There's no denying that America's biggest cities have foodie clout. But venture beyond the buzzing urban hubs – to the sticks, the suburbs, and the small towns – and you'll find plenty of gourmet surprises. From cute cafés located off the beaten track to legendary dining spots well worth traveling to, not forgetting tiny hidden gem joints, here we reveal the out-of-town eateries you need to visit.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover where to find the very best out-of-town restaurant in your state and beyond.
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.
Strike out of downtown Selma, a small city in south-central Alabama, and you'll find an unassuming residential area with a down-home joint serving some of the finest barbecue in the state. Lannie's has been running since 1946, and locals still pour in to feast on melt-in-the-mouth brisket and pulled-pork sandwiches.
A stop along the dazzling Alaska Railroad, the tiny town of Talkeetna might not seem like a place with gourmet credentials. But Mountain High Pizza Pie delivers. Expect a menu of pizzas with creative toppings, from reindeer gyro to garlic oil, feta, and artichoke hearts. You'll not miss the place; the bright purple exterior stands out amidst the leafy surrounds of this Alaskan town.
Freewheeling Bisbee is known for its thriving arts community, boutique shopping, and a food scene that punches above its small-town weight. Make your way from the Grand Canyon State's biggest cities and beeline for Cafe Roka. This spot has been going strong for three decades and focuses on New American food with French and Italian accents – think artichoke and portobello lasagna or boneless short rib with garlic mashed potatoes.
You'd be lucky indeed to find yourself in little Perryville and within kissing distance of this cheerful local diner. Check the whiteboard for the special of the day, which will always be a comforting classic – tuck into everything from smothered steak or fried chicken, served up with belt-busting sides like buttery mashed potatoes, candied yams, and green bean casserole.
Tiny Los Olivos is little-known, but the Ynez Valley town is fast becoming a foodie hotspot. It's around five hours from San Francisco and nearly three hours from LA, but jewels such as Nella Kitchen & Bar make it well worth the trip. With a strong local ethos and a focus on seasonality, Nella Kitchen's chefs whip up tempting plates such as cioppino – a fish stew packed with mussels, scallops, halibut, and lobster tail – and perfectly cooked pasta dishes, including a stunning tonnarelli with pesto and ricotta salata.
While Colorado cities like Denver deliver when it comes to food, you'll not be hard pushed to find great places to eat beyond the capital. The Rose in little Pagosa Springs is a good start. This convivial diner feels more like someone's front room than a restaurant, and its comforting menu matches its homey surrounds. Dig into everything from a stellar breakfast burrito to country-fried steak.
The small town of Mystic might not be known by many people at all were it not for the Julia Roberts rom-com that made the bolthole (and its beloved pizza restaurant) famous. The pizza parlor that inspired the movie is still in operation and it's well worth an out-of-town pilgrimage. Specialty pizza toppings including moussaka with eggplant and meatballs, and buffalo chicken with a side of blue cheese dressing.
There are states better known for their barbecue than Delaware, but head to southern Georgetown to get a satisfying fix at Fat Daddy's BBQ. This is a fuss-free place where the food is front and center. Diners love the bulging pulled-pork sandwiches, succulent slow-cooked brisket, smoked wings, and baby back ribs, all served with mountains of fries, coleslaw, and mac 'n’ cheese.
This lovely neighborhood bolthole is tucked away in the sun-drenched Florida town of Crystal River, known for its manatees. It's less famous for its food scene, but the KC Wine & Koffee Bar is certainly worth driving out to. The bare-brick walls and dark wood make for a cozy setting, while the menu will tempt you with burgers, fish dinners, tacos, and gyros.
Idyllic Jekyll Island has a number of top-notch foodie spots, but this down-to-earth Southern restaurant is a perennial favorite – as evidenced by the line that forms before opening time (you'll need to come early if you want to bag a table). If you do manage to get a spot, settle in for stuffed collard greens, shrimp creole, and pot roast, plus sides such as squash casserole, creamy mashed potatoes, and fried okra.
Down-home seafood joints and places for a plate lunch are among the joys of the Hawaii food scene – and you'll find some of the best options outside of the big cities and tourist hotspots. Make a trip to artsy surf town Paia, on Maui, and head to Pa’ia Fish Market. The restaurant opened in 1989, when Paia was a sleepy fishing village, and keeps things simple with fresh catch plates featuring mahi mahi, snapper, or salmon, plus shrimp tacos and clam chowder.
