Wednesday, Oct. 16 will be observed as World Food Day, and with both dining out and cooking having become much more expensive in recent years, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released its report on 2024’s Best Foodie Cities in America. The report also includes expert commentary to help identify where people can experience the best flavors without breaking the bank.
WalletHub compared more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities across 28 key metrics. The data set ranges from the cost of groceries to the affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants to the number of food festivals per capita.
Top 20 Foodie Cities in America
Leading the way as the best Foodie City was Miami, Florida, followed by San Francisco, California at number two. Number three went to Orlando, FL; followed by Portland, OR; Tampa, FL; Sacramento, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Seattle, WA; Denver, CO; and San Diego, CA in the top ten. Ranked 11 through 20 were, Atlanta, Georgia at number 11, followed by St. Louis, MO; Los Angeles, CA; Austin, TX; Pittsburgh, PA; New York, NY; Richmond, VA; Chicago, IL; Fort Lauderdale, FL; and, rounding out the top 20, Washington, DC.
Best vs. Worst
St. Louis has the most gourmet specialty-food stores (per square root of population), which is 13.6 times more than in Pearl City, Hawaii, the city with the fewest.
Miami has the most restaurants (per square root of population), which is 20.8 times more than in Pearl City, Hawaii, the city with the fewest.
Cape Coral, Florida, has the highest ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food establishments, which is 2.9 times higher than in Jackson, Mississippi, the city with the lowest.
Orlando, Florida, has the most ice cream and frozen yogurt shops (per square root of population), which is 25.9 times more than in Lewiston, Maine, the city with the fewest.
“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. 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. “Miami is the best city for foodies, leading the country when it comes to the availability of affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5. It also has an extremely high number of restaurants per capita. On top of that, foodies who want to partake in Miami’s fine dining can choose from 14 Michelin-starred restaurants. Finally, Miami is a great place for foodies who enjoy cooking at home, with the third-most farmers’ markets, ninth-most gourmet specialty food stores, second-most butcher shops and most kitchen supply stores per capita.”
To view the full report, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-foodie-cities/7522
Expert Commentary
What tips can you provide to foodies on a tight budget?
“Foodies who want to explore new culinary experiences without overspending should focus on conducting a thorough budget and comparative analysis. By comparing menu prices to the cost of individual ingredients, they can make informed decisions on whether dining out or recreating a dish at home provides better value. Sharing these insights with fellow food enthusiasts can help them discover affordable yet high-quality dining options. Additionally, keeping an eye out for local restaurant promotions, seasonal discounts, and community dining events can further stretch their budget. This strategic approach ensures they can indulge in their love for food without compromising their financial health.”
Nader Sharkes C.E.C. – Department Chair & Culinary Instructor, Contra Costa College
“When finding something to eat on a tight budget, I recommend limiting your meals. View this as an opportunity to manage your calories for the identified most desirable meal time. Is it breakfast? Lunch? Or dinner? Whatever your preference, utilize that time as an opportunity to splurge on a food item or food items. Yet, I will snack around the chosen inopportune times. I suggest using the chosen food time to find an item or items that provide a variety of flavors, aiming to capture the taste of desirable foods that you might be out of your budget. This advice is being provided based on an unknown budget.”
James A Williams, Ph.D., D.M., CHE, CC – Associate Professor, University of Tennessee Knoxville
What tips can you offer to health-conscious foodies who like to eat out?
“Taking an example from one of my own adult children who is extremely conscious of the health, calories, and hidden calories of the foods she eats (was this sautéed in a gallon of seed oil?): some parts of the country naturally have more of a healthy, outdoor, health-conscious lifestyle than others. And the dining options reflect that. So my advice? Read the menus ahead of time, consider portion control, and bring leftovers home. Do not be afraid to ask for modifications, though if you are asking for too many changes, this might not be the right restaurant for you.”
Leora Halpern Lanz, ISHC – Executive Director, OL Academic Programs; Associate Professor of the Practice, Boston University
“Study menu items prior to visiting the set restaurant. I recommend having three potential item preferences. Once you identify those items, scan and analyze the ingredients. This can provide you with the information needed to request modifications or to accept the food option as is. I would eat some protein or some veggies prior to leaving the house. Eating prior to visiting a restaurant will mitigate hunger, which in turn, will alleviate a strong desire to spend outside of your budget. I would drink a full glass of water at the table. This will flush out your system, and it will reduce hunger and/or compulsion.”
James A Williams, Ph.D., D.M., CHE, CC – Associate Professor, University of Tennessee Knoxville
What are the dining out trends for 2024 and how is inflation affecting Americans eating out habits?
“With inflation impacting consumers’ spending habits, there has been a noticeable shift from formal, multi-course dining experiences toward more casual dining options. Fast-casual restaurants, offering high-quality food without the high prices of fine dining, are increasingly popular. However, another rising trend is the tasting menu, which allows diners to sample a variety of dishes in smaller portions at a more affordable price point. Tasting menus also provide an opportunity to pair meals with wine, which enhances the overall dining experience while catering to consumers’ evolving preferences. By offering a diverse range of smaller dishes, restaurants can attract diners who want to explore new flavors without committing to a full-course meal, making it a practical response to economic challenges.”
Nader Sharkes C.E.C. – Department Chair & Culinary Instructor, Contra Costa College
“I have noticed more health-conscious and money-conscious diners. This has created two different niche markets, in my opinion. For health-conscious diners, they are reading labels and counting their macros, making sure proper fats, carbohydrates, and proteins are accounted for in their meals. Some conscious diners are shifting their paradigms to meal prep instead of traveling to restaurants. However, restaurants have a great opportunity to woo these diners by creating meals that consider conscious macro seekers. Money-conscious diners are maneuvering this space by deciding to stay in or by limiting item selections or choosing cheaper items. Restaurants should construct future menu items or limited items with a sound understanding of these niche markets and/or consumers.”
James A Williams, Ph.D., D.M., CHE, CC – Associate Professor, University of Tennessee Knoxville
