The Ultimate Guide to North America’s Best Foodie Destinations
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Foodies in the know already flock to culinary hotspots like New Orleans, Vancouver and Mexico City. New Orleans’ vibrant culture is reflected in its culinary offerings, showcasing a mix of European, Caribbean, and African influences.
Yet, for those searching for new eating experiences, a handful of lesser-known cities are emerging as topnotch dining destinations, places that fly under the radar (and may not have as many Michelin stars just yet) but are earning kudos for both quality cuisine and the venues in which those meals are served.
Have a glance at these rising, under-the-radar food destinations:
San Francisco’s Food Scene
You can’t talk about the culinary world without tipping your hat to San Francisco. While it’s hardly an under-the-radar city, its city food scene is a legendary beast that’s always reinventing itself. Forget what you think you know; this is a city that perfected farm-to-table before it was a trendy hashtag.
Thanks to its spot on the coast and proximity to wine country, the access to fresh ingredients is unreal. Local chefs and famed bakers have created a vast landscape of diverse cuisine that’s a playground for foodies.
From world-acclaimed restaurants to iconic bakeries pumping out that famous sourdough, there’s a reason it competes with giants like New York. The craft beer scene here is also a huge part of the city’s life, offering visitors a perfect pint to go with any meal.
New Orleans: The Big Easy’s Unforgettable Flavors
Let’s be real, a trip to New Orleans is a pilgrimage for anyone who loves food. The history of this city is woven into every bite, creating a taste you just can’t find anywhere else on earth. The Big Easy isn’t just a nickname; it’s a way of life, and that spirit infuses its famed culinary offerings.
We’re talking about a plethora of restaurants where Creole and Cajun traditions aren’t just preserved; they’re celebrated by locals and residents with every meal. You can’t visit and miss out on a plate of pillowy beignets for a sweet treat or a steaming bowl of gumbo that feels like a hug from the inside.
This is a city that foodies from all over the world flock to, and for good reason. From fine dining to neighborhood joints, Orleans is a place you don’t just explore with your feet, but with your fork.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is already well-known for college sports (UNC, Wake Forest, NC State). But the state capital is also one of North Carolina’s best eating and drinking destinations.
St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar flaunts a raw bar, creative seafood dishes and amazing craft cocktails near the state capitol building. See if you can finish the entire Tchoupitoulas Street special (crab, shrimp and oysters). If steak, bourbon and checkerboard tablecloths are more your scene, expansive Angus Barn is renowned for its carnivorous delights and adjacent Wild Turkey Lounge.
Raleigh breakfast ranges from one of the original Krispy Kreme doughnut outlets to iconic Southern dishes like grits, country ham and eggs with fried catfish at Big Ed’s Market Square. After dark, sip a couple of the 350-plus brews on tap at the Raleigh Beer Garden (a Guinness World Record).
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Mexico’s second largest city may be its overall best dining destination. Many of the top restaurants are within walking distance of one another in the leafy, laidback Colonia Americana neighborhood.
Hueso is a feast for both the eyes and appetite, a cutting-edge eatery named after the Spanish word for “bone.” True to its theme, the walls are decorated in artistically displayed animal bones and the menu spangled with innovative dishes like cowboy pork and steak tartare with mustard ice cream. Meals are served at a single, long wooden table that stretches across the dining room.
Colonia Americana is also home to Taco Fish La Paz with its tasty seafood bites (ask for an upstairs balcony table) and the casual Shrimp’n Beer, which despite its funky name serves surprisingly good tuna poké, fried calamari, chicharrón, Cajun-style mussels and boiled shrimp.
Taxi out to Tlaquepaque for signature Mexican dishes complemented by live folk or jazz music at Casa Luna. Among its signature dishes are enchiladas tricolor (inspired by the Mexican flag), huitlacoche tostadas and chicken molé.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The state’s oldest restaurant, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, opened in 1910 in the city’s bustling stockyards area and was the acme of OKC dining for decades (and remains an institution). But something happened around the turn of the 21st century – an explosion of global cuisine.
Asian eateries abound, like Ma Der Lao Kitchen, serving up Laotian favorites from Chef Jeff Chanchaleune’s family recipes in the eclectic Plaza District, as well as dim sum at the Grand House Asian Bistro and Vietnamese noodles at Pho Lien Hoa. Delights in this so-named Asian District epitomize the trend toward more exotic foods.
Meanwhile, Red PrimeSteak has modernized the local meat-eating experience via a fixed-price menu that features options like beef tenderloin tamales, wagyu skirt steak with lobster tail, green chili mac-and-cheese and Caesar broccolini.
Among the other OKC oldies-but-goodies are Indian tacos at Tim’s Drive Inn in Warr Acres and the smoked bologna sandwich at Jamil’s Steakhouse on the north side.
Calgary, Alberta
Alberta’s biggest city continues to attract pioneering chefs and innovative eaters from elsewhere in Canada, drawn by its dry, blue-sky climate, a booming energy-driven economy and proximity to Rocky Mountains recreation.
