When it comes to food, the United States has an incredibly diverse selection of cities that can appeal to the most die-hard of foodies. These include large metropolises like New York City and San Francisco, as well as smaller towns and rural areas that have become renowned for their delicious offerings.
The Best Cities for Foodies: A Culinary Tour of the World
For foodies, a trip to the US is not complete without visiting a city that offers an exciting culinary scene. There are a wide range of restaurants, coffee shops, and gourmet specialty-food stores that offer unique dishes to satisfy any appetite.
Los Angeles is a major foodie destination that has been named one of the best cities for foodies in America by WalletHub. The study looked at the top 182 US cities based on food diversity, affordability, and accessibility to determine which cities were the best for eating.
Boston is a world-class city for foodies with its access to fresh seafood, famous baked beans, and local breweries. It is also a place where artisan eateries and ethnic cuisine are growing in popularity as locals seek more unique meals.
Portland is known for its exceptional seafood, but the city doesn’t pigeonhole itself into a single style of cooking. Instead, the city prioritizes localism by promoting farmers markets and CSAs that sell locally raised lamb, potatoes, and honey, as well as other delicacies.
The thriving restaurant scene has drawn Michelin star chefs to the city. The best way to experience the bounty of this cosmopolitan city is to join a culinary walking tour that will take you through some of its hottest neighborhoods.
New Orleans is a city that’s synonymous with gumbo, and it’s no wonder: it has a polyglot history of French, Haitian, Cajun, and African cooking that has resulted in a distinctly complex dish. It’s hard to leave New Orleans without sampling its signature gumbo, but the Big Easy also serves up more unexpected delights in the form of beignets at Cafe du Monde and po’ boys at Parkway.
Chicago is synonymous with deep-dish pizza, but it’s also a renowned city for its vast array of eateries. It has the third-most ice cream and fro-yo shops per capita, making it an ideal city for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Denver is another city that prioritizes localism and has a booming restaurant scene. The Union Station train terminal underwent extensive renovations and now houses many world-class restaurants. This historic building is the perfect place for foodies to enjoy chic Art-deco lounges and sustainable seafood.
Seattle is another popular foodie destination that’s famous for a variety of fish markets, farmers markets, and wine shops. The city’s booming restaurant scene is made up of artisan eateries and ethnic cuisine, bringing together the best of both cultures to create a culinary blend that’s unique and delicious.
Honolulu is an idyllic tropical city that specializes in fresh seafood and exciting food preparations. The island’s unique cuisine incorporates many different traditions, including blue corn tortillas and taro or plantain roots called poi.