As with all great pleasures, epicurean delights are subjective, as food enthusiasts like Claudette Spinelli Schwartz observe. In this listing, some of the best foodie hot spots in the USA contain the usual suspects, and there are some surprise contenders. And when it comes to food, it’s all truly about personal taste. However, according to Condé Nast Traveler, cities that are spoon-swoon-worthy include:
Philadelphia: The birthplace of cheesesteaks and hoagies.
Honolulu: Discover unexpected delights and excellent bites. Columbus, Ohio: Home to locally beloved restaurants, the city has something for every palate and wallet. The hospitality scene proudly honors the city’s roots with Buckeye Donuts and social supper clubs.
Chicago: Fun tip: The City of Broad Shoulders has been one of the nation’s most exciting food destinations since before the hunky chef-flavored Hulu fan-fave series, The Bear — went massive. Ask anyone in the hospitality industry if they’ve seen it; it’s an icebreaker! Milwaukee generates a lot of heat, light, and interest in its restaurant scene, turning the town into a dining destination where Midwestern hospitality flavors world cuisines while the town champions cookery from comfort to cutting-edge, comfortable, casual, and headline-grabbing eateries.
Detroit: If you’ve savored a slice of phat, square pizza, you understand Detroit’s growing culinary influence. The city’s most beloved spots bring on fusion, merging flavors and cuisines from countries and continents, creating a unique and diverse food scene. Detroit has long been an entry point and home to ongoing waves of immigrant populations, which has enhanced its food scene, creating a stew of flavors. Some say the Motor City’s wine, beer, and cocktail scene is a testament to its growing gastronomic flex.
Lexington, Kentucky: Even if you don’t make it to one of Lexington’s fabled bourbon distilleries, many of the city’s best restaurants have deep, curated spirit libraries that provide a proud pouring bourbon experience. Lexington’s hospitality fuses Southern tradition with innovation, promising a unique and exciting culinary journey.
Chattanooga: Roughly 100 miles away, as the eagle flies south of Nashville’s legendary comestibles, Chattanooga has a happening restaurant scene and is quickly becoming one of the most robust dining environments in the country.
New Orleans: The city that unites Spanish, Cajun, Creole, Italian, African, and French cuisines in a gumbo of tastes and aromas as artfully as New Orleans, plus it has a world-class bar/entertainment scene. Home to iconic and epic restaurants, and yes, three-martini lunches are a thing, as are classic cocktails like the Sazerac, NOLA’s official cocktail, not to mention a passion and gift for enjoying life, the city showcases a vibrant bar, taproom, and wine tasting scene that complement the world-class live entertainment and energy.
Oakland: There’s no wrong neighborhood from which to start exploring Oakland’s staggeringly diverse food scene. In Fruitvale, named after the fruit orchards in this region in the mid-19th century, now iconic food trucks sell some of the city’s tastiest treats and most delicious meals.
Food, a moveable feast for the senses, is one way to share pleasure, make memories, and celebrate good times. Good appetite!
