201 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.

Beyond Bread

$$ | Central

Twenty-seven varieties of bread are made at this bustling bakery with Central, Eastside, and Northwest locations, open daily from 7 am to 7 pm. Highlights from the menu of generous sandwiches include Annie's Addiction (hummus, tomato, sprouts, red onion, and cucumber) and Brad's Beef (roast beef, provolone, onion, green chiles, and Russian dressing); soups, salads, and desserts are equally scrumptious. Eat inside or on the patio, or order takeout, but either way, splurge on one of the incredible desserts. The other locations—larger and just as busy—are at 6260 East Speedway Blvd. and 421 West Ina Rd.

Bittersweet Bistro

$$$

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.

787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, CA, 95003, USA
831-662–9799
Known For
  • Value-laden happy hour
  • Seafood specials
  • House-made desserts
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch, but open at 2 for dinner

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BJ's Pizza and Subs

$

This simple beach shack near the bridge serves solid, if predictable, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and appetizers, but the pizza is the star of the menu. Try a specialty pie like Shrimp Pesto Pizza, or choose from 16 toppings to build-your-own personal pie. There's beer on tap, and wine is available, too. 

105 W. Gulf Beach Dr., St. George Island, FL, 32338, USA
850-927–2805
Known For
  • Good casual fare, and really good pizza
  • Owned by the same family since 1990
  • Family- and pet (on the porch)-friendly
Restaurant Details
Reservations not accepted

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Black Dog Coffeehouse

$

This locally owned café is one of the only ones in the state that allows well-behaved dogs inside. The young staff is friendly, the dogs are even friendlier, and the coffee, which is roasted in town at Stumptown Roasters or Revel, is superb. While there's no dog menu—yet—you'll find plenty of fresh water, complimentary dog biscuits, and even a wall in the back where you can post a pic of your pup. The food options are limited (think pastries, sweets, and prepared sandwiches), but it's the perfect place to get the perfect pour-over.

Black Marlin Bayside Grill

$$$ | South End

This busy waterside restaurant specializing in seafood platters and smaller bites like lobster and fish tacos is open for lunch and dinner every day, and brunch on the weekend. Located in Palmetto Bay Marina, the Black Marlin has indoor and outdoor seating, as well as family-style meals available for takeout.

86 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928, USA
843-785–4950
Known For
  • A hopping happy hour
  • Its outdoor watering hole, Hurricane Bar
  • Weekend oyster roasts during winter

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Blue Heaven

$$

The outdoor dining area here is often referred to as "the quintessential Keys experience," and it's hard to argue. There's much to like about this historic Caribbean-style restaurant where Hemingway refereed boxing matches and customers cheered for cockfights. Although these events are no more, the free-roaming chickens and cats add that "what-a-hoot" factor. Nightly specials include black bean soup, Caribbean barbecue shrimp, and jerk chicken. Desserts and breads are baked on the premises.

729 Thomas St., FL, 33040, USA
305-296–8666
Known For
  • Shrimp and grits
  • Lobster Benedict with key lime hollandaise
  • The wait for a table and lack of parking
Restaurant Details
Closed for 6 wks after Labor Day
Reservations not accepted

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Blue Heron Bistro

$$

The specialty at this bustling downtown bistro is hearty German fare, but you'll also find a selection of slow-smoked barbecue and local seafood dishes, from tender brisket sandwiches to panfried oysters. The skylit, tile-floor dining room has natural wood and mounted animal heads on the walls, and there's a pet-friendly patio outside.

100 Commercial Ave., Coos Bay, OR, 97420, USA
541-267–3933
Known For
  • Great selection of German and local craft beers
  • Jagerschnitzel, sauerbraten, and other classic German dishes
  • Sunday brunch
Restaurant Details
No lunch Mon.–Thurs.

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Boehringer's Drive-In

$

Since 1936, this little roadside stand has been selling burgers, dogs, cheesesteaks, and homemade ice cream. Order your food at the counter and take it out to the tree-shaded picnic tables along the creek.

Boozehounds

$$

People love traveling with their pups, and at this inventive uptown bar–restaurant, Fido is welcome to join you at tables on the big enclosed patio, which is accessed via the doggy door, naturally! You can savor spirits, snacks, and more substantial plates—many with Asian/Filipino leanings, like blistered shishitos, garlic noodles with galbi (Korean short ribs), or chicken adobo—while your dog can chow-chow down on a gourmet selection from the canine menu. If you aren't accompanied by a furry friend or you want to chill in the air-conditioning, head inside to the cute, trendy, and mutt-free main dining room.

