35 Great Food Towns Nobody Knows About

The best part of travel is experiencing other cultures, and there's no better way to get to know a culture than to get to know its cuisine. In a country as diverse as the United States, there are countless diverse cuisines, ranging from international fare brought over by immigrants to regional delicacies like barbecue in the Carolinas or Cajun cooking in Louisiana. While food lovers flock to San Francisco, New York City, Chicago and other famous culinary destinations, there are still some places that don't get the recognition they deserve.

Restaurant scenes are emerging in growing cities across the country, with their own local flavor and food trends as well as borrowed inspiration from other cuisines throughout the country and the world. Many travel destinations more famous for other attractions have been overlooked in terms of their culinary excellence — but these towns are worth a trip for the restaurants alone. From sea to shining sea, consider a trip to these 35 towns that aren't as known for their food as they should be.

A popular weekend getaway destination, Asheville is more famous for its mountain scenery, architecture, and artistic scene than it is for its food. Find delicious Carolina barbecue at restaurants like 12 Bones (which has hosted the likes of Barack and Michelle Obama) and Buxton Hall. Asheville was one of the cities where the farm-to-table movement first gained ground at restaurants like The Market Place, and it's also the city with the most breweries per capita in America. To indulge your sweet tooth, check out doughnut shop Hole or local chocolatiers at French Broad Chocolate Lounge, and for tapas and drinks, check out Cúrate, one of the best restaurants in America.

The mountain city of Boulder tends to get overshadowed by nearby Denver's beer and food scene, but its own restaurants are nothing to scoff at. Frasca Food & Wine is one of America's top restaurants, serving simple and sophisticated Italian food, and you can explore more cuisines throughout the city such as Japanese food at Izakaya Amu, German sausages at Bohemian Biergarten and Argentinian fare at Rincon Argentino.

Providence is a small city, but the locals definitely have a big palette. Experience the best of small town New England but with all the cosmopolitan cuisine options you could want. Caserta Pizzeria is one of the best old-school pizzerias, and local favorite Eddie's Diner serves some great eggs and home fries. For a more exclusive experience, try to get a table at the 18-seat Birch, which boasts contemporary American dishes prepared with classical techniques.

As Texas is famed for its barbecue, Dallas is no exception, and the burnt ends and brisket at Pecan Lodge are particularly noteworthy. Eat the perfect steak at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, and have some sushi and Japanese soba noodles at Tei-An. Flora Street Café serves up creative dishes inspired by traditional Texan fare. For some classic Tex-Mex, check out Avila's or try the pho at modern Vietnamese restaurant Một Hai Ba.

Scottsdale's year-round great weather means that you get a variety of fresh produce any time of the year, as well as impressive vegetarian options throughout. James Beard-nominated Charleen Badman's FnB brings simple dishes like Brussels sprouts up to the next level with exciting ingredients. Meat lovers will appreciate Japanese steakhouse Roka Akor, which serves perfectly cooked steaks and premium fresh sushi, and Gertrude's serves dishes with Native American ingredients and ancient grains.

Quite possibly the coolest city in New Jersey, Jersey City's diversity offers tons of food options, many with a fantastic view of the New York skyline. Battello is an elegant waterfront restaurant with delicious Italian cuisine, and Talde dishes up the best of Asian fusion dishes. The 27 wonderful varities of pancakes at Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory are alone worth a trip to the city, and Razza was once declared by famed New York Times food critic Pete Wells to have the best New York-style pizza.

Located in proximity to not just one, but three wine regions, Healdsburg is a small town perfect for aspiring sommeliers, but there's also a fantastic food scene to accompany those wines. You'll find the absolute best chili in the country at Jimtown Store, and local winemakers and farmers provide for a lot of the fantastic menu at Valette. Reservations are highly recommended for a seat at Barndiva, a modern barn setting where you can dine on dishes that showcase the best of local farming, and you should definitely get a patio seat at Campo Fina for some crisp wood-fired pizza.

A charming New England city, Burlington is perhaps the best food town in Vermont. Enjoy brunch with Vermont maple syrup on buckwheat or gingerbread pancakes at Penny Cluse Café, and experience the epitome of Vermont food culture with a visit to the Farmers and Foragers food truck, where you can pair a Vermont cheesesteak with a local craft beer. You'll find the best Italian food at fine dining restaurant Trattoria Delia, and some deliciously traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas at Pizzeria Verita or wood-fired steaks at Guild Tavern. For dessert, discover some of New England's best chocolate with a trip to Lake Champlain Chocolates, where outrageous flavors are presented in gourmet style.

