings; garlicky, tomato-y steamed burgers; sesame-studded simit (Turkish bagels); kofte meatballs; and fan favorite doner kebab, which you can find on every street corner in town.

Go wild for spicy food in Bhutan

If there’s one food mantra the Bhutanese live by, it’s that spice is king. Influenced by Tibetan, Chinese, Nepalese and Indian cooking, the food in Bhutan is richly flavorful, but it can also be very spicy due to a nationwide love of chili peppers. While you can try milder, tourist-friendly versions of regional favorites in lots of places, we recommend sampling an authentic (and super-hot) taste of what the locals eat at least once, whether it’s jasha maru chicken stew, or the nation's signature dish, ema datshi – a chili cheese that’s so beloved, it comes with almost every meal.

Experience the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

Not content simply with having a fantastic, thriving food and drink scene every day of the year, in 1992 Melbourne decided to host an annual two-week foodie extravaganza to really hammer its culinary excellence home. After three decades, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is still going strong, with star-studded line-ups and culinary events happening all over the city every March and April. The festival’s signature event? The World’s Longest Lunch – an XXL three-course affair that serves around 2,000 people the finest local foods and wines. It’s so big that the nearby bars even host their own after parties.

Go wine tasting in Stellenbosch

Whether you’re a wine expert or an absolute novice, there’s no doubt that the South African region of Stellenbosch is a picturesque, sun-soaked spot to spend a holiday. But for the oenophiles among us, it’s got the added benefit of being the birthplace of some of South Africa’s most amazing wines – and there are vineyards galore to explore, thanks to the country’s hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. From the Meerlust Estate  to  Spier Wine Farm  and  Boschendal , there are plenty of famous places to indulge in a tasting or two.

Dine on fish in Reykjavík

If you like your fish served Scandi-style – complete with stunning sea views and a snow-capped mountain backdrop – we recommend adding Reykjavík to your foodie travel bucket list. Ease your way in with tourist-friendly plokkfiskur (traditional fish stew made with cod or haddock), then get more adventurous with hardfiskur (dried fish jerky) and a world-famous Icelandic staple: fermented shark. This local delicacy is stored in boxes for six to nine weeks before being hung up to dry for several months, resulting in a pungent, almost cheese-like aroma (and an admittedly acquired taste).

Learn to make pasta in Tuscany

We’ve covered pizza, so now it’s time to talk pasta (specifically the soul-nourishing, super-fresh Tuscan variety). This central Italian region is famous not only for its gorgeous countryside and Renaissance masterpieces, but also for its pappardelle al cinghiale (broad pasta ribbons with a wild boar ragu) and tordelli Lucchese (semi-circular pasta parcels filled with a meat sauce). Fancy a true taste of Tuscan tradition? Then roll up your sleeves for a pasta-making class with Nonna Ciana (Grandma Ciana)  while you're here. Your friends and family back home are sure to thank you later.

Discover Vietnam’s street food culture

Fresh, colorful and packed with flavor, Vietnam’s street food is a world famous must-try for traveling foodies. And it’s not just the pho that’ll have you coming back for more. There's the bun cha pork patties, banh mi baguettes, and the banh xeo: Vietnam’s crispy, beansprout-stuffed take on the savory crêpe. You can find cheap on-the-go snacks pretty much everywhere, whether you’re wandering Hanoi’s Old Quarter, sauntering along the lantern-strung streets of Hoi An, or visiting Ben Thanh Street Food Market in Ho Chi Minh City.

Try fresh Mediterranean foods in Santorini

Influenced by both Western and Eastern cultures, Greece’s cuisine is a melting pot of freshly caught fish, abundant seafood, and seasonal vegetables. Spend some time in this sun-soaked corner of the Mediterranean and you’ll soon fall for its gastronomy, whether you’re enjoying a post-beach gyro stuffed with pork, salad and fries, tucking into moussaka at a family-run restaurant, or tasting the fishermen’s local catch of sea bass, octopus and lobster.

