94 Best Restaurants in USA

One of the finest restaurants in the Valley, T. Cook's exudes romance, from the floor-to-ceiling windows with dramatic views of Camelback Mountain to its 1930s-style Spanish-colonial architecture and decor. It's not a place for dining in a rush. The Mediterranean-inspired menu, while frequently changing, is diverse enough to satisfy both foodies and less-adventurous eaters.

Trade celebrates the culinary heritage of the Mediterranean region, and more specifically, Greece, with a curated menu by James Beard award–winning chef-owner Jody Adams. Think perfectly charred flatbreads and pita that fly out of the open-hearth oven, eggplant- and feta-inspired dishes, lamb meatballs, and whole-roasted branzino. Don't miss the olive oil cake, house cocktails with a Greek twist, or special selection of Greek brandy, ouzo, and wine—you can order them per flight, too.

The sophisticated contemporary Mediterranean fare served in this snazzy bistro with a cathedral ceiling and an open kitchen would hold its own in any big city. Start off your evening with escargot with herbed garlic butter or French onion soup, before graduating to gnocchi with sautéed lobster tail or pan-seared duck breast with a cherry reduction and truffle-dusted potatoes.

Step into this airy space, and settle at a table with a view of the Sheepscot River, or try out a seat at the bar. Many of the dishes (particularly the pasta, paella, and the tremendous house risotto) have a Mediterranean flavor; other dishes showcase the kitchen's creative approach to modern American cuisine, like roasted Maine lobster with whiskey tarragon butter; half-portions of any of the pasta dishes are also an option.

Yassin Terou and his family quickly became local legends after opening their falafel joint, thanks to infallibly friendly service and quick-serve Mediterranean cuisine that begs for a repeat visit. There are additional locations in West Knoxville and Alcoa.

Chef Michael Solomonov’s Zahav is steeped in the milk and honey and hummus and lamb of his native Israel, as well as the cultures that have left a mark on that Promised Land. Taking advantage of its dramatic perch above one of the city's oldest streets, this James Beard award–winning restaurant relies on picture windows and soaring ceilings to create spectacle, but the open kitchen is the true stage. There, a small staff mixes and matches a melting pot of flavors for a modern menu whose highlights include colorful salatim (salad) and fluffy house-baked laffa (flatbread); kebabs of impossibly tender chicken or lamb merguez cooked over hot coals; and addictive florets of fried cauliflower served with a lemon-and-dill-spiked lebneh (yogurt cheese). The legendary smoked and pomegranate-juice-braised lamb shoulder, along with your dinner reservation, should be reserved in advance. The dining room features a prix fixe menu only; the bar and patio are à la carte.

Enter the airy dining room and feel instantly calmed by Zou Zou's natural light, soft woods, hanging plants, and brass fixtures. Then turn to the tantalizing menu of small dishes, crudos, shareable dips, and filling mains, each enhanced by exotic spices and herbs from all around the Mediterranean Sea. Vegetables are celebrated here, whether as ingredients or starring attractions. The open kitchen's grills keeps the aromas flowing, while the long marble bar inspires zingy cocktail explorations. Pop into upstairs lounge Chez Zou's for drinks after 5 pm.

Chef-owner couple Theresa Galli and Gavin Cady turned their popular food truck into an institution for Mediterranean food-lovers. The falafel is the centerpiece—try the overstuffed falafel sandwich with veggies and sauce, or the massive "Falafel Feast" for sharing. Don't skip the shareable mezze plates, or the opportunity to dip their house-made French fries into toum (Middle Eastern creamy garlic sauce). The simple brick-and-wood interior is warm and inviting, if not cramped during busy hours. In spring and fall, the best seat is at a sidewalk café table out front.

This sophisticated Mediterranean fine-dining destination, an outpost of the original Chicago-based restaurant, is a venerable hot spot within the bustling Music Lane mixed-use enclave on South Congress Avenue. Specializing in Israeli, Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisine, the extensive menu would be overwhelming without the helpful direction of servers, but you really can't go wrong with the variety of hummus, whipped spreads with homemade pita bread, and delicious mains—shawarma-spiced skirt is a standout. Save room for sticky date cake for dessert. Lunch is served on weekdays and swapped with a brunch service on weekends.

A new José Andrés restaurant opened in Mid-Beach and it doesn't disappoint. Nestled in the bottom of the Andaz hotel, Aguasal is dishing out pan-Mediterranean and coastal flavors that complement the Miami beach area perfectly. Common dishes like fried calamari are found here, but are elevated with a spicy raw garlic toum and harissa chili crisp at the base of the plate. Make sure to try the farm chicken tagine that is visually appealing and tastes like a home-cooked meal on a special occasion, and leave room for deconstructed deserts like the Atlantic Beach Pie, with fresh lemon curd, Chantilly cream, Ritz cracker crumble, and sliced blueberries.

A festive marina restaurant with a heated outdoor patio, Artemis reveals its Greek influences in breakfast dishes like baklava French toast and gyros and eggs. All day, though, the menus encompass more familiar options (eggs Benedict in the morning, burgers and grilled mahimahi later on).

This buzzing Mediterranean tapas joint has inspired an almost religious devotion among nearly every demographic of Philadelphian. Diners happily stuff themselves into the cramped tables at this long, narrow eatery for a fix of the cheese boards, the egg-and-truffle pizza, and the house-made charcuterie. But above all, the salted caramel budino (a classic Italian pudding)—with so much demand, chef Marcie Turney figured out how to sell it online in a six-pack and turn it into ice-cream pops in the summer—is heavenly. If you don't have a reservation, try and snag the bar and chef's counter, which are first come, first served.

As it's smack-dab in the middle of Kahului, this Mediterranean restaurant is truly a convenient choice for lunch or dinner. The menu features everything from salads to pasta, and the tapas menu (available from 4 to 9 pm) changes weekly and always has an excellent selection of dishes.

A large old tavern with cathedral ceilings houses this popular bistro, where the Mediterranean--California menu changes seasonally, but regular highlights include paella, seafood puttanesca, and pepper-crusted rib-eye steak with Cabernet demi-glace.

Steps from the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, a coveted seat on the outdoor patio is worth the wait. If the weather isn't permitting, snag a spot inside this brasserie-vibe café inside the Charlesmark Hotel and be prepared to feast. The brunches are hearty, with traditional eggs and bacon sitting sidecar to Mediterranean labneh with za’atar and chickpeas, Greek yogurt with granola and honey, and eggplant and tahini spreads. The hummus bowls and shakshuka are some of the best in the city. Sip on Turkish coffee, have a tea ceremony, or slurp a huge Nutella milkshake.

Mediterranean-inspired Casaléna, a bi-level maze of large luxe dining rooms, pretty patios and rooftop spaces decked out with dramatic chandeliers, modern art, potted trees, and fireplaces, is another example of the second generation successfully breathing new life into the family business. Befitting the space, the menu is also big, plucking ideas from Italy, Spain, and Greece and putting them through a California filter which results in mostly pasta, pizza, seafood, share-sized salads, and pricey cuts of beef. With a strong bar program, weekend brunch, and special occasion pricing, it's quite popular for date nights and big-group celebrations and, given the scope of the restaurant, it can get pretty busy and then noisy. Never enough however to keep you from the beet salad, the whole branzino in chimichurri, or fried squash blossoms.

This restaurant inspires European-style celebration and romance in an intimate French-country setting. Feast on authentic dishes from southern France and northern Italy—think beef tartare and escargot. Private dining is offered at Van Gogh's Table, a relic from France's Auberge Ravoux, the artist's final residence.

The décor in this Shadyside eatery is desert chic. An eclectic menu, influenced by the cuisines of southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia, includes double-cut pork chops, duck breast, and lamb osso bucco. The extensive wine list includes more than 40 labels available by the glass.

At this restaurant, known for its beautifully prepared Mediterranean cuisine, you can dine inside or under the stars in the atrium. The service here is attentive, and the menu roams Spain, Italy, California, and beyond.

A gathering place and watering hole near the Virginia Tech campus, this storefront restaurant serves eclectic, inexpensive dishes. Try the Greek spaghetti with sautéed feta, garlic, and olives, or the "Mac Daddy": a single large meatball in marinara sauce and Parmesan. They also offer an extensive list of domestic and imported beers, and local bands perform here often. You can also purchase their craft beers to take home.

This longtime Rockridge favorite is all about seasonal and globe-spanning small plates, family-style eating, and excellent drinks. Intimate dining nooks, natural light, and a heated patio make this an ideal destination for couples, families, and the after-work crowd.

A short drive to "the quiet side" of Eureka Springs will deliver a culinary experience that will make you think you're across the big pond. Chef-owner Linda Hager brings her passion for Mediterranean travel to the plates of her guests with dishes like shrimp à la Grecque—shrimp, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes seared in olive oil and garlic, then tossed with capellini pasta and feta cheese. The international wine list offers 15 wines by the glass. Check the website for special wine dinners, scheduled on Sunday nights throughout the year.

Angular wood-cut wall mountings and soft overhead globe lamps impart a subtly chic vibe at this upbeat mod-Mediterranean restaurant that divides its menu into "from the grill" (fennel-crusted rib eye, Spanish octopus) and "roasted and fried" (chicken in a Calabrian-chili tomato sauce, Sicilian eggplant parmigiana). If you were hoping to avoid carbs, think again: the homemade pastas are divine, as is the focaccia, baked fresh daily by the in-house bakery.

Taking inspiration from Greece, Turkey, the greater Mediterranean and Middle East, this meze and bar restaurant consistently wins accolades for their amazing small plates that are amazing to share with many people. The drinks are creative and unique, making the perfect start and end to the meal. The best thing to do is order a mix of cold and hot meze for the table, and finish with a Turkish coffee and desert. Notable dishes on the menu include their take on muhammara (roasted red pepper hummus) topped with pomegranate molasses; the adana kebap (spiced ground lamb); and the whole grilled branzino. 

Earth tones and calming blue glass tiles that reflect flickering candlelight provide a serene backdrop for the beautifully plated Mediterranean delights of chef Jesus Alvarado who trained at Aspen's renowned Matsuhisa sushi restaurant only a few blocks away. From caviar served with tater tots and hamachi crudo to Chilean sea bass topped with fennel puree and lemon caper sauce, each dish is light and bright with gorgeous color and flavor. Steaks, lamb chops, and veal are also a hit, but the seafood shines. Ask the in-house sommelier to recommend pairings from the extensive wine list or choose from one of the city's best liquor selections, including an impressive Japanese whiskey collection. 

Simple, small, and understated, the best falafel spot in the neighborhood can be easy to miss. At Dune, patrons can revel in the piles of hearty chicken shawarma generously plated on homemade flatbread. Other menu items include tabbouleh and lamb, but, honestly, stick with the falafel—it’s second to none. Enjoy it al fresco in Dune's outdoor dining space along Glendale Boulevard, where people-watching is a favorite pastime. There's cold brew as well to perk you up before your weekend adventures.

There is no more glamorous and lively dining setting in San Jose than this downtown sibling to the acclaimed bar Paper Plane—and it isn't even close. With dramatic lighting, loud music, plants throughout the space and gallery-worthy chic design across two levels, this is the energetic (but not clubby) and sleek destination for cocktails and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine that the city needed and didn't have until 2024. Don't miss the loukoumades (like beignets) for dessert.

Pumpkin-color walls, light streaming through tall front windows, and a playful collection of Italian posters add to the appeal of this fine Tuscany-inspired bistro. The menu offers up appetizers, salads, sandwiches, calzones, and pizzas, and in the evening they have rotating specials that often include seafood. If you're in a hurry, just get a giant slice of the thin-crust cheese pizza to go. You can order meals at the bar, where you'll find a great wine selection, and there's always something decadent for dessert.

As the name suggests, this bistro focuses on small plates that encourage sharing and camaraderie, especially when it's the daily happy hour and/or paired with Firefly's signature sangrias or mojitos, both available by the glass or pitcher. The rough rule of thumb is for each person to order two plates, drawn from four categories: Chilled, Hot, Seafood, or Meat & Poultry. The range of choices is head-spinning, from beet salad and stuffed dates to empanadas, steamed mussels, and even manchego mac & cheese. In 2023, the original location moved a mile or so to a larger building (which some may remember as McCormick & Schmick's) on the edge of the Hughes Center office park. The atmosphere is completely different: plenty of windows and light paint replacing the dark and romantic, folk-art plastered original. There is also a second Firefly in Southwest Las Vegas (7355 S. Buffalo Drive).

Keep your eyes peeled for this converted aluminum trailer on the west side of downtown that serves up Mediterranean-inspired specialties like the Marfalafel: a large flour tortilla brimming with falafel, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and tahini and harissa sauces. Devotees also swear by the pimento cheese made from a combination of cheddar and Havarti cheeses blended with pepperoncini, horseradish, parsley, and dill. Save room for the double-chocolate-espresso cookies.