2 Triangle cities among top ‘foodie’ spots in US, report says. How’d they rank?
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- WalletHub ranked 100 areas; Raleigh and Durham placed 43 and 99, based on 28 indicators.
- Raleigh scored 89 on affordability and 49 on diversity and accessibility metrics.
- Local chefs earned James Beard nods; Michelin Guide may deliver the region’s first stars.
The Triangle’s got taste, and now its food scene is in the spotlight for having some of the top “foodie” cities in the U.S.
WalletHub released a list of the top 100 “foodie-friendly” areas in America that “appeal to both home cooks and adventurous eaters eager to sample local flavors.”
To determine the rankings, more than 180 cities were evaluated based on 28 key indicators, like affordability (including the cost of groceries) and accessibility of high-quality restaurants and food festivals per capita.
Of all the top 100 dining destinations, four North Carolina cities made the list, including Raleigh and Durham.
Raleigh:
- Overall ranking: 43
- Affordability ranking: 89
- Diversity, accessibility and quality ranking: 49
Durham:
- Overall ranking: 99
- Affordability ranking: 66
- Diversity, accessibility and quality ranking: 92
This isn’t the first time Raleigh and Durham have been spotlighted for a buzz-worthy food and drink scene — or the culinary masterminds behind its melting pot of Southern and international cuisines. In fact, five Durham and Raleigh restaurants and chefs were named James Beard semifinalists, The News & Observer previously reported.
Soon, Triangle restaurants could claim their very first Michelin stars in the big reveal of the new Michelin Guide American South.
“Michelin was always the highest level of recognition,” James Beard-nominated Raleigh restaurateur Scott Crawford previously told The N&O. “There’s such a rich history of rating amazing restaurants. (The Guide) is a little more trusted, the star system is still intact….If this is in fact true, it would be very good for the Triangle and for North Carolina as a whole.”
Other top foodie cities in the U.S.
Aside from Raleigh and Durham, Charlotte and Greensboro also ranked among the top 100 foodie cities, coming in at No. 45 and No. 71.
You can find the full report online at wallethub.com.
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 9:54 AM with the headline "2 Triangle cities among top ‘foodie’ spots in US, report says. How’d they rank?."