The diversity here is fantastic, but the draw to Torrance is its ramen. It is known as the ramen empire of SoCal.

One of the most famous spots is Hakata Ikkousha Ramen. The original outpost is in Japan and the recipe is the same – which is not common as many American ramen joints adapt recipes for local flavors. 

While there is a full menu of ramen options the most popular is Tonkotsu. What makes it so good is the ramen broth. Pork based, it is simmered over low heat for so long that it has a thick, creamy consistency.

There’s almost always a broth pot on the stove because the restaurant can’t keep up with demand and it serves up to 800 bowls on a Saturday in its small spot.

Stuart, Martin County, Florida

Nominated by: Emily of Emily Luxton Travels

Perched on Florida’s Treasure Coast almost halfway between Orlando and Miami, the small seaside city of Stuart, Martin County, often goes relatively overlooked by tourists.

But this colorful city, with its historic downtown and a big focus on independent local businesses, should be on any seafood lover’s list.

Stuart is known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World”, while the neighboring town of Port Salerno was historically a fishing village. You can still find incredible seafood at the waterfront restaurants lining the harbor.

There’s no shortage of fresh-caught seafood throughout Stuart and the surrounding area of Martin County.

In fact, almost all ingredients and produce you’ll find in local restaurants are as fresh as can be: the region’s rich countryside means farm-to-table food is easy to find.

You can even dine right on a farm itself! Kai Kai farm, a popular local supplier found just outside of Stuart, regularly host special dinner nights featuring a tour, paired wines, and food made using ingredients fresh from the farm.

If you can’t make it out to the farm, let it come to you at one of the many independent local restaurants that focus on using only home-grown produce.

Mobile, Alabama 

Nominated by: Maria of Maria Abroad

To be honest, when I planned my trip to Mobile Alabama, I did not really know what kind of food to expect other than Southern with a dash of seafood. Boy was I wrong.

 

Mobile took my foodie’s heart by storm with its innovative cuisine, fresh ingredients, and delectable tastes.

 

Mobile bridges the gap between innovation and comfort food, leaving your tastebuds excited and yet give you the cozy feels of homemade shrimp and grits. 

So where should you eat in Mobile? Here are some of my favorite spots in this cute city:

 

– Bob’s Downtown Diner aka On The Corner of Fat and Happy: Old-fashioned Diner with the classics – fried green tomatoes, homemade corned-beef hash, Po-Boys and more. 

 

– Wintzell’s Oyster House: This is an institution and a must if you love seafood. Their oysters are sweet and taste like the ocean, fresh and juicy. I also loved their seafood boil that had a little Cajun kick to it (but not as spicy as a Louisiana style boil).

 

– The Noble South: Tasty Farm to Table restaurant with an Instagram-able flair. Not only is the food really, really tasty, but the decor is beautiful and reminds me of a modern mid-west barn. 

 

– The Haberdasher: A stunning bar with a hipster vibe and great cocktails. The bartenders take their mixology serious at this place and you can look forward to some delicious treats. 

 

Mobile definitely should be on your radar, if you are a foodie. You won’t be disappointed, I promise! 

 

Durango, Colorado 

Nominated by: Jenn of The SoFull Traveler 

Denver seems to be the hot spot when it comes to visiting Colorado. A lively city, sure, but what major cities in Colorado are missing is the rustic charm of what used to be.

On your next trip out to the big skies of Colorado, make your way out to the Southwest corner of the state where you can take a step back through time in the charming town of Durango.  And, for the foodie loving adventurer, you’re in a for real treat (see what I did there?).

Durango has more restaurants per capita than San Francisco! From saloon inspired pubs to trendy breweries or artisan style pizza to ethic Japanese foods, this hidden gem spans a wide range of cuisines to suit anyone’s taste buds.

Pretty consistent amongst some of the best Durango restaurants is a Colorado favorite: farm to table ingredients and craft cocktails. Sustainability drives many decisions in this little town thus implementing as many eco-friendly plates as possible.

And as far as the craft cocktails go, they sure know how to hit a millennials weak spot with artisan crafted drinks with names like “Letters to Elliot” and “Fireside Chat.” So. Very. Instagram-able.

Natchitoches, Louisiana 

Nominated by: Margie of DQ Family Travel

Natchitoches, Louisiana is a small town about 4 hours north of New Orleans. Known as the oldest permanent settlement in the state, this charming Southern town is filled with antebellum history.

 

Visitors not only come here for the food and riverfront charm but also because Natchitoches was the filming location for many scenes from the movie Steel Magnolias. It is also a fantastic place to spend a weekend and eat some delicious regional cuisine. 

 

Due to its location just across the Texas line, Natchitoches serves up all the New Orleans classics: jambalaya, red beans and rice, gumbo, crawfish, as well as some tasty barbeque spots.

 

It’s well known, however, for its meat pies. A Natchitoches meat pie is similar to a Spanish empanada, only that it is much bigger and is seasoned with different spices.

 

You will find this perfect lunch item on many of the local menus, yet the only place to get the original meat pie is at Laysone’s, which opened its doors in 1967.

 

The downtown area is also home to craft breweries and several family-owned Creole and Cajun restaurants. If you enjoy a little Southern charm and cooking, then the small town of Natchitoches is waiting for you. 

 

Wayzata, Minnesota 

Nominated by Sam of My Flying Leap

 

What would you expect from Wayzata, MN as a foodie destination? Probably not much, and you’d be very, very wrong!

This suburb of Minneapolis is a foodie mecca hiding several gems.

My favorite of which is called Sushi Fix and was opened by locally-renowned chef, Billy Tserenbat. This place won’t disappoint—of course, unless you forget to make a reservation and can’t get a seat! Yes, it’s that good! 

And the local’s tip is that they even have a hidden sushi menu. Ask about it and be prepared to be wowed.

This place boasts some of the most creative sushi dishes I have ever had, including the Frankenstein roll, a mix of two other rolls they offer with a spicy mouth-kick. It may not be pretty but it’s truly incredible. 

By far the best presentation is the Shiso Yummy with bonito flakes sprinkled over shiso peppers. It’s delivered to your table and almost appears to be alive on the plate.

Don’t get taken in by the sweetness of the peppers as there are a few in every plate that will knock your socks off and may just cause flames to shoot from your mouth! 

 This place is truly a gem and it’s located in a lovely setting on the picturesque street along Wayzata Bay. You won’t be disappointed and it’s well worth the drive from Minneapolis.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Nominated by: Stephanie of Oklahoma Wonders

Even though I’ve spent the past four years traveling full time, there’s nothing quite like thinking about the food from home to make one homesick. For me, home is Oklahoma City, and the food is unparalleled.

 

While I’ve eaten in some of the best restaurants in London, New York, Paris, and Rio, the one meal I miss more than anything in the world is the classic Tex-Mex served up in OKC at places like Ted’s Cafe Escondido and Chellino’s.

 

That’s not to say that the foodie scene isn’t growing, because every time I come home I find more restaurants to explore.

 

The bar seems to get raised year after year, and now places like The Jones Assembly serve up modern takes on classic Southern cooking.

 

Fried okra, Nashville Hot Chicken, and updated banana pudding are the comfort food the city is known for but with an updated attitude. You could spend months here and not experience every place worth visiting.

One hidden gem that doesn’t get much national press but every Okie knows is Johnnie’s, the charcoal hamburgers that rival anything that In-N-Out Burger or Shake Shack has on offer.

Except they don’t skimp on the toppings, have extra cheese, and you can buy a piece of pie for dessert. Nothing says Oklahoma like having an extra slice of pie!

The best foodie neighborhoods to explore when you’re here are Bricktown and Deep Deuce, but don’t be afraid to branch out further afield. There are hidden gems all over the city.

Richmond, Virginia

Nominated by: Becky of SightDOING

Omaha, Nebraska

Nominated by: Stella of Around the World in 24 Hours

Omaha, Nebraska has long been famous for its amazing steaks. And if you’re looking for top-quality beef, you can find delectable, Nebraska-raised wagyu at places like The Boiler Room.

But the rest of the local food scene has come on strong in recent years, and now Omaha, the largest city in Nebraska, is set to become America’s next top foodie destination.

The most iconic dish in Omaha might be the Reuben sandwich. This sandwich is made with corned beef, grilled Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, all piled on two slices of rye bread.

Legend has it that Lithuanian immigrant Reuben Kulakofsky invented it at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. Nowadays M’s Pub serves a mighty tasty Reuben. Of course, New York City also claims to have invented the Reuben…but don’t bring that up in Omaha.

Omaha has many other great places for casual dining.

You can get a fabulous Croque garcon burger at Block 16. (Like the famous French Croque madame sandwich, it comes with an egg on top.)

For a sweet treat, get ultra-premium 20 percent butterfat ice cream made fresh daily at Ted and Wally’s.

If you’re more in the mood for fine dining, both V Mertz and The Grey Plume have exquisite tasting menus that can stand up to any in the country. Dine on wagyu beef tartare, steelhead trout, and cocoa nib ice cream one night at The Grey Plume.

The next night you can have pate, morel mushroom lasagna, and Japanese cheesecake at V Mertz. When it comes to dining, Omaha has an embarrassment of riches.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Nominated by: Courtney of Coco Betty

New Mexico’s food culture is still widely unknown so I’m gonna let you in on the secret: if you are looking for food that makes your mouth water, your eyes get wide and your stomach to roar in agreement then you need to make your way to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

New Mexico may be one of the only states with a State Question; “Red or Green?” This refers to a person’s preference for red chile or green chile on their food.

