278 Best Restaurants in USA

Provincetown's Lobster Pot, a mainstay for more than 40 years, is fit to do battle with all the lobster shanties anywhere (and everywhere) else on the Cape; although it's often jammed with tourists, the crowds reflect the generally high quality, and the water views can't be beat. The hardworking kitchen turns out classic New England cooking: lobsters, generous and filling seafood platters, and some of the best chowder around.

Even in the most diverse neighborhood of New York City, you are still in New York, after all, so great pizza is a must. This no-frills pizza joint is run by Louie himself. Hailed as a local hero after surviving a horrific stabbing from protecting an elderly woman from being mugged, Louie has become somewhat of a staple figure in the neighborhood. Heroism aside, the grandma slice here is one of the best in the borough, but you also don't want to miss their homemade agnolotti pasta.

Housed in a historic barn, this wine bar and its front patio get busy in summer, and for good reason: artisan cocktails and flavorful small plates are expertly made, and, as the name suggests, the wine list is stellar. Except for a six-week break in midwinter, it's open year-round and cozy on cold nights, too. Stop in for live music or book a small-group cocktail class.

This local drive-through and fast-food chain turned burger empire is an Austin favorite for a reason. What started as a humble mom-and-pop operation on the corner of South Lamar and Barton Springs Road has evolved into a sprawling web of locations all over Austin and beyond, but the original location is still the ideal spot to experience the simple pleasures of a fresh patty of hormone-free Black Angus beef (or black-bean veggie), hand-cut fries, and hand-spun shakes that make eating bad feel good.

NoLibs' dining scene is usually known for gastropubs, but Pietramala has brought an edge of elegance and creativity to the neighborhood. While the restaurant is vegan, Chef Ian Graye isn't—a key factor because his threshold for deliciousness is that of a meat-eater—but he works hard, sourcing excellent ingredients and fermenting ingredients to build dishes that are at once comforting and unexpected. It's a small plates restaurant, with lots of Italian influence, but it's hard to put such an exceptional restaurant in a box.

With vintage memorabilia and a bluesy soundtrack as a background, this cool deli in a tiny strip mall has a lot more to offer than the average sandwich shop. Yes, there are gourmet sandwiches, salads, and wraps, but Poi Dog's wide-ranging menu extends to an impressive list of wines, craft beers, ales, and pilsners from all over the world. On the lighter side, they have a great mix of hard ciders as well. But there are also kombuchas, coffees, and other nonalcoholic beverages to choose from. Hailing from New Orleans, the proprietors love to bring a touch of the Big Easy to Kona, which you'll feel throughout the place. Online ordering is encouraged, and there is even a take-and-bake option. 

James Beard Award–winning chef Melissa Kelly's ode to her Italian-American roots and farm-to-table sensibilities received a Michelin Recommended award in 2022. The homemade pastas and breads, Florida meats, and offerings from the pizza oven are essential; locally caught fish is served with Florida clams; and the chicken from nearby Lake Meadow Naturals is, yes, primo.

The line out the door is the first sign you’re at San Diego’s best ramen spot, and the sight of thick organic mochi noodles soaking in deep pots of tonkotsu broth and garlic oil is sure to seal the deal. Original, red, or black edition ramen are local choices, each topped with bean sprouts, pickled egg, wakame seaweed, garlic chips, and crushed sesame. If there's one "must-try," make it the black edition ramen fermented with garlic oil and roasted with bincho charcoal for 18 hours. The menu covers spicy curry, donburi rice bowls, and sushi rolls. Start with crispy gyoza served with house ponzu dipping sauce. For a front row to the action, grab a seat at the counter and watch chefs char sushi aburi style. Just about everything pairs well with sake or a cold beer.

Stepping into this family-owned East Boston pizza joint is like stepping into the 1980s, even though it first opened way back in 1903. Every table is full on a Saturday night at 7 pm, and don't be surprised to see a line that runs out the cramped front doorway. This local favorite serves well-done and crispy, traditional style pies topped with veggies, ’chovies, garlic, and meat; the only other menu items are lamb, steak and chicken tips, and grilled sausages cooked over open hot coals in the corner.

