9221 Best Restaurants in USA

The brainchild of chef/owner Adam Ross, this hot spot serves comfort food such as pork chops, cheesy short-rib sandwiches, and Utah trout hash. Dedicated to locally sourced and seasonal fare, Twisted Fern offers dinner daily in a welcoming atmosphere.

Housed in a log-frame waterfront building adjacent to the base of the Goldbelt Tram, Twisted Fish serves fish as fresh as you'll find. Grab a seat on the deck and enjoy prime-time Gastineau Channel gazing over a glass of wine or locally brewed beer.

The chefs here have culinary school degrees, and they're proud to turn out what some consider to be the best burgers in town. Ingredients are gathered from nearby growers and farmers whenever possible. The menu always includes the basics, half-pound Angus, buffalo, turkey, and veggie burgers. Look for rotating specials, such as a blue cheese and jalapeño burger and a burger topped with green chilies, pepper-jack cheese, and guacamole. Even the ice cream is handmade; it's the base ingredient for adults-only milk shakes spiked with liqueurs.

Specializing in Southern specialties cooked on a charcoal grill, this Headhouse Square restaurant's extensive menu offerings include fried chicken, barbecue smoked ribs, shrimp and grits, and grilled swordfish. This fun, lively hot spot also has a busy bar, including a robust wine list and American whiskey selection, with mixologists pouring craft cocktails. Live blues and jazz music is performed on most nights, so check the website for upcoming bands and musical artists. 

With locations close to the Convention Center and in the heart of the CBD, Two Chicks dishes rib-sticking breakfasts and creative sandwiches.

This long-running eatery is a short walk from Bishops Beach, Beluga Slough, and the Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center. In addition to fresh breads and pastries, Two Sisters specializes in deliciously healthy lunches, such as vegetarian focaccia sandwiches, homemade soups, quiche, and salads. There's no indoor dining, but there is a lovely wraparound porch and a garden sitting area that are perfect on a summer afternoon; you can even walk your espresso and scone down to the beach to watch the waves roll in.

Burgers, beers, and fries: that's what you'll get at this low-key joint. Among stroller-toting parents and neighborhood regulars, sidle up to the bar (or grab a table in back) and sink your teeth into a patty that was ground that morning by local butcher Los Paisanos. The headliner is the two8two burger, topped with roasted poblano chilies, cheddar cheese, and two8two sauce (mayo, ketchup, and spices), but there's also a lettuce wrap burger for the gluten-free or merely carb-phobic. The bar features craft beers on tap, including a couple of local selections, as well as the chipotle-habanero Bloody Mary—it's as hot as it sounds.

The theme at this diminutive Spanish spot is cocina vasca, or the cuisine of the Basque country, one of the most exciting regions in Iberia for eating. Chef Alexandra Raij captures the moment by serving standouts like juicy lamb meatballs in a minty broth, crispy beef tongue, and an addictive crabmeat gratin. The wine list at Txikito (pronounced “chi-kee-toe”) is loaded with great bottles of Rioja and other Tempranillos, many of which are from Basque winemakers.

This funky mini-gallery and coffee shop has an extensive menu of espresso drinks, frappes, smoothies, matchas, and teas alongside scones, muffins, and other grab-and-go baked goods. Peruse the unique art pieces and gifts while the barista crafts your drink, then enjoy it outside on the deck. It's conveniently located at The Shoppes at Tybee Oaks, which also houses galleries, gift shops, and Huc-A-Poos for specialty pizzas.

Respectful of traditional sushi and sashimi methods—but not limited by them—this standout sushi bar (and consistently ranked top restaurant in Austin) starts with super-fresh ingredients. After that, anything goes, including touches of the South or south-of-the-border: yellowtail with ponzu sauce and sliced chilies, tempura-style fried green tomatoes, or seared monkfish cheeks with Vietnamese caramel, Belgian endive, roasted red grapes, and cilantro. You can make a tapas-style meal from the cold and hot "tastings" menu. Make reservations ahead of time for their daily happy hour (4–6 pm).

This spot might have started out as the "little brother” of chef Tyson Cole’s now famed Uchi restaurant, but the contemporary Japanese fusion eatery has become a standard in its own right. The shareable small plates make for a delightfully playful experience, especially when left up to the expert with the daily omakase (“I trust the chef") menu.

