The Best Food Scenes
There are many things people love, and food is definitely at the top of the list. Unfortunately, not all cities are made equally when it comes to their offerings of food. Even in America, there are some places that are known for haute cuisine, while others fall short.
1. New York
New York City has a staggering variety of international food. The range is extremely wide, from famed street eats to Michelin-starred fine dining. Fresh and exciting, the NYC food scene is always on trend.
Peter Bravo de los Rios on Unsplash
2. New Orleans
Amazing flavor and a sense of pride are also reflected in the food of New Orleans. Creole and Cajun cuisines are particularly renowned here. Tourists often comment on how the food seems both homely and indelible.
Jarritos Mexican Soda on Unsplash
3. San Francisco
San Francisco is known for innovative and fresh food. The city's access to local produce and seafood helps maintain a high quality of ingredients. Innovative dining and high standards in the food industry are two of the biggest reasons San Francisco's food culture draws in chefs from around the world.
4. Portland
Portland is known for its food trucks, farm-to-table restaurants, and innovative cuisine. It is easy to try new things and experience different flavors without breaking the bank. Locals are proud of finding and supporting independent food companies.
5. Austin
Austin is a city that is famous for its barbecue, tacos, spices, and much-loved fusion food. Austin's food culture is friendly and experimental. The live music and food events make dining unforgettable.
6. Chicago
Chicago is also known for classic comfort food like deep-dish pizza and Italian beef sandwiches, as well as a strong fine dining culture. Chicago has been a foodie destination for a long time. Many Chicago chefs pride themselves on mixing old with new.
7. Charleston
Charleston offers a mix of traditional Southern comfort foods and contemporary techniques. Local seafood is highly praised. Guests rave about the Southern hospitality that makes you feel special every time you dine.
Christopher Luther on Unsplash
8. Honolulu
Honolulu dishes feature Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, and Korean-style food. The ingredients are fresh, often local, high quality, and full of flavor compared to most places. The tropical combination gives meals a fresh, unique feel.
9. Seattle
Seattle is a city known for its seafood, coffee culture, and focus on sustainability. It has a diverse restaurant scene with a good mix of casual and fine dining. Visitors often appreciate how the local environment influences the menu.
10. Philadelphia
The Philadelphia area is more than just cheesesteaks. In fact, the Philly restaurant scene is a rapidly expanding one and is gaining recognition for its unique take on international flavors and upscale comfort food.
With a balance of historic attractions and new culinary options, Philly is making a name for itself as a serious foodie city.
Now that we’ve talked about some of the best US food scenes, here are 10 that might leave you wanting more.
1. Anchorage
While Anchorage is a naturally beautiful city, the food is not as good or varied as in large culinary centers. Fresh ingredients can be hard to come by as they travel far to reach Anchorage. Some visitors have found the dining options to be somewhat limited.
2. Fresno
Fresno is a city encircled by farms, but it isn't reflected in the city's dining scene. Many restaurants don't offer creative cuisine but rather simple dishes. Travelers will likely find fewer meals to remember in Fresno than in other parts of California.
3. Oklahoma
Oklahoma City has made strides in its food offerings, but it is heavily based on safe, predictable comfort food. Some travelers hope for a more eclectic experience. The city can seem parochial for those with a palate for international cuisine.
4. Jacksonville
Jacksonville has no shortage of seafood, but the restaurant scene and dining culture are still maturing. Reviews note a lack of consistency between restaurants. If you are a foodie seeking bolder or more experimental cuisine, you may be disappointed.
5. Bakersfield
The city of Bakersfield has a distinctive local flavor, but its restaurants are basic and mainstream. Visitors to the area often find themselves craving more trendy or international cuisine. The food scene doesn't garner as much attention as other cities in the state.
6. El Paso
El Paso has awesome Mexican food, but outside of that genre, the selection can seem a bit narrow. Visitors also mention that it's a city that doesn't play much with the wider trends in cuisine. Picky food travelers can find it a bit limiting.
7. Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a scenic city, with less emphasis on cuisine. There are a lot of restaurants that satisfy a very general American palate. If you're seeking a wide variety of big-city tastes, you may be disappointed.
8. Mesa
Mesa has dependable dining but little that is extraordinary. The city emphasizes family-friendly consistency over foodie creativity. Selections can be rather formulaic for foodies, making it kind of boring and non-inventive.
Office of Andy Biggs, US Congress on Wikimedia
9. Lubbock
Lubbock is a town based around no-frills comfort foods that locals crave. It doesn't have an abundance of restaurants that push any boundaries or try something new and exciting. Visitors who are food travelers may find that meals are a bit redundant.
10. Toledo
Toledo has a local food culture that is loyal, but it doesn't receive a lot of national foodie attention.
The majority of the dining scene is made up of tried-and-true Midwestern comfort foods. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, tourists looking for a more exciting selection may want to look elsewhere.
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