First, thanks for triggering wonderful memories of dining with friends in many of these cities. On an expanded list, I would add Cairo - stuffed pigeon alone was an epiphany.
I have to say that one of my favorite dishes I had was in Puerto Vallarta, MX. Buenos Aires in Puerto Modero. New Orleans back in the 90's . I know all these are big name cities but I had some killer salmon and seafood chowder in a town called Doolin, Ireland. I still remember it 10 years later... so good.
Sticking just to the North American list…I’d like to say spot on…but…no judgement….I’ve never been to New York, 😬 so can’t weigh in. However, I’m all in with San Fran & My Chicago. Both were on my list. Big yes to Mexico city, honestly, I’ve never eaten anything from any city in Mexico that I didn’t immediately crave again. I need to revisit LA as an eater, been there several times, but never had the time to really explore. And going to jump on team New Orleans…come on?!
I am on board with New Orleans (some bias - from La but live in Brooklyn). Trading like for like I would add NO to the N. America list and replace San Francisco. Have been underwhelmed in my limited visits.
You've been so many places and had so many food experiences. I guess I just want to think that you would think New Orleans was as special too. I live in North Hollywood, California so there is a great food base here. But nothing is better than getting it from the source or maybe that's old world thinking.
The city of Naples is everything everyone loves about Italian food. It’s impossible to enjoy any derivation of Italian food in the US without tipping a hat to Naples.
Out of the entire list, I have explored many parts of India, middle east and a few countries of Europe. But there's so much to learn from this list 😀✌️
Okay ... probably a sacrilege or something ... but I'm not so sure about jumping on that New Orleans train. But maybe somewhere in the South? There are chefs doing some great things in other southern cities as well. Sean Brock does some great stuff reinventing our more traditional ingredients, and Charleston has some amazing restaurants. Savannah is coming along in leaps and bounds - there has to be something other then the Spanish moss bringing 8,000,000 visitors to the city each year (pre-pandemic). NOLA, Charleston, and Savannah bounce around in Southern Living magazine's Top Food Cities of the South (consistently the top three, specific spots change). Thoughts on Southern food?
Well mine are that it's about time. Much of the Southern experience when I was a kid was either at festival or a homes, not in restaurants. As someone who grew up in the South and still travels the byways a lot it seems that "Southern" food is having a wider renaissance. Yes all those cities and a few more if I am honest are excellent places to eat. What I enjoy though is fining places tucked in out of the way hidy-holes that may not be as refined but are just as enjoyable.
I have to agree ... we've found some amazing bbq, for example, on some back roads that we could probably never find again as we took a 4-hour trip from Millen, GA, to Athens (turning it into a 7-hour trip). Best friend mushrooms EVER in Waynesboro. Mashama Bailey's boiled peanuts (Savannah) are to die for. There is some amazing southern food out there ...
Speaking of which, I'll let you know if my very southern husband likes AZ's collard greens recipe. It's on the stove now.
Hawaii is the farthest I've been. But shouldn't New Orleans, LA be in the group ?
No love for New Orleans? I could die of happiness eating in that city.
First, thanks for triggering wonderful memories of dining with friends in many of these cities. On an expanded list, I would add Cairo - stuffed pigeon alone was an epiphany.
I have to say that one of my favorite dishes I had was in Puerto Vallarta, MX. Buenos Aires in Puerto Modero. New Orleans back in the 90's . I know all these are big name cities but I had some killer salmon and seafood chowder in a town called Doolin, Ireland. I still remember it 10 years later... so good.
Sticking just to the North American list…I’d like to say spot on…but…no judgement….I’ve never been to New York, 😬 so can’t weigh in. However, I’m all in with San Fran & My Chicago. Both were on my list. Big yes to Mexico city, honestly, I’ve never eaten anything from any city in Mexico that I didn’t immediately crave again. I need to revisit LA as an eater, been there several times, but never had the time to really explore. And going to jump on team New Orleans…come on?!
I'm satisfied with your list.. but already, I can hear the whining across the Pacific Northwest: Where is Portland? What about Seattle?
I love both, but not enough for my top 35. :) I open to hearing all arguments!
I would have included Santiago, Chile. But strong agree about Fez as an under-explored gem.
New Orleans ?
It's so good! One of those cities that I love to visit for the food, but not quite as diverse as many on this list.
I am on board with New Orleans (some bias - from La but live in Brooklyn). Trading like for like I would add NO to the N. America list and replace San Francisco. Have been underwhelmed in my limited visits.
I kinda think that's what makes New Orleans special. The spices, the meat and how it's cooked, etc. Does it have to be diverse to be great ? 🍀💙
It doesn't. You all are making me second-guess myself!
You've been so many places and had so many food experiences. I guess I just want to think that you would think New Orleans was as special too. I live in North Hollywood, California so there is a great food base here. But nothing is better than getting it from the source or maybe that's old world thinking.
The city of Naples is everything everyone loves about Italian food. It’s impossible to enjoy any derivation of Italian food in the US without tipping a hat to Naples.
Justice for San Sebastián!
Just returned from Italy. Florence and Venice were indeed delicious. Milan was as well, a bit surprisingly
Out of the entire list, I have explored many parts of India, middle east and a few countries of Europe. But there's so much to learn from this list 😀✌️
Okay ... probably a sacrilege or something ... but I'm not so sure about jumping on that New Orleans train. But maybe somewhere in the South? There are chefs doing some great things in other southern cities as well. Sean Brock does some great stuff reinventing our more traditional ingredients, and Charleston has some amazing restaurants. Savannah is coming along in leaps and bounds - there has to be something other then the Spanish moss bringing 8,000,000 visitors to the city each year (pre-pandemic). NOLA, Charleston, and Savannah bounce around in Southern Living magazine's Top Food Cities of the South (consistently the top three, specific spots change). Thoughts on Southern food?
Well mine are that it's about time. Much of the Southern experience when I was a kid was either at festival or a homes, not in restaurants. As someone who grew up in the South and still travels the byways a lot it seems that "Southern" food is having a wider renaissance. Yes all those cities and a few more if I am honest are excellent places to eat. What I enjoy though is fining places tucked in out of the way hidy-holes that may not be as refined but are just as enjoyable.
I have to agree ... we've found some amazing bbq, for example, on some back roads that we could probably never find again as we took a 4-hour trip from Millen, GA, to Athens (turning it into a 7-hour trip). Best friend mushrooms EVER in Waynesboro. Mashama Bailey's boiled peanuts (Savannah) are to die for. There is some amazing southern food out there ...
Speaking of which, I'll let you know if my very southern husband likes AZ's collard greens recipe. It's on the stove now.
AZ for the win ... these collards are incredible. Haven't served to hubby yet, but you really ought to try his collards recipe.
Oh, and I meant FRIED mushrooms. Obviously. This IS the South.
You couldn’t come up with some Africa choices? Shameful.
I have 2. What are your favorite food cities in Africa???