travel for food

Why I Travel for Food And So Should You

Written By: Laura Lynch

Travel Tips

Updated On: December 27, 2022

Culinary travel has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years and I’ve jumped wholeheartedly on the bandwagon. Have you?

I’ve always loved food. At home, I do the things that every foodie does. I cook elaborate five-course meals for our friends, I watch Top Chef and dream of another life in which I might have become a chef, and I regularly attend food and wine festivals.

However, it wasn’t until about five years ago that I took my eating habit on the road. Until then, I had no idea the limitless benefits I would gain from traveling for food. I can assure you, now that this very important lesson has been learned, no matter where our adventures take us, food is a central part of the trip.

Table of Contents

Why Travel for Food

As I said, it was about five years ago – coincidentally around the time my husband and I started traveling together – when I finally combined my love for travel and food. We were becoming interested in wine tourism and we’d heard good things about the Stellenbosch region of South Africa.

1. Food Travel Awakens the Senses

You’re wondering how food can be powerful, right? It’s simple. Eating utilizes all five senses. Not only do we taste our food, we also touch it, smell it, devour it with our eyes and listen to it sizzle in the pan. We’re in a heightened state of being whenever we interact with food, so it stands to reason that intentionally experiencing food while you’re traveling will increase the intensity of the memories you build.

2. Food Takes you Back to Your Travels

Have you ever noticed how even the faint aroma of something you ate on a vacation instantly takes you back to the moment you experienced it. Tasting an Argentinian Malbec transports me to a tasting room in Mendoza. The smell of galangal and lime instantly brings to mind the Thai cooking class we took in Chiang Mai.

Even the sight of choclo (really large corn) gets me excited for the intense flavors of Peruvian food. Just ask my husband – “big corn”, as I call it, elicits an unreasonable amount of excitement from me.

3. Food is Powerful

You see, food is powerful. It has the ability to shape your journey and define your memories. Food is also an essential part of life and community. It’s what makes us who we are as a people.

Without it there is no authentic travel experience. It’s the times we congregate around a dinner table with newly formed friends, get invited to lunch with a local family or take time for a picnic in a vineyard that we remember the most.

Not necessarily because of the food itself – although if it’s good that’s an added bonus – but because those are the moments when the best memories are made.

4. Good Food is Worth It

I read a lot of blog posts and travel articles about how to save money on food while traveling and how to avoid street food so as not to get sick. It makes me sad to think of all the amazing things I would have missed out on in a country if I had taken that advice.

I seriously question whether you can experience the real, authentic side of a culture without experiencing the food. After all, what is Thailand without a plate of Pad Thai, China without Dim Sum, Canada without poutine, Mexico without street tacos?

I’m exaggerating a little, but you get the point.

5. Food Becomes a Part of Travel, Even When You Least Expect It

We do still take trips that have no immediately apparent food focus – like to Turkey – where we went because we wanted to check out Istanbul and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia . But even those trips ended up expanding our global palette and introducing us to things we would never have experienced without the power of food.

We went on one of our favorite food tours in Istanbul , and even did some wine tasting in ancient wine caves in Cappadocia.

6. All Food is Amazing

Indulging in Michelin-starred restaurants, veering off the beaten path to where they make the best-fried noodles, immersing yourself in an authentic cooking school in Tuscany, or even accepting a dare to eat a deep-fried cricket from a market in Cambodia – these are the things vibrant memories are made of. And if you don’t seek out food, you’ll miss out on an entire aspect of the journey.

Ever since that first trip to South Africa, we have been intentionally choosing destinations based on our desire to find new culinary hotspots. We choose destinations to expand our knowledge and appreciation for not only the history and architecture of a country but the food that the culture was built on. Doing so has had a great impact on our travels.

7. Wineries

While researching the area, we found that many of the wineries also had world-class restaurants and it became clear that we would be missing half the experience if we didn’t explore the burgeoning food scene. So we made reservations at top restaurants with wine-pairing menus, and experienced foods we’d never tried before, like wild game and ostrich.

We learned about popular grape varietals like Pinotage – the pillar of South Africa wine – and how today’s modern cuisine in South Africa developed with the influence of many different cultures. I came away from that trip with a new-found appreciation for the power of food.

