Road trips are always more fun with a mission, and when you live in the Midwest — known for its gorgeous summer-to-fall days, vast dining landscape and preciously short windows of seasonality — it seems only fitting to pack up the car in quest of culinary treasure. The region offers us destinations in every direction, with some particularly worth the trip given the care they’re extending through their restaurants, farms, bakeries and cafes. From college towns to beach towns, here are six spots to visit now for a culinary adventure — plus where to stay and stop on the way.
Six culinary road trips for fall Home to the University of Iowa and the Hawkeyes, this town draws crowds during fall months for its popular weekend football games — but the food here isn’t to be missed either. Settle into a room at the Graduate, a hotel that boasts collegiate charm throughout its rooms, with odes to former University of Iowa students — including their onsite restaurant Wilder , honoring Iowa theater arts graduate Gene Wilder. Head to dinner at The Webster , where chef Sam Gelman serves contemporary American cuisine informed by his Midwest roots and years spent in some of New York City’s top kitchens.
Don’t miss the buttermilk biscuits or any of the house-made pastas (all served family-style; bring some friends to sample a few). Across town, The Plated Table serves dinner Thursday through Saturday, featuring new weekly menus that reflect the season’s best. Settle in at the.