New York City: Top Foodie Destination with 12.5M Hashtags

Exploring the Culinary Wonders of America’s Most Popular Foodie Cities

New research has unveiled the most popular US cities for food enthusiasts, showcasing the top culinary destinations that have captured the hearts (and stomachs) of foodies worldwide. The study analyzed 199 US cities listed by the US International Trade Administration as the most visited in America and their corresponding Instagram and TikTok hashtags relating to food offerings.

New York City: The Ultimate Foodie Paradise

According to social media popularity, New York City takes the top spot as the best city for food tourism in the US by a significant margin. With an astonishing 12.5 million hashtags across Instagram and TikTok related to restaurants and food in the city, NYC is a culinary mecca. The Office of the New York State Comptroller reported that in 2019, NYC boasted a staggering 23,650 restaurants and food industry establishments. For tourists and locals alike, this means nearly 65 years of dining experiences if visiting one restaurant per day.

Los Angeles: A Food Lover’s Dream

Los Angeles secures the second spot on the list of best US destinations for food lovers. Known for attracting tourists with its celebrity culture, LA also shines with its culinary scene. The city has over 5.3 million hashtags relating to its diverse food offerings. From classic American burgers to world-renowned tacos, LA offers one of the best dining experiences in the US.

Chicago: Home of the Deep-Dish Pizza

Chicago ranks third among the best foodie cities in America, celebrated globally for its iconic deep-dish pizza. The study found more than 4.1 million posts under hashtags on Instagram and TikTok relating to eateries in the Windy City.

Houston: A Texan Culinary Gem

Houston, the first of three Texan cities in the top 20, ranks fourth. With more than 3.1 million hashtags like ‘#HoustonFood’ and ‘#HoustonRestaurants’ across Instagram and TikTok, foodies are eager to share their favorite finds in this diverse culinary hotspot.

Miami: Beachside Dining Delight

Miami completes the top five US foodie hotspots. Known for its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife, Miami also boasts a vibrant food scene with over 2.7 million hashtags relating to places to eat. TripAdvisor has awarded over 30 of the city’s restaurants their coveted ‘Traveller’s Choice 2023’ stamp, highlighting Miami’s popularity among food tourists.

Dallas: A Rising Foodie Star

Dallas is the sixth most popular US city among food enthusiasts, with over 2.25 million posts featuring hashtags related to its food scene. This north Texas city offers a diverse array of dining options that continue to attract food lovers.

Las Vegas: Sin City’s Culinary Pleasures

Las Vegas follows in seventh place, with an impressive 2.15 million posts showcasing the city’s cuisine. From high-end restaurants to diverse buffets, Vegas offers a culinary experience as extravagant as its entertainment options.

Washington DC and Atlanta: A Culinary Duo

Washington DC and Atlanta take the eighth and ninth spots, each boasting more than 1.9 million posts featuring hashtags related to their eateries. Both cities offer unique dining experiences that reflect their rich histories and vibrant cultures.

Seattle: Northwestern Culinary Delights

Seattle rounds out the top ten with 1.7 million posts tagging places to eat and specialties available in the northwestern city. Known for its seafood and innovative cuisine, Seattle remains a beloved destination for food lovers.

Joerg Nottebaum at Hello Millions commented on the findings: “Food tourism has been a travel trend globally for a long time, but especially with the growth of social media and content such as ‘top places to eat in…’ videos going viral in a matter of hours, it is now more popular than ever. Therefore, this study provides vital insight into which US cities are capturing food lovers the most online.

“Cities such as Dallas and Washington DC being named on the list of foodie favorites, alongside cities long-known for their cuisine scene, such as New York City and LA, is a testament to the power of social media in enticing people from all over to indulge in all the delights other cities have to offer too.”

Rank	City	Instagram Hashtag Count	TikTok Hashtag Count	Total Hashtag Count
1	New York City, NY	12,044,016	520,219	12,564,235
2	Los Angeles, CA	5,192,326	175,660	5,367,986
3	Chicago, IL	3,945,985	167,380	4,113,365
4	Houston, TX	3,016,090	174,938	3,191,028
5	Miami, FL	2,615,554	111,059	2,726,613
6	Dallas, TX	2,160,366	91,070	2,251,436
7	Las Vegas, NV	1,965,238	185,590	2,150,828
8	Washington DC	1,909,742	71,518	1,981,260
9	Atlanta, GA	1,822,584	86,683	1,909,267
10	Seattle, WA	1,670,671	43,090	1,713,761
11	San Diego, CA	1,621,671	50,349	1,672,020
12	Boston, MA	1,574,934	38,168	1,613,102
13	Orlando, FL	1,207,134	74,590	1,281,724
14	Austin, TX	1,226,936	25,953	1,252,889
15	Denver, CO	1,125,324	35,493	1,160,817
16	Nashville, TN	858,967	23,972	882,939
17	Tampa, FL	853,490	27,760	881,250
18	Detroit, MI	666,035	28,362	694,397
19	Baltimore, MD	637,341	17,104	654,445
20	Portland, OR	639,256	12,829	652,085

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