Nashville
Fenwick's 300? The name gives a nod to Kevin Bacon's character in the movie Diner, as well as a perfect score in bowling. Appropriate since this spiffy…
Must-see restaurants in Southern USA
Charlotte
Dining here is a no-frills experience, from the dreary setting to the humdrum dining room, but if you enjoy Indian vegetarian food it’s well worth it. The…
Nashville
Ever dreamed of eating a bowl of noodles next to a stuffed Hello Kitty doll? Well, lucky you, Meet Noodles has all the stuffed dolls and noodles you can…
Arkansas
A beloved local favorite, The Pantry specializes in the cuisine of Germany and the Czech Republic, serving up bratwurst, jaeger schnitzel, Hungarian…
New Orleans
The grease is as prevalent as the '70s rock in this laid-back place, where hipsters in dirty tennis shoes serve hipsters in wool caps. Burgers, shakes,…
Arkansas
Opened in 1905, the Ohio Club used to host a (literal) murderers' row of gangsters, including Al Capone, Bugsy Segel and Lucky Luciano, plus celebrities…
Nashville
This mini-cafeteria keeps it old school, offering meat-and-threes (one meat, three sides) daily. Beyond that, a surprise favorite is the healthy-ish goat…
Coastal Georgia
On the main intersection in St Marys, this friendly, chintzy cafe serves big sandwiches to go, with a side of either potato salad or pasta. Plus, it does…
Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
The Frenchmen St outpost of this popular local franchise serves sausages ranging from 'duck dogs' to alligator sausage to hot Cajun sausage layered with…
Alabama
Slightly upscale American cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, is served to a buzzing crowd at this popular spot. A whole wood-fired lobster makes…
Outer Banks
Top spot for a sandwich to go, ahead of a cruise or hike. This cafe serves curb-sized creations like The Godfather – with hot Italian ham, salami,…
Asheville
The flagship downtown location of this Asheville-based chain is renowned for New Southern favorites, such as shrimp and grits with goat's cheese – even if…
Alabama
The romantic restaurant of choice for many Fairhopers, we're more into Sunset Pointe for, well, its sunsets – which are pretty damn beautiful thanks to a…
French Quarter
An informal and quiet local spot in the Lower Quarter, Mona Lisa is dim, dark and candlelight-romantic in its own quirky way. Kooky renditions of Da Vinci…
New Orleans
A convenient po’boy place with a fun atmosphere, Mahony’s is a welcome if sometimes expensive choice. Digs are a converted Magazine St house with a tiny…
Coastal North Carolina
Just off Front St, Aqua is heavy on local produce and seafood, with some gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options for good measure. The cast iron–seared…
Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
Need a good breakfast to start your day or to soak up the excesses of the night before? It's the most important meal of the day, and you could do a lot…
Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant
Downtown & the Gulch
Big families and hungover bachelorettes ease into the day at this hoppin' joint, where biscuits and gravy, slow-smoked barbecue, eggs Benedict and fine…
Coastal North Carolina
For an unpretentious local seafood and craft beer, it has to be this surf-themed bar-restaurant. Boards hang from the ceiling, sport plays on screens,…
New Orleans
Willa Jean sells itself as a contemporary Southern bakery/breakfast and lunch counter – you'll find braised short ribs and poached eggs in a decadent…
North Georgia
In a pretty setting on Lake Toccoa, this casual, clubhouse-style restaurant dishes up good burgers, sandwiches and chicken wings over creaky hardwood…
Coastal Georgia
Jerk chicken, West Indian curry, oxtail in gravy and spicy escovitch (vinegar-pepper sauce) with shrimp or snapper (plus habanero-pepper sauce) are just…
East Tennessee
Escape the tourist hordes on the main drag and grab a bite at this locals' favorite with friendly waitstaff ('Here's your menu, baby…') and a long list of…
South Georgia
The family that owns Sprayberrys has been making barbecue for almost 100 years. The cafeteria-style eatery looks like it hasn't changed in half a century,…
Cajun Country
In South Louisiana, Boudreau & Thibodeau are the butt of dozens of Cajun jokes. In Houma, it's the name of a popular restaurant that cranks out local…
Alabama
One of Huntsville's most popular restaurants is this German food hall, which looks like a Bavarian hunting lodge and serves up platters of sausage,…
French Quarter
Fins focuses, almost entirely, on fish: freshly caught and prepped so that the flavor of the sea is always accented and never overwhelmed. For New Orleans…
New Orleans
More than a name, NOSH tries to live up to the social house example. Inside the bright dining room, communal tables seat diners near each other, who order…
Main Street Fudge & Ice Cream Shop
South Georgia
Your one-stop shop for a sweet treat in Senoia. Choose from 12 flavors of ice cream, 21 kinds of fudge, brownie bombs, cheesecake and banana pudding. Plus…
South Georgia
Casual, low-cost breakfast and barbecue joint under a tin roof on Senoia's Main St. Serves up satisfying plates of Southern buttermilk biscuits, chicken…
Alabama
For such a student-y area, Tuscaloosa doesn't have a ton of diners where you can gorge yourself until they roll you out of the restaurant. That's why we…
North Georgia
This historic greasy spoon has been at it since the Great Depression. Eggs, hash browns, pancakes and French toast stuffed with cheesecake pudding (what?)…
New Orleans
Looking not unlike a large, rectangular eggplant, this bright purple food truck at Boucherie serves up frozen daiquiris and tasty wings, pork, brisket and…
Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
This little restaurant, slotted next to the ribald karaoke at Kajun's, pumps out wonderful bowls of pasta. The homemade sauces are creative and tasty,…
Coastal Georgia
A Greek cafe that does a take on the gyro: pork, lamb or beef are seasoned and pounded into gyro-like strips (it doesn't have a rotisserie), piled with…
New Orleans
This ode to the Greatest Generation looks like a 1940s doo-wop diner: white-capped waitstaff beside the tables and black-and-white photos on the wall…
New Orleans
The food is fresh and light but deceptively filling inside this spare and shiny cube. Magasin has an airy coffee-shop vibe, and one almost expects to see…
Arkansas
There are no big surprises on the menu at the Southbound – this is a roll-up-your-sleeves spot for burgers, pizza, and similar pub grub – but the food is…
East Nashville
Every city has a version of the fun-loving Rosepepper. There's a cactus emblazoned on the menu, and free chips and salsa on the table. The fare is…
French Quarter
This popular spot near the gay end of Bourbon St resembles an Edward Hopper painting, in which the clientele consists of an out-of-makeup drag queen and a…
