8 incredible US coastal destinations worth visiting for the food alone

For more US travel inspiration, check out our guides to the 10 most exciting US cities for food you need to know and 8 US cities to visit that offer spectacular value for money. 8 incredible US coastal destinations worth visiting for the food alone

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

This fairytale coastal square mile in central-northern California is renowned for its enchanting Comstock cottages, native Monterey cypress trees and white sand beach on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

A long-standing enclave for artists, its proximity to the Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay have also transformed the small town into a food lovers haven, filled with bistro patios, wine tasting rooms and Michelin-starred kitchens. Chez Noir is a Michelin-starred family restaurant with a micro-seasonal, European-inspired bistro menu that celebrates the bounty of the California coast.

Try the grilled local oysters with espelette butter, Monterey black cod with artichoke and wild fennel, and their crispy funnel cake topped with caviar. Hip Oaxacan Cultura Comida y Bebida is a mezcalería and dining room that serves up innovative Mexican street food, centred on ancestral heirloom corn and scratch-made mole sauces.

Start with pork belly tacos with pickled onions, then move onto the carne asada with blistered jalapeños, and save space for the traditional Oaxacan flan with caramelised sugar. Quirky eatery La Bicyclette, with its wooden bistro tables, chalkboards and hanging copper pots, pairs California seasonality with classic French and Italian countryside cooking – think wood-fired pizzas, classic bistro comforting plates, and fresh local catches.

Finally, VIN by the Sea is a stylish wine bar with over 50 boutique small-production Californian wines by the glass and a menu of chef-driven small plates.

St. Michaels, Maryland

This historic coastal town on the Eastern Shore is awash with brick-paved streets, beautifully preserved Victorian homes, and a picturesque harbour along the Miles River.

Nestled along the rich waters of the Chesapeake Bay, its culinary scene celebrates the abundance of sweet local Maryland blue crabs, ultra-fresh oysters and rockfish. Perched on Navy Point, The Crab Claw – which has been operating since 1965 – serves up pristine local catches in a no-frills waterfront setting.

Their steamed Maryland blue crabs are served by the dozen and coated heavily in spicy Old Bay seasoning. The hot crab dip comes with bubbling cheese on top, and their cream of crab soup comes with abundant nuggets of sweet crab meat.

The James Beard nominated Ruse is an upscale coastal tavern with a bright Scandi-minimalist interior and seafood-forward menu. Signature dishes include their hearth-roasted octopus with fennel and citrus, Eastern Shore rockfish with brown butter and wood-fired tilefish with melted leeks and charred lemon.

Gina’s Café is a small eclectic eatery with a menu of flavour-packed tacos, scratch-made dips, fresh coastal bowls and creative cocktails. And Lyon Rum/Windon Distilling is a craft distillery tucked into a historic old mill, offering tastings of distinct, molasses-to-bottle signature rums.

Grand Marais, Minnesota

This artsy harbour village is remotely nestled between the Sawtooth Mountains and waters of Lake Superior.

It sits amongst pine-forested wilderness and pebbled beaches, with the iconic Grand Marais Lighthouse as its most recognised site. Food lovers can enjoy everything from hand-built harbour cafes to historic taverns hosting live folk music. Eco-conscious lakeside restaurant Angry Trout Café uses locally sourced driftwood fire in its kitchen and serves up hyper-local Lake Superior catches, like wild trout and walleye.

Their fish chowder is generously loaded with whitefish, lake trout and tender root vegetables, and their grilled portobello mushrooms are marinated in herbs and cooked over flames. The scenic harbourside The Fisherman's Daughter at Dockside Fish Market is housed in an iconic red fish house building with a sun-drenched outdoor patio.

The kitchen serves up coastal comfort food, frying up incredibly fresh local catches alongside house-smoked specialties. Don’t miss their signature Lake Superior herring fish and chips which are lightly hand breaded and fried to order.

Voyageur Brewing Company has panoramic lake-side views and serves up local ales alongside artisanal small plates. But no trip to Grand Marais is complete without visiting World’s Best Donuts – a family run establishment first opened in 1969, famous for their sweet, yeast dough Skizzles, cake donuts and donut kabobs.

Cape May, New Jersey

Wide sandy beaches meet beautifully preserved 19th-century Victorian architecture at this culinary destination along the East Coast, with dramatic views across the Atlantic Ocean.

Along with its endless bounty of ultra-fresh scallops, oysters and bluefish, its culinary culture includes lush regional vineyards, working organic farms that you can visit and harbourfront decks. The Lobster House is a legendary maritime institution that typifies the Jersey Shore dining experience with a menu of traditional cold-water lobster, raw bar catches and comforting shore-style platters.

Freshly shucked local clams are served with a sharp cocktail sauce, the signature lobster roll is stuffed with giant chunks of fresh lobster meat, and Cape May sea scallops are harvested from the surrounding waters then broiled until crisp. Located inside the Congress Hall resort, The Pig Tavern is a cosy eatery serving hearty American comfort foods using ingredients sourced directly from their own farm.

Try the seared ahi tuna tataki crusted with sesame seeds, or the roasted farm chicken which has perfectly crispy herb-rubbed skin. Cape May Winery is a beautiful, sprawling vineyard oasis where you can sample a flight of estate-grown wines, local cheeses and light tapas in a rustic tasting room. And Ebbitt Room, located inside the Virginia Hotel, is a sophisticated fine-dining restaurant with a chef-driven menu filled with produce and meats harvested daily from Cape May's own Beach Plum Farm.