South African Food

As is the case with many countries around the world, South African cuisine is a conglomeration of many different subcultures. If we only went to South Africa to see elephants (which are pretty fantastic – don’t get me wrong), we wouldn’t have learned so much about the vast and dynamic culture of the country through the food. Sure, we could have opened a textbook and read of the history that brought all of these cultures together, but then we wouldn’t have experienced it firsthand and taken home all of those priceless memories.

Food Makes Travel Better

Now that I’ve sufficiently plied you with drool-worthy photos of food from around the world, can’t we agree that intentionally adding food to your travels will greatly enrich your experience?

If you’re a foodie like me, just knowing that we aren’t limited to the restaurants and gourmet food markets of our own cities is reason enough for me to get excited about traveling. There’s a world full of incredible foods beckoning to be eaten and they are just a plane ride or road trip away.

And if you’re not a foodie — well, you still have to eat, right? So why not eat a little, learn a little and take home the leftovers?

What is your favorite food travel memory? Do you have a favorite country you like to travel to specifically for the food?

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Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About Laura Lynch

Laura Lynch is the creator and writer of the travel blog, Savored Journeys , which is an exploration of food and wine around the world. She's an avid world traveler, having been to 44 countries, and lover of great food and wine. Connect with Laura on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , and Instagram .

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21 thoughts on “Why I Travel for Food And So Should You”

How wonderful that you mention how food adds to your traveling. I have never tried Greek food but I love a lot of flavor in my food and want to try it this week. I will find a traditional Greek restaurant close by to try.

Very Nice Article I love to travel and taste the all kind of food

Yes so true me also. I travel not only for food but yes , its the agenda. food of the area really represents the culture of the area.

Hey there, it’s a pleasure to meet with you. I also travel around the world and really like to taste different countries special dishes during my travel.

I love to travel and yes, one of the reason is that for food. I can see some turkish food here. I have wish to visit turkey to taste some of best turkish kabab!

I am just back from a trip to Rajasthan in India and to be honest this was my first trip focusing on food. This articles captures my emotions on so many levels and every single word of this is true. I would definitely make it a point to create more food based itineraries for myself in the future!

Gastrotours are so unique due to the diversity of the food types you will encounter in each place. The variety of food is as huge as there are people on this planet. Your food pictures above look very sumptuous and tasty. Great photography too.

nice article thanks for sharing.. visit http://bubblegumtours.com

Love this! I don’t know whether I do this with almost as much aim as you do however I don’t think you can truly encounter a spot without encountering the nourishment. Much obliged for sharing.

Nice article. Loved it. We are gourmets and first thing we do when we land at a place is to ask where the best restaurant in town and what is the local speciality! We love to travel to eat!

Yes i do like it.

To me food has always been a good reason to travel. Apart from the delicacy, food also talks hundred words about the culture and lifestyle of a destination. So food is a very important part of travel and destination experience. Thanks for this post

Food really is one of the authentic experiences for travelers. I would definitely recommend St. Lucian and Caribbean cuisine with its European, Indian, African and Amerindian influences. Fresh seafood and delicious meats are prepared with culinary flair. Great food is available for all budgets from small roadside diners to fine dining establishments.

Food has always been a part of my travel experiences. I sometimes joke that I am going to eat my way around this city or that country. I always like to mingle with the locals and experience their culture. That would include their foods. I enjoy many types of food and find traveling as a great way to experience them. Sometimes, I remember a place that I visited by the food that I had there. Paris is one of my favorites for enjoying good food. They appreciate it when you enjoy and compliment them for their food. I particularly have a favorite place there which only serves souffles. I go there every time that I am visiting Paris.

Great photos! Many of my travel memories go hand in hand with the food experiences I’ve had! It’s so hard to choose a favorite experience… But one that comes to mind is a dinner in Barcelona. We were renting an apartment and the owner sent his mother-in-law over to cook a traditional Spanish meal for us. Not just the amazing food (I’m talking sneaking-to-the-fridge-in-the-middle-of-the-night amazing!), but the whole experience of watching her prepare and trying to communicate in our broken spanish/english conversation about the ingredients she used was an incredible experience and is an unforgettable memory!

Food has never been the reason for my travels but I hardly miss out tasting the traditional food of the country or city I visit… who doesn’t love tasting a new food!!

I have an insane love for Korean dishes! My father was stationed in South Korea back in the 80s and while there learned how to make bulgogi (korean bbq). So every time I eat that dish it reminds me of him. In my mind’s eye, I can see him in the kitchen, preparing it and my siblings and I salivating because it would fill the house with the delicious smells of things to come. Yummy! My dream is to one day visit South Korea and get in as many foodie experiences as I possibly can.

