Traveling foodies are always on the lookout for new restaurants to try and destinations to satisfy their refined tastes. With the diverse cuisine within the United States, there’s no need to leave the country to enjoy complex flavors and world-class dining experiences. According to a survey from VacationRenter, these are 10 of the top restaurants around the country for foodies traveling the United States.
10 Beauty & Essex, New York City, NY
Beauty & Essex is owned by New York chef Chris Santos and is located on the Lower East Side of New York City. The restaurant is an upscale venue that seats 250 people, and reservations are required to secure a spot. The Beauty & Essex restaurant and lounge serve American cuisine and quality cocktails, with something for everyone’s taste. The menu features a raw bar serving salmon tartare and sashimi, shareable dishes, soup dumplings, and a vast selection of prime meats.
9 Crossroads Kitchen, Los Angeles, CA
Crossroads Kitchen is a high-end vegan restaurant in Los Angeles. It was opened in 2013 by Chef Tal Ronnen on Melrose and Sweetzer and focuses on a unique, Mediterranean-style approach to vegan cuisine. The restaurant features three separate menus: a weekday lunch menu, a weekend brunch menu, and a daily dinner menu. There is a 5-course summer truffle tasting menu available, or patrons can order a single dish. Crossroads serves everything from pizza to roasted vegetables and homemade pasta with a vegan twist.
8 The Purple Pig, Chicago, IL
The Purple Pig Restaurant is operated by Rising Star Chef Jimmy Bannons Jr. and has been open since 2009. In 2010 Bon Appétit magazine named The Purple Pig one of the “10 Best New Restaurants in America”. The Chef Specials on the menu include Truffle N'duja & Goat Cheese, Arctic Char, and Vin Santo Semi-Freddo. The main menu offers a variety of pasta, seafood, and meat dishes along with some delicious snacks.
7 Bobby Q, Phoenix, AZ
Bobby Q is a delicious BBQ restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona, with a happy hour on weekdays from 3 PM to 6 PM, when patrons can enjoy reduced prices for drinks and snacks. The restaurant boasts multiple menus, including a handcrafted drink menu, a buffet lounge menu, and a catering menu for events. The dine-in menu offers favorites like pulled pork sandwiches, smoked brisket sandwiches, cornbread, and homemade mac and cheese.
6 Charlie Was A Sinner, Philadelphia, PA
The restaurant is called “Charlie was a sinner.” and is another vegan restaurant that tops VacationRenter’s list. Travelers looking for vegan options in a dimly lit, atmospheric setting will fall in love with this trendy venue in Philadelphia. Their signature cocktails include Charlie’s Punch, Untold Story, and Witch’s Rave. There is a vegan snack menu with Artichoke Frites, House Fries, and Spiced Peanuts, plus the main entrée menu with everything from Persian Mezze to Potato Gnocchi. The “To Sin.” menu of desserts includes mouthwatering selections of milkshakes, crêpes, and sorbet.
5 Cris and John, Dallas, TX
Cris and John is a Vietnamese restaurant in Dallas, Texas, serving up Vietnamese street fare that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Their sides' menu includes egg rolls, spring rolls, and dumplings, which are available with a vegan option. The restaurant serves classic Vietnamese street food dishes like Banh Mi and Bao, but with a Texas twist. Flavors inspired by the southern state collide with the classic tastes of Vietnam to deliver an unforgettable dining experience.
4 HangOverEasy, Columbus, OH
Travelers spending time in Ohio who find themselves in need of comfort food after a night out in Columbus will love the selection at HangOverEasy. The starchy and delicious breakfast options include chicken and waffles, a chorizo skillet, eggs benedict, and other favorites. Pair a heavy breakfast with a milkshake for the ultimate hangover cure.
3 Work & Class, Denver, CO
Work & Class in Denver, Colorado, is a Latin American restaurant that updates its menu several times per year to ensure they are serving foods that are in season. With a focus on fresh seasonal ingredients, it’s no wonder Work & Class has become a favorite spot among foodies visiting Colorado. The restaurant hosts Happy Hour from Wednesday to Sunday between 5 PM and 6 PM, where guests can enjoy lower food and drink prices. The dishes on the dinner menu are ever-changing, but it typically features a selection of salads, meats, desserts, and bread.
2 Catullo’s Italian, Jacksonville, FL
As the restaurant name implies, Catullo’s Italian is a fantastic Italian restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida. It started out as a food truck that operated on various streets in Jacksonville, but today it has a permanent restaurant location on San Pablo Road. The menu offers a range of high-quality, freshly made pasta dishes, gnocchi, and risotto. Often, the dishes are available in limited quantities because of the fresh ingredients and small-scale nature of the venue’s operation, so visitors should be sure to check the Facebook page for updates about the day’s menu.
1 Mert’s Heart & Soul, Charlotte, NC
Mert’s Heart & Soul is a soul food restaurant in North Carolina that serves up classic Southern comfort food and Lowcountry dishes. The venue is owned and operated by a husband and wife team and has a menu packed with Southern soul food that will make your mouth water. Appetizers include fried green tomatoes, soul rolls, fried chicken wings, and smoky BBQ ribs. They serve a variety of po'boy sandwiches and Lowcountry combos like Creole and catfish.