Flavors of America: 10 Best Foodie Getaways in the U.S.
If you want a taste of the local culture, you’ve got to try the food. There’s literally no other way. All across America, you will find cities with unique cultures that are reflected in their food. Some of these cities have become popular foodie destinations.
Anyone who enjoys a good meal will love visiting these foodie getaways.
1. Nashville, TN
People come to Nashville to experience the music and nightlife, but often the food is the biggest star. Music City is known for its Southern cuisine with a contemporary chef-driven twist. Often, the meat is barbecue, as that is a staple.
Popular dishes include Nashville hot chicken. You will also find the “meat and three,” referring to a main protein (like chicken or catfish) with three side dishes (like mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or greens).
The city is known for its Tennessee whiskey and fruit tea.
If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to try Nashville's specialty dessert. A Goo Goo Cluster is a locally invented candy bar blending caramel, roasted peanuts, marshmallow nougat, and milk chocolate.
Here are a few well-rated restaurants to help you get started on your Nashville culinary adventure:
- 1 Kitchen - 710 Demonbreun Street, 1 Hotel Nashville, Nashville, TN 37203
- Luago - 211 12th Avenue S, Nashville, TN 37203
- Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina - 201 8th Avenue S., 34th Floor, Nashville, TN 37203
Make your Nashville stay as memorable as the nightlife by booking lodging at Stay Local Nashville. Owners Darbi Bolton and Teryn Chapin know Nashville’s food scene well. In fact, they said if they wouldn’t enjoy eating brunch with a prospective client, they wouldn’t manage their home. As a result, the homes they manage represent the best in Nashville’s hospitality, much like the cuisine.
2. Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe’s signature cuisine draws from roots in Indigenous American, Spanish, and Mexican cultural influences. The use of regionally grown ingredients results in a flavorful twist to traditional cuisine.
Popular dishes include green chile stew, tamales, and stacked enchiladas. Frito pie is a unique dish that is basically a casserole using Fritos corn chips, cheese, beef or other protein, chiles, and salsa.
Don’t be surprised if your server asks if you want to top your meal with red, green, or Christmas sauce. This refers to chile salsas or sauces; Christmas is a mix of both the red and green sauces.
Be sure to try New Mexico’s official state cookie the Biscochito. This is a cinnamon-anise flavored butter cookie. It’s inspired by the early Spanish colonists in the 16th century.
Try these popular restaurants when you visit Santa Fe:
- Sazón - 221 Shelby Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
- The Ranch House - 2571 Cristos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507
- Geronimo - 724 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501
3. Charleston, SC
Coastal cities are often cultural hubs, resulting in a mingling of cultures and flavors. In Charleston’s case, the influences include Southern American comfort foods blended with African aPend Caribbean. Of course, Southern cuisine itself is a blend of European, African, and American influences. The cuisines also draw from the fresh ingredients provided by the ocean and the region’s farms.
Shrimp and grits is a popular staple with its creamy, often cheesy grits topped with shrimp, a savory sauce, and sometimes with Andouille sausage. Another local favorite is She-crab soup, which is a creamy bisque soup with generous chunks of crab. Other popular dishes include fried chicken, pimento cheese, and fried green tomatoes.
For something sweet, try Benne wafers. These thin, crispy sesame seed cookies come from several African culinary traditions. The name comes from the Bantu word for sesame.
Embrace Charleston’s unique culture but booking accommodations that move beyond the ordinary.
Try these highly rated restaurants as a starting point during your visit:
- Pelato - 1085 Morrison Drive, Charleston, SC 29403
- 82 Queen - 82 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401
- Circa 1886 - 149 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Our partner, Tyler Davis of Stay Duvet, has just the rental for you. With amenities like access to private clubs, pools, and gardens your stay will be relaxing and memorable.
4. San Diego, CA
Thanks to San Diego’s proximity to the Mexican border and the Pacific Ocean, the city’s signature cuisine is an exquisite fusion of seafood and Baja Mexican food. Think fish tacos using the catch of the day or a California burrito stuffed with Carne Asada and fries.
Other mainstays include tamales, Baja-style ceviche, and salsas. As a contemporary city, San Diego represents international cuisines as well as modern chef innovations. For desserts, Italian gelato is a delightful way to cool off while indulging your sweet tooth.
While there are many excellent restaurants in San Diego, here are a few to help you get started:
- The Grill at Torey Pines - 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, San Diego, CA 92037
- Covewood Restaurant - 1775 E. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
- Juniper & Ivy - 2228 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
When looking for accommodation, why not enjoy as much of that beautiful ocean as possible? Our partner, Paul Becker of Bluewater Vacation Homes, offers vacation homes with an ocean view or other amenities like a private pool.
5. New Orleans, LA
NOLA’s cuisine draws from a rich history of French, Spanish, African, Indigenous American, and Caribbean cultures interacting. Chances are you have heard of two of New Orlean’s unique fusions, Creole and Cajun. Both boast delicious, flavorful meals. While Cajun food and culture come from rural Louisiana, you will find it well represented in the Big Easy.
Although you can find just about anything, don’t go without trying some of the popular regional dishes. Options include spicy gumbo, jambalaya, po’ boys, and muffuletta sandwiches.
Those with a sweet tooth will want to try beignets, which are a soft deep deep-fried pastry much like a donut. They are delicious with coffee. Bananas Foster is another local delight. This dessert is made from bananas, ice cream, and a special cinnamon rum sauce.
Although you will be spoiled for choice when dining out in New Orleans, here are a few highly rated restaurants to check out:
- Observatory Eleven - 100 Iberville Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
- GW Fins - 808 Bienville Street, New Orleans, LA 70112
- Mambos - 411 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
6. 30A, FL
The 30A is a region around Highway 30A of Florida’s Panhandle. It’s named after the shape resembling a handle if you look at a line drawing on a map. The area has a unique feature of being close to a coast on two sides.
This Gulf Coast area brings a diverse mix of fresh seafood as well as Southern comfort food. Think snapper ceviche, grilled Gulf grouper, and shrimp prepared in a myriad of ways. If you want a zesty yet smooth dessert, don’t sleep on the chance to try Key lime pie. It’s made from Key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk.
Here are a few popular spots to help you get started:
- Chanticleer Eatery - 55 Clayton Lane, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
- Café Thirty-A - 899 East Scenic Highway 30-A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
- Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar - 1875 S. County Highway 393, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
For accommodation that captures the 30A feel, consider a luxury vacation home that hints at the Gulf sea. Sam Cobb of ELP Luxury Vacations has the perfect place to stay while visiting the area. If a home with a private pool and a swim-up bar sounds appealing, browse Sam’s listings.
7. Ashville, NC
Ashville’s location results in a signature cuisine blending Appalachian, European, and African American culinary traditions. The sustainable agriculture of the area means farm fresh ingredients, farm-to-table restaurants, and farmers’ markets.
Imagine a creative take on Appalachian and Southern cuisine. Signature dishes include wood-roasted trout and smoked whole-hog barbecue. Microbreweries also thrive thanks to the culture surrounding smaller farms, craft food and beverages, and local culture.
Here are a few restaurants that are highly rated by diners:
- Jargon - 715 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806
- Jettie Rae's - 143 Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 2880
- Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian - 641 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804
Your taste for mountain life goes beyond the food. Book a stay at one of Chip Craig of Greybeard Rentals' homes. Depending on the home you pick, you may find a vacation home with lots of wood, a fire pit, a hot tub, a chef’s kitchen, or a luxurious yet rustic cabin vibe.
8. Washington, DC
As the nation’s capital, Washington, DC’s regional cuisine blends Mid-Atlantic flavors, a touch of Southern hospitality, and cosmopolitan international influences. The well-established immigrant communities bring flavors of Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Laos, and the Caribbean.
Drawing from its proximity to the American South, half-smoke is one of the most iconic regional dishes. It’s a spicy, smoked sausage made with pork and beef, usually served with chili, onions, and mustard on a bun. You can also find an abundant selection of seafood, including Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, oysters, and rockfish.
Here are a few well-rated DC restaurants to help you get started:
- Founding Farmers DC - 1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC, DC 20006
- Gerrard Street Kitchen - 515 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington DC, DC 20005
- Olio E Più - 699 14th Street, Washington DC, DC 20005
For a vacation rental with a cosmopolitan touch, check out Lara Hawketts and Alex Fuentes Gonzales' collection of homes at Home Sweet City. As DC experts, they know all the best attractions, landmarks and places to eat.
9. Bend, OR
People visit Bend to enjoy Oregon’s scenic mountains and high desert. It’s best known for outdoor recreation, but the food is nearly as impressive. The region’s cuisine emphasizes fresh seasonal ingredients, a mountain vibe, and an active, adventurous culture.
Think innovative fusion, a health-conscious approach to ingredients, and farm-to-table approach. Look out for wood-fired meats, fresh Pacific Northwest fish like salmon and trout, and comfort food with a little something extra. In addition to the food, the region has a strong craft beer and wine scene, bringing small-batch beverages from all over the state. Dietary preferences or needs like vegan, vegetarian are typically embraced and welcomed.
If you are looking for a good meal in Bend, you can’t go wrong with one of these restaurants:
- Ariana Restaurant - 1304 NW Galveston Avenue, Bend, OR 97703
- The Lemon Tree - 718 NW Franklin Ave, Bend, OR 97703
- Anthony’s at the Old Mill District! - 475 SW Powerhouse Drive, Bend, OR 97702
For a vacation rental just as welcoming, book accommodations with our partner Jennifer Mucha of Arrived. Her homes feature ample natural light, hot tubs, private patios, and more.
10. Orlando, FL
People used to think of Orlando as a theme park city, but not anymore. Its cuisine stands out, making it also a foodie destination. If you enjoy Cuban influences in your food, then you will love Orlando.
You haven’t tried a Cuban sandwich until you’ve had one in Orlando. If that isn’t your thing, try arroz con pollo or one of the many seafood restaurants. Stone crab, grouper, and conch are also abundant and prepared in the chef’s own way.
Being in the South, barbecue is also popular. Thanks to the local Vietnamese, Korean, and Filipino populations, you can find both authentic and modern takes on pho, Korean BBQ, and lumpia. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the area’s ice cream or key lime pie.
Here are a few top-rated Orlando restaurants to help you get started:
- Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine - 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Suite 108, Orlando, FL 32819
- Trabucco - 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando, FL 32819
- Sear + Sea Woodfire Grill - 14900 Chelonia Parkway, Orlando, FL 32821
For unique and comfortable accommodations, be sure to book a stay at one of Matthew Deal’s Element Vacation Homes. The spacious vacation rentals offer ample natural light, amenities like private pools, and a modern feel.
If this list makes you feel hungry, be sure to start planning your foodie getaway now.
