South: Atlanta's Buford Highway Farmers' Market

Farmers' market, no: It's as big and industrial as a Boeing plant. But this may be America's greatest imported-food emporium. The variety outshines that of, say, Yaohan in Richmond, B.C., or the Queens-born Hmart chain. You'll find not only Asian foods here but also African, Mexican, and even Eastern European. (Lithuanian frozen cheesecake bars? Tasty!) There are nearly 100 yards of dried Asian noodles alone, and an overwhelming tea selection. The produce section always turns up surprises; ditto the seafood counters (periwinkles, doctor fish). It's not as holy to Atlanta foodies as you'd expect, but this is Disney World for global food hounds, a Smithsonian of packaged goodies for every appetite. —Scott Mowbray