USA TODAY 10Best
Hungry? Collingswood, N.J. was voted the Best Small Town Food Scene!
Best Small Town Food Scene (2018)
Tasty things sometimes come in very small packages. These 10 small towns – each with a population of under 25,000 – have big food scenes with chef-driven restaurants, local flavors and plenty of variety, especially given their small size.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Small Town Food Scene are as follows:
Photo courtesy of Steven Depolo / Flickr
No. 10: Frankenmuth - Michigan
Frankenmuth's German heritage is evidenced in its cuisine, but the culinary scene here goes far beyond Bavarian. The town boasts Michigan's oldest brewery and winery (Frankenmuth Brewery and St. Julian Wine Company), as well as a wine bar (Prost Wine Bar & Charcuterie) and a cocktail bar and pizzeria (Tiffany's Food & Spirits). Willis Sausage Company makes more than 100 varieties, and the Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen is on hand to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Juanmonino
No. 9: Naples - Florida
Gourmet chefs abound in Naples, where the culinary scene is dominated by seafood and Italian. Sicily-born Chef Vincenzo Betulia's creations at Osteria Tulia are as good as they come, while small plates are the name of the game at Sea Salt, a restaurant by Venice-born Fabrizio Aielli and partner Chef Jason Goddard. Besides Italian, you will find everything from French to Persian cuisine in the Naples area.
Photo courtesy of Doug Kerr / Flickr
No. 8: Hudson - New York
Hungry travelers in the town of Hudson face a tough decision: where to eat! The Rivertown Lodge shines at brunch, while Tanzy’s serves baked goods, sandwiches and afternoon tea. Take a journey to the tropics at Lil Deb’s Oasis, grab a farm-to-table burger at Grazin’ or splurge at the James Beard-nominated Fish & Game, housed in a former blacksmith shop.
Photo courtesy of Brian Schott/ Explore Whitefish
No. 7: Whitefish - Montana
While best known for its menu of outdoor adventures, the small town of Whitefish knows how to satisfy big appetites as well. Four-time James Beard nominee Chef Andy Blanton takes the helm at Cafe Kandahar, known for its modern, seasonal cuisine, while Chef David Lewis cooks up “Mountain Mexican” at Pescado Blanco. Find breakfast and American comfort food at Loula’s, Mediterranean flavors at Latitude 48, Cajun fare at Tupelo Grille and pit BBQ at Piggyback.
Photo courtesy of Visit California
No. 6: Yountville - California
Think Yountville, and three words come to mind: The French Laundry. The self-proclaimed "Culinary Capital of Napa Valley" has plenty of other worthy eating establishments; in fact, the tiny village has more Michelin stars per capita than any other place in North America. With options like Ad Hoc, Bouchon, Bottega and Bistro Jeanty, it's hard to go wrong!
Photo courtesy of iStock / Jenniveve84
No. 5: Covington - Louisiana
While the town of Covington certainly serves up plenty of Cajun flavors in the form of crawfish boils, fried oysters and Louisiana blue crab soup, the 100-plus restaurant offerings also include freshly roasted coffee, hand-rolled sushi, Thai, Greek and Cajun fusion.
Photo courtesy of Discover Winters / Facebook
No. 4: Winters - California
The small town of Winters, a hidden culinary gem in the already delicious California culinary landscape, is home to several travel-worthy restaurants, including Buckhorn Steakhouse, Putah Creek Cafe, Ficelle’s Tapas Bar, Preserve Public House and Turkovich Family Wines.
Photo courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
No. 3: Orange Beach - Alabama
The sugar white sand beaches aren’t the only draw in coastal Orange Beach, Alabama. A lineup of creative chefs have taken inspiration from the Gulf of Mexico bounty, including three-time James Beard nominee Chef Bill Briand with his upscale Fisher’s Upstairs. Anchor bar serves up seafood-centric bar fare (think fried oysters and seared sea scallops) while The Gulf pairs stellar views with a mean grouper sandwich.
