9221 Best Restaurants in USA

Diners who appreciate flavor and spice will adore chef-owner Asia Mei's creative kitchen endeavors, which often mix up elements of American, Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese, Thai, and Spanish cuisines. A lively local crowd comes for dinner and to get their hands on crave-worthy dishes (the menu does change frequently). The staff cares what you think, and this shows in the impeccable, friendly service and the fact that the chef doesn't just stay in the kitchen—she's often serving dishes herself and asking diners' opinions.

The chef-owner at this light-filled restaurant in a strip mall 1½ miles southwest of downtown incorporates seasonal organic produce, free-range meats, sustainable line-caught fish, and cage-free eggs in his cuisine. Staples include salads, fish tacos, pasta dishes, and burgers (standard, veggie, or teriyaki mushroom Swiss) for dinner daily and lunch except on Sunday, when buckwheat pancakes, French toast, and two variations on eggs Benedict headline the brunch menu.

Dress nicely for a visit to Mooo...., a refined steak house that remains civilized despite the restaurant's somewhat whimsical name. Prime, dry-aged steaks are served à la carte, and, although the Japanese A5 Wagyu sirloin will set you back a few dollars, portions are as exaggerated as the prices. The menu also features a few seafood dishes and a poultry option; vegetarians and vegans are easily accommodated by request. The impressive, award-winning wine list boasts hundreds of entries, including a few very special bottles.

In the Key West atrium of the Gaylord Palms Resort, a large, anchored boat in the indoor lagoon welcomes guests aboard for a delicious meal. This restaurant partners with local farms and fishmongers to bring fresh, quality dishes to the table. Chicken, steaks, and pork chops are also featured, however seafood is the star here. 

Don't let this no-frills convenience shop’s appearance deter you: lobster and crab rolls are among the homemade grab-and-go offerings in the summer, which also include sandwiches like pulled pork and fish burgers. If you're an early riser, don't miss the breakfast starting at 4 am (6 am Sunday) to join the fishermen. There's a community table near the entrance, and more tables tucked out of view: that's where the lobstermen gather before heading out.

One of the state's most beloved pizzerias, Moose's Tooth is packed all week, despite the ample seating (it can hold up to 300 guests). The reason for the popularity is obvious: exclusive handcrafted beers, and a seemingly endless roster of pizzas topped with inventive options like jalapeños, cream cheese, reindeer, and even macaroni.

Since its founding in 1973, this downtown restaurant has been at the forefront in the field of creative vegetarian cooking, and its cookbooks are known worldwide. The menu changes daily, and everything is prepared from fresh ingredients. Past menus have included spinach-and-cheese ravioli in a red-pepper-basil sauce and haddock with lemon, thyme, tomatoes, and topped with dill pesto. A vegan option is always available. The setting is casual: chunky blond-wood tables and booths and lively conversation fill the space. You may also dine outside on a patio.

For a deliciously sweet pick-me-up, check out the rich ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet made fresh daily on the premises. Dessert nachos made from waffle-cone chips are an unusual addition to an extensive sundae menu. Just look for the statue of Elvis on the sidewalk in front.

This bayfront restaurant wins high marks for its surprisingly stellar cuisine, tables in the sand, and tiki torches that bathe the evening in romance. Seafood takes center stage, but you can always get roasted organic chicken or prime rib. The tapas menu caters to smaller appetites with offerings like fried calamari and conch salad. Sit in a dining room outfitted with surfboards, or outdoors on a beach, where the sunset puts on a mighty show and kids (and your feet) play in the sand.

This waterfront open-air beer garden has made a splash every year since its 2012 debut, offering exciting new eats with each new season—the “chef-in-residence” program, which sees a new chef shaping the culinary approach at the start of each spring season, keeps things fresh. Expect a high-low approach, mixing beer-friendly snacks with more creative fare. A wide range of craft beer, cocktails, and specialty beverages, along with DJs and other live music, make this an appealing stop in the warmer months.

With about 50 flavors to choose from, everyone is going to scream for ice cream at this popular spot, frequented by locals and visitors alike. There are the classic flavors and the not-so-classic scoops like Vietnamese coffee, salt-and-pepper pine nut, Arnold Palmer cobbler, and peanut Butterfinger.

There is, of course, a sushi bar at this sleek, expansive Masaharu Morimoto establishment, and the Iron Chef himself takes control of it on the rare occasions when he's in town, though it's fun to watch any of the chefs at work. There's also an open kitchen and multiple dining spaces and lounges where the menu features pan-Asian favorites like Chinese duck, Korean noodles, and Singaporean laksa. A quarterly omakase (chef's choice) experience runs $250 and requires an advance deposit. The bar runs nearly the length of a football field as it snakes from the ground floor to the top floor, where an outdoor terrace overlooks the water. There's late-night munching at the Forbidden lounge, complete with an interesting cocktail menu, a balcony, and an outdoor street food window.

Not to be confused with chef Masaharu Morimoto's flagship sushi palace a few doors south, his pan-Asian restaurant serves dim sum, spicy Szechuan mapo ramen, orange chicken, and a slew of other Chinese-inspired apps, soups, salads, and entrées in a light-filled space with Napa River views. This culinary concept previously worked well for the chef in Orlando and Waikiki.