Stop by the UConn Dairy Bar in the UConn Department of Animal Science Creamery for the most delicious ice cream you've ever tasted. Students produce the 24 regular, two seasonal, and occasional limited-edition flavors. To see the ice cream--making process from start to finish, begin at the barn at the Kellogg Dairy Center on Horsebarn Hill: mingle with the cows and watch them being milked (1--4 pm), then walk to the manufacturing plant where more than 50,000 gallons of ice cream are produced each year. You don't have to start at the barn, though; there's an observation window in the Dairy Bar where you can see the delicious treat being made.

Ugly Mugs is a neighborhood coffee shop on the edge of East Nashville's Lockeland Springs neighborhood. For those staying in the area, it's a great spot to grab coffee, breakfast, or a simple lunch or dinner. It's also a popular hangout for local musicians, so you never know who you might run into.

This local hangout is a true community space, with everyone from commuters grabbing an organic coffee and a pastry in the morning to locals enjoying a soup-and-sandwich combo at lunch to students snacking on a muffin while doing their homework in the afternoon. The owners pride themselves on offering an inclusive space and using sustainable practices, such as using compostable products instead of plastic.

Located in the Crossroads shopping complex in Kailua-Kona, this excellent burger joint may look like a chain, but it's an independent, locally owned and operated eatery that serves 100% organic, grass-fed Big Island beef. Be sure to order a side of seasoned Big Daddy fries served with homemade aioli dipping sauce. The menu lists a couple nonmeat options, too. Top it off with local beers or house-made lemonade or green tea.

Aaron and Elizabeth Ultimo launched a specialty coffee chain in 2009, offering expert espresso, pour-over brewing, and single-origin beans well before these were staples. The couple has since added two more shops, a bakery, and a roastery to the roster, while their relaxed flagship shop in the Newbold neighborhood of South Philly keeps on keeping on, perhaps because of the comfortable space and friendly staff.

Squeezed between skyscrapers and the towering New York Stock Exchange, Stone Street is a two-block restaurant oasis that feels more like a village than the center of the financial universe. After the market closes, Wall Streeters head to Ulysses, a big, popular pub with 12 beers on tap and more than 50 varieties in bottles, plus seasonal brews; live music; and menu options that include minicheeseburgers, a seafood tower, nachos, and Guinness fish-and-chips. Outdoor seating in warmer weather makes this a neighborhood go-to all summer.

Another addition to the already impressive dossier of hot spots from local restaurateur Frank DePasquale, this classic Italian steak house features rustic cuisine influenced by the Umbria region as well as a selection of steak cuts, house-made pasta, and local seafood. Pair a delicious glass of red with classic dishes and a variety of decadent beef cuts—from a rich and nutty 55-day dry-aged New York bone-in sirloin to a gentle Japanese Wagyu sirloin to a grass-fed Tomahawk rib eye for two. Venture up to Mia, the North End’s newest and only roof deck bar, for specialty apps designed for sharing, signature cocktails, and music.

One of the North Shore’s liveliest eateries is set in a casual, contemporary space. It serves Hawaiian-style fare including pupus—from poke bowls and fresh wild-caught moonfish to nachos with ham and kalua pig on wonton chips—as well as pasta dishes, pizza, soups, and salads.

Uncle Bobbie's is the most literary-salonlike coffee shop in the city, with numerous author and reading events. Focused squarely on African American literature and history, intellectual studies, as well as mainstream biographies and such, the books, all new, are both for sale and displayed in a way that makes you wish you had a library of shiny books.

The original location of Uncommon Ground is roomy and inviting, with a hand-carved bar and large street-facing windows offering views of passersby; patrons brave the wait for bowls of coffee and hot chocolate. There's also a full bar, a hearty menu with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free items, and even an organic brewery (Greenstar Brewing) on-site. Perks include two fireplaces, sidewalk tables, and a steady lineup of acoustic musical acts. A second location in the Edgewater neighborhood ( 1401 West Devon Avenue) gets bonus points for eco-friendliness, with a garden on the roof, solar panels, and tables made from reclaimed wood.

All the typical diner and Southern favorites on the menu here have an unusual twist, befitting the name of this restaurant. Start with the kale nachos or potpie poppers, then, if you’re really hungry, dive into a plate of fried chicken or the “French Dip” pappardelle. Weekend brunch includes everything from a bagel with lox to chicken and waffles, while the daily breakfast has some lighter fare. Don’t skip out on the desserts and sweets.

