Plan the Trip Around Dinner: The Best Food Cities In 2026
Food travel in 2026 isn’t about chasing the newest restaurant or snagging the hardest reservation. It’s about choosing cities where eating well is built into the day, places where you don’t need a list to find something worth sitting down for. These are the cities where that still holds true.
All you have to do is make your way there, start with something simple, and let the rest of the day unfold.
New Orleans, Louisiana
In New Orleans, food follows tradition more than trend. The recipes here have held steady for generations, and the restaurants are in no rush to change what already works. The result is a city where the meals are consistent, whether you’re in a dining room or a corner spot that hasn’t moved in years.
Gumbo is the place to start, especially at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, where it simmers slowly all day long. Also, a po’boy at Parkway Bakery & Tavern will give you something quick, packed, and overfilled in the best way possible.
Los Angeles, California
As Los Angeles spreads out, the food reflects each corner of the city. You don’t need to stay in one area for long.
Instead, you can move between neighborhoods, picking up something different in each one.
Tacos define most of the days here. At Mariscos Jalisco, their shrimp tacos are fried and simply topped, allowing the flavor to carry through. Another good one is Bestia, which serves up house-made pasta and wood-fired dishes in a room that’s always busy, without losing control.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago handles both ends of the spectrum well. You can keep things simple or settle in for something more structured, depending on how your day unfolds.
When an Italian beef from Portillo’s arrives at your table, it’ll be ready to be dipped and delighted in. For a longer meal, Alinea has a delightful tasting menu that changes course by course, without losing focus. And, of course, we couldn’t mention the Windy City without letting you in on the best pizza spots in Chicago.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon stacks itself up from the river, with steep streets that connect small neighborhoods. The food here is tied to the coast, with fresh seafood appearing in most forms across the city.
At Cervejaria Ramiro, the shellfish will arrive quickly and without much adjustment. Grilled sardines are also a staple here, often cooked over an open flame and simply served, with charred skin and soft bread on the side.
At Solar dos Presuntos, their sardines come out whole, lightly charred, needing nothing more than a little olive oil and salt. Pastéis de nata from smaller bakeries will also give you something to carry with you between stops.