The tiny mining town of Wallace, in the Idaho Panhandle, has a handful of first-rate foodie destinations. Among them is The Fainting Goat Wine Bar and Restaurant, where you'll come across a menu of sophisticated pasta dishes (think oven-baked ziti and spicy Cajun alfredo rigatoni) and a lengthy wine list. Leave room for dessert – the crème brûlée cheesecake is a must-try.
You can't go wrong with an old-style Italian restaurant and that's exactly what Vinny Vanucchi's in Galena is. The cozy interior is decked with red chequered tablecloths, hanging plants, and nostalgic posters, while the menu heaves with traditional Italian dishes. Sink your teeth into staples such as meatballs with spaghetti, fettuccine carbonara, or veal marsala.
Not to be confused with Music City in Tennessee, this particular Nashville is decidedly smaller, but still boasts a solid handful of choices for eating out. Among them is longstanding local favorite The Nashville House, which began as a hostelry right back in 1859. The menu is like a big warm hug. Dine on comforting dishes such as the house fried chicken (served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans), baked ham, or a whole roster of burgers and sandwiches.
Opened in 1852, Breitbach's is the oldest restaurant in the whole of Iowa and is set out in Balltown, whose population numbers less than 100. As it has done for more than 150 years, the spot dishes up good old-fashioned food. There's an all-you-can-eat buffet, plus a menu featuring Iowa pork chop and baked cod, served alongside mashed potatoes, hash browns, and buttery vegetables.
Little Lindsborg has a couple of foodie treasures, including Crown and Rye, a friendly, modern spot that riffs off the region's Scandinavian heritage. Sample dishes include kaldolmar (traditional Swedish stuffed cabbage rolls) and potatiskorv, a regional Swedish sausage served with bacon, potatoes, and butter-fried onions. There are American classics such as braised short rib and burgers on offer, too.
Settings don't come much more idyllic than this. Down a country lane (think rolling green hills and white picket fences) outside the city of Versailles, you'll find this homey deli. It's cute as a button, with picnic benches and a giant barn out the back and an interior filled with historic photos and horse-themed trinkets. There's a huge menu of sandwiches to choose from too: we recommend the pimento cheese or the classic hot brown.
This storied Louisiana spot has a history that stretches back some 240 years; the property operated as a plantation and today tours explore the house and gardens and retell its chequered past. Now the string of restaurants here have become destinations too: Latil’s Landing Restaurant is something special, serving a five-course menu filled with dishes such as grouper on wild mushrooms and Wagyu beef short rib.
You can hardly move in Maine's small towns for bumping into a stellar seafood restaurant – and among them is Alisson's, in pretty, waterside Kennebunkport. Relax in the casual dining room and make your way through a seafood feast featuring steamed Maine lobster, baked sea scallops, and clam chowder.
Just like its European cousin, Maryland's Berlin – a small town in bucolic Worcester County – is ripe with excellent places to grab some dinner. This includes modern Blacksmith, a contemporary restaurant that opened in 2014. A decade later, chef Justine Zegna still delights punters with dishes such as lemon and basil risotto with crispy artichokes or pappardelle pasta with jumbo shrimp.
Another New England state whose culinary scene leans heavy on the seafood, Massachusetts has endless great spots for a fish dinner – and you needn't stay within foodie Boston. Venture to waterside towns such as Rockport and at places like Feather & Wedge you'll get your fill of broiled oysters and crab cakes, plus entrees such as sole meunière with mash. There's regular live music to entertain you at dinner too.
The Butler in quaint, waterside Sagautuck has been going strong for some six decades, so it must be doing something right. Maybe it's the giant, two-story patio, which overlooks the Kalamazoo River, or perhaps it's the brilliant menu, which is contemporary and down-to-earth. Try favorites like the cowboy candy burger, with Cajun-seasoned cream cheese and candied jalapenos, or opt for Tuscan-style shrimp with gnocchi.
The setting of Angry Trout Cafe is really quite something, arranged along the edge of Lake Superior, with a terrace that milks the views. The location is backed up by a top-notch menu that includes everything from the fish of the day to a fried chicken dinner with house-made maple barbecue sauce and sides such as wild rice with shiitake mushrooms.
Head away from the capital Jackson and out to Oxford, Mississippi, the one-time home of legendary American writer William Faulkner and now a burgeoning foodie hub. City Grocery is the best place in town, knitted into the quaint square and serving a modern, French-inspired menu. Choose from options such as duck leg confit with butternut squash risotto, steak frites or the famed City Grocery burger.
