Birmingham obviously has fabulous staples of Southern cooking and it's a hub for a plethora of quality restaurants. Local favourite SAW’s Soul Kitchen offers plates heaping with pulled pork, cheesy grits and collard greens. And at Ovenbird, the must-try dish is the beef fat candle, which literally melts into the hearty jus.
Juneau's food scene is all about the location – and the amazing bounty of seafood straight from the Pacific Ocean. Topping the list of restaurants to visit is the scenic Hangar on the Wharf and Tracy's King Crab Shack, the ultimate destination for crab lovers. The latter's king crab legs served with butter attracts people from far and wide, and although the line to order tends to be long, the food is well worth the wait.
Tucson is quickly turning out to be Arizona’s best venue for food. Looking for something on the go? Famous Sonoran hot dogs – bacon-wrapped and topped with beans, onions and salsa – are served at El Guero Canelo. Sit down restaurants worth visiting include Boca Tacos y Tequila, helmed by former Top Chef contestant Maria Mazon, and the historic Grill at Hacienda Del Sol, where you can pair your dinner with sweeping desert views and more than 800 wines.
Arkansas is often overlooked when it comes to food, however, this Southern state is home to some epic eats, and the state capital is where it's all at. Little Rock is full of venues for food lovers, from restaurants to food trucks. The state’s signature Ark-Mex cuisine is not to be missed. A wonderful mix of Mexican ingredients and Southern-style cooking, places like Heights Taco & Tamale Co. serve tamales, a wide variety of tacos and fajitas, as well as the unmissable pickle-fried chicken and fried catfish tacos.
Fighting off great competition from its sister Cali cities, San Francisco comes out on top as the best city for food in California. It's the most restaurant-dense city in America, with countless awards to show for it. And many a great American chef has made their name in the American food scene via San Francisco. In San Francisco you can easily eat your way around the world in a day. Old school dim sum from Yank Sing, burritos from La Taqueria and legendary croissants from Tartine's San Fran location are all unmissable.
There are plenty of fantastic restaurants in Colorado's mountain towns like Aspen and Vail, however, Denver is unrivalled when it comes to its lineup of famous chef-headlined restaurants. The city's food scene ranges from heavily-decorated restaurants like Fruition, Tavernetta and Ultreia, that are highly recognised both in America and abroad, to steakhouses, food trucks and food halls. If you’re looking for a special occasion meal, make it the tasting menu at Fruition – a five-course experience crafter by the chef based on seasonal offerings.
This city might as well be named Pizza Haven, as it would be a pretty accurate representation of what the city is most famous for. The rivalry between Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and Sally's Apizza feels as old as the time itself, while the city's signature white clam pizza isn't to be missed. Pizza aside, Louis' Lunch claims to be the place that invented the hamburger, while newer additions like Heirloom and Elm City Social continue to cement their position as stand-out gastropubs in the city.
This sleepy waterfront oasis has its fair share of excellent family-friendly spaghetti diners and clambakes, however, Wilmington's food scene is getting more exciting by the day as spots like DE.CO food hall with its eight restaurants and atrium bar bring in new dining options. Riverfront joints like Big Fish Grill and Banks' Seafood Kitchen top the list for seafood fans, while nothing beats the old-school red sauces from Mrs. Robino's.
Yes, there are 23 Michelin-starred restaurants and countless more fine dining options in Washington DC, yet the one thing you can't miss is the legendary half-smoke from Ben's Chili Bowl. Enjoyed by everyone, from Barack Obama and George Bush to Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Durant, half-smoke is a thin, richly spiced hot dog covered in chilli and cheese, served in a soft bun. It's a DC legend and a visit to the capital wouldn't be complete without stopping to sample this legendary dog.
The competition in Florida is obviously tough, however, no one does food with such flair like Miami. From food trucks grilling Cuban sandwiches to perfection to celebrity chef restaurants serving incredible tasting menus, variety is key in Miami. The Cuban food is arguably the best outside of Cuba, so a visit to Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop is a must, Mignonette serves Miami's freshest oysters and lobster rolls, and did we mention Fireman Derek's key lime pie?
