Raleigh is a city saturated with talented chefs, many of whom have been recipients or nominees of the prestigious James Beard Award, but until recently the city’s food scene was underrepresented on a national level. Now, Raleigh is staking its claim as one of the hottest food cities in the US, finally discussed alongside the culinary rich cities of Nashville, Tennessee and Charleston, South Carolina. The influx and upskilling of talented chefs has created a scene heavily influenced by Raleigh’s urbanism and surrounding rurality. The Southern influence championed in this area of the US is combined with international techniques and flavours to create a unique food scene well worth experiencing. 

Sacramento has many nicknames: ‘The City of Trees’, ‘The Big Tomato’, ‘ The Camellia Capital of the World’ and even ‘Hipster City’ on occasion, which was born out of the city’s burgeoning artistic community but could perhaps include their obsession with new-wave coffee roasters. Sacramentans love their cups of joe, but which are the best spots to enjoy your morning coffee or grab-and-go to stay caffeinated whilst sightseeing in this historical city? Check out our guide below to the best coffee shops in Sacramento, California.

Sacramento, California has finally broken ground on a seismic urban development project that will change the very fabric of the city. The Railyards, a vast 244-acre plot just north of Sacramento’s trendy, bustling Midtown district is set to receive billions of dollars worth of investment in transforming this disused area into an extension of the city’s downtown area. The area is one of the first visible indications of the urban centre when visitors drive from the airport. The underutilised space once housed the vital trans-continental railway workshops and trainbuilding facilities that helped to develop the country through the East-West Coast connection. The Railyards however, are in need of significant capital investment, progressive development vision and consciousness of environmental sustainability to achieve its fullest potential. With the demand for more office space, affordable housing, retail space, entertainment venues and hospitality growing in Sacramento, the Railyards seem like a sensible solution. 

As California’s capital, Sacramento has historically been as important as Los Angeles and San Francisco, if not more so. However, in recent times the glamour of Hollywood in LA and the booming technology industry in San Fran has left Sacramento somewhat in their wake. Today, Sacramento is showing signs of why you should not overlook this great, historical city. With revitalised neighbourhoods, a burgeoning art community, luxury hospitality and a masterful gastronomic scene, Sacramento is one of the best places to live in California. It has become a destination for many and home to a diverse population that have sought out the city’s desirable lifestyle from far and wide. With so much to see and do in the city including cultural events, quirky districts, markets and a medley of historical sites, Sacramento will keep you discovering the many facets of central California’s beauty. 

Phoenix, Arizona has seen significant growth in the past 5 years thanks to a citywide initiative to reinvigorate and revitalise the city’s downtown. Considered by many within the city to be a seminal moment for the city, the development is reshaping the city’s skyline, garnering a great buzz from Phoenix locals and real estate investors alike. For most cities worldwide the downtown districts are the hub of working life, leisure and social activity, yet for Phoenix, this has not been the case for many decades. It is with this aim that Phoenix’s development initiative was enacted and now, a decade later, there are promising signs that Phoenix will not only achieve its target but exceed it.