Worlds away from the hustle and bustle of America’s biggest cities and their buzzy food joints, small-town restaurants typically offer cozy digs and a more relaxed vibe. Here we've chosen our favorite in every state, from country pubs to riverside bistros – perfect for when you need to get away from it all.
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.
From the outside, The Wash House in the coastal town of Point Clear looks a little ramshackle – but that's all part of its charm. Inside it’s a classic fine-dining restaurant: think smart white tablecloths, candlelight, regulars dining on perfectly cooked scallops and Wagyu steaks, and five-star service.
This cozy dining room, boasting a lively wine and tapas bar with harbor views above it, has been run by chef-owner Colette Nelson for more than two decades. It specializes in seafood and Mediterranean plates, with dishes such as the seafood paella and spicy clam chowder being firm favorites. Note that the reastaurant is open seasonally.
The Crystal Palace Saloon is one of silver-mining boom town Tombstone’s best-known landmarks. The site was an old brewery and drinking hall that was destroyed in a town fire in 1882. Rebuilt in the same location, the current building still features some of the woodwork from back then, and it’s just as probable you’ll see a cowboy having a drink. You can also catch some live music.
Located in scenic downtown Eureka Springs, the Local Flavor Cafe is a low-lit spot with vintage lamps and quirky, local art, and loyal customers insist it’s the only place to eat in town. They love the sesame-crusted goats’ cheese salad, the warm sourdough with olive oil and balsamic, and the homemade sangria.
Clean Slate Wine Bar is a gorgeous spot in the SoCal town of Solvang, which is known for its Danish-style architecture and wineries. Though it’s a bar, you can get excellent small plates such as Cajun shrimp with remoulade sauce (similar to tartare sauce), ratatouille flatbreads, and charcuterie. Customers can't get enough of the homey outdoor setting and the incredibly knowledgeable waitstaff.
High Mountain Pies in Leadville offers everything from salads and specialty subs to baked chicken wings and ribs – but its pizzas are the real stars of the show. The bestseller is the Crocodile with a barbecue-sauce base, mozzarella, shrimp, jalapeños, bacon, and cream cheese. The cute diner has plenty of outdoor seating with stunning views of the mountains too.
During the 18th century, when travelers between New York and Boston needed somewhere to rest, they’d spend the night at the tiny Captain Daniel Packer Inne in the port town of Mystic. When you step inside you'll find low ceilings, stone walls, exposed woodwork and a fireplace that all hark back to that time. Plus it serves an amazing, creamy clam chowder and buttery lobster rolls.
A meal in this restaurant, which is tucked into a large, white Victorian townhouse, is a magical experience. With its floral pillows, botanical drawings, and mismatched vintage plates, the interior is utterly charming. And the food, such as venison tartare, mushroom ceviche, and butter-basted mahi mahi, is exquisite too. The staff will also bend over backwards to make your visit one to remember.
It would be easy to walk right past Gaufre’s & Goods in St. Augustine. The tucked-away Polish and Greek café keeps its decor simple, but the food is exceptional. The spot has an eclectic menu that includes spinach and feta pie, potato and cheese pierogis (dumplings), borscht (beetroot soup), and stuffed cabbage, which customers love.
There are plenty of charming Bavarian-style restaurants in the town of Helen, Georgia, but Muller's Famous Fried Cheese Cafe is one of a kind. Family-owned and run by chef Zdenek Muller, the café serves German and Czech specialties such as schnitzel (breaded, fried meat), bratwurst (German sausages), bread dumplings, and strudel, plus a range of fried cheese dishes. The French brie, stuffed with ham and fried, is said to be absolutely mouth-watering.
This low-key café in Paia has a relaxing vibe, a lovely patio, and is right next door to a yoga studio. Great for vegans and vegetarians, its top dishes are banana bread French toast (which comes with maple syrup, fruit and maple whipped cream) and its açai bowls (containing fruit, granola and honey, açai puree and bananas).
With a blackboard and quirky art covering the wall, this locally owned café and restaurant is one of the coolest places for food in leafy Wallace. At lunch it serves grilled sandwiches and burgers, and at dinner the menu changes to sophisticated small plates and Italian classics. The mesquite turkey sandwich, with maple bourbon bacon jam and provolone cheese, is a favorite option.
