America is home to plenty of restaurants that feature a variety of different cuisines. From Italian to Chinese to Korean, there are always so many options to consider when we go out to eat! But today, we want to highlight some of the less popular, less appreciated ones. There are so many things out there to try, so here are some of them!

1. Ethiopian

How many of you can say you've had Ethiopian cuisine before? If you haven't, you definitely need to give it a try. It'll open your eyes to a new world of flavour and spices as all the dishes are generally centred around spicy stews or flatbreads like injera. There's a tight-knit, communal aspect to the food too, creating more than just a taste experience.

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2. Peruvian

Pervuian cuisine is so much more than meets the eye. It's not really just one culture's food - it's an incredibly diverse and versatile cuisine that blends the best of indigenous, Spanish, and Asian influences. You've likely had a couple of their signature dishes before, like ceviche, but other less heard of ones include lomo saltado and aji de gallina.

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3. Filipino

One cuisine that definitely deserves more recognition is filipino food. For those of you that love a bit of sweetness in your food, you'll definitely be pleased with their take on spaghetti. But that aside, this cuisine features a fusion of various cultures like Malay, Spanish, and Chinese. Some dishes you may have heard of before include adobo, sinigang, and lechon - you've got to give them a try at some point!

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4. Moroccan

If you love dishes packed with spices, you've got to give Moroccan cuisine an honest go. This cuisine centers around aromatic and rich flavours thanks to the use of spices like saffron, cumin, and coriander. The result? Mind-blowingly flavourful bites each and every time. Some of their most popular dishes include tagine, which is a slow-cooked stew, and couscous, which you've likely heard of or had before.

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5. Portuguese

From seafood dishes to meat stews to delicious desserts, you can find all of that in Portuguese cuisine. You'll be able to taste new spices and new flavours you've never had before, opening up an entirely new world of taste. Sounds like fun, right? There's something here that everyone will be able to enjoy!

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6. Belgian

While you might just think of chocolate when you think of Belgium, Belgian cuisine is a lot more varied than that. Although it's usually forgotten and overshadowed thanks to its more culinary dominant European neighbours, that's not to say Belgium doesn't have stand out food too. Just one look at their iconic dish, Moules-Frites and you can see that!

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7. Vietnamese

No, just because you've had pho doesn't mean you've had all that Vietnamese cuisine has to offer. Because in reality, that's just a little taste of what this cuisine has! From delightful banh mi sandwiches to bon bo hue and bun rieu, there are so many noodle and rice dishes you've just got to try. Each one is unique and offers an entirely different flavour profile from the one before it.

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8. South African

What's better than being able to taste numerous different influences from different countries around the world all in one cuisine? And if there's one out there that nails it, it's South African cuisine - capturing all the best parts of Dutch, Malay, and indigenous flavours and techniques. With so much to try, you'll want to dig in right away.

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9. Hungarian

Craving something that's rich in flavour, full of hearty ingredients, and tastes like home cooking? Sounds like Hungarian cuisine is right up your alley. And if you love the taste of paprika, you'll be more than happy to hear it's used frequently in this cuisine's dishes. Whether it's goulash or chicken paprikash, you'll definitely be able to appreciate the strong flavours.

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10. Lebanese

Do you love fresh food that's still well-seasoned and packed with flavour? It's time to introduce you to Lebanese cuisine, where everything you eat will feel like a celebration of the culture and history. While the names of their dishes might be hard to pronounce (tabbouleh, kibbeh, baba ganoush), you're sure to fall in love with the healthy yet delicious flavours.

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1. American

Ah yes. American food. The home of hamburgers, hot dogs, and apple pie. These comforting foods are incredibly familiar to us, with plenty of American restaurants stretching down every street no matter where we go. But if you want to get even more fancy, it's not just the basics that matter. Don't forget about Southern barbeque or Louisiana gumbo - those are iconic American staples too! 

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2. Italian

Whether it's authentic Italian or Italian-American, you can't deny the country is loaded with restaurants serving this cuisine. Because yes, pizza counts as Italian food too! Serving up some familiar favourites like pasta, lasagna, and cannolis, who are you if you've never had Italian before?

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3. Mexican

Mexican food is incredibly popular and beloved here in America! Perfectly echoing the country's vibrant and fun nature, Mexican cuisine is colourful, flavourful, and best enjoyed with lots of company. Americans particularly love stand out dishes like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Can't forget about Chipotle too - that's in its own category.

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4. Chinese

The Chinese cuisine that's seen so commonly in America is more westernized than authentic. You can't really call Panda Express authentic Chinese food after all! But one reason why American-Chinese is so popular and beloved is because it's made to cater to American palates. Dishes like General Tso's chicken, orange chicken, and fortune cookies, are all actually made here and not in China!

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5. Japanese

Sushi and ramen have grown increasingly popular over the years, meaning Japanese cuisine has continued to grow a stronger presence in this country. People love the precise and masterful preparation of Japanese dishes, enjoying the unique flavours that their dishes have to offer.

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6. Thai

Although most people are just familiar with dishes like pad Thai, green curry, and tom yum soup, there's a plethora of other unique dishes worth trying. The good news? There are enough Thai restaurants around for you to easily do so! Fully embrace the spicy, salty, sweet, and sour flavour combinations that Thai cuisine so expertly mastered.

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7. Indian

Known for its intense, strong flavours and incredible use of spices, Indian cuisine is favoured in America thanks to its array of delicious dishes and desserts. From butter chicken to chicken tikka masala and naan bread, it's safe to say Indian cuisine has stormed its way into many hearts of Americans across the country.

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8. Greek

Featuring healthier options that focus on fresh ingredients and grilled meats, Greek cuisine has an entirely different feel to it. You get a variety of choices when it comes to salads, meats, and sides, all complemented nicely by some tasty yogurt-based sauces. To name a couple, gyros, souvlaki, and spanakopita are just some beloved Greek dishes that people have come to love.

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9. French

When we think of fine dining, you're likely thinking of French cooking. But we'd like to focus on a different aspect of French cuisine when we're talking about the most popular cuisines in America - we're talking French pastries. How often have you went to a cafe just for the croissants or macarons? These delicious and well-crafted goodies are popular for a reason.

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10. Korean

Most commonly associated with Korean barbeque, soju, and kimchi, Korean culture and its cuisine has grown rampantly in America over recent years. Thanks to kpop and kdramas, even the country's food has grown to be popular here! And it's all thanks to its use of bold, spicy flavours that make each bite pop with so much flavour.

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