This Underrated City In The Northeast Should Be A Top-Priority Destination For Foodies

New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago might come to mind when you think of amazing foodie destinations in the U.S. And while these places are certainly famous for a reason, they're not the only places to seek out delicious, unique meals. Some smaller destinations, including specific local neighborhoods or restaurant-lined streets, are often overlooked by visitors but remain just as worthy of a visit. Manayunk, Pennsylvania is one such place. This vibrant neighborhood in Philadelphia is home to just under 20,000 residents and boasts over 300 small businesses, including a plethora of restaurants with food that will delight your taste buds.

While Philadelphia at large, known for its famous cheesesteaks, might already be a popular foodie city, this neighborhood is a hub for especially good food. And it's still under the radar. You'll find all sorts of restaurants here, so no matter what you're craving, you'll be sure to find something delectable.

Foodies are in luck when they visit Manayunk. It ranked within the top 10 small towns in the U.S. with the best food scene in 2019 and has continued serving the great meals that landed it such a spot ever since. The area itself is homey and welcoming with many small businesses. "[Manayunk] is a very nice place to bring your family, walk up and down the street, get some good food, some drinks, and support small businesses," local resident and comic book store owner, J.D. Holden, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

If you truly want to maximize the opportunities to try new foods, then you'll want to visit the neighborhood during the Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival. This day-long event features food trucks and vendors that serve everything from street food to gourmet meals. Last year, there were over 40 different food stops to choose from at this unique food festival. There's also live entertainment, so you can enjoy a show as you dine on some delicious food. The whole town comes to life during this lively festival. There's also Restaurant Week, which occurs both in the fall and spring, when local restaurants bring out special menus, some including set multi-course meals. The town knows it has good food and celebrates accordingly.

Some of the restaurants that uphold Manayunk's reputation include Mi 'N Tea, a Vietnamese staple that serves fresh food and sweet bubble tea, Union Taphouse, which is ideal for wings and gives you 18 different unique dipping sauce flavors to choose from, and Lucky's Last Chance, best known for its burgers — including the award-winning peanut butter and bacon burger. Other restaurants include Greg's Kitchen, a great breakfast and lunch spot that has five stars on TripAdvisor, La Colina for upscale Italian food, The Couch Tomato Café & Bistro, which serves organic, locally sourced food, and Osushi, which has delicious sushi and Japanese meals.

We've only scratched the surface of what this American foodie town offers. You can book a trip, be it for a day or a weekend, and bring your appetite. You'll want to indulge your taste buds at some of the restaurants that put this Philadelphia neighborhood on the map.