MIAMI — From Michelin-starred dining rooms to neighborhood favorites and farmers’ markets, Miami has enough on the menu to claim the title of America’s best city for foodies, according to a new WalletHub ranking.
The city took the top spot among more than 180 U.S. cities evaluated across 28 measures, including restaurant quality, grocery costs, food festivals and the availability of specialty shops.
Miami stood out for its abundance of dining choices, including affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 out of 5 stars. It also has one of the nation’s highest numbers of restaurants relative to its population, according to the report.
And there’s more than sheer volume. Miami ranked 12th for the variety of restaurant types and ninth for its ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food chains. For diners looking to splurge, WalletHub counted 12 Michelin-starred restaurants, including L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which holds two stars.
Food lovers who prefer to cook have plenty of options, too. Miami ranked third for farmers’ markets and butcher shops per capita, second for kitchen-supply stores and 10th for gourmet specialty food stores.
But the city’s culinary crown comes with a costly caveat: Miami ranked 166th for affordability. Its top finish was driven by a No. 1 ranking for the diversity, accessibility and quality of its food scene.
“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,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said.
Miami earned an overall score of 74.62, putting it ahead of fellow food destinations Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco.
