94 Best Restaurants in USA

A tried-and-true locals' hangout since it was founded in the early 1990s—with regulars including athletes, politicians, entrepreneurs, artists, and other prominent area names—this cozy café serves simple French-Mediterranean delights. Despite the restaurant's see-and-be-seen reputation, diners are encouraged to sit back and simply enjoy the experience with relaxed decor, good food, and friendly service.

Turkish breakfast towers, tightly wrapped shawarma, and the most sought-after donuts in town are signatures of this breakfast and lunch spot from the team behind Honey Road. Like its nighttime sister restaurant, it focuses on flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean. There's usually a waitlist, but it moves quickly.

Bringing the best flavors of Greece and Turkey to the Times Square north area, chef John Fraser made Iris an instant Midtown favorite with his creative menu of seafood- and vegetable-forward dishes. Sophisticated service is attentive in the soothingly neutral-hue dining room and at the long, comfortable bar and small lounge area, where a daily happy hour (4 pm–6:30 pm) offers tasty deals on smaller bites plus Mediterranean wine and cocktails. Oysters and other raw-bar favorites stand out, along with shareable mezze and Aegean imports including flatbreads, grilled octopus, and unforgettable hummus and tzatziki.

In the former carriageway and stable house of a Dupont Circle town house, Iron Gate's romantic setting complements its upscale Mediterranean fare, served either à la carte or via a tasting menu with optional wine pairings. The menu changes but always includes a seasonal variation on the house focaccia, buratta and feta dip, and staples like the mixed grill and whole fish for two. If you are visiting in warmer months, make sure to dine on the cozy patio, which is draped with wisteria vines.

Popular for lunch and dinner, this casual Cypriot corner spot offers killer Mediterranean cuisine. Center City workers on their lunch breaks and bottle-toting evening groups alike (BYOB) enjoy the variety of meze dishes; a remarkable rendition of Greek salad; and various kebabs.

At its 10 San Diego locations—Carmel Mountain, Encinitas, East Village, La Jolla, Little Italy, Mira Mesa, Mission Valley, Otay Ranch, Point Loma, and Rancho Bernardo—this fast-food Mediterranean eatery offers a mix of slowly cooked rotisserie meats and crispy falafel served on plates of saffron rice or wrapped in grilled flatbread. Fresh tabbouleh, Mediterranean salads, and baklava desserts round out the meals. For a meal on the go, order the döner box, with options like spiced lamb, marinated chicken, ground beef, or falafel accompanied by fries or rice, fresh veggies, and creamy garlic yogurt sauce.

It gives off the look of a sauna because of its minimalist light-color wood on white-paint interior, but you'll find nothing but colorful, gorgeous, Middle Eastern dishes here at Kismet. This James Beard nominee perfectly blends comforting Middle Eastern cuisine with California flavors and plant-based flair, all served in a modern space.

This intimate, casual restaurant focuses on wine and Mediterranean-inspired small plates such as sweet and salty bacon-wrapped dates with blue-cheese fondue, and beef carpaccio with mushrooms and truffle aioli. The  wine list reflects global selections, with an emphasis on Europe. The menu groups the offerings by provenance and preparation: From the Sea, Farm, Oven, Garden, Grill, Butcher, and so forth. A fiery chorizo, andouille, and pepperoncini flatbread is ideal for sharing, and vegetable dishes, including a beet and burrata salad with arugula, satisfy those with dietary restrictions. There also are charcuterie and cheese selections, and a number of vegan dishes. During the butler-style, all-you-can-eat brunch from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm on weekends, expect the likes of a snickers pancake, short rib hash, and filet mignon eggs Benedict. 

Venture a few miles south from downtown to Holladay to enjoy savory Mediterranean dishes—with an emphasis on hearty Moroccan and Middle Eastern grills—in a crisp, contemporary dining space. Tangy spices enliven Old-World favorites, such as shawarma and moussaka, and not-so-common dishes like muhamarra (think hummus but with walnuts) may tempt you away from your comfort zone. Bright walls, big windows, and family-friendly banquettes bring a sun-drenched vibe to the meal.

