There's no denying that America's biggest cities have plenty of foodie clout – but venture beyond the buzzing urban hubs to the sticks, the suburbs, and the small towns, and you'll find plenty of gourmet surprises. From cute cafés located off the beaten track to legendary dining spots that are well worth traveling to, here we reveal the most incredible out-of-town eateries the US has to offer.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover where to find the best out-of-town restaurant in your state (and beyond).
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Strike out of downtown Selma, a small city in south-central Alabama, and you'll find an unassuming residential area with a down-home joint serving some of the finest barbecue in the state. Lannie's has been running since 1946, and locals still pour in to feast on melt-in-the-mouth brisket and pulled pork sandwiches.
A stop along the dazzling Alaska Railroad, the tiny town of Talkeetna might not seem like a place with gourmet credentials – but Mountain High Pizza Pie delivers. Expect a menu of pizzas with creative toppings, including reindeer gyros, garlic oil, feta, and artichoke hearts. You won't miss this place; the bright purple exterior stands out amid the leafy surrounds of this Alaskan town.
Freewheeling Bisbee is known for its thriving arts community, boutique shopping, and a food scene that punches above its small-town weight. Make your way from the Grand Canyon State's biggest cities and set a course for Cafe Roka. This spot has been going strong for three decades and focuses on New American food with French and Italian accents – think artichoke and portobello lasagna, and boneless short rib with garlic mashed potatoes.
You'd be lucky to find yourself in little Perryville, within kissing distance of this cheerful local diner. Check the whiteboard for the special of the day, which is always a comforting classic. Here, you can tuck into everything from smothered steak to fried chicken, served up with belt-busting sides like buttery mashed potatoes, candied yams, and green bean casserole.
Tiny Los Olivos isn't very well known, but the Ynez Valley town is fast becoming a foodie hotspot. It's around five hours from San Francisco and nearly three hours from LA, but jewels such as Nella Kitchen & Bar make it well worth the trip. With a strong local ethos and a focus on seasonality, Nella Kitchen's chefs whip up tempting plates such as cioppino – a fish stew packed with mussels, scallops, halibut, and lobster tail – and perfectly cooked pasta dishes including a stunning tonnarelli with pesto and ricotta salata cheese.
While Colorado cities such as Denver always deliver when it comes to food, you won't be hard-pressed to find great places to eat beyond the capital. The Rose in little Pagosa Springs is a good start; this convivial diner feels more like someone's living room than a restaurant, and its comforting menu matches its homey surroundings, featuring everything from a stellar breakfast burrito to country-fried steak.
The small town of Mystic might not be known by many people at all, were it not for the Julia Roberts rom-com that made the place (and its beloved pizza restaurant) famous. The pizza parlor that inspired the movie is still in operation, and it's well worth an out-of-town pilgrimage. Specialty pizza toppings include moussaka with eggplant and meatballs, and Buffalo chicken with a side of blue cheese dressing.
There are states better known for their barbecue than Delaware, but head to southern Georgetown to get a satisfying fix at Fat Daddy's BBQ. This is a fuss-free place where the food is front and center. Diners love the bulging pulled pork sandwiches, succulent slow-cooked brisket, smoked wings, and baby back ribs, all served with mountains of fries, coleslaw, and mac 'n’ cheese.
This lovely neighborhood spot is tucked away in the sun-drenched Florida town of Crystal River, known for its manatees. It's less well-known for its food scene, but the KC Wine & Koffee Bar is certainly worth driving out to. The bare-brick walls and dark wood make for a cozy setting, while the menu will tempt you with burgers, fish dinners, tacos, and gyros.
Idyllic Jekyll Island has many top-notch foodie spots, but this down-to-earth Southern restaurant is a perennial favorite – as evidenced by the line that forms before opening time. You'll need to come early if you want to bag a table! If you do manage to get a spot, settle in for stuffed collard greens, shrimp creole, and pot roast, plus sides such as squash casserole, creamy mashed potatoes, and fried okra.
Down-home seafood joints and places for a plate lunch are among the joys of the Hawaii food scene – and you'll find some of the best options outside of the big cities and tourist hotspots. Make a trip to artsy surf town Paia on Maui, and head to the Pa’ia Fish Market. The restaurant opened in 1989 when Paia was a sleepy fishing village, and it keeps things simple with fresh catch plates featuring the likes of mahi mahi, snapper, and salmon, plus shrimp tacos and clam chowder.
The tiny mining town of Wallace in the Idaho Panhandle has a handful of first-rate foodie destinations. Among them is The Fainting Goat Wine Bar and Restaurant, where you'll come across a menu of sophisticated pasta dishes (think oven-baked ziti and spicy Cajun alfredo rigatoni) and a lengthy wine list. Leave room for dessert – the crème brûlée cheesecake is a must-try.
