I tried to recollect my restaurant experiences in the USA, and here are the results:

- Dress code in Atlanta and New Orleans is more formal than in Germany.

- Dress code in Tucson and Santa Fe is slightly less formal than in Germany.

- Dress code in Los Angeles is about the same as in Germany.

Of course, I am comparing the best local restaurants in US cities with the best restaurants in München - and not Cracker Barrel with a 5-star-hotel.

While I have not been to 5-stars in Germany I have stayed in many business hotels.

Traveller1959 opinion is very accurate:

<i>&quot;In a good restaurant, there will be many business people in suits and ties. However, if people come privately to such restaurants, &quot;smart casual&quot; will be okay: nice jeans, polo shirt, nice sweater, nice shoes.</i>

In the trendiest locations put the emphasis on 'smart'.