Current Leaderboard for Best Small Town Food Scene
Traveling to a small town shouldn't mean sacrificing flavor. These 20 small towns have big food scenes with chef-driven restaurants, local flavors, and plenty of variety for their size. Vote for your favorite once per day until the poll closes on Monday, June 6 at noon ET. The 10 winning small towns, as determined by your vote, will be announced on Friday, June 17. Read the official Readers' Choice rules here.
Traveling to a small town shouldn't mean sacrificing flavor. These 20 small towns have big food scenes with chef-driven restaurants, local flavors, and plenty of variety for their size. Vote for your favorite once per... Read More
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1. Abingdon - Virginia
This walkable town in the Virginia Highlands has always had a... More >
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2. Thibodaux - Louisiana
The town of Thibodaux, situated in Southeast... More >
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3. Lewisburg - West Virginia
There’s a lot to eat in downtown Lewisburg, morning,... More >
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4. Stillwater - Minnesota
According to 10Best Local Expert Chelle Koster Walton,... More >
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5. Los Alamos - California
This town of under 2,000 northwest of Los Angeles has a rich... More >
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6. Port Townsend - Washington
With its collection of Victorian buildings, art galleries,... More >
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7. Traverse City - Michigan
Known first and foremost for its beautiful freshwater... More >
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8. Newberg - Oregon
Located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine country,... More >
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9. Vail - Colorado
You expect fine dining when you’re in Vail, and you... More >
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10. Cambria - California
This seaside town of 6,000 between Los Angeles and San... More >
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11. Bar Harbor - Maine
Lobster. Lobster bisque. Lobster rolls. Eggs Benedict with... More >
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12. Fredericksburg - Texas
Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country and one of the... More >
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13. Hershey - Pennsylvania
Built originally as a bucolic company town for employees at... More >
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14. Mystic - Connecticut
You’d expect a seaport village to have great seafood,... More >
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15. Bluffton - South Carolina
Hungry visitors to Bluffton will find locally caught seafood... More >
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16. Lahaina - Hawaii
Many hungry tourists on Maui’s western shore translate... More >
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17. Hammonton - New Jersey
This “Blueberry Capital of the World” is chock... More >
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18. Aurora - New York
Founded in 1795, this sleepy little college town on Cayuga... More >
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19. Ketchum - Idaho
Whether visiting Sun Valley for skiing or summer sports,... More >
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20. Saugerties - New York
Midway between New York City and Albany, Saugerties has over... More >
The Experts
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased... Read More
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
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.
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has... Read More
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Sherel Purcell
Sherel Purcell is a travel writer who specializes... Read More
Sherel Purcell is a travel writer who specializes in golf, Montreal and Quebec, contemporary art, cycling and food and wine. Her articles appear on USA Today's 10Best, About.com, Aol, Matador, Vacay, Travel+Escape and other large sites as well as print magazines including Dreamscapes (The Globe and Mail) and Frommer's Budget Travel. Her travel photos have appeared in the video, "A New York Minute" on the Smithsonian website and Brand USA. She has received an editorial award from Parenting Publications of America and a nomination from "See America".
Sherel Purcell
Sherel Purcell is a travel writer who specializes in golf, Montreal and Quebec, contemporary art, cycling and food and wine. Her articles appear on USA Today's 10Best, About.com, Aol, Matador, Vacay, Travel+Escape and other large sites as well as print magazines including Dreamscapes (The Globe and Mail) and Frommer's Budget Travel. Her travel photos have appeared in the video, "A New York Minute" on the Smithsonian website and Brand USA. She has received an editorial award from Parenting Publications of America and a nomination from "See America".
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
