Every year, Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Food Destinations list highlights the most beloved culinary cities across the globe — places where food lovers can feast their way through vibrant markets, iconic restaurants, and unforgettable local specialties. The most recent list features globally acclaimed cities like Rome, London, Paris, and Marrakech — all fantastic choices for world-class cuisine. However, when it comes to U.S. representation, there’s room for a lot more American flavor at the table.
U.S. Food Cities That Already Made the Cut
In the global list some U.S. cities did make it. For example, New Orleans appears among the world’s best because of its iconic Creole and Cajun cuisine. Charleston and New York City also have earned acclaim, reflecting the diversity and quality of American food culture.
These inclusions are fantastic but let’s look at why many other U.S. cities deserve recognition too.
The U.S. Has an Insanely Diverse Culinary Landscape
From the spicy barbecue of Texas to the seafood of New England, the U.S. offers a huge range of regional specialties worth celebrating:
Southern Comfort & Barbecue Capitals
- Austin, TX — Known for brisket, tacos, and quirky food trailers that rival any city’s street food.
- Memphis & Kansas City — World-famous BBQ hubs with deep culinary traditions.
International Influences
- Los Angeles, CA — A melting pot of authentic world cuisines including Mexican, Korean, Japanese, Salvadoran, and more.
- Houston, TX — One of the most diverse food cities in America, from Viet-Cajun crawfish to Nigerian jollof.
- Seattle, WA — Renowned for fresh seafood, Asian fusion, and innovative dining concepts.
Fresh & Innovative Coastal Eats
- Portland, ME — A seafood lover’s paradise with lobster rolls, oysters, and creative local menus.
- San Diego, CA — Border influences deliver fantastic Mexican cuisine, fresh seafood, and craft brewing culture.
Big Cities with Global Flavor
- Chicago, IL — Deep-dish pizza and Michelin-starred fine dining — an amazing contrast that draws worldwide attention.
- San Francisco, CA — Diverse food scene praised for multicultural dining and innovation.
Why U.S. Cities Definitely Belong on Global Food Lists
Here’s why more cities should be recognized globally:
🔹 Cultural Fusion & Immigrant Influence
The U.S. is home to incredible immigrant communities whose cuisines have transformed local food scenes — from Filipino kitchens in Los Angeles to Ethiopian cafes in Washington D.C.
🔹 Regional Specialties & Authentic Experiences
Cities across the U.S. have distinct culinary identities rooted in history and local ingredients — experiences travelers seek out just as much as those in Paris or Tokyo.
🔹 High Traveler Satisfaction
Based on traveler reviews, many U.S. cities consistently score high for restaurants, food tours, and local markets — key metrics Tripadvisor uses for these rankings.
The latest Tripadvisor list celebrates some truly iconic food cities but American cities offer so much more culinary goodness than is currently represented. From iconic regional BBQ to innovative fusion kitchens and multicultural dining hotspots, the U.S. food scene is rich, dynamic, and absolutely deserves larger global recognition.
Let’s hope that next year’s awards contain more US cities.