Whether you’d prefer to feast on barbecue at a hole-in-the-wall joint, sip your way through the wine regions, or take a bite of history at a centuries-old eatery, the US offers fantastic food-fueled experiences at every turn. From a seafood extravaganza in Alabama to bison burgers in Wyoming, we've rounded up the very best eating experiences each state has to offer, highlighting the dishes, drinks, and delicacies everyone should try at least once.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover America's bucket-list food experiences, counting down to the most unmissable of all. How many have you tried?

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

Idaho is an agricultural titan of a state, and it's particularly proud of its huckleberries. These wild berries grow in abundance in the Idaho Panhandle, where they’re foraged and baked into all manner of delights. A favored spot to try a deliciously sweet and tart slice of huckleberry pie is the Pie Hut, a Sandpoint stalwart with a loyal following. 

North Dakota has a rich Russian and German heritage, and it's reflected in the food scene here. Across the state, you’ll find chilled out restaurants serving everything from knoephla (dumpling) soup to fleischkuekle, a kind of deep-fried turnover. You can try both at Kroll’s Diner, which also dishes up German-style omelets with kielbasa (a type of sausage), and burgers with sauerkraut.

From stacked deli sandwiches and perfect pastries to hand-crafted chocolate, Polish pierogi, and fresh seafood, you’ll find everything you need and more at Findlay Market. This Cincinnati must-visit is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated market, and one of the city’s most-loved spots. Visitors can buy local ingredients, chat with vendors, and enjoy their treats at the market’s on-site garden.

Nowhere does fall quite like New England – and this extends to the region's delicious food, too. If you have a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with an apple cider donut, a New Hampshire specialty. You can try one at a farm or orchard that opens to the public during the season; the homemade cider donuts at Applecrest Farm Orchards in Hampton Falls are wonderfully sweet and warm with spices.

Rocky Mountain oysters are definitely not what they sound like. This Western delicacy isn't seafood at all – instead, these ‘oysters’ are actually deep-fried bulls’ testes, often served with a cocktail sauce. Brave them at Denver’s Buckhorn Exchange, one of the oldest restaurants in Colorado; here they come served with a fiery horseradish dipping sauce. 

Every August since 1983, leafy Binghamton has hosted a three-day festival dedicated to the region’s most adored sandwich: the spiedie (pronounced 'speedy'). The dish dates back to the 1920s, and sees skewered cubes of meat marinated in a secret mix, chargrilled, then served in a hoagie. The Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally is a charming community gathering that attracts more than 100,000 people every year, with hot air balloons, live music, and – of course – a variety of spiedies cooked by local vendors. The weekend finishes with a cook-off, with diners gathering to see who can make the best.

Michigan’s vast cranberry bogs look like something from another world when they’re flooded for harvest. Happily, some farms allow visitors to come and see the spectacle. Among them is DeGrandchamp Farms, whose fall-time Cranberry Harvest Days include trolley rides out to the bogs, as well as tastings and family-friendly activities.

The first thing you'll notice in Helen is the Bavarian-style architecture – and, somewhat unsurprisingly, given its German roots, the town puts on a spectacular Oktoberfest every year. Time your trip to coincide with the celebrations, and you'll feel as though you’ve landed in Munich as you enjoy free-flowing beer, sausages, and traditional music. 

You can’t go wrong with Gulf seafood, and Wintzell’s has been delighting Mobile locals since 1938, when it started up as a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it oyster bar with six stools. Today it’s an institution, with a historical marker out front and a menu heaving with seafood delicacies. You can try everything from oysters Rockefeller to a fried catfish dinner, or platters loaded with shrimp, stuffed crab, and scallops. The place is so loved that it now has several locations across the state.

Can you think of anything more comforting than a hotdish? This Midwestern staple sees ground beef and cream of chicken soup bubble away in a dish topped with crispy, golden tater tots. It’s an old-school classic for home cooks in the region, but you can also find a great version at the cozy Crooked Pint Ale House, with locations in places including Duluth and Minneapolis. 

When it comes to food in Kentucky, it’s all about comfort – and that’s certainly true of the state’s signature dish. Invented in 1926 in Louisville’s ornate Brown Hotel, the hot brown is a decadent open-faced sandwich that comes heaving with meat and cheese. Oozy and bubbly, the dish features great hunks of Texas toast and plenty of Mornay sauce, crispy bacon, turkey, and tomatoes. 

