NYC Omitted from Top Foodie Cities List, Miami Takes the Crown
A new study ranking the best U.S. cities for food lovers placed New York City at a surprising 22nd, while Miami earned the top spot.
Miami, Florida, has been named the best city for foodies in 2026, according to WalletHub's annual ranking, with New York City notably absent from the top twenty.
The study, which compared over 180 of the most populated U.S. cities, evaluated destinations based on "Affordability" and "Diversity, Accessibility & Quality." Key metrics included restaurant variety, the availability of affordable, highly-rated restaurants, food festivals, Michelin-starred establishments, grocery costs, and the number of farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture programs.
"In the best foodie cities, there are tons of unique culinary experiences to try, from food trucks to specialty-food stores to, in some cities, Michelin-starred restaurants," said Chip Lupo of WalletHub. "These cities make delicious dining affordable for residents and visitors alike."
Miami secured the top position, excelling in the availability of affordable restaurants with ratings of at least 4.5 stars and boasting a high number of eateries per capita. The city also features 12 Michelin-starred restaurants and numerous farmers' markets and specialty food stores. This recognition follows Bon Appétit's 2023 designation of Miami as "food city of the year."
Portland, Oregon, ranked second, noted for its abundance of craft breweries, wineries, specialty food shops, and food tours. San Francisco followed in third place, recognized for its high restaurant density and selection of affordable, well-regarded restaurants, as well as its 25 Michelin-starred establishments.
While cities like San Francisco and Seattle benefited from strong scores in food diversity, accessibility, and quality, New York City's placement was impacted by its affordability score, ranking 179th in that category, despite a 12th-place finish for diversity, accessibility, and quality. New Orleans, often considered a culinary hub, landed at 48th.
The bottom five cities in the ranking were Pearl City, Hawaii; Montgomery, Alabama; Moreno Valley, California; Jackson, Mississippi; and Shreveport, Louisiana.
Despite not making the top foodie cities list, two New York City restaurants, Limusina and The Ambassador's Club, were recently recognized in Yelp's top ten best new restaurants of the year.