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto serves classics and new fusion favorites at his second-floor restaurant—a sleek modern, most neutral-hued space with a lanai (and water views), a gorgeous bar, and a dining room designed for entertaining clients or celebrating with friends. Enjoy some Morimoto specialties, including ishiyaki buri bop (yellowtail seared tableside with pickled daikon, royal fern, and egg yolk) or spicy black pepper steak, as well as dim sum, sushi, and creative specialty rolls. Downstairs at street level is the smaller, more casual Momosan Ramen, which also serves lunch and has a patio and beer garden with a beach vibe.

Iron Chef star Masaharu Morimoto is the big name behind this downtown Napa restaurant where everything is delightfully over the top, including the desserts. Organic materials such as twisting grapevines above the bar and rough-hewn wooden tables seem earthy yet modern, creating a fitting setting for the gorgeously plated Japanese fare, from straightforward sashimi to more elaborate seafood, chicken, pork, and beef entrées.

Excellent, oversize breakfast items and pastries, accompanied by a versatile coffee and tea list, make this mostly open-air spot a good place to stop for breakfast (though they have lunch items like sandwiches) when you've got time for a leisurely meal. Get there early before food items start to sell out, and be ready to wait in a line that's often long and slow-moving. But as a sign behind the counter reminds customers, be kind.

The eastern Mission's seasonal Californian charmer is a delightful stop for a concise menu of "won't ever leave the menu" dishes, plus a few always-changing farmers' market–driven creations. Owner Paul Einbund is one of the city's top sommeliers, so, on cue, the wine list is particularly impressive, and so is the industrial yet cheery dining room and impressive parklet. The bathroom is a trip—literally—where the decor is film footage of a countryside drive set to a soothing musical score.

A friendly neighborhood Scottish pub, the Morrison comes with a bit of an upmarket flair, a kids' menu, and even dishes for your canine friends. And of course it serves a hearty, boozy brunch. Come here for a laid-back-pub vibe with slightly elevated dining.

This flagship of the Morrow Restaurant Group, which now has restaurants in the French Quarter and Mid-City, draws a huge brunch crowd. Look for hearty southern specialties like shrimp and grits, crawfish pasta, and lobster mac-and-cheese from chef and co-owner Lenora Chong.

Near the Alamo, the River Walk, and the Menger Hotel, this branch of the Morton's steak-house chain is appropriately elegant and contemporary. Fabulous steaks range from prime rib eye to prime New York strip, and are matched with exquisite wines and service. Other options include cold-water lobster tail. Signature sides are lobster mac 'n' cheese, smoked Gouda and bacon au gratin potatoes, and truffled ream corn.

The downtown Cleveland branch of the well-known chain in the Tower City Center has its trademark formal mahogany interior with white tablecloths. Large portions of choice cuts of beef and seafood are accompanied by baked or mashed potatoes, salad, and fresh vegetables.

This fine choice among Orlando's many steak houses looks like a sophisticated private club, and youngsters with mouse caps are not common at the nationwide chain's local outpost. Center stage in the kitchen is a huge broiler, kept at 900°F to sear in the flavor of the porterhouses, sirloins, rib eyes, and other cuts of aged beef. For true value, nibble on "bar bites" in the lounge area during happy hour, when they're half price, and you'll enjoy top-quality sliders and such for $6 to $7 a plate. The wine list has about 350 vintages from around the world.

The specialty at the Loop location of Morton's, one of Chicago's premiere steak houses, is a 14-ounce (or more) taste of heaven for meat lovers. Excellent service and a solid wine list add to the principal attraction: beautiful, hefty steaks cooked to perfection. Non–meat eaters aren’t left out of the fun, thanks to notable seafood offerings and plenty of salads.

The altogether unexpected restaurant set aboard the Moshulu, the oldest and biggest still-floating rigged-sail vessel in the world, offers one of the city's more unique atmospheres. The 359-foot ship, built in 1904, once transported coal and other natural resources all over the world, but today it focuses on serving high-end (and often pricey) new American cuisine, with attention paid to seafood and local, seasonal produce. Their beautiful bar is also a great place to stop for a drink while on the waterfront. Its name, a Seneca Indian term meaning “one who fears nothing,” was applied by First Lady Edith Wilson, the influential wife of 28th president Woodrow Wilson.

This popular eatery in Galveston's historic East End serves fresh, contemporary food—including some vegetarian dishes—in a hip, high-ceilinged dining room and on an outdoor patio. Wake up with cinnamon French toast or a crab omelette, or try an oversized sandwich or large gourmet salad for lunch. The juicy burgers or Asian shrimp skewer are hits in the evening.

Every "best patio" article in the Bay Area features this oceanfront restaurant (and former speakeasy) with a beautiful view, whether it's sunny or foggy. The menu is always fresh and fun with a general emphasis on fish and seafood. In reality, it's just as well known for the many dogs who adore the patio. The drinks menu is uninspired, but any beverage will taste better with a sunset vantage point like this restaurant has.

Locals and visitors congregate at this popular, Southwest-inspired Riverside eatery, where dinner entrées range from fish tacos and crab-cake salad to green-chili soup and ancho honey-glazed salmon. The dimly lit upstairs lounge has a coffeehouse vibe—with a handful of cozy booths and leather couches—and a tequila bar.