Outside, it's a formal Italianate-style brick building from the 1860s, but inside, the restaurant's wood-lined or exposed-brick walls, colorful decorative ceiling tiles, and hanging lights add to the casual, cheerful vibe. Updated versions of American and Italian classics appear on the menu along with a noodle bowl and Argentinean meat loaf wrapped in bacon; diners can also make a small-plates meal from the long appetizer list. A "tapas tower" includes three choices from the tapas list. Lunch is equally eclectic, with everything from tacos to buttermilk fried chicken on the menu.    

At 750 feet underground, near the elevator and entrance to the Big Room, you can grab a snack, soft drink, or club sandwich at this handy snack bar. Service is quick, even when there's a crowd, and although the food doesn't stand out, it's fun dining in this otherworldly setting.

A casual burger shack from a fine-dining chef means flavor and execution that are always on point. The controlled chaos of this family-friendly joint can make it hard to get an outdoor table on sunny days, but the lines and wait are worth it for the perfectly cooked burgers that range from a classic beef patty to a house-made vegetarian option. The local meat is flavorful and stands alone, but the creative toppings and combo burgers, like lamb with griddled peppers and onions, Manchego cheese, and fried lemons, make this more than just another roadside shack. Giant milk shakes and crispy onion rings are a must for kids, while adults will want to check out the row of local craft brew on tap.

By bus or car, this is on the way from the Downtown tourist area to the zoo.

Inside the tasteful boutique Eliot Hotel lies an innovative izakaya (informal Japanese gastropub) helmed by chef-owner Ken Oringer and executive chef David Bazirgan, who offer boldly flavored renditions of Asian street food—grilled eel, Wagyu beef dumplings, chow fun noodles, Dungeness crab fried rice, and dozens of tempting sashimi and nigiri choices. Although the bites can add up price-wise, the menu has a sprinkling of inexpensive dishes, like Kurobuta spare rib and blistered shishito peppers. Cocktail aficionados will appreciate the creative and sophisticated offerings, and it's worth checking out the extensive reserve sake menu.

This straightforward local restaurant not only has one of the best restaurant names in the borough, but they're serving up some of the tastiest fried chicken in New York. UFC serves organic, humanely raised birds, fried crisp, spicy, and addictive with soy, garlic, or hot sauce. Other items on the menu include spicy pork bulgogi empanadas, beef bulgogi burgers, and good ol' cheese fries, but crispy chicken paired with one of the many craft beers on tap is a foolproof move here.

Operated in partnership with the nearby Alderbrook Resort, this restored market at the Hood Canal Marina is open most days for gourmet snacks and to-go items, local beer and wine, and nicely curated nautical souvenirs, and its Hook & Fork waterfront eatery serves afternoon appetizers on Friday and leisurely brunches on weekends. A juice bar doles out freshly squeezed concoctions, and the rotating brunch menu features baked oysters, smoked-trout toast, and crab BLTs and Benedicts.

A constantly changing seasonal menu features Montana regional cuisine and fare from afar, such as Pacific troll salmon, tagliatelle pasta with sautéed tiger prawns, and grilled pork tenderloin. The varied wine list favors California and Oregon vineyards and offers a number of exceptional beers from Montana microbreweries. Reservations are recommended, and in the summer, enjoy dining on the outdoor deck with river views. Brunch is served on Sundays from September through May. 

Opening its doors in 1826 and earning a place on the National Historic Landmark list, the Union Oyster House is Boston's oldest restaurant. Dine like Daniel Webster (alongside his nightly hangover-heavy tumbler of brandy and water), as you order oysters on the half shell at the ground-floor raw bar in the oldest part of the restaurant. For a heartier meal, head to the dark and low-ceilinged upstairs via a narrow staircase (very Olde New England) to find “The Kennedy Booth,” the president's favorite. Small tables and chairs (as well as kitschy nostalgia) are charming, as are the simple and hearty portions of Yankee-style seafood and steaming bowls of chowder. Those in the know call ahead for the Shore Dinner, a New England feast of clam chowder, steamers or mussels, live lobster, native corn, red bliss potatoes, and gingerbread or Indian pudding. Sinking your teeth into more than you can handle? You aren’t the first. The toothpick was first used in the U.S. here. On weekends, make reservations or risk enduring waits of historic proportions. One cautionary note: locals hardly ever eat here.