Yes, some of the big East Coast cities are absolute food meccas - New York, Miami, D.C., Philadelphia, etc. But this post isn't about them (we'll get to those later). Here we want to highlight, in no particular order, some of the best East Coast foodie towns and small(er) cities.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, with its live oaks, Spanish moss and mix of Federal, Georgian, Gothic and Greek Revival architecture, is a beautiful city. More importantly, for our purposes, it's also a delicious city. Its most famous spot these days is probably Chef Mashama Bailey's The Grey, which is somehow high-end yet comforting cuisine (set in a gorgeous, historic, and refurbished setting). We opted for brunch last time we visited, and were blown away by the duck pastrami (with sauerkraut, poached egg and potato rosti). Then there's the zenith of Southern hospitality that is The Olde PInk House, where you can chow down on everything from blackened oysters on the half shell to a pecan crusted chicken breast. And while you're there, do yourself a favor and spend some time at Artillery Bar, one of the most beautiful and imaginative cocktail lounges we've been to on the East Coast. Check out our post about the Best Restaurants in Savannah, Georgia for more information.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston has been on foodie radar for a while now, but this engine of creativity is still very much firing on all cylinders. They've got the original Husk, which continues to churn out locally focused and heirloom heavy Southern dishes, like the Blueridge rabbit, with Benton's ham, local mushrooms and white grits. If you're in need of something a bit more fingerlicking in style, there is the truly epic and award winning Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ. Wondering what to order? Pork. Trust us, you want pork here. And, of course, there is the much lauded dock to table Chubby Fish, where every dish is freshly yanked out of the sea and expertly prepared. Finally, when it's time for that after dinner cocktail, head to the lively but well crafted The Cocktail Club for healthy mix of traditionalist cocktails (i.e. a Paloma) and more new-aged, off the beaten path options like the Certified Lover Boy, with mezcal, passionfruit, dill, agave and lime. It's a deliciously captivating city and one that belongs on every "best of" foodie list. Check out our post about the Best Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina for more information.
Hudson, New York
For food lovers, Hudson is probably the best known of the Hudson Valley food towns, many of which are enjoying a moment in the sun these days. Hudson, though, seems to have gotten a bit of a head start on some of them, with its main drag (Warren Street) boasting a wide variety of eclectic and excellent eateries. Be sure to check out Lil Deb's Oasis, the five time James Beard nominee, which is bathed in bright neon colors and has a eclectic menu with loads of vegetarian options (like the yuca frita, with chimichurri and pickled jalapeno). Cafe Mutton, flagged as one of the best new restaurants in the country, just seems to pour love and attention into everything it does. What other place can you think of around these parts that can claim to make their own bologna (for their coveted fried bologna sandwich)? While you're there, don't forget to stop in for a drink (but dinner is so worth it as well) at WM Farmer and Sons Boarding and Barroom. Visually, they've mastered the repurposed-yet-modern chic look (think: exposed original brick, wide paneled original wood floors, and copper colored overhead lamps that look they they were pulled off the Lusitania). But the food and drinks are excellent as well. Check out, for example, the Burgundy snails (in black garlic, thyme butter and a puff pastry) or their fried chicken livers (with Chilean flame raisins, that sticky sweet and saucy magic that is agrodolce, and pancetta).
Portland, Maine
One of the smaller cities on this list (although not the smallest), Portland punches well above its weight in the culinary skills department. There's the Instagram friendly oyster spreads as Eventide Oyster Co., where, we promise, you'll experience oyster flavors you didn't know were possible. If your soul is craving fire roasted plates amidst open kitchens, check out Fore Street Restaurant. Get anything that has spent time in or near the brick hearth, but make your reservations early, as this is one of the most popular spots in town. And then there is the relatively new Chinese inspired tavern, Jing Yan, where you can warm that belly with vegetarian soup noodles, or head straight for the spice with the Sichuan numbing wings. Portland's got such a great vibe about it, having found a way to remain authentic, despite all of the foodie attention it gets. It's well worth a trip, so check out our post about the Best Restaurants in Portland, Maine for more information.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston's got more fantastic restaurants than one can shake a stick at. And having been in the high end food game for a while, the epicureal diversity is jaw dropping. Interested in some fancy tin seafood from Portugal or Spain? Head to haley.henry (and, please, get a glass of wine while you are there). Looking for a knock-your-socks off 20 course omakase experience? O ya (which has been called one of the 10 best sushi restaurants in the world and has numerous James Beard nods/wins) has you covered. In the mood for some classic and classy Dominican dishes? Yup, Boston has that too - check out Merengue (and get the tostones rellenos de camarones while you are there). An entirely walkable city, with diverse neighborhoods offering dishes from around the world, Boston is a must if your targeting East Coast food forward locales.
