The United States offers incredible diversity from coast to coast, featuring world-class cities, stunning national parks, vibrant cultural scenes, and iconic landmarks. Experience everything from New York's skyline to California's beaches, from the Grand Canyon to tropical Hawaii.
American cuisine is one of the world's most diverse, shaped by waves of immigration and regional geography. From New England lobster rolls to New Orleans gumbo, Texas BBQ to California farm-to-table, Midwestern deep-dish pizza to Hawaiian poke, the US has no single culinary identity but rather a constellation of deeply passionate regional food cultures. Fine dining has seen a renaissance with dozens of US restaurants ranking among the world's best.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define United States.
New York-Style Pizza
Extra-large thin-crust slices with slightly charred edges and gooey mozzarella, best eaten folded in half while walking. Di Fara in Brooklyn and Joe's Pizza in the West Village are legendary.
Where to try: Di Fara Pizza Brooklyn, Joe's Pizza West Village NYC, Prince Street Pizza NoHo
Price: $3-5/slice
Texas BBQ Brisket
Beef brisket smoked over post oak for 12-18 hours until the bark forms and the inside turns silky and pink. The definitive expression of Texas culinary culture — no sauce needed.
Where to try: Franklin Barbecue Austin TX, La Barbecue Austin, Terry Black's Austin/Dallas
Price: $20-30/pound
New England Lobster Roll
Fresh Maine lobster meat served either hot with drawn butter (Connecticut style) or cold with mayo and celery (Maine style) in a buttered toasted split-top hot dog bun.
Where to try: Luke's Lobster multiple cities, Neptune Oyster Boston, Red's Eats Maine
Price: $22-35
Louisiana Gumbo
A dark roux-based stew of okra, andouille sausage, shrimp, and crab over white rice representing the Creole and Cajun melting pot of French, West African, and Native American traditions.
Where to try: Dooky Chase's Restaurant New Orleans, Commander's Palace New Orleans, Prejean's Lafayette LA
Price: $12-22
Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza
A high-sided casserole of pizza loaded with sausage and cheese baked into a buttery crust — eaten with a fork and knife. Controversial outside Chicago but iconic within it.
Where to try: Lou Malnati's Chicago, Giordano's Chicago, Pequod's Chicago
Price: $18-30/small pizza
New England Clam Chowder
Creamy potato and clam soup served in a hollowed sourdough boule at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco and throughout New England. The ultimate harbor city comfort food.
Where to try: Boudin Bakery San Francisco, Legal Sea Foods Boston, The Lobster Place NYC
Price: $10-16
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
American
French
Mexican
Bakery
Cafe
Caribbean
Chicago Style
Cincinnati Chili
Contemporary California
Creole
Donuts
Farm
Fusion
Gourmet Tacos
Hot Dogs
Israeli
Japanese
Jewish Deli
Mid
Middle Eastern
Pacific Northwest
Plant
Sandwiches
Seafood
Southern Breakfast
Food tours & tastings in United States
Eat your way through United States with a guide.
Browse food experiences in United StatesWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
New York Hot Dog
Boiled all-beef frank in a steamed bun with yellow mustard and sauerkraut or onion sauce from a silver Sabrett cart — the quintessential NYC street food since the 1860s.
Find it at: Street carts throughout Manhattan, especially Central Park and Midtown
Austin Breakfast Tacos
Soft corn tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa, and various fillings including chorizo, bacon, or black beans. Austin's beloved morning institution.
Find it at: Veracruz All Natural Austin, Juan in a Million Austin, all taquerias in South Texas
New Orleans Beignets
Square pillows of fried dough buried under mountains of powdered sugar — the official state doughnut of Louisiana and inseparable from the French Quarter experience.
Find it at: Café Du Monde New Orleans (open 24/7), Morning Call New Orleans
LA Street Tacos
Corn tortillas loaded with carne asada or al pastor from loncheras (taco trucks) that have defined LA's taco culture for generations. Best found in Boyle Heights and East LA.
Find it at: Boyle Heights and East LA taco trucks, Grand Central Market Downtown LA
Philadelphia Soft Pretzel
Giant soft baked pretzels with coarse salt from street carts — a Philadelphia and NYC tradition. Philly has the most pretzel carts per capita in the US.
Find it at: Street carts throughout Manhattan and Philadelphia, Philly Pretzel Factory stores
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Pike Place Market, Seattle
Seattle's historic public market dating to 1907 houses 100+ farmers, fishmongers, and artisan vendors with the original Starbucks and world-famous fish toss. One of America's best food markets.
Hours: 9AM-6PM daily
Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco
San Francisco's restored 1898 landmark building hosts premium artisan food producers and a renowned Saturday Farmers Market with Northern California's best farms.
Hours: 10AM-7PM Mon-Fri, 8AM-2PM Sat farmers market
Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia
Philadelphia's National Historic Landmark has operated since 1893 with 80+ merchants selling Pennsylvania Dutch produce, Amish specialties, and Philadelphia cheesesteaks.
Hours: 8AM-6PM Mon-Sat
Chelsea Market, New York City
Built in the former Nabisco factory in NYC's Meatpacking District, this indoor food hall houses the Lobster Place, Dickson's Farmstand Meats, and dozens of artisan food vendors.
Hours: 7AM-9PM Mon-Sat, 8AM-8PM Sun
Grand Central Market, Los Angeles
Downtown LA's beloved food hall operating since 1917 hosts 30+ stalls from breakfast to midnight. Egg Slut, Wexler's Deli, and Belcampo Meat Co are favorites.
Hours: 8AM-9PM daily
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Make reservations on OpenTable or Resy apps for popular restaurants — top NYC and LA restaurants book out weeks ahead
Tipping 18-22% is standard at sit-down restaurants; this is how servers are primarily paid
Refills for non-alcoholic drinks (water, soda, iced tea) are usually free and offered automatically
Brunch is a serious weekend institution — expect 30-60 minute waits at popular spots; arrive early or make reservations
Portion sizes at American casual restaurants are large — consider sharing appetizers or main courses
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $8-15/meal | Food trucks, street food, fast casual restaurants |
| Mid-range | $20-45/meal | Casual sit-down restaurants with one drink |
| Upscale | $75-200+/meal | Upscale and fine dining restaurants with wine |