For the second year in a row, Condé Nast Traveler has named Oakland, California, the best food city in the United States, reaffirming the East Bay’s reputation as a culinary powerhouse.
Oakland’s Culinary Rise
Oakland’s food scene has become a magnet for national recognition. According to Condé Nast Traveler, “There’s no wrong neighborhood from which to start exploring Oakland’s staggeringly diverse food scene.” This diversity is reflected in the city’s wide range of restaurants, from soul food to Michelin-starred fine dining.
In 2025, Oakland continued to shine:
- Burdell, a soul food restaurant, was named Best U.S. Restaurant by Food & Wine.
- Chef Steve Joo of Korean restaurant Joodooboo was honored as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2025.
- Sun Moon Studio, a fine dining spot in West Oakland, earned its first Michelin star.
These accolades highlight Oakland’s ability to balance tradition with innovation, making it a destination for food lovers across the country.
San Francisco Joins the List
While Oakland took the top spot, San Francisco ranked No. 5 on the list. The city’s culinary identity is rooted in its high ratio of mom-and-pop restaurants compared to chains, fueled by Pacific seafood, California farmland, and nearby wine regions. Visitors can enjoy:
- Fresh Dungeness crab at Thanh Long
- Classic cioppino seafood stew at Sotto Mare
- Iconic clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Boudin Bakery
Other Cities Celebrated
The 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, which drew more than 757,000 votes, also recognized other food destinations across the U.S., including:
- New Orleans
- Milwaukee
- Chicago
- Lexington, Kentucky
- Columbus, Ohio
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- New York City
- San Diego
- Seattle
- Boston
- Honolulu
- Las Vegas
- Charleston, South Carolina
Why Oakland Stands Out
Oakland’s recognition is not just about individual restaurants—it’s about the city’s community-driven food culture, where diverse influences converge. From Korean flavors to soul food traditions, Oakland offers a culinary landscape that reflects its multicultural identity.
Source: SFGATE – “For second year in a row, Bay Area city is named best food city in US”
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