America’s culinary landscape is as diverse as its people, but not all cities deliver equally when it comes to satisfying food lovers. WalletHub’s 2024 analysis of 182 cities across the United States provides insight into the best and worst destinations for food enthusiasts.
The study evaluated cities based on 28 key metrics across two main dimensions: “Affordability” and “Diversity, Accessibility & Quality.” These metrics included factors such as the cost of groceries, restaurant meal costs, diversity of restaurants, the ratio of full-service to fast-food establishments, food festivals per capita, and the presence of Michelin-starred restaurants.
Using this methodology, WalletHub assigned each city a total score out of 100 points, allowing for a detailed ranking of America’s foodie cities.
To that effect, here’s a breakdown of the top 5 best and 5 worst destinations for your taste buds:
The 5 Best Foodie Cities in America
1. Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida, has officially claimed the crown as America’s top foodie city, securing the #1 spot in WalletHub’s latest rankings with an impressive overall score of 74.37.
The vibrant metropolis is a melting pot of flavors where Cuban, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisines collide. Miami also boasts an unrivaled selection of restaurants per capita, tying for first place with heavyweights like Las Vegas, Orlando, San Francisco, and Chicago.
And for those with a sweet tooth, the Magic City takes the cake (or should we say ice cream?) by tying for first place in ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita alongside Orlando, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and San Antonio.
While Miami’s food scene is undeniably hot, be prepared for your wallet to feel the heat too. The city ranks 145th in Affordability; but more than makes up for it by clinching the top spot in the Diversity, Accessibility & Quality category.
2. San Francisco, California
San Francisco, the culinary gem of the West Coast, secures its spot as the second-best foodie city in America, with an overall score of 71.66. It is a haven for food enthusiasts, boasting an extremely high density of restaurants per capita – tying for first place with fellow foodie hotspots; Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami, and Chicago.
From its pioneering farm-to-table movement to its world-famous sourdough, San Francisco continues to push culinary boundaries. Michelin-starred establishments dot the cityscape, while farmers’ markets showcase the region’s abundant produce.
Ranking an impressive 2nd in the Diversity, Accessibility & Quality metric, San Francisco with its dim sum in Chinatown to pasta in North Beach offers a smorgasbord of dining experiences. However, this gastronomic wonderland comes at a price. San Francisco ranks a steep 173rd in Affordability. But for many food lovers, the unparalleled quality and variety make it a worthwhile splurge.
3. Orlando, Florida
Orlando, ranking 3rd overall in WalletHub’s best foodie cities list with a total score of 71.43, offers much more than just theme park cuisine. While it may not top the charts for Affordability (ranking 54th), the city shines in Diversity, Accessibility, & Quality of food options, securing the 3rd spot in this category.
The city’s food culture is impressively varied. Orlando ties in 1st place in restaurants per capita with notable foodie destinations: Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, and Chicago. It also shares the top spot for ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita, with Miami, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and San Antonio, perfect for those hot Florida days.
Coffee enthusiasts will appreciate Orlando’s joint 1st rank in coffee shops per capita, tied with Salt Lake City, Spokane, Richmond, and Pittsburgh. For those seeking gourmet experiences, the city is also tied for 1st in specialty-food stores per capita with St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Honolulu.
4. Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, the quirky paradise of food enthusiasts, secures its spot as the 4th best foodie city in America with a total score of 69.48. This hipster destination isn’t just about artisanal donuts and food carts; the city seems to cater to every palate and preference.
Portland may not be the most affordable city in the country (it ranks 101st), but it more than makes up for it with its 4th place ranking in Diversity, Accessibility & Quality. The city’s culinary scene offers everything from sustainable seafood to an abundance of vegan and vegetarian options.
What truly sets Portland apart is its dedication to the finer things in life. The city boasts the 3rd highest ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food establishments, ensuring that quality dining experiences are always within reach. But the crown jewel of Portland’s foodie credentials? It’s tied for 1st place in Craft Breweries & Wineries per capita, sharing the spotlight with Santa Rosa, Seattle, San Diego, and its namesake in Maine. This means that whether you’re a beer aficionado or a wine connoisseur, Portland has got you covered with an enviable selection of local brews and vintages.
5. Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida, secures the 5th spot on WalletHub’s list of foodie cities thanks to its vibrant culinary identity and rich cultural heritage. With a total score of 69.31, Tampa shines particularly bright in the Diversity, Accessibility & Quality metric, where it ranks an impressive 6th. While its Affordability rank sits at 76th, the city’s dynamic food scene makes it worth every penny.
The historic Ybor City district is a foodie’s dream, where you can savor authentic Media Noche sandwiches with the smell of freshly rolled cigars still in the air—a nod to the neighborhood’s storied past. Beyond its Cuban roots, Tampa delivers fresh Gulf Coast seafood, including perfectly grilled grouper that locals swear by.