Hand-picked antique furnishings add charm to this downtown spot, which specializes in Mediterranean-inspired small plates and spectacular cocktails. For a little more sustenance consider the birria tacos, Wagyu beef sliders, or entrées such as black angus rib eye or saffron fennel seared salmon. Outdoor dining along the sidewalk is an attractive option on nice days, and at night there's live music by quality performers.

Tom Douglas dishes out his signature Northwest style, spiked with Greek and Mediterranean touches—another huge success for the local celebrity chef. Try a slow-roasted lamb leg or the big bean shakshuka. Also on the menu: a variety of kebabs (including a halloumi cheese-and-fig version for vegetarians) and scrumptious spreads including smoky eggplant, tzatziki, and olive fig. Booths are usually full at this bustling, dimly lit restaurant, which anchors the Hotel Ändra. The weekend brunch is also fabulous; save room for the doughnuts.

Boasting one of the most stunning rooftops in L.A., Margot is a fresh face and hopping hot spot for the Culver City dining and drinking scene. The expansive space gives off a Moroccan casbah vibe, with just as many hints of Southern California for good measure. Open for weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant's menu consists of fresh seafood, a variety of shared plates, and large servings of succulent meats and sizzling pastas. The view is the star, though, so make it a point of coming for sunset and soaking in the rays on the massive outdoor deck.

This family-owned restaurant at the Hotel Maria serves Mediterranean cuisine, from casual (pizza, raw bar) and familiar (veal Parmesan) to fancy (filet mignon tagliatelle). It's right across the street from the beach and a standout on a strip of ice cream stands, takeout shacks, and motels that have seen better days.

One of the few restaurants in the city with a rooftop, this establishment co-owned by Annapolis mayor Gavin Buckley takes full advantage of its lovely perch and features live music most evenings. The menu satisfies global palates in a town otherwise known for Old Bay and crab cakes, bringing in a bit of Australian flair from the mayor's homeland.

Steaks and coastal Spanish–inspired cuisine are the specialty here, highlighted by dishes such as goat cheese terrine layered with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and pesto. Large plates include braised short ribs and the chef's daily fresh catch preparation. The rustic, dimly lit dining room can get loud on busy weekend nights, as patrons—often celebrating special occasions—linger over their tapas and Spanish wines. There's a charming, more sedate courtyard for outdoor dining.

Set in a pale yellow building on Society Street, Muse lays bare Mediterranean stylings in sophisticated, relaxed quarters. The menu offers standout versions of classic fine-dining fare like veal scaloppini and a grilled pork chop, as well as the signature dish: a delicious, scarcely fried sea bass, served with head and tail intact, over a ragù of butter beans and pancetta. The bar functions as a drawing room, permitting easy introductions and closer inspection of the restaurant's impressive, 100-plus-bottle wine list.

The dining room at this upscale, trendy restaurant has a wood-burning brick oven in which Mediterranean and northern Italian house specialties are cooked daily. Local artist Eric Fischl designed the oven's mosaic mural. Wood-roasted chicken and fish are popular, and the Sunday brunch menu has a good choice of dishes, including wood-oven pizzas. Try the polenta fries with truffle oil for something different. There's open-air dining on the porch.

This lovely trattoria is known for its cheery harbor-view setting and frequently changing menus where locally sourced ingredients shine. Highly regarded chef-owner Sara Jenkins's fresh but authentic takes on Mediterranean-spanning dishes use seafood harvested along Maine's rocky coast, including local oysters, and everything from the pasta to the pickled veggies is made in-house; the presentation of each dish makes for sheer eye candy. Jenkins grew up in Italy and worked in restaurants both there and at her own New York City restaurants—in other words, she knows what she's doing. There is also a small "dispensa" selling olive oil, wine, pasta, and some pantry goods.

Mediterranean cooking and Asian influences drive the creative menu that changes seasonally and taps sustainable ingredients. Selections might include duck breast with with a strawberry reduction, seared sea scallops with creamy pesto rice, or lamb chops. The fixed-price menu includes an appetizer, salad, and main course; you can add dessert à la carte. Exposed brick and rustic wood pillars add to the dining room’s warm feel. Patio seating is available, too.