Capitola, California

This Mediterranean-style coastal village is nestled along the northern shores of Monterey Bay – often touted as the oldest seaside resort on the West Coast. Along with its pastel-painted Venetian beachfront cottages, Capitola is known for its picturesque riverfront paths, a historic wooden pier, farm-to-table California cuisine and innovative Mexican street food.

Built into a steep, lush hillside, the romantic Shadowbrook Restaurant serves up New American fine dining with premium butchery and local Monterey Bay seafood. Order the baked oysters Rockefeller, rich with Pernod liqueur and smoked bacon, or the seared Pacific Rim salmon with a punchy ginger marinade.

Save space for the signature Shadowbrook mud pie with layers of coffee ice cream and dark chocolate cookie, finished with toasted almonds and hot fudge drizzled on top. For coastal Mexican food head to Margavitaville renowned for its fresh seafood tacos, scratch-made moles, Dungeness crab enchiladas and extensive tequila menu.

Don’t miss The Capitola Margarita crafted using 100% blue agave tequila, fresh-squeezed lime juice and organic agave nectar. Two more spots to have on your radar: Zelda's on the Beach is an iconic waterfront restaurant famous for its massive beachfront patio, fresh brunch scrambles and specialty cocktails like their lavender sour, hibiscus margarita and tropical mimosas.

And Trestles is a hip, chef-driven bistro located steps from the historic train trestle, offering a creative, hyper-seasonal New American farm-to-table menu using produce from regional organic farms.

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

This artsy, small-town in Mississippi is nestled amongst the natural beauty of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The town is filled with vibrant local art galleries and sandy Gulf beaches to explore during the day, and plenty of oak-shaded restaurant patios, craft breweries and stylish cocktail lounges to keep foodies happy. Vestige is a James Beard-nominated, hyper-seasonal fine-dining restaurant with just a handful of tables. The menu pairs Gulf Coast seafood and local butchery with bold, Japanese and complex fermented flavours – alongside sake pairings and warm hospitality.

Highlights include the Louisiana bluefin tuna sashimi with garden herbs, koji-cured pork belly and gulf shrimp in dashi broth. Head to The Shed Barbecue and Blues Joint for casual award-winning pit barbecue alongside live blues music, with specialities like pecan wood-smoked 16-hour brisket, pulled pork and sweet potato casserole. The bustling eatery Mosaic has a wide-ranging menu of international tapas, hand-crafted sliders, and Mediterranean-influenced comfort dishes like lamb gyro sliders, flaky empanadas and gator bites featuring tender chunks of local alligator meat.

Don't leave Ocean Springs without a stop at Tato-Nut Donut Shop: a historic, family-owned institution that crafts ultra-light, melt-in-your-mouth donuts made with a potato-flour recipe which has fans queuing up around the block!

Rockport, Massachusetts

This breathtaking coastal escape anchoring the tip of Cape Ann offers dramatic Atlantic views from its granite shores. The lanes of Rockport are filled with artisanal bakeries, hand-pulled saltwater taffy shops and cozy harbour-view restaurant patios, so there is plenty for foodies to explore.

Notably you'll also spot a historic fishing shack called Motif 1, world-famous as the most frequently painted building in America. Feather & Wedge is a stylish bistro celebrating fresh Atlantic catches paired with an exceptional craft cocktail menu. Try the local steamer clams with fresh herb-white wine broth, the roasted Atlantic cod with local fingerlings, or the pan-seared local halibut with creamy corn risotto.

Perched dramatically on the tip of Bearskin Neck, My Place by the Sea is an intimate New American bistro serving up classic New England dishes – find award-winning clam chowder, baked lobster savory and herb-crusted Atlantic salmon with seasonal grains. For drinks, Rockport Brewing Co. is a local staple with welcoming taproom that offers flights of locally themed craft beers including their signature "Twin Lights" IPA.

After sampling the beers, head to Bracket's Oceanview Restaurant for dinner – a live high-energy deck bar with a creative menu featuring homemade fish cakes, lobster tacos and spicy mango margaritas.

Greenport, New York

This maritime village on Long Island’s North Fork mixes historic seafaring heritage with immaculate coastal beauty – complete with 19th-century captain's homes, a vintage 1920s carousel and marinas overlooking the Peconic Bay.

Its most iconic culinary landmark is Claudio’s Waterfront which has been operating on the docks since 1870. The menu features unique signature dishes such as Claudio's famous homemade baked clams with fresh herbs, garlic, bacon and mushrooms, a lobster bake (with a 1.5-pound steamed whole lobster) and local oysters served with a signature rosé mignonette. The Halyard offers an upscale take on coastal dining with panoramic views and a breezy beach house aesthetics.

Dishes feature local ingredients sourced from the Atlantic seaboard. Inventive flavour combinations include horseradish crusted fluke, Shinnecock sea scallops with seasonal succotash, and grilled swordfish tacos with pineapple slaw. For a more casual option, Lucharitos is a colourful taqueria serving excellent blackened shrimp tacos with lime salsa, sweet and spicy house-hot sauce wings and hand-shaken margaritas – served either your choice of classic, mango, or coconut.

For a memorable meal, celebrated farm-to-table small plates restaurant Noah’s serves up the most inventive food in the area. Try crab stuffed devilled eggs, Crescent Farm duck BBQ sliders and New Orleans-style cinnamon sugar beignets served with a rich chocolate dipping sauce.