The 10 most exciting US cities for food you need to know

Brooklyn Bridge in New York lit up at night with a view of the Manhattan skyline

From iconic dining capitals to under-the-radar culinary hotspots, the US is home to some of the world's most dynamic food scenes. Whether you want to discover the thriving outer boroughs of New York, pioneering microbreweries in Portland, legendary bakeries in San Francisco or diverse global flavours in Los Angeles, these are the 10 American cities leading the food conversation right now – and all the hotspots you need to know in each destination.

For more inspiration, check out 8 US cities that offer spectacular value for money and 9 cities around the world that should be on everybody's bucket list.

10 most exciting US cities for food right now

Chicago

Chicago is a city filled with unique gourmet neighbourhoods that light up the map like a culinary mosaic from north to south. The West Loop's Fulton Market district is the sleekest and trendiest place to start – home to quirky French-ish bistro Creepies, one of Chicago’s most-loved gastronomic gems Avec and Rose Mary, a Croatian-Italian inspired restaurant from chef Joe Flamm.

Next, head south to Pilsen, Chicago’s hub of Mexican cuisine and heritage where family-run taquerias like Don Pedro Carnitas are a must-try. There are dim sum parlours galore in Chinatown along Wentworth Avenue, classic Italian-American red-sauce restaurants in Little Italy on Taylor Street and a taste of Sweden in Andersonville in the north. Kasama – a modern Filipino restaurant and bakery in the East Ukrainian Village neighbourhood – was made famous thanks to TV show The Bear, and has diners queuing up around the block for its pork adobo and longanisa (highly seasoned sausage) sandwiches and ube-huckleberry Basque cheesecake.

Finally, don’t miss Loba Pastry in North Centre, which is cooking up some of the best baked goods in the city. It specialises in ‘unfamiliar pastries’ made with classic ingredients and seasonal fruits, like pineapple sourdough muffins, curry white chocolate scones and laminated black sesame buns.

New York

While Manhattan tends to steal the limelight when it comes to New York’s culinary scene, the most exciting, diverse and imaginative chefs are all thriving in its outer boroughs.

Williamsburg, long established as the epicentre of ‘hip’ Brooklyn, remains just as exciting today as it was during its 2000s boom era. Bar Susanne is one of the most anticipated new openings in the area, with incredible views and a chic aesthetic. It specialises in seafood, serving dishes like razor clams with passion fruit aguachile, crab salad with pickled chillies and fluke Milanese. Kon'ya is another achingly cool Williamsburg opening – a Korean-Japanese izakaya offering sharing plates, like galbi mandu, kalgooksoo pasta with osetra caviar, and its signature pork katsu.

At the border of Brooklyn and Queens, Ridgewood is rapidly building its own gastronomic credentials as a place for community centric, artsy establishments in buzzy spaces. If you like the sound of charred polenta, house-made pastas and a legendary ‘secret’ double cheeseburger, head to Rolos. For great coffee in a retro-chic environment, check out Variety Coffee Roasters.

Fort Greene and Clinton Hill in Brooklyn are another pair of adjacent neighbourhoods generating effortlessly cool eateries and drinking spots. Sailor from chef April Bloomfield has become one of the most sought-after, with an emphasis on full-volume flavour and seasonality. Try the herb-buttered half roast chicken, thickly dressed caesar or coconut French toast.

Elmhurst in Queens is another neighbourhood where New York's culinary creativity is truly excelling – it's home to restaurants like Saranrom Thai, which has been hailed the best Thai restaurant in the city. It’s become renowned for dishes like crispy catfish mango salad, pineapple duck curry and grilled pork skewers marinated in coconut milk, coriander, garlic and sweet soy.

Brooklyn Bridge New York lit up at night with a view of the Manhattan skyline

Philadelphia

‘Philly’ – the City of Brotherly Love – is quickly building a reputation as one of the most exciting food cities in the US right now, with culinary creatives from along the east coast moving into its historic neighbourhoods in droves.

