USA TODAY 10Best
Culinary capitals: Exploring the 10 best city food festivals in the US
Best City Food Festival (2024)
Mouthwatering tastings, live cooking demos, beautiful venues, and top-notch chefs: food festivals celebrate the cuisine of cities across the United States, each delivering a travel-worthy epicurean adventure. But with so many wonderful city food festivals held every year, which ones are the most irresistible?
To find out, USA TODAY 10Best assembled a panel of culinary experts who nominated their top picks. Then, readers voted for their favorites to decide the winners. Here are the 10 best city food festivals in the United States.
- Taste of Chicago - Chicago, Illinois
- Hot Luck Live Food & Music - Austin, Texas
- International Taste Festival - Syracuse, New York
- World Food Championships - Indianapolis, Indiana
- World Food & Music Festival - Des Moines, Iowa
- French Quarter Festival - New Orleans, Louisiana
- MN Food Truck Festival - Minnesota
- Taste of Buffalo - Buffalo, New York
- Fall For Greenville - Greenville, South Carolina
- Queens Night Market - Queens, New York
Photo courtesy of Patrick L. Pyszka, City of Chicago
No. 10:
Hungry locals and tourists alike know that the Windy City casts a wide net when it comes to its food scene, from deep-dish pizza to some of the most authentic Mexican food north of the border. At Taste of Chicago, dozens of vendors represent a mix of old-school favorites, like Chicago-style hot dogs, with an array of international foods, from churros to tandoori, that are influenced by the city's diverse population. Live music and dance lessons add festive energy.
Photo courtesy of Alison Narro
No. 9:
Austin is revered for its live music scene, and Hot Luck Live Food & Music shines a light on both its esteemed music scene and its fast-growing, fabulous food options. Events are held around the city for four days, where you can chow down on the city's most luscious eats. Musical events take place at some of Austin's finest venues, such as Mohawk and Antone's.
Photo courtesy of Urban Earth Graphics
No. 8:
The International Taste Festival is held in Syracuse at the New York State Fairgrounds' Micron Center of Progress building. It's a great place to sample homegrown favorites as well food from around the globe, all for a reasonable price. Live entertainment and a 5K/10K race add to the fun. It's family-friendly, so bring the kids.
Photo courtesy of World Food Championships
No. 7:
As you might guess, the World Food Championships is a competitive event. Participants flex their culinary muscle in a variety of categories, from bacon to BBQ, with a panel of judges choosing the winners. However, you don't have to compete to enjoy; it's a paradise of live chef demos and tasting experiences that will satiate all appetites.
Photo courtesy of Greater Des Moines Partnership
No. 6:
Taking place in late summer in Des Moines, the World Food & Music Festival highlights international cuisine with a diverse group of food and drink vendors, as well as interactive culinary programming. Live performances, such as Irish dancing and taiko drumming, add to the fun and ambiance, truly making this event a feast for the senses.
Photo courtesy of Justen Williams
No. 5:
Get your fill of beignets, boudin balls, alligator sausage, and crawfish in one of the most famous neighborhoods on the planet: the French Quarter. This is New Orleans where the good times reign supreme in food, drink, and music. More than 20 stages throughout the festival area feature local artists performing jazz, R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, Zydeco, classical, and cabaret, among others.
Photo courtesy of Kayla Dawn
No. 4:
The MN Food Truck Festival takes place at several locations around the Twin Cities area, showcasing the delicious depth of its street food and food truck scene. From Thai to Somali, from fresh-from-the-fryer doughnuts to Juicy Lucy Burgers, no one leaves hungry. Live music and DJs add to the celebratory air.
Photo courtesy of Bill Wippert
No. 3:
Taste of Buffalo shows off Buffalo's flourishing food truck and restaurant scene, as well as wines from New York State vineyards. Regional specialties abound, from beef on weck to sponge candy to Buffalo wings. The event raises scholarship money for college-bound students who are committed to studying hospitality and culinary arts.
Photo courtesy of City of Greenville Parks, Recreation and Tourism
No. 2:
One of the country's best small cities serves up a whole lot of food and fun during Fall For Greenville, taking place over three days each October. Sixty restaurants cook more than 250 menu items and suds pour from over 50 taps. Walk off the Latin fusion dishes, pastrami sandwiches, and deep-fried brownies among six stages of entertainment. Little noshers have their very own area with rides and activities, too.
Photo courtesy of Queens Night Market
No. 1:
New Yorkers know that the borough of Queens is culinary catnip, a smorgasbord of global goodies that makes a ride on the number 7 subway line an ambrosial proposal. The weekly, seasonal Queens Night Market is modeled after the popular open-air night markets of Asia, offering street food that showcases the ethnic and cultural diversity of the borough — all at wallet-friendly prices.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Allison Levine
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate,... Read More
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world. She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is www.pleasethepalate.com and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate.
Allison Levine
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world. She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is www.pleasethepalate.com and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate.