State fairs are hotbeds of culinary innovation (often involving a deep-fat fryer), but Iowa’s legendary event specializes in one type of thing in particular: food on a stick. At the Iowa State Fair, you’ll regularly find over 60 different specialties served on a stick, ranging from deep-fried strawberry shortcake (pictured) and cherry pie to deep-fried meatballs – and even Caprese salad. Before you leave, make sure you get a look at the iconic butter cow, which has been a feature of the fair since 1911.

Virginia is a must-visit for both presidential history and wine, and the two come together on the Monticello Wine Trail. Thomas Jefferson was one of the USA’s earliest viticulturalists, and the locations along this wine-washed trail are all inspired by the third president. Be sure to stop off at sites such as the long-running Afton Mountain Vineyards, with its beautiful Blue Ridge vistas, or Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards, known for its excellent Sauvignon Blanc.

Jutting into the Atlantic, Cape Cod is one of the USA’s finest places for fresh seafood – and wherever you land on this windswept peninsula, you’ll find a restaurant or shack serving up delicacies from the ocean. A few favorites include Mac’s Fish House in Provincetown, which is known for its creamy clam chowder and fresh lobster rolls, and Moby Dick’s Restaurant in Wellfleet, which does excellent fish and chips. Note that some restaurants are only open seasonally. 

A South Dakota delicacy, chislic consists of fried cubes of meat – usually lamb, though sometimes beef – finished with garlic salt. There are plenty of great places to try it across the state, but we say make a beeline for cozy and casual Meridian Corner in Freeman, which receives rave reviews for its delicious skewers of lamb and mutton chislic.

Herby crab cakes are Maryland’s signature dish, and you’ll find them on menus up and down the state. However, you’ll always hear high praise for Jimmy’s Famous Seafood in Baltimore. The crab cakes win the menu, but you can also get excellent stuffed shrimp, jumbo oysters, and crab potsticker dumplings. 

Not the most elegant dish on our list, perhaps, but gnawing on a comically oversized turkey leg while strolling around the Magic Kingdom is a rite of passage for any meat lover visiting Walt Disney World. This meaty handheld treat is one of Disney's most popular food items – and it has a dedicated following of fans, who rave about the tender texture and the smoky, almost pork-like flavor of the secret-recipe snack.

West Virginia is mighty proud of its deep-rooted Italian heritage, which is celebrated each year at the buzzing Italian Heritage Festival in Clarksburg. If you try just one thing, make it a traditional pepperoni roll – a down-to-earth delicacy that began as an easily portable dish for West Virginia’s miners, and is now the official state food. 

Foodies will find plenty to sink their teeth into in Boston, from classic seafood dishes (think clam chowder and lobster rolls) to signature desserts like Boston Cream Pie. But one gourmet destination that's not to be missed is Boston’s North End. This is the Italian part of town, and it’s thick with trattorias, pizzerias, and traditional bakeries. Don’t miss a cannoli from Mike’s Pastry, or a plate of house-made pasta at elegant Bricco. 

A traditional food in Mormon culture, funeral potatoes are a kind of creamy potato casserole, made with lashings of cheese and creamy soup, and usually topped with buttery cornflakes or potato chips. You can find them in a few places in Salt Lake City, including modern steakhouse Hoof & Vine, where they're a popular accompaniment to the restaurant's excellent steaks.

While you can get a decent burger just about anywhere, those eager to try a real Oklahoma-style onion burger – a delicious hand-held favorite that sees caramelized onions smashed onto a regular beef patty – should head to the Sooner State. It’s believed this dish was created at the Hamburger Inn in El Reno, and while this spot has since closed, many burger joints across the state are honoring the classic; try small chain Tucker’s Onion Burgers for an authentic taste. 

It’s very easy to find a great slice of pie in Big Sky Country – and that’s why the Pie a la Road trail was born. The fun route wriggles through Central Montana, joining up various eateries where you can find a delectable sweet treat. There’s the cute Roadhouse Diner in Great Falls (which has an ever-changing menu, featuring everything from lemon to caramel apple pies), and The Lunch Box in Havre, known for its secret-recipe crust.