Located on the cobbled streets of Galena, Vinny Vanucchi’s is a beautifully rustic Italian restaurant that will transport you to Tuscany. The spacious venue has four dining areas, including a cappuccino garden. The pollo compomare (chicken, broccoli, mushroom and tomato in a creamy, spicy sauce with linguine) and the spaghetti olio (with olive oil, garlic, fresh basil and chili) come highly recommended.
Nashville, Indiana, is a world away from the city of the same name in Tennessee. And at the Hobnob Corner Restaurant – a whitewashed building that dates back a couple of centuries – there's plenty of small-town charm. Described as “quiet and restful”, the spot has high ceilings, old counters and original wide-board floors. The food, such as the delectable breaded pork tenderloin, and the wine selection will blow you away.
You'll find Crane & Pelican Cafe overlooking the Mississippi River, in a 19th-century mansion that once belonged to a riverboat captain. Family owned since 2009, the restaurant serves comfort food made from local ingredients. Current favorites are the pecan-crusted salmon with blueberry compote and the veggie pitta with asparagus, roasted red peppers, feta and tzatziki.
If you’re in the Old Western town of Abilene, Amanda’s Bakery & Bistro is a wonderful place to stop for coffee, cake, pastries or a toasted sandwich. The gooey butter cake gets glowing reviews from customers – as do the fast, cheerful service and the cute interiors – check out the wooden tables and rustic decorations. It’s said to perfectly represent the spirit of the surrounding area.
This charming fine-dining restaurant can be found in the heart of Kentucky Horse Country. It's a charming special occasion spot with a delightful porch and gardens. There are standout dishes on the changing menu too – sample treats such as grilled red snapper with artichoke hearts and shrimp and, for brunch, Louisiana-style shrimp and cheese grits with butter sauce and tobacco onions.
Lauded for its beautiful location, Maglieaux's Riverfront Restaurant is right on the banks of the Cane River and has large trees sheltering its outdoor decking. It’s family owned, and the menu is a mix of Italian and Cajun-inspired dishes. The creamy chicken alfredo with fettuccine and the crispy catfish and fries never let customers down.
There are plenty of places to eat on the harbor in Camden, but stylish Peter Ott’s on the Water gets our vote. Owned by chef Peter Masin-Peters, the venue has a panoramic view and serves seafood and burgers. Customers regularly talk about the New England clam chowder, how fresh and delicious the oysters are, and say the lobster roll is the best they’ve eaten. Note that the restaurant closes for the winter low season.
Hip hangout Blacksmith, in vibrant Berlin, is all about farm-to-table cooking, and the menu is full of local produce. Try the to-die-for fried lump crab deviled eggs and the beef short rib empanadas with queso fresco, salsa and sour cream, then stick around for a few of the excellent cocktails. The patio with twinkling string lights is ultra romantic.
Lobster in the town of Rockport doesn’t come fresher than at old-fashioned fish shack Roy Moore Lobster Company. It serves boiled lobster, stuffed clams, oysters, smoked salmon, fishcakes, warming chowder, perfectly crispy shrimp, and haddock. Place your order at the counter, then take a seat on the deck if there’s space. Note that the shack closes for the off season.
For a rustic, Bavarian-style dining experience, The Station 100 in Frankenmuth is a must-visit. Built in an old train station, it has a classy, Alpine feel with original flooring and dark wood tables. It’s on the pricier side, but customers say the wiener schnitzel – a thin, breaded veal cutlet served with spätzle pasta and mushroom sauce – is the best they’ve had outside of Germany.
The brainchild of chef Tyler Shipton – who grew up in quaint Lanesboro and returned after a stint in San Diego – Juniper's focuses on fine yet unpretentious food in an elevated setting. Expect dishes such as scallops with beurre blanc, comforting fish fry dinners, and roasted porcini soup. The pretty patio was made for warm summer evenings too.
The quaint wooden frontage and string lights at this friendly neighborhood grill will charm you before you even get through the door – it was built in the 1990s to resemble a saloon that once stood in this very spot. Once you're in, the menu is a treat too. There are classic Southern options, from grilled catfish to barbecue shrimp, while tempting desserts include a coconut buttermilk pie made to a family recipe.