I LOVE THIS! I PREACH THIS! When I first got to Cambodia I was with a group of people and one of the guys in the group refused to eat from street vendors and refused to eat anything other than fried rice because he didn’t know what was in stuff. I was always the one poking around the alleys trying to find the REALLY good spots to eat. You know the kind.

I also travel with Celiac Disease and allergies to eggs and nuts. Even if I didn’t care about food I would still have to care about the food that I’m putting into my mouth. I’ve chosen to embrace it and now love to find out about cooking processes, ingredients and the stories behind dishes.

Thailand is tummy soul mate. I dream about the curries, the glass noodle salads, the mango sticky rice! If I’m flying anywhere in the same hemisphere as Thailand I always book a week somewhere delectable. Thanks for the words!

Great advice. Food is such an important part of any culture, that traveling for food is a great idea. I try to do a food walking tour or a cooking class whenever I get the chance to on my travels.

Love this! I don’t know if I do this with nearly as much intent as you do but I don’t think you can really experience a place without experiencing the food. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for including my post on your site, Dave & Deb. I’m excited to share my love for food and travel with your readers. I agree wholeheartedly that Spain is at the forefront of food tourism. They have such incredible food and wine.

• Bangkok Food Tour
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These meals will make you want to travel, just to eat!

Prepare yourself to drool over these 41 meals, each featuring mouthwatering photos, details, and where you can eat it.

I've also included some of my personal travel eating tips and answered some of your top questions... like "Mark, how do you make money to travel?".

You must love food as much as I do!

Just enter your name and email below and I promise to only send you delicious emails :)

Nice to meet you, I’m Mark Wiens.

I believe when you travel, there’s no better way to connect with people, than through food.

No matter what culture or country you’re from, or wherever you choose to travel, the one thing you and I have in common is that food is a huge part of our lives.

Migrationology.com is where people who travel for food  learn about authentic local food from around the world (or at least from the destinations I’ve personally visited – I keep this blog very personal).

What is Migrationology?

I’ve covered the definition of Migrationology much more on the Start Here page (I’d encourage you to check it out if you haven’t already).

But in short, Migrationology is about doing something you’re passionate about, and learning and growing in that passion.

For myself, and I think for you too, food and travel is that passion (and that’s what this blog is all about).

Along with delicious and authentic food and restaurant recommendations, my goal is also to inspire you to get out of your comfort zone, set goals, and pursue what you’re most passionate about.

Join 49,000+ other travel food lovers!

I would like to invite you to join my e-mail newsletter where I’ll send you my free street food guide, and you’ll be signed up to get occasional e-mails where I share my best food and travel tips with you.

Just enter your name and e-mail below, and click “Subscribe Now!”

Here’s My Personal Story:

The 10 Second Version :

Nice to meet you, my name is Mark Wiens. I’m a full time travel eater, and along with my wife, I’m based in Bangkok, but we travel frequently.

Along with eating, I also like to blog, make videos about local food, and I earn a living from ads on videos, and selling eBooks and t-shirts .

Check out my latest food adventures on Facebook and Instagram .

You can now either scroll down, or if you’re interested in longer story, keep reading…

I eat, blog, and make videos.

And that about sums it all up.

Well… ok, there’s a little more to it than that…

First off, I’m a Christian and give God the glory in everything I do.

My parents, both of whom also really enjoy food, are the ones responsible for my love for food.

I was born in Phoenix, Arizona, attended my first year of school in the tiny town of Albertville, France, was home-schooled for 3 years in the jungle of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and attended a Christian international school (Rosslyn Academy) in Nairobi, Kenya for 8 years.

After high school, I returned to the US, attended Arizona State University, and graduated in 2008 with a bachelors degree in Global Studies.

During university my hunger to learn more about the world and eat more delicious food grew.

In 2008, right after graduating, I set off to travel through South America on a solo trip with few plans. I ended up taking a TESOL certificate course to teach English, and hiking through the mountains of Patagonia.

A few months later I returned to the US to attend my sisters wedding.

It was during that time, back in early 2009 when I decided to start a blog . With the help of about 10 cups of coffee per day, Migrationology.com was born.

I still wasn’t ready to get a job and stay put, so I caught a one way ticket to Bangkok, with no plans other than to eat as much as I could.

