Veteran chefs spotlight the unexpected culinary destinations from Buffalo to Birmingham.

While it's universally agreed that New York City is one of, if not the top, food cities in the U.S., cities like Chicago, Portland (Oregon, and Maine too), San Francisco, and Los Angeles are also often featured on the culinary A-list.

Las Vegas has long been a frontrunner in the food and drink scene, while Washington, D.C. has earned its place as a must-visit for foodies with its growing culinary reputation.

But what about places like Buffalo, Birmingham, and Louisville?

Other U.S. cities, including Denver, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia, are also rising stars on the food scene, according to top chefs at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado, held this past June.

Unexpectedly great cuisine

Andrew Zimmern, a man of many roles – from restaurateur to TV personality to food writer – has become a huge fan of Birmingham, Alabama.

While he enjoys classics like Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q and Frank Stitt’s renowned restaurants, Chez Fonfon and Highlands Bar & Grill, Zimmern believes Birmingham’s food scene offers much more beyond its Southern culinary heritage.

The city has gone from good to absolutely thriving, according to Zimmern.

Zimmern adds, “There’s been a wave of new, exciting restaurants rising up under the radar in Birmingham. It’s become an incredibly dynamic city for food, and I love exploring it.”

Zimmern compares Birmingham’s current culinary boom to the recent food revolutions seen in Portland, Oregon, and Portland, Maine.

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, who owns restaurants in New York City, Miami, and Atlantic City, is equally impressed with Birmingham’s rising culinary reputation.

Zakarian is also particularly excited about Buffalo, New York, as another city making waves in the food world.

From The Dapper Goose, known for expertly crafted cocktails and seasonal small plates, to the Southern-inspired Toutant and the Japanese gastropub Dobutsu, Buffalo may be New York’s second city, but it’s certainly earning its place as a culinary hotspot. (Full disclosure: I’m from Buffalo and have to agree – it’s a hidden gem in the food scene.)

A city hungry for more

Canadian food writer and cookbook author Gail Simmons is a big fan of both Philadelphia and Denver. She notes that Denver is home to a thriving scene full of young, innovative chefs.

One of Denver’s most inventive dining experiences is Beckon, where just 17 guests each night can enjoy a pre-paid dinner ticket for an intimate and unique meal.

For those staying in downtown Denver, a visit to Annette in nearby Aurora is a must. Owner and chef Caroline Glover offers exceptional farm-fresh ingredients in a cozy setting, serving both dinner and weekend brunch.

Minneapolis, often considered the U.S. counterpart to Nordic Europe, has long had a vibrant food scene and is now finally receiving the national recognition it deserves.

Chefs are certainly aware of the recent surge in attention.

Ashley Christensen, who runs a restaurant empire in Raleigh, North Carolina, admits that she fell in love with Minneapolis on her very first visit.

“It’s one of those cities that has its own distinct identity. The pride of its people is palpable, and I really connect with that. It feels a lot like my own hometown in the way we all share that sense of belonging.”

Christensen is eager to return, saying, “Everyone is creating such heartfelt, delicious food. That consistent vibe of warmth and flavor was something we experienced everywhere in Minneapolis.”

One of the city’s standout spots, Spoon and Stable, offers an upscale experience without being pretentious, capturing a cozy yet stylish atmosphere.

Spoon and Stable, created by James Beard Award-winning chef/owner Gavin Kaysen, is set in a converted horse stable and features a menu that blends Midwestern seasonal ingredients with Kaysen’s French culinary expertise. The result is nothing short of extraordinary.

Young Joni, effortlessly cool without trying too hard, serves chef Ann Kim’s wood-fired pizzas, seasonal vegetables, and other standout dishes in a spacious, airy setting.

Brick-and-mortar dining

Hugh Acheson, chef/restaurateur from Georgia and Iron Chef Canada star, is equally excited about the growing food scene across the U.S.

“Everyone flocked to the big cities, but now they’re returning to their roots, opening brick-and-mortar establishments that showcase the true essence of American food, which is a vast and fascinating topic,” Acheson explains.

Take Louisville, Kentucky, for instance. The city offers both upscale and casual dining, along with a unique steakhouse called Le Moo, which hosts a drag show brunch where you can indulge in a giant bowl of cereal. It’s a place that doesn’t take itself too seriously – especially on Sundays.

Alex Guarnaschelli, executive chef at Butter in NYC, also gives a nod to Louisville as a rising culinary destination.

Food enthusiast Trisha Siegelstein, a Louisville native who spent many years in New York before returning to her hometown, shares the same sentiment.

“Louisville has always been a foodie town in my eyes. Bad restaurants don’t last here. There’s an abundance of options and fierce competition,” Siegelstein says.

Sometimes you’ll need to wait for a table. Cajun spot The Seafood Lady consistently draws large crowds and long lines, but Siegelstein insists, “it’s absolutely worth the wait.”