An Alabama stalwart, historic spot Chris’ Hot Dogs dates back to 1917 – and it's hosted everyone from Elvis Presley to Martin Luther King Jr., who was a pastor at the nearby Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Stars and locals alike came to Chris' place in their droves for the same reason: belly-busting hot dogs laden with mustard, onions, sauerkraut, and a special chili sauce (which you can buy by the gallon, if you wish).

Not for the faint hearted, Wisconsin’s butter burger is exactly what it sounds like: a juicy beef patty crowned with a large dollop of butter. The dish was popularized in the 1930s at legendary Glendale diner Solly’s Grille, which remains the top spot to try the delicacy. Here, the burger is served with stewed onions to cut through the richness. If you dare, try the Solly's Big Boy Burger, featuring two hefty sirloin patties, house-made burger sauce, lettuce, onions, American cheese, and a generous smothering of Wisconsin butter.

While California’s wine regions get most of the love, Oregon's many wineries certainly hold their own, too. The oldest and top-producing wine region in the state is the Willamette Valley, which is known for its fantastic Pinot Noir. Make your way through the bucolic region and stop by some of its most popular vineyards, including the sprawling King Estate Winery (outside of Eugene) and the David Hill Winery (in Forest Grove).

It may be surrounded by states better recognized for their barbecue, but Georgia has a mouthwatering signature style all of its own. In the Peach State, smoky, pit-roasted pork reigns supreme – and its home is Fresh Air Barbecue in Jackson, which has been open since 1929. At the center of this no-frills joint is a massive wood-burning pit that requires constant tending. The result? Seriously tender and smoky pork that’s best served with classic Southern sides like Brunswick stew and tangy slaw.

The Bay Area is famous for the tomato-based seafood stew cioppino, spiked with chili peppers and laden with shellfish such as clams and mussels, and fish like halibut. There are many wonderful places to try a bowl, but for some of the best cioppino you'll find anywhere, head to North Beach's Sotto Mare, or Anchor Oyster Bar in the Castro District. 

Lavish buffets are the kind of thing you’d normally associate with Las Vegas, not a sleepy corner of Pennsylvania Dutch Country – but Lancaster County is actually home to America’s biggest buffet, Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Housed within a historic market, this enormous hot-and-cold buffet seats around 1,200 people and can feed up to 7,000 every day. On the menu you’ll find everything from fried shrimp and smoked beef brisket to local cheeses and Pennsylvania specialties like scrapple. Diners also rave about the enormous salad bar and sundae station.

Barbecue fiends should head to North Carolina, which has its own distinct styles. Lexington-style barbecue puts pork shoulder and a vinegary, peppery tomato sauce front and center, while the ‘whole-hog’ Eastern style uses a simpler vinegar-based sauce. Try the first at local favorite, Lexington Barbecue, and the latter at the no-frills Skylight Inn BBQ, established in 1947.

The Delaware coast is often underrated, and so is its stellar food scene. Seafood shacks and hole-in-the-wall joints up and down the shoreline serve incredible crab dishes, and the Crab House in Rehoboth Beach offers some of the best around. Come by for steamed crab, crab cake sandwiches, and shrimp and catfish dinners. 

Home fries, French fries, macaroni salad, baked beans, your choice of meat (think ground beef, sausage, steak, or chicken), and hot sauce make up the garbage plate, a mighty meal originating at Rochester’s Nick Tahou Hots. This hearty dish has been on the hole-in-the-wall joints’ menu since 1980s, and is well worth traveling for.

Husk made waves when it opened in Charleston back in 2010. It’s the brainchild of chef and restaurateur Sean Brock, and it focuses on elevated Southern cuisine. Here, you can graze on comforting yet contemporary plates – think cornmeal-fried catfish with white Cheddar grits, or Nashville hot shrimp toast with peanut tartare sauce. 

If there’s one thing you shouldn't miss in Nebraska, it’s a classic steakhouse. The Cornhusker State is known for its stellar beef, and you’ll find top-notch cuts served in restaurants across the region. Standout options include the 801 Chophouse at the swish Paxton hotel in Omaha, and the down-to-earth Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland.

As you might have guessed, the city of Buffalo in Upstate New York is the proud birthplace of the Buffalo wing. The famous dish was invented in 1964, when Teressa Bellissimo first tossed chicken wings in hot sauce at the down-to-earth Anchor Bar. Fast-forward to today and the bar still slings heaps of chicken wings, served with celery and a cooling blue cheese sauce. 

