Virginia Woolf wrote, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well”. We couldn’t agree more, so it’s important that you know what’s on the menu in your potential new home city. Foodies, you’ve got the right idea by putting your culinary tastes at the top of your priorities — so here are a few of the top cities for foodies in the U.S. Whether you’re looking for a new home or taking a trip, make sure you bring your appetite.
1. Coastal vibes and seafood: Portland, ME
Bon Appetit named Portland the Restaurant City of the Year in 2018. They trumpeted its innovative chefs, adorable bakeries (Tandem Coffee Roasters at the top of their list), the ambiance at The Drifter’s Wife Wine Bar, and the abundance of tasty local breweries (Allagash, Bissell Brothers, Oxbow, and even the Urban Farm Fermentory for local Kombucha). Expect a semi-hipster vibe with a plethora of summer tourists in the waterfront area. The local classic DeMillo’s is on a boat and a great place to sidle up to the bar, except in the middle of tourist season. Portland has a food culture that celebrates innovation. Seafood lovers: oyster bars, lobster, and fresh local fish abound on just about every corner. Don’t miss Eventide’s lobster rolls, and chow on oysters at The Shop at Island Creek Oysters. And since Maine hasn’t quite hit California’s trendy status, you can get a high quality of living without the high cost.
2. Vegan heaven: Los Angeles, CA
Vegan foodies know: there’s nothing worse than having to eat salad for dinner again because the restaurant is flummoxed by how to feed someone who doesn’t eat animal products. For the vegan who really misses comfort foods, Doomie’s Home Cookin’ serves up a vegan Bacon Cheese Fries. Ask your non-vegan friends to meet you for drinks at Sage. At this gem, they won’t even realize all the cocktails, beers, and wines are vegan-friendly. Then soothe your hangover in the morning at Donut Friend. The all-vegan menu includes classics as well as signature compilations like the Bacon 182. We’ve also heard that LA is one of the top cities for singles, so maybe you can meet your vegan soulmate, too.
3. Weird combinations and food trucks: Austin, TX
Austin is plastered with stickers telling you to “KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD” — the food included. Of course, Tex-Mex and the classic barbeque joints are staples in this southern city. But many of Austin’s tastiest bites can only be found in the roaming food trucks that dot the downtown streets. FoodTrailersAustin.com will help you locate the food truck of your dreams, but rumors say that Luke’s Inside Out, Churro Co., Thai Kun, and Patrizi’s are not to be missed. Bike and Brew ATX will take you to all the best local breweries. Tacos Y Tortas El Chilango or Ñoños Tacos will satisfy your craving for legit and inexpensive tacos.
4. Five-star and Michelin-rated cuisine: San Francisco, CA
If you’d like to have an endless array of options, The Bay is the place to be. You’ll find everything from five-star Michelin restaurants to hole-in-the-wall eateries that will surprise and delight you once you can find them. Choose a neighborhood for its specialty cuisine — try North Beach (Italian), The Mission (Mexican), and Chinatown (Chinese), or head to the Ferry Building Marketplace to see what’s in season. There are more than 50 farmer’s markets available in the Bay region. That means farm-to-table is the norm rather than the rarity here, and chefs are expected to feature local produce in their dishes. San Francisco is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in California if food is your love language.
The best cities for foodies come in many flavors, sizes, and locales — does one of them pique your interest? Let Unpakt help you find a team of professional movers to get you on your way to a culinary delight.
