Miami Ranked No. 1 Foodie City in U.S.

Miami’s dining scene just earned its most prestigious accolade yet: the Magic City has been crowned the number one foodie city in the U.S., according to WalletHub’s 2025 Best Foodie Cities in America report.

The personal-finance website compared more than 180 major U.S. cities across 28 key metrics, ranging from the availability of affordable, highly rated restaurants to the number of food festivals, craft breweries, and wineries per capita. And while cities like Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle made strong showings, Miami rose to the very top, scoring an impressive 73.58 overall.

Plus, in other gouda news, Miami was ranked third in the country for farmers’ markets, ninth for gourmet food stores, third for butcher shops, and second for kitchen supply stores per capita. In other words, Miami gives its residents nearly endless opportunities to bring world-class flavors into their own kitchens.

Why Miami Took the Crown

In Miami’s case, the numbers speak volumes. The city has one of the nation’s highest concentrations of restaurants per capita and leads in the availability of eateries with ratings of 4.5 stars or higher. For those seeking the ultimate dining splurge, Miami is home to 13 Michelin-starred restaurants, including L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon — the only two-starred restaurant in Florida.

Miami’s culinary diversity also propelled it to the top. The city ranked second nationwide for the variety of cuisines and 11th for its ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food chains. From Cuban ventanitas and Haitian griots to sushi omakase and Michelin-level tasting menus, Miami’s dining options reflect its global and multicultural identity.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo explains that top foodie cities “offer tons of unique culinary experiences to try, from food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants. The best foodie cities make dining delicious and accessible not only for visitors but also for locals who want to experiment in their own kitchens.”

The Price of Great Taste

Still, Miami’s rise to the top comes with one caveat: affordability. While the city claimed the overall number one spot, it ranked a striking 156th in affordability. Just a few weeks ago, New Times reported that Miami is also the most expensive city in America to dine out — an irony not lost on locals who love the scene but feel the pinch when the check arrives.

According to a study by Chef’s Pencil, which ranked 177 cities worldwide, Miami landed 72nd overall, which was worse than any other U.S. city surveyed, making it officially the least affordable place to enjoy a restaurant meal in America.

Not the Only Foodie Hotspot in Florida

Miami wasn’t the only Florida city to earn recognition. Orlando, ranked fifth overall, topped the nation for ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita, while Tampa came in seventh. Cape Coral also stood out for having the highest ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food joints in the nation.

Taken together, WalletHub’s 2025 report reinforces what locals have long known: Miami is a food lover’s paradise. From late-night pan con bistec to Michelin-starred tasting menus, the city’s culinary scene is as dynamic and diverse as its people — and now, it has the title to prove it.