The best gastro-tourism destinations in America and what to eat once you're there

What to eat: Bagels, dim sum, halal cart chicken, pastrami sandwich, a real NY slice, ramen, fiery Thai, black-and-white cookies

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: Find any cuisine, any time of day

Where to walk it off: Central Park, the High Line or just walk between bites and you’ll cover a whole lot of (awe-inspiring) ground

NYC doesn’t just offer variety—it is variety. Every borough presents a new opportunity to explore a world of flavors. On any given street you’ll find a mix of delicacies like momos, mangu, ramen and wood-fired pizza—all within a couple blocks. Grab a bagel with a schmear in the morning, get a falafel on the street for lunch then go upscale at Eleven Madison Park or Le Bernardin for dinner. The options span countries and price ranges, and the puzzle fits together seamlessly. From hand-pulled noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods to an egg sandwich at a corner bodega, you will no doubt be impressed. Even your midnight snack will be memorable. You can’t eat it all in one trip—but trying is the fun part.

What to eat: Korean BBQ, tacos, ramen, a French Dip, a Dodger Dog, chopped salad, vegan everything

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: It’s the ultimate global food stage

Where to walk it off: Griffith Park or the Venice Boardwalk for some calorie-burning with side of people-watching

L.A. is where strip mall gems and Michelin stars share the spotlight. You can go from Korean BBQ in K-Town to tsukemen at Tsujita LA to plant-based indulgence at Crossroads; artisan bread and produce at a farmers market to top-notch tacos at Mariscos Jalisco to spicy southern Thai seafood at Jitlada—all in one day. It’s global, gritty and glamorous, with late-night eats that never disappoint. Carnivores can dive into a juicy pastrami at Langer’s while vegans can indulge in everything from Ethiopian to soul food. Like the people, food here is beautiful. You might need a car to explore all the flavors of L.A., but each bite is worth the extra mileage.

What to eat: Beignets, gumbo, po-boys, boiled crawfish, red beans and rice, snoballs

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: Food is the culture here

Where to walk it off: Dance it off at one of the many music clubs around town—no skills required

New Orleans is where food is more ritual than necessity. From beignets at Café du Monde to Casamento’s for fried oysters, from Creole icons like Antoine’s to neighborhood joints like Lil’ Dizzy’s, you’ll get a side of history, culture and spirit with each meal. You’ll feel like you’re home, whether you’re digging into an overstuffed shrimp po-boy at Parkway Bakery and Tavern, savoring bread pudding souffle at Commander’s Palace while a jazz band plays during brunch or relishing a bowl of gumbo at Dooky Chase’s where Civil Rights leaders once dined. New Orleans restaurants—and dishes—all have history, even newer spots like Saffron and Dakar that are infusing classic dishes with new flavors and techniques. Eating your way around New Orleans is not just eating—you’ll experience the music, history, art and soul of the city. You’re likely to make some new friends too, and with any luck you’ll get an invite to a crawfish boil and plenty of reasons to come back.

What to eat: Deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, jibaritos, pierogies, Chicago-style hot dog

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: Eat like a king on any budget

Where to walk it off: Head to the Riverwalk or Millennium Park for a digestion walk with skyline views

Chicago nails the balance between street food legends and white-tablecloth masterpieces. From deep-dish at Lou Malnati’s to Italian beef sandwiches dripping in jus from Al’s, the Windy City serves big portions and even bigger flavor. There’s street food magic and then there’s the Michelin magic of spots like Oriole and Alinea, where you’ll eat edible works of art that reimagine fine dining entirely. Chicago’s food scene thrives in neighborhoods, not just tourist zones, and the city’s cultural influences shine through its offerings. Pick up a jibarito from Jibaritos y Mas or a cool, creamy Rainbow Cone.  There’s everything a culinary enthusiast could want, from an unforgettable Polish sausage to a multi-course, avant-garde meal (that you should start saving for now).

