The United States, a vast and diverse nation, boasts a culinary landscape as varied as its geography. From the sun-kissed shores of California to the historic streets of the East Coast, each city offers a unique gastronomic experience, a symphony of flavors waiting to be discovered. While many cities are synonymous with specific dishes – New York City’s quintessential pizza slice or Memphis’s smoky barbecue – navigating the local food scene can be overwhelming. Who better to guide you through this culinary maze than seasoned travel editors and writers, individuals with an insatiable appetite for exploration and a discerning palate?
We’ve tapped into the expertise of these culinary adventurers, women who have traversed the globe in search of the most authentic and delectable dining experiences. They’ve curated seven custom-tailored food tours, each dedicated to a specific culinary delight in some of the United States’ most vibrant cities. Whether you’re a local seeking to rediscover your city’s hidden gems or a visitor eager to immerse yourself in its culinary soul, these recommendations are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Prepare to embark on a delicious journey, guided by those who know the best places to go for each city’s best offerings. From bagels in New York City to cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, there’s something to love about each food crawl.
1. New York City: A Bagel Pilgrimage
For many, the quintessential New York experience begins with a bagel. More than just bread, it’s a symbol of the city’s vibrant culture and diverse communities. Elspeth Velten, a seasoned New York explorer, unveils her favorite bagel destinations across Brooklyn, each offering a unique take on this iconic treat.
The journey begins at Catskill Bagel Co. in Ditmas Park. A neighborhood staple, this spot is renowned for its soft, doughy bagels, perfect for a weekend indulgence. But their true masterpiece? The egg-everything bagel, a symphony of yellow egg dough and everything seasoning, is a must-try for any bagel aficionado.
Next stop: La Bagel Delight, a Brooklyn institution with multiple locations. Velten recommends the Fort Greene outpost, where a serendipitous encounter led her to discover the spinach, scrambled egg, and mozzarella sandwich on an egg bagel – a culinary revelation she’s never looked back from.
For a taste of tradition, Kosher Bagel Hole in Midwood offers a more authentic Jewish bagel experience. This shop is a haven for classic combinations like pastrami-lox-and-cream-cheese bagel sandwiches, as well as bagels topped with a variety of salads, including egg, tuna, and whitefish.
Finally, for a modern twist on the classic, Shelsky’s is a must-visit. Here, innovative spreads like chili crisp cream cheese meet bagels, while meats like Taylor ham and Pennsylvania scrapple find their perfect partners in bagel flavors like cracked pepper and salt or Sichuan peppercorn.
2. Los Angeles: A Pizza Odyssey
Los Angeles may not be the first city that springs to mind when you think of pizza, but Carrie Bell, a culinary enthusiast with a passion for the City of Angels, is determined to change that perception. Forget Naples, New York, Chicago, or Detroit, Los Angeles has it’s own style of pizza and is quickly becoming a pizza hot spot.
Start your day at Milo & Olive in Santa Monica with a breakfast pizza that redefines the meaning of morning indulgence. This culinary masterpiece is crowned with pork belly, roasted potato, fontina cream, pickled chili, and a perfectly cooked farm egg.
Next, head to Pizzana, a Hollywood-connected pizzeria with outposts across Los Angeles. Founded on the concept of actor Chris O’Donnell’s exclusive pizza parties, Pizzana offers Daniele Uditi’s two-day-fermented dough and the singular cacio e pepe pizza, hailed as a "small miracle" by famed critic Jonathan Gold.
For a taste of Neapolitan innovation, visit Best Bet in Culver City. Chef Jason Neroni’s fried dough creations, known as montanara, are best enjoyed dunked in the housemade garlic dip.
Finally, embrace Los Angeles’s multicultural spirit with an internationally-inspired pizza. Try the Mexican birria pizza at La Birria or the Persian donar kabob pizza at Rafo’s Cafe. Or, head to Pijja Palace, a popular spot that blends Indian ingredients with sports bar fare, offering pies with ultra-thin tavern-style crusts, bases like peri peri vindaloo or white korma, and toppings including tandoori onions, chicken tikka, chutney, paneer, and turkey kofta. This is a must for your #keyword pizza crawl.
3. New Orleans: A Beignet Bonanza
No trip to New Orleans is complete without indulging in the city’s iconic beignets. Susmita Baral, a connoisseur of all things New Orleans, guides us through a sugary exploration of this beloved pastry.
Begin at Café du Monde, the city’s oldest and most famous beignet institution. Established in 1862, this iconic spot serves classic beignets and coffee, a tradition that continues to draw crowds to this day.
For a truly decadent experience, venture to Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, a Black-owned business that stuffs its beignets with gooey praline. Don’t miss their savory options, including crab beignets and sausage and cheese beignets. For a modern twist, Luca Eats offers Oreo beignets that are worth a try.
