World-class dining is spreading across the entire United States, no longer concentrated in culinary hubs like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. With more chefs expanding into new cities, it goes hand in hand that these scenes are becoming some of the most exciting places to dine out and drink wine. To find out which destinations are grabbing industry pros’ attention, Wine Spectator asked seven leading sommeliers which cities they would like to visit in 2026 for the dining scene alone. From wine bars in Detroit to vineyard visits in the Finger Lakes, read on for 2026 travel inspiration!
The Top Cities for Dining and Wine Travel in 2026, According to Pros
- Detroit, Michigan
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Austin, Texas
- Geneva, New York
Detroit, Michigan
“In my heart of hearts, my gut response is Minneapolis and St. Paul, because that community and restaurant scene needs our support more than anywhere else in the country right now. If I'm traveling somewhere for fun, I would pick Detroit. I’ve always wanted to visit Ladder 4 and Bar Chenin. I think overall the city is becoming a great destination for natural wine lovers.”—Frank Kinyon, wine director of Best of Award of Excellence winner a.kitchen+bar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“When I think about travel, it’s almost always places far from home. But a city I’m especially anxious to check out closer by is Ann Arbor, Michigan. Rumor has it there are quite a few spots with thoughtfully curated wine lists and an eclectic mix of places to enjoy. I’d be most excited to visit Spencer, a neighborhood wineshop and restaurant, but the real challenge of a weekend trip might be fitting everything in, as it seems there are quite a few places to eat great food and drink fun wine. Of course, I'd also be tempted to head down the road to Detroit to visit Ladder 4 Wine Bar, a former firehouse turned exceptional wine bar and restaurant. Looks like I’m going to need two weekends.”—Jeff Cleveland, general manager, sommelier and partner at Birch, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Charleston, South Carolina
“Charleston, South Carolina, is at the top of my list because of its ever-evolving food and wine scene. It seems like the perfect mix of charm, serious cooking and abundant hospitality. I’d start at Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar for a bottle or two before heading to Malagón for incredible tapas and a well-curated Spanish wine list. I also couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make time to visit Costa for seasonal coastal Italian dishes and an exciting by-the-glass program. A long weekend, great food, great wine and Southern hospitality are the perfect excuse to explore and discover all that Charleston has to offer.”—Sean Crenny, director of wine for the Pulpo Group, Ann Arbor, Michigan
“I've always wanted to spend a weekend in Charleston. I've heard great things about it, and I think it's my kind of relaxed vibe. It seems to have everything from casual dining and wine spots like Vino Feo, Stems & Skins and Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar to date-night restaurants such as Vern’s, Chubby Fish, FIG and the Ordinary. It feels like there's a lot to explore, and I am up for the adventure.”— Steven McDonald, executive beverage director for Grand Award–winning Pappas Bros. Steakhouses in Dallas and Houston, Texas
Asheville, North Carolina
“I would most like to travel to Asheville, North Carolina. I believe that travel and tourism can be restorative. From the Biltmore Estate to the Blue Ridge Parkway, some gems of the region have survived the recent destruction more or less unscathed. But this tightly knit community of artisans, brewers and other small business owners are in desperate need of our support and understanding.”—Charles Prusik, wine retail manager, Printemps, New York, New York
Austin, Texas
“Austin is the U.S. city I’m most excited to travel to for food and wine. The scene feels thoughtful and values-driven, with restaurants like Hestia and Birdie’s leading with intention rather than flash. Hestia has a truly robust wine program that I’d happily work my way through and I’m especially drawn to their involvement with Good Work Austin—supporting healthier, more sustainable careers in the local food and beverage community. I also love Tavel Bristol-Joseph’s mix of grill and raw bar at Hestia. It’s exactly how I like to eat and it feels particularly fun and expressive alongside that wine list.”—Amy Racine, beverage director of JF Restaurants, including Best of Award of Excellence winner Iris Restaurant, New York, New York, and Award of Excellence winner the Vermillion Club, Boston, Massachusetts
Geneva, New York
“I need to visit Geneva in the Finger Lakes. It’s just a short drive from my hometown of Cleveland so I have no excuse. Foodwise, I want to check out F.L.X. Table. The food looks incredible. Paul Hobbs makes my favorite U.S. Riesling, so that would be at the top of my list. I’d also love to visit Forge Cellars and Dr. Konstantin Frank while I'm out there. Trestle Thirty One makes great wine and also rents out a loft; that’s where I would lay my head down at night.”—Andrew Albert, sommelier at Best of Award of Excellence winner Cru Uncorked, Moreland Hills, Ohio
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