Raise a stein at Oktoberfest

While Oktoberfest might be most famous for its wide selection of beer tents and a proliferation of dirndls and lederhosen, there’s a lot more to this quintessentially German festival than sitting around sipping on steins. In between the oompah bands and chicken-dancing revellers, you’ll find a whole host of fantastic Bavarian cuisine: hefty pork knuckle, stodgy potato pancakes and dumplings, and an array of sumptuous sausages.

The cheapest and most expensive foodie cities in Europe

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USA TODAY 10Best

From farmers markets to food halls, where to go for the best epicurean excursions

April 24, 2024 // By 10Best Editors

By 10Best Editors April 24, 2024

Whether we're in our own cities or exploring a new region of the country, we often explore with our taste buds. So, we set out to find the best food outlets the United States has to offer across four categories: farmers markets, food halls, public markets, and food tours.

A panel of experts made their nominee selections, then our readers voted for their favorite places to get food — whether it's meant to be enjoyed right then and there or used to prepare an incredible meal at home.

Click on each category below to see the full winners list:

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Best Farmers Market: Worthington Farmers Market in Worthington, Ohio

Nearly 100 vendors from the Columbus area converge for the year-round Worthington Farmers Market that adapts to the seasons. In summer, May through October, farmers and producers of high-quality food and plants, sell al fresco in the Old Worthington Historic District. The rest of the year, the market goes indoors at The Shops at Worthington Place.

Full list of winners: Best Farmers Market »

Best Food Hall: Mother Road Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Get your kicks at Oklahoma's first food hall, located right on historic Route 66. In addition to more than 15 vendors serving up everything from sushi to Cajun cuisine to Brazilian fare, the Kitchen 66 Takeover Cafe offers a rotating opportunity for budding food entrepreneurs to strut their stuff.

Full list of winners: Best Food Hall »

Best Food Tour: Columbus Food Adventures in Columbus, Ohio

From neighborhood walking tours to by-van excursions and private tours, Columbus Food Adventures offers a full menu of ways to meet the area's rich culinary scene. Whether you're a meat-lover, brew-hound, taco fiend, or gastronomic globe-trotter, there's a tour to fit your appetite.

Full list of winners: Best Food Tour »

Best Public Market: Milwaukee Public Market in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Billed as "a gathering place where great taste is always in season," Milwaukee Public Market offers local baked goods, cheeses, meats, produce, and prepared eats. Choose goodies from nearly 20 vendors and enjoy your selection in the Palm Garden seating area on the second level. Or learn how to make your own fare at Madam Kuony's demonstration kitchen, where cooking classes are offered multiple times weekly.

Full list of winners: Best Public Market »

Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in more of our Readers' Choice Awards.

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The hottest foodie destinations in Europe right now

By Sarah James

For serious flavour hunters, going on a trip is a chance to seek out the next remember-it-forever supper. In Europe , farm-to-fork feasts are drawing a mellowed-out crowd in Ibiza , while next-gen bakeries run by ex-Noma chefs in Copenhagen are turning out trays of superior sticky cinnamon buns and buttery sourdough croissants. But foodie highlights can also be found in less expected places – not just in San Sebastián or the French city of Lyon but on far-flung Greek islands , quiet stretches of Spain ’s Costa Dorada and in tiny Scottish seaside towns, too. This is our pick of the best getaways and city breaks in Europe that will satisfy the eternally hungry traveller, plus the tables to book when you get there – including the Michelin-starred restaurants to plan your next trip around and the low-key bars where the food is every bit as delicious and there’s not a white tablecloth in sight.

These are the best destinations for a foodie break right now.

Seville, Spain

Best for: all-day dining

If you're more into all-day grazing than over-indulging on hefty suppers, Seville is your best bet. Eating out here is less about three square meals and more about constructing your day around food. The food culture here is strong and traditional: regional specialities include Andalusian gazpacho, fried fish and sherry, and we recommend ordering tapas at multiple bars throughout the day, to squeeze as many different eateries and dishes into your trip as possible. El Rinconcillo (pictured), is a firm favourite among locals and visitors; billing itself as the oldest tapas bar in Seville , there are classic tiles, cured hanging hams and walls lined with bottles.

