There are neighborhoods within cities that have great food scenes. There are countries that seem to have the best eats anywhere (hello, Italy). But there are also specific states that just do food extremely well — and some of them are not ones you’re thinking of.
A study by Escoffier School of Culinary Arts looked at restaurant data, economic data, and contextual data from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the National Restaurant Association, Georgia Tech, and other sources to come up with the best foodie states. Here are the top 10 states, based on these six categories:
- Restaurant Spending as a Percentage of Total Food Spending
- Restaurant Jobs as a Percentage of Total Jobs
- Population-Adjusted Restaurant Density
- Tourist-to-Restaurant Ratio
- Percentage of Independent Restaurants
- Number of Michelin-Starred Restaurants
1. Hawaii
Surprised? Don’t be. The state ranked at or near the top of five out of the seven categories the study examined. Also, it has the highest tourist-to-restaurant ratio by a good amount.
2. New York
New York got on the list with the second-highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants, third in the rankings for highest restaurant spending as a percentage of total food spending, and third in the rankings for population adjusted restaurant density.
3. Nevada
It shouldn’t be a surprise that a state that has Las Vegas and Reno comes in this high on the list. Analysis revealed that Nevada residents spend almost half of their food budgets (43.81%) on restaurant dining – the highest level of restaurant spending in the country.
4. California
California is at the top of the list for population-adjusted restaurant density and the most Michelin-starred restaurants. Seems like a good reason to visit if you’re not already in the state. Oh, and the weather is nice, too.
5. Florida
It shouldn’t come as a shock that the state of Disney World and multiple other theme parks landed at fourth on the tourist-to-restaurant ratio rankings. The only surprise is that it isn’t higher on the list.
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6. Massachusetts
The state of Boston and people with the appropriate accent to say “pahk ya cah in Havahd Yahd” landed fifth in the highest restaurant spending as a percentage of total food spending ranking.
7. Illinois
Illinois is more than just Chicago, though the Windy City likely played a role in the state coming in fourth in one particular category: highest restaurant spending as a percentage of total food spending ranking.
8. Texas
While Texas may have lots of wide open spaces, it also has a fair amount of restaurants. This state came in second for population-adjusted restaurant density. Seems like everyone can get a seat at the table in Texas.
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9. Rhode Island
When you think about dining, do you think about Rhode Island? Maybe you should. This little state ranked in the top 10 overall, thanks to high restaurant spending, a large percentage of independent restaurants, and strong employment numbers.
10. New Jersey
New Yorkers tend to look down their noses at New Jersey (“Jersey Shore” didn’t help), but somehow the state made it on the list. Is it the lowest in the top 10? Yeah, but so what?
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