After traveling around Southeast Asia for about 6 months, I managed to spend nearly all my money.

I was in the Philippines at that time, and I caught a flight from Manila to Bangkok. At this point, I decided to get a job teaching English, and it didn’t take long before I signed a contract to teach English for a year.

However, English teaching was not for me (it was a great experience, but teaching English is just not my passion).

But during that year, I set a personal goal that I would never teach again, and that I would find a way to make a living on the internet, so I could travel (and eat) and earn money at the same time.

It wasn’t easy.

Every spare moment I would blog and sit glued in front of my laptop until my eyes went crazy.

At the beginning, when I made the decision to earn a living online, I’ll admit that I had to live on the cheap (really cheap).

One of the biggest turning points for me was when I published my first eBook, the Eating Thai Food Guide . I finally had my very first product to sell on my website.

It took about 3 years of online work and experimenting before I really started making enough to live fully and support anyone other than myself.

But when you have a goal you’re working towards, you’ll do what it takes to get there.

In Thailand I met Ying, the most amazing girl in the world. We got married in July 2013, and we’ve been traveling and eating together ever since.

Since I started blogging, I’ve loved taking photos (here’s the camera I use now ). But it was sometime randomly in 2012 when I said to myself, “photographs of food are great, but how can I share more of the atmosphere and the emotion of eating?”

At first I started making extremely simple street food videos and I really had no idea what I was doing. Years down the road, making food videos on YouTube is one of the main things I do.

That brings us to where we are now:

My wife Ying and I are based in Bangkok , but we frequently travel for delicious food. We strive to provide authentic food and travel information, through blogs and videos, and to also connect with people through the food we eat.

I’m excited to announce that we now offer ultimate Bangkok food tour experiences .

And, along with some of my friends, we opened a Thai restaurant serving one of my favorite Thai dishes!

Thank you for reading my personal story, and I’m really happy to meet you,

– Mark Wiens

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I invite you to receive my free food and travel updates. Just enter your name and e-mail below, and click “Get Updates”. I’ll send you a couple messages per month with some of my best food and travel tips:

Here’s what to do next:

If you’re new to Migrationology and haven’t yet read through the Start Here Page , that’s the best place to get started.

Otherwise, head over to the blog  or check out my specific city travel food guides .

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Many people travel for food – Here’s why you should, too

Let’s check the six reasons why you should travel for food.

When it comes to traveling, there are a lot of different reasons why people do it. Some people want to see new sights and explore new cultures, while others just want to get away from home for a while.

But one of the best reasons to travel is to experience new and delicious foods. Few things can compare to the joy of discovering a new flavor or cuisine that you’ve never had before. And when you travel for food, you have the opportunity to try dishes from all over the world.

Let's check the six reasons why you should travel for food.

You’ll get to taste authentic dishes One of the best things about traveling for food is that you’ll get to try truly authentic dishes. When you’re at home, it’s easy to find restaurants that claim to serve authentic dishes from other cultures. But the reality is that these places often change the recipes to appeal to a wider audience. As a result, the dishes you eat are usually only a pale imitation of the real thing.

But when you travel to the country where the dish originates, you can be sure that you’re getting the authentic experience. International dishes cannot beat the best sushi options in Maui, even if they get the same fish. Additionally, many countries have regional variations of popular dishes. So, you may find that the dish you’re trying is different from what you’re used to, but it will still be authentic.

You’ll get to meet new people Another great reason to travel for food is that you’ll get to meet new people. When you’re at home, it’s easy to stick to your usual routine and only interact with the same people day after day. But when you travel, you’ll be forced to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. 

And one of the best ways to do this is by trying new foods, whether that be over the buffet on a Scandinavian cruise ship, or over the street food in Thailand. You’ll find that people are usually more than happy to share their culture and food with you, and you may even make some new friends along the way.

You’ll learn about new cultures When you travel for food, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about new cultures. This is because food is such an integral part of any culture. It’s a way to celebrate special occasions, and it can even be used as a form of communication. By trying new foods, you’ll learn about the history and traditions of different cultures, and you may even find that you have more in common with them than you thought.

For instance, the Spanish tradition of tapas originated as a way for farmers to have something to eat between meals. Or the Chinese practice of using chopsticks is believed to have started as a way to prevent people from eating too much. There are endless stories and traditions behind different foods , and by trying them, you’ll get a better understanding of the culture that created them.

