Best Road Trips for Foodies: Savor Culinary Delights on Wheels

A road trip for foodies is an excursion that combines the thrill of travel with the delight of discovering delectable gastronomic delights. The possibilities are unlimited, from roadside eateries delivering comfort food to sophisticated establishments showcasing local flavors. So buckle in and prepare to go on a culinary adventure unlike any other. In this blog post, we’ll look at the top road trips for foodies from coast to coast, ensuring your taste buds are piqued at every turn.

Best Road Trips for Foodies

As a foodie, taking a road trip to discover other culinary landscapes may be an amazing experience. Here are the top road trips for foodies that will take you through various parts of the United States:

#1. Pacific Coast Highway Delights – California Dreamin’

The Pacific Coast Highway in California is a scenic route with a plethora of culinary delights. Begin your adventure in San Francisco, where you can savor fresh seafood at the famed Fisherman’s Wharf. Savor succulent Dungeness crab or a bowl of clam chowder on sourdough bread.

While driving south along the coast, make a stop in Monterey to sample the famous Monterey Bay calamari. Santa Barbara, further down the road, awaits with its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients, as well as fine wines from the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley.

Napa Valley, a sanctuary for wine fans and foodies alike, is also located in California. Take a break from the seaside and visit the vineyards, where you can indulge in wine tastings and pair them with wonderful culinary delights. California’s culinary experiences are as diverse as its scenery, providing a foodies-focused road trip that will leave you wanting more.

#2. Southern Comfort – A Taste of the South

A road trip through states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee is an absolute must for foodies seeking the delicacies of the South. Begin in New Orleans, where the food combines French, African, and Caribbean influences. While soaking in the bustling ambiance of the French Quarter, indulge in staples like gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets.

Continue your journey to Mississippi to experience deep Southern food. Mississippi delicacies will leave you wanting more, from luscious fried catfish to scrumptious barbeque. Don’t pass up the chance to eat the famed Mississippi mud pie as a delicious finish to your culinary journey.

Make a stop in Memphis, the cradle of blues and BBQ, as you journey across Tennessee. Tender ribs smothered in tangy sauces or a plate of pulled pork await you. Memphis has a thriving music culture as well as a culinary tradition that will have you dancing and munching your way through this foodie haven.

#3. The Great American BBQ Trail

The Great American BBQ Trail is a pilgrimage for barbecue fans, promising smokey, finger-licking pleasure. Begin your adventure in Kansas City, which is known for its trademark tomato-based sauces and slow-smoked meats. Tender ribs pulled pork sandwiches, and burned ends are served alongside zesty slaw and baked beans.

As you travel south, make a pit break in Memphis, Tennessee, a city with a long barbecue culture. Dry-rubbed ribs are the city’s specialty, and the exciting atmosphere of Beale Street fills the air with live music and delectable fragrances.

Continue your BBQ journey south to Texas, where you’ll come across a variety of regional styles. In Austin, try the Central Texas style of barbecue, which consists of slow-smoked meats with little seasoning. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth brisket with classic sides like potato salad and coleslaw.

#4. Seafood Galore – East Coast Extravaganza

An East Coast road trip is the route to a maritime feast for seafood foodies. Begin your journey in Maine, which is famous for its lobster shacks and stunning coastline beauty. Enjoy a delicious lobster roll or a steaming bowl of clam chowder while admiring the views of the Atlantic Ocean.

As you go south, Rhode Island’s legendary clam shacks beckon. Enjoy a platter of fried clams or a slice of the state’s delicacy, clam cake. The crunchy surface combined with the delicate, salty clams interior is a wonderful pleasure.

Make a pit stop in Connecticut to sample their renowned New England-style seafood. Enjoy a platter of fresh oysters or a plate of buttery lobster. The seafood scene in Connecticut is a hidden gem that will leave you wanting more.

Continuing south, Maryland is a must-see for crab enthusiasts. Maryland is famous for its blue crabs and offers a variety of crab delicacies. Bite into a delicious crab cake liberally seasoned with Old Bay, or relish the sweet, luscious meat of a steamed crab. Don’t miss out on the famous Maryland crab soup, a delectable combination of crab, veggies, and seasonings.

#5. Tex-Mex Tantalization – A Spicy Southwestern Adventure

A road trip across Texas and New Mexico is a culinary joy for foodies looking for robust and bright flavors. Begin in San Antonio, where Tex-Mex cuisine is king. As you explore the city’s dynamic cuisine culture, savor spicy fajitas, creamy enchiladas, and scorching salsa.

Continue west through Texas’ heartland to locate Austin, a city noted for its strong food culture. Try the legendary breakfast tacos, a Tex-Mex specialty stuffed with a variety of delectable fillings such as eggs, chorizo, and cheese. Austin is also home to a plethora of food trucks, each with a unique flavor profile to satiate any craving.

The flavors grow even more fascinating as you travel further into New Mexico. The state capital, Santa Fe, serves a fusion of Spanish, Native American, and Mexican cuisines. For a taste of the Southwest’s rich culinary heritage, try traditional meals like green chile stew, layered enchiladas, and honey-drizzled sopapillas.

#6. Sweet Tooth Paradise: Dessert Destinations

No road trip for foodies would be complete unless you satisfy your sweet craving. Explore dessert destinations that will leave you in a state of sugary delight during your culinary tour. These places will satisfy your taste buds with everything from specialty bakeries to artisanal ice cream parlors.

Asheville, North Carolina, is one such location, noted for its burgeoning food scene and plenty of dessert alternatives. Explore the picturesque alleyways of this culinary wonderland and indulge in handcrafted pies, delicious cupcakes, or exquisite chocolates. Don’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy delicious truffles and savor rich hot chocolate at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge.