2080 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA, 92262, USA
760-656--0067
Known For
  • Freshly baked cookies and milk (or milk punch)
  • Happy hour daily in high season and Friday–Sunday in summer
  • Instagram-worthy design
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. and Wed. in summer

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Borekas Sephardic Pastries

$ | Sherman Oaks

Borekas, barely more than a walk-up takeout window and some patio furniture run by a husband-and-wife team, proves less is often more by doing five or six variations on one dish extremely well—the namesake Sephardic Jewish pastry. Choose from savory or sweet versions of this Israeli staple, which are all vegetarian, flaky, and filling, and pair well with coffee, herby iced tea, or a sweet-and-salty limonana slushy. The latter is a special—if they have it when you go, do not skip it. Savory options, whether they are stuffed with cheese and za'atar or mushrooms, onions, and truffle, comes with pickle chunks, a soft-boiled egg, tomato pulp, and schug.

5530 Van Nuys Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 91401, USA
818-688–4588
Known For
  • Flaky hot Sephardic pastries
  • Turning borekas into bread pudding
  • Homemade schug sauce and pickles
Restaurant Details
Closed Sat.

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Brewsters Beer Garden

$$

Fried chicken and St. Louis ribs whose meat glides off the bone are among the hits at this open-air, partially covered restaurant where diners sit at sturdy oak picnic or high-top tables. Many ingredients come from artisanal protein and produce purveyors; craft breweries make most of the two dozen beers on tap.

Bub's Bar-B-Q

$$

You can smell the sweet and tangy homemade barbecue sauce even before you enter this down-home rib joint where awards and positive newspaper reviews line the walls and a stuffed pig carries your order to the kitchen. Everything from hush puppies to pulled pork is expertly done, and the dinners all come with a large and sumptuous buffet of sides.

676 Amherst Rd., Amherst, MA, 01375, USA
413-548–9630
Known For
  • Free jukebox
  • Hot bar and cold bar
  • Copious outdoor seating
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues.

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Café Dufrain

$$$

Dogs can tag along if you dine on the front patio at this pet-friendly eatery right on the Hillsborough River across from the Amalie Arena. Creative menu items, which vary by season, might include teriyaki-glazed salmon and homemade dim-sum. The bar menu has a nice selection of craft beers and cocktails.

707 Harbour Post Dr., Tampa, FL, 33602, USA
813-275–9701
Known For
  • Internationally influenced American cuisine
  • Excellent water and Downtown views
  • Large selection of craft beers and cocktails
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.

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Captain's Kitchen

$

The seafood doesn't get fresher than the fried bounty you'll find at this celebrated food truck. Expect a half-pound of shrimp on your shrimp burger, or opt for seasonal specials like a softshell crab or crab cake sandwich. 

1502 Salter Path Rd., Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 28512, USA
252-648–1711
Known For
  • Massive sandwiches filled with grouper, clams, oysters, and shrimp
  • Roadside picnic bench seating
  • Marble cake with chocolate icing
Restaurant Details
Changes location on Sun.
Cash only

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Casanova

$$$

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.

5th Ave., between San Carlos and Mission Sts., Carmel, CA, 93921, USA
831-625–0501
Known For
  • House-made pastas and gnocchi
  • Private dining at antique Van Gogh's table
  • Romantic candlelight dining room and outdoor patio
Restaurant Details
Reservations essential

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Chattahoochee Food Works

$$ | Midtown

Chattahoochee Food Works is nestled inside an 80-acre, mixed-used development that contains everything from dining to retail. The space—preserved in some of the Westside's historic industrial buildings—is where the sprawling, 31-vendor food hall highlights the best of Atlanta’s food scene. Just outside the food hall is Your 3rd Spot, a social dining experience. Make a reservation and spend hours playing yard and arcade games while enjoying shareable small plates.

Claire’s on Cedros

$

Breakfast foodies religiously line up for a table at this cheerful A-frame restaurant for the chance to dig into wholesome food made from scratch like organic quinoa Benedict, multigrain pancakes, and French toast stuffed with fresh ricotta. Built from reclaimed wood and salvaged bricks, the eatery has a green roof, solar panels, and is insulated with recycled denim—all of which helