Travel Guide to Three of the Best American Cities for Foodies

The best cities in the United States for food have unique local cuisine, fresh organic produce, access to great local wines, a wide variety of breweries, and of course outstanding food artisans.

There are, of course, many more great food cities than the three I've listed. These are my favorite, based on my preferences, and also due to the fact that I'm a West Coast girl.

I've traveled throughout the country, but my tastes tend to fall more along the lines of western and coastal styles more than that of the east, southeast, or middle areas of the country. And, of course, I've spent more time in the major west coast cities than anywhere else.

San Francisco

Most lists of the best foodie cities include San Francisco, and it's no wonder. The city by the bay really cannot be beaten for the most exceptional food anywhere in the world, let alone America.

If you're traveling to San Francisco, one of the best places you can stay for the money is The Edwardian Hotel. It's a beautiful hotel with a bed-and-breakfast feel and decorated in Victorian period furnishings. It's also immaculately clean, and centrally located. Rates start as low as $119 per night, and if you're familiar with most major city's lodging costs, you know that this is a bargain.

San Francisco is known for a variety of culturally diverse food. The Slow Food movement was founded here, and, of course, it's famous for wonderfully fresh seafood; dungeness crab in particular. It is also known for all types of Asian cuisine, and even some amazing Italian restaurants. Sourdough bread is also a San Francisco product.

If you're craving seafood and sourdough, head to Swan Oyster Depot. Here you can dine on the best crab, oysters, and sourdough. This is the best luncheon diner in the city. If you're looking for a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean, head to The Cliff House. The restaurant offers great seafood and a delicious Sunday brunch with heavenly popovers.

For an eclectic taste of modern Asian, visit Namu in the Richmond district, and for an extravagant Italian meal, Acquerello is impeccable.

My tastes buds are watering. I'm from the San Francisco area, and my Great Grandfather built his first home here in the Richmond district in 1905, just a year before the earthquake. It's still standing. I think the city is not only in my heart, but it's in my blood.

Portland

Portland, Oregon is known for the saying, "Keep Portland Weird", and I'm glad that it is. I live just a little over an hour away from this spectacular city. Part of what is weird, is the insane food culture. Here you can find lots of vegan and vegetarian cuisine, local and organic produce, and a full spectrum of everything else, and I mean everything.

On one side you have the super health-nut cuisine, and on the other end you have Voo Doo Doughnuts. Here you can eat a maple bar, with a strip of real bacon on the top, a cocoa puffs or fruit loop doughnut, or the jelly-filled voo doo doll. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there's always a line.

What I love about Portland is that you can find anything here. Restaurants include the Screen Door, offering southern cuisine with local and organic produce, and Genoa restaurant, focusing on fine Italian cuisine. LePigeon offers exceptional French cuisine, and if you'd prefer a local brewery, there are 97 of them.

Portland has a large number of its residents who offer a free couch or room via Couchsurfing, but if you'd prefer a motel room, the Hilton Double Tree or Embassy Suites are nice upscale choices.

Seattle

I love Seattle. How many cities in the world can you say have spectacular mountains and dazzling water that surrounds the city on almost every side? When the sun comes out in Seattle, it's as if it was painted in with a brush. Paradise.

The Emerald City is also home to some of the best food in the world. Though it's always fun to watch the fish-throw at Pikes Place Market, locals know the best place to buy it is right off the boat at the Fisherman's Terminal. Seattle is also famous as the home of the original Starbuck's, and nearly 100 wine shops and almost as many breweries.

My favorite restaurant is at Lake Union, Chandler's Crabhouse, and a restaurant specializing in Pasta Porn is the new Spinasse in Seattle's Capitol Hill district. Seattle also has a good size Polish population, and there are several very good deli's specializing in Polish sausage. Try George's Sausage & Deli on First Hill.

Chez Shea is a French restaurant specializing in local Northwest ingredients, and Salumi is a very popular deli in Pioneer Square specializing in artisan cured meats. Seattle is more than just a beautiful view, it's a great city for foodies.

If you're looking for a clean, upscale hotel with good value, the Silver Cloud Inn on Lake Union fits the bill like nothing else. For about $110 you can get a room with a view of the Space Needle and the lake, and spend the night on one of the most comfortable beds you'll ever sleep on.