Lisbon, Portugal

Best for: affordable restaurants

Lisbon has a lot going for it at the best of times – but right now, it's firmly on our radar after being named the cheapest European city break for 2023 . A three-course meal here costs an average of £39.01, according to recent research by The Post Office, while a 330ml bottle of beer in a traditional bar costs a measly £2.26 – cheaper than any other city in the top 10. These eateries aren't just wallet-friendly, either. Lisbon's best restaurants are firmly putting the Portuguese capital on the foodie map. Traditional food is best found at one of the city’s tascas – these are casual eateries serving very local dishes. But there are also modern restaurants worth checking out, too – Belcanto, for example, was the first restaurant in Lisbon to earn two Michelin stars.

Bologna, Italy

Best for: authentic Italian cuisine

Italy is not wanting for airtime on this list – below, we've also recommended Naples , The Dolomites and Sardinia . But Bologna recently topped our Readers' Choice Awards rankings as the best city for food anywhere in the world – so it felt worthy of a mention here, too. Folded into the northern Emilia Romagna region, Bologna is nicknamed, among other things, “La Grossa” or “the fat one”. This region is the home of parmesan, parma ham, mortadella balsamic vinegar, lasagne, tortellini in broth and bolognese. But Bologna is comparatively under-visited compared to many of Italy's big-hitting cities, which means a trip here feels delightfully under the radar. Visit the best restaurants in Bologna for gramigne alla salsiccia (sausage pasta) at Trattoria Bertozzi or ricotta-filled tortelloni in San Marzano tomato at All’Osteria Bottega.

The Dolomites, Italy

Best for: slow food

Forget what you think you know about pasta al limone and Aperol Spritz – this corner of Italy , concealed in the north-eastern mountains, might as well be a different nation when it comes to food. Locals often don’t even speak Italian, and the Alpine villages, backed by craggy mountain peaks, are simultaneously rooted in rural traditions while looking forward to a greener future. More than 85 per cent of energy-efficient-certified houses in Italy are in South Tyrol , and the region draws heavily on sustainable energy sources to power its exceptional hotels. Restaurants here were creating locally sourced, seasonal menus long before it was standard practice, while wine grown in the mountains is biodynamic and low intervention. At widescreen glass box Alpinn ( above ), order plates of beef belly with a smoked hay glaze and South Tyrolean steak, or eat at tiny Gostner Schwaige for a wholly foraged menu of cheeses and meats, herby soups and slivers of beef.

Paris, France

Best for: the classics

It’s not the most unexpected or unusual destination on this list, but Paris is a classic for all the right reasons. If you’re looking for juicy steaks with impossibly thin frites, followed by retro crème brȗlée with that sought-after satisfying crack, we recommend the 2017 opening Le Cadoret. This is the quintessential local bistro in Belleville with a surprising craft beer offering. More contemporary, dramatic dishes are better sought out at restaurants such as Maison (order the pigeon), while eco-thinking diners should book a table at zero-waste Le Rigmarole. Pick up the perfect croissant at La Pâtisserie by Cyril Lignac and macarons at Pierre Hermé. And the French capital is home to some of the prettiest dining rooms, too (see our edit of the most beautiful restaurants in Paris for proof).

Naples, Italy

Best for: pizza-lovers

' Naples has more in common with Mexico City than Milan ,’ one local told us on our latest visit to this gritty Italian metropolis. But despite its frenetic alleys and faded architecture , Naples is the epicentre of Italian cooking, where dishes are stripped back to their purest, most delicious forms, and often sold cheaply. The food here is more democratic than in Venice or Rome or the nearby but worlds away towns of the Amalfi Coast . Perhaps surprisingly, Naples has more Michelin stars than any of its glossier sisters – at one-starred Veritas, order soul-food dishes of simple spaghetti with anchovies and butter. Seafood-focussed L’Altro Coco Loco is Michelin-tipped for its sashimi and lobster linguine. And of course, Naples is the spiritual home of the world’s best pizzas – share one at every hole-in-the-wall you come across and make your ranking of the best of the bunch.

