10 Foodie Cities Where You Can Eat and Drink Like a Pro

From life-changing Asian fusion to down home comfort eats to some of the most innovative and creative food trucks in the world, America has a food scene that’s nothing short of mouth-watering. Some places feature well-established eateries while others are brimming with under the radar restaurants. Whatever your tastes, you’ll find something tasty in these ten cities, which all feature cuisine that’s as Instagrammably fun as it is delicious. Bon appetite! 

Portland, Maine

Maine is more than just lobsters, lighthouses, and Stephen King plot points. Thanks to upstart brew houses like Allagash and Bissell Brothers, Portland has a growing beer scene. Before you guzzle, stop in to the Eventide Oyster Co. to try any one of a dozen local slimy varieties, or try a famous lobster roll from Bite Into Maine Airstream or High Roller, two of Portland’s most popular food trucks.

Boise, Idaho

SPOILER ALERT: Idaho’s state capital has a flavorful food scene that has nothing to do with potatoes. There are more than 30 wineries in the beautiful Snake River Valley, Cinderland Split Rail being one of the most popular among the. You can stay the night at The Modern - a former horror movie-vibe hotel turned hip - and wake up to a delicious breakfast at Waffle Me Up, which is home to some of the best made-from-scratch dough, real Belgian sugar pearls, and nearly a dozen fresh toppings.

Austin, Texas

If you want to knock out some classic Texas BBQ, hit up Franklin Barbecue, Lambert’s, or The Salt Lick - or, if you’re looking for a fun twist, check out Loro, Cooper’s, and Terry Black’s. Feeling like some genuine Tex-Mex? Grab a breakfast taco from Papalote. And, if you’re feelin’ adventurous, Uchi has the best sushi in Texas, while Kemuri Tatsu-ya puts an intriguing new spin on traditional izakaya fare. There are more than 1,000 food trucks including Micklethwait Craft Meats (try the Frito pie) and Lucy’s Mini Donuts. Don’t miss a visit to Torchy’s tacos either. Better loosen that belt, pardner.

Boston, Massachusetts

Try a taste of “Top Chef” with former competition star Carl Dooley’s French-inspired “The Table at Season to Taste” before visiting Yume Wo Katare for some world-class ramen dishes, O Ya for innovative sushi creations, and Outlook Kitchen & Bar for some comforting New American cuisine. Don’t neglect Toro, either, which has some of the best tapas in the Boston, too, making it harder to get a table than to hear an “R” while you’re on the Green Line. Mare Oyster Bar in the North End is also a must-visit.

Charleston, South Carolina

In addition to the iconic S.C. spots such as Poogan’s Porch (known for their shrimp and grits) and Hominy Grill (she-crab soup), there are several new additions to the cuisine scene. The Short Grain food truck, for example, is a twist on Japanese food with a wildly-popular Chirashi Bowl, and the “farm to table” doesn’t get any better than places like FIG and The Ordinary. If you’ve got room left, try some whole-hog barbecue from Scott’s, winner of a James Beard Award and home to a cozy, rustic atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. 

Cleveland, Ohio

LeBron’s out, but great food is in. For starters, you can try Ninja City - a creative take on traditional Asian Cuisine that’s exactly as fun as it sounds. Ohio City Galley - the birthplace of several new startup eateries in one of Cleveland’s trendiest neighborhoods - features excellent options for everything from casual Mexican (Poca) to fried chicken and signature sauces (Sauce the City). If you’ve got the means to cook yourself, don’t forget to check out the famous West Side Market for some of the freshest, most well-known ingredients in the city. Don’t worry, there are also more than a hundred ready-made treats for you to try. 

Dallas, Texas

Just like its little brother, Austin, Dallas has one of the most up-and-coming food scenes in the country. Recently, the first sushi concept restaurant - Namo - opened downtown, and has been wowing patrons with its assortment of Japanese temaki (handrolls). Zaytinya’s Turkish, Greek and Lebanese offerings are the talk of Texas, while Billy Can Can - the first project from restaurateur Tristan Simon’s hopsitality group - has definitely help Dallas win the title of “Next Best New Food City” from GQ magazine.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

It’s got everything from mom-and-pop diners, to iconic coastal locales, features many award-winning local chefs, and has enticed several nationally recognized super chefs to set up in style. Geoffrey Sakarian’s Point Royal is a seafood dream, while Monkitail - owned by restaurateur Michael Schulson - features creative takes on sushi and other Japanese cuisine. Other local favorites include Cafe Maxx (traditional American) and Valentino (Italian). All of it’s so good you’ll have to watch out for gators nabbing your leftovers.

Honolulu, Hawaii

The Street (it’s a street, but that’s also its name) in Waikiki’s International Market Place is a first-class feast for foodies. Curated by chef Michael Mina, the culinary offerings include line-caught Kajiku Ceviche with pineapple and habanero at Almita Cantina, and Burger Hale’s famous “Loco Moco” - a combination of fried rice, a burger patty, sunny-side-up-egg, and gravy. Indie Girl features healthy bowls and smoothies, while the Kaka’ako neighborhood on Waikiki Beach is home to creative Hawaiian dishes from three-time James Beard finalist, Peter Merriman.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dalessandro’s has the best cheesesteaks. There, now that’s out of the way. But Philly also has amazing pasta fare at Le Virtu, a robust farm-to-table menu at Kensington Quarters, and delicious grilled fish kebabs at Suraya. New American brilliance is available at Square 1628, and Lacroix at The Rittenhouse even has offerings of seasonal popcorn. Why the Fresh Prince left this place, we’ll never know.