Without a doubt, Atlanta's food scene is a mirror image of its residents – increasingly diverse with deep Southern roots, yet looking out to the world. Figuring out where to eat in the Big Peach is no mean feat. The city is home to countless Top Chef alumni and James Beard Award-winning joints. Don't miss Miller Union's elevated Southern cuisine, Gunshow's theatrical cooking of dim sum-meets-Southern fusion and Staplehouse – a post-pandemic neighbourhood market meets patio dining delight. If you can only choose one, The Busy Bee, featured in Netflix's Ugly Delicious, is an Atlantan staple that's been serving perfect fried chicken for more than 70 years.
So much more than just its most popular export poke, the Hawaiian food scene is bursting with barbecue joints, great seafood restaurants and a cuisine that's inspired by indigenous Polynesian food with Japanese and Portuguese influences. Honolulu does a great job of offering a glimpse into what Hawaiian cooking is all about, with insanely fresh sushi, countless places to sample kalua pork and traditional Hawaiian food at the James Beard Award-winning Helena's Hawaiian Food. The city's Chinatown is also a foodie hot spot, with holes-in-the-wall serving exceptional phos and dumplings to hip eateries like The Pig & the Lady.
The lakeside resort town of Coeur d'Alene has been making a name for itself as a serious foodie hub. Expect burgers to rival the best in the country (Hudson's Hamburgers and Schmidty's Burgers are both standouts) or head to Cedars Floating Restaurant for an elegant meal literally on the lake. The state’s many vineyards are ever-growing in popularity and family-owned Coeur D'Alene Cellars produces excellent award-winning wines.
Home of the famed deep-dish pizza, Chicago has a culinary delight for everyone. With an exciting amount of both fine dining restaurants and cheap food truck eats, it's the middle ground restaurants that really shine in Chicago. Sure, Alinea – one of America's best restaurants – is unmissable, however, the true heart of Chicago's food scene can be found in casual joints like farm fresh Lula Cafe, Honey Butter Fried Chicken and the pork perfection of The Publican.
Indianapolis is the state’s clear winner when it comes to its exciting food offerings that have seriously exploded in recent years. Alongside classics like St. Elmo Steak House, you'll find new additions such as Milktooth's innovative Midwest-inspired brunches, Provision with a menu promoting agricultural sustainability and Root & Bone, the joint venture between husband and wife duo Top Chef alum Janine Booth and three-time James Beard nominee Jeff McInnis.
The heart of the Midwest, Iowa is the home of the best comfort foods in America, and there's no better place to sample what the state has to offer than Des Moines. From the seasonal market stall fruit pies of Pie Bird Pies to the lip-smackingly delicious pork tenderloin sandwich at Smitty's, Des Moines knows how to do food that makes you feel good. There's also a wealth of burger joints (we love Zombie Burger) and plenty of restaurants focusing on the state’s farm offerings, like Cheese Bar, highlighting delicious Iowa cheeses.
There are a lot of reasons why we rate Lawrence in the food city stakes, but The Burger Stand at the Casbah has to be one of them. Arguably the best burger-and-hot-dog joint in the state, it's consistently rated highly for its outstanding patties, however, there's more to Lawrence than just burgers. Merchants Pub & Plate builds its menu around its craft beer offerings, Biemer’s BBQ brilliantly represents the state’s barbecue scene, and the Hawaiian-influenced Ramen Bowls' Spam musubi (rice and Spam wrapped together with nori) is simply addictive.
Bourbon and fried chicken are without a doubt two of the best things to sample in Louisville, so you might want to start eating your way through the city at Shirley Mae's Cafe. Since the city claims to be the home of pulled pork, sample Feast BBQ for sandwiches and more. For classic Southern brunch, try The Silver Dollar or enjoy boozy milkshakes and bourbon cocktails at Whiskey Dry.
