One of the biggest perks of traveling is trying new foods or even the nuanced regional flavors of familiar dishes. The term “foodie” no longer refers to only those with a sophisticated palate who seek out upscale restaurants.
If you enjoy trying new foods when you travel, as I do, welcome to the club. Regardless if you love food trucks, coffee shops, craft breweries, mom-and-pop diners, or creating concoctions in the kitchen, you are a foodie in my book.
While we can indulge our food cravings wherever we go, where are America’s top foodie cities? WalletHub released its best foodie cities in America study so travelers can experience the best flavors and find the most affordable foodie hotspots. The study compares 182 cities across 28 metrics, focusing on two key dimensions: 1) affordability and 2) diversity, accessibility, and quality. Let’s dig in!
Miami, Florida
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Ranking first overall, Miami has a high number of restaurants per capita. The city leads the country with the availability of affordable restaurants with 4.5 stars out of 5. Miami scores well for diversity in its types of eateries and features 14 Michelin-starred restaurants. With many farmers markets, butcher shops, kitchen supply stores, and gourmet specialty food stores, Miami is a dream for those who love to cook.
San Francisco, California
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The City by the Bay ranks second overall, featuring 25 Michelin-starred restaurants. San Francisco has a high number of eateries per capita, including an outstanding selection of places with at least 4.5 stars. The city offers many food festivals and cooking schools per capita, which can yield rewarding new experiences. San Francisco leads the nation in herb and spice stores, international grocery stores, and craft breweries per capita.
Orlando, Florida
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Yes, Orlando is known for more than its iconic theme parks. It ranks as America’s third-best foodie city. Orlando scores well for restaurant diversity, food trucks, ice cream shops, coffee and tea shops, and gourmet food stores per capita. It has many restaurant choices with at least 4.5 stars and is one of America’s best cities for vegetarians and vegans. For those who enjoy fine dining, Orlando has 7 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Rounding Out the Top Ten Foodie Cities
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Which cities finished in spots four through ten? Those foodie hotspots are Portland, Oregon; Tampa, Florida; Sacramento, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Seattle, Washington; Denver, Colorado; and San Diego, California. When it comes to rewarding culinary scenes, you cannot go wrong with any of these.
Now that we have examined the overall perspective, let’s explore specific food and beverage segments that may appeal to travelers.
Top Cities For Craft Beers and Wineries
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If you enjoy craft beers or wineries, the cities with the most options per capita are Santa Rosa, California; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; San Diego, California; and Portland, Maine.
Top Cities For Coffee Lovers
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For coffee lovers like me, where can you find the most coffee shops per capita? The winners are Salt Lake City, Utah; Spokane, Washington; Richmond, Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Orlando, Florida.
Top Cities for Those Who Love to Cook
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The following two categories are for those who love to cook, even when you travel. Your best cities for saving money on groceries are Brownsville, Texas; Laredo, Texas; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Those who like to be a little more adventurous can find the most gourmet specialty food stores per capita in St. Louis, Missouri; Orlando, Florida; Cincinnati, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Honolulu, Hawaii.
Tips for Foodies on a Budget
Travel comes with a price, and inflation weighs heavy on our minds these days. However, there are ways to enjoy the local food scene when you travel without sacrificing quality to cut costs.
Rebecca Heid, Professor of Hospitality Management at Northampton Community College, says, “Before you travel, always start by doing thorough research. Identify the local cuisine or signature dishes the destination is known for, and plan accordingly. This includes deciding when to visit restaurants, reviewing the must-try items, and creating your own food tour based on nearby spots.
“If you’re traveling with someone, consider sharing dishes to avoid wasting money on ordering too much—you can always go back for seconds. Avoid overpriced beverages, especially alcohol, which is often marked up by 300-600%. Don’t overlook local food markets, where you might find free samples or vendors willing to let you taste items for free. While guided food tours can be fun, they can also be expensive. I like to research popular food tours and their featured stops, so I can recreate a similar experience on my own!”
Dining Out Trends
What trends are we seeing in culinary tourism? Heid comments, “I’m noticing that many people are relying less on cash, but some places are charging a fee for credit card payments, which can easily add an extra $3 or more to your bill. Consider carrying some cash to avoid these fees. Additionally, takeout has become increasingly popular, as it often eliminates the need for tipping and helps save money.
“Consumers are always on the lookout for deals and the best value for their money. To meet this demand, many restaurants are offering shareable dishes and small plates. Locally, happy hour times have even been extended. While these changes might not always benefit restaurants and bars, they reflect consumers’ desire for financial relief when dining out.”
Plan Your Next Foodie Vacation
Now that we know the top foodie cities, it is time to plan a trip. Whether or not you consider yourself a foodie, include dining experiences in your vacation planning process. It will give you additional reasons to look forward to your trip and help you factor the costs into your overall budget. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.
Scott McConkey is a travel writer and founder of Miles with McConkey, where he provides trip ideas and travel guides. His wife, Julie creates travel videos. They hope to inspire you to travel more.