 

Now if that doesn’t give you enough of an indication for how much they love their food, let me tell you more. This isn’t Baja or Tex-Mex, this is New Mexican cuisine that reaches to the roots of their Mexican heritage and what can be more New Mexican than tacos?

 

Small in size but bursting with flavor, the best can be found at El Cotorro in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill right off the famous Route 66. These soft corn tortillas are sometimes doubled up to help with the mess. Who needs napkins?

 

They can be made with Al Pastor (Pork), Carnitas (Pork), Barbacoa (Lamb), Carne Asada (Beef), Fish or Vegetarian like Nopales (Cactus) and then topped with onion & cilantro.

 

Generally, the food can be pretty spicy so be careful how much hot sauce or salsa you throw in. Squeeze a lime wedge on top and enjoy! Bon Apetit!

Just outside the capital city of Jackson sits Ridgeland, Mississippi, a hip, vibrant urban town growing at a rapid pace.

And with all expanding hubs, comes the salacious foodie scene that follows. There is an abundance of fine dining, and trending coffee shops along with locally owned stylish lunch spots specializing in regionally sourced ingredients and a killer Comeback sauce. 

Famous for, and rightly so, some of the best fried catfish and fried chicken in the Delta (with restaurants like Cock in the Walk specializing in and only that) Ridgeland is also alluring diners to think upscale with the exceptional steakhouses, craft cocktails, and oysters shipped in daily from the gulf. 

The culinary experience is that of a bustling city five times its size, with talented chefs arriving back to their roots in a slice of America’s heartland.

From fresh fried green tomatoes topped with crawfish to scratch-made cinnamon rolls, Ridgeland is pumping out a culinary experience easily overlooked. 

Be sure to experience the fresh redfish and butter dipped crab claws – all fresh from the gulf before saddling up at a diner for a real blue plate special. 

Whether road tripping through or looking for a casual and unexpected long weekend, the culinary scene in Ridgeland is fresh, vibrant, and guaranteed to surprise you. 

Portland, Maine

Nominated by: Jamie of The Daily Adventures of Me

Portland, Maine is a perfect New England town with brick buildings and lighthouses on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also one of the US’ best food destinations.

There are many foodie entrepreneurs here experimenting with the flavors and local ingredients of New England.

Although you can find favorites, like a traditional New England lobster roll, you can also find many deviations such as the brown butter lobster roll from Eventide.

Other unique things Maine is doing with local crops are potato donuts at The Holy Donut and some of the best fries you have had from Duckfat.

Portland also has thriving producers making craft spirits, locally produced wines, and beer.

A few of the best are the uniquely different gin at Hardshore Distilling Company, the rhubarb wine at Eighteen Twenty Wines and the lavender honey mead at Maine Mead Works.

And Portland is the perfect place to start an exploration of the whole state of Maine!

In the southwest corner of Florida at the western edge of the Florida Everglades lies Naples, Florida, one of the most popular vacation spots in Florida.

In Naples, high society and small-town charm still go together like seafood and beer.

Add in excellent white sand beaches, year ’round warm weather, Italian-inspired architecture, world-class shopping, and a vibrant restaurant scene, and it’s easy to see why Naples is such a hot spot, for foodies or anyone.

Being right on the Gulf of Mexico means local food specialties like fresh Gulf shrimp, oysters, snapper, grouper, and other saltwater fish dominate the menu. But the one dish everyone looks forward to each season are fresh Florida stone crabs.

Stone crab fishing is a sustainable industry in Florida — by law, only one stone crab claw can be harvested from a crab allowing it to grow back and delight us again for seasons to come!

There are so many great restaurants in Naples to choose from no matter what mood you’re in, whether it’s high style or low — from beach cocktails in your shorts with your feet in the sand to excellent high-end dining with a celebrity flair.

But the best way to enjoy any meal is on the beach or overlooking the water with a cocktail in hand.

Buffalo, New York

Nominated by: Jennifer P. (aka Dr. J) from Sidewalk Safari

Buffalo has always had a great food scene. People living outside of Western New York just haven’t realized it yet. Let’s talk about what to eat in Buffalo, shall we?

Charley the Butcher is famous locally for beef on weck. Picture thinly sliced roast beef on a perfect crusty roll covered in salt and caraway seeds.

Beef on weck is best served with loganberry pop. Buffalo is the only place in the world where I’ve seen this hybrid of a blackberry and raspberry turned into a soft drink. 

Of course, the food scene in Buffalo already has some renown the world over.

Who doesn’t know that Buffalo wings were invented in Western New York? Head to Duffs for a less-touristy chicken wing experience.

