Lowcountry
This cozy Italian kitchen on Johns Island is whipping up some of the best homemade pastas and ambitious mains outside of Tuscany. The carne crudo is light…
Must-see restaurants in Southern USA
Nashville
Since opening in Wedgewood-Houston in 2015, this modern and airy bakery has earned some deservedly positive buzz. Owner Claire Meneely's passion for bread…
Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
This bakery is doing things right. It serves breakfasts – say, shrimp and grits or biscuits and gravy – in a cup (it works!), fantastic quiches, open…
North Georgia
They may never allow us past the Hudson River again after writing this, but the bagels here give anything in New York a run for its money. There, we said…
East Tennessee
The hearty breakfasts are fit for mountain men – and flip-flop-wearing tourists – at this faux mountain camp, which is named for Tennessee frontiersman…
Atlanta
The first of four Atlanta locations for the fiercely traditional (and Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana–certified) Neapolitan pizza from four-time…
New Orleans
The noise level can be deafening, but Emeril’s remains one of New Orleans’ finest dining establishments. The kitchen’s strengths are best appreciated by…
Halcyon Flavors from the Earth
Charlotte
A perfect people-watching perch overlooking the Uptown bustle, the Mint Museum’s light-filled restaurant is ideal for a zestful lunch or more substantial …
Atlanta
An age-21-and-up joint cluttered with Americana memorabilia, the godfather of Atlanta burger joints is where alterna-hipsters mingle alongside Texas…
French Quarter
Back in 1918, ‘Count’ Arnaud Cazenave turned roughly a whole city block into a restaurant that’s served upscale Creole cuisine ever since. The menu…
Memphis
In stylishly revamped digs, chef Kelly English crafts special, avant-garde Southern fusion dishes that delight foodies, hence the James Beard nominations…
Tennessee
If Jason's Bacon is gracing the menu at this stylish ode to the South's finest foods and flavors, just say yes. Or yum. This morsel of smoked pork belly…
Atlanta
This mixed-use complex of hip retail outlets and restaurants is one of the latest anchors of Atlanta's hip and continually gentrifying Inman Park…
Coastal Georgia
The prettiest dining setting on the island is this wooden boathouse-style restaurant situated on a pier. There's indoor seating and an airy nautical…
Asheville
Literally ‘tea and water,’ chai pani refers more generally to inexpensive snacks. Hence the ever-changing array of irresistible street food at this…
New Orleans
Israeli-American chef Alon Shaya has a track record of helming one award-winning New Orleans restaurant after another; such is the case with Saba (Hebrew…
The Triangle
The food at this artfully decorated establishment – one of very few Laotian restaurants in the US – looks as gorgeous as the space itself. Enhanced with…
Asheville
Loved for its hearty homemade food, this bright West Asheville spot fills up each morning with solos, couples and ladies who breakfast; the little garden…
Chattanooga
A skeleton riding a skateboard doubles as the chandelier. Old concert posters cover the walls – can you spot Sleater-Kinney? You might see discarded…
New Orleans
When an ice-cream parlor passes the 100-year mark, you gotta step back and say, ‘Clearly, they’re doing something right.’ Opened in 1905 by Signor Brocato…
East Nashville
Hungry vegans and vegetarians flock to this animal-friendly eatery. Starters include the mind-bendingly 'cheesy' choriqueso, a house-made cauliflower…
Mississippi
if you like your seafood spicy, order the Oysters Orleans. Charbroiled over an open flame with a smoky Cajun sauce, these kicky bivalves will set your…
New Orleans
The steakhouse scene in New Orleans has been steadily improving over the last decade, and La Boca has given the city no small push in the polls…
Charleston
Kind of like a food court, except awesome. Workshop has kitchen space for six within the Pacific Box & Crate development, and these mini-restaurants…
Alabama
Modern American cuisine gets a Southern twist at Cotton Row, one of Huntsville's better upscale eateries. The menu changes seasonally, but you can expect…
Knoxville
Syrian refugee Yassin is a true American success story: he and his wildly popular falafel house have been embraced by Knoxville. The food is fantastic,…
Mississippi
Chef John Currence won a James Beard award and quickly set about dominating the Oxford culinary scene. City Grocery is one of his finest restaurants,…
Savannah
Classic Southern food done upscale in one of Savannah's most consistently great restaurants. Our favorite appetizer is the Southern sushi: shrimp and…
North Georgia
The 100-year-old structure doesn't invite confidence, but this off-the-beaten-path local favorite does killer wood-smoked pulled-pork sandwiches – add…
New Orleans
Every single flavor here sounds – and is – uniquely delicious: Steen’s Molasses Oatmeal Cookie; I Scream Fudge!; Pine Forest; Lavender Honey; Pear and…
Atlanta
Decorated with B&W photography and New York–style subway tiling, the General Muir does Jewish deli par excellence. Bagels, latkes (potato pancakes),…
Cajun Country
This family owned joint serves Cajun diner fare, finally bringing gumbo for lunch and pancakes for breakfast into one glorious culinary marriage. It's…
French Quarter
Irene’s is a romantic gem, tucked in a corner that's generally missed by travelers. Not that it's easy to miss, given the lovely scent of garlic emanating…
Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
This modern American restaurant in a former rice mill uses local ingredients and impeccable technique to compose inventive, flavorsome dishes. Many, like…
Tennessee
Named after the interstate connecting Memphis and New Orleans, 55 South jovially serves up Southern-inspired cuisine and drinks. Sidle up to the open,…
Charleston
Not all oysters are created equal in Charleston, but the Darling serves up the raw goodness. Its light, flavorful selections originate in places like…
Savannah
If you have ever talked coffee with an Australian, you know they are particularly fussy about their java. This wildly popular newcomer is Australian-owned…
Memphis
A flash spot in the Cooper-Young district, serving tasty Southern tapas like truffled deviled eggs with smoked salmon, shrimp and grits with smoked Gouda…
Savannah
Classic diner fare gets reimagined in this bright, airy, art deco-inspired space. We love its dedicated grilled-cheese menu, where you can scale up the…
Atlanta
A mixed-use complex housed inside the historic former Sears, Roebuck and Co headquarters in Atlanta, the largest brick structure in the Southeast. Over 20…
