This State Ranks No. 1 for Restaurant Dining, According to a New Report

You can find an incredible meal just about anywhere in the United States — just take a look at Food & Wine’s regionally diverse 2024 Best New Chefs list for proof. And now, a new report confirms that as it reveals its list of the top states for dining out.

In February, Escoffier, the top-ranked culinary school in the U.S., conducted a comprehensive analysis of all 50 states to determine the ten best food destinations.

Escoffier looked at data from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the National Restaurant Association, and Georgia Tech — among other resources. The analysis examined economic factors such as restaurant spending and employment, restaurant density, and the presence of independent and Michelin-starred establishments. Each state received a composite score, highlighting the nation’s top culinary hotspots. Here’s a look at the winners.

New York state boasts the densest restaurant scene

New York state came in second overall, earning a score of 83.23 out of 110, thanks in large part to its high restaurant density and impressive 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,” the findings noted.

Hawaii tops the list as a foodie haven

Hawaii emerged as the ultimate winner, achieving a perfect score of 100 out of 100. According to the report, the state excels “for its exceptional capacity to serve visitors, with 376 tourists per restaurant — the highest among all states analyzed.” Additionally, 77.17% of Hawaii’s restaurants are independently owned, and 14% of jobs in the state are tied to the restaurant industry.

Top 10 U.S. states with the best restaurant scenes
RANK	STATE	RELATIVE SCORE
1	Hawaii	100
2	New York	83.23
3	Nevada	82.57
4	California	75.01
5	Florida	72.14
6	Massachusetts	51.29
7	Illinois	48.33
8	Texas	46.25
9	Rhode Island	43.31
10	New Jersey	42.01

Small states pack a big culinary punch

The study also highlighted that some of the nation’s smallest states offer mighty dining scenes. Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S., ranked ninth overall with a score of 43.31, driven by “high restaurant spending, a large percentage of independent restaurants, and strong employment numbers.” According to the findings, nearly two-thirds (64.21%) of the state’s restaurants are independently owned, and 12% of its workforce is employed 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,” the report added.

Meanwhile, the report showed that residents of Nevada — a state with just a little more than 3.1 million residents — allocate nearly half of their food budgets (43.81%) to eating out.

California dominates in Michelin-starred dining

As the nation’s most populous state, California made a strong showing, ranking fourth overall 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,” the findings stated. Florida followed in fifth place, earning a score of 72.14. The Sunshine State owes its ranking in large part to its 26 Michelin-starred establishments and the fact that “11% of its workforce is employed in the restaurant industry.”