The term “foodie” is commonly used to describe anyone who has a passion for dining, and this foodie culture extends well beyond restaurants. Foodies enjoy discovering new and unique flavors, whether in their own kitchens or at lesser-known places like food trucks. For those passionate about food, the experience of eating becomes a hobby or even a lifestyle.
According to a recent study by WalletHub, three Florida cities rank among the best for foodies. To identify the top and most affordable foodie scenes, WalletHub compared over 180 U.S. cities across 28 indicators of foodie-friendliness. Their analysis included factors such as grocery costs, the affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants, and the number of food festivals per capita.
“In the best foodie cities, including Miami, FL, San Francisco, CA, and Orlando, FL, there are tons of unique culinary experiences to try, from food trucks to specialty-food stores to Michelin-starred restaurants,” said Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst.
He added, “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.”
Miami took the top spot, followed by San Francisco at number two and Orlando at number three, with Portland, OR, and Tampa rounding out the top five, showcasing three Florida cities among the best.
According to WalletHub, Miami is the leading city for foodies, known for its abundance of affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5. The city also has a high number of restaurants per capita.
Beyond quantity, Miami offers quality options as well. It ranks 12th in restaurant diversity and has the 13th-best ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food chains. Additionally, foodies looking for fine dining can choose from 14 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Orlando stands out for its high number of food trucks, ice cream shops, coffee and tea houses, and gourmet food stores per capita. Like the other top cities, Orlando also has a wide variety of restaurant choices, especially those with at least 4.5 stars. The city is home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants.
Tampa excels in categories such as restaurants per capita, affordability, accessibility, and the number of coffee shops and gourmet specialty food stores.
Other Florida cities on the list include Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, and others. Take a look at the complete ranking here.
