Already the theme park capital of the U.S., Orlando now has ANOTHER great title to claim in 2023!
Orlando Sign
As one of the most visited places in the world, Orlando certainly garners the attention of tourism enthusiasts each year. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort play a huge role in that, of course. But according to research, there’s another great draw bringing business into Orlando.
When talking about Orlando, we can go on and on about the attractions, entertainment, and lodging. Sometimes food can be overlooked. However, at DFB we know a thing or two about the Orlando food scene and, apparently, so do the folks at WalletHub. Per a study they conducted, Orlando is the NUMBER ONE FOODIE CITY IN AMERICA!
©Cafe Tu Tu Tango is a favorite restaurant for Orlando locals, outside of Disney World.
What constitutes a “foodie” is still hazy, but WalletHub does describe a foodie as pretty much anyone who loves gourmet dining and “discovering new and unique flavors wherever they can find them“. Whether it be in their own kitchen, street food stalls, or restaurants, there really is no limitation to this hobby or lifestyle. WalletHub highlighted that being a foodie can be expensive and that now is not a great time to be one, as restaurant inflation reached 6.5% between August 2022 and August 2023. They mentioned that even grocery prices rose 3% in that same timeframe.
With that in mind, they conducted research to find culinary hotspots across the country looking for the best foodie-friendly cities.
STUNNING
Taking into account “28 indicators of foodie-friendliness” including affordability, diversity, accessibility, and quality, Orlando averaged out to the top score of 68.38. Orlando finished ahead of Portland, Sacramento, Miami, and San Francisco, respectively. Owning the top spot in this list, Orlando finished ahead of 181 other cities. Taking down that many cities in this “competition” is seriously impressive!
Universal CityWalk
While you may have to leave the theme parks and resorts to really take advantage of the foodie-friendly locations, it’s still awesome to see Orlando be recognized for more than its theme park selections. Next time you find yourself in Orlando, be sure to take time to find these great foodie locations and try some of the affordable and tasty cuisines Orlando has to offer! For Orlando and Disney World news, be sure to continue to follow us at DFB for all the latest!
The ULTIMATE Guide to Late-Night Food In Orlando
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It is just too bad that to get in to City Walk to enjoy the dining, you have to pay for parking. At Disney Springs, parking is free.