11th Best Foodie City Crafts Cuisine In Heart Of GA

GEORGIA — The Peach State recently got some egg-citing news: one of the best foodie cities in the U.S. in 2024 is found in Georgia, a new survey says.

The personal finance website WalletHub said Atlanta ranks 11th among competitors in Florida, California, Pennsylvania and New York.

Sandwiched between No. 10 San Diego and No. 12 St. Louis, Atlanta churned an overall score of 63.24 on WalletHub's national list.

Experts analyzed two categories, affordability and diversity, accountability and quality, in 182 cities. Atlanta ranked 167 in the former and seven in the latter category.

At No. 1, there is no yolk about Miami being the best foodie city in the U.S., per WalletHub's ranking. The South Florida town's overall score was 74.37.

San Francisco (No. 2) and Orlando (No. 3) followed suit with 71.66 and 71.43 scores respectively.

“In the best foodie cities, including Miami, Fl, San Francisco, Ca, and Orlando, Fl, there are tons of unique culinary experiences to try, from food trucks to specialty-food stores to Michelin-starred restaurants," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report.

"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 by exploring new flavors in their own kitchens. In addition, these cities make delicious dining affordable for residents and visitors alike.”

In evaluating 28 metrics, analysts reviewed factors such as grocery costs and the affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants.

The worst foodie city in the U.S. is Pearl City, Hawaii, according to WalletHub. The cost of groceries is highest in Santa Rosa, California; but, the best average food and wine price can be found in Missoula, Montana.

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In Georgia, Columbus ranked No. 179 for its ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food establishments and No. 180 for its low number of coffee shops per capita. Atlanta tied for first among ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita.

The culinary scene in Atlanta is about eclectic as the ways to cook chicken. So much so, there is a TikTok page dedicated to "Atlanta foodies," which features Korean cuisine, Neapolitan pizza and a French-inspired pop-up bar.

The restaurant culture is continuing to grow in Atlanta, and the concepts cooked up by new eateries may be craveable to some foodies.

The Varsity, Mary Mac's Tea Room and The Colonnade are among some of Atlanta's most iconic and historical restaurants.

Here are the top 10 best foodie cities in the U.S.

1. Miami, Florida
2. San Francisco, California
3. Orlando, Florida
4. Portland, Oregon
5. Tampa, Florida
6. Sacramento, California
7. Las Vegas, Nevada
8. Seattle, Washington
9. Denver, Colorado
10. San Diego, California

See WalletHub's full methodology.