Have you always wanted to eat your way across America? Greasy spoons and fast food joints aside, the US has some of the best culinary schools, chefs, markets and eateries in the world. In this culinary-minded culture, food is not just something to be slapped or smeared on a plate to look “pretty”, it’s to be savoured and admired for unique taste combinations, supporting farm-to-plate initiatives, and yes, its nutritional fortitude. Food is life, after all. For those who live to eat, embarking on a food adventure by private air charter flights to these 6 US destinations is a must. Make sure you arrive hungry.

1. New Orleans, LA

Those booking private air charter flights to New Orleans will want to laissez les bons temps rouler with some of the best food on the Lower Mississippi, and in the country for that matter. After all, NOLA is place to go if you’re craving crawfish ettoufé, red jambalaya or seafood gumbo, with just the right amount of Creole spice and smoked Andouille sausage. Or maybe you want to slurp down fresh-shucked Gulf Coast oysters or sink your teeth into a fried shrimp po’boy or high-stacked muffuletta? Those with a sweet tooth know the Big Easy is big on treats, so while in town, forgo counting calories and indulge in a powdered sugar topped beignet or a pecan-laden praline. Is your mouth watering yet?

2. Charleston, SC

This seaport on the Atlantic Coast is known for its James Beard award-winning chefs who serve up everything from the freshest seafood to artisan-laden charcuterie boards. A mix of contemporary and old school charm, Charleston’s collection of eateries range from modern-style bistros to historic dining rooms, noticeable with their iron-wrought facades and marble interiors. Here you can enjoy updated and refined versions of classics such as she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and Hoppin’ John. Along with one of the oldest public city markets in the country and numerous food festivals and tasting tours, private air charter flights to Charleston make a food lovers dream come true.

3. New York City, NY

Leaving NYC off a foodie’s best of list is like leaving the Napa Valley off a wine lover’s list. The Big Apple has everything you could possibly want to eat and embraces its ethnic roots. Here you can eat hard-to-find international cuisines, unique food fusions, and trendy tastes from Colombian arepas and Japanese Ramen burgers (yes the noodles substitute as the bun!) to Mexican cricket tacos (they’re said to be super crunchy!) and Icelandic hake with grilled cucumbers. Arrive by private air charter with your mind open and your stomach empty.

4. Houston, TX

Austin may be known for its street food culture and hipster music scene, but Houston is the place to travel by private air charter flights if you’re looking for the best barbecue in the nation. These Texan pit masters know their slow cooked, braised and smoked meats and just the right sauces needed to accompany them. Besides this finger licking good fare, Houston is also known for its fine dining establishments and wide ranging ethnic eats, where the city’s Mexican roots are not only at play, but so is its large Asian population. Do you savour Thai, Cantonese, Sichuan, Korean, Punjabi and Vietnamese cuisine? Then Houston’s your town!

5. Chicago, IL

Cubs’ fans know how much the Chicago hotdog is coveted, but the Windy City is known for more than fully loaded dogs and deep-dish pizza. The reason this mid-western town is ranked as one of the best foodie capitals in the nation is because of love. Yes, love. Chicagoans love their food, and they serve up some of the most unique eats, ranging from the Jibarito, a Puerto Rican sandwich made from fried plantains instead of bread (great for those on a no-gluten diet) to 40-day aged ribeye steaks that will melt in your mouth.

6. Portland, OR

Not to ignore other West Coast cities such as San Francisco, LA or Seattle, but Portland has been gaining a lot of attention for being one of America’s best food cities. According to The Washington Post’s food critic Tom Sietsema, Portland offers many gastronomic delights. “… (It is) the land of milk and honey—also coffee, tea, beer, wine, game, berries, crab, salmon, ice cream in flavors lifted from food trucks and olive oil that chefs compare favourably to Italy’s liquid gold.” Flying to Portland by private air charter flights will also bring you to the land renowned for its savoury and creamy farmstead cheeses, including the world famous cheddar loaf from nearby Tillamook. Have you ever wanted to visit our friendly neighbors to the North? Read our blog: From A to BC: 8 Reasons to Go North on an International Jet Charter.