Iowa is probably best known for its pork tenderloin sandwich, in which tender, often hand-breaded pork is layered up with toppings like pickles, lettuce, and mayo. Some of the best can be found at family-owned Cliff’s Place in Manning, and the laid-back Stumpy’s Bar and Grill in Duncombe. 

Wyoming is better known for its epic landscapes than its foodie credentials, but that’s not to say that the state doesn’t have some tasty bites. One state specialty is a juicy bison burger, a delicious, juicy patty which replaces the usual beef with bison meat; you can find them on the menu at laid-back spots such as Liberty Burger in Jackson. 

Nowhere does cheese dip quite like Arkansas – the state where it's said to have been invented – and, happily, a trail joins up the best places to try this signature dish. It includes spots such as Stoby's in Conway, which is regularly tipped as offering the best cheese dip in Arkansas (its spicy white option is punchy and creamy in equal parts). Stick around for the World Cheese Dip Championship, which is typically held in Little Rock each fall. 

Few places have as much foodie clout as Seattle’s Pike Place Market – the city’s original farmers’ market. It dates all the way back to 1907, and today it sprawls across nine delicious acres, bursting with gourmet vendors. Here, you can feast on everything from dim sum and hom bows (traditional Chinese pastries) to empanadas and artisan pasta. There's a visit to the very first Starbucks shop (located just outside the market) to tick off, too.

Diminutive Rhode Island punches above its weight when it comes to food – particularly seafood. You can find all manner of fishy delights along the shores of this state, but its clam cakes should get a special mention. They’re a tried-and-true Rhode Island delicacy, served in down-to-earth seafood shacks. Try yours at Flo’s Clam Shack in Middletown, or Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House in Warwick. 

Between partying and playing the slots, you should find time to dig into the food scene in Las Vegas. A really special experience is a fancy brunch at one of the larger-than-life hotels on the Strip. We recommend the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace; it’s a luxurious foodie extravaganza featuring everything from seafood to American classics, prepared by chefs right before your eyes.

San Diego’s Barrio Logan is the place for a dose of Mexican American culture, with eye-catching public art, music, and – of course – food. There are plenty of amazing restaurants to try here, but we particularly recommend Las Cuatro Milpas, a perennial favorite that’s known for its fried tacos. The made-from-scratch tortillas are a real treat, too.

While some states may be better known for their crusty pans, Colorado-style pizza is still worth seeking out. Originating at Idaho Springs restaurant Beau Jo’s in the 1970s, this pizza – also known as a mountain pie – is famous for its incredibly thick, honey-sweetened crust, which was designed to hold as much sauce, cheese, and toppings as possible. The result is delicious, and you can still try it at the restaurant today. 

Oklahoma is a state that's famous for its fine beef, and Cattlemen’s Steakhouse is a legendary place to try it. You’ll find the restaurant in buzzing Oklahoma City – a city with a burgeoning food scene – and it's said to be the best steakhouse in the region. Cattlemen’s opened way back in 1910, catering to ranchers and cowboys, and now it serves filet mignon, strip sirloin, and rib-eye to tourists and locals alike.  

The Golden State dominates when it comes to wine, and Napa Valley is the best-known region of all. The bucolic area now has more than 400 wineries and is lauded for its stellar Cabernet Sauvignon. Top wineries include the contemporary Opus One Winery in Oakville, and the grand Inglenook in Rutherford, which produces fantastic Bordeaux-style Rubicon.

When in Louisiana, a classic low-country boil is a rite of passage. The tradition sees large amounts of blood-red crawfish boiled up with warming Cajun spices, onions, and corn, with folks gathering together to enjoy the seafood feast. Boils happen across Southern Louisiana – Seither’s Seafood in Harahan, on the outskirts of New Orleans, is a fail-safe spot during the season (which lasts roughly from November until July). 

Joe’s Stone Crab is a Miami Beach legend. The restaurant’s story started in 1913, when owner Joe Weiss opened a lunch counter. Fast-forward more than a century, and the crowds keep pouring in to try the joint's delicious king crab legs, lobster tails, and clam chowder. Enjoy a slice of the zesty Key lime pie for good measure. 

