The best kind of travel lingers long after you’ve unpacked. Though we all love to snap photos in front of famous landmarks and tick destinations ticked off our bucket lists, the best way to really soak in a city’s culture is through sensory souvenirs. The scent of just-picked herbs at a local market, the briny snap of something pickled, the first sip of a drink that surprises you — in moments like these, you’re not just visiting a place, you’re tasting its essence.
Bring home the flavors that make each Kimpton city unforgettable. (Photo Credit: @lisadieder)
Food has a way of anchoring us to a place. A drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of salt, a bite of jerky — these small things hold big memories. Local ingredients don’t just flavor your meals, they flavor your stories. And when you bring them home, they become edible reminders of where you’ve been and who you were while you were there.
So instead of the usual tchotchke, consider stocking your carry-on with something delicious instead. Below, we’ve rounded up the best destinations for a local culinary adventure, plus the regional ingredients worth stuffing in your suitcase.
Nashville: Hot Honey That Hits Different
The south is known for its sweet tea and smoky BBQ, but Nashville has staked its claim on a spicier sensation: Hot honey. Inspired by the city’s legendary spice-forward cuisine, this golden drizzle is equal parts comfort and kick, with roots in southern tradition and a cult following that now spans coast to coast. This signature blend of wildflower honey and chili heat was born from the city’s signature hot chicken tradition and has since become a pantry staple for locals.
Hot honey captures everything people love about Nashville food — bold, craveable, and always made with heart. Drizzle it on biscuits, fried chicken, pizza — or just spoon it straight from the jar. You really can’t go wrong.
Nashville’s signature hot honey is bold, golden, and perfect on just about everything. (Photo Credit: Jocelyn Morales)
Where to try it: Head to the Nashville Farmers Market, where you’ll find makers like Trubee Honey, known for their raw, small-batch Southern wildflower blends. Or pop into The Produce Place in Sylvan Park, a neighborhood market that’s been championing local food makers since the ’80s. They regularly carry hot honey from Tennessee beekeepers and love pointing customers to their newest spicy-sweet finds.
Where to stay: Kimpton Aertson Hotel
Santa Barbara: Sea Salt with a Coastal Soul
There’s something undeniably grounding about Santa Barbara, where the mountains meet the sea and everything feels a little slower and a little saltier — in the best way. It’s this laid-back, sun-kissed stretch of California coastline that also happens to produce some of the most pristine sea salt in the country. Sourced straight from the Pacific and solar-evaporated in small batches, Santa Barbara sea salt is as clean and unprocessed as it gets. Just ocean water, sun, and time.
Locals know it’s not just for finishing dishes, either. It’s a flavor anchor. Sprinkle it on sliced avocado, swirl it into olive oil, or rim a glass for your next margarita. With a subtle brininess and crunchy texture, it adds a layer of pure California coastline to anything you’re eating.
Taste Santa Barbara’s laid-back vibe in every sprinkle of hand-harvested sea salt. (Photo Credit: @candicemariephoto)
On the Central Coast, sea salts blend Pacific air and California sunshine into pure flavor. (Photo Credit: Andrii Leonov)
Where to try it: Wander into the Santa Barbara Company shop on East Victoria Street, an indie boutique and gift destination where you’ll find small-batch craft salts like their Omnivore Salt — a blend of sea salt and organic spices harvested from Northern California’s coastline. For a deeper coastal connection, look into Big Sur Salts, which hand-harvests sea salts from remote sections of California’s Central Coast and blends them with local herbs and citrus essences.
Where to stay: Kimpton Canary Hotel
Portland: Mushroom Jerky with Northwest Umami
With its misty forests, moss-covered trails, and thriving DIY food scene, Portland is a haven for foragers, fungi fanatics, and snack lovers alike. It’s here in the damp, dense woodlands that wild mushrooms grow in abundance — and local makers have transformed that natural bounty into something addictive. Hello, mushroom jerky.
Earthy, chewy, and packed with umami, mushroom jerky isn’t just a clever meat-free snack. It’s a true expression of the Pacific Northwest’s resourceful, flavor-first culture. Whether made with shiitakes, lion’s mane, or portobellos, each variety offers something different, whether it be a little smokey or slightly sweetness.
Portland’s mushroom jerky delivers earthy umami and serious snacking. (Photo Credit: Nick de Partee)
Where to try it: Stop by Market of Choice or New Seasons Market, two beloved local grocers that champion regional producers and often stock small-batch mushroom jerky from brands like Pan’s (made just outside the city) and Snackrilege (known for their punchy flavors and tongue-in-cheek packaging). You can also catch seasonal mushroom jerky blends at the Portland State University Farmers Market, a Saturday morning staple.
Where to stay: Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel or Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland
New Orleans: Creole Mustard with Serious Bite
In New Orleans, food tells stories — and Creole mustard has long been part of the city’s culinary language. Grainy, sharp, and unapologetically flavorful, this Southern pantry essential traces its roots to French traditions, jazzed up with the spirit of the Gulf. Whether smeared on a po’ boy, whisked into remoulade, or served alongside a late-night sausage plate, it brings both heat and depth to anything it touches.
Made with vinegar, whole mustard seeds, and a bit of magic, Creole mustard has that signature bite that lingers. Just like the brass band echoing down a French Quarter side street that will have you coming back for more.
Creole mustard is grainy, tangy, and as lively as a French Quarter parade. (Photo Credit: Avinash Kumar)
New Orleans’ culinary heritage is bottled up in every bite of its local mustard. (Photo Credit: @hotelfontenot)
Where to try it: Visit the Crescent City Farmers Market or stop into Dorignac’s Food Center, a NOLA grocery icon that’s been serving the city for over 70 years. You’ll find classic jars of Zatarain’s, along with local standouts like Hanley’s Creole Mustard, which bottles up the bayou in the best way.
Where to stay: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
Chicago: Giardiniera That Packs a Punch
Giardiniera isn’t just a condiment in Chicago, it’s a way of life. The crunchy, spicy, oil-packed mix of pickled vegetables (typically sport peppers, cauliflower, carrots, and celery) adds a punch to everything from Italian beef sandwiches to pizza slices and scrambled eggs. With its roots in Italian-American kitchens, giardiniera has become a defining element of the city’s comfort food canon.
Every family seems to have a favorite brand, a secret recipe, a must-have heat level…you name it. But whether you like it mild or molten, giardiniera is guaranteed to deliver a satisfying crunch and a mouthwatering tang that’s unmistakably Chicago.
In Chicago, giardiniera adds a kick to every sandwich, slice, and story. (Photo Credit: @laurametzlerphoto)
Where to try it: Head to J.P. Graziano’s, a fourth-generation family-run sandwich shop and grocer in the West Loop that bottles its own iconic giardiniera (and even sells giardiniera oil). For a spicier spin, look for Marconi which is available at neighborhood markets like HarvesTime Foods and Caputo’s.
Where to stay: Kimpton Gray Hotel
