News Summary
Miami, Florida has been ranked as the top foodie city in the U.S. by WalletHub’s latest report. The study evaluated 182 cities based on affordability and food diversity. Miami excelled due to affordable high-rated restaurants, having 13 Michelin-starred establishments, and numerous farmers’ markets. The city surpassed traditional culinary centers like New York and Los Angeles, indicating a shift in food preferences towards cities that offer a variety of options at lower costs.
Miami, Florida, has emerged as the premier destination for food enthusiasts in the United States, according to WalletHub’s 2025 rankings. The city topped the list of best foodie cities, surpassing long-established culinary giants such as New York City and Los Angeles.
The study evaluated 182 U.S. cities, which included the 150 most populous cities along with at least two populous cities from each state. WalletHub’s analysis was rooted in two primary dimensions: affordability and diversity, accessibility, and quality of food options.
Analysts assessed 28 specific metrics to derive the rankings. These metrics examined a range of factors including grocery costs, restaurant meal prices, the number of restaurants and gourmet food stores per capita, the existence of farmers’ markets, and access to healthy food choices. Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale, which quantified the conditions favorable to food lovers.
According to the findings, Miami excelled notably in factors related to affordability and food diversity. The city ranked highest in the availability of affordable restaurants that maintain high ratings, with numerous establishments receiving at least 4.5 stars out of 5. Furthermore, Miami boasts a remarkable number of restaurants per capita, landing at the 12th position for overall restaurant diversity.
Miami’s culinary prowess is underscored by the presence of 13 Michelin-starred restaurants, including the distinguished L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which has been awarded two Michelin stars. Other culinary highlights include the city ranking third in the number of farmers’ markets, as well as butcher shops and gourmet specialty food stores. It also ranks second for kitchen supply stores per capita.
Following Miami in WalletHub’s rankings, Portland, Oregon, secured the second spot, renowned for its craft breweries, wineries, and absence of a food tax, which makes dining more budget-friendly. In third place was San Francisco, California, celebrated for its upscale dining options and home to 26 Michelin-starred restaurants, including three that have achieved the coveted three-star rating.
Seattle, Washington, ranked fourth, while Orlando, Florida, rounded out the top five. Miami, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Francisco, and Houston are notable for sharing the highest number of restaurants per capita, reinforcing the culinary energy in these urban centers.
Additional data revealed that cities such as Santa Rosa and San Diego in California, Portland in Oregon, Seattle, and Portland in Maine are lauded for their high per capita availability of craft breweries and wineries, catering to diverse tastes within the dining landscape. Notably, Laredo, Texas is recognized for having the lowest grocery costs, while Reno, Nevada presents the lowest average prices for beer and wine.
New York City, despite its rich food diversity, placed 26th due to the significant costs associated with dining out, reflecting a growing trend where affordability and quality dining experiences have begun to take precedence over traditional food capitals like NYC and Los Angeles, which landed in 16th place.
This evolving culinary landscape underscores a shift where smaller cities with lower costs and diverse dining options are becoming increasingly attractive to food lovers across the nation.
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Additional Resources
- South Florida Agent Magazine
- Scripps News
- Forbes
- TimeOut Miami
- Patch
- Wikipedia: Food culture
- Google Search: food cities in the US
- Google Scholar: food cities rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food
- Google News: Miami food scene
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