What to eat: Cheesesteaks, roast pork, soft pretzels, scrapple, hoagie, water ice

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: Grit, flavor and serious food cred

Where to walk it off: Wander the Schuylkill River Trail or stroll through historic Old City—with a pretzel in hand

Philly is more than cheesesteaks (though you should absolutely try one from Del Rossi’s or John’s Roast Pork). The city’s food scene blends blue-collar classics with boundary-pushing kitchens in neighborhoods like Fishtown and South Philly. It’s also a haven for BYOB spots that punch way above their price point. Don’t skip the Italian Market or Reading Terminal Market—there’s plenty of food culture to explore. Middle Child's breakfast sandwiches are a must to start the day, and your cheesesteak will enjoy the company of a roast pork sandwich from DiNic’s and an OG soft pretzel. Some run up the Rocky Steps for a pic, foodies do it so they can eat more Tastykakes and scrapple.

What to eat: Posole, green chile burger, tamales, Frito Pie, sopaipillas, blue corn enchiladas

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: Heritage cuisine with a chile kick

Where to walk it off: Walk the Canyon Road galleries or meandering adobe-lined backstreets

Santa Fe is the spiritual home of the chile, and it’s a spiritual experience to try it there. Red or green—or both (“Christmas,” if you know the lingo)—adds punch to nearly every dish. Start at The Shed or Tia Sophia’s for the local staples, and end with a honey-drizzled sopapilla, local chocolate or piñon coffee. Visit during Hatch chile season and bask in the smell of them roasting in the plaza. The food here is ancient, blended with the bold modern. Native American, Spanish and Mexican traditions give Santa Fe its unmistakable flavor. Small in size, huge in taste, this high-desert town delivers comfort and kick in equal measure. Take home a ristra to remember your chile-fueled adventures.

What to eat: Brisket, breakfast tacos, migas, queso, kolaches

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: Smoke, spice, and serious food trucks

Where to walk it off: Stroll Lady Bird Lake Trail or Zilker Park until your clothes no longer smell like smoke

Austin is laid-back, eccentric and intensely proud of its taco‑and‑barbecue obsession. The lines at Franklin Barbecue are legendary (and worth it), but you’ll also find mind-blowing barbecue at spots like Micklethwait and La Barbecue. You can start your day with breakfast tacos or migas at Veracruz All Natural, but save room for a serious taco crawl—Cuantos, Nixta, Flavia’s Kitchen, Paprika ATX, Tacos Guerrero, Trippy Tacos… these are just a few of the many top spots that are a must on every Austin food itinerary. But Austin isn’t just Tex-Mex and barbecue. The food truck scene is strong—with several parks dedicated to casual, on-the-go eating—and diverse, higher-end restaurants like Uchi, Dai Dui and Odd Duck are nationally-renowned. But plan for tacos—many, many tacos.

What to eat: Mission burritos, sourdough, seafood, Burmese tea leaf salad, egg tart, Dutch crunch, garlic noodles

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: Old-school meets cutting-edge

Where to walk it off: Climbing a few neighborhood hills should do it

San Francisco layers old-school flavors with contemporary global innovation. From hip cafés in Hayes Valley to dim sum spots in Chinatown to the farmers market at the Ferry Building, this city covers a lot of ground in a small footprint. A Mission-style burrito, preferably at La Taqueria, is iconic. Compare sourdoughs at the old-school Boudin bakery (go ahead, get the chowder in the sourdough bowl) with the modern standout Tartine. House of Prime rib is an experience worth the hype, as is Burma Superstar for the tea leaf salad. And garlic noodles, invented here at Thanh Long, are worth a pilgrimage. But San Francisco has cutting-edge dining a-plenty, from Vietnamese dishes with a twist at Bodega SF, an inventive French tasting menu at Mijoté or seriously good pizza at Outta Sight. Just finish it all off with chocolate from Dandelion.

