Miami, Florida, has been named the best foodie city in America according to a report published September 30. The ranking by WalletHub analyzed 182 cities based on 28 indicators of foodie-friendliness, including restaurant accessibility, quality, and the cost of groceries.
The analysis evaluated 182 cities, including the 150 most populated U.S. cities and at least two of the most populated cities in each state. WalletHub measured cities across two key dimensions: affordability and diversity, and accessibility and quality.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo stated that top cities cater to both people who enjoy dining out and foodies who enjoy exploring new flavors in their own kitchens. Lupo added that these cities make delicious dining affordable for both residents and visitors.
The top five cities identified in the report include Miami, Florida, in first place, followed by Portland, Oregon, in second. San Francisco, California, and Seattle, Washington, follow, with Austin, Texas, rounding out the top five. Other cities in the top 10 include Orlando, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Sacramento, California; and Denver, Colorado.
Miami earned the top spot due to its availability of affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 out of 5 stars and an extremely high number of restaurants per capita. Portland was noted for its number of craft breweries, wineries, food festivals, and food tours per capita, as well as a lack of taxes on groceries or prepared meals.
San Francisco was highlighted for having a very high number of restaurants per capita and an excellent selection of affordable, high-rated restaurants. The city is also home to 25 Michelin-starred restaurants, including three establishments that hold three stars.
In contrast, West Valley City, Utah, was included in the bottom 10 foodie cities. The bottom five cities identified by the report include Pearl City, Hawaii, at number 182, followed by Montgomery, Alabama; Moreno Valley, California; Jackson, Mississippi; and Shreveport, Louisiana.
The WalletHub study compared various indicators to determine how foodie-friendly a city is. While the top cities offer unique culinary experiences ranging from food trucks to Michelin-starred establishments, the bottom of the list includes cities such as Lewiston, Maine; Augusta, Georgia; Juneau, Alaska; and Gulfport, Mississippi.
