The 10 Best Food Cities in the U.S

Whether you enjoy fine dining or food trucks, you know eating well and happy Travels go hand in hand. Of course, there are daily conversations about where you should eat, which can get heated when the hunger pains hit!

Regarding food scenes in the United States, various cities are celebrated and known for famous dining. Many cities in the US have diverse and impressive food cultures, but which ones are the best of the best?

While some of these destinations may be expected, some may surprise you. We guarantee these cities will not disappoint when it comes to satisfying your cravings!

10. Greenville, South Carolina

Once known as a quiet, small town, Greenville has increasingly earned a spot as a top food city. With many locally-owned gems, you can find unique dishes to satisfy your palate. Test your taste buds with mouthwatering seafood at the Great Jones.

Wake up to start your day with a cold brew at Methodical Coffee, a hidden gem offering classic and contemporary brews. Visit Asada, a well-established dining spot offering Peruvian or steak tacos with their house chips.

With mild weather all year, there’s no better way to experience some of these top southern restaurants than on the patio. One thing is for sure: Greenville is known for more than just its sweet tea!

9. Louisville, Kentucky

As the birthplace of award-winning mint juleps, barbecue, and restaurants, Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the top cities where you’re guaranteed to eat well. As Louisville’s signature dish, you must try the Hot Brown, a turkey sandwich with mornay sauce, bacon, and ham.

No tourist should leave this food-filled city without sampling some of their famous bourbon. With their distillery tour, you’ll visit some of their famous hot spots while sipping on Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam.

Sure to delight drink and food enthusiasts alike, must-visit favorites include Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen and Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar. With over 2,500 restaurants, you may find it challenging to decide what’s for dinner!

8. Asheville, North Carolina

Situated in the gorgeous Blue Ridge mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, has more than 120 restaurants. Reward your taste buds with Indian chicken tikka rolls at Chai Pani, or try crispy matchstick okra fries.

No trip to Asheville is complete without making your way over to Jargon. This modern American restaurant has an ever-changing and innovative menu. Sourced from local growers, many tourists rave about the popular main dish, the honey-glazed Joyce farms duck breast.

Were you looking for a trendy eatery? Stop by Cúrate to indulge in Spanish tapas. Here you can experience Spain in the United States. This Spanish-style restaurant is closed on Mondays.

7. Cleveland, Ohio

In case you’re unfamiliar with some of Cleveland’s tempting flavors, let us fill you in! Sokolowski’s University Inn, an award-winning cafeteria-style establishment, is known for its chicken paprikash. This restaurant even grabbed the attention of former President Bill Clinton when he was in town.

If you’re on the east side, stop by Sylman’s Restaurant for one of their famous corned beef sandwiches. This hot spot has seen its share of celebrities, too, including Rachel Ray and former President George W. Bush.

However, their busiest scene is the West Side Market, one of the largest in the country. Here, you can purchase hand-fashioned candies, Amish-churned butter, poultry, produce, and much more! Even though the city center has fantastic restaurants, you can find mouth-watering eateries in every neighborhood!

6. Tucson, Arizona

Offering Mexican and Native American cuisine, some of the finest restaurants here in Tucson are one of a kind! Many use organic ingredients in their dishes and drinks, such as their staple, the prickly pear Margarita.

As a vibrant town with over 85 restaurants and bars, the Beta restaurant is trendy amongst vegans. Looking for more than veggie-based dishes?

Stroll over to Boca, where you can satisfy your tastebuds with salsa flights and delicious tacos. In 2023, Tucson opened 13 additional restaurants, including Blue Front. Blue Front offers handmade pies, deviled eggs, unique cocktails, orange wines, and more!

5. Houston, Texas

With plenty of diverse cultures, Houston, Texas, has much to offer regarding excellent food. You’ll chow down on food trucks, beef and brisket, and soul food.

Of course, while in town, you can’t leave without tasting some delicious Tex-Mex. Visit legendary hot spots such as Teotihuacan or Little Pappasito’s Cantina. Some tourist favorites include East Side King and ChópnBlok, which offer beet home fries and pork buns.

We’d also be doing you a disservice if we didn’t dive deeper into the food truck areas, such as Coreanos, where you’ll indulge in Korean barbecue tacos. As the food capital of the United States, it’s truly paradise!

4. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is home to over 50 top-rated restaurants, mission burritos, sourdough, and the hometown of Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse. With their Chinatown culinary walking tours, you’ll get to sample tea, dim sum, fortune cookies, and much more!

Don’t forget to stop by Japantown, the infamous farmer’s market at Ferry Building Marketplace, and its quaint coffee shops. Are you a dedicated fan of Italian-style dishes?

Head to Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe and Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, where you’ll indulge in some of the most delicious pizzas on the West Coast. If you have any spare time, you can visit some local wineries in Napa Valley since it’s close to San Francisco.

3. Chicago, Illinois

As one of the top food cities in the United States, the Windy City has various types of top-rated restaurants tourists flock to, with its most famous being Alinea. With creativity, textures, and flavors, you’ll be presented with only the finest dishes in Bear Town.

Looking for laid-back, budget-friendly treats while sightseeing? You can’t go wrong with a Chicago hot dog and deep-dish pizza.

Embark on a classic food walking tour to see some of the city’s best landmarks. On these food tours, you’ll visit hot spots like the Bean and Wrigley Field while eating brownies, hot dogs, and beef sandwiches!

2. New Orleans, Louisiana

If you’re a huge foodie, New Orleans is a must-visit, especially for those who enjoy Creole cuisine! NOLA also boasts various restaurants that offer Cajun cuisine, a distinct cooking style in the south.

From grabbing a beignet at Cafe du Monde to trying mouthwatering dishes like jambalaya and gumbo, everything is worth trying. One of the best ways to experience food in The Big Easy is to take a food and History tour.

On this tour, you’ll sample a Muffuletta sandwich, boudin, and hot sauces as you stroll around the French Quarter. Beyond creole and Cajun dishes, don’t forget to stop by Bacchanal for some fantastic wine and charcuterie pairings.

1. New York City, New York

It’s no surprise that New York City takes the top spot as the best food city in the US! With its diverse cultures, you can enjoy various types of cuisine all within a short walk.

From indulging in massive deli sandwiches at Katz’s Deli to enjoying dim sum at Joe’s Shanghai, NYC has it all! If that’s not enough, go through the five boroughs, feasting on authentic Himalayan or Greek fare in Jackson Heights and Astoria.

NYC has plenty of top-rated restaurants that range from low-key like Jeju Noodle Bar to fine dining like Le Bernardin. You can find some of the most mouthwatering, affordable eats in unusual places in NYC because who doesn’t love cheap pizza?!