Top 10 Cities For Foodies

San Francisco

The 1849 Gold Rush may have given San Francisco its start, but what keeps people coming back to this hilly West Coast city is a different kind of treasure: a trove of top-notch menus showcasing multicultural cuisines, fresh California produce, and world-renowned chefs. The combination has created a feeding frenzy among the dining elite and dining options as diverse as the people who come to visit. Splurge on a plate of pistachio-crusted foie gras at the upscale Fleur de Lys, or sample some homemade tortillas at Mijita, where celebrity chef Traci Des Jardins serves authentic dishes her Mexican grandmother used to make. A trip to North Beach (San Francisco's Little Italy) and Chinatown may sound somewhat cliché, but for traditional pasta delights and the chance to experience one of the country's largest Chinatowns, there's no better place to let those taste buds wander. Fresh seafood can also be enjoyed at the ever-popular Fisherman's Wharf; you can even browse the stalls at the Ferry Building Marketplace or even take a break between meals at the Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Café, a 15-seat Parisian caviar bar. The unparalleled wine regions of Sonoma and Napa Valley are also just a stone's throw away – producing the perfect libations to complement your local fare.

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