Here are the best food cities in the USA, chosen for American travellers. These are America’s great eating cities, each with its own signature flavours.
Best food cities in the USA
1. New Orleans
New Orleans is unlike any other American city: jazz drifting from doorways, Creole and Cajun cooking, historic architecture and festivals almost every week of the year. Read our New Orleans travel guide.
- Best time: February to May and October to November
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Baton Rouge
- Don’t miss: French Quarter, Frenchmen Street and Garden District
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
2. New York City
New York City packs world-famous museums, Broadway theatres, iconic skyline views and food from every corner of the globe into five boroughs. It rewards first-timers and repeat visitors alike, as long as you plan around neighbourhoods rather than trying to see everything at once. Read our New York City travel guide.
- Best time: April to June and September to early December
- Getting there: About 4 hours from Boston by train or car; 3 hours from Washington, DC on Amtrak Acela
- Don’t miss: Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
3. Chicago
Chicago is a city of bold architecture, a sparkling lakefront, world-class museums and deep-dish pizza, with neighbourhoods full of blues clubs and restaurants. Read our Chicago travel guide.
- Best time: May to October
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours to Milwaukee; 5 hours to Detroit
- Don’t miss: Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, Millennium Park and Cloud Gate and Art Institute of Chicago
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
4. Charleston
Charleston is a beautifully preserved Southern city of cobblestone streets, pastel houses, plantations and some of the best food in the country. Read our Charleston travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and September to November
- Getting there: About 2 hours to Savannah
- Don’t miss: Rainbow Row, The Battery and Fort Sumter National Monument
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
Travel gear we trust
- Travel backpacks for weekend trips BuyrSkip
A 30–40 litre backpack handles a long weekend and fits under most airline seats. - Best phones and wearables for travel Buyzello
Phones with great cameras and wearables that track your hikes. - Best wireless earbuds for travel VerdictFox
Compact earbuds for flights, trains and long drives.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5. Austin
Austin is the live music capital of the world, a laid-back city of barbecue, swimming holes, food trucks and festivals. Read our Austin travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and October to November
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours to San Antonio
- Don’t miss: Sixth Street and Red River, Barton Springs Pool and Texas State Capitol
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
6. San Francisco
San Francisco is a compact, hilly city of cable cars, Victorian houses and fog rolling under the Golden Gate Bridge, with Napa, Muir Woods and the Pacific coast close by. Read our San Francisco travel guide.
- Best time: September and October (warmest and clearest)
- Getting there: About 1–1.5 hours to Napa; 3.5–4 hours to Yosemite
- Don’t miss: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Cable cars
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
7. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a sprawling city of beaches, film studios, museums and diverse neighbourhoods, best explored one area at a time. Read our Los Angeles travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and September to November
- Getting there: About 2 hours to San Diego; 4–5 hours to Las Vegas
- Don’t miss: Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach and Getty Center
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
8. Nashville
Nashville, Music City, is the home of country music, with honky-tonks on Broadway, legendary venues like the Ryman Auditorium and a booming food scene. Read our Nashville travel guide.
- Best time: April to May and September to October
- Getting there: About 3.5 hours to the Great Smoky Mountains; 3 hours to Memphis
- Don’t miss: Lower Broadway, Ryman Auditorium and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
9. Miami
Miami is a glamorous mix of Art Deco beaches, Latin American culture, world-class nightlife and street art, with the Everglades and the Florida Keys on its doorstep. Read our Miami travel guide.
- Best time: December to April (dry season)
- Getting there: About 3.5 hours to Orlando; 3.5–4 hours to Key West
- Don’t miss: South Beach and Ocean Drive, Wynwood Walls and Little Havana
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
10. Santa Fe
Santa Fe, founded in 1610, is the oldest state capital in the US, known for adobe architecture, art galleries and New Mexican cuisine. Read our Santa Fe travel guide.
- Best time: September to October; December for festive luminarias
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Albuquerque
- Don’t miss: Santa Fe Plaza, Canyon Road and Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
Eating well on a budget
Try lunch specials, food halls and food trucks.
How to choose
Start with when you can travel and how you like to spend your days. Some destinations on this list shine in summer, others in shoulder season; some suit active travellers, others are made for slow days and good food. Pick one or two that match your style rather than trying to see everything, and read the linked guides for timing, costs and where to stay.
How we chose
We picked destinations that consistently impress first-time and returning visitors, balanced famous names with lesser-known gems, and considered access, value, seasonality and the quality of the experience on the ground. Prices, opening dates and reservation rules change, so confirm the details before booking.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require a REAL ID-compliant licence or another accepted ID such as a passport. See our guide to REAL ID and TSA rules.
- Money: Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city; tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
- Insurance: Your health plan may have limited out-of-network cover in another state, and trip-cancellation cover is worth having for expensive bookings, especially in hurricane season.
- Driving: Most visitors drive; rental cars are widely available, and a US licence is all you need. Gas prices vary widely by state; California and Hawaii are usually the most expensive.
- Saving money: our budget vacation and cheapest places to travel guides have dozens of practical ideas.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $120–$180 | motel or hostel, casual meals, self-drive or transit |
| Mid-range | $250–$400 | good hotel, sit-down meals, some tours |
| Luxury | $600–$1,200 | resort or boutique hotel, fine dining, private tours |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Responsible travel tips
Popular places are under pressure from crowds. Visit on weekdays or in shoulder seasons, carpool or use shuttles, refill a reusable water bottle, and buy from local businesses. Respect Indigenous lands and cultural sites, follow posted closures, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Pack smarter
- Best travel backpacks BuyrSkip
A 30–40 litre backpack handles a long weekend and fits under most airline seats. - Best power banks for travel BuyrSkip
Navigation, photos and cold weather drain phones fast; a 20,000 mAh bank keeps you going. - Travel gear picks BuyrSkip
Packing cubes, neck pillows and organisers that make travel days easier.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best choice on this list?
It depends on your travel style, but New Orleans is a standout for most travellers.
When should I go?
Most of these destinations are best in spring and fall, when crowds are lighter and prices lower.
How many days do I need?
Plan at least two to three days per destination.
Are these good for families?
Most are; check each guide for family tips.
How much should I budget?
Mid-range travellers typically spend $250–$400 per person per day.
Plan the rest of your trip
- New Orleans Travel Guide: Jazz, Food and the French Quarter
- New York City Travel Guide: Neighbourhoods, Top Sights and Tips
- Chicago Travel Guide: Architecture, Food and Neighbourhoods
- Charleston Travel Guide: History, Food and Beaches
- How to Plan a Budget Vacation in the USA: 25 Money-Saving Tips