Try for a table by the windows in the dining room of this little landmark restaurant, perched beside Pemaquid Lighthouse at the very edge of the rocky shore. Blueberry pancakes with Maine maple syrup are the clear breakfast favorites; the lunch and dinner menu features fried fresh seafood, lobster and crab rolls, salads, and mouthwatering entrées like the shipwreck pie (lobster, crab, shrimp, and scallops sautéed in butter and topped with a cracker-crumb crust). Desserts include ice cream and homemade pies or strawberry or blueberry shortcake. Alcoholic beverages aren't served, but you're welcome to bring your own. The gift shop is packed with jewelry, Maine-made jams and condiments, prints of local scenery, and other great souvenirs.

Dumplings—both pork and shiitake—are king here, along with spare ribs, crab rangoon, and sesame balls. You order from the menu—the compact dining room is a bit small for traditional dim sum carts—but there are no wrong choices.

This retro-themed, Japanese bar–suburban rec room serves memorable charcoal-grilled skewers, ramen, chicken karaage (deep-fried in oil), tempura, and tofu bowls. Bar bites, craft beer, and cocktails add flair to the very casual atmosphere.

You won't need to jump on the next flight to Athens or the next ferry to Santorini to indulge in some of the best Greek food in the world. Instead, you'll find it right here in Astoria in this brightly lit eatery. Fried calamari, spanakopita, and grilled octopus make appearances on the menu, as do more out-of-the-ordinary dishes like taramosalata (caviar dip) and souvlaki kfsifias (swordfish kebabs). Lamb chops drip with juice, and grilled sardines are so fresh, you'd swear they were just pulled from the sea. Be prepared to wait for a table at peak times, as this restaurant doesn't take reservations. There's also an additional location in Bayside, Queens.

Tres Gatos not only serves delicious Spanish tapas, pinchos (appetizers), and paella; it also has a cool record and bookstore in the back. Olives, stuffed dates, and tortilla Española are great starters, but the paella, made with shrimp, clams, chorizo, and rabbit is the star—there’s also a vegetarian version. Don’t miss the small gem of the shop for the latest vinyl or bestselling book. On the first and third Wednesdays of every month, there is live entertainment at 9 pm.

Known for having the best poke bowls in California, this food-shack-turned-restaurant has a friendly, service-oriented hipster staff and dishes like smoked teriyaki chicken and Hawaiian pulled pork that blend the flavors of Tahiti, Jamaica, Hawaii, and other tropical spots. The tiki-style setting and consistently fresh food make this family-run restaurant a favorite in town, so plan to wait during high season. If you ask how sashimi-grade tuna lands in Big Bear, prepare to hear “from mystical mermaids” (it’s a secret source). 

The prefix "un-" in this acclaimed Thai restaurant's name is a double entendre: un, homophone of the nickname of its chef, Aun Kampimarn; and un as in it proudly serves unconventional Thai food, when compared to common Thai take-out fare like pad Thai or Panang curry. Here, supple okra finds balance with crispy fried garlic, whole fishes are smothered in curries, and northern Thai dishes of steak or ground pork have a perfect balance of spice flavor and heat. For those wanting to turn the spiciness up to a new level, they also offer "WHAT THE HELL!!" fried rice, with 12 unapologetic chili icons on the menu to denote its intensity.

The fresh pasta inside this small counter restaurant is flown in weekly from Bologna, then cooked and sauced right in front of your eyes. Order one of the tastings menus to try their various pastas. When you order the Cheese & Truffle menu you will receive a yellowtail crudo for a starter, then Tagliatelle in a truffle sauce, Pomodoro sauce pasta, creamy cacio e pepe, and finish with tiramisu al cucchiaio. After your first visit, you'll become an instant fan. It's close to museum row, for a steaming bowl of bucatini before or afterwards.

