Our guide to the best food across America

You can’t have a guide to food in America without mentioning New York city. The Big Apple is jam packed full of all kinds of eateries, from starred spots serving elegant tasting menus to hole in the wall Vietnamese venues that produce food as authentic as anything in Hanoi. There’s even food trucks to sample as you wander through the city streets, so you can try the very best New York street food without having to plan too far ahead if you’re heading on our New York, Washington DC & Niagara Falls tour.

The best food in New York is spread out around the city’s boroughs. So, if you want to try a cream cheese bagel from an iconic deli like Russ & Daughters you can head to the East Village, whereas if you’re more keen to dig into Chinese flavours, then Flushing in Queens is your go to. 
Whether you want a fine dining experience in the West Village, delicious wings at a dive bar in Williamsburg, or anything in between, then you’ll find it in New York, one of America’s best food cities.

The international influence is strong in the food scene in California’s biggest city. The best food spots in LA span across the city and include a number of different cuisines, from tacos you’ll be dreaming about for months afterwards to sushi so fresh it’s practically swimming. High end areas like Santa Monica are packed full of beachside fine dining venues, but if you’re pressed for time or don’t want to break the bank then some of the best food trucks in the world are scattered across the vast city. And that’s not mentioning the cool bars, snazzy coffee shops, and delightful mid-range eateries that seem to be on every corner.

If you’re into sustainable eating then you’re in luck here too, with lots of establishments taking great pride in the places they source their ingredients from. So, you can indulge in a high quality meal while feeling good about where your tourist dollars are going.

It shouldn’t surprise anybody that the food in Las Vegas is astounding. Many assume that it’s all celebrity chef spots or massive buffets, but there’s plenty to enjoy beyond the bright lights of the famous strip. Cuisines from all round the world can be found in the desert city, whether it’s top quality pork belly from a Chinese restaurant or mouthwatering Mexican establishments serving melt in the mouth tamales. If you’re willing to explore a little, you’ll be rewarded with that rare but winning combination of quality and value for money.

 
With that said, the strip is home to some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, whether you’re tempted by a quick bite or want a haute cuisine, white table experience. Really, your foodie journey in Sin City depends on what you want to do, so if you’re signed up for our Hollywood, San Diego, Vegas & the Grand Canyon tour, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to mealtimes here.

A guide to the best food in the USA wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Memphis. Wandering down the iconic Beale Street you’ll not only hear live blues music pumping out from every bar, but be able to smell the delicious scent of bbq and hear the sizzle of fried chicken hitting oil. No wonder Elvis loved this city so much.

The best food in Memphis isn’t just limited to southern classics. There are thriving restaurants that serve dishes from all over the world, so if for some reason you do want a break from soul food then you’ll be able to find somewhere spectacular to eat with ease. 
With that said, you can’t visit this historic city without hitting up traditional Southern spots like Cozy Corner. So, if you’re going on our Texas, Presley’s Memphis, and New Orleans tour and you love to eat, you’ll be in heaven here.

The cultural and culinary centre of Louisiana has a unique feel compared to the rest of the States, and that extends to its phenomenal food options. 
Cajun and creole cooking are revered around the world, and prove that fusion food can take on its own unique character and become beloved. New Orleans is the epicentre of these cuisines, which take their inspiration from French, pan-African, and Native American sources (as well as a few other places). 

Seafood is obviously a must-eat here, with iconic dishes like gumbo, etouffée, and crawfish to try. There’s also plenty of non-seafood dishes to indulge in, from sloppy but delicious po’boy sandwiches to the sugary, doughy goodness of beignets. No matter what your tastes, you’re sure to turn into a glutton in New Orleans, one of the best food cities in America.

Chicago has a long and rich culinary history that predates hit series The Bear by quite some time. With deep dish pizza, gut busting sandwiches, and, yes, white table establishments with photoshoot worthy tasting courses, the Windy City is a foodie mecca. The best food in Chicago reflects the fact that it’s a truly international city. You can find Polish delis alongside Italian sandwich shops and packed curry houses, or stroll down the street and get a classic Chicago-style hot dog. If you are the sort of person who travels to eat and wants a magical experience, there are over 20 starred restaurants, including a handful with two or more.

The vibrant food scene in this Texan city is one of the main reasons it’s worth visiting, which says a lot considering how much there is to see and do here. Eating in Austin is a pleasure thanks to the glut of excellent options, which encompass everything from cheap taco trucks to high-end Korean establishments.

While there are plenty of great international options available, Tex-Mex remains one of the most popular cuisines in Austin. The Hispanic community has deep ties to this region of the U.S, and have added to the food culture in a way that’s so delicious it needs to be eaten to be believed. 
The other cuisine you won’t struggle to find is BBQ. Texans are fiercely proud of their meat and grill traditions, so you’re never more than a few minutes away from somewhere you can treat yourself to this local favourite. Wash it down with some bourbon, and you have a Texan food and drink classic.

The scenery in New England is one of the best reasons for visiting this region, but being able to indulge in the food in Boston is just as much of a draw. The city is home to some of the best schools in the world, which has attracted an international population who have blessed the region with their incredible dishes. Add in a long local tradition of lip-smacking seafood dishes like Clam Chowder, and you have a culinary melting pot of the tastiest kind.

Other local favourites include the famous Boston Baked Beans, and the incorrectly named but moreish cake, the Boston Cream Pie. There’s also a thriving upmarket food scene in Boston, with hundreds of restaurants serving modern takes on global cuisines. And, of course, there’s the pubs the large Irish diaspora built, where you can enjoy some home comforts.