The New York Times Food desk just published our 2025 list of the best restaurants in America right now. In the course of reporting and scouting for that list, we visit some of the most exciting food cities in America. We already have a whole host of guides to the 25 best restaurants in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago. But this year, we took note of dynamic restaurant scenes in several other cities. We put together short guides to some of our favorites.
Denver
In the last 10 years, Denver has seen a lot of economic growth, and as a consequence there are quite a few newly thriving neighborhoods populated by younger people with disposable income — which is exactly what you need for a robust restaurant scene.
In particular, the Mexican food here is really compelling right now. On that front, the chef Johnny Curiel is building a mini-empire of truly exceptional restaurants. In addition to Mezcaleria Alma, which made our 50 best list, there is his Michelin-starred Alma Fonda Fina, and the very freshly opened Alteño at the Clayton hotel in the Cherry Creek neighborhood. Other great bets for Mexican food include Xiquita, which has downtown vibe, and La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, where you should definitely order the negro version of the namesake dish. The cocktail offerings are top-notch at all of the above.
Sap Sua, one of last year’s Restaurant List picks, deserves all the accolades it has received, if for the trúng và trúng dish of impossibly creamy scrambled eggs, brown butter, fish sauce and trout roe. If you’re the dumpling type, Yuan Wonton’s new location is must for lunch. Also, though it has been around for more than a decade, Rosenberg’s Bagels and Delicatessen is keeping the Mountain West in the national bagel conversation. And if you can make it out to the suburb of Parker, Poulette Bakeshop is world class.
Any of the spots from the chef Kelly Whitaker’s Id Est restaurant group are a good bet. The Wolf’s Tailor and Bruto are justifiably renowned, but I like the hip elegance of Hey Kiddo, and the pocket vinyl listening bar OK Yeah in the back.
When I’m in town scouting restaurants, I’m partial to the old-school vibe of the forthrightly (but perhaps unfortunately) named Brown Palace hotel downtown.
On a nonculinary front, the Clifford Still Museum is one of my favorite museums in the country.
The interplay of Still’s work and the architecture of the space, designed by Brad Cloepfil, feels both placid and alive. It’s a truly inspiring way to spend an hour or so. That’s to say nothing of the mountains, but you don’t need me to point those out. Just look west. BRIAN GALLAGHER
San Diego
Localism is real in San Diego. The vigilant stewardship is everywhere, especially in the water, with surfers staking their spots in the break’s lineup before the sun rises. Perhaps it’s somewhat by design that area’s food scene has flown under the radar.
Lilo in Carlsbad, Calif., is about 40 miles from the city’s airport and technically not even in San Diego county. Lilo’s partners John Resnick and the chef Eric Bost have created a constellation of divine restaurants including Wildland, Jeune et Julie and Campfire that make the drive to North County worthwhile. There’s a retro undercurrent that belies this part of San Diego and time feels intentionally slower at beaches like Stepping Stones and Swami’s.
If you do find yourself in the area, feeling nostalgic for a less frenetic time, visit Lou’s Records on North Coastal Highway 101 for an excellent assortment of used and new vinyl. Nearby is Juanitas Taco Shop, a family-run local spot that’s been feeding the neighborhood for over four decades, where you can grab the kind of burrito that’s become lore to those who live outside of the area: the California Burrito, loaded with exceptional carne asada and French fries, the hallmark of the subgenre.
The mythical burrito, rampant like bougainvillea, can be found everywhere in the 18 incorporated cities in San Diego County. NYT Cooking contributor J. Kenji López-Alt recently visited Don Carlos and the Taco Stand in La Jolla. If you’re headed to that part of San Diego, stay at the Estancia Hotel & Spa, where you can check out the Salk Institute’s beautiful Brutalist buildings or observe people peacefully parasailing by at the Torrey Pines Gliderport. Stopping by Wayfarer Bakery in La Jolla is mandatory for lusciously laminated plum hazelnut croissant, English muffins and sandwiches. (Just make sure to arrive early or preorder if you can.)
And though too close to the airport for a music venue, the Casbah’s pocket-size stage has historically hosted indie musicians, often up and coming. (Artists like the Shins and St. Vincent have all made the sojourn through the local spot.) ELEANORE PARK
San Antonio
I will rhapsodize about San Antonio to anyone who will listen. It is easily one of the most underrated cities — and food cities — in America. It’s Texas history mixed with urban agriculture mixed with breakfast tacos. Speaking of breakfast tacos, you’ll want to start your day with them. The two spots are Maria’s Cafe, where the migas have my heart, and Garcia’s, home of the best brisket breakfast taco in Texas.
You’ve heard of the River Walk, but maybe only the touristy part filled with people taking river boat tours and drinking margaritas out of goblets (no judgment, I love goblet margaritas). I recommend ambling down the River Walk until the colorful umbrellas give way to lush plant life, and you’ll find yourself at the ruins of the Hot Wells Hotel. This was once a stylish destination for well-to-do Texans in the 19th century because of its natural mineral springs, but it closed in 1923. Now, though, you can once again soak in the mineral waters while sipping a Texas beer.
