The #1 ranked culinary school in the USA, Escoffier, analyzed all 50 U.S. states to determine the top ten with the best food scenes.
The analysis explored economic factors like restaurant spending (Restaurant Expenditures = RE) and employment, restaurant density, and the presence of independent and Michelin-starred restaurants. Each state received a composite score to reveal the top food hotspots.
Findings summed up
| State | Restaurant Density | RE as a % of total food expenditures | % independent restaurants | Restaurant Jobs % | Tourist-to-Restaurant Ratio | Michelin-Starred Restaurants | Score |
| Hawaii | 13 | 0.4354 | 0.77 | 14 % | 376.44 | 10.00 | 100 |
| New York | 15 | 0.4168 | 0.72 | 9 % | 183.32 | 68.00 | 83.23 |
| Nevada | 12 | 0.4381 | 0.62 | 15 % | 315.75 | 3.00 | 82.57 |
| California | 26 | 0.3975 | 0.64 | 10 % | 73.08 | 85.00 | 75.01 |
| Florida | 14 | 0.3784 | 0.59 | 11 % | 164.06 | 26.00 | 72.14 |
| Massachusetts | 9 | 0.4097 | 0.56 | 10 % | 73.12 | 15.00 | 51.29 |
| Illinois | 8 | 0.412 | 0.55 | 10 % | 68.11 | 20.00 | 48.33 |
| Texas | 17 | 0.3512 | 0.50 | 11 % | 32.99 | 5.00 | 46.25 |
| Rhode Island | 10 | 0.3892 | 0.64 | 12 % | 29.53 | 4.00 | 43.31 |
| New Jersey | 9 | 0.3676 | 0.52 | 10 % | 24.11 | 3.00 | 42.04 |
Hawaii tops the rankings with a score of 100, standing out for its exceptional capacity to serve visitors, with 376 tourists per restaurant—the highest among all states analyzed. Additionally, 77.17% of its restaurants are independently owned. The state also ranks high in restaurant spending and employment, with 14% of jobs tied to the industry.
New York is second with a score of 83.23, offering a dense restaurant scene and 68 Michelin-starred establishments. It also has one of the highest percentages of independent restaurants at 71.87%, reflecting the diversity of its dining options.
Nevada takes third place with a score of 82.57, standing out for its restaurant spending, which accounts for 43.81% of the average food budget, and the highest percentage of restaurant jobs, making up 15% of the state’s workforce.
California ranks fourth with a score of 75.01. It leads the nation with 85 Michelin-starred restaurants and has the most restaurants per capita, making it a key destination for diverse dining experiences.
Florida is fifth with a score of 72.14. The state has 164 visitors for every restaurant, highlighting its popularity with tourists. It also has 26 Michelin-starred establishments, with 11% of its workforce employed in the restaurant industry.
Massachusetts takes sixth place with a score of 51.29, with steady restaurant spending and a strong restaurant workforce. The state also has a restaurant-to-tourist ratio of 73:1 and is home to 15 Michelin-starred restaurants, offering a variety of dining options.
Illinois ranks seventh with a score of 48.33. Residents allocate 41.20% of their food budgets to dining out, and the state features 20 Michelin-starred restaurants. These factors make dining out a popular choice across Illinois.
Texas comes in eighth with a score of 46.25. The state ranks high in restaurant density, with 16.98 restaurants per 100K people, and employs 11% of its workforce in the restaurant industry. It also has one of the highest numbers of culinary schools, further supporting its food industry.
Rhode Island ranks ninth with a score of 43.31. Nearly two-thirds (64.21%) of its restaurants are independently owned, and 12% of its workforce is in the restaurant industry. With one restaurant for every 30 visitors, the state offers a wide range of dining options for both locals and tourists.
New Jersey rounds out the top ten with a score of 42.04. Residents spend 36.76% of their food budgets dining out, and the state has one restaurant for every 24 residents. Although smaller in scale, 10% of New Jersey’s workforce is tied to the culinary industry, reflecting its importance to the local economy.