9221 Best Restaurants in USA

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We've compiled the best of the best in USA - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Yatenga

$$ | Harlem

A destination for those who know and love food and celebrate diversity, Yatenga serves traditional French bistro fare. This rustic-chic eatery is perfect for happy hour or dinner. For your main, the chef Gambas special (large shrimp in a creamy bechamel and garlic sauce with macaroni) or the steak au poivre are sure to delight. For something less fussy, go for the Harlem combo, consisting of wings, fries, onion rings, and honey mustard sauce, or the fried calamari with a red pepper sauce. Yatenga also offers a weekend brunch with unlimited mimosas, bloody Marys, or bellinis.

2269 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., New York, NY, 10030, USA
212-690–0699
Known For
  • Mix of eclectic and casual food
  • Unlimited mimosa, Bloody Mary, and Bellini brunch
  • Connected to Shrine World Music Venue for live music

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Yavapai Dining Hall

$$$

If you don't have time for full-service, the restaurant in Yavapai Lodge offers cafeteria-style dining for breakfast and dinner, including beef brisket, pizza, baked chicken, and salmon. Wine and beer, including craft brews from nearby Flagstaff, are also on the menu; or enjoy drinks on the patio at the adjacent Yavapai Tavern, which serves lunch and dinner.

Yavapai Lodge Rd., AZ, 86023, USA
928-638–4001
Known For
  • Quick bites or hearty meals
  • Convenient dining in Market Plaza
  • Patio with firepit at Yavapai Tavern
Restaurant Details
Reservations not accepted

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Ye Olde College Inn

$$ | Mid-City

A stalwart neighborhood joint, the age-old College Inn now occupies a newer building after decades in an older, now-razed structure next door. The menu is full of all-stars, but the po'boys are stand-outs: one filled with fried oysters, havarti cheese, and bacon; another with fried green tomatoes and shrimp rémoulade; and even a dessert po'boy featuring fried bread pudding all get rave reviews. The menu has changed quite a bit since the restaurant first opened in 1933, but certain items, like the veal cutlet entrée, have remained—and for good reason.

3000 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA
504-866–3683
Known For
  • Line-up of both classic and creative po'boys
  • Family-friendly ambience next to a fun bowling alley with music
  • Veal cutlet that has been on the menu since the 1930s
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Ye Olde English Fish & Chips

$

Folks come from all over to savor the affordable, fresh, lightly battered, gently fried fish and hand-cut, English-style "chips" at this local institution in Market Square. The family-owned restaurant, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022, serves up a casual and relaxed feast in a wood-paneled dining room.

25 S. Main St., Woonsocket, RI, 02895, USA
401-762–3637
Known For
  • Batter recipe brought from Yorkshire, England, and unchanged since 1922
  • Clam chowder and clam cakes are also delish
  • Easy walk to/from Museum of Work and Culture
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun., Mon., Tues.

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Ye Olde Tavern

$$$

This circa-1790 Colonial inn dishes up Yankee favorites along with plenty of New England charm, made all the more intimate by the candlelight. Elk and venison share the menu with good-ol' pot roast and cheddar-and-ale onion soup.

5183 Main St., Manchester, VT, 05255, USA
802-362–0611
Known For
  • Exclusive Circa 1790 Unfiltered Amber Ale
  • Traditional pot roast
  • Cranberry fritters with Vermont maple butter
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. and Wed.

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YellowBrix

$$
This attractive restaurant set in a former 1920s home has several different dining rooms as well as a breezy courtyard patio where local acoustic musicians sometimes perform. The kitchen serves eclectic fare with sophisticated flourishes, including poached-pear salads, sashimi tuna with a spicy wasabi-soy sauce, pressed Cuban sandwiches, and an extensive selection of steaks. There's a very nice wine list.

Yellowstone Mine & Rusty Rail Lounge

$$

Decorated with picks, shovels, and other mining equipment, this is a place for casual family-style dining. Locals come in for the steaks and seafood. Lunch and dinner are served year-round, and there's a breakfast buffet in summer.