Asheville, North Carolina
Nestled in the famed Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a destination for both outdoor enthusiasts and foodies looking for that next great bite. The largest city in western North Carolina (with a population of about 95,000), Asheville has a diverse food scene that demands a visit from any self respecting food lover. The offerings are all over the map, from purely vegan locales like Plant (try their ravioli, with cremini and ricotta, kabacha squash alfredo and truffles), to the high-end Italian on display at Cucina 24 (helmed by James Beard semi-finalist for best chef Southeast, Brian Canipelli), to the Spanish tapas masterpiece that is Cúrate (winner of a James Beard Outstanding Hospitality award in 2022). And while you are there, don't sleep on French Broad Chocolate (named for one of the rivers intersecting Asheville). The line running out the door of this bean to bar chocolate lounge run by Dan and Jael Rattingan exists for a reason - it's amazing. A beautiful city filled with art (head to the River Arts District, east of the train tracks), music (the city offers numerous live music venues, like The Orange Peel) and culture (check out George Vanderbilt's Biltmore mansion), Asheville belongs on everyone's East Coast bucket list.
Burlington, Vermont
A small city pressed up against Lake Champlain and spending much of the year shrouded in relatively colder weather, Burlington packs a punch in the eatery department. Utilizing many locally sourced products (you'll see "Vermont made" almost everywhere), the culinary masters in Burlington's many excellent restaurants can take you all over the world (or, at least, make your tongue think you're a jet setter). A Single Pebble has been a Burlington staple for at least 15 years, offering up exquisitely crafted Chinese dishes (opt for the 9 course tasting menu, you'll thank us later). Honey Road is an eastern Mediterranean mezze spot (helmed by James Beard nominee Cara Chigazola Tobin) with some truly epic eats, like the lamb and rice dolmas and their braised lamb in simit bun. Hen of the Wood offers up an ever-changing menu of simple, locally sourced and delicious dishes. Finally, if you have any interest whatsoever in whiskey, be sure to check out The Whiskey Room. The list of whiskeys (some you know, but others you've likely never heard of (which is the exciting part)) is longer than your arm and the menu includes detailed descriptions of the nose, palate and finish of each (so you can learn to further hone your whiskey sipping skills while you are there). Hands down one of the best whiskey bars we've ever been too.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, with its diverse population (the city boasts one of the largest Asian/Indian populations of any U.S. city) and a near total redevelopment of its waterfront (which begin in the 80s), has blossomed into one of the best food cities on the East Coast. Your options run the gamut, many of which offer stellar views of Manhattan (so you can get your visual fix while your at it). There's Ani Ramen House, which absolutely crushes it with reasonably priced but totally modifiable ramen bowls, bao buns and don buri bowls. Or check out the delicious Indian cuisine on display at Paratha Junction. Or course, the city is filled with excellent pizza joints, like Razza Pizza Artigianale or the acclaimed Bread & Salt. And if you're looking for smoked meats and tacos, look no further than Hamilton Pork.
Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville used be overshadowed, from a foodie perspective, by its slightly larger cousin to the east, Charleston, but this interior South Carolina city of about 550,000 has certainly come into its own. S.B.H BBQ is an absolute must. Anything with the house ground hot link sausage is amazing, but if you're going we strongly suggest you get your soon-to-be-messy fingers on the Sant Louis ribs (half or a full slab, that's up to you). The elegantly designed and wine focused Urban Wren (in downtown) makes a great date night, with its beautiful plating and excellent service. Check out the Fin and Belly (with lightly grilled tun, pork belly, pickled chilies and hot and sour tamarind broth) or their Mezzaluna (smoked goat cheese and ricotta filed pasta, with roasted pepper and creamy parmesan farm greens). Finally, to get your Southern/soul food fix, beeline it to OJ's Diner for some fried chicken rice and gravy and fried okra.
There are more, to be sure, but hopefully this short list of some of the best Foodie Towns on the East Coast will be a useful starting point for you. Have some suggestions? Drop us a line and let us know what we missed or what we need to know!
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