Sardinia, Italy

Best for: a unique perspective on Italian cooking

This island – cast adrift in the Mediterranean – is distinctly Italian and yet also unique. While Italy is known for its grand cities, Sardinia is more rustic, wilder. The stripped-back nature of the island is evident in its food culture. Pillowy fermented pizzas are topped with smoked salmon and cauliflower at Cagliari's Framento pizzeria, while suckling pig is the dish to try at Su Gologone, one of the top hotels on the island. Sardinia’s distinct landscape is one of its loveliest attributes, with mountains and forests giving way to the brightest white beaches. The food heritage charts the varying topography – order seafood by the coast and mutton in the mountains.

Best for: off-the-beaten-track explorers

Slovenia’s food scene was on clever travellers' radars long before the Michelin guide launched there in 2020. Hisa Franko , of Chef’s Table fame, had already made the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list multiple times, but there are murmurs about the country’s more traditional cooking and biodynamic wineries too. Six restaurants in the country were awarded a star in 2020, including Ana Ros’s aforementioned Hiša Franko and Dam in Nova Gorica, where people go for the best seafood. In 2021, it was named the European Region of Gastronomy for its emphasis on local produce and sustainable cooking. Fifty-two types of grape are grown here and Slovenia produces what’s currently lauded as the world’s best orange wine – a Dolium Muscat Ottonel. This has long been an under-the-radar corner of Europe that’s finally finding its space among the big players.

Adam Turner

CNT Editors

Rachel Everett

Ibiza, Spain

Best for: farm-to-fork eating

Ibiza is hardly known best for its food scene. But the White Isle’s ravers have matured along with it, mellowing out and moving north to the quieter towns, far away from the mega-clubs and big hotels of the south. There’s always been a rural edge to Ibiza: farmers here were harvesting almonds and olive groves long before the organic revolution spread to eco-warriors and zero-waste pioneers in London , Brighton and Bristol and beyond. The island’s flavours can be found in its classic restaurants – we like Es Ventall and Aubergine – where colourful salads, fresh pasta topped with locally made buffalo ricotta and vegan puddings are dished up on rustic, shady terraces. Or head to farmsteads such as La Granja , a 300-year-old cottage set in a 24-acre plantation from former Design Hotels’ CEO Claus Sendlinger, where homemade kombucha is served overlooking scrubby farmland and suppers are eaten communally in the laid-back gardens.

Basque Country

Best for: Michelin-starred dining

The Basque Country doesn’t feel Spanish or French, although it straddles both countries. When it comes to food, it is its own entity, with an entrenched culture that draws on generations of knowledge. The epicentre is the coastal town of San Sebastián, glittering with 18 Michelin stars, which puts it up there with Kyoto , Paris and Lyon in terms of density of accolades per square metre. Mugaritz, set in a traditional house in the hills, is probably San Sebastián 's most lauded restaurant; 24 courses take Basque ingredients such as tongue and turn them into provocative and unusual dishes, so the menu could include loin of milk-fed lamb served in a ragout of its brains or snails in ceviche. An hour’s drive inland, Asador Etxebarri – a restaurant at the foot of the mountains where locally born chef Victor Arguinzoniz cooks everything over an open grill – climbed to the third spot in the 2019 50 Best Restaurants list. And San Sebastián institution Arzak, now under the helm of Elena Arzak , has held three of the city’s Michelin stars since 1989. Seriously high standards are upheld all over the Basque Country, with a deliciously high-low mix: dine on pintxos (Basque tapas) from hole-in-the-wall bars in San Sebastián’s old town by day and go for a full white tablecloth supper by night.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Best for: next-gen Scandi suppers

Everyone knows about Copenhagen ’s foodie credentials. Noma, arguably the most famous restaurant in the world, opened in 2003. It first appeared in the 50 Best Restaurants List in 2006, when chef-founder René Redzepi was just 28, and topped the list four years later in 2010 – although it will close soon. The ultimate Scandi city is no stranger, then, to the foodie traveller. But instead of sitting pretty, smug in its long-standing game-changing status, this is a place that’s constantly reinventing itself. Many of Noma’s ex-chefs now head up their own establishments in the city. Even the breakfast spots are headed up by chefs with serious CVs. Mirabelle , the relaxed all-day sister of now-closed Michelin-starred Relæ, sells – among other next-level treats – sourdough croissants in the city’s coolest neighbourhood. And, of course, Geranium – a fine-dining restaurant in a football stadium – took the top spot on the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2022.

