True foodies know that some cities just have better eats than others.
WalletHub has released its rankings of the Best Foodie Cities In America. The analysis compared 182 cities across 28 "key indicators of foodie-friendliness," including the cost of groceries and the affordability and accessibility of high-quality 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,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo in the report.
Here's a closer look at the rankings.
See what's on it
Which cities ranked highest?
Here are the top 10 foodie cities, per WalletHub:
- Miami, Florida
- Portland, Oregon
- San Francisco, California
- Seattle, Washington
- Austin, Texas
- Orlando, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Sacramento, California
- Denver, Colorado
Miami is the best foodie city in America, according to the ranking.
Portland, Oregon ranked second on the list, followed by San Francisco, Seattle and Austin, Texas rounding out the top five. Pearl City, Hawaii ranked last on the list at No. 182, with Montgomery, Alabama; Moreno Valley, California; Jackson, Mississippi; and Shreveport, Louisiana also included in the bottom five.
Miami leads the list largely due to its availability of affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5, according to WalletHub. The city also has an "extremely high number" of restaurants per capita and has several high-quality choices, according to the report.
Portland, Oregon stands out in terms of the number of craft breweries and wineries, herbs and spices shops, food and wine tours, and food festivals per capita, according to WalletHub. The city also does not impose any taxes on groceries or prepared meals, making it more affordable than many other cities.
WalletHub says San Francisco offers a "very high number" of restaurants per capita and has one of the best selections of affordable restaurants that are rated at least 4.5 out of 5 stars, with the city also being home to 25 restaurants with Michelin stars, including three establishments with three stars apiece.
“In the best foodie cities, including Miami, FL, Portland, OR, and San Francisco, CA, there are tons of unique culinary experiences to try, from food trucks to specialty-food stores to, in some cities, Michelin-starred restaurants," said Lupo.
Which cities ranked lowest?
Here's a look at the bottom 10 foodie cities, per WalletHub:
- Pearl City, Hawaii
- Montgomery, Alabama
- Moreno Valley, California
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Shreveport, Louisiana
- Lewiston, Maine
- Augusta, Georgia
- Juneau, Alaska
- Gulfport, Mississippi
- West Valley City, Utah
How were the rankings calculated?
WalletHub says it 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, including affordability and diversity, accessibility and quality.
You can visit WalletHub's website to see the full ranking and methodology.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These are the best foodie cities in America, according to WalletHub
