Food Cities of the USA: You don’t have to travel abroad to enjoy cutting-edge and simply great cuisine. In truth, there are dozens of amazing culinary cities in the United States, each with its own mix of undiscovered treasures, acclaimed hotspots, and everything in between. Here are 10 of the top gastronomic destinations in America, ranging from major cities like New York City and San Francisco to surprising (but equally delicious) choices like Greenville, South Carolina, and Tucson, Arizona. Prepare to explore and go deeper.
Best 05 Food Cities of the USA
01. Los Angeles, California
The variety of foods available in New Orleans matches the diversity of its European, Caribbean, and African cultural influences. Given this, it makes sense that The Big Easy has a lot of flavour. Po’boys (Sammy’s is a local favourite), jambalaya (the one at Mother’s is *chef’s kiss*), gumbo (dig in at the appropriately named Gumbo Shop), crawfish etouffee (check out Creole House) and muffulettas (grab yours at the Verti Marte, which is open 24/7) are some savoury staples here. Of course, live jazz goes best with all of these dishes. Save space for the beignets wrapped in powdered sugar at Cafe Du Monde (there will be a queue, but it’s worth it), then wash it all down with the Sazerac, New Orleans’ most recognisable drink, at The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel.
02. New York, New York City
You can find any type of cuisine in New York City’s 300-square-mile area because it is a melting pot of cultures. For example, you can get delicious authentic dim sum at Joe’s Shanghai in Chinatown or mouthwatering bagels and smear plus meat-piled sandwiches at one of the city’s many Jewish delis, like Katz’s. Also, don’t limit yourself to Manhattan: Explore the five boroughs while eating, making sure to stop in Astoria and Jackson Heights (in Queens) for genuine Greek and Himalayan cuisine, respectively. The Bronx’s Arthur Avenue and Staten Island’s Staten Island provide some of the city’s greatest Italian cuisine, while Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighbourhood is home to a number of Polish bakeries including Syrena. The Big Apple also has over 70 Michelin-starred eateries, from upscale spots like Le Bernardin to more casual (but nonetheless wonderful) spots like Jeju Noodle Bar. Though some of the tastiest meals may be discovered in the most unexpected locations ($1 pizza, anyone? ), don’t become too engrossed with all things Michelin.
03. California’s San Francisco
San Francisco’s cutting-edge tech industry undoubtedly attracts the most attention, but the city also has some outstanding gastronomic options. The nation’s city with the highest concentration of restaurants is The City by the Bay. Numerous Michelin-starred dinners are available here at renowned restaurants including Atelier Crenn (where elegant French food is offered), Mister Jiu’s (which serves modern Chinese-American cuisine), and Lazy Bear (which promotes itself as a “modern American dinner party”). As an alternative, head to the Ferry Building Marketplace, which is brimming with beloved local eateries like Acme Bread Company, Dandelion Chocolate, El Porteo Empanadas, Donut Farm, and Hog Island Oyster Company, for something more laid-back. Last but not least, no trip to San Francisco is complete without trying some sourdough (among of the best in the city are made by Josey Baker Bread and Boudin Bakery), as well as the city’s signature Mission burritos (locals and tourists alike like Taqueria Cancun).
04. Harris, Texas
Houston’s inclusion on our list of the top American cities for foodies is not surprising given that it is the nation’s most diversified city. Every palette may find something to enjoy in the Bayou City. As a result, there are many possibilities, including Southeast Asian-Latin American food at Hawker Street Food Bar in Post Market and Viet-Cajun fusion at Crawfish & Noodles. Speaking of Post, this thriving foreign food collection offers delectable dishes from renowned chefs. Some of our favourites are East Side King, which provides Japanese street food including pork buns and beetroot home fries, and ChópnBlok for its West African cuisine. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t include Houston’s thriving food truck culture, which includes the acclaimed Coreanos, where customers can chow down on Korean-Mexican fusion dishes like Korean BBQ tacos.
05. Illinois’s Chicago
The unusual ketchup-free hot dogs and deep-dish pizzas that Chicagoans are so enthusiastic about. The greatest places to eat the former and latter in the Windy City are Pequod’s and Jimmy’s Red Hots, respectively. Chicago also has more than 20 restaurants with Michelin stars and over 20 James Beard Award winners, including the renowned Alinea, which is best recognised for its inventive multicourse tasting menus. The 24,000 square foot Chicago Winery, a winery, restaurant, bar and events facility, as well as the 17,000 square foot Kindling, a live fire show kitchen run by James Beard Award winner Jonathon Sawyer, are recent additions to the local food scene.