Galicia, Spain

Best for: an under-the-radar experience

Visited by most as part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, Galicia is Spain’s insider secret – a stretch of coast long-overlooked in favour of the Basque Country or the Balearic islands . It’s made up of a handful of estuaries, sheltered by isles. The smartest of the Spanish style set have been visiting for decades. And the landscape here is brilliant for growing wines, which are made to match the local shellfish and octopus. Take weekend-long breaks in the region with North West Iberia Wine Tours, which visit some of the finest vineyards, or just slowly hop from one wine bar to the next, feasting on tapas of oysters, seaweed and sardines.

Lyon, France

Best for: classic French gastronomy

Lyon is the original foodie city. It’s where nouvelle cuisine was born, where top French chefs such as Paul Bocuse became famed for their fine-dining restaurants and where a new vanguard of young chefs are now putting their spin on centuries-old tradition. The food-obsessed flock first to the bouchons , rustic restaurants that serve local dishes rather than fancy plates. There are only about 20 authentic bouchons , the loveliest of which can be found on rue Saint-Jean – grab a table at any of them and order coq au vin and cardon au gratin (part of the sunflower family, it's a bit like an artichoke cooked with cream and cheese). Next comes a visit to the city’s markets. Each stall is stacked with gloriously wonky fruit and vegetables, ugly but delicious sausages and the freshest fish – try Saint-Antoine for an old-school French market day and Les Halles for a smarter, indoor food court.

Sifnos, Greece

Best for: a taste of island life

Sifnos has been thought of as Greece’s foodiest island for more than 100 years. In 1910 islander Nicholas Tselementes started publishing Greek recipes and he quickly became the most influential food writer in the country – his name, Tselementes, is synonymous with the Greek word for cookbook. These days, the freshest fish is served at seafront cafés such as Cheronissos Fish taverna, where diners eat just-caught, perfectly grilled lobster overlooking the translucent Aegean. Sandy beach Platis Gialos is backed by a string of relaxed restaurants where locals and tourists jostle for space on the stools and in the winding, polished back streets, tavernas dish up chickpea stews (chickpeas are a staple on Sifnos) and slow-roasted goat.

Now read: Sifnos: the most delicious Greek island

Galway City and the Burren, Ireland

Best for: trying local produce

The landscape of the Burren in County Clare is unlike anywhere else in Ireland , with a lunar-like karst-limestone coastline. And the surrounding countryside is making a name for itself due to its foodie credentials. Follow the Burren Food Trail of cheesemakers, farmers’ markets and ice-cream churners to a remote hillside to find bean-to-bar chocolate factory Hazel Mountain Chocolate, which sells Willy Wonka slabs. While the Burren Smokehouse cures wild Irish salmon, rainbow trout and mackerel and Wild Kitchen runs sea-foraging classes on a deserted beach. Just north of the Burren, the boho city of Galway has been put on the flavour hunter’s radar by dynamic chef JP McMahon. For an elevated taste of the region book a table at his restaurant Aniar (one of the city’s two Michelin-starred addresses), which serves oyster ice cream and fermented potato foam, or Loam which offers nine-course tasting menus as well as a wine-bar list of cheese and charcuterie boards loaded with house-cured lardo and the best Irish cheese. Grainne McBride

Best for: feasts in the wilderness

Reached by an 80-minute ferry from Copenhagen, Bornholm is technically part of Denmark , yet positioned way off in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Poland . Unusually for any slip of land this far north, the weather is quite sunny and warm; the coastline is made up of granite which absorbs the heat of the summer and keeps the island feeling mild into the autumn. That means there’s a long growing season, natural, local produce is abundant and chefs are flocking here to find it. At Michelin-starred Kadeau, local feasts of shrimp, just-picked kale and fermented corn are served in the café, which has enormous windows overlooking the waves below. Other spots on the island dish up more relaxed, unfussy meals – Skipperkroen is one of our favourites – and there’s open-to-anyone farmers’ market Gaarden which also hosts cooking classes in hot-smoking or beer brewing.