The streets around Frankford Avenue in trendy Fishtown are home to some of the city's buzziest openings in recent years, with artisanal bakeries (Fiore), trendy barbecue joints (Zig Zag BBQ), award-winning restaurants (Kalaya), champions of global street food (Amy’s Pastelillos) and ethically minded grocers (Riverwards Produce) all dotted around the area. Drinks are covered, too, thanks to craft breweries (Philadelphia Brewing Company) and urban wineries (Mural City Cellars). Local celebrity chef Jen Carroll offers food tours of the area, taking you to the latest openings and giving unrivalled access to the chefs and culinary creatives that help the area thrive.

One of the most brilliantly unique aspects of Philadelphia’s culinary scene is the weekly Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park – an outdoor festival of delicious food and drink that welcomes everyone into its vibrant, community-minded space. There are more than 70 diasporic vendors at the market every week, with the majority specialising in Cambodian, Vietnamese and Laotian cuisines.

Equally iconic is Reading Street Terminal Market – one of America’s largest public markets and home to Pearl’s Oyster Bar, Famous 4th Street Cookie Company and the iconic roast pork and broccoli rabe sandwiches at DiNic's. You can’t leave the city without taking in a Philly cheesesteak – Jim’s South Street, Uncle Gus Steaks and Angelo’s Pizzeria cook some of the best.

Philadelphia Skyline from South Street Bridge

Washington, DC

The evolution of Washington, DC into a must-visit culinary destination has been rapid, and it now boasts a delicious cornucopia of global diasporic restaurants, Michelin-starred fine dining spots and the entire gambit of exceptionally crafted casual eateries in between.

Celebrated for its connections to jazz and African American history, the Shaw neighbourhood is a great place to start – it's home to The Dabney, an upscale restaurant serving seasonal mid-Atlantic cuisine cooked over a wood-burning hearth by chef Jeremiah Langhorne. Another popular haunt in the area in is the industrial Unconventional Diner, which serves gourmet comfort food like meatloaf with morel mushroom gravy, chicken waffles and buttermilk pancakes.

The most stylish neighbourhood for gastronauts is the buzzing thoroughfare of 14th Street, which is abundant with sunshine patios, chic storefronts and slick dining rooms. French brasserie Le Diplomate was one of the first restaurants to transform the area, serving classic Parisienne-style steak frites and duck confit. At the more artful end of the spectrum is BRESCA, where the innovative menu pushes the culinary dial towards the avant-garde, using many ingredients grown on its own rooftop.

The Union Market district is the place to head next to discover the city's rising chefs and unique international street food scene. Two vendors not to miss inside the market are The District Fishwife, known for its casual seafood tacos and poke bowls, and Southern comfort food stall Puddin’, known for its brown butter bourbon bread pudding. Finally, for a taste of political high-powered dining in Capital Hill, head to Rose’s Luxury, which serves an ever-changing menu of small plates out of a converted Barracks Row townhouse.

Helicopter shot of the the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on a sunny day in Fall, looking over the Lincoln Memorial and past the Washington Monument Towards Capitol Hill.

San Francisco

The iconic, steep hills of San Francisco in many ways mirror the epic gastronomic heights that the city’s culinary scene reaches on a daily basis.

The eateries of the Mission District, particularly around Valencia and Guerrero Street between 19th and 21st, are some of the most exciting. Tartine Bakery, famous for its sticky cinnamon-orange morning buns and dark brown San Francisco sourdough, is a great place to start. Don’t miss the ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery opposite, the velvety rich hot chocolate and brownie flight at Dandelion Chocolate or the excellent Greek cooking at Souvla. One of the most thrilling restaurants in the neighbourhood is Good Good Culture Club – a vibrant Southeast Asian-inspired restaurant with a killer cocktail list and some of the most inventive dishes in the city.

The Ferry Plaza farmers' market, housed in the Ferry Building, is the beating heart of San Francisco’s gourmet scene – an open-air market showcasing sustainable Californian agriculture and artisanal producers from along the west coast. Next, head to Hayes Valley, the trendiest neighbourhood in the city and home to gems such as Kiln, known for its minimalist tasting menu; high-end Californian café Nightbird; and cosy, hyper-seasonal restaurant RT Bistro.

