Eat The Best Food In New York On This Scenic Road Trip Through The State

It's no secret that New Yorkers take pride in just about everything they do. And while the state varies greatly from metropolis to rural landscape, one undeniable thing remains consistent throughout: the top-quality food. Luckily, all it takes is a set of wheels to embark on a New York food-focused road trip to get the best of the best of the Empire State.

We've compiled a list of five of the best foodie destinations throughout New York so you can get a fair mix of local eats amongst serene landscapes, discover underrated melting pots (no, we aren't talking about New York City), enjoy exquisite fine dining despite heading off-the-grid, and even check out one of the biggest culinary meccas in the world. Should you embark on this road trip, this list is meant to be followed chronologically, though you can reverse it if need be. So, without further ado, here are the best foodie destinations in New York State to hit on your next culinary adventure.

Not only is Lake Placid one of the most picturesque spots in New York state, but it also happens to be home to some great food. For some true and tried barbeque, grab some beef brisket or smoked chicken cordon bleu from Smoke Signals, and wash it all down with a beer at Great Adirondack Brewing Company. Despite being well known for having some of the best fall foliage in the U.S., if you happen to visit Lake Placid in the summertime and need something sweet, head to Emma's Lake Placid Creamery, where you can choose from flavored cones like lavender, pink French vanilla, and dark chocolate. 

Naturally, you'll need a place to stay when in town, and luckily, Lake Placid is home to some seriously exquisite hotels. Whiteface Lodge is the perfect blend of rustic and luxury, and while we're on the topic of food, the property's Peak 47 offers anything from a venison meatloaf grilled cheese to a vegan chicken bánh mì. The View at Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa is the only AAA Four Diamond Restaurant in town, with offerings like aged cuts of meat and fresh pasta. 

Move over NYC; there's another city in New York that's a must-visit for foodies. Utica is home to a large refugee and migrant community, allowing visitors and locals alike to travel all around the world via the city's cuisine without ever whipping out their passports. In Utica, you can try anything from Yemeni cuisine at One Arabian Night to Nepalese momos from Muju International Groceries.

Utica isn't just home to a large refugee community, making for some seriously diverse cuisine, but it's also home to some of the state's best regional specialties. Try chicken riggies, a rigatoni pasta in a creamy vodka sauce with chunks of chicken and vegetables, from Bella Regina or Cafe del Buono. If you need a little veg in your life, go for some Utica greens or stewed escarole with breadcrumbs, Pecorino Romano cheese, pancetta, and hot cherry peppers. The best spots in town to get greens are at Ancora! or Michael T's. New York City has the black and white cookie, but Utica is home to the half-moon cookie, similar to the NYC staple but with some key differences. Try it for yourself at Hemstrought's Bakeries. And no visit to Utica is complete without a tomato pie, a focaccia-style bread topped with tomato sauce and Pecorino, served cold, from O'Scugnizzo Pizzeria. 

Located approximately 35 miles north of Albany is Saratoga Springs, an artsy, hip town with a fascinating history. Here, seasonal and trendy fare reigns. Head to Hamlet & Ghost for their unique but addictive Valley Pearl oysters with pink peppercorn and almond milk. Want to really have a night out on the town? Head to Bocage Champagne Bar for their martini and caviar service, priced at $200.

For a restaurant that sticks to the classics, head to The Brook Tavern, and enjoy some straight-up American cuisine, like a grilled sugar brine pork chop or some good ol' sliced steak frites. We wouldn't be doing Saratoga Springs justice by calling it a foodie city without mentioning Hattie's. Their incredibly crisp yet somehow still incredibly moist fried chicken will transport you right to Louisiana, and if you happen to swing by during brunch time, make sure to get a Bloody Mary, casually garnished with a piece of fried chicken and candied bacon. No big deal.

As you head further down the state, you'll drive through the majestic Catskill Mountains. Like the Adirondacks (where your trip started in Lake Placid), the Catskills are undoubtedly picturesque. With many charming, quaint towns to choose from, few pump out cuisine as elegant and fresh as Big Indian, proving that just because you're deep in the woods doesn't mean you have to eat basic food. Head to Peekamoose Restaurant for a "farm to feast" experience, with rotating offerings like watermelon gazpacho, housemade chittara, and dinosaur kale risotto. 

For a truly off-the-grid experience without sacrificing quality eats, Eastwind Oliverea Valley is a must. This stunning place is a remote respite where you can roast marshmallows by the open campfire and sip a libation right from the earth with their foraging walk and cocktail tasting. Don't skip out on their onsite restaurant Dandelion, which offers "forage to fork" style cuisine, with dishes like market fish crudo, little gem salad with basil vinaigrette, and creamy stracciatella with marinated tomato and grilled bread.

Come on, you didn't think you could do a New York state foodie-focused road trip without ending up in the greatest culinary city in the world, did you? New York City is full of incredible food across a wide variety of cuisines. For some of the city's best pizza, head to Don Antonio, which is frequently acknowledged as one of the top pizza places in the world. For some of the best Italian food in town, head to Tucci, and for a classic steakhouse dinner, go for Delmonico's, the country's first fine-dining restaurant.

Fancy a cocktail? Head to The Portrait Bar, a true hidden gem with a great burger. Sip&Guzzle makes some of the most innovative cities in all five boroughs. Speaking of all five boroughs, make sure to head out to Queens' Jackson Heights, one of the city's most exciting neighborhoods for foodies.

If you need a place to stay with a strong food game, the Sofitel New York is closely situated to the heart of Times Square and conveniently home to Gaby Brasserie, a French bistro that will transport you to Paris. The New York Marriott Marquis is directly in Times Square, with spacious rooms offering the most iconic views in the city. Its onsite restaurant, Broadway Lounge, offers delectable bites like a Broadway smash hit burger, an Artisanal cheese plate, and a burrata a la vodka pizza.