What to eat: Poke, loco moco, malasadas, plate lunches, musubi, shave ice

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: The flavors are as lush as the landscape

Where to walk it off: Hike Diamond Head or stroll Waikiki Beach to contemplate your next plate lunch

Hawaiian cuisine is Pacific-powered fusion, blending Polynesian, Japanese, Filipino and American influences into something entirely its own. And with most dishes geared towards comfort, it’s like an island vacation for your mouth. Grab insanely fresh poke at Ono Seafood or (don’t knock it) local grocery chain Foodland, try the loco moco (rice, burger, egg and gravy) at Rainbow Drive-In and indulge in malasadas at Leonard’s Bakery. Local dishes are familiar but exotic, from the noodle soup dish saimin to the fat, sushi-like Spam musubis you can pick up at every convenience store (or try fancier versions at spots like Mana Musubi or Musubi Cafe Iyasume). For a full Hawaiian spread, don’t miss Helena’s. Sure the beaches are amazing, but even better is the chance to discover Hawaii's unique confluence of cultures through its food.

What to eat: Cheddar, maple creemees, maple syrup, cider donuts, farm-fresh fare

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: It’s the definition of farm-to-table

Where to walk it off: Take the Burlington Bike Path along Lake Champlain or hit the trails in the Green Mountains

Vermont is farm-to-table, without the fuss. The food scene across the state is fiercely local, and Burlington is the perfect town to experience this strong sense of cuisine and community. Quality ingredients from Vermont farms and locally-made products can be found everywhere, and restaurants, bars and purveyors support each other with plenty of cross-promotion. Taste your way through Vermont’s bounty at spots like May Day, Frankie’s and the James Beard Award-winning Hen of the Woods. Best of all, you can go straight to the source at nearby farms like Shelburne Farms, Sugarbush Farm and Bread and Butter Farm. Tackle the Vermont Cheese Trail to learn about all the amazing cheeses, from king Cabot to award-winning Jasper Hill to dozens of small producers making some of the best cheese around. This scene may not be flashy, but it sure is delicious.

What to eat: Lobster rolls, oysters, blueberry pie, chowder, whoopie pie, fresh bread

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: Coastal charm meets culinary craft

Where to walk it off: Walk from place to place in the Old Port or stroll the Eastern Promenade Trail

As small as it is, Portland is a dining destination with the quantity and quality of a big city. The walkable harbor and its outskirts are packed with seafood spots, bakeries, cafes and more. Sure there’s a famous lighthouse, but go for the lobster rolls—from the delicate, brown-butter bathed version at Eventide to the grab-and-go variety at Bite Into Maine. Dive into the bounty of the region at restaurants like Twelve, Fore Street or Central Provisions. Sample some of the best bread around—made with local grains—at spots like Standard Baking Co. and Bread&Friends. Becky’s Diner is the place to try Maine blueberry pancakes with harbor views. Peruse seafood markets like Free Range Fish and Harbor Seafood for a glimpse of harbor life, and stop in Heritage Seaweed for seaweed snacks, products and info. Holy Donut draws NYC-like crowds, and shops like Onggi, Tandem Coffee and Norimoto Bakery exude big city chic. Bottom line: this is local Maine eating that’s bold but charming.

What to eat: Sonoran hot dogs, carne seca, green chile burritos, mesquite

Why it’s a gastro-hotspot: UNESCO-certified flavor with desert soul

Where to walk it off: Sabino Canyon or downtown's vibrant historic district

Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for good reason. The Sonoran hot dog alone (try El Guero Canelo) is worth the trip: bacon-wrapped, loaded with beans, topped with onions, tomato and jalapeno and served on a bolillo roll. But Tucson also offers the opportunity to explore Indigenous, Mexican and pioneer flavors. From heritage grain breads at Barrio Bread to carne seca at El Charro to a green chile burrito at Seis Kitchen and a mesquite latte at Coronet Cafe, you’ve got a desert feast unlike anything else in the country. Tucson’s food culture is rooted in strong traditions, and they’re proud of it. It’s a place where menus are defined by heritage ingredients, and the results are bold, sun-kissed and deeply flavorful.