For the second year running, the city of Oakland in California's San Francisco Bay Area has clinched the title of best food city in the United States, according to a prestigious reader poll. The accolade, bestowed by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, has proven to be a contentious one, stirring a robust debate among food lovers and locals alike.
A Victory for Diversity and Neighbourhood Gems
The result comes from the publication's 38th annual Readers' Choice Awards, which saw a massive over 757,000 votes cast across various travel categories. In praising Oakland, the magazine highlighted its "staggeringly diverse food scene," noting that there is "no wrong neighborhood" from which to begin a culinary exploration. The city's strength was credited to its mosaic of distinct areas, each offering a wide array of international cuisines.
Interestingly, Oakland's larger and more famous neighbour, San Francisco – just a 22-minute drive away with nearly double the population – secured the fifth spot in the same ranking. Other cities rounding out the top food destinations included New Orleans in second place, Milwaukee in third, and Chicago in fourth.
A Heaping Portion of Controversy
The announcement, however, was met with significant scepticism online. Many took to social media to question Oakland's worthiness of the top honour. Criticisms ranged from specific culinary complaints, such as one local declaring the pizza "trash," to broader concerns about city safety, with one commenter stating, "No thanks. It ain't worth my life."
Others expressed sheer disbelief, with one exasperated user simply writing "Please…," and another suggesting the review must have been written by AI, doubting the author had ever visited. The debate even extended to San Francisco's offering, which one person dismissed as "mid at best." Some advocated skipping Oakland entirely in favour of dining across the bay.
A Measured Defence and the Full List
Amid the criticism, more balanced voices emerged. One commenter pointed out that comparing Oakland (with roughly 400,000 residents) to megacities is a "silly endeavour," but argued it fairly "punches well above its weight" in food and drink. Another conceded Oakland has "great food" but questioned if it was truly number one.
The full list of 15 best food cities saw Charleston, South Carolina, at the bottom, followed by Las Vegas, Honolulu, and Boston. Seattle and San Diego were recognised for their seafood at positions 11 and 10, while New York City landed at a disappointing ninth for some. Santa Fe, Columbus, and Lexington also featured in the lower ranks.
Ultimately, while the crown remains on Oakland's head for another year, the award has served more as a conversation starter than a definitive verdict, highlighting the passionate and subjective nature of America's culinary landscape.