Quite possibly not only the best food city in the state, but a top contender for the best in the country, there's a lot in New Orleans you won't find anywhere else. An enticing mix of Native American, French, Spanish, Italian, Cajun and Creole flavours, the Big Easy has it all. There are po' boys and gumbo, crawfish on every corner and pillowy beignets just waiting to be eaten. It would be quite impossible to name all the must-eat places in New Orleans, but if you've only time for one meal, make it the gumbo at Commander's Palace.
Boiled, steamed, grilled, in a creamy stew or drenched in mayo, Portland knows how to do seafood. Among all the excellent offerings from the sea, it's the humble lobster roll that reigns supreme here. Head straight to Eventide Oyster Co. that, unsurprisingly, specialises in seafood. There are excellent dining options too many to name, however Duckfat, a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop, has to be mentioned as the local's favourite for Belgian-cut fries, milkshakes and paninis grilled to perfection.
Some food cities are great because they offer incredible variety, while others we love because they hit one speciality out of the park, and Annapolis is one such place. Sure, all seafood is pretty outstanding here, but the steamed blue crabs are without a doubt some of the best in the country. From home-style crab houses such as Buddy's Crabs & Ribs to more upscale restaurants like O'Leary's Seafood, all you'll want to eat here is that sweet succulent crab.
There are a lot of good things to come out of Massachusetts to thrill food lovers, and Boston in particular is always on the search for the next best thing. With celebrity chef restaurants galore (think Barbara Lynch, Tiffani Faison and Tim and Nancy Cushman) there are also plenty of casual dining spots that offer superb quality. Bookmark chowder at the iconic Legal Sea Foods, oysters at Neptune Oyster and creative takes on Asian-inspired dishes at Myers + Chang for your next visit.
Detroit might have great pizza, but it's Grand Rapids that takes the top spot due to it being both the state's best beer city and the finest place to dine. Brunch reigns supreme here at Noco Provisions and Butcher's Union, however, you can't miss out on burgers from Stella's Lounge, duck confit nachos at Brewery Vivant and the perfect old school hot dogs of Yesterdog.
Minneapolis claims the title of the best food city in the state for its wide range of eats, such as superstar chef Gavin Kaysen's Spoon and Stable and Owamni by The Sioux Chef, which showcases Native American cuisine and highlights local ingredients. Finger-licking good and with a heavy local rivalry is the classic Juicy Lucy, the state's favourite cheese-stuffed burger, which you can try at Matt's Bar or the 5-8 Club – both claimants to inventing the dish.
America's historic burger joints, where the recipes never change
Much like the rest of Mississippi, Oxford offers a massive amount of soul food and deep-fried Southern eats, feeding tourists and locals alike. Diners meet at Ajax Diner for soulful late night treats while the next morning the best breakfasts are served at Big Bad Breakfast. For the world famous catfish that's dubbed the "best ever", head to Taylor Grocery with a history stretching back more than a hundred years.
As the place that invented burnt ends and continues to serve some of the best barbecue anywhere in the country, it's no surprise you'll find the best food in Missouri here. Charcoal-grilled short ribs at Corvino and the new American classics at Parker should both be on your Kansas City food bucket list. But for barbecue, it has to be Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que – which Anthony Bourdain named as a top spot to eat before you die.
Big Sky Country doesn't lack in its ability to serve good food. With great beer and remnants of its cowboy days, Bozeman is guaranteed to hit the spot. Montana Ale Works is a must, primarily due to its beer, while The Nova Cafe's breakfast menu is all you need to start the day right. And then there's Copper Whiskey Bar, wine bar Plonk and Roost Fried Chicken, serving cracking biscuits, steaks and farm-fresh produce.
Omaha is renowned for its steakhouses, and there's certainly no shortage of options, including Kobe and Farmer Browns. For something a bit more special, book a table at Au Courant and indulge in the seasonal six-course chef's tasting menu. Honourable mention to the massive selection of one of Nebraska's favourite dishes, runza (handheld meat pies), dotted all across the city.
From steakhouses to sushi, Las Vegas definitely knows how to feed its guests. Bazaar Meat By José Andrés is an incredible fine dining experience and the celebrity chef restaurant offering in the city is second to none – there's Restaurant Guy Savoy, CUT By Wolfgang Puck and many others. From the famous all-you-can-eat buffets to the traditional Vegas shrimp cocktail, there isn't much you won't find here.