Restaurants don't come much more historic than J Huston Tavern, so it's well worth making the jaunt to out-of-the-way Arrow Rock. The tavern began life back in 1834 and is now protected as part of the Arrow Rock State Historic Site. The menu is fuss-free but comforting, including meals such as pot roast, burgers, and a fried chicken dinner.
The little mountain town of Red Lodge really punches above its weight when it comes to foodie offerings – and Prerogative Kitchen is the best place around. Swing by for imaginative small plates – think Brussels sprouts with house-made Buffalo sauce and gorgonzola, or crispy tofu with garlic and chili sauce. It's all served up in an old, converted bakery and there are fun decorative nods to this heritage, such as a wall fitted with muffin tins.
There are plenty of traditional Italian spots worth traveling out of town for, and this friendly restaurant in small Nebraska City is one of them. It's tucked away in the town's old train depot and the comforting menu includes all the Italian staples you'd expect, as well as some contemporary plates. There'a also a tempting selection of classic desserts, such as cheesecake and tiramisú.
Make it to Caliente in southeastern Nevada and it's hard to believe that you're only about two hours from the glittering lights of Las Vegas. This teensy town feels like the end of the Earth and its prime eating spot is named for the train tracks that shoot through town. Pull up a chair on the porch and dive into a comforting, all-American menu of burgers and pizza.
Break out to the bucolic New Hampshire town of Sugar Hill for both natural beauty and foodie delights in spades. A top destination is Tavern at Sunset Hill House, a historic inn that provides epic views of the White Mountains. You can milk those vistas from the restaurant, which promises 'familiar tastes renewed'. See what they're talking about by diving into the menu of baked cod, chuck burgers, and shareables like poutine.
New Jersey's food scene is criminally underrated and some of its best places can be found in quaint little towns. Head out to Westfield, where you'll find Addams Tavern, whose low wooden beams and bright murals are eye-catching indeed. Stick around for a menu of scallops, filet mignon, baby back ribs, and lemon-butter halibut.
Wherever you go in the Land of Enchantment, you'll find myriad great Mexican-inspired restaurants – and you needn't stick to bigger cities like Santa Fe. Taos, whose population numbers less than 7,000, sure punches above its weight when it comes to top gourmet destinations. Among them is fuss-free La Cueva Cafe, a dinky Pueblo-style restaurant serving tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and chimichangas.
Poor Richard's is more than a sandwich shop – it's a convivial bar, laid-back restaurant, and friendly local hangout along North Carolina's windswept Outer Banks. Pull up a chair at the bar and peruse a generous menu packed with hot and cold sandwiches, soups, and salad. We recommend the rockfish wrap, the Reuben, and the 'angry burger' with homemade pimento cheese.
The foodie delights of Upstate New York might be eclipsed by the titanic gourmet scene in New York City – but if you center all your focus in town, you'll miss some real treats. Head out to Lake Placid, around five hours north of the Big Apple, and you'll stumble across a rich food scene that's bolstered by places like Luna Restaurant. This modern yet cozy place is a local treasure, serving an Italian-inspired menu of pasta, steak, and chicken Parmigiana.
You'll feel like you've been transported to the wild west of yore at the Little Missouri Saloon in Medora, gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The wood-clad bar and restaurant looks over Main Street and serves a comforting menu of American classics, from burgers to steaks to house-made pizzas. Grab a seat on the upper deck and watch the world go by.
The oldest restaurant in Ohio is well worth traveling outside of Cincinnati for. The Golden Lamb has been going strong since 1803, beginning life as a 'house of public entertainment' in freshly founded Lebanon. Fast-forward more than 200 years and the place is still an institution in town. Come by for a giant dose of history, as well as dishes such as hickory-smoked chicken wings, classic shepherd's pie, and the signature turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
This historic hotel has been a Medicine Park fixture since 1910 and over a century of staying power proves it's worth venturing out to. Sit in simple historic surrounds and dine on a menu that's as traditional as the setting. Plump for the country-fried chicken sandwich, the fried catfish, or the grilled pork chops with buttery mash and greens.
This cute, vegetable-forward restaurant is a gem of a find in this tiny town along the Oregon Coast. Pull up in ever so cute Florence and look out for blink-and-you'll miss it Nosh, a modern spot serving dishes such as cauliflower steak, Brussels sprouts tacos, and steak frites. There's a bar turning out colorful cocktails too.
It's worth making the 45-minute drive west of Philadelphia to discover this quaint town with a string of boutique shops and independent restaurants. Pietro’s Prime is perpetually busy and is known for its lengthy martini menu and its steak dinners. Begin with crab cakes or Buffalo-fried oysters and follow that with surf and turf (which includes a butter-poached lobster tail).
