The term “foodie” dates back to the 1980s when it first appeared in print in New York magazine in an article from food critic Gael Greene. Over the past few decades the foodie culture evolved from strictly gourmet critics to the everyday person who has an interest in food.
Today, the term pops up across social media. People posting everything from a five-course dinner to a street taco. “‘Authentic’ foodies, according to experts, not only crave new and different flavors but also savor the exploratory experience of eating, learning and discovering food,” WalletHub reported.
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The shift from cooking at home to dining out is nothing new. In 2015, restaurant sales surpassed grocery sales for the first time and that trend continues four years later. In a new study, WalletHub analyzed cities across the country to see which ones have the most affordable options for frugal foodies. The study compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 30 key indicators of foodie-friendliness to determine the best foodie scenes.
Here are the top nine American foodie cities.
Methodology
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.”
It evaluated those dimensions using 30 relevant metrics, ranging from cost of groceries and restaurant tax to average beer price and restaurants per capita. The study also evaluated cities based on restaurant growth, restaurant diversity, and ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food establishments. View the full list of metrics here.
Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions and costs for foodies. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), WalletHub used the square root of the population to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.
Finally, WalletHub determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order the cities in our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the “city proper” in each case and excluded surrounding cities in the metro area.
Total score: 69.79
Affordability Rank: 13
Diversity, Accessibility & Quality: 5
For the second year in a row, Portland beat out New York, San Francisco, and Chicago as the Best Foodie City. The City of Roses is known for being weird and fully embraces its weirdness even when it comes to food. From farm-to-table fine dining to the booming food cart scene—there’s more than 600 in the city—Portland dining scene is as diverse as its residents.
Other study findings:
Portland tied with Seattle, Denver, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Rosa, California for the most craft breweries and wineries per capita. It also tied with Seattle, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and New York for most coffee shops per capita.
Total score: 68.74
Affordability Rank: 175
Diversity, Accessibility & Quality: 1
It’s no surprise that New York City came in first place for most restaurants per capita.
With such a diverse range of both full service and fast casual establishments across the five boroughs, there is something for every foodie in the Big Apple.
Other study findings:
NYC came in first place for most gourmet-specialty food stores per capita. It also tied with Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, Miami, and San Antonio for most ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita. It also tied San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon for most coffee shops per capita.
Total score: 67.52
Affordability Rank: 123
Diversity, Accessibility & Quality: 3
WalletHub found the Magic City has the third most restaurants per capita in the U.S. Across Miami’s food scene there are influences from the Carribean. Diners can find everything from Cuban to Haitian food. It also heavily influenced by South American cuisine. Miami’s close proximity to the ocean allows restaurants to take full advantage of fresh seafood in their dishes.
Other study findings:
Miami tied with Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, New York City, and San Antonio for most ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita.
Total score: 67.21
Affordability Rank: 172
Diversity, Accessibility & Quality: 2
While San Francisco may be the mecca of farm-to-table dining, there are plenty of other dining experiences to experience in and around the bay area. According to WalletHub, San Fran has the second most restaurants per capita in the U.S. Foodies can grab a burrito in the Mission neighborhood or a seven-course meal at one of the cities more than 60 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Other study findings:
San Francisco tied with Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Portland, and Santa Rosa, California for the most craft breweries and wineries per capita. It tied New York City, Las Vegas, Seattle, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon for most coffee shops per capita. It was ranked fourth for most gourmet-specialty food stores per capita.
Total score: 66.96
Affordability Rank: 107
Diversity, Accessibility & Quality: 4
While the City of Angels is known for art and entertainment, it’s booming culinary scene rivals some of the best culinary spots in the world. From tacos to sushi, Los Angeles offers a variety of options for diners. Restaurateurs are constantly flocking to the West Coast and bringing new cuisine to L.A. Over the past year, the openings of Bavel and Majordomo, brings modern Middle Eastern and Asian American cuisines respectively to Los Angeles, Eater noted.
Other study findings:
L.A. came in third place for most gourmet-specialty food stores per capita.
Total score: 66.30
Affordability Rank: 15
Diversity, Accessibility & Quality: 7
When visitors aren’t gambling or seeing a show, they’re enjoying the various bars and restaurants found in Sin City. Las Vegas comes in fourth place in the ranking of most restaurants per capita. Opening a casino restaurant isn’t a small feat, however, celebrity chefs like David Chang, Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, Giada de Laurentiis, and Wolfgang Puck all have restaurants in Vegas.
Other study findings:
Vegas tied with Miami, Chicago, Austin, New York City, and San Antonio for most ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita. It also tied with New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon for most coffee shops per capita.
Total score: 62.54
Affordability Rank: 47
Diversity, Accessibility & Quality: 9
The Southern California city may be a laid back beach town, but that doesn’t mean it has a laid back food scene. It’s close proximity to both Los Angeles and Mexico heavily influences concepts throughout the city. Chefs create menus and regional specialities, like Baja fish tacos, from the regions fresh produce and seafood caught straight from the ocean.
“Top Chef” alums Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins and Richard Blais both have establishments in San Diego.
Other study findings:
San Diego tied with Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, Portland, and Santa Rosa, California for the most craft breweries and wineries per capita.
Total score: 61.01
Affordability Rank: 168
Diversity, Accessibility & Quality: 6
Home to Starbucks and Amazon, Seattle is a booming city with a thriving food scene. Diners can choose from a fine dining experience at one of the restaurants recognized by the James Beard Foundation or a quick bite at a food hall or market.
Other study findings:
Seattle tied with San Diego, Denver, San Francisco, Portland, and Santa Rosa, California for the most craft breweries and wineries per capita.It also tied New York City, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon for most coffee shops per capita.
Total score: 60.64
Affordability Rank: 103
Diversity, Accessibility & Quality: 8
The Windy City has long been recognized as one of the best restaurant cities in America. From classic steakhouses that have been opened for decades to interactive Michelin-star dining experiences, Chicago’s dining scene balances the old and new.
Other study findings:
Chicago tied New York City, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon for most coffee shops per capita. It also tied with Miami, Las Vegas, Austin, New York City, and San Antonio for most ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita.
1. San Antonio, Texas (Overall ranking: 23) (Total score: 50.91)
2. Henderson, Nevada (Overall ranking: 85) (Total score: 40.64)
3. Detroit, Michigan (Overall ranking: 78) (Total score: 41.85)
4. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky (Overall ranking: 54) (Total score: 44.48)
5. Grand Rapids, Michigan (Overall ranking: 25) (Total score: 50.49)
1. New York City (Overall ranking: 2) (Total score: 68.74)
2. San Francisco (Overall ranking: 4) (Total score: 67.21)
3. Miami, Florida (Overall ranking: 3) (Total score: 67.52)
4. Los Angeles (Overall ranking: 5) (Total score: 66.96)
5. Portland, Oregon (Overall ranking: 1) (Total score: 69.79)
