Over the years, food travel has become an increasingly popular travel trend. Those interested in exploring newer cuisines and discovering different foods and flavors pick destinations based on their local food and beverage culture. Foodie travel typically includes going on culinary tours, taking cooking classes at the destination, exploring street food, and visiting producers that grow and supply the local produce. Several cities across the country are considered culinary centers for food lovers.
1. New York City
The Big Apple, as it’s fondly known, is a melting pot of several cultures and is one of the best cities for food lovers. There is unbelievable food diversity, meaning visitors can try out any cuisine they like. Foodies can find almost everything here, from delectable bagels to authentic dim sum. While most tourists limit their travels to Manhattan, several other parts of this city offer unique experiences for food enthusiasts. For instance, Staten Island is known for tagliatelle. Meanwhile, Brooklyn has some of the most popular classic cheesecakes, which are must-haves in this city. Further up north, in the Bronx, tourists can delight in eating old-school Italian foods, from handmade salami to freshly made cheese.
2. Chicago
For foodie travelers, Chicago is often one of the top vacation destinations. Many tourists head here for a taste of the Windy City staples, deep-dish pizza and ketchup-free hot dogs. In addition, the city boasts over 50 James Beard Award winners and over 20 Michelin-star-awarded restaurants, catering to those seeking a fine dining experience. Among these are restaurants that are globally renowned for their multicourse tasting menus. The city is home to many communities, which means there’s no dearth of options when it comes to sampling different cuisines. From Ukrainian pierogi to crusty Vietnamese bánh mì, foodies are spoiled for options.
3. Savannah
For those looking to experience a bit of history and culinary delights, the city of Savannah, Georgia, is one of the top food destinations to consider. Here, travelers can enjoy the best Southern biscuits while strolling alongside hundreds of year-old magnolia trees that bloom with delightful blossoms. Home to old-world Victorian mansions, Savannah is perfect for everyone who wants to pair historic architecture with some delectable food. Additionally, with the ocean nearby, the city offers numerous opportunities to enjoy its famous seafood dishes, including she-crab stew, cornmeal-crusted fried oysters, and shrimp and grits.
4. Seattle
Surrounded by the snow-laden Mt. Rainier, Seattle is one of the most popular foodie cities along the West Coast. The city has much to offer to those planning their travel around local food and culture. It is particularly a perfect place for those keen on going on culinary tours; the Pike Place Market is the right place to start a culinary tour of Seattle. Offering a picturesque view of Elliot Bay, Pike Place offers many delicious food options. Wind-caught seafood is often considered one of the best-selling foods here among tourists.
5. New Orleans
The city of New Orleans is known for its rich culture and food. Several regions have shaped the city ambiance, from Europe and the Caribbean to West Africa. For foodie travelers, New Orleans offers savory staples like po’boys, jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and muffulettas. Experience live jazz music, a central part of New Orleans culture, while enjoying all these savory treats. Along with these savory treats, tourists can also indulge in some sweet desserts that are famous in the city, like sugar-covered beignets. Tourists can also visit various cafes in New Orleans to sample these delightful baked goods.
6. Berkeley
Usually, food enthusiasts who travel to the Bay Area limit themselves to San Francisco. While the city has a lot to offer in terms of culinary delights, going some miles away to Berkeley can also give the best of Californian cuisine. In fact, over the last several years, the city in the sunnier part of the East Bay has been considered one of the top foodie travel destinations by many tourists. Foodies can experience everything from fine farm-to-table restaurants with curated menus to less formal food options of pie and pizza made with locally grown cheese and produce. They can also participate in hosted culinary tours to gain insight into the hidden gems and popular spots of neighborhood eateries.
7. Los Angeles
For many travelers of exclusive food trails, trying out the foods in Los Angeles is almost like a deep dive into Mexican cuisine. This is because this Californian city has many Mexican restaurants and eateries scattered all over the place. So, tourists can easily enjoy a wide variety of the best quality tacos. From barbacoa tacos in Arlington Heights to crispy fish and shrimp tacos and carne asada, there are a lot of options to explore and sample. While Mexican food is the mainstay of this city, L.A. also offers culinary delights from other cultures, from Burmese to Italian, Thai-Japanese, and Indian.
8. Honolulu
This Hawaiian capital city spoils tourists with its choice of food. The ultimate food destination offers everything from fresh poke to sushi, oceanfront brunch, and Korean barbecue. Besides this, tourists can indulge in the best of kimchi pancakes, soba, and tempura. Along with this, tourists can try out the refreshing Hawaiian shaved ice that is a must-have in Honolulu. The city offers options in terms of food and prices. Travelers can eat at pricey fine-dining restaurants and reasonably priced eateries across the city.