Yellowstone Valley Grill

$$$$
There are no Michelin star-rated restaurants in Montana, but this place comes close. With creative specialties like northern Thai bison larb, adobo-cured Kurobuta pork chop, and for dessert Oaxacan chocolate truffle, your taste buds won't be disappointed. You can dine on the outdoor patio in the summer. The restaurant is located in the Yellowstone Valley Lodge, offering riverfront luxury cabin rentals just south of Livingston.
3840 Hwy. 89 S, Livingston, MT, 59047, USA
406-333--4787
Known For
  • Beautiful river views
  • Being one of the best places in Montana for sashimi
  • Inventive food
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. No lunch

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Yeti Restaurant

$$

Glen Ellen's finer restaurants emphasize seasonal local produce, but instead of riffs on French, Italian, or Cal-modern, the farm-to-table creations at this casual space (open kitchen, paper lanterns, wooden tables and chairs) fuse Indian and Himalayan cuisine. Start with samosas or tomato-based Himalayan pepper pot soup from Nepal—so warming on a chilly day—then proceed to curries, sizzling tandooris, or chicken, prawn, or vegetable biryanis of ethereally aromatic saffron basmati rice.

14301 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen, CA, 95442, USA
707-996–9930
Known For
  • Deck overlooking Sonoma Creek
  • International beer selection
  • Ample wines by the glass

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Yia Yia's Kitchen

$ | Midtown

Find authentic Greek specialties like gyros, baklava, and fresh salads.

3113 Habersham St., Savannah, GA, USA
Known For
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Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.

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Yodelin Broth Company

$$

In winter, this eatery's stone walls and varnished-wood tables impart a warm vibe, and in summer the sprawling beer garden with grand river and mountain views puts everyone in a happy mood. This hipster-approved, counter-service purveyor of fragrant, flavorful Asian-style bone broths and creative pub fare seems always to draw a big, chatty crowd.

633 Front St., Leavenworth, 98826, USA
509-888–4555
Known For
  • Extensive selection of regional craft beers
  • Great burgers and sandwiches
  • Fun atmosphere

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Yoder's

$$

Lines for meals stretch well beyond the hostess podium at this family restaurant in the heart of Sarasota's Amish community. Although pies—key lime, egg custard, banana cream, peanut butter, strawberry rhubarb, and others—are the main event, other dishes are tasty, too, including such daily specials as goulash, chicken and dumplings, and pulled smoked pork. For breakfast, choose from French toast stuffed with cream cheese (or Oreos) or a hearty stack of pancakes. Sandwiches include Manhattans (roast beef, turkey, or meat loaf on homemade bread with mashed potatoes and gravy). The place is often crowded, but there's plenty of waitstaff to keep tables clean and cleared, so the flow is steady. The decor retains its Old Florida efficiency appearance.

3434 Bahia Vista, Sarasota, FL, 34239, USA
941-955–7771
Known For
  • Fresh-baked pies
  • Comfort food
  • Good breakfast
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.
Reservations not accepted

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Yolan

$$$$ | SoBro

Acclaimed chef Tony Mantuano has brought his talents from Chicago to Nashville with this elegant Italian restaurant that offers a changing tasting menu focused on different regional Italian cuisines. À la carte options inspired by dishes from across Italy are also available. The wine list features Italian bottles rarely seen at other local restaurants, and the pastry program is top-notch. Adding to the ambiance, entire wheels of aged Parmesan serve as both ingredients and decor, separating the dining area from the kitchen. 

403 4th Ave. S, Nashville, TN, 37201, USA
615-231--0405
Known For
  • Inventive regional Italian cusine
  • Extensive wine list of rare Italian offerings
  • House-made pastas
Restaurant Details
No lunch

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Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery

$ | Lower East Side

It doesn't get more old-school than this tiny café that's been serving fresh knishes—the hearty, hand-sized Eastern European pastry—since 1910. You can't go wrong with classic versions filled with potato or kasha (buckwheat) but there are also creative interpretations, with jalapeño and cheddar or garlic and onion, as well as sweet versions like blueberry and cheese.

137 E. Houston St., New York, NY, 10002, USA
212-477–2858
Known For
  • Perfect inexpensive snack on the go
  • Neighborhood institution
  • Tiny storefront

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Young American Hard Cider & Tasting Room

$ | Germantown

While the menu is limited to homemade hand pies, soups, pulled pork, and the like, the tasty results have made the Young American a popular dining spot. There are many good vegan and gluten-free options, but the main draw is their hard cider, which they make on site (from local apples) within a handsomely restored turn-of-the-19th-century building. There's a lively back patio that has occasional live music.

6350 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19144, USA
215-406–5307
Known For
  • Craft hard cider
  • Everything local
  • Outdoor patio
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.–Tues.

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Youngblood's Stockyard Café

$

Eat like a pioneer at this landmark restaurant, once housed inside the livestock-auction building at the Amarillo stockyards. Now, you can belly up next to the local cowhands who still stand in line in the diner-style downtown location to eat lightly breaded chicken-fried steak with white cream gravy made famous by the late Mom Roberts. While the menu selections may be heavy on the calories, the bill will be light on your wallet. If you can, save room for homemade cobbler for dessert. Kids under 12 can choose from the "Lil' Buckaroo's Menu." Call ahead to see whether fajitas are on the menu.