While there are no river views or outdoor terraces, the cozy restaurant boasts delicious homespun Mediterranean food, charred and flavorful out of a massive wood-fired oven. In addition to airy pizzas with cool toppings, you can enjoy Greek-inspired salads and lots of seafood.

Tucked into the south side of the high-traffic, high-priced Scottsdale waterfront complex, Olive & Ivy is a pleasant surprise. By day the light comes from the wall of windows that look out onto the ample patio with cozy couches and fire pits; by night the giant space becomes intimate with dim, designer lighting. A full dinner menu, featuring a mix of fish and meat creations with Italian and Mediterranean twists like veal and spinach ravioli, is available, but the delicious variety of appetizers, like bacon-wrapped dates, beet salad with goat-cheese and pistachio, and flatbreads make for a good meal. Wash them down with something from their ample wine list or one of their unique signature cocktails.

Blink, and you may think you’re in South Beach: this trendy restaurant has quickly become the city’s most popular, where the suit-and-tie crowd sidles up to the elevated bar or takes a seat on the cushy outdoor terrace. Try the grilled octopus starter, tossed with lemon juice and capers, or the charcoal-grilled whole fish, be it wild sea bass, sole, or snapper.

In a pristine white space next to the Prudential Center, beloved local chef--co-owner Jody Adams takes Mediterranean fare up a notch, with starters like Spanish octopus, local burrata, and meatballs, and entrées like whole roasted branzino and house-made pastas wowing diners. Other popular dishes include grilled lamb chops and saffron mussels. In good weather, the outdoor bar and patio is a bustling spot to drink and dine.

Serving up classic Mediterranean fare with an American twist, this light and airy space is a go-to lunch spot in the Edgehill neighborhood; a few dishes are guaranteed to have you in and out in 30 minutes. Menu items range from whipped feta with honeycomb or grilled romaine salad to traditional falafel or kebabs grilled over an open flame. If pistachio baklava is on the menu, order it. Happy hour options, offered Monday through Thursday, make for a great stop while out exploring. 

This French countryside–style restaurant in the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel has bright murals on the walls and a massive stone hearth. Hearty foods—especially seafood—from the coasts of Spain, Morocco, Italy, and France are highlights. Fish and steak, for the most part, are the order of the day, with such entrées as tuna, salmon (served with a potato-eggplant tart), New York strip steak, and veal chops. The bouillabaisse with shrimp, mussels, clams, lobster, and scallops is a specialty.

Named for local gastro-superhero Dana Street, who's launched a bevy of Portland's best eateries, this staple of the city's upscale restaurant scene is a stunner even after all these years (it opened in 1989). Still drawing crowds in huge waves, diners come for the pan-seared and grilled seafood and mouthwatering pasta like lobster fra diavolo. It all adds up to a Mediterranean-meets-Maine meal you won't soon forget.

You can build a meal at Tarla by combining traditional Mediterranean mezes (small plates)—stuffed grape leaves with fresh tzatziki, perhaps, and spanakopita—with contemporary creations such as a barley and kale salad with seasonal fruit. Entrées include updates of moussaka and other Turkish and Greek standards, along with modern items like beef short ribs braised with a pomegranate-wine sauce.

Once you get past the bland office-park setting, you'll find that this sumptuously decorated spot near Red Rock Resort has plenty to recommend in the way of contemporary Mediterranean fare. A Spanish- and Italian-influenced menu is enhanced by a large selection of wines by the glass. Start with one of the wood-fired flatbreads, or an item such as pan-seared crab cakes with tarragon cream and roasted peppers. From here the menu branches out to sandwiches, pastas, meat, and seafood. A highlight is the bouillabaisse with mussels, clams, red snapper, shrimp, scallops, and calamari. As the restaurant's name suggests, there's an impressive wine list here—and wonderful cheeses and charcuterie. At midday, look for the power-lunchers who escape the beaten path. On nice evenings, ask for a table on the outdoor patio, where the view is better than you might expect.