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San diego’s best restaurants of 2024.

By Troy Johnson , Jackie Bryant , Beth Demmon , Maren Hawkins , Samantha Lacy , Nicolle Monico & Amelia Rodriguez

Put that salad on layaway. Get an APR on some fries. This was the year the cost of dining out landed on Mars. Around the time the phrase “supply chain issues” took a hint and deleted our number, inflation slid into our DMs. Food costs bullied chefs , restaurant owners, and diners.

I realize this is a pretty apocalyptic way to introduce our annual celebration of San Diego’s food and drink culture—our bible of the restaurant scene, with its attendant bao bun psalms and birria haikus.

But that lurking doomery only underscores the heights San Diego’s restaurant culture has finally reached. It’s never been harder to operate a restaurant, and yet our food and drink people made national headlines and hype reels again. It has not always been this way. After eras of deep-fried pain, we’re in a far better place.

Why? Because our seafood’s right there . Because our produce is among the best on the planet —and any cook will tell ya that using the world’s best ingredients is like running a 100-yard dash and starting at the 40-yard line. That’s why the top chefs have come. Plus, moms and pops who started cooking furiously four years ago (due to The Terrible Thing) are opening kitchens. The proximity to Mexico’s fire and ash and stew culture never hurts. So many reasons.

This list is a citywide tradition we’re honored to keep. You guys picked your favorites (with 41,000-plus votes, a new record), and I picked mine.

I switched it up a bit. I left out a few that have become institutional and duh-of-course. Once Addison landed three Michelin stars , no one needed to be told to go there. Same with Jeune et Jolie , a pinnacle of Frenchishness. I politely placed them over on Mt. Olympus and made room for other places that deserve that spotlight.

I’ve been lucky enough to document, study, and tell stories about food and drink for almost two decades. I did the math recently and realized I’d been to thousands of restaurants, tried tens of thousands of dishes. It’s been an obscenely obsessive career without complaints.

I know food better than I know myself. That said, I’ll never pretend my list is somehow the only valid take. It’s just mine. It’s the list I keep in my pocket and constantly update as I eat my way through the city and send to friends when they come to town and ask, “What should I eat in San Diego?”

I urge you to make your own. –Troy Johnson

And Now the 2024 Best San Diego Restaurants Winners List…

You voted. Food critic Troy Johnson picked his favorites. We chose the must-try dishes at some of the winning joints and unpacked the people and trends changing SD’s dining scene for the better. Hope you’re hungry, because it’s time to dig in.

THE 2024 WINNERS ARE...

THE LIST IS SORTED BY

Critic's Picks

Reader's Pick

Restaurant of the Year

Wolf in the Woods

Photo Credit: James Tran

Top Five Restaurants

Courtesy of Callie

Best New Restaurant

Atelier Manna

Priscilla Curiel (Mujer Divina, Tuétano Taquería)

Frank Anctil (Rovino)

Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Hotel Restaurant

Courtesy of Nine-Ten

Restaurant in Baja

Healthy eats.

Parakeet Cafe

Courtesy of Parakeet Cafe

Vegetarian / Vegan

Farmer's market food vendor.

Wayfarer Bread

Photo Credit: Airyka Rockefeller

Rare Society

Chain Restaurant

Specific cuisines, asian fusion.

Et Voilà! French Bistro

Courtesy of OpenTable

Izakaya Sakura

Courtesy of Izakaya Sakura

Mediterranean

Middle eastern.

Courtesy of Postmates

Courtesy of Plumeria

Specific Dishes

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

Courtesy of Sidecar Doughnut Co.

Ice Cream/Gelato

Mujer Divina

Courtesy of Mujer Divina

Chips & Salsa

It's Raw Poke Shop

Courtesy of It’s Raw Poke Shop

Courtesy of Wise Ox

Xiao Long Bao

Courtesy of SwellsCreative

Lilian's Kitchen

Courtesy of the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Patio Dining

Dog-friendly, kid-friendly.

