Which cities are the best for 'foodies'? Here's where Atlanta ranks

What does it mean to be a "foodie"?

Whether you're a restaurant connoisseur or just trying new foods for the first time, foodie culture is all about appreciating a good meal.

In Atlanta, that means appreciating everything from lemon pepper wings to biscuits and gravy to Korean barbecue and more. The city is home to eight Michelin-starred restaurants and hosts a combination of five-star dining locations and late-night snack spots.

In a new WalletHub report, 182 cities were analyzed for their food scenes to find the best spots in America for foodies.

Here's where Atlanta ranks nationally.

Atlanta ranked 11th best city for foodies in the U.S.

"In order to determine the best and cheapest local foodie scenes, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two

of the most populated cities in each state — across two key dimensions, 'Affordability' and 'Diversity, Accessibility & Quality,'” according to the report.

The city of Atlanta was ranked 11th overall, WalletHub said, with number one rankings for "restaurants per capita" and "affordability and accessibility of highly rated restaurants."

The city also had relatively high rankings for "gourmet specialty-food stores" and the number of craft breweries, wineries, coffee and tea shops.

Atlanta's overall ranking was dragged down, however, by the cost of groceries which was ranked 89th in the country.

"In the best foodie cities ... there are tons of unique culinary experiences to try, from food trucks to specialty-food stores to, in some cities, Michelin-starred restaurants. The top cities cater not just to people who enjoy dining out, but also to foodies who enjoy putting their own skills to the test by exploring new flavors in their own kitchens. In addition, these cities make delicious dining affordable for residents and visitors alike," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report.

What are the top 10 cities for foodies in the U.S.?

Atlanta narrowly missed out on the top ten ranking, but here are the cities that topped the list:

1. Miami, Florida
2. Portland, Oregon
3. San Francisco, California
4. Seattle, Washington
5. Austin, Texas
6. Orlando, Florida
7. Tampa, Florida
8. Las Vegas, Nevada
9. Sacramento, California
10. Denver, Colorado

Which Atlanta restaurants have Michelin stars?

There are eight restaurants across the Atlanta metro area that have earned a Michelin star.

Here's where you can find them:

1. Hayakawa
   • 1055 Howell Mill Road
2. Lazy Betty
   • 99 Peachtree Street NE
3. Mujō
   • 691 14th Street NW, Suite C
4. O by Brush
   • 3009 Peachtree Road NE
5. Bacchanalia
   • 1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd, Suite A
6. Omakase Table
   • 3330 Piedmont Road NE, #22A
7. Atlas
   • The St. Regis Atlanta, 88 W. Paces Ferry Road NW
8. Spring
   • 36 Mill Street, Marietta

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [e-mail].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which cities are the best for 'foodies'? Here's where Atlanta ranks