Wisconsin is famous for its cheese – especially its wonderfully fresh, squeaky cheese curds, which come either deep fried or doused in gravy. Cheese fiends should make time to visit a dairy farm in Wisconsin; many are open to the public, offering demos and tastings, and the Door County Creamery is a favorite. There's also an annual Cheese Curd Festival in Ellsworth.

If it’s a sweet fix you’re after, set a course for the Green Mountain State. There are maple syrup farms peppered across Vermont, and many are open to the public, offering tours and tastings, and selling sweet treats from cafés and gift shops. Put Sugarbush Farm in bucolic Woodstock at the top of your list; here, you’ll learn all about the process of tapping trees and making syrup, and you can also sample the farm’s cheese (it’s a stop on the Vermont Cheese Trail, too).

St. Elmo Steak House is an Indianapolis landmark, having served the city’s residents for more than a century. It opened back in 1902, and it still does what it does best: fine cuts of beef, alongside classic but well-executed sides. Opt for the filet mignon smothered in horseradish Gorgonzola butter, or shake things up with seafood dishes such as crab-stuffed shrimp or lobster tail. 

One of the lesser-known Texas barbecue dishes, barbacoa de cabeza – smoked cow’s head – is a unique specialty that’s cooked in an underground brick-lined pit for up to 12 hours. Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Q in Brownsville was named an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2020, and it's one of the only restaurants in the country that still makes the labor-intensive dish, which has been on its menu since 1955. Diners are encouraged to use the meat to build their own tacos, with a range of house-made garnishes available.

Mississippi’s signature slugburger might not sound that appetizing, but it has a huge following in Corinth and its surrounding towns. The Depression Era staple is made with pork or beef, and bulked out with potato flour or soy grits (resulting in more burgers per pound). The name refers to the fact that they used to cost a nickel (‘slug’ being slang for a five-cent piece). You can try a slugburger at old-timey diners like White Trolley Cafe and Borroum’s – but Corinth’s annual Slugburger Festival is the place to go for a real celebration of the dish.

A whopping 95% of the world’s bourbon is made in Kentucky – and a tempting trail runs through the state, joining up the finest distilleries and tasting rooms. Don’t miss a tour of Buffalo Trace, the oldest continually operating distillery in the US. There’s the classic Trace Tour, which takes you into the aging warehouses, and the National Historic Landmark Tour, which gives bourbon fans a deep dive into the site’s past. 

You can’t leave the Queen City without trying its classic chili. For the full experience, order it ‘three way' – which sees a heap of spaghetti covered in special recipe chili, then buried under a pile of grated Cheddar. You can also have it ‘four way,’ with diced onions or beans, or ‘five way,’ with both. Get yours at no-fuss joint Skyline Chili, with locations across the city, or Price Hill Chili, if you’d prefer somewhere independent.

When spending time in the Aloha State, one thing you can’t miss is a traditional plate lunch. Typically associated with hole-in-the-wall joints, these meals consist of meats such as breaded chicken, along with macaroni salad and white rice. This is old-fashioned, rib-sticking cooking, and it’s best tried at down-to-earth spots like Honolulu’s Rainbow Drive-In, which first opened in 1961.

Buzzing Chinatown never fails to deliver the goods. Here, you can wander the streets and slip into restaurants serving everything from noodle soups and dumplings to Kung Pao chicken and Peking duck. Don’t miss Great N.Y. Noodletown – a no-frills spot known for its top-notch noodle dishes and fried meats – and Jing Fong, the home of some of the city’s finest dim sum.

You’ll find plenty of top-notch seafood dishes up and down the Florida Keys, but you simply can’t leave these subtropical isles without trying the Sunshine State's signature dessert: sweet, zingy Key lime pie. Every local has their favorite spot, but we recommend Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe in quirky Key West. Here you can try a classic slice and get stuck into a variety of Key lime dishes, from ice cream to salad dressings.

The desert city of Tucson is one of just two UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in the USA (along with San Antonio, Texas), and Mexican dishes are among its finest offerings. If you're passing through, make a beeline for hotspots like El Charro Café, America's oldest Mexican restaurant continuously operated by the same family. Taco platters, chimichangas, enchiladas, and tamales fill the menu. 

Ever wondered where the deliciously gooey, chewy brownie was invented? Turns out the first-ever brownie was created at Chicago’s Palmer House. The story goes that Chicago socialite Bertha Palmer instructed the pastry chef at her husband’s hotel to make a tasty dessert for the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair. The result? The Palmer House Brownie, a baked chocolate and walnut treat topped with an apricot glaze, and chocolate lovers can still try it at the hotel today.

