Big cities get all the credit when it comes to food. New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles dominate the conversation, but some of the most exciting eating in America happens in towns you’ve probably never thought to visit — places where the population fits in a single zip code but the restaurant scene punches well above its weight.
Here is a list of 16 tiny towns where the food alone is reason enough to make the drive.
Yountville, California
With fewer than 4,000 residents packed into just 1.5 square miles, Yountville holds the unofficial title of culinary capital of Napa Valley — and it earns it. It boasts more Michelin-rated restaurants per capita than any other destination in the U.S.
Thomas Keller’s legendary The French Laundry is the headline act, but spots like Bouchon Bistro, Ciccio, and Ad Hoc mean you could eat exceptionally well here for a week without repeating yourself.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by German immigrants, and their influence on the food culture is still evident today — from authentic schnitzel at Otto’s German Bistro to pastry-laden bakeries on Main Street. Food and Wine Magazine recently made the case that Fredericksburg’s food scene is the ‘next big thing,’ arguing that as Texas wine earns global recognition, this Hill Country town shows how food and wine evolve best together…