You’ll get to experience new flavors One of the best things about traveling for food is that you’ll get to experience new flavors. When you’re at home, it’s easy to get into a cooking rut and make the same dishes over and over again. But when you travel, you’ll be exposed to a whole world of new flavors that you may never have experienced before. Even if you’re not a fan of trying new things, you may be surprised by how much you enjoy some of the dishes you try. Who knows, you may even find new favorite food.

You’ll save money Another great reason to travel for food is that it can save you money. This may seem counterintuitive, as travel can be expensive. But if you do your research, you’ll find that there are plenty of ways to save money on food while you’re traveling.

For instance, you can take advantage of the many free walking tours that are available in most cities. These tours will often take you to places where you can try local dishes at a fraction of the price.

Additionally, many countries have street food markets where you can get a hearty meal for just a few dollars. So, if you’re looking to save money, traveling for food is the way to go.

Traveling for food is a great way to explore new cultures, discover new flavors and get out of your comfort zone.

So, if you’re looking for a new adventure, be sure to consider traveling for food. Who knows, you may even find your new favorite dish.

Tatiana Rokou

Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

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The Best Food Cities in the U.S.

From coast to coast, these are the best places to travel for foodies.

Calling all stateside gourmands: the United States is home to some truly incredible food cities. Fold a New York slice, pick up a pierogi, or bite into a Korean barbecue taco and it's clear that U.S. gastronomy has benefited enormously from migration. In other words, the diversity of food across the country is unparalleled. In big cities like New York and San Francisco and unexpected spots like Greenville, South Carolina, and Tucson, Arizona, are hidden gems, lauded hotspots, and everything in between.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• If you only eat two things in New York, eschew Michelin-starred restaurants for dumplings and a slice of pizza.
• With its Native American and Mexican culinary roots, Tucson, Arizona, was the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
• Start your Maine road trip in Portland and tuck into buttery lobster rolls and briny oysters.
• Detroit is so multicultural, you'll find Burundian fare, crispy square pizza, tamales, and everything in between.
• In Houston, you'll find everything from Viet-Cajun fusion to Southeast Asian-Latin American cuisine.

If you're in the U.S. and you love to eat, here are 14 of the best foodie destinations across America.

New York City, New York

Some would argue New York City is the food capital of the U.S.; it's a melting pot of cultures with incredible food diversity, which means you can enjoy any type of cuisine here, from authentic dim sum at Joe’s Shanghai in Manhattan Chinatown to mouthwatering bagels with a schmear or meat-piled sandwiches at one of the city’s dozens of Jewish delis like Katz’s.

Don’t confine yourself to Manhattan, either: Feast your way through the five boroughs, including stops in Astoria and Jackson Heights (in Queens) for authentic Greek and Himalayan fare, respectively. Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood is home to a slew of Polish bakeries like Syrena , while Arthur Avenue (in the Bronx) and Staten Island offer some of the city’s best Italian food.

Additionally, the Big Apple boasts 67 Michelin-starred restaurants, ranging from fine-dining establishments like Le Bernardin to cool but low-key haunts like Jeju Noodle Bar . Don’t get caught up on all things Michelin, though; no trip to New York would be complete without a slice of pizza (try Williamsburg Pizza or L'Industrie ).

Tucson, Arizona

Courtesy of Boca

Tucson was the first U.S. city to be deemed a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2015. Today, the destination continues to wow culinary connoisseurs with its distinct Native American and Mexican offerings dating back thousands of years. The best Tucson restaurants incorporate locally sourced ingredients into their drinks and dishes. With this in mind, prickly pear margaritas are a staple here, as are nopales (edible cacti). Tucson’s vibrant downtown district has 85-plus bars and restaurants, including Bata (which offers a largely veggie-focused menu — 90 percent of which is sourced within 400 miles of the restaurant) and taqueria Boca . Helmed by James Beard finalist Maria Mazon, Boca is famous for its flavorful tacos and salsa flights.

Portland, Maine

Portland packs an outsized punch when it comes to food, with crowd-drawing restaurants serving everything from Maine icon the lobster roll to pork belly yakitori. Its small size makes it easy to cover a lot of ground; even if you only have 24 hours in Portland before starting a road trip up the coast of Maine to visit Acadia National Park , you'll be able to get in multiple excellent meals and snack breaks. Start the day at Katie Made Bakery , a favorite for breakfast sandwiches, followed by lunch at perennial favorite Eventide Oyster Co ., which boasts more than a dozen oyster varieties and a top-notch lobster roll. For dinner, reserve (way) in advance at seasonal New American restaurant Fore Street , whose menu changes daily, or chow down on yakitori and killer crispy fried tofu at Bar Futo .