Moving west, Portland, Oregon, is a dessert lover’s paradise. The city is well-known for its doughnuts, with Voodoo Doughnut being a must-see. Choose from a variety of distinct tastes and toppings, like maple bacon and fruity pebbles. Portland also has artisanal ice cream establishments.

#7. New York’s Hamptons

The exquisite bikinis and gorgeous Italian sandals are combined with equally chic sunglasses and hats, and that Cobb salad will cost you twice what you pay back home. The tastiest meals come straight from the sea, and the ladies who dine choose the tomato-packed lobster salad and a glass of crisp white wine.

When we’re in town, we go straight to Clam Bar in Napeague. Sure, this modest roadside business is directly on Montauk Highway, but all of the tables are outside, and everything is amazing, from the lobster roll to the fried softshell crab sandwich. Plus, if you’re feeling very charitable, there’s always the lobster-stuffed tomato.

#8. Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Kentucky produces 95% of the world’s bourbon, and Congress designated it as America’s only indigenous spirit. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, founded in 1999 to explain the science of bourbon production, has grown in recent years, bringing millions of visitors from around the world.

It takes around three days to finish, and tours (current guides are listed on the website) include transportation, so you won’t have to worry about driving after a long day of tastings. The trail features well-known brands like Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark (shown), and it can also be coupled with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour to uncover lesser-known distilleries. Those who obtain all nine stamps on their free Bourbon Trail passport will receive a tee shirt.

#9. Route 66

Travel Route 66 through Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and you’ll arrive in the heart of America as you pass through Texas’ tumbleweeds. Look for comfort food and plenty of open roads to blast music and roll down the windows on.

We’re looking for thick and comforting chicken fried steak, indulgent “puffy” tacos, and plenty of pie. The next time we go this route, we’ll stop at Clanton’s in Vinita, Oklahoma. This chicken-fried steak institution appears to be on everyone’s “best” list, topping their buttermilk-dredged beauties in creamy cream gravy.

#10. Green Chile Trail

New Mexico boasts Native American history, a huge blue sky, a vibrant art scene, and beautiful crafts and jewelry, but we can’t seem to get away from the green chiles. A green chile cheeseburger is available at nearly every diner and dive in the state, heaped high with melted cheese and roasted, chopped chiles ranging from mild and sweet to donkey-kick-to-the-head fiery.

The Owl Café in Albuquerque, one of the city’s top gastronomic monuments, is known as much for its 1950s-style diner-inspired decor (complete with jukeboxes and milkshakes) as it is for its green chili cheeseburgers.

#11. Northern California Wine Country

Natural beauty is as important as elegance in wine country. The roads here are lined with rows of grape vines as far as the eye can see, producing fruit for some of the world’s top wineries. California food is simple and fresh, utilizing the best local ingredients such as avocados, olives, and grapes.

If you plan ahead of time—and we mean ahead of time—you could just get a table at The French Laundry in Yountville, one of the most desired reservations in the country. This special occasion restaurant by renowned chef Thomas Keller is a virtual temple to eating fresh and local; before you go, check out their website to learn more about their partner farmers and suppliers. The legendary “Oysters and Pearls,” a celebration of Island Creek Oysters with caviar and sabayon, is a must-order meal.

#12. Maui’s Hana Highway

Driving from Paia to the island’s tip provides an exhilarating view of the cliffs along the Pacific as well as access to hiking trails that continue through the tropical forest down to a succession of waterfalls.

The finest road trips for foodies here begin with poke, which is made of fresh Hawaiian tuna and includes any combination of sweet pineapple and salty macadamia nuts. Whatever you choose to drink, make sure to finish your meal with some amazing Kona coffee.

Mama’s Fish House serves Kauai clams and macadamia nut-crusted crab cakes, as well as a traditional Hawaiian feast with ahi poke, grilled ono, slow-cooked wild hog in its leaves, and luau-style octopus. It’s also a great place to see the sunset over the Pacific. Don’t miss out on these fantastic weekend getaways in every state.

#13. Denver Beer Trail

Colorado now has 2700 craft breweries and counting, more than any other state. With so many options spread out over such a large area, the Denver Beer Trail is a great place to start. The trail includes over 20 breweries, many of which are often paired with food trucks for a truly delightful combination.

Located in an old garage, Denver Beer Company’s Platte Street Taproom (pictured) has one of the city’s largest open-air seating areas and excellent brews on tap, such as Graham Cracker Porter and Incredible Pedal IPA. With events such as author signings and book clubs, Fiction Beer Company takes a literary approach to beer. Travelers like Old Bums and Beat Cowboys, a pale ale that takes inspiration from Jack Kerouac’s On the Road.

Conclusion

A road trip for foodies is a culinary adventure that allows you to taste your way through diverse culinary landscapes. From California’s Pacific Coast Highway to the BBQ trails of the South, each road trip promises a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable culinary experience. There’s a road trip for everyone, whether you’re a seafood connoisseur, a barbecue connoisseur, or a fan of international flavors.

Be sure to embrace the local culinary culture, try regional specialties, and discover hidden gems off the beaten path as you embark on these foodie road trips. Each stop along the way offers a new opportunity to indulge in the flavors that make each region unique, from iconic dishes to hidden culinary gems.

So fill up your tank, pack your lunch, and hit the road. These road trips for foodies are about the delicious journey that unfolds with each bite, not just the destination. Good appetite!

References

Frommers

Best Road Trips for Foodies: Savor Culinary Delights on Wheels

Best Road Trips for Foodies

#1. Pacific Coast Highway Delights – California Dreamin’