The Best Cities For Food in the United States

By: Melanie Lieberman | Pulished on 2023-11-30

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip AdvisePHOTO: BRYCE DUFFY

 

If you thought the Big Apple had absolutely nothing in common with the modest New Mexican city of Santa Fe, think again. After all, New York City may be known for its upscale, headline-making restaurants, but Santa Fe is just as popular for its red and green chilies. “For a small city,” said one T+L reader about Santa Fe, “the restaurant and food selections are outstanding.” Others raved about the unique, regional dishes like carne adovada: braised pork featuring local meat, dried red New Mexican chilies, and Mexican oregano.

1.No. 10: Portland, Maine

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip AdvisePHOTO:GRETA RYBUS

2.No. 9: Portland, Oregon

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip AdvisePHOTO:HEMIS / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

3.No. 8: Austin

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip AdvisePHOTO:JEFF MINTON

 4.No. 7: Santa Fe

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip AdvisePHOTO:SUNPIX FOOD / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

5.No. 6: Savannah

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip Advise

PHOTO:MICHAEL VENTURA / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

 6.No. 5: Chicago

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip Advise

PHOTO:TARA DONNE

 

7.No. 4: San Francisco

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip AdvisePHOTO:ALEX FARNUM

8.No. 3: New York City

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip AdvisePHOTO:TUKKA KOSKI

9.No. 2: Charleston

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip AdvisePHOTO:PETER FRANK EDWARDS

10.No. 1: New Orleans

The Best Cities For Food in the United States-Trip AdvisePHOTO:BRYCE DUFFY

 

“No place beats New Orleans for food,” said T+L reader Charles Grubb. And he wasn’t the only one to share that sentiment. Finding restaurants in New Orleans is an easy task, and they range from casual sandwich shops (serving impossibly good po’boy sandwiches) to venerable institutions with legendary menu items (think: Brennan’s turtle soup). Just saying NOLA brings to mind powdery beignets (or Coquette’s visionary carrot cake version) and spicy gumbo. Visitors have to try acclaimed Creole classics. And if it’s crawfish season? Then you shouldn’t have any questions about what to eat in New Orleans.