Rosa Sky Rooftop photo
Audio By Carbonatix
Just a few months after Miami was ranked as the top foodie city in the U.S., the Magic City has just earned another bragging right, and this one comes straight from the people who matter most: hungry travelers with very strong opinions.
According to Tripadvisor’s newly released Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026, Miami has been ranked the fifth-best food destination in the United States — a nationwide nod based entirely on restaurant and travel reviews and ratings collected over a 12-month period.
However, the ranking comes as no surprise to most. In the past five years, Miami has seen a culinary boom, with Michelin-starred restaurants flourishing, incredible local gems, omakase spots that even rival those in New York or Japan, and some of the best pizzerias in the U.S. (The pizza scene in Miami is so good that the world’s No. 1 pizzeria from Italy has just opened in Miami.)
Sanguich photo
Diverse Cultures, Global Cuisines, and Fun Nightlife
According to Tripadvisor, Miami earned its top-five ranking thanks to its eclectic mix of culture, nightlife, and globally influenced cuisine. “Miami is hot hot hot!” the site notes (and not just because of the weather).
From sultry salsa-fueled nights and celebrity-owned restaurants, like Gekko in Brickell, to daytime beach strolls and pastel Art Deco architecture, the city offers a full sensory experience. Add a Cuban sandwich in Little Havana (check out this list of where to find the most iconic Cuban dishes in Miami), a stroll through Virginia Key Beach Park, and the city’s endless Latin, Caribbean, and international flavors, and you’ve got a food destination that’s impossible to pin down — in the best way.
Miami’s dining scene thrives on contrasts: old-school Cuban ventanitas serving Cuban coffee (check out the 15 best Cuban coffee shops in Miami) next to sleek tasting menus, Haitian griot sharing the spotlight with omakase counters, and late-night croquetas holding their own against white-tablecloth fine dining. It’s chaotic, delicious, and deeply Miami.
Screenshot via Instagram/@normansorlando
Orlando Lands No. 4 On The List
But here’s the plot twist no one saw coming. Joining Miami in the top five is another major tourism hub in the Sunshine State, but it isn’t Tampa, West Palm Beach, Naples, Delray Beach, or even Fort Lauderdale — it’s Orlando.
The theme park capital of the world landed the fourth-best food destination spot on TripAdvisor’s list, proving that Florida’s culinary reputation now stretches far beyond areas that are close to the coast. Two Florida cities in the top five? The rest of the country might want to come hungry.
As for the top three cities? They are New York City at No. 1, Las Vegas at No. 2, and Maui at No. 3.
Salar Creative photo
How Tripadvisor Selects Its Top Food Destinations
Every year, Tripadvisor analyzes millions of traveler reviews to determine which destinations, hotels, restaurants, and experiences truly rise above the rest. The Best of the Best designation represents the highest level of excellence on the platform.” Out of more than 8 million listings worldwide, fewer than 1 percent make the cut,” states the site.
The 2026 awards celebrate everything travelers ate, drank, and discovered throughout 2025, spotlighting destinations that inspire visitors to say “yes” to new flavors and unforgettable meals. And if eating your way through a city sounds like the perfect vacation (hi, hello, same), Miami’s placement on the list makes perfect sense.
For where to eat and drink in Miami in 2026, bookmark this page. Happy eating!
