Local Knowledge: Southern Culinary Tour, USA

The beating heart of the American South is, and always has been, food. From new takes on old classics to home-cooked meals full of family history and secret recipes, southern food is thriving, and nowhere more so than at these three epicurean destinations.

At Opens in a new windowThe Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Atlanta’s stylish Buckhead neighborhood, Executive Chef Marc Suennemann serves his updated take on the pillars of Southern cuisine at Opens in a new windowTrade Root, flawlessly executing dishes such as white cheddar cheese biscuits and hushpuppies with bacon jam and honey butter. Meanwhile, at local standout Opens in a new windowKing + Duke, executive chef and proprietor EJ Hodgkinson honors the traditional flavors of Georgia while focusing on sustainable ingredients and looking to wood fire cooking for inspiration. Also off property is The Marquee Club at the beautifully restored Opens in a new windowFox Theatre. Originally built in 1928, the theatre is an Atlanta landmark and not to be missed.

In Charlotte, North Carolina step into executive chef Garrett Merck’s capable hands at the Opens in a new windowGallery Restaurant, located within Opens in a new windowThe Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, where Southern staples like shrimp and grits meet modern-day favorites such as an avocado toast served with marinated tomatoes and a fried egg from local farmers. For something light before exploring the city, pick up a specialty coffee and sandwich at Opens in a new windowTrade and Lore before spending the afternoon at the Opens in a new windowBechtler Museum of Modern Art, which houses an exemplary collection of mid-twentieth-century treasures.