Detroit, Michigan

Wonderfully multicultural Detroit flexes its diversity, with the best restaurants in the city running from James Beard Award-nominated Baobab Fare (East African fare) to Tamaleria Nuevo Leon and El Parian taco truck . For sushi, head straight to James Beard Award-winning Sozai or, for more casual nigiri and rolls, the sushi bar at beloved Japanese supermarket Noble Fish (20 minutes away in Clawson). No trip would be complete without Detroit-style pizza: the square pies were originally baked in the steel pans used by auto workers and are still done the same way; the result is a tall but airy slice, with a very crispy crust. Try them at Grandma Bob's , Michigan & Trumbull , or nearby Pie Sci .

Houston, Texas

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As one of America’s most diverse cities, it’s no surprise that Houston made our list of the best U.S. cities for foodies. The Bayou City offers something for every palate. As such, options abound, from Viet-Cajun fusion at Crawfish & Noodles to Southeast Asian-Latin American cuisine at Hawker Street Food Bar , which can be found at Post Market .

Speaking of Post, this bustling international food haul features fantastic eats from acclaimed chefs. A few of our favorites include ChópnBlok for its West African fare and East Side King , which serves up Japanese street food like pork buns and beet home fries.  We’d also be remiss not to highlight Houston’s food truck scene, including the award-winning Coreanos , where diners can feast on Korean-Mexican fusion like Korean barbecue tacos.

Chicago, Illinois

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Chicago is a foodie city, and Chicagoans are most passionate about their deep-dish pizzas and their unique ketchup-free hot dogs. The former and the latter are best enjoyed at Windy City staples  Pequod's and Jimmy’s Red Hots , respectively. Chicago also boasts over 50 James Beard Award winners and 20 Michelin-star-awarded restaurants, including the world-famous Alinea , best known for its creative multicourse tasting menus. Recent additions to the food scene here include the 24,000-square-foot Chicago Winery (one part winery, one part restaurant, and one part bar and events space) and the 17,000-square-foot Kindling , a live fire show kitchen helmed by James Beard Award winner Jonathon Sawyer.

New Orleans, Louisiana

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Dining in New Orleans is a direct reflection of the city's diverse cultural influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and West Africa. With this in mind, it’s fitting that The Big Easy is, well, big on flavor. Savory staples here include po’boys ( Sammy's is a local fave), jambalaya (the one at Mother’s is *chef’s kiss*), gumbo (dig in at the aptly named Gumbo Shop ), crawfish étouffée (check out Creole House ), and muffulettas (grab yours at the Verti Marte , which is open 24/7) — all best paired with live jazz, of course. Be sure to save room for powdered sugar-covered beignets at Cafe Du Monde (yes, there will be a line, but yes, it’s worth it) and wash everything down with NOLA’s most iconic cocktail, the Sazerac, at The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel .

San Francisco, California

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In San Francisco , diners can indulge in 30-plus Michelin-starred meals at acclaimed eateries like Atelier Crenn (where haute French cuisine is served in a swanky space),  Mister Jiu's (which features contemporary Chinese-American fare), and Lazy Bear (which bills itself as a “modern American dinner party).

Alternatively, for something more casual, make your way to the Ferry Building Marketplace , which is teeming with locally loved food vendors like Acme Bread Company, Dandelion Chocolate, El Porteño Empanadas, and Hog Island Oyster Company. Lastly, no trip to San Fran is complete without sampling some sourdough (both Josey Baker Bread and Boudin Bakery make some of the best in town) and namesake Mission burritos (locals and travelers alike love Taqueria Cancún ).

Cleveland, Ohio

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This diverse Midwestern city has a severely underrated albeit eclectic food scene fueled by nearby farms, local producers, and trailblazing chefs. For a taste of Cleveland’s best eats, head straight to West Side Market , an indoor-outdoor market that offers something for everyone. Local vendors include Orale! Contemporary Mexican Cuisine, Pierogi Palace, Frank’s Bratwurst, Theresa’s Bakery, and Crepes de Luxe.