And, no trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to Judy Rodgers' iconic brasserie, Zuni Café, which is housed in a striking flat-iron style building and spread across two open floors with a wood-fired oven at its centre. Its most famous dish is the roast chicken with warm bread salad for two, although the caesar salad, served on epically long stalks of romaine lettuce with a sharp, tangy dressing, is equally spectacular.

Aerial view of Golden Gate Bridge during sunset, San Francisco, California, USA.

Portland

Oregon’s most creatively minded city is renowned for its food truck parks, pioneering microbrewery scene and highly experimental food culture that ranges from small batch bakeries to genre-shifting fine dining restaurants.

Måurice epitomises the city’s vibe – a modern luncheonette serving Norwegian-French fusion fare, rooted in seasonality. Close to this is pan-Asian restaurant Departure – a sleek, futuristic establishment on the 15th floor of The Nines Hotel, designed like a luxury spaceship. Don’t miss Lúc Lắc Vietnamese Kitchen – a neon-lit spot with parasols hanging from the ceiling that serves exceptionally flavourful contemporary Vietnamese staples like pork crispy rolls, sugar cane shrimp rice bowls and pho.

Portland’s permanent food truck parks are a must-visit, celebrated for their community-centric environments and vibrant selections of global food. Check out Cartopia, where you can find smash burgers at Burger Ritual plus artisanal wood-fired pizza from Pyro; Prost! Marketplace, home to Matt's BBQ, which is famous for central Texas-style brisket, and Mexican truck Mole Mole; and Hawthorne Asylum Food Cart Pod, which has food from Syrian, Lebanese, Algerian and Thai culinary carts.

Portland is equally renowned for its hundreds of independent, hyper-local microbreweries, which are spread out across its eastern neighbourhoods. More centrally, try Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House, known for its experimental small batch beers brewed on-site, and 10 Barrel Brewing Co, famous for its crisp lagers and seasonal sours.

Portland, Oregon, USA downtown skyline with Mt. Hood at dawn.

Seattle

Seattle’s diverse food neighbourhoods combine with the natural backdrops of this north-western metropolis to create an exciting city that’s as dynamic as it is historic. Seattle is built on indigenous land, and is the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples – the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes in particular.

Pike Place Market is a brilliant first stop to get a taste of the city – one of the oldest public markets in the US and renowned for its energetic fishmongers and labyrinth of artisanal stalls. These include Russian bakeries, gourmet mac and cheese stands, and a no-frills fish grill serving blackened salmon sandwiches.

Next, head to trendy Capitol Hill, where you'll find the city’s most innovative and inventive high-end restaurants. Nue serves an eclectic mix of hard-to-find but globally loved dishes in a playful dining room filled with memorabilia. Ramie is a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant that pushes boundaries with dishes such as radicchio savoury pudding with honey roasted walnuts, while Kedai Makan champions Malaysian comfort dishes, such as mushroom pan mee noodles topped with fried shallots and chilli.

The waterfront district of Ballard is another culinary hub, and home to The Walrus and the Carpenter, Seattle’s most famous oyster bar specialising in small plates and signature cocktails.

Seattle also has a deep-rooted coffee culture, which you can explore at one of the many coffee shops around the city. Espresso Vivace was a pioneer of the third-wave coffee movement here, and developed techniques to exact water temperatures, which helped create perfect latte art. A more recent opening is Ghost Note Coffee, which has mastered coffee mixology and treats its drinks almost like cocktails.

New Orleans

New Orleans – home to legendary Mardi Gras street parades – is known for being something of a culinary totem, combining complex Creole legacies, Cajun traditions and an innovative new wave of contemporary fine dining.

Begin in the French Quarter – the historic epicentre of Creole feasting that blends French culinary techniques with Spanish, West African, Native American and Caribbean influences. Antoine's Restaurant, established in 1840, is the most iconic in the area and famed for its oysters rockefeller, eggs sardou and pommes de terre soufflés. Galatoire's Restaurant on Bourbon Street, meanwhile, is the place to sample trout meunière amandine and shrimp remoulade.

