America’s Best Foodie Cities: A Beginner’s Guide

Eat and explore!

Travel and food: two of our absolute favorite things! If you’re right there with us, then you know that there’s nothing better than eating your way through your vacation, one exquisite, authentic dish at a time. And our favorite foodie cities provide every option your palate could possibly want, from street foods to steakhouses.

Not sure where to take your favorite fork? Check out one of the gastronomic standouts below; your taste buds will thank you!

• Austin, TX

  Howdy y’all! You know what they say: nobody messes with Texas. And that includes their food!

  Even amongst the top foodie cities, Austin is truly a mecca for barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine. Think tacos all day, every day, including breakfast tacos.

  If you’re a fan of casual dining, Austin’s your town. The city’s vibrant food truck scene will leave your mouth watering. Check out Celis Brewery, which hosts some of the city’s most delicious food trucks and pairs them with its own locally brewed craft beers.

  Foodie Tip: Make sure you visit Franklin’s Barbecue, a foodie institution best known for its tender brisket.

• Charleston, SC

  No one does Southern comfort food quite like Charleston. From shrimp and grits to fried green tomatoes, there’s no doubt that you’ll be full and happy.

  The charming city is filled with restaurants that focus on Lowcountry cuisine, especially its seafood: shrimp, oysters, clams, crabs, fish…

  And make sure you leave room for dessert! Downtown Charleston has several bakeries, with lemon curd cupcakes, pralines, and pecan tarts to tempt your taste buds.

  Foodie Tip: Feeling extra brave? Go ahead and order the turtle soup, a Lowcountry staple.

• Chicago, IL

  The Windy City is famous for two of America’s most famous foods: its deep-dish pizza, with its crunchy, flaky crust, and Chicago Dogs, a toppings-laden frankfurter on a poppy-seed bun.

  But don’t make the mistake of thinking that Chicago only does casual foods. The city is famous for its innovative culinary scene.

  The city’s Magnificent Mile offers an incredible array of restaurants: steakhouses, seafood restaurants, and exquisite international cuisine.

  If you’re feeling more adventurous, visit the city’s ethnic neighborhoods for authentic food from the old country. Greek, Indian, Italian, Pakistani, Polish… the list is endless.

  Foodie Tip: Visit in the summer, when cafes pull tables outside so you can enjoy the weather.

• Denver, Co

  With so many fresh air, outdoorsy activities, Denverites certainly work up an appetite. Luckily, locals and visitors have plenty of dining options!

  The Mile High City is known for locally sourced, sustainable ingredients and farm-to-table cuisine. Mexican cuisine is popular (who can turn down a good taco?), with specialties such as a Denver burger, filled with refried beans, and a spicy green chili. More adventurous palates might try bison or buffalo, the local meat choice.

  Not a big fan of meat? Denver is one of the top foodie cities for vegetarians and vegans, filled with meat-free, health-conscious eateries.

  Foodie Tip: If you need something to wash down your meal, Denver is famous for its craft beer scene. Just sayin’!

• New York City, NY

  The Big Apple’s pizza alone is enough to land it on our list of the best foodie cities!

  But NYC is truly a foodie paradise, with everything from bodega empanadas to some of the finest dining in the U.S.

  Whatever flavor you’re looking for, you’ll find it in New York. Foodie visitors are particularly drawn to the city’s outstanding Italian, Chinese, Greek, and Jewish specialties: bagels, hand-carved pastrami, dim sum, flaming saganaki, and more.

  Foodie Tip: In the city that never sleeps, neither do the restaurants. Hit the nearest diner for a delicious midnight nosh.

Is your stomach growling just thinking of all the tasty treats in these famously foodie cities? Pack your stretchy pants, you guys, and book your trip!

And to make sure you start your gourmet extravaganza on the right fork, errrrr, foot, ship your stuff to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. We’ll eliminate the hassles of hauling your luggage through the airport, so you can concentrate on what really matters: the next menu.