In a recent accolade for culinary excellence, Covington, Kentucky, has been celebrated as one of the top small cities in the United States for its vibrant food and drink scene. The recognition came from Food & Wine magazine's 2025 Global Tastemakers awards list released on June 4th. With a population under 100,000, Covington joins ten other towns renowned for their unique gastronomic offerings. Travel writer Wendy Pramik highlighted Covington’s ability to seamlessly blend Appalachian, German, and Southern influences into an original culinary identity.

Exploring the Culinary Riches of Covington

Located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Covington has emerged as a hotspot where smooth bourbon meets savory goetta, creating a delightful fusion of flavors. This pedestrian-friendly town is known for its cobblestone streets and beautifully restored Mainstrasse Village. Renowned eateries such as Anchor Grill, Otto’s, Bouquet, and Carmelo’s have garnered praise for their innovative menus. Additionally, Northern Kentucky’s burgeoning Bourbon trail, known as the B-Line, along with Goettafest—a multi-day festival celebrating the local breakfast sausage—has further elevated Covington's status in the culinary world.

During his visit to Jungle Jim’s, celebrity chef Guy Fieri also praised Cincinnati’s cuisine, declaring it "one of the really cool food cities" with "next-level chefs." His endorsement adds another layer of excitement to the region’s growing reputation.

The selection process involved extensive research, local insights, and recommendations from fellow travel writers and editors at Food & Wine, alongside Pramik’s firsthand experiences.

Other notable mentions included Asheville, North Carolina; Bozeman, Montana; Burlington, Vermont; Fredericksburg, Texas; Greenville, South Carolina; Healdsburg, California; McMinnville, Oregon; Oxford, Mississippi; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Traverse City, Michigan.

A Reflection on Regional Cuisine

As someone who appreciates regional diversity in cooking styles, it is inspiring to see smaller towns like Covington gain national recognition. Their success underscores how communities can leverage local traditions and ingredients to create distinctive culinary identities. It serves as a reminder that authentic flavor profiles and cultural heritage are invaluable assets in today’s competitive food landscape. For readers and travelers alike, this highlights the importance of exploring lesser-known destinations where genuine tastes await discovery.