Top U.S. Cities for Food Lovers: Our Readers’ Picks 2025

Top U.S. Cities for Food Lovers

If you thought the Big Apple had absolutely nothing in common with the modest New Mexican city of Santa Fe, think again. iBestTravel readers voted both as two of the top 10 cities for food in the United States. After all, New York City may be known for its upscale, headline-making restaurants, but Santa Fe is just as popular for its red and green chilies. “For a small city,” said one iBestTravel reader about Santa Fe, “the restaurant and food selections are outstanding.” Others raved about the unique, regional dishes like carne adovada: braised pork featuring local meat, dried red New Mexican chilies, and Mexican oregano.

No. 10: Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine Lobster Dish
Greta Rybus

No. 9: Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon Coffee Shop
Hemis / Alamy Stock Photo

No. 8: Austin

Austin Barbecue
Jeff Minton

No. 7: Santa Fe

Santa Fe Peppers
Sunpix Food / Alamy Stock Photo

No. 6: Savannah

Savannah Restaurant Exterior
Michael Ventura / Alamy Stock Photo

No. 5: Chicago

Chicago Cuisine
Tara Donne

No. 4: San Francisco

San Francisco Food Scene
Alex Farnum

No. 3: New York City

New York City Cuisine
Tukka Koski

No. 2: Charleston

Charleston Oysters
Peter Frank Edwards

No. 1: New Orleans

Bryce Duffy

“No place beats New Orleans for food,” said an iBestTravel reader. And he wasn’t the only one to share that sentiment. Finding restaurants in New Orleans is an easy task, and they range from casual sandwich shops (serving impossibly good po’boy sandwiches) to venerable institutions with legendary menu items (think: Brennan’s turtle soup). Just saying NOLA brings to mind powdery beignets (or Coquette’s visionary carrot cake version) and spicy gumbo. Visitors must try acclaimed Creole classics. And if it’s crawfish season? Then you shouldn’t have any questions about what to eat in New Orleans.

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