For old-school home cooking in Branson, head to Farmhouse Restaurant, established in 1976. The specialties are fried chicken (which customers say is the best they’ve eaten), ultra tender chicken-fried steak, and blackberry cobbler with ice cream. The waiters go above and beyond to deliver good service and the portions are huge. Downstairs, the decor is fun and homely, and upstairs has a gift shop too.
Exposed brick, quirky light fittings, neon signage, and menus scribbled on blackboards – this laid-back spot in Whitefish has its playful decor just right. It's not a case of style over substance here, though; the food sings too. The menu includes tempting sharing plates, from grilled beef tips to spaghetti squash, while entrees include elk tenderloin with a huckleberry demi-glace and asiago stuffed gnocchi.
Another one for the carnivores, Peppermill has been in Valentine since 1987 (although it has moved location) and serves a variety of prime cuts, burgers, ribs, and wings. Though the decor is basic, the food is top-notch, and the spot claims its William’s prime rib is the finest in Nebraska. Treat yourself to the candied burnt ends (pork, barbecue, and beer battered onions in sauce) while you wait.
This hidden Virginia City treasure oozes charm. It’s an American and Italian restaurant with a quaint stone dining room complete with chandeliers, and there's also a pretty garden patio. Dishes such as grilled rib-eye, chicken parm, and chocolate chip bread pudding receive rave reviews.
Opened in 1947, Lou's Restaurant & Bakery is a local institution in Hanover, famed for its golden French toast, fluffy pancakes with local maple syrup, glazed-cider doughnuts, and poached egg breakfasts. Its owners Jarett and Cailin Berke took over the business in 2018 and have remained faithful to its decade-long traditions.
The same family has been welcoming diners at the Lobster House in Cape May for three generations. Overlooking the New Jersey shore, the dockside diner has its own fleet of fishing boats and serves fresh catches throughout the year. It’s worth a trip for the freshly shucked oysters and crab cakes alone.
This hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant in Taos is owned and run by chef Horacio Zarazua. The food is exceptional and customers love the smoky hatch green chile rellenos – a fried, cheese-stuffed hatch green chili in a light, crispy batter – and the chicken mole fajitas, both served with rice and beans.
Dining at this bistro is like dining in someone’s home – a particularly lovely home, with plush interiors and a charming outdoor patio. Punters love the warming soups, as well as the salmon with a roasted sweet potato and chickpea Baharat-spiced quinoa salad. Don't miss the eggnog crème bruléefor dessert.
A former grocer's, dress shop, and children’s clothes store, Clawson’s became a restaurant in 1977. Extended and renovated over the years, it now includes an outdoor patio and has tables arranged over three floors, with views of the Beaufort waterfront and lighthouse. Try the smokehouse baby back ribs or the fresh catch of the day, and get the Buffalo shrimp appetizer while you wait.
The Ranch Steakhouse looks like an old barn, because that’s exactly what it is. In 1946, Loyd and Maxine Engh converted the building into a supper club that quickly became a hit with traveling salesmen working in the Midwest. Nowadays, beef lovers stop by for thick and juicy steaks and dishes such as Swedish meatballs with pappardelle. Customers give the food five stars and praise the cozy atmosphere.
The bright and colorful Day Y Noche restaurant in Granville is owned by couple Mary and Anselmo Morales. Here, you can treat yourself to Mexican favorites in the rustic dining room or seated on the front patio. Go with the queso dip with house-made chips, the carne asada tacos with red onion, lime, spicy salsa an cilantro, or the shrimp tacos with creamy chipotle sauce, pico de gallo (a simple tomato salsa), lettuce and lime.
This small country-town diner has been dishing up breakfasts and lunches in Guthrie since 1994. The menu is full of comforting Southern classics, including grits, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, and a range of steaks. A particular favorite is the chicken fried steak with gravy. Effusive customers say Katie’s is the best breakfast ever and that they’ve never had a bad meal.
This is the place to go if you love inventive beers and thin and crispy, brick-oven-baked pizza. Double Mountain Brewery has various options on draft including rosé or pear cider and Japanese-style lager made on site. Customers say the Truffle Shuffle pizza, with mozzarella, goats’ cheese, truffle oil-marinated mushrooms and green onions, is one of the tastiest they’ve ever had. There's also a location in Portland.