Yuki Yama Sushi

$$

The name means "snow mountain" in Japanese, and the menu has a whirling blend of sushi, sashimi, and maki, as well as hot entrées, including noodle dishes. Observe sushi-making theatrics at the bar while they prepare the 84060 roll in homage to the local zip code, or retreat to the sunken seating of the tatami room. A simple interior—spiced up by a few colorful paintings—keeps the focus on the fresh fish creations.

586 Main St., UT, 84060, USA
435-649–6293
Known For
  • Fresh sushi
  • Sake
  • Lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
No lunch weekdays

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Yum Yum Noodle Bar

$
Craving hearty Japanese soba noodles, curlicue Chinese ramen, gluten-free rice noodles, or thick wheat udon? Choose your favorite at this popular local hangout, then customize with your choice of broth, veg, and protein—from shrimp to tofu to pork belly. Don't be entirely distracted by the noodles; award-winning chef Erica Mahlkuch also serves up delicious mains like miso and sake-cured salmon with brown rice and asparagus. The interior has a chill vibe and huge chalkboards listing the specials; there's outdoor patio seating for warmer evenings.

Yume

$$$

Yume, which means dream in Japanese, could not be more appropriately named. With its intentionally sourced melts-in-your-mouth fish, precision knife work, eye-catching plating, vegetables that are far from an afterthought (green beans sautéed in sweet garlic sauce will live in your mind rent-free), liberal use of truffle products, and dimly lit sleekly designed space in Old Town Calabasas, you'll fantasize about returning to this second outpost of a stalwart Studio City sushiya nightly. Besides sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls like cilantro yellowtail roll or albacore with kogashi butter soy (yum!), there are so many other things to eat including salads, oysters with uni and caviar, veggie-forward small plates, skewers, and hot entrées such as escabeche and miso black cod. Open late, a rarity in this sleepy little village, with a bar stocked with rare sakes and lots of Japanese whiskey, it can become quite the "wealthy parents' night out" scene so reservations are encouraged.

23536 Calabasas Rd., Los Angeles, CA, USA
818-572–0221
Known For
  • See-and-be-seen atmosphere
  • Exclusive-to-Calabasas menu
  • Lots of vegetarian options
Restaurant Details
Reservations recommended

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Yunnan Kitchen

$$ | South End

This small South End spot might be unassuming, but its chef-founder, Yisha Sua, earned herself a James Beard Foundation Award Best Chef Northeast nomination in 2023. Enjoy classics like spring rolls, garlic shrimp, and General Gao’s chicken, or try authentic Dian dishes found nowhere else in Boston, such as wood ear mushroom salad, Grandma’s Potatoes, mint beef, and the sharable Xishuangbanna lemongrass tilapia. It has a sister restaurant, South of the Clouds, in Brighton, known for its Yunnan rice noodles.

1721B Washington St., Boston, MA, USA
617-936-4123
Known For
  • Grandma’s Potatoes
  • Only Yunnan cuisine in Boston
  • James Beard Foundation Award Best Chef nominee

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Z & Y Restaurant

$$ | Chinatown

San Francisco's signature Sichuan restaurant is a wonderful place to sample the often spicy, mouth-numbing (that's the "mala" heat, then the cooling effect of the peppers and chilies) cuisine of that northern China region. It's a long menu, so ask for advice from the servers. Be sure to book in advance for dinner, as the place is equally popular with visitors and diners from all over the Bay Area.

655 Jackson St., San Francisco, CA, 94133, USA
415-981–8988
Known For
  • House spicy fresh fish
  • "couple's delight" beef-three-ways appetizer
  • Energetic dining room
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues.

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Z'Tejas

$$ | Clarksville

This stylish Southwestern fusion outpost is popular for its upscale yet unpretentious vibe and attractively presented Southwestern dishes at fair prices. Try the jerk-chicken Diablo pasta or Tex-Mex plates like the smoked-chicken poblano chile relleno. Portions are hearty, but the salads and small bites, like the grilled-shrimp and guacamole tostada bites, are equally enticing. Peak hours can be noisy, with a good chance of a wait before being seated. Weekend brunch has diverse options, like Barbacoa breakfast enchiladas and chorizo pork scrambles.