Among the creative dining experiences in the trendy Beltline District are updated Mediterranean classics at Kama, Euro-Asian fusion (and incredible chandeliers) at Orchard Restaurant, and solarium lunches at Park by Sidewalk Citizen in Memorial Park.
Trendy 17 Ave. SW is flanked by popular eateries like Una Pizza & Wine (honey-infused truffle pies), Simply Irie Caribbean cuisine and the amazing mix of seafood, beef and vegetarian small plates at Model Milk.
But you’ll have to commute out to eastside Inglewood for Calgary’s top eating experience – the outstanding forage-and-farm dishes of Rouge. Located in a red Victorian mansion, the restaurant offers sumptuous surf or turf selections, plus a six-course gathered and foraged chef’s menu.
San Antonio, Texas
The place that pioneered Tex-Mex cuisine in the 1800s is now at the leading edge of new culinary trends, like Mexican regional foods and New Texas cuisine.
At restaurants like La Gloria in the Pearl Brewery District and Fruteria Botanero in Southtown, celebrity chef Johnny Hernandez serves street tacos, ceviche, al pastor, molcajete meat dishes, traditional soups and other recipes gleaned from his many research trips to Mexico.
John and Elise Russ are the movers and shakers behind the New Texan cuisine at their Clementine restaurant in Castle Hills. Among their many fusion dishes are okra with molé and tahini, chamomile brined chicken with chimichurri, and hushpuppies with honey, sumac and smoked paprika.
San Antonio has always been a great bar-hopping town. Drinking establishments around the Alamo range from the legendary Menger Bar (where Teddy Roosevelt recruited many of his Roughriders) and the totally off-the-wall (and unashamedly kitschy) Buckhorn Saloon. For more modern joints, try Bar 1919 speakeasy and Haunt Lounge in the St. Anthony Hotel.
Portland, Maine
Maine’s largest city has been a bit of a culinary secret for years. Back in 2009, Bon Appetit called it “America’s Foodiest Small Town” and it was later named “Restaurant City of the Year” in 2018. Portland also boasts more microbreweries than any other city in the USA, making it a haven for craft beer enthusiasts.
Make the trek up Munjoy Hill for out-of-this-world brunch at The Front Room or cruise down to the waterfront for offbeat seafood dishes like kingfish crudo, halibut ceviche and Maine clam chowder at the pier-top Scales restaurant. Meanwhile, The Green Elephant tops a list of excellent vegetarian eateries. Portland is also home to over 1,000 food carts offering a variety of cuisines, adding to its vibrant food culture.
The seaside city also offers unique gastronomic adventures. Hop a ferry or water taxi to Great Diamond Island for seafood at the small but delectable Crown Jewel cafe. Maine Day Ventures offers four different guided foodie walking tours in Portland plus an oyster-lover’s cruise.
Toronto, Ontario
Montreal is normally hailed as the culinary king of eastern Canada. Montreal regularly ranks as one of the best foodie cities in the world, thanks to its diverse and innovative dining scene. But Toronto isn’t far behind, thanks to an awesome range of restaurants and two historic food bazaars.
Founded in 1803, St. Lawrence Market in Old Toronto offers more than 120 vendors spread through a vintage brick market hall and huge modern tent. From Greek and Chinese eats to seafood, organic sausages and deli sandwiches, the variety will blow your mind.
From its flower power days in the 1960s, the Kensington Market neighborhood has evolved into a multicultural eating oasis with Jamaican and Japanese, vegan and Vietnamese, Mexican and Middle Eastern, German and Italian dining spots. And right next door is the city’s food-filled Chinatown. Montreal, not far away, is known for its bagels and smoked meat sandwiches, which are iconic staples of its culinary identity.
Downtown Toronto also offers abundant choice. Perched on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower, Canoe specializes in jaw-dropping views and New Canadian dishes, like cured bison and venison tartare. Aloette Spadina complements its hip décor with innovative dishes, like a wagyu truffle burger and yuzu honey-coated fried chicken that riff off old-time diner classics. Or take a flavorsome journey to the old country with a “Proper British Imperial Pint” of Guinness Stout and haddock fish & chips at the Queen & Beaver Public House.
Exploring Culinary Diversity
What’s amazing about the food scene across this vast land is the sheer culinary diversity. The story of North America has been transformed by the people who came to call it home, and their influence on the food is a surprise and a delight.
You can explore the world on a plate without ever stamping your passport. From Laotian family recipes in Oklahoma to regional Mexican dishes that originated far from the border, the diversity is a testament to the continent’s evolving culture. It’s a reminder that food is more than just a meal; it’s history and community shared between friends and family.
Closing Thoughts
North America offers an incredible variety of foodie destinations, each with its own unique flavors, cultures, and culinary traditions. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant street food scenes, indulging in world-class seafood, or savoring authentic regional dishes, these cities provide unforgettable experiences for every food lover. Be sure to visit these diverse culinary hotspots to truly taste the rich history and innovation that define North America’s food scene.