Portsmouth might sometimes be overshadowed by its neighbours Manchester and Concord, however, when it comes to food, Portsmouth has a lot to boast about. This tiny city has a surprising amount of restaurants and the sheer diversity of options gives Portsmouth the edge. From James Beard Award-nominated Black Trumpet to Korean fried chicken at STREET and the state's best seafood at Jumpin' Jay's Fish Cafe, there is plenty to get excited about here.
An undervalued foodie destination compared to its more famous neighbour across the river, New Jersey's Jersey City has loads to offer. From the classy Italian restaurant Battello on the water, to Maritime Parc that's good enough to take on any NYC restaurant (and even boasts a view of Manhattan’s skyline), there's plenty of choice and quality. There are also outstanding pizzas to rival Brooklyn's best, including Roman Nose.
Santa Fe is home to Maria's, a go-to for quality tacos and fajitas, great breakfasts at the likes of Tia Sophia's and Cowgirl – a New Mexican-Texan barbecue shack famous for its barbecue brisket and grilled shishito peppers. You can find the state's signature green chilli cheeseburger at Atrisco Cafe & Bar and the green chilli enchiladas from Horseman's Haven.
From the best Reubens at Katz's Delicatessen and NY slices on every corner, to the best hot dogs at Coney Island, Asian food markets in Queens and pizzas in Brooklyn, we love NYC's food. Some of the best restaurants in the world are here, including Cosme and Le Bernardin, while the most exciting street food movements often grow from the sidewalks and markets of New York.
As well as being one of the country's best beer towns, Asheville knows a thing or two about food. You'll find plenty of farm-to-table restaurants, such as Rhubarb, fine-dining eateries like Cúrate and Luella's Bar-B-Que for a sample of North Carolina's signature pulled pork BBQ sandwiches.
Home to the bison burger at Hotel Donaldson, Fargo isn't short of skills when it comes to tossing patties. From the mac 'n' cheese burger at Sickies Garage to high-end steaks at Spitfire, Fargo has plenty of exciting dishes for you to try. Fine dining at Mezzaluna, trendy tacos at Vinyl Taco and killer sausages at Würst Bier Hall – the choice is yours.
Famous for its gyros, Cleveland has long been a hit on the food scene. Historic Slyman’s remains one of the most popular places for some serious meat-centric cooking. Its special – the corned beef sandwich (which is basically a load of meat and a tiny bit of bread) – keeps bringing in customers from all over the world.
Here in the state known as the gateway to the west, you’ll find loads of different signature dishes ranging from the state’s own crispy cornmeal okra, to catfish and the onion burger. Cheever’s Cafe serves up classic dishes with a twist, while locals are likely to head to popular regional chain Swadley’s for a barbecue fix or Cafe 501 for the coyote sandwich: chicken with caramelised onion, jalapeño, cheese and chipotle mayo on focaccia.
Portland is well-known for a vast amount of independent restaurants and food trucks that can easily satisfy any craving that hits. For Japanese, there’s Murata, a Portland staple for decades, for seafood, Jacqueline offers oysters and seasonal produce and for creative bar snacks and whisky cocktails, try Scotch Lodge. Looking for the off-beat in this quirky city? Try street cart Kabba’s Kitchen for Senagalese and Gambian dishes.
The big cheesesteak debate – canned Cheese Whiz or sliced cheese – is common between restaurants across Philly. But there’s so much more to the city than just steak and cheese (although you shouldn't miss out on John's Roast Pork and Tony Luke's). You’ve got a whole bunch of really great Italian restaurants, such as Ristorante Pesto and Marc Vetri’s restaurant Vetri.
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Providence is another place that really knows how to do excellent Italian-American food – Enoteca Umberto's slow-simmered meatballs are incredible. But Providence pizza just can’t be ignored, mainly for the way the pizza crust is grilled on both sides before the topping is added, so it’s perfectly crispy. One of the most popular places for a pizza fix is Al Forno – so popular it has lines of people flooding in and out regularly.