Carly Caramanna
Carly Caramanna has a passion for covering the... Read More
Carly Caramanna has a passion for covering the latest in unique food, travel, and theme park trends. Growing up in the carb-filled land of bagels and pizza by the slice (aka New Jersey), her parents instilled a love of all things adventure and food. Featured on CNN Business, BBC, NPR, MSN, Huffington Post, and host of the Attractions Magazine podcast, she uses her expertise as a contributor to Travel + Leisure, Business Insider, Delish, and many more. www.adventuresbycarly.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/adventuresbycarly/ X: https://twitter.com/CarlyCaramanna
Carly Caramanna
Carly Caramanna has a passion for covering the latest in unique food, travel, and theme park trends. Growing up in the carb-filled land of bagels and pizza by the slice (aka New Jersey), her parents instilled a love of all things adventure and food. Featured on CNN Business, BBC, NPR, MSN, Huffington Post, and host of the Attractions Magazine podcast, she uses her expertise as a contributor to Travel + Leisure, Business Insider, Delish, and many more. www.adventuresbycarly.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/adventuresbycarly/ X: https://twitter.com/CarlyCaramanna
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a... Read More
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacob and Esther of Local Adventurer
Esther JuLee and Jacob Fu run one of the largest... Read More
Esther JuLee and Jacob Fu run one of the largest travel blogs in the world, Local Adventurer, where they hope to encourage everyone to find adventure in their everyday lives. They spent 7 years moving to a new city every year and are now based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jacob and Esther of Local Adventurer
Esther JuLee and Jacob Fu run one of the largest travel blogs in the world, Local Adventurer, where they hope to encourage everyone to find adventure in their everyday lives. They spent 7 years moving to a new city every year and are now based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Joanne and Tony DiBona
Travel memories may fade over time, but... Read More
Travel memories may fade over time, but photographs recall those magical moments.
Joanne and Tony DiBona
Travel memories may fade over time, but photographs recall those magical moments.
Kristin Luna
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer... Read More
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Living and many more. You can follow her adventures via her blog Camels & Chocolate or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Kristin Luna
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Living and many more. You can follow her adventures via her blog Camels & Chocolate or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Lori Sorrentino
"Lori Sorrentino is an award-winning photographer... Read More
"Lori Sorrentino is an award-winning photographer and freelance travel writer and blogger, who writes about slow food and slow travel on her blog Travlinmad with a mission to Eat Local, Travel Slow. She also publishes Italy Foodies, about food travel in Italy, and the Naples Florida Travel Guide an insider's guide for travelers heading to sunny SWFL. A former destination marketing manager, her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Tages-Anzeiger, and The Huffington Post among others. Originally from New Jersey, when she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Florida writing about the Paradise Coast and the Everglades."
Lori Sorrentino
"Lori Sorrentino is an award-winning photographer and freelance travel writer and blogger, who writes about slow food and slow travel on her blog Travlinmad with a mission to Eat Local, Travel Slow. She also publishes Italy Foodies, about food travel in Italy, and the Naples Florida Travel Guide an insider's guide for travelers heading to sunny SWFL. A former destination marketing manager, her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Tages-Anzeiger, and The Huffington Post among others. Originally from New Jersey, when she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Florida writing about the Paradise Coast and the Everglades."
Marilyn Johnson
Marilyn Johnson is an award-winning Philadelphia... Read More
Marilyn Johnson is an award-winning Philadelphia area-based food and travel writer focusing on the greater Mid-Atlantic region. Marilyn founded Philly Grub in 2008 and South Jersey Food Scene in 2019. Her work has appeared on MSN, NewsBreak, Philadelphia Today, Cherry Hill Neighbors, New Jersey Monthly, and other online publications. She is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier Philadelphia, a society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality.
Marilyn Johnson
Marilyn Johnson is an award-winning Philadelphia area-based food and travel writer focusing on the greater Mid-Atlantic region. Marilyn founded Philly Grub in 2008 and South Jersey Food Scene in 2019. Her work has appeared on MSN, NewsBreak, Philadelphia Today, Cherry Hill Neighbors, New Jersey Monthly, and other online publications. She is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier Philadelphia, a society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Roberto Serrini
Roberto Serrini is an award winning Filmmaker and... Read More
Roberto Serrini is an award winning Filmmaker and Travel Journalist who has lent his vision to such global brands as Nike, Google and Apple. He has produced hundreds of short subject documentaries about travel and culture, and is extremely active in the film festival community earning over 100 wins and nominations globally. His commercial work can be seen at www.robertoserrini.com and you can connect with him socially @serrini on all social media platforms.
Roberto Serrini
Roberto Serrini is an award winning Filmmaker and Travel Journalist who has lent his vision to such global brands as Nike, Google and Apple. He has produced hundreds of short subject documentaries about travel and culture, and is extremely active in the film festival community earning over 100 wins and nominations globally. His commercial work can be seen at www.robertoserrini.com and you can connect with him socially @serrini on all social media platforms.
Sky Ariella
Sky Ariella is a professional writer and full-time... Read More
Sky Ariella is a professional writer and full-time traveler originally from New York. After graduating from Hunter College in 2018, she took a solo trip around six Southeast Asian countries. Since then, Sky has traveled to 13+ countries from South America to Europe and she’s written for major travel publications like Travel Lemming, Explore, Booking, and In The Know Traveler, along with publishing on her own blog. She’s written for other types of publications like Zippia, FashionCast, and Inspired Momentum Magazine, and currently writes documentary scripts for a major YouTube channel. Follow Sky on Instagram @skyariella, check out her blog on Medium, and learn more about her work on skyariella.com.
Sky Ariella
Sky Ariella is a professional writer and full-time traveler originally from New York. After graduating from Hunter College in 2018, she took a solo trip around six Southeast Asian countries. Since then, Sky has traveled to 13+ countries from South America to Europe and she’s written for major travel publications like Travel Lemming, Explore, Booking, and In The Know Traveler, along with publishing on her own blog. She’s written for other types of publications like Zippia, FashionCast, and Inspired Momentum Magazine, and currently writes documentary scripts for a major YouTube channel. Follow Sky on Instagram @skyariella, check out her blog on Medium, and learn more about her work on skyariella.com.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