Otto's Place in Galena takes advantage of its small-town location by forming close relationships with local farmers and artisanal food producers. The fresh and tasty ingredients the diner sources are packed into its breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes, all of which go down a treat with customers. Popular items on the menu include the French toast – various tempting versions of which feature regularly on the specials board.
The Bird's Nest Cafe's slogan is 'prepare to get brunched in the mouth!' – but while that gives you an idea of the taste sensations you can enjoy here, it's the only thing about the joint that's loud and in your face. The cozy bistro, owned by the same people as The Robinwood Inn (located just outside of town), is filled with fine art and good food, and its seasonal menus make the most of fresh local produce.
Opened in 1852, Breitbach's is the oldest restaurant in the whole of Iowa and is located out in Balltown, whose population numbers less than 100. As it has done for more than 150 years, the spot dishes up good old-fashioned cooking. There's an all-you-can-eat buffet, plus a menu featuring the likes of broiled or hand-battered pike, served with your choice of potato.
Little Lindsborg has a couple of foodie treasures, including Crown and Rye – a friendly modern spot that riffs off the region's Scandinavian heritage. Sample dishes include kaldolmar (traditional Swedish stuffed cabbage rolls) and potatiskorv, a regional Swedish sausage served with bacon, potatoes, and butter-fried onions. There are American classics such as braised short rib and burgers on offer, too.
Settings don't come much more idyllic than this. Down a country lane (think rolling green hills and white picket fences) outside the city of Versailles, you'll find this homey deli. It's cute as a button, with picnic benches and a giant barn out the back, and an interior filled with historic photos and horse-themed trinkets. There's a huge menu of sandwiches to choose from, too: we recommend the pimento cheese or the classic hot brown.
This storied Louisiana spot has a history that stretches back some 240 years. The property previously operated as a plantation – and these days, tours explore the house and gardens, retelling its checkered past. However, the string of restaurants here have become destinations in their own right. Latil’s Landing Restaurant is something special, serving a five-course menu filled with dishes such as grouper on wild mushrooms, and Wagyu beef short rib.
You can hardly move in Maine's small towns for stellar seafood restaurants – and among them is Alisson's in pretty waterside Kennebunkport. Relax in the casual dining room and make your way through a seafood feast featuring the likes of steamed Maine lobster, baked sea scallops, and clam chowder.
Just like its European cousin, Maryland's Berlin – a small town in bucolic Worcester County – is ripe with excellent places to grab some dinner. This includes modern Blacksmith, a contemporary restaurant that opened in 2014. A decade later, chef Justine Zegna still delights customers with dishes such as lemon and basil risotto with crispy artichokes, and pappardelle pasta with jumbo shrimp.
Another New England state whose culinary scene leans heavily on seafood, Massachusetts has endless great spots for fish dinners – and you needn't stay within foodie Boston. Venture to Feather & Wedge in the waterside town of Rockport, and you'll get your fill of broiled oysters and crab cakes, plus entrées such as sole meunière with mashed potatoes. There's regular live music to entertain you at dinner, too.
The dishes served at The Southerner in Saugatuck are made using recipes that have been in co-owner Matt Miller's family for generations. The chef learned to cook in his Tennessean grandmother's kitchen – which is why the lunch and dinner menu is billed as 'Appalachian roots on Michigan soil.' The family-style meals here (dubbed 'Nana's Table') are incredible; even the small version includes 12 pieces of fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese, fried catfish filets, two sides, and six biscuits with honey butter. Be sure to bring an appetite!
The Angry Trout Cafe's setting is really quite something; it's arranged along the edge of Lake Superior, with a terrace that takes in the views. The location is backed up by a mouth-watering menu that includes everything from the fish of the day to a fried chicken dinner with house-made maple barbecue sauce (not to mention sides such as wild rice with shiitake mushrooms).
Head away from Jackson and out to Oxford, Mississippi – the one-time home of legendary American writer William Faulkner is now a burgeoning foodie hub. City Grocery is the best place in town, knitted into the quaint square and serving a modern French-inspired menu. Choose from options such as duck leg confit with butternut squash risotto, steak frites, and the famed City Grocery burger.
In 2001, Tom and Janet Scheffer thought they'd retired from the restaurant game after 25 years in the business. But just five years later, the husband-and-wife team – joined by their daughter, Sybill – transformed a 100-year-old farmhouse into an antique store and restaurant. Loved for its menu of fresh, flavorful food (think sumptuous steak and seafood dishes, plus perfect pasta options), the fine-dining restaurant has become something of a local institution.