Photo courtesy of Visit Abingdon
No. 2: Abingdon - Virginia
While Abingdon is perhaps best known for its performing and visual arts, its culinary scene is equally creative. Local chefs draw inspiration from the area’s farming heritage as they craft an eclectic mix of cuisines. Satisfy a sweet tooth at 149 Sweets, sample some smokey barbecue at Bone Fire Smokehouse, enjoy afternoon tea at Camella’s or dine on raw plant-based dishes at Chef Jennifer’s Raw Life Giving Cuisine.
Photo courtesy of Gannett, Douglas Bovitt/(Cherry Hill, N.J.) Courier-Post
No. 1: Collingswood - New Jersey
Hungry travelers will find flavors from around the world coming from the kitchens of Collingswood, known as South Jersey's "Restaurant Row." Eateries run the gamut from casual (Bobby Chez Famous Lump Crab Cakes, Collingswood Diner, Primo Hoagies) to upscale (Hearthside, Bistro di Marino) and everything in between.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Marla Cimini (USA TODAY), Beth D'Addono (100 Things To Do in New Orleans Before You Die), Deborah Fallows (Our Towns: A 100,000 Journey into the Heart of America), Eric Grossman, Anna Hider (Roadtrippers), Gerrish Lopez and Chelle Koster Walton were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of travel in the United States.
Congratulations to all these winning small towns!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Anna Hider
Anna is a writer and social media manager for
Anna is a writer and social media manager for Roadtrippers, the coolest trip-planning site and app on the planet, where she's spent two years digging up the coolest off-the-beaten-path things for travelers to see and do. She loves hiking, exploring, and sometimes even getting lost in a good state park, and is definitely a sucker for any place with a waterfall, a ghost town or a beach.
Anna Hider
Anna is a writer and social media manager for Roadtrippers, the coolest trip-planning site and app on the planet, where she's spent two years digging up the coolest off-the-beaten-path things for travelers to see and do. She loves hiking, exploring, and sometimes even getting lost in a good state park, and is definitely a sucker for any place with a waterfall, a ghost town or a beach.
Beth D'Addono
Beth D'Addono is a food and travel writer obsessed... Read More
Beth D'Addono is a food and travel writer obsessed with flavor, exploring cultures, street music and the city of New Orleans. Beth writes about New Orleans and other destinations for outlets including USA TODAY, AAA Traveler, Taste, Country Roads and others. Her book 100 Things To Do in New Orleans Before You Die delivers an authentic New Orleans experience for lifelong New Orleanians, transplants and visitors. Take an audio tour here. She also wrote The Hunt New Orleans, a local's guide to restaurants, shops and experiences.
Beth D'Addono
Beth D'Addono is a food and travel writer obsessed with flavor, exploring cultures, street music and the city of New Orleans. Beth writes about New Orleans and other destinations for outlets including USA TODAY, AAA Traveler, Taste, Country Roads and others. Her book 100 Things To Do in New Orleans Before You Die delivers an authentic New Orleans experience for lifelong New Orleanians, transplants and visitors. Take an audio tour here. She also wrote The Hunt New Orleans, a local's guide to restaurants, shops and experiences.
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton – the Local Expert for... Read More
Chelle Koster Walton – the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean – has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton – the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean – has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Deborah Fallows
Deborah Fallows is a writer and a linguist. She is... Read More
Deborah Fallows is a writer and a linguist. She is the co-author with her husband, James Fallows, of the national best-selling book, Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America, published in May, 2018. Our Towns, the HBO documentary based on the book was released in April, 2021. They recently launched the Our Towns Civic Foundation to support renewal efforts of communities across America. Deb has written extensively on language, culture, travel, and China for The Atlantic, National Geographic, Slate, The New York Times and The Washington Monthly. Her previous book, Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language, is based on her 3-year experience living and working in China.
Deborah Fallows
Deborah Fallows is a writer and a linguist. She is the co-author with her husband, James Fallows, of the national best-selling book, Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America, published in May, 2018. Our Towns, the HBO documentary based on the book was released in April, 2021. They recently launched the Our Towns Civic Foundation to support renewal efforts of communities across America. Deb has written extensively on language, culture, travel, and China for The Atlantic, National Geographic, Slate, The New York Times and The Washington Monthly. Her previous book, Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language, is based on her 3-year experience living and working in China.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel... Read More
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.