This downtown Veracruz location, tucked on the ground floor of The LINE, services the bustling hotel crowd with early morning to late night operating hours. There is also a walk-up window, just steps off the hike-and-bike trail, that's perfect for a grab-and-go taco and coffee before you start a day of sightseeing.

Smack in the heart of the Village, this bustling restaurant greets you with the sound of martini shakers and the smell of Italian classics prepared by Food Network/James Beard finalist/Michelin-starred brothers Michael and Bryan Voltaggio. Grab a table near the swanky bar, or nestle into one of the globe domes on the patio. Here, servers deliver piping hot plates of lamb ravioli, crispy octopus with creamy gnocchi, or Voltaggi-O’s—a nod to the childhood classic SpaghettiOs (only the brothers’ version is made with homemade annelini pasta and a giant meatball). For shared plates start with the caprese, prosciutto di parma, or the white sauce pizza topped with mozzarella and fontina. In the open kitchen, you can catch a glimpse of the brick oven (imported from Italy) that cranks out consistent perfection.

Yardbird is a colloquialism for a domestic chicken, and as the name suggests, fried chicken is one of the main attractions here. Crispy white and dark meat chicken is made in a 27-hour process of coating, brining, and dredging in Grandma Lewellyn’s secret herbs and spices before going in the fryer.

The lively crowds at this barbecue hot spot range from hippie potters to downtown suits—former president Barack Obama made 12 Bones his first stop on multiple trips to Asheville—who come for the ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, sweet vinegar slaw, and corn pudding. On a sunny day, grab a seat at the picnic tables outside and take in the murals that cover every wall in the vicinity.

Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck got in early on the rise of the Arts District when he opened this casual bar and café in 2023 (the name is pronounced "Twelve Twenty-Eight"). The restaurant side is a full-service bakery, cranking out breads and pastries all day long. It also serves food for three meals a day, as well as brunch on weekends. The bar side is a typical Las Vegas cocktail room, and is a welcoming spot to pass time while you're waiting for a table. Arrive early for weekend brunch as the place gets packed.

This former trading post-turned auto shop-turned-church-turned-saloon finally found its purpose as Temecula’s most popular bar and restaurant. Gone are the 1960s brawls, replaced by friendly service and a scratch kitchen turning out burgers, sandwiches, and main-event entrees like cast-iron ribeye, blackened achiote pork chop, and rustic chicken with risotto. For an impressive starter, kick off with the charcuterie board made with local cheeses, breads, and meats. The industrial-style bar means business, boasting 23 ingredients in the Bloody Mary alongside beers and wines produced in Temecula. Other than ice cubes and ice cream, you won’t find anything in the freezer. All desserts are made in-house, meaning you can clean that plate of bourbon bread pudding and salted caramel ice cream knowing that the chef was behind the magic.

This tiny restaurant disguised as a dive bar helped transform West Asheville into a dining destination. The buzz around their charcuterie program, house-made pasta, and entrées like a confit duck leg continues today.

Roughly translated as "beyond," al di là has been a neighborhood favorite since it opened in 1998, and it's easy to understand why: it serves well-prepared Northern Italian dishes in a cozy atmosphere. The warm farro salad with seasonal ingredients and goat cheese is perfectly al dente; the hand-pinched ravioli are delicious; and meatier entrées like braised rabbit, Tuscan tripe stew, and pork loin scaloppine with prosciutto are highlights.

On the edge of the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, the Ninepipes Lodge has views of the Mission Mountains and native grass-edged wetlands full of birds. The restaurant is open seven days a week, serving local Double R Ranch beef steaks, seafood, and specials like baby back ribs. You can find reasonably priced lodging here, too, as well as an art gallery, a museum, and a trading post next door.

Since opening in 2018, this eatery has dropped "coffee" from its name but certainly not from its menu, which includes coffee, coffee cocktails (espresso martini!), dessert cocktails, and an extensive list of traditional cocktails. The atmosphere is that of a European café with a menu to match: pastries, panini, and desserts that are both delicious and gorgeous. Americano Lounge hosts live jazz performances and cleverly themed events throughout the year.