The little mountain town of Red Lodge really punches above its weight when it comes to foodie offerings, and Prerogative Kitchen is the best place around. Swing by for imaginative small plates – think Brussels sprouts with house-made Buffalo sauce and gorgonzola, and crispy tofu with garlic and chili sauce. It's all served up in an old, converted bakery, and there are fun decorative nods to the building's heritage, including a wall fitted with muffin tins.
There are plenty of traditional Italian spots worth traveling out of town for, and this friendly restaurant in small Nebraska City is one of them. It's tucked away in the town's old train depot, and its comforting menu includes all the Italian staples you'd expect (as well as some contemporary plates). There's also a tempting selection of classic desserts, such as cheesecake and tiramisù.
Make it to Caliente in southeastern Nevada and it's hard to believe that you're only about two hours from the glittering lights of Las Vegas. This teensy town feels like the end of the Earth, and its prime eating spot is named for the train tracks that shoot through it. Pull up a chair on the porch and dive into a comforting all-American menu of burgers and pizza.
Break out to the bucolic New Hampshire town of Sugar Hill for both natural beauty and foodie delights in spades. A top destination is Tavern at Sunset Hill House, a historic inn that provides epic views of the White Mountains. You can milk those vistas from the restaurant, which promises 'familiar tastes renewed.' See what they're talking about by diving into the menu of baked cod, chuck burgers, and shareables such as poutine.
New Jersey's food scene is criminally underrated, and some of its best places can be found in quaint little towns. Head out to Westfield, where you'll find Addams Tavern; the low wooden beams and bright murals are charming enough, but it's the food that will really make you want to stick around. The menu is full of delights such as scallops, filet mignon, baby back ribs, and lemon-butter halibut.
Wherever you go in the Land of Enchantment, you'll find a myriad of great Mexican restaurants – and we don't just mean in the bigger cities like Santa Fe. Taos, whose population numbers less than 7,000, sure punches above its weight when it comes to gourmet destinations. Among them is fuss-free La Cueva Cafe, a dinky Pueblo-style restaurant serving tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and chimichangas.
Poor Richard's is more than a sandwich shop – it's a convivial bar, laid-back restaurant, and friendly local hangout along North Carolina's windswept Outer Banks. Pull up a chair at the bar and peruse a generous menu packed with hot and cold sandwiches, soups, and salads. We recommend the rockfish wrap, the Reuben, and the 'angry burger', which comes with homemade pimento cheese.
The foodie delights of Upstate New York might be eclipsed by the titanic gourmet scene in New York City – but if you center all your focus in town, you'll miss some real treats. Head out to Lake Placid, around five hours north of the Big Apple, and you'll stumble across a rich food scene that's bolstered by places such as Luna Restaurant. This modern yet cozy place is a local treasure, serving an Italian-inspired menu of pasta, steak, and chicken Parmigiana.
You'll feel like you've been transported to the Wild West at the Little Missouri Saloon in Medora, the gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The wood-clad bar and restaurant looks over Main Street and serves a comforting menu of American classics, from burgers to steaks to house-made pizzas. Grab a seat on the upper deck and watch the world go by.
The oldest restaurant in Ohio is definitely worth traveling outside of Cincinnati for. The Golden Lamb has been going strong since 1803, starting out as a 'house of public entertainment' in freshly founded Lebanon. Fast-forward more than 200 years, and the place is still a local institution. Come by for a giant dose of history and dishes such as hickory-smoked chicken wings, classic shepherd's pie, and the joint's signature turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
This historic hotel has been a Medicine Park fixture since 1910 – and over a century of staying power proves it's worth a visit if you're ever in the area. Sit in simple historic surroundings and dine on a menu that's as traditional as the setting; plump for the country-fried chicken sandwich, the fried catfish, or the grilled pork chops with buttery mash and greens.
This vegetable-forward restaurant is a gem of a find in this tiny town along the Oregon Coast. Pull up in cute Florence and look out for blink-and-you'll-miss-it Nosh, a modern spot serving dishes such as cauliflower steak, Brussels sprout tacos, and steak frites. There's a bar turning out colorful cocktails, too. Owner Kady Sneddon is proud that the menus are seasonal, featuring scratch-made food inspired by the local area.
The 45-minute drive west of Philadelphia is a small price to pay to discover this quaint town with a string of boutique shops and independent restaurants. Pietro’s Prime is perpetually busy, and it's known for its lengthy Martini menu and steak dinners. Begin with crab cakes or Buffalo-fried oysters, then follow up with surf and turf (which includes a butter-poached lobster tail and an eight-ounce filet).