America takes its barbecue styles very seriously indeed, and different traditions abound across the nation. Memphis does things its own way, and is known for its stellar pork barbecue. You’ll find it either ‘wet’ (with meat doused in sweet, tomato-based sauces), or ‘dry’ (with a rub of dry spices). Favored pit-stops in the city include Central BBQ and The Bar-B-Q Shop, which is known for its barbecue spaghetti.

For pizza purists, it doesn’t get much better than New Haven’s signature slices. These world-famous pies are loved for their simplicity, consisting of a thin base with a chewy crust that’s charred and blistered. The city’s historic pizza shops eschew the familiar mountain of toppings in favor of just a couple of high-quality ingredients, served on a rich and flavorful tomato sauce with a light dusting of pecorino. In New Haven there are three lauded spots that specialize in the dish: Frank Pepe's Pizzeria, Modern Apizza, and Sally’s Apizza. Locals argue over who serves the best, but there’s only one way to find out for sure…

Minnesota’s signature burger is essentially an inside-out cheeseburger, with cheese stuffed inside the beef patty instead of layered on top, resulting in a core of melty goodness. It emerged in the 1950s, but two joints, a few miles apart from each other in Minneapolis, claim to have invented it: Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club. Matt's is the home of the Jucy Lucy, while the 5-8 Club serves the Juicy Lucy (with an 'i'). Both spots maintain a friendly rivalry to this day.

Tennessee’s capital might be best known for its music – but Nashville tastes great, too. You shouldn’t leave town without trying the city's signature dish: hot chicken, which is said to have been accidentally invented by a woman scorned. Apparently, the lover of a man named Thornton Prince served him extra-spicy chicken as revenge for his infidelity. However, he loved the dish, and went on to open his own chicken shack. Prince’s Hot Chicken is still going strong, with locations across the city and beyond.

Barbecue styles vary throughout the States, of course, but Kansas City–style is among the most famous. The distinct process sees meats smoked over oak and hickory woods, then smothered in a tangy sauce. Don’t miss Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, where you can feast on belly-busting sandwiches heaving with beef, ham, pork, or burnt ends.

Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the US combined, so it's no wonder that fresh seafood is the state's drawcard. For the freshest and tastiest around, head for Tracy’s King Crab Shack in the Alaskan capital. Open seasonally, the joint offers exactly what its name suggests: buckets of red king crab served with garlic rolls, butter, and coleslaw. Snow crab, Dungeness crab, and beer-battered shrimp are on the menu, too. 

You’ll feel the heat on a foodie road trip through New Mexico; the state is known for its green chiles, which are harvested through the summer. The chiles find their way into various dishes across the state, from burgers to classic Mexican-style eats. Winding its way through southern New Mexico – and including towns such as Las Cruces and Hatch – the Green Chile Trail joins up the top places to try this spicy delicacy. 

There are few fiercer foodie rivalries than the feud between neighboring joints Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island – both purveyors of the classic Coney Island–style hog dog, which sees steamed buns filled with a beef frankfurter, meaty chili, white onions, and yellow mustard. Everyone in Detroit has an opinion on which is better; why not try a bite of both, and take your pick?

The Gulf Coast is often overlooked as a foodie destination, but there are ample places to try the fruits of the sea along Mississippi’s snow-white shores. One particularly elegant spot is The Chimneys (pictured) in Gulfport. It’s a lovely, special occasion place, with a menu featuring seafood gumbo, crab cakes, fried oysters, and lobster tail. 

Ever-quirky Portland always likes to do things a little differently – and when it comes to food, that means serving up some of its finest cuisine from food trucks. The city has a thriving food truck scene, with many cult spots and delicious clusters of trucks called ‘food cart pods.’ Some options towards the top of your list should be Bing Mi, known for its Chinese-style crêpes, and Togo’s Taquitos, for excellent Mexican-style eats.

Located in Tampa’s Ybor City – which is known for its Cuban heritage – Columbia Restaurant is the oldest eatery in Florida. The décor is certainly attractive, with bold columns and arches, but it’s the food that really sings. Don’t miss the famous Cuban sandwich, which features ham, salami, and roasted pork layered up with Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. 

Memphis is famous as the home of Elvis Presley, and fans can follow his footsteps beyond Graceland. Sink into a booth at the Arcade Restaurant – a classic diner that opened in 1919, making it the city's oldest. This was apparently Elvis’ favorite breakfast spot, and his order was the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. If it’s good enough for the King, then it’s good enough for us!

You’ll find legendary barbecue spots in spades in Kansas City, which straddles both Kansas and Missouri – but perhaps none are more lauded than Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que. Regularly topping lists of the best barbecue joints in the US, Joe’s has been going strong since the 1990s. It turns out mouthwatering burnt ends, as well as beef brisket, ribs, and belly-busting pulled pork sandwiches. 

Spread over three square miles, Los Angeles' Koreatown is packed tight with night clubs and late-night restaurants. Here, you can sit down to meaty feasts at sizzling tabletop barbecue spots, or treat yourself to ice cream or shaved ice at one of the neighborhood's many dessert shops. A favorite is Kingyubu, serving unique Korean and Japanese fusion sushi and specializing in yubu chobop: fried tofu pockets with a variety of delectable fillings such as the Queen Yubu with shrimp tempura, crabmeat, eel sauce, spicy mayo, and scallions.

San Antonio is a majority Hispanic city, and it has a tempting food scene to match its rich cultural heritage. All over the city you’ll find delectable Tex-Mex dishes, from sizzling steak fajitas to queso dip and enchiladas. You can fill up on all of these favorites at amazing Mexican restaurants like La Fonda on Main (which opened way back in 1932), and the modern and cheerful Los Azulejos.

There are few delicacies more tempting or satisfying than a giant Philly cheesesteak. The classic sandwich – which sees steak bundled into a pillowy hoagie roll alongside Cheese Whiz and onions – is ubiquitous in Philadelphia, and Pat’s King of Steaks, established in 1930, is hailed as its inventor. This original spot still pulls in the crowds, though rival Geno’s Steaks also claims to create the best. 

Often referred to as the diner capital of the USA, New Jersey is said to have more diners than any other state – so why not take a foodie road trip and hit up as many of these classic eateries as you can? Highlights include East Newark’s Tops Diner, with its striking neon exterior, and the Tick Tock Diner in Clifton, with its giant sandwich menu.

You’ll find boat-fresh seafood in spades in Maine, and you can’t go wrong with the buttery lobster rolls that the state is famous for. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to dinky seafood shacks and down-to-earth restaurants on the coast, but tried-and-tested favorites include Luke's Lobster in Portland, and McLoons Lobster Shack in Camden. 

Made famous by 1989 rom-com When Harry Met Sally, Katz’s Delicatessen has become a tourist favorite in New York City. Diners come by for the comically frosty service, the nostalgic old-school interiors, and the comforting eats. Katz's indulgent sandwiches are loaded with everything from pastrami to brisket, and the menu also includes classics like hot dogs and matzo ball soup.

No place is more lauded for its barbecue than Texas, and there are several cult restaurants across the state. Among the most famous is Franklin Barbecue in Austin, which regularly graces TV screens, magazine spreads, and ‘best of’ lists. It's also known for its very long lines, with people willing to wait for hours for melt-in-the-mouth brisket and sides like potato salad, slaw, and pinto beans.

The diminutive Louis' Lunch, established in 1895, is recognized by the Library of Congress as the birthplace of the hamburger sandwich. The all-American meal was born when owner Louis Lassen layered ground steak between slices of toast for a customer who wanted a quick lunch. The joint is still family owned, and the burger recipe has changed little over the years – so you can swing by and take a bite of history. 

No trip to the Windy City is complete without a hefty slice (or two) of classic deep-dish pizza. It was invented by entrepreneurs Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, who opened the still-beloved Pizzeria Uno in Chicago’s Near North Side back in 1943. Come by for giant slices smothered in chunky tomato sauce, and layered up with toppings like sausage, onions, and peppers, with plenty of grated Romano cheese on top.

New Orleans is a gourmand’s playground; you could spend weeks in the city and still not manage to sample all its foodie delights. Still, though, the perpetual lines outside the French Market’s Café du Monde are there for good reason. Join the crowds for your chance to taste pillowy beignets (deep-fried dough parcels) laden with powdered sugar, accompanied by a chicory-infused café au lait.

Hungry for more? Now discover the most delicious sandwiches invented in every state

Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.