As well as being home to Tricera Coffee’s excellent breakfast menu, Charleston is full of great coffee shops and is a first class foodie city. Charleston is known for its exceptional Southern style cooking, like Early Bird Diner, and farm to table eats, such as Butcher & Bee. For the best neighbourhood spots, the likes of Nigel's Good Food and James Beard-recognised ‘classic’ Bertha’s Kitchen can’t be missed.
Not particularly renowned for being a foodie hub, South Dakota is home to some culinary gems such as Minervas Restaurant, an American grill regularly titled the best restaurant in Sioux Falls. Meanwhile, if you want to hunt down South Dakota’s most popular dish, chislic – deep fried red meat, dipped in garlic salt – then local spots such as Urban Chislic and Tinners Public House are pretty popular.
Memphis hasn’t been forgotten here, but who can turn down a piece of Nashville’s glorious hot chicken? Prince’s Hot Chicken, as popular as it may now be, is almost unavoidable. The legendary shack has a story that goes back over 70 years and has been overseen by the descendants of its creator, Thornton Prince, throughout the duration. The iconic recipe has become a Nashville legend.
While Houston and Dallas put up a tough fight for Texas’ foodie title, Austin just has to take this one. Famous for its 24-hour tacos and fluffy doughnuts, this city is pretty good at charming our taste buds. There are endless barbecue joints contributing to its reputation – Interstellar BBQ and Franklin Barbecue to name a few. You can’t forget the doughnuts though, which Gourdough’s cook to absolute perfection.
Ever since the opening of Ruth's Diner in 1930, Salt Lake City has been a destination for eaters. Burgers come topped with pulled pork and smoked sausages at R&R BBQ, high-end farm-to-table favourites include HSL and Pago while Red Iguana's Mexican food is legendary in the city.
Famous for Ben & Jerry’s, Burlington’s foodie scene stretches far beyond ice cream. Nestled into the green mountains of Vermont, Burlington offers environmentally-friendly cuisine, such as Hen of the Wood, which serves up a menu of hyper-local responsibly-sourced dishes. Other places of note include A Single Pebble, for its classical Chinese fare, and Deep City, for poutine, bar snacks and local craft beer.
Home to a number of award-winning restaurants, Richmond is arguably one of the most underrated food cities. Here you’ll find James Beard-awarded L’opossum, serving an ever-changing menu of French-inspired cuisine, Saison that serves up farm-fresh plates of fantastic food and The Roosevelt, lauded as one of the best restaurants in the South.
Seattle is arguably one of the best food cities in the country, so it was inevitably going to be the best in Washington. There are an incredible amount of culinary delights residing in this city, like seafood at Taylor Shellfish Farms, Korean cuisine at Joule and Native food at Off the Rez – think fry bread tacos and wild rice bowls. Famous for Seattle-style hot dogs, Dog in the Park is a good place to sample the city's signature hot dog.
Morgantown is home to a number of great restaurants such as Stefano’s. Equally, Black Bear Burritos is brilliant for creative spins on burritos, both for meat lovers and vegetarians. And for a taste of some of West Virginia’s favourite food, head to Chico Bakery, famous for Julia’s legendary pepperoni rolls.
Think beyond the state’s deservedly renowned cheese in Wisconsin’s major food-zone of Milwaukee. James Beard-awarded Sanford is most famous for its impressive tasting menu, which focuses on seasonal ingredients. Alternatively, for something a little less fancy, Blue’s Egg is probably one of the most popular places in the city, serving up breakfast and lunch only. You’d be lucky to get in though, waits on weekends usually push a few hours.
Discover the most unusual dining experience in every state and DC
Steak lovers, rejoice – Jackson knows how to cook you up a good piece of red meat. Whether you’re in the mood for ribeye or a plate of chicken fried steak, one of Wyoming’s signature dishes, you’ll find plenty of popular steak haunts such as the iconic Snake River Grill. But the artistic town also offers masterfully crafted plates and wines at The Kitchen and Bin22.