Every American city is distinct in its culinary offerings, yet some emerge as extraordinary food destinations known for quality, specialty dishes, and a remarkable variety. In its 2025 report, WalletHub has pinpointed the top food cities across the country.
This comprehensive analysis compared 182 cities, including the 150 most populous, utilizing a wide range of metrics to evaluate their food culture. Key factors included affordability, variety, quality, accessibility, and overall dining experience, alongside over 28 specific metrics like the average costs of beverages and food taxes, as well as the number of restaurants per capita.
Additionally, the ranking incorporated Yelp’s evaluation of the top 100 restaurants in America, assigning ratings out of 100 to each restaurant, which contributed to the overall city rankings.
Top 5 Food Cities in America for 2025
According to WalletHub, Miami claims the title of the best food city in America. The city captivates visitors and residents alike with its affordability, quality, and diverse culinary landscape.
As highlighted in WalletHub’s findings:
“Miami is the best city for foodies, leading the country in affordable restaurants rated at 4.5 stars out of 5. Beyond just quantity, the city boasts a remarkable number of high-quality dining options.”
“Miami ranks 12th in restaurant diversity and 13th in the ratio of full-service to fast-food establishments. For those seeking high-end dining experiences, there are 14 Michelin-starred restaurants, including the renowned L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which has two Michelin stars.”
With a score of 74.37 out of 100, Miami is followed by San Francisco, which scored 71.66. According to WalletHub:
“San Francisco offers the best selection of affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars. The city boasts the sixth-best variety of restaurant types and ranks fourth for access to healthy food options. Additionally, San Francisco hosts numerous food festivals and cooking schools per capita, enriching the culinary experience for enthusiasts.”
In third place is Orlando with a score of 71.43. WalletHub noted:
“Orlando excels in the number of food trucks, ice cream shops, coffee and tea outlets, and gourmet food stores per capita. Like the other leading cities, it features a vast array of dining options, particularly those rated at least 4.5 out of 5 stars.”
Portland, Oregon, and Tampa, Florida, complete the top five, scoring 69.48 and 69.31, respectively.
What Defines the Best Food Cities in America?
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo elaborates on the characteristics that make a city a prime foodie destination:
“The best foodie cities, like Miami, San Francisco, and Orlando, offer a plethora of unique culinary experiences, ranging from food trucks to specialty food shops to Michelin-starred venues.”
“These cities cater not only to dining enthusiasts but also to home cooks eager to experiment with new flavors in their own kitchens. Furthermore, they provide accessible dining experiences that are budget-friendly for locals and visitors alike.”
Completing the top ten are Sacramento, Las Vegas, Seattle, Denver, and San Diego, further showcasing the diverse culinary landscape across the nation.