Virginia's historic Jamestown may be better known than Rhode Island's, but the latter harbors foodie gems such as JB's on the Water. As its name suggests, waterside views are a drawcard of this spot, which is located on a sprawling island in Narragansett Bay. But it's also worth traveling for the food – unsurprisingly, the menu is seafood heavy with options such as clam chowder, fish tacos, and blackened cod with garlicky mash.
South Carolina cities like Charleston rightly draw in foodies, but the state's outlying towns have some treasures too. Among them is Lily’s Bistro in pretty Lake Wylie, which is arranged along its namesake, at the border with North Carolina. Down-to-earth Lily's is a friendly neighborhood spot that focuses on Italian-inspired dishes. Go for spaghetti with house-made meatballs or caprese chicken, or plump for a seafood dish like clams Posillipo (clams with garlic, shallots, and tomato).
Looking like something from an old cowboy movie, and right out in the middle of nowhere, Buckshots Roadhouse has been welcoming weary travelers for decades. There's absolutely no fuss or frills here, but that's all part of the charm. Settle in and order local favorites, from the chislic (a South Dakota delicacy of deep-fried cubed meats) to the burger, to the prime rib dinner.
There are endless options for dining out in the center of Nashville, but venture away from the buzzing downtown hubs and you'll find some special places on the outskirts. The Loveless Cafe, located out of town just before the Natchez Trace Parkway bridge, is the place for some fine country cooking. The restaurant is renowned for its country ham and perfectly fluffy biscuits.
The giant Lonestar State is rightly famous for its barbecue, and though some cult restaurants reside in Texas's cities (we're looking at you, Franklin Barbecue), many of its top mom-and-pop joints are way out of town. That's true of Joseph's Riverport Bar-B-Q in Jefferson, Northeast Texas. The down-to-earth joint regularly makes it onto 'best of' lists and features a menu heaving with meat-stuffed sandwiches and plates of pork, brisket, sausage, and ribs.
Little Midway is a charming town to visit while you're in Northern Utah's bucolic Heber Valley and you can't go wrong with a meal at Midway Mercantile Restaurant, which is cheerful and family run. As its name suggests, the restaurant is built into an old mercantile, which dates back to 1874. A contemporary and imaginative menu features everything from lavender orange chicken to fish tacos and bacon-wrapped dates with blue cheese mousse.
When it comes to barbecue, there are state's better known for smoked meats than New England's Vermont. But if you venture way out of town, to tiny and quaint Putney, you'll find Curtis' BBQ, Vermont's best barbecue offering. Come by for a feast of chicken and beef ribs slathered in house-made barbecue sauce and served with buttery baked potatoes.
Free of big chains and fast food restaurants, the food scene in the little town of Staunton, in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, has been allowed to thrive. A favored spot is Mill Street Grill, a classic American-style bistro located in a historic flour mill. The menu is huge, with everything from platters of barbecued ribs to Cajun vegetable pasta, as well as seafood dishes such as fried oysters and crab cakes.
Three Fingered Jack’s Saloon sounds like a watering hole from an old Western movie. And as the oldest operating legal saloon in the state, it's got the history to back up its Wild West-esque name. The old-school atmosphere is the main reason to make the trip here, but the rib-sticking menu will leave you satisfied too. Tuck into towering burgers, steaks, and homemade meatloaf.
West Virginia is an overlooked state, but little towns like Harpers Ferry make it well worth a visit. And beyond the rich history, Harpers Ferry has some excellent eating spots. Try The Rabbit Hole, whose suntrap of a patio looks out to the Blue Ridge Mountains. There's a great choice of burgers and sandwiches on the menu. We love the artichoke ‘crabcake’ sandwich with Cajun aioli – a belly-busting veggie feast.
Scoot out to Madeline Island on Lake Superior to enjoy a natural bounty and this popular little spot. Farmhouse is perhaps an unexpected find here – the farm-to-table restaurant, located at the rustic Farmhouse Inn, serves surprising dishes such as a Korean barbecue sandwich and well-executed breakfasts like eggs and bacon.
Cities like Casper, Cheyenne and Jackson get most of the attention in Wyoming, but little Buffalo (not to be confused with Buffalo, New York, inventor of Buffalo wings) delivers the goods for foodies. The Occidental Hotel's The Virginian Restaurant is the top spot: settle into historic surrounds (the hotel was founded in 1880) and peruse a traditional menu. The elk tenderloin steak comes highly recommended by many diners.