Next, head to Uptown and the Garden District to find inventive contemporary bistros and haute cuisine establishments like Coquette – an ingredient-driven, seasonal American bistro housed in a historic 19th-century building that serves local fish and hanger steaks with charred sweet potatoes. Another beloved restaurant here is Atchafalaya, specialising in contemporary Louisiana comfort food.

New Orlean’s hippest culinary area is the Warehouse District, close to the Central Business District (CBD) and filled with industrial spaces that are being taken over by daring young chefs. Compère Lapin, from chef Nina Compton, is one of the most thrilling, combining Caribbean flavours with traditional French and Italian techniques. The artsy Marigny and Bywater neighbourhoods are also meccas for laid-back, independent eateries and natural wine bars. Paladar 511 is a great spot for wood-fired pizzas and pasta, or for something more lively, head to Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits where you can bring your own bottles and dance to live jazz in the fairy light-filled courtyard.

New Orleans - Scene with jazz music in a big square

San Antonio

Designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, San Antonio is a Texan metropolis steeped in colonial history and Mexican culture. It's the home of Tex-Mex and a thriving barbecue scene, with a host of new openings redefining the food landscape.

Start at The Pearl, a 19th-century brewery complex that combines industrial architecture with chef-driven fine dining and open-air gourmet spaces. Some of The Pearl’s most exciting spots include Best Quality Daughter, a modern Asian-American fusion restaurant, and Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, which serves coastal classics and house-brewed beer. There's also Mediterranean grill house Ladino for Turkish brunches and filo ice cream sandwiches with Texas honey and pistachios.

Next, head towards Southtown, the bohemian enclave of the city. Visit Rosario's Comida Mexica, an institution that offers fire-roasted salsas, lime-marinated ceviche with jicama, enchiladas and house margaritas. The Downtown and Riverwalk areas are also seeing something of a culinary revival, with Pinkerton’s Barbecue serving slow-smoked central Texas brisket and beef ribs and Boudro's on the Riverwalk offering gumbo, shrimp and grits, plus blackened prime rib.

You can’t visit San Antonio without diving into the landmarks of Tex-Mex cuisine. La Fonda on Main is San Antonio's oldest Mexican restaurant (having opened in 1932) and its tender beef fajitas are legendary. There's also the multi-generational Mi Tierra Café y Panadería, a loud and lively establishment known for its house-made tortillas and sweet pan dulce.

River walk in San Antonio city downtown skyline cityscape of Texas, US at sunset

Los Angeles

The sprawling metropolitan area of Los Angeles can be intimidating to first-timers, but it's home to dozens of food-focused neighbourhoods that are all totally unique. However, in combination, they exude what we now know as ‘Californian’ cuisine.

Santa Monica and Abbot Kinney Boulevard – two adjacent coastal neighbourhoods where the farm-to-table movement is championed in all its glory – are good choices for kick-starting your trip. Santa Monica Farmers' Market is the area's spiritual centre, highlighting fresh, seasonal Californian produce and small-scale food businesses four times a week. Gjelina was one of the first restaurants to put bohemian Abbot Kinney Boulevard on the map, and still excels in simple, wood-fired dishes that celebrate local flavours. Rustic Canyon is a vegetable-forward, provenance-driven spot, as is TerraTorry, which has a commitment to using hyper-local West Coast ingredients.

Stop off in Koreatown to try world-class Korean barbecue at joints like Parks BBQ, plus late-night pojangmacha (street food) tent bars like King Pocha. A few miles west in Downtown LA is Grand Central Market – one of the city's best-established culinary icons, and home to vendors like Villa's Tacos, Sarita’s Pupuseria and The Donut Man. Silver Lake is another foodie neighbourhood, which is home to acclaimed Thai street food restaurant Night + Market Song, plus fairy light-lit Bacari Silverlake, which is known for shawarma tacos and natural wines.

Finally, head to the Downtown Arts District, where you’ll find Bestia and Bavel, both of which exude high-energy, exposed brick LA at its most exciting. Girl & The Goat is another well-loved establishment that has made a name for itself with bold American small plates remixed with global flavours.