Then, carve out an afternoon to embark on your very own food tour of the city, including dim sum in AsiaTown and more pierogies in Slavic Village . The Land also has an incredible selection of Black-owned and Black-led restaurants like Pearl’s Kitchen for top-notch comfort food, Yonder for delectable brunch, and Cleveland Cold Brew for coffee and pastries. Don’t miss some of the city’s more recent spots like Cordelia (which serves comfort food with a Midwestern, nostalgia-inducing twist) and The Judith , a cozy Parisian-inspired cafe.

Louisville, Kentucky

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While Louisville is best known for its bourbon, you won’t want to sleep on its exciting food scene. Boasting 1,800 restaurants plus several award-winning chefs, Louisville is sure to delight food and drink enthusiasts alike. Hit the Urban Bourbon Trail , which highlights Louisvlle’s best bourbon bars and restaurants — over 40 of them, to be exact. While it may be tricky to hit the whole trail, must-visits include Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar , Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen , and Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar . Finally, you can’t leave Louisville without trying the city’s signature dish, the Hot Brown. This delicious open-face sandwich — which features turkey, bacon, tomatoes, and Mornay sauce smothered on Texas toast – dates back to the 1920s when it was first invented at the Brown Hotel .

Greenville, South Carolina

The Greenville that was a quiet cotton mill town is long gone; the city today is vibrant and full of unique culinary offerings rivaling larger nearby locales like Charlotte and Asheville. Here, you’ll find nearly 200 locally owned restaurants, including Camp (which offers an eccentric menu featuring unique dishes like Thai-inspired calamari and lamb smothered in curry cream) and Coral . Feast on fresh seafood at Jones Oyster Co. before snagging an afternoon pick-me-up at Methodical Coffee . Other must-visit spots include Scoundrel , a fantastic French brassiere headlined by acclaimed chef and Greenville native Joe Cash;  farm-to-table fan-favorite Topsoil Kitchen & Market (helmed by 2020 James Beard Award semifinalist Adam Cooke) and Mexican eatery Comal 864 (owned and operated by Dayna Lee-Márquez, a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist).

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philly gives New York a run for its money when it comes to East Coast foodie cities. The humble cheesesteak is a Philadelphia icon; try an oxtail version at Taste Cheesesteak Bar  in Center City, Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop in Fishtown, or Sonny's Famous Steaks in Old City. Lots of James Beard Award winners call Philadelphia home: Fishtown Thai hotspot Kalaya (Nok Suntaranon won Best Chef); Friday Saturday Sunday , an ultra-popular New American restaurant in Rittenhouse Square, won Outstanding Restaurant; and Vietnam Restaurant in Chinatown/University City earned a Best Restaurant & Chef award. For an exceptional plant-based meal, head to Pietramala in Northern Liberties, which is BYOB and serves grilled oyster mushrooms with sweet corn and smoked eggplant with harissa, dukkah, and red lentils.

Los Angeles, California

Eating in L.A. is almost synonymous with Mexican food; Pew Research Center found that 30 percent of California's Mexican restaurants are in L.A. In short, you could eat nothing but tacos and leave happily; sit down for barbacoa tacos at Gish Bac in Arlington Heights, run by barbacoa queen Maria Ramos; bite into crispy fish and shrimp tacos from Tacos Bajas ' four outposts; or pull up a red plastic stool at El Ruso , known for their carne asada. Of course, California's largest city offers every type of cuisine — from Burmese ( Bagan Burmese Kitchen in Silver Lake) to Italian (Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza in Hollywood), Indian bar food ( Pijja Palace in Silver Lake) to Thai-Japan fusion ( Budonoki in East Hollywood).

Honolulu, Hawaii

Whether you're after impossibly fresh poke and sushi, Korean barbecue, or oceanfront brunch, you'll find it in the Hawaiian capital. You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to poke; try Kyung’s Seafood — which also has delicious kimchi pancakes — beloved Maguro Brothers , or Kahiau . Inaba is as popular for soba and dizzying tempura options as it is for sushi and has an expansive lunch menu that's very reasonably priced compared to top-notch but pricy options like Sushi Gyoshin . If you want a break from seafood, go for the lunch set at Korean barbecue joint Hangang or an oceanfront brunch at Hau Tree . For a refreshing post-beach treat, go for Hawaiian shave ice; you'll find shops and kiosks selling them all over Honolulu, but Aloha Ice Labs is particularly popular.

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