Do you love exploring the world of food by trying borscht or tasting Spanish tapas? If one of the joys of visiting new places is sampling new and interesting food, then congratulations! Yes. You are a gourmet. No matter how much you like it, you may need to budget for it, especially as the cost of everything on the planet continues to rise.
However, if you know where you can save a few bucks and indulge in a variety of cuisines, it might be worth it. Thankfully, budget-friendly gourmet spots across the United States cater to home cooks and those seeking local flavor. Here are 25 cities that WalletHub recently reviewed as the most affordable and gourmet destinations.
1. Laredo, Texas
This border town between Mexico and Texas is a delight for foodies looking for a taste of Texas barbecue, Tex-Mex, and Mexican cuisine. There is also a rich coffee scene.
2. Corpus Christi, Texas
Being on the Gulf Coast, you might expect some delicious seafood dishes, and you’d be right. Corpus Christi’s restaurants are full of oyster bars and delicious seafood, but you’ll also find Mexican, Mediterranean, and a variety of Asian cuisine.
3. Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the gateway to Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the Texas Panhandle. This city’s blend of Spanish Revival and Art Deco architecture makes it the perfect location for a thriving restaurant scene. You’ll find craft breweries, wood-fired pizza, crispy cannelloni, and more to whet your appetite.
4. Salem, Oregon
This west coast city thrives on wine, beer, and cider production due to its proximity to vineyards and orchards. Even better news is that prices here are lower than in the nearby city of Portland.
5. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Michigan is home to some unique attractions and delicious food. Michigan is famous for Mackinac Island fudge, Coney Island hot dogs, Cornish pasties, and ponchukis (Polish-infused donuts). Grand Rapids offers a wide variety of international cuisine.
6. Gilbert, Arizona
Locals affectionately refer to downtown Gilbert as the Heritage District. This vibrant area has evolved into a vibrant space with more than 30 of Gilbert’s restaurants, featuring some of Gilbert’s local culinary gems, as well as some of the finest in Phoenix’s bustling gourmet scene.
7. Brownsville, Texas
The town has the triple advantage of having a cuisine influenced by its location on the Mexican border. It’s a coastal town with plenty of seafood and Texas steaks. Additionally, there is a wide selection of international cuisine, including Italian and Chinese cuisine.
8. Chesapeake, Virginia
This East Coast Virginia city is known for its bay blue crabs, oysters, rockfish, and striped bass. Other appealing cuisines include Caribbean, Italian, Venezuelan and Middle Eastern cuisine.
9. Glendale, Arizona
Located about nine miles northwest of the state capital, Phoenix, Glendale is famous for being home to State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals football team. We also have a wide variety of reasonably priced dishes.
10. Fort Wayne, Indiana
This Indiana city is known for its Fort Wayne-style Coney Island hot dogs, but it also has great steakhouses, oyster bars, and a variety of international cuisine. Skip chain restaurants and choose local restaurants.
11. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia is known for its rich culinary tradition and offers a variety of southern-inspired dishes. From juicy oysters and crunchy peanuts to the mouth-watering flavors of barbecue and country ham, these delicious dishes have become synonymous with Virginia cuisine.
12. Louisville, Kentucky
When it comes to food, Kentucky is known for its iconic fried chicken and delicious hot brown sandwiches. An open-faced sandwich enjoyed with both knife and fork, the Hot Brown stands out as the state’s mouth-watering specialty.
13. Aurora, Colorado
Known for its diversity, Colorado’s food culture offers a variety of delicious flavors, including top-notch barbecue, Korean and Indian cuisine. If you’re on a budget and visiting Aurora, try the tangy green chutney dipping sauce, crunchy plantain bhaji, savory fried okra, refreshing mango lassi or sweet carrot halwa.
14. Henderson, Nevada
This Nevada city was once a source of magnesium during World War II, but today it’s a place for affordable dining. If the Las Vegas Strip is taking a toll on your bank account, check out Henderson, which offers American, Korean, Mexican, and more.
15. Garland, Texas
Garland boasts affordability in many areas, including educational opportunities and living. So it’s understandable that affordability is high on the list when it comes to eating out. Popular restaurants include Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery, Bếp Quê (Vietnamese), and Peewee’s Crabcakes.
16. Huntington, West Virginia
Once built on the steel industry, Huntington is a small industrial town on the Ohio River with excellent local markets for agricultural products. Cheap and delicious eateries can also be found here, including popular breweries such as .he is a peddler and Bahnhof Wursthaus & Beer Garden.
17. Billings, Montana
Billings has garnered local love and national acclaim for its ever-evolving and delightful food and drink offerings created by some of Montana’s most prominent residents. The most popular choices among locals are gastropubs, breweries, and steakhouses.
18. Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville borders Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), one of the largest military bases in the world. In Fayetteville’s vibrant culinary world, you’ll find a variety of flavors, from Thai, Chinese, and Mexican to Lebanese, Vietnamese, Cuban, Jamaican, West African, and Filipino restaurants. can. Surprisingly, many of these eateries are more budget-friendly than other cities.
19. Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is known for its love of comfort food. Toledo offers a variety of culinary experiences, including classic Midwestern dishes like Cincinnati chili and Lake Erie perch, as well as Eastern European favorites like pierogi and kuchen. The state is also known for its perfected style of barbecue.
20. Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, located in north-central Texas, grew out of a 19th-century cowboy trading post along the Chisholm Trail. Fort Worth’s culinary scene is deeply rooted in Texas tradition, serving mouth-watering barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine.
21. Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is known for its Tex-Mex cuisine and delicious locally sourced beef dishes. Lubbock, located in northwest Texas, is famous as the hometown of rock and roll legend Buddy Holly. Nearby West his Texas Walk of Fame features a statue of Holly and a plaque honoring musicians from the area.
22. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Located on the west shore of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, Milwaukee is famous for its breweries, and you can take tours that delve into its rich beer industry heritage. The city’s gastronomic scene is equally famous, featuring a variety of cuisines including German, Polish, and specialties like bratwurst and cheese. Enjoy delicious frozen custard while strolling through this vibrant city.
23. Missoula, Montana
Home to the historic Fort Missoula, museums, and a vibrant art scene, Missoula is a city surrounded by rugged natural beauty. The region’s natural bounty creates an outstanding cuisine featuring local favorites and high-quality beef. At the same time, Missoula is also famous for its blue ribbon trout fishing and stunning scenery. river is flowing.
24. El Paso, Texas
El Paso’s cultural diversity is reflected in its historic Spanish missions, arts scene, and vibrant music and dance traditions. The city also boasts a food culture deeply influenced by Mexican and Tex-Mex traditions, offering a wide range of delicious Mexican cuisine.
25. Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa is a major center for insurance and financial services, but it’s also known for its budget-friendly food scene. The city offers a wide range of farm-to-table dining options, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a variety of American and international cuisines.
- Specialties: Travel, History, Food
- Education: Monash University, Australia
- Over 400 articles published in newspapers, magazines and on the web
Lee Winter is a multi-talented Australian journalist currently based in New Orleans. Her passion for solo travel is evident as she expertly tracks down amazing flights and accommodations and shares her wide range of travel experiences with her readers. With her master’s degree in journalism and her bachelor’s degree featuring a double major in history and literature, she brings her unique blend of skills to her own work. Her historical expertise extends to the world of architectural history, and she has worked as a tour guide at historic building museums. But her journey doesn’t end there. She has delved into the art of coffee as a barista and has become a true connoisseur of coffee preparation, running her coffee van at events and markets. Now, Ree leverages her own insights and her expertise to share these topics with her Wealth of Geeks readers.
