6 Underrated Food Towns You Need To Visit This Year

With cities like Houston, Charleston, Atlanta, and New Orleans, it’s no secret that the South is home to some of the country’s richest and most diverse places to eat. But those big-name destinations are just scratching the surface of what’s out there. Across the region, lesser-known cities and towns are building stellar food scenes of their own. If you love to travel to eat, these underrated food towns are all worth a trip.  

Lockhart, Texas

peeterv/Getty Images

This central Texas town may forever be known as one of the state’s great barbecue destinations, but more recently, Lockhart has grown a food scene beyond smoked meat. As larger cities in the state become more and more high-priced, people—and business owners, especially restaurateurs—have moved to smaller, more affordable towns like Lockhart. Today, downtown is filled with a variety of spots to eat and drink, like Little Trouble, with its fun menu of diminutive plates (ceveche tostadas; heated chicken buns) and cocktails; fancy espresso drinks at Chaparral Coffee; The Culinary Room, a gourmet store that’s known for its homemade banana pudding; and “corner beer joint” Old Pal Bar. And of course, you’ll still find plenty of ‘cue to love from veterans like Blacks BBQ and Kreuz Market and upstarts like women-run Barbs-B-Q. 

Athens, Georgia

Robbie Caponetto

Most visitors to this college town arrive with one thing and one thing only in mind: football. But it’s a major mistake to miss out on Athens’ other major offering: food. A local favorite for freshly baked bread and exquisite pastries, you can’t make a bad choice at Independent Baking Co. Birdie’s, a stylish recent “British-inspired” market and cafe is well-stocked with provisions and a nice spot for salads and sandwiches. For a less casual meal, stalwarts Five & Ten and The National are still going sturdy, newcomer Puma Yu’s is turning out inspired takes on Thai food, and Seabear is a fun spot for seafood. For cheerful hour, skip the sports bars and head to Bar Bruno for Italian aperitivo or The Lark for natural wine.

St. Louis, Missouri

Courtesy of Explore St. Louis

St. Louis is a city of neighborhoods, and nearly every one of them has a delicious reason you should visit. In Webster Groves, join the long line snaking outside of Balkan Treat Box for incredible wood-fired flatbread with ingredients including creamy cheese (Kajmak), beef sausages, roasted eggplant, and grilled fish. Then head across the street to cafe/gourmet store The Annex for treats. Bowood By Niche, part restaurant/part plant store is a serene spot for breakfast or lunch in the Central West End. Find Italian American bakeries, overstuffed sandwiches, and inventive takes on Japanese food at Sado in The Hill. Or treat yourself to cocktails and a stylish Spanish-inspired meal at Idol Wolf in the recent 21c Hotel downtown.

Cary, North Carolina

 The Umstead Hotel

Cities like Asheville and Charlotte get lots of love for their constantly-evolving food scenes, but Cary is starting to make a name for itself in North Carolina’s culinary landscape. You’ll find a surprisingly diverse selection of restaurants here serving food from all over the world: regional Chinese at Taipei 101, Turkish fare at Bosphorus, Ethiopian and Eritrean food at Awaze, Mexican dishes and a “tequila library” at a’Verde, and Mediterranean desserts at Asali Cafe. And that’s just to name a few. There are several local breweries, as well as a Champagne bar, and a cidery. For a special occasion, Herons, at the elegant Umstead Hotel and Spa serves pretty food in an equally lovely dining room. 

West Palm Beach, Florida

Gabriela Herman

Historically overshadowed by Miami and Palm Beach, West Palm Beach has become a food destination in its own right. From old-school Cuban at Havana Restaurant and Don Ramon, to Florribean barbecue at Tropical Smokehouse, to bistro fare in a breezy dining room of The Blue Door, to pretty pastries and brunch at Hive Bakery & Cafe, there are good eats all across the city. Don’t miss coffee at Pumphouse Roastery, and stop by nearby Grandview Public Market, the city’s charming food hall. West Palm’s seasonal Greenmarket is also one of the best in the state.

Columbia, South Carolina

Heather Marie Photography

Charleston’s impressive bars and restaurants draw visitors from all over the world, and Greenville’s culinary star has continued to rise over the past decade, but there’s a lesser-known place in South Carolina that is steadily making a name for itself: Columbia. This year, Lula Drake Wine Parlor won the city’s very first James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine and Beverages Program. The vintage-inspired bar, which also serves diminutive plates to pair with wine, is a comfortable, unintimidating place to learn, try something recent, or just have a fun night out. Lots of restaurants change their menus with the seasons, but Motor Supply Company puts out a recent menu every day, adapting dishes with whatever is fresh and local. Open since 1989, it’s one of the city’s most beloved places to eat. For pizza with toppings both imaginative and classic, head to Il Focolare. The owners, who are also behind the bakery smallSUGAR, know how to make great dough. For burgers, sandwiches, and a fun, casual atmosphere, head to The War Mouth in nearby Cottontown. Downtown bar-restaurant-gourmet store-music venue, Market on Main offers a little bit of everything, along with a popular outdoor seating area.