America is also a country of culinary innovation, proud to have some of the best gastronomic restaurants in the world. The interest shown for fine cuisine has inspired a big number of restaurant guidebooks.

In big cities, you need to make table reservation sometimes up to several weeks in advance, in order to be able to taste the food in some renowned restaurants.

Many cities and regions of the country, in the Southwest, West and Florida, especially, are very famous for their ethnic cuisine, due to their strong hispanic population. These ethnic restaurants, often of Cuban or Mexican specialities, are rarely expensive and they could be a great way to discover the inside of American nationalities.

Chains of Restaurants
Drugstores or more often a Lunch Counter where we can enjoy cheap breakfast and some simple dishes : hamburgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, ice creams, cold or hot non-alcoholic drinks.

Hotels and public buildings have normally a Coffee Shop with light menus.

Other than Snak Bars, we also find some Grills (offering meat, mostly), Quick Lunches, Luncheonettes and sometimes also Automats.

The snacks are often specialized : Steak House, Pizza Parlor...

Traditionally along the roads but now open more and more in sophisticated districts of big cities : Diners, serving a rustic and traditional American cuisine, in their restaurants inspired by old trains.

Most of these different types of restaurants are part of restaurant chains we will find everywhere in the country, the most known ones are Howard Johnson's, Pizza Inn, White Castle, Wendy's, Burger King, Village Inn, Denny's, Texas Roadhouse, Red Lobster, Spaghetti Warehouse, Old Country Buffet, McDonald's, Joe's Crab Shack, Domino's pizza, Cheeseburger in Paradise, or Bojangles...

Regional Specialities
Particularly very big in number, and we would not be able to make a complete list. But as a tourist, you should not forget that the traditional aspect of an American cuisine is often rooted in Europe (French, German, Italian cuisines).

In the South, varieties of vegetables are commonly used in the preparations.

In Florida, the cuisine is often inspired from Caribbean food (boliche, arroz con pollo), and the fruits are tasty (grapefruits, oranges, lemons, mandrins).

In New Orleans and the whole Louisiana, the Creole Cuisine is certainly one of America's most famous cuisine : jambalaya, shrimp remoulade, clam on sticks, crawfish, covered pompano, red beans and rice, spicy seafood gumbo, pecan pie...

New England is the land of seafood, all kinds of crustaceas and fish : clam chowder, lobster, trout... The patisseries, often prepared with maple syrup, are traditionally very rich.

In Pennsylvania or in Wisconsin, the traditional specialities are often of German origins.

In the Middle West, the culinary traditions are principally centered on meat and poultry. In the Prairie, as well as in the Rocky Mountains, restaurants serve rabbits and fish coming from the river.

In the Southwest, we will find the Mexican influence (tamales, chili con carne) and spicy sauces. Great tropical fruits of wide variety grow here.

In the Northwest, the freshness of their seafood dishes are very well known : like in Alaska, where hunting and fishing play an important role.

In Hawaii, finally, the traditional dishes incorporate exotic fruits and coconut milk.

Tips

In the restaurants, it is convenient that you left a tip, of a value between 15 - 20% of the total bill.

If you pay by credit card, just write the amount of the tip you would like to give inside the box on your bill.

Do not forget the tip. If you do not put the amount, the cashier would fill this box by him/herself according to the applicable tariffs.

It is to you to do the calculation. A simple system : tip = tax times 2.

To know : French do not have a great reputation of generosity when paying bills and they're called "stingy". Say your thank-yous by giving a convenient tip, mostly when the service has been quick and nice.