When people think about world-class dining in America, their minds usually jump straight to New York, San Francisco, or Chicago. Makes sense — those cities have earned their reputations with countless Michelin stars and James Beard awards.
But some of the country’s most exceptional food experiences are hiding in towns you might drive right past without a second thought. These smaller places have attracted seriously talented chefs who decided that creating memorable meals doesn’t require a big-city zip code.
Here’s a list of 15 US towns where world-class chefs are serving up extraordinary food in unexpected places.
Yountville, California
Tucked into Napa Valley with barely 3,000 residents, Yountville punches way above its weight in the culinary world. The French Laundry, a three-Michelin-star restaurant, calls this tiny town home, and it’s not alone — the place is practically drowning in acclaimed restaurants…