Lying right in the heart of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, Lexington is popular with bourbon lovers, but it offers plenty of food to pair with the local whiskey. One of the city's best restaurants is Malone's, a standout steakhouse with infrared broiler-cooked beef. Farm Market, a small and colorfully decorated Mexican joint, claims to have the best tamales in town, and not many beg to differ. For some solid Southern cuisine, Honeywood has creative twists on Southern classics, such as their sautéed Gulf white shrimp and grouper over Weisenberger Mill cheese grits and greens.

Charlottesville has a lot of history, but also a lot of food. Try different and creative burger combinations at Citizen Burger Bar or go for some fried chicken and soul food at Mel's Café. Taste delicious French cuisine at Fleurie Restaurant or go for Neapolitan pizza at Lampo. Virginian ingredients go into North Italian cuisine at Palladio, a fine dining hotspot that also offers culinary classes with their executive chef, and Littlejohn's puts a Southern spin on a New York-style deli.

Cajun and Creole flavors serve to spice up the Southern hospitality of Baton Rouge's culinary scene. Because the city is located not too far from the Gulf of Mexico, seafood is an absolute must in Baton Rouge, and you'd be remiss to skip a meal at Parrain's Seafood Restaurant, where étouffée is particularly noteworthy. You won't be limited to just Southern and regional cuisine either; enjoy sushi at UMAMI Japanese bistro, delicious fried chicken at Delpit's Chicken Shack, and Mediterranean food at Zoroona Mediterranean Grill.

There's a burgeoning and impressive culinary scene in the small Southern city of Greensville. GB&D's fried chicken and burgers are the best kind of comfort food, but if you're looking for a place that has more of a focus on sustainability and locally sourcing their ingredients, Anchorage is a casual spot that's worth checking out. Try some modern takes on Mediterranean cuisine like the delicious Greek food at Jī-rōz or the creative Italian dishes at Jianna.

Telluride is one of the most romantic cities in the world, surrounded by the scenery of San Juan Mountains, and home to Colorado's best date spot, the snowbound Alpino Vino restaurant which is only accessible via ski lift or snow coach. Eat authentic Italian cuisine at La Piazza Del Villaggio, contemporary Asian fusion at Siam's Talay Grille and a seasonal menu at Floradora Saloon, which serves creative entrees such as coconut curry mussels and duck gumbo.

Portland is an underappreciated culinary destination, and a great first stop would be to Fore Street where local cuisine and wood-fired specialties have earned the restaurant much praise. BRGR Bar sources the finest ingredients for its burgers, and Hot Suppa for traditional Southern cuisine. Fresh pasta and sauces are made daily at Paciarino, and locally-sourced beef makes the steak at Timber Steakhouse & Restaurant stand out, as does its slow-roasted rotisserie chicken. For a more interesting meal, try the lobster rolls served on Chinese steamed buns at Eventide Oyster Co. or head to Honey Paw, where the menu has dishes inspired by the cuisines of China, Indonesia, Japan and Thailand such as their wok-fried noodles and mushroom tom kha.

Kansas City has a solid restaurant scene that's worth traveling for. The city has particularly fantastic barbecue; Arthur Bryant's is one of the most famous barbecue restaurants in the country, and Q39 Midtown takes it up a notch. Jess & Jim's is one of the top steakhouses in America, and both Town Topic and Winstead's serve up amazing burgers. If you're looking for something more upscale, go for a 10-course dinner at Bluestem or the Chilean sea bass and lobster bisque at Le Fou Frog.

Idaho's potatoes are great, but so is a lot of the rest of its food. Home to the country's largest Basque community, a visit to Basque Block will give you access to plenty of restaurants with traditional cuisine from the northern Spanish region. Northwestern comfort food at Fork makes for a great brunch, while Chandler's steaks and seafood make for an elegant fine dining experience.

North Carolina's capital isn't seen as a bastion of culinary experiences, but Raleigh has been emerging as a serious foodie spot. Try some Loatian cuisine at the critically acclaimed Bida Manda or go for the Indian and Pan-Asian cuisine served in a modern setting at Herons. Poole's Downtown Diner serves American classics and creative cocktails, while Cortez Seafood and Cocktail serves fresh seafood with a Mexican flair and accompanied by craft cocktails. Chuck's Dirty South Burger is the best burger in North Carolina, with impressively heavy toppings, and The Pit serves some of the best ribs in America.