For eating beyond breakfast tacos, locals love to complain about how the Pearl mall is for tourists, but I genuinely love it. Head there and buy a pack of tortillas at Pullman Market, get a giant charcuterie board at Cured then enjoy Texas food at Isidore (which made our 2025 Restaurant List). Another fun place for dinner is Claudine, French grandma food situated in a remodeled home. For barbecue: 2M Smokehouse, and if you’re down for a bit of a drive, Burnt Bean BBQ in Seguin. For those seeking a fancy tasting menu, the spot is Mixtli.
And after dinner, I love Texas’ tradition of ice houses, where locals used to go for ice and a cold beer. My favorite one, which is a more modern take on an ice house, is Burleson Yard Beer Garden. The outdoor scene is always fantastic and full of cute dogs. I should also note that San Antonio is also home to several incredible missions that are all architectural stunners and are not the Alamo. But I’m not against visiting the Alamo, which is currently undergoing major construction so that it will soon tell the full (and fascinating) history of the mission, not just the Battle of the Alamo. PRIYA KRISHNA
Minneapolis and St. Paul
Diane’s Place, in Minneapolis, is a 50 Best pick and also the subject — along with Vinai, one of last year’s 50 Best — of a recent, enthusiastic review by Tejal Rao. The Hmong-American restaurants are representative of what has become one of the country’s more compelling restaurant destinations. They’re located within walking distance of Oro by Nixta and Hai Hai in Northeast Minneapolis, excellent Mexican and Vietnamese restaurants, respectively — or as locals say, Nordeast.
The cultural diversity stretches across the Twin Cities restaurant scene, from Gai Noi, chef Ann Ahmed’s Lao restaurant on Loring Park, to Owamni, the trailblazing Indigenous restaurant from the Oglala Lakota chef Sean Sherman. Bûcheron (also on the 2025 Restaurant List) is a French bistro that draws influence from the North Woods. Adam Ritter, its chef and co-owner, got an early boost working at Spoon and Stable, a standard-setting new American restaurant. Skinner’s Pub, in St. Paul, is a good place to start your exploration of Minnesota’s version of Midwestern square-cut, tavern pizzas.
Locals will tell you that First Avenue is one of the best country’s best music venues. They’re right. Walker Art Center is also justifiably revered. The Twin Cities’ natural beauty is unmistakable in the summer, when you can stroll its many urban lakes and parks, but winter can also be gorgeous. Whenever you come, consider booking a room at the Hewing Hotel and take advantage of its communal sauna, on the roof. BRETT ANDERSON
Portland, Maine
Portland’s dinner scene may have exploded in the past few years, but I think daytime dining is when the best meals happen.
Start with good coffee and pastries at Tandem Bakery. The lines outside do not lie; its laminated biscuits and olive-oil enriched sticky buns are the stuff of legend and worth the wait.
Then for your midmorning snack, stop in at ZU Bakery. The focaccia comes out of the oven at 10:30, and you want to get there in time to eat it still soft, warm and glistening with good olive oil.
A more proper lunch can be had at LB. Kitchen, which is the place for sustainably-sourced vegan and gluten-free friendly food that appeals to anyone who loves thoughtful, full-flavored cooking. Its chocolate chip cookies will make any sweet-tooth swoon.
Although Ocotillo is open for dinner, its mushroom breakfast tacos are the stuff of dreams. Pair an order with their buttermilk masa pancakes and share it with a friend, preferably with a side of house smoked brisket just to round things out.
People rave about the under-the-radar dinners at Bread & Friends (which I haven’t tried yet), but I can tell you their breakfast and brunch is fantastic in a low-key Portland way.
In a funky, bare-bones setting, the Shop offers a changing selection of pristine oysters from across Maine, along with tinned fish, chips and dip and the occasional crab or lobster roll. It’s my favorite place to stop for oysters on a Portland afternoon.
You’ll probably still be hungry when dinnertime rolls around. There’s Mr. Tuna for sustainable sushi and creative hand rolls; Sur Lie for local, farm-to-table tapas; and Izakaya Minato for fortifying Japanese bar food and cocktails; and the tiny but delightful Franciska Wine Bar for complex Argentine food and natural wine.
And of course, you’ll need a lobster roll.
If it’s a nice day, walk along the coast by the lighthouse in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth and stop for a lobster roll picnic at the Bite Into Maine truck. It’s popular so come early or late or be prepared to wait in line. There’s more centrally located Maine seafood gratification in Portland at the tried and true Luke’s Lobster, which always gets it just right. MELISSA CLARK
Follow New York Times Cooking on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest. Get regular updates from New York Times Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice.
The post 5 Guides to Great Restaurant Cities by New York Times Staff appeared first on New York Times.
