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Food & Wine Releases 2025 Guide to America's Top Food Destinations

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/17 .. 25-guide-to-america-s-top-food-destinations.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 17:23 GMT by Food & Wine

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Food & Wine’s 2025 Guide to America’s Premier Food Destinations

Every year, Food & Wine turns its culinary compass toward the cities that pulse with the most delicious, daring, and downright unforgettable food experiences. In 2025, the magazine turned to Talker Research—a market‑research firm that specializes in travel and hospitality data—to pin down the definitive list of the United States’ top food destinations. The result is a carefully curated roster that balances the familiar with the surprising, a list that can be used to plan a foodie pilgrimage or simply to spark curiosity about what’s happening on America’s plate.

How the List Was Made

The Talker Research survey was sent to 1,000 Food & Wine readers who were asked to name their “top three food destinations in the United States.” Respondents were also prompted to explain why each city earned a place on the list, ensuring that the data reflected real culinary passion rather than the occasional headline. The cities were then ranked by the sheer number of mentions. The methodology is straightforward, but the final output is the culmination of a conversation with 1,000 people who have a genuine love for food.

The article on Food & Wine’s website includes a sidebar that links directly to Talker Research’s own blog post detailing the methodology—an excellent resource for readers who want to see the raw numbers behind the rankings. By checking that link, you can find that the top spot was taken by New York City, which garnered 122 mentions, while the 20th spot—San Diego—had just 13 mentions. That spread illustrates the competitive nature of food tourism in the U.S.

The Top 10 Food Destinations (2025)

Below is a quick look at the first ten cities on the list, each paired with a snapshot of what makes it a must‑visit for food lovers.

Beyond the Top Ten

The article doesn’t stop at the top ten. It continues with a list of the next 10 cities, each with a brief note about what makes them notable. Portland, OR; Boston, MA; and Denver, CO pop up in the “Next‑Level Food Destinations” section, each bringing their own unique flavor profiles—from Portland’s artisanal coffee and craft beer scene to Denver’s burgeoning farm‑to‑table restaurants.

Food & Wine also highlights that some smaller cities are gaining traction—San Diego, Salt Lake City, and even St. Paul, MN have shown up in the Talker Research data for the first time. The article notes that local events, such as food festivals and pop‑up markets, are often the driving force behind these emerging destinations.

What Makes a City “Top” in Talker Research’s Eyes?

The article includes a helpful sidebar that explains the criteria that qualify a city as a top food destination. These are:

1. Culinary Variety: A city that offers a wide range of dining options, from street food to fine dining.
2. Signature Dishes: Presence of iconic foods that are synonymous with the city’s identity.
3. Culinary Innovation: New restaurants and chefs that push the envelope.
4. Accessibility: Ease of travel and accommodation for food tourists.
5. Local Engagement: Strong local support for chefs and food entrepreneurs.

In many cases, the cities listed in the top 20 also have robust food tourism infrastructure—everything from food tours and cooking classes to chef‑in‑the‑room events. The article notes that Food & Wine’s team will continue to monitor the evolution of food scenes in these cities, recognizing that the culinary map is always shifting.

Takeaway for Foodies

If you’re looking to plan a culinary road trip—or simply decide where to make your next food‑centric vacation—Food & Wine’s 2025 Food Destinations list offers a reliable starting point. From the towering skyscrapers of New York City to the sun‑washed streets of Miami, the list captures the breadth of America’s gastronomic landscape.

For deeper dives, the article includes links to each city’s dedicated Food & Wine profile page, where you can find curated restaurant lists, food‑related events, and insider tips. And for those curious about the data, the Talker Research link lets you explore the methodology and the raw survey results in detail.

No matter where you end up, the takeaway is clear: America’s culinary heart is beating in all the most unlikely and expected places. And if you want to taste the best of what this diverse country has to offer, Food & Wine’s 2025 Food Destinations guide is the map you’ll want in your backpack.