Elevated beignet experiences await at La Petite Grocery and Basin Seafood and Spirits, both in the Garden District, and Restaurant R’evolution in the French Quarter, where savory beignets are served with four remoulades. SoBou, also in the French Quarter, offers duck and sweet potato beignets.
Finally, The Vintage offers a flight of beignets, mini beignet bites, and seasonal fancy beignets, while Stuph’D Beignets & Burgers serves a wide assortment of stuffed beignets, filled with everything from crawfish to cheesesteak to sweet potato. For a dive bar experience, head to Howlin’ Wolf for cheddar bacon beignets and a pint.
4. Seattle: A Coffee Connoisseur’s Quest
Seattle, the Emerald City, is synonymous with coffee. Jamie Hergenrader, a Seattle native and coffee aficionado, leads us on a caffeine-fueled adventure through the city’s vibrant coffee scene.
Begin at the first-ever Starbucks location in Pike Place Market. This historic spot, opened in 1971, still retains its original nautical-inspired decor and the brand’s original mermaid logo.
For an immersive Starbucks experience, head to the Starbucks Reserve in Capitol Hill. This location offers specialty drinks not available in standard locations, including coffee cocktails, as well as tours, tastings, and merchandise.
Venture beyond Starbucks to explore Seattle’s independent coffee shops. Cafe Allegro, one of the oldest espresso houses in the city, offers a taste of Seattle’s local coffee history. Caffe Vita blends coffee culture with music at its location inside the KEXP radio station, which features a record store.
Sample global coffee styles at Hood Famous Cafe in the Chinatown-International District, where you can try a Filipino-style calamansi espresso tonic, or at Aroom Coffee in Fremont, which serves traditional Vietnamese coffee. Alternatively, book a tour that will take you to popular coffee spots and teach you about the local production and history.
5. Baltimore: A Crab Craving Crusade
Baltimore, the Charm City, is synonymous with seafood, especially the Maryland blue crab. Jalyn Robinson, a Baltimore enthusiast, shares her favorite spots to indulge in this local delicacy.
Start your day at Blue Moon Cafe with their crab dip French toast, a savory-sweet combination that is sure to delight. The crab dip provides the perfect amount of salt to complement the sweet French toast, while the potato chip topping adds a satisfying crunch.
For lunch, head to the Broadway Market, a bustling hub with a variety of restaurants. Vikki’s Fells Point Deli offers a seafood club stacked with crab cakes, shrimp salad, and Swiss cheese.
End your day at The Choptank, where you can enjoy steamed crabs the traditional way. Equipped with gloves, bibs, and buckets, you’ll crack into fresh crabs like a pro.
6. Austin: A Dive Bar Discovery
Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World, is also home to a thriving dive bar scene. Taylor McIntyre, an Austin insider, shares her favorite spots for a laid-back night out.
Start on Dirty 6th, a street known for its lively bars and bustling crowds. Escape the chaos at Casino El Camino, a dive bar that serves cold brews and one of the best burgers in Austin. Further west, Mean Eyed Cat, a Johnny Cash-themed bar, offers cheap Lone Stars. Donn’s Depot, a bar carved out of two old freight trains, offers live music most nights of the week.
In East Austin, The Lost Well boasts a metal vibe and a friendly atmosphere, while The Grackle offers an impressive whiskey collection. Sky Lark Lounge features live blues and soul music in a backyard made from old street signs.
For themed bars, La La’s Little Nugget brings the Christmas spirit year-round, while Carousel Lounge offers a circus-themed atmosphere. In South Austin, G&S Lounge features bar games, big screens, and a craft beer selection.
7. Philadelphia: A Cheesesteak Saga
Philadelphia’s food scene is renowned, but the cheesesteak remains the city’s true culinary calling card. Regan Fletcher Stephens, a Philadelphia expert, shares her favorite spots to savor this iconic sandwich. It’s worth trying each and every #keyword cheesesteak.
Begin at Angelo’s Pizzeria, known for its superlative pizza and outstanding cheesesteaks made on Sarcone’s Bakery rolls.
Next, head to Pat’s King of Steaks, the home of the original cheesesteak. Order yours "Whiz wit" (with Cheez Whiz and fried onions) and enjoy it at one of the picnic tables outside.
Cosmi’s, a nearly century-old corner deli, offers excellent Italian hoagies and a reliably delicious cheesesteak. John’s Roast Pork, a James Beard Award-winning lunch shack, serves its namesake sandwich and a must-try cheesesteak.
Across the Schuylkill River, Saad’s in West Philly offers a chicken cheesesteak that is almost as good as its regular cheesesteak.