Courtesy of City Tacos

Best for Big Groups

Restaurant at petco park, best view: water, best view: urban.

Courtesy of Mister A’s

Reinvention

Til-Two Club

Aero Club Bar

Photo Credit: Erica Joan

Whiskey Bar

Tequila/mezcal bar.

Gravity Heights

Courtesy of Gravity Heights

New Brewery

Pali Wine Co.

Courtesy of Opentable

Shaks Mediterranean Bistro

Bloody Mary

El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria

Courtesy of Old Town San Diego

Bivouac Ciderworks

Courtesy of Bivouac Ciderworks

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1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA

The Sand Dollar

Updated by business owner 2 weeks ago

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2858 S Forrest St

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Judy D. said "Excellent sandwich. Quick with fresh ingredients. Staff was wonderful. Will definitely be coming back. Easy in and easy out. The cookies were wonderful. D ST Gould I'd bought a dozen." read more

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We specialize is all in house made food! Sauces, syrups, soups, dressings, breads and noodles! …

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This is a solid new addition to the Grays Harbor Food Scene. We showed up there tonight because we heard about them while playing bingo at The Local Bar last night. They donated a $25 gift certificate as a prize! There are a lot of things here to really like with a few cringeworthy parts, too. Near as I can tell, this was opened late in 2023 so it seems they're still getting their feet under them. The building and finished space is done quite nicely though there seems to be a bit of an identity crisis. Is it farmhouse? Roadhouse? Bistro? The decor and music choice is kind of all over the place. Three things that bothered us... the fast food drink machine and ice dispenser. Looks terrible and the sound of the ice machine rattled throughout the dining room our entire visit. Do us all a favor and just use an ice well. While I'm speaking of noises, PLEASE change the battery of that smoke detector in the bathroom hall. Shouldn't even have to say that. Finally, the bathrooms need to be clearly marked. They're off in a corner and I heard virtually every guest ask where they were. Just put up a sign. Now that my gripes are off the table on to the rest. Our server was quite pleasant. Despite our obvious newness and my joviality, she got us through our order and took good care of us. Order was entered properly and came out properly. The food itself was absolutely top notch. Rib steak was perfectly medium rare and the mashed Yukon gold potatoes were amazing. My wife had the seafood pasta that she really loved. They held the oysters for her but it still was more good than she could eat. Shrimp and scallops were super tender and the clams and crab rounded out the dish. Sauce was light and creamy with just a hint of garlic. Prices are higher than diner fare but the quality and value is there to make it worthwhile. Definitely a place to come back to, just so long as they tweak the things that need tweaking.

See all photos from Scott K. for The Sand Dollar

Super disappointing. I had such high hopes for this place. After waiting a few months to try this place, so they could get the bugs worked out, we came into tonight for dinner. Wasn't super busy so ordering didn't take very long. A few minutes after placing our order we were informed they were out of the Oysters Rockefeller in passing and weren't given a chance to order something in its place. Our salads arrived shortly after and as we stared at them for 10 minutes because we didn't have any utensils until the bartender finally noticed and brought us some. I ordered the Ribeye and my wife the New York. Hers was overcooked and lacked any flavor. Mine was cooked to temperature, but was dry, flavorless and pretty small for the price. I don't mind paying $40 for a steak but I expect a decent cut and flavor. The highlight of our meals were the carrots on the side of the plate. If you want the same (or better) meal at half the price go to The Local Bar on Wednesday nights.

Felt as if restaurant is a little confused. Ambience is casual to almost bar like - table covered in bottle caps yet priced as fine dining. Food was fine - a few temp issues and order errors but they were rectified. Bill was close to two other high end restaurants but food was not as memorable. Service needs some work especially if they want to be charge those prices. Still, so glad to have another option on the South Beach.

Had a fantastic meal - steamer clams, ahi tuna, steak bites. Salads are huge. Service was lovely. Highly recommend this place !

Great food, friendly, attentive staff and amazing food. The stuffed dates and beet salad were so delicious and my husband loved his clams. What more could you want? And the wine was perfect!!

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