Built in the 1880s, Stone Row Pub & Eatery is owned and run by couple Margaret and Charlie White. Its menu is allergy-friendly and everything is locally sourced and made from scratch. Favorites include the potted beef pâté appetizer and the mustard-glazed salmon. The fun pub typically hosts whiskey flight nights too.
This sweet coffee shop was founded by health coach Persephone in 2015. Customers love the top quality, well-priced coffee, the sweet potato pie (warm coconut quinoa topped with spiced sweet potato, pecans, blueberries and coconut cream), and the egg sandwich with Vermont Cheddar. Note that this restaurant closes for the winter season.
Visit Saltus River Grill during the day for stunning views of the river, or in the evening for the cozy atmosphere and outdoor fire pits. The food specialties are scallops with basil risotto, broccolini and romesco, and osso buco (braised veal shank). The oysters and sushi rolls are not to be missed.
A cute German restaurant in the Black Hills, The Sled Haus has a ski-chalet vibe. Customers love the giant pretzels, the Haus Burger with bacon, onions, American cheese and pickles, and the bratwurst platter with two bratwursts, sauerkraut, home fries and mustard. Note that it’s cash only.
A mountain lodge with an open fire and a snug atmosphere, Gatlinburg’s Cherokee Grill is the perfect place to refuel after exploring the Great Smoky Mountains. The Prosperity Steak, a 10oz sirloin served with Worcestershire butter, fresh bread and blue cheese grits or potatoes, is one of the most popular dishes here. Check out the brunches if you visit in the morning.
The Sentinel is a charming spot for coffee, food and cocktails. Owned by the town newspaper The Big Bend Sentinel, it has modern, chic architecture and a spacious interior with exposed brick, cactuses, and comfy sofas. Plus, the coffee, breakfast burritos, chicken fajita tacos and quesadillas are adored.
This Park City restaurant is loved for its ornate interiors with grand pillars, hanging lights, and colorful tiles, and its menu blends influences from Mexico and Utah. Bestsellers include the honey-roasted duck enchiladas with grilled onions and peppers, and the seared trout fajitas with guacamole, chipotle sour cream and pico de gallo.
Inspired by Californian cuisine, this small but stylish restaurant serves many customers' all-time favorite veggie burger with aioli and marmalade onions, plus a vegan pad Thai, grilled rib-eye, and roast chicken. The spot was launched by Mark Rosman and Jamie Persky after they moved to the area from Los Angeles.
The best restaurants serving American classics in every state
Chincoteague Island’s oldest restaurant under the same management, AJ’s on the Creek was founded by jazz musician Anthony J. Stillson in 1985 and is now run by his daughters April and Lisa. The Italian-style seafood restaurant is particularly renowned for its crab cakes, which are fried golden brown and served with baked potatoes, salad, bread and butter. Customers love the friendly atmosphere too.
For the best breakfast in Port Townsend, head to the charming Blue Moose Cafe, where you can get a 'Jennifer' breakfast wrap with bacon, avocado, black beans and more, or a fried egg dish with polenta and chipotle called 'Ode to Ina'. Customers say it’s well priced and the staff are so attentive that your mug will never be empty.
Opened by couple Lori and Jeffrey Withrow in 2018, Wood Iron Eatery is an adorable café serving a great rockfish sandwich with herb tartare, and a crispy chicken sandwich with sriracha and pickles that puts Chick-fil-A to shame. Grab a table on the outdoor patio, and don’t forget to try the coffee and pound cake.
Near the beautiful town of Bayfield on Lake Superior is Good Thyme Restaurant, which could easily be mistaken for just a big (and very beautiful) yellow house. Customers call it a gem, saying they love the Cajun shrimp alfredo and the 14oz rib-eye – and, of course, the desserts, such as chocolate mousse with salted caramel pearls and whipped cream.
Those who stop by Cowboy Cafe on the way to Grand Teton find it to be an enchanting diner full of locals, who keep coming back for the friendly staff and fabulous meals. The top choice is the Wild Sampler Platter, which comes with smoked buffalo and spicy elk sausages, two eggs, hash browns and toast. For dessert try the homemade pies, such as apple rhubarb or blackberry – they're finished with a huge scoop of ice cream. (There's also a location in Sheridan.)