Duff’s wings are spicy by default. Medium is hot, medium hot is very hot and hot is very, very hot. The spicy, vinegary sauce at Duff’s is simply outstanding and goes down well with a pint of craft beer from one of Buffalo’s local microbreweries.

In the mid-19th century, Buffalo experienced a wave of immigration from Poland. Great Polish food is another reason Buffalo is a fantastic foodie destination.

Head to Polish Villa to try classic Polish cuisine. A typical dish comes with pierogi and kielbasa served with a huge potato pancake.

Now you can find upscale takes on Polish classics at Local Kitchen & Beer Bar. Try the Cheektowaga Polka–large pierogi with spare ribs and caramelized onions served with an elegant flourish.

Boise, Idaho 

Nominated by: Lauren from TheDownLo

When I tell you Boise is the next great foodie destination, you’ll likely scoff.

A state most known for the humble potato? Come on. But I’m not alone in my assessment. 

Vogue said it was on the brink of a culinary revolution. 

People said it was one of the hottest new food cities in America.

And still, others said it was one of the most underrated dining destinations in the country.

So what exactly makes Boise so great? The diversity, the affordability, and the star power.

Celebrity chefs from Portland, Seattle and Denver are moving there in droves, priming it to become the next great Western city.

With the second-largest Basque population in the US, the Basque Market is a must for their pintxos and weekly paella feasts.

Bittercreek Alehouse is a local watering hole known for its craft beer and diverse menu. Fork is another farm-to-table favorite, while Goldy’s is the go-to brunch spot.

But if you do want to honor the state mainstay, Boise Fry Bar has five different cuts and colors of fries with dozens of toppings and the “the burger on the side.”

Westside Drive-in also has potato-shaped ice cream sundaes perfect for the ‘gram. Just don’t limit your palate to potatoes. 

Asheville, North Carolina 

Nominated by: Bret Love & Mary Gabbett of Blue Ridge Mountains Travel

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Asheville has emerged in recent years as the Southeast’s answer to Portland– another mountain town famous for its gorgeous natural surroundings, thriving cultural scene, and forward-thinking environmental consciousness.

The city is perhaps most famous for George Vanderbilt’s lavish Biltmore Estate, which was built in 1895: With 250 rooms and 135,280 square feet, it remains the largest privately-owned house in the United States.

But Asheville has also garnered a lot of (well-deserved) hype for its thriving culinary scene.

Drawing numerous critically acclaimed chefs to the area from major cities, Asheville now has more Green Restaurants per capita than any other city in the country and has garnered glowing articles in revered publications Bon Appetit and Food and Wine.

From laid-back cafes such as Green Sage and Tupelo Honey to cool BBQ joints like 12 Bones Smokehouse (President Obama’s favorite), hip vegan eateries like Plant, and farm-to-table French restaurant Bouchon, the town has tons of incredible options for diehard foodies to choose from.

And though the scene’s focus is generally on fresh, locally sourced Southern food fare, Asheville icons like Peter Pollay (Posana) and multi-James Beard Award nominee Katie Button (Cúrate) continually find new ways to surprise visitors and locals alike with their inventive culinary creations.

Aslan Brewing in downtown Bellingham is an excellent choice, with a fantastic selection of beers, and a menu of elevated pub food that looks and tastes more farm to table than fast food.  The spicy yam tacos and the massive bacon bison burger are favorites.

Tucson, Arizona

Nominated by: Leigh of Campfires & Concierges

For many years, Tucson, Arizona has remained in the shadow of Phoenix and Scottsdale when it comes to tourism. However, in 2015, Tucson was the first U.S. city to receive the UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation.

Joining cities like Parma, Bergen, and Chengdu, Tucson was recognized for having the longest agricultural history of any city in the United States.

The local natives were masters of irrigation, allowing them to grow crops in the desert, and you can still visit their agave fields and grinding stones today.

Local chefs are incorporating these ancient wild foods into modern dishes, incorporating mesquite flour, cactus fruit, and agave into gourmet dishes and even beer.

In addition to ancient foods, Tucson is the best place in the US to have Sonoran-style Mexican food. Better than Tex-Mex, in my opinion, Sonoran Mexican feels more authentic to the food I’ve eaten in Mexico.

Forget the cheese, sour cream and other toppings; the best local tacos are simplicity at its finest. Local spots like Boca Tacos emphasize mouthwatering meat, homemade tortillas, and fresh salsas.

Another top Tucson restaurant, Cafe Poca Cosa, has a new menu every day and the owner regularly returns to Mexico for inspiration.

El Charro Cafe is another top spot for Sonoran Mexican food in Tucson. Not only is it the longest-running family-owned Mexican restaurant in the country, the family who owns it also invented the chimichanga.

A Tucson food tour is a great way to learn more about the foodie scene in the “Old Pueblo.”

Cleveland, Ohio