A standout feature of Tampa’s culinary landscape is its thriving craft beer culture. The city is home to award-winning breweries that pair perfectly with its eclectic dining options, from casual food trucks to upscale waterfront restaurants.
The 5 Worst Foodie Cities in America
1. Pearl City, Hawaii
Despite its idyllic Hawaiian setting, Pearl City finds itself at the bottom of the foodie barrel, ranking 182 overall with a dismal total score of 31.46. This tropical getaway falls short in nearly every culinary category. With an abysmal 175th rank in Affordability and dead last (180th) in Diversity, Accessibility, & Quality, Pearl City’s dining scene is as appetizing as a pineapple-topped spam musubi left out in the sun.
The city’s lackluster performance extends to its beverage options, tying with Honolulu for the 178th spot in average beer and wine prices. Foodies seeking variety will be sorely disappointed as Pearl City scrapes the bottom with 182nd rank in restaurants per capita. Even dessert lovers are left wanting, with the city ranking 180th in ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita.
Coffee aficionados might also want to bring their own beans, as Pearl City ranks a dismal 182nd in coffee shops per capita. And forget about finding that perfect artisanal cheese or exotic spice blend – the city ranks dead last (182nd) in gourmet specialty-food stores per capita. It seems even the abundance of fresh, local ingredients can’t save Pearl City from its status as a culinary ghost town.
2. Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama, finds itself in a culinary conundrum, ranking a disappointing 181st overall in WalletHub’s list of the best foodie cities in America. With a total score of 33.34, the state capital struggles to satisfy the palates of food enthusiasts. While the city’s Affordability rank of 136th isn’t entirely dismal, it’s the Diversity, Accessibility & Quality of its food scene that truly let it down, landing at a disheartening 181st place.
One of the most glaring issues for Montgomery’s food landscape is its ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food establishments, which also ranks at an abysmal 181st. This suggests that the city is dominated by quick, convenient eats rather than sit-down dining experiences that often offer more diverse and refined cuisine.
When it comes to BBQ, Montgomery’s scene is present but underwhelming, failing to step out of the shadow cast by neighboring cities like Birmingham. The lack of restaurant diversity and minimal gourmet offerings further dampens the city’s culinary appeal. It seems that, for now, Montgomery has a long way to go before it can claim a spot as a true foodie destination.
3. Nampa, Idaho
Nampa’s culinary setting fails to impress, landing it near the bottom of America’s foodie destinations. With an overall rank of 180th and a total score of 33.40, this Idaho city struggles to satisfy discerning palates.
Affordability is a major issue, with Nampa ranking 181st in this metric, suggesting that dining out here might leave your wallet feeling lighter than your stomach. The city’s 157th place in Diversity, Accessibility & Quality indicates a limited range of options and a lack of standout eateries.
While Nampa’s small-town charm might appeal to some, its food scene remains decidedly underwhelming, dominated by potato-centric dishes and a noticeable absence of culinary creativity. Foodies seeking exciting flavors and diverse cuisines may find themselves disappointed in this corner of the Gem State.
4. Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson’s gastronomic landscape is as complex as its history, but unfortunately, it’s not hitting any of the high notes in this foodie list. Ranking a disappointing 179th overall with a total score of 33.78, the city’s soul food legacy isn’t enough to save it from the bottom of the pot. While you can still find mouthwatering fried catfish and collard greens that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance, innovation seems to have taken a lunch break.
The capital city’s Affordability rank of 156th suggests that dining out might leave your wallet feeling as empty as your stomach. Even more concerning is Jackson’s 179th rank in Diversity, Accessibility & Quality, indicating that finding a variety of good eats might be a chore.
Perhaps most telling is Jackson’s 182nd rank in the ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food establishments. It seems the city is serving up more drive-thru windows than white tablecloths, leaving foodies hungry for more options. While Jackson’s food scene might not be ready for the Michelin guide just yet, there’s always hope that this Southern belle will spice things up in the future.
5. Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, the third-largest city in Louisiana, finds itself in an unexpected culinary predicament. Despite its location in a state renowned for its vibrant food scene, Shreveport ranks a disappointing 178th overall with a total score of 33.81 in WalletHub’s list of best foodie cities.
The city’s foodie landscape is marred by a prevalence of chain restaurants and a lack of diverse dining options, resulting in a dismal 182nd rank (dead last) in the Diversity, Accessibility & Quality category.
Even in terms of Affordability, Shreveport struggles to impress, ranking 124th. The city’s ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food establishments is equally concerning, landing at 180th place. This imbalance suggests a dining scene dominated by quick, often less-than-stellar meal options rather than unique, locally-owned eateries.
While Shreveport does offer some traditional Cajun and Creole dishes, they fail to capture the magic and intensity of flavors found in culinary hotspots.
Source: Wallet Hub