Virginia's historic Jamestown may be better known than Rhode Island's, but the latter harbors foodie gems such as JB's on the Water. As its name suggests, JB's has waterside views to die for, being located on a sprawling island in Narragansett Bay. But it's also worth traveling here for the food – unsurprisingly, the menu is seafood heavy, with options such as clam chowder, fish tacos, and blackened cod with garlicky mash.
South Carolina cities such as Charleston rightly draw in foodies, but the state's outlying towns have some treasures, too. Among them is Lily’s Bistro in pretty Lake Wylie, arranged near the water at the border with North Carolina. Down-to-earth Lily's is a friendly neighborhood spot that focuses on Italian-inspired dishes. Go for spaghetti with house-made meatballs, or plump for a seafood dish such as clams Posillipo (clams with garlic, shallots, and tomato).
Looking like something from an old cowboy movie, and right out in the middle of nowhere, Buckshots Roadhouse has been welcoming weary travelers for decades. There's absolutely no fuss or frills out here, but that's all part of the charm. Settle in and order local favorites including chislic (a South Dakota delicacy of deep-fried cubed meats) and a prime rib dinner.
There are endless options for dining out in the center of Nashville, but venture away from the buzzing downtown hubs and you'll find some special places on the outskirts. The Loveless Cafe, located out of town just before the Natchez Trace Parkway bridge, is the place for some fine country cooking. The restaurant is renowned for its country ham and perfectly fluffy biscuits.
The giant Lonestar State is rightly famous for its barbecue, and though some cult restaurants reside in the big cities (we're looking at you, Franklin Barbecue), many of its top mom-and-pop joints are way out of town. That's true of Joseph's Riverport Bar-B-Q in Jefferson, Northeast Texas. The down-to-earth joint regularly makes it onto 'best of' lists, and its menu is filled with meat-stuffed sandwiches and plates of pork, brisket, sausage, and ribs.
Little Midway is a charming town to visit while you're in Northern Utah's bucolic Heber Valley, and you can't go wrong with a meal at the cheerful, family-run Midway Mercantile Restaurant. As its name suggests, the restaurant is built into an old mercantile, which dates back to 1874. The contemporary and imaginative menu features everything from lavender orange chicken to bacon-wrapped dates with blue cheese mousse.
When it comes to barbecue, there are states better known for their smoked meats than New England's Vermont. But if you venture way out of town to tiny and quaint Putney, you'll find Curtis' BBQ, Vermont's best barbecue offering. Come by for a feast of chicken, pulled pork, and beef ribs slathered in house-made barbecue sauce (with tempting sides like buttery baked potatoes).
Free of big chains and fast food restaurants, the food scene in the little town of Staunton in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley has been allowed to thrive. A favored spot is Mill Street Grill, a classic American-style bistro located in a historic flour mill. The menu is huge, with everything from platters of barbecued ribs to Cajun vegetable pasta – plus seafood dishes like fried oysters and crab cakes.
Offering seasonal menus that are lovingly prepared using the freshest produce from local farms, Arrowleaf Bistro in Winthrop hopes to blow your mind with every dish – and its setting couldn't be much more charming, either. Beautiful Winthrop boasts many lovely tourist spots, and the restaurant itself looks out onto the Spring Creek Bridge and Homestream Park.
West Virginia is an overlooked state, but little towns such as Harpers Ferry make it one to add to your foodie travel list. Beyond its rich history, Harpers Ferry has some excellent eating spots. Try The Rabbit Hole, whose suntrap of a patio looks out to the Blue Ridge Mountains – and whose menu features a great choice of burgers and sandwiches. We love the artichoke ‘crabcake’ sandwich with Cajun aioli. It's a belly-busting veggie feast!
Scoot out to Madeline Island on Lake Superior to enjoy a natural bounty – plus this popular little spot. Farmhouse is perhaps an unexpected find here, but one you'll want to return to again and again. The farm-to-table restaurant, located at the rustic Farmhouse Inn, serves surprising dishes such as a Korean barbecue sandwich, not to mention well-executed breakfasts like eggs and bacon.
Casper, Cheyenne, and Jackson get most of the attention in Wyoming, but little Buffalo (not to be confused with Buffalo, New York, where Buffalo wings were invented) delivers the goods for foodies. The Occidental Hotel's Virginian Restaurant is the top spot; here, you can settle into historic surroundings (the hotel was founded in 1880) and peruse a traditional menu. The elk tenderloin steak is highly recommended by diners.
Now discover the most historic restaurant in every state
Last updated by Luke Paton.