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Best Small City for Foodies

By Readers' Choice On 7/3/25 at 12:00 PM EDT

Plan your next getaway around all the delicious fare you'll discover in one of these small cities filled with the best foodie finds. Whether you prefer to follow a trail of award-winning restaurants or uncover your own gem in a sea of diverse, delicious choices, this list of charming towns features restaurant scenes that will surprise even the most seasoned palate. Hit the road and resist the urge to stop for lunch on the way to your next foodie adventure.

These 10 small cities were selected by our featured panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

1. Oxford, MS

Oxford, MS

Photo courtesy of Visit Oxford MS Photo courtesy of Visit Oxford MS

Oxford, a town bolstered by literary legends and the arts and culture of Ole Miss, has seen its food scene blossom under the leadership of award-winning chefs like John Currence and Vishwesh Bhatt. Here, a good day starts with a meal at Big Bad Breakfast (order a side of locally smoked meats!) and ends with soul food like the sweet heat okra bowl or shrimp and grits from Bouré.

2. Healdsburg, CA

Healdsburg, CA food scene

Photo courtesy of Stay Healdsburg Photo courtesy of Stay Healdsburg

Nestled in the middle of California's Wine Country, Healdsburg offers a restaurant landscape studded with Michelin Stars and lauded by the James Beard Foundation. Visitors can meander around its charming plaza and downtown on a tasting tour, pausing for bites and sips at places like Costeaux French Bakery, Spoonbar and Bravas. And if you're lucky enough to snag a reservation, the acclaimed SingleThread restaurant features a 10-course tasting menu.

3. Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC

Photo courtesy of Explore Asheville Photo courtesy of Explore Asheville

Self-proclaimed as Foodtopia, Asheville's food scene has an eclectic mix of restaurants that highlight the city's bohemian, Southern charm. Farm-to-table spots like Posana source ingredients from the lush gardens that surround this mountain city, and hospitality has never been higher than at Cúrate, recognized by the James Beard Foundation for its warm, attentive service. Beer and BBQ fill many corners, too, with local brews and Carolina-style roasted meats.

4. Burlington, VT

Burlington, VT food scene

Photo courtesy of Hello Burlington Photo courtesy of Hello Burlington

Known for its craft beer and delicious cheeses, Burlington enjoys a lakeside location close to farms that supply its restaurants with seasonal ingredients, inspiring a range of flavors. You can share small Mediterranean plates at Honey Road or indulge in a cheeseboard with a beer from one of the 30 draft lines at The Farm House Tap & Grill. Don't leave without trying Vermont's famous creemee from Little Gordo.

5. Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe, NM

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Spice up your next getaway with a stay in Santa Fe, where you'll uncover inspiring flavors influenced by its Native American, Spanish and Mexican heritage. In between tours of the historic architecture and colorful art galleries, you can try local specialties like crisped breakfast burritos from Cafe Pasqual's or indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience with a nine-course meal at Sazón with curated tequila, mezcal and wine pairings.

6. Greenville, SC

Greenville, SC

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Ever since Greenville began revitalizing its downtown area, talented chefs and restaurateurs have been flocking to this burgeoning city to join its culinary community. Though anchored by its farm-fresh Southern fare at places like Soby's, this city's food scene is diverse, offering everything from dim sum and birria ramen to goat korma and gyros. Tack on coffee shops like Methodical and bakeries like Rise, and it's a no-brainer foodie destination.

7. Gulf Shores, AL

Gulf Shores, AL

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If you can't get enough of fresh seafood, plan your next vacation in Gulf Shores. After a day on the beach, you can eat at humble dives like Sloop for Gulf-caught shrimp or splurge on a fine-dining experience at Coast, where stunning sea views are served alongside oysters and crab. Reel in a big one on a fishing excursion? Several local restaurants will even cook your catch.

8. Traverse City, MI

Traverse City, MI

Photo courtesy of Meg Bowen Photography/Traverse City Tourism Photo courtesy of Meg Bowen Photography/Traverse City Tourism

Popular for its bountiful cherry orchards, growing wine region and lakeside location, Traverse City is an area where you're just as likely to have a memorable meal at a refined restaurant as at a local microbrewery. Keep it casual with patio lunches at Farm Club, relish an intimate supper at The Cooks' House and enjoy mouthwatering freshwater fish at the Boathouse.

9. Fredericksburg, TX

Fredericksburg, TX

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You might not expect to stumble upon delicious European cuisine in the middle of the Lone Star State, but Fredericksburg has a rich German heritage that continues to influence this delightful Texas Hill Country city. Start your day at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant with a pancake dusted with powdered sugar, served with lemon wedges, and then savor a plate of wurst and sauerkraut from Otto's at dinner.

10. Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Photo courtesy of CarmelCalifornia.com Photo courtesy of CarmelCalifornia.com

Carmel-by-the-Sea boasts more restaurants per capita than other city in the country—that alone should pique any foodie's interest. But add on its enchanting oceanside village vibe with access to the freshest seafood and some of the best wine in America, and it quickly becomes an epicurean paradise. Even Michelin has taken notice, awarding its most coveted stars to restaurants like Chez Noir and Aubergine.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Pamela Baker

Pamela & Gary Baker

Pamela Baker is a freelance travel writer based in Northern California. She has written for local, national and international publications. Pam is also the former editor for Sacramento Lifestyle Magazine. She loves train travel, small ship sailing and exploring wine regions throughout the world. Together with her husband and frequent co-writer, Gary Baker, she can be found wandering through California's Gold Country, trekking through the Northwest, and exploring wide swaths of Australia. Follow their adventures at pamandgarybaker.com.

Gavin Booth

Gavin Booth of coupleinthekitchen.com specializes in recipe development, all things grilling, food- and wine-based travel and romantic destinations of the world. He has extensive travel experience, visiting all 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. He's a full-time recipe developer, photographer, videographer and writer.

Peggy Cleveland

Marguerite "Peggy" Cleveland is a travel and food writer focusing on cultural experiences, food and wine for travelers over 50. She runs the website Peggy, Where Should I Go? and contributes to Business Insider, SheBuysTravel, TravelAwaits, Northwest Travel and Life, and Food, Wine & Travel. Peggy is the author of 100 Things to Do in Tacoma Before You Die with Reedy Press. Her writing highlights unique destinations and local cuisine, offering practical insights and inspiration for her readers. She is a NATJA and IFWTWA member. Follow her on Instagram.

Shannon DalPozzal headshot

Shannon DalPozzal

Shannon DalPozzal is a writer, memoirist and travel enthusiast originally from Louisiana, now living in coastal Maine. She is the author of Of a Woman: The Journey to Becoming, a deeply personal exploration of resilience, identity and healing. Her podcast, Unpacked, blends memoir, travel and meaningful conversation, offering listeners an honest and often humorous look at life's transitions. Whether writing from the Gulf Coast or the rocky shores of Maine, Shannon brings warmth, insight and a storyteller's soul to everything she creates. Learn more at shannondalpozzal.com.

Susan Lanier-Graham

Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.

Tom and Kristy Manus

Tom & Kristi Manus

Tom Manus and Kristi Flick Manus are freelance travel writers for print and online publications, along with their website smalltownplussize.com. Kristi is a Madison-area native while Tom happily adopted Wisconsin after their marriage in 1995. After living in many states across the country, they moved to Eau Claire. They enjoy exploring different cultures, history, roadside attractions and nature through road trips on backroads and two-lane highways. Along with international travel, they have visited 48 states, with only Hawaii and the elusive Rhode Island remaining.

Amy Piper

Amy Piper is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer and author specializing in luxury and multigenerational travel. She is a native Michigander who travels through the lens of a food lover and has been to 45 states and 41 countries around the world. From getting chased by bomb-sniffing dogs in the middle of the night in Bogotá to being boarding on her plane from Buenos Aires to Paraguay due to the wrong visa, Amy always has an exciting adventure to tell her readers and community of travel enthusiasts. Learn more at followthepiper.com.

Jill Robbins headshot

Jill Robbins

Jill Robbins is an expert writer focusing on family and adventure travel as well as practical tips to help everyone get the most value out of their vacation experience. Jill's work has appeared in AAA Texas, Southern Living, Business Insider, Fodor's Travel and more. She lives in San Antonio with her husband and two sons, but she's usually somewhere else. Learn more about her travels at www.jillgoes.com.

Dena Roche

Dena Roché

Dena Roché is a travel and wine writer published in national and international publications. She is a member of the prestigious Circle of Wine Writers and runs Vin Roché wine + travel classes online and in-person. Learn more at www.vinroche.com.

Robin Smith headshot

Robin Smith

Robin O'Neal Smith is a freelance writer covering food, travel, wine and lifestyle topics. A "foodie," she enjoys savoring the food and wine wherever her travels take her and finding the hidden gems in destinations to share with her readers. She resides in Pennsylvania, and her work has appeared in Potomac Lifestyle, Travel Awaits, She Buys Travel, Extended Weekend Getaways and many others. Robin has appeared on various podcasts as an expert on travel topics. She is a TravMedia member and serves on the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association board. Follow her adventures at robinonealsmith.com.