1110 W. 6th St., Austin, TX, 78703, USA
512-478–5355
Known For
  • Long wait during peak weekend hours
  • Sprawling menu options for all ages and appetites
  • Limited on-site parking

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Zab Linda

$ | Clairemont

Zab Linda may be a bit out of the way and lacking in atmosphere, but the northeastern Thai dishes featured on the menu—noodles, curry, and the spicy larb (think meat salad), which comes with pork, chicken, beef, catfish, or duck—make the trip worth it. Pick your spicy level, from 1 to 10 to add extra heat to your dish. After house favorites like drunken noodles, nam tok (beef salad), or tom kha gai (coconut soup), cool your palate with sweet rice with mango.

6925 Linda Vista Rd., San Diego, CA, 92111, USA
858-650–6868
Known For
  • Drunken noodles
  • Spicy shrimp
  • Authentic northeastern Thai cuisine
Restaurant Details
No breakfast

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Zabar's Cafe

$ | Upper West Side

Don't expect smoked fish sliced to order or the full smorgasbord of items that are sold beyond the appetizing counter in the legendary gourmet food shop next door. What you get here is a fast-track Zabar's taste experience to take out or to eat at small tables, for breakfast or lunch. Choose from prewrapped bagels and lox and cream cheese, a selection of sandwiches and grilled-to-order paninis, pastries, soups, and, of course, cups of hot coffee, all made with items from the nearby shop.

2245 Broadway, New York, NY, 10024, USA
212-787–2000
Known For
  • Bagels with lox and cream cheese
  • Grilled paninis
  • Homemade soups

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Zabby and Elf's Stone Soup

$

The open-front, woody interior, and community spirit make Stone Soup a downtown favorite for lunch, especially on warm days. The small but robust buffet and salad bar is the centerpiece, with excellent hot and cold dishes—a perfect complement to the wonderful soups and fresh sandwiches.

211 College St., Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
802-862–7616
Known For
  • Vegetarian dishes
  • Gluten-free baked goods
  • New York Jewish-style cooking
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Zaftigs Delicatessen

$$

This contemporary version of a Jewish delicatessen offers genuinely lean corned beef, chicken matzo ball soup, and a lovely whitefish salad plate. If you believe breakfast is the most important meal, you'll be happy to know it's served all day, so you can skip the hour-long weekend brunch waits elsewhere and enjoy the area's best pancakes, Benedicts, and stuffed French toast any weekday. You can also easily make a meal of the delicious potato pancakes with homemade applesauce and sour cream. If you have room, cheesecake or treats from the bakery case await.

Zak's Cafe

$$

The café has a no-frills look, but it serves good food at reasonable prices. Check out the dinner specials, or try the wraps, burgers, and salads.

Zambra

$$

Sophisticated tapas—think grilled octopus in black ink sauce, pistachio-crusted veal sweetbreads with blackberries, and squash gnocchi—have made Zambra one of the most interesting restaurants in Asheville. Moorish colors, dim lighting, and an underground setting create a romantic atmosphere.

85 W. Walnut St., Asheville, NC, 28801, USA
828-232–1060
Known For
  • Spanish and North African tapas
  • Intimate romantic atmosphere
  • 200 Spanish wines and sherries

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Zareen's

$

Serving a mix of contemporary Indian and Pakistani fare, this popular fast-casual restaurant started near Google in Mountain View in 2014 and now has two other Silicon Valley locations. Flavors are bold and riveting, whether it’s a handheld lunch like a naan wrap filled with chicken boti (a spice-marinated kebab) or a comforting slow-cooked lamb gosht stew. Thali platters (an entrée, rice, lentils, and a pickled salad) are quite popular in the evening and the various sandwiches tend to be the main choice for hurried daytime diners. Make sure to start with the chicken Memoni samosas, a savory pastry recipe that is supposedly known by only 23 Memoni grandmothers in the world.

1477 Plymouth St., Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA
650-628–6100
Known For
  • Chicken tikka masala with naan or basmati rice
  • Paneer cheese in a savory paratha roll
  • Peshawar-style beef chapli kebab as a burger
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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Zauo

$$$$ | Chelsea
This Japanese chain's first U.S. location takes the concept of fishing-pole-to-fork quite seriously: you actually sit at tables on a boat-shaped platform (amid exposed brick walls) and fish for your meal in a plus-size tank right in the dining room. After your fish is caught—there's trout, salmon, fluke, flounder, and others—specify how you want it cooked (tempura, grilled, as sushi), and a short time later, that once-swimming fish is on a plate in front of you, ready to be devoured.
152 W. 24th St., New York, NY, 10011, USA
646-905–2274
Known For
  • In-restaurant fishing
  • Ultrafresh fish
  • Large sake selection
Restaurant Details
No lunch

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