8 Culinary Experiences That Make These Cities the Best Places to Travel for Food

Some of the most treasured travel memories are often accompanied by unforgettable culinary experiences. From a fresh cup of coffee overlooking a breathtaking view to an exciting cooking class or memorable nightcap by the fire, Select Registry’s portfolio of craft lodging properties are among the best places to travel for food, and of course, fun. Embark on a sweet and savory journey across the U.S. with our list of favorite food vacation destinations.

Paris, Virginia

A Taste of Virginia Wine Country at The Ashby Inn

Slow food travel might be a trending topic, but farm-to-table will always be in season. Set on the rolling hills of Virginia’s wine country, The Ashby Inn & Restaurant is widely known as having one of the best restaurants in northern Virginia for its award-winning cuisine crafted with ingredients from local farmers and artisans that live and work in the region. On its menus, guests will encounter seasonal delights inspired by the inn’s very own garden. Choose between the A La Carte Menu or a decadent five-course Chef’s Tasting Menu for the entire table. 

Designed as a destination for those who delight in expertly paired wine and cuisine, The Ashby Inn & Restaurant offers a series of by-the-glass wine selections at both lunch and dinner for each item on the menu. And if that isn’t enough to draw sommeliers far and wide, the restaurant also showcases an impressive collection of 250 wines representing the major producing regions in the world, including those unique to Virginia. 

Irvington, Virginia

Micro-Vineyards, Local Oysters & Cooking Classes at Hope and Glory Inn

There are many pairings in the U.S. culinary world we all know and love; peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs or cabernet sauvignon and grilled steak. But on the shores of Virginia’s Northern Neck peninsula, Hope and Glory Inn’s on-site restaurant, The Colonnade is pairing local oysters and award-winning wine. This magical union is designed to create a “sense of place” and a culinary tour like no other. Sip and savor local wines from the award-winning Dog and Oyster, with its micro-vineyard planted just out front of the boutique bed and breakfast. 

Guests can indulge in a seasonal prix-fixe or table d’hôte fine dining experience artfully curated by Chef Meseret Crockett and featuring local fare like rockfish, oysters, and crab sourced exclusively from the Rappahannock River. A true culinary experience, seating is limited to only 20 guests and once your reservation is booked the table is yours to savor for the entire evening should you choose to. The Colonnade also offers a special Italian Chefs’ Table, featuring a wine pairing dinner carefully curated by visiting Chef Carmelita Scholes in collaboration with the inn’s acclaimed chef. And for those looking to try their hand at the art of cooking, The Colonnade offers an intimate and interactive Italian Cooking Class led by both chefs. With limited spots available, aspiring chefs must register in advance.

Middlebury, Vermont

Elevated New England Fare at Swift House Inn

In the northeast corner of the country, travelers will happen upon lush green forest, tart ciders that warm your cheeks, sweet maple syrup, and Jessica’s Restaurant at Swift House Inn. In the heart of Middlebury, Vermont—and just two blocks from downtown—this warm and inviting escape is at-the-ready to whisk you away on a delicious dining adventure. From the award-winning wine list to the freshest ingredients that suit the season, elevated New England fare awaits in the historic dining room. 

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

High Country Flavors & Mountain Views at Gideon Ridge Inn

North Carolina is widely known for its rich culinary culture, something the Gideon Ridge Inn dapples in daily. Here, each meal is crafted from locally sourced fare and paired with a side of sweeping Blue Ridge Mountain views. Brushing the clouds at 3,990 feet, the restaurant at Gideon Ridge Inn has been collecting accolades for its stellar culinary achievements year after year—most recently earning recognition as a James Beard Award semi-finalist. Foodies and travelers alike will enjoy its curated menu defined by local farmers. The ingredients change with the Appalachian seasons, but the one thing that always remains on-menu is the extraordinary flavors of the High Country.

Mystic, Connecticut

Sustainably-Minded Dining at The Whaler’s Inn

On the shores of the Mystic River, The Shipwright’s Daughter is capturing a taste of quintessential New England. Located within The Whaler’s Inn in the heart of downtown Mystic, only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients make it to the table at this critically acclaimed restaurant. Also a James Beard Award semi-finalist, its creative menus keep guests on the edge of their seats until the last bite with an ever-changing daily menu. The mission? Sustainability and community. From working with local growers, farmers, and fishermen, to empowering its team members all while serving delicious dishes, this tide-to-table restaurant is committed to honoring every part of the restaurant circle on the plate. It’s easy to see why it’s a must-stop food destination on anyone’s culinary tour.

Newfoundland, Pennsylvania

Mountainside Fine Dining at The French Manor Inn & Spa

Get away to an enchanting stone chateau at The French Manor Inn & Spa for a slice of France tucked away in the Poconos and feel like you're in another country. Sweeping views atop Huckleberry Mountain accompany classic and nouvelle French cuisine at The French Manor Restaurant, offering a prestigious AAA 4-diamond dining experience. Sample gourmet dishes like pan roasted duck breast served with a pomegranate, orange, and pear relish; or french onion soup made with an 18-hour house veal stock, beneath 40-foot vaulted ceilings in the elegant dining room or on the covered terrace. Bon appétit!

Geneva, New York

Chef-Led Experiences at Geneva on the Lake

Amid the historic charm of Geneva, New York an Italianate villa sits at the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Region. Diciannove Dieci is a restaurant that holds the experiences of historic culinary culture close to its heart while adventuring into the future of food. Here, culinary expeditionists can indulge in chef-led experiences like High Tea every Friday and Saturday, featuring a detailed selection of loose leaf Divinitea organic teas and a handpicked menu of light bites for an afternoon of pure luxury. Carefully curated breakfast, lunch, dinner and of course, brunch menus brim with farm-fresh ingredients in the casual ambiance of Geneva on the Lake. American cuisine takes on its own global journey at Diciannove Dieci.

Louisville, Kentucky

Bourbon-Themed Delights at Chateau Bourbon

It’s hard to visit the Bluegrass State without a trip to the Bourbon Trail. Nestled in the heart of Norton Commons, Louisville’s new urbanist community, sweet smells of fresh-baked pastries and soulful spirits waft from Chateau Bourbon, an aptly named bourbon-themed destination. At this Kentucky treasure you can drink your bourbon and eat it too at a three-course, bourbon-infused breakfast or Sips & Sweets Happy Hour, where guests are invited to sample homemade confections that complement the flavor profile of Kentucky’s favorite spirit: bourbon. From rich bourbon caramel sauce drizzled atop apple pie to the restaurant’s infamous bourbon toffee truffles hand-dipped in Ghirardelli chocolate, your sweet tooth will certainly be satisfied. With nearly 100 bourbons on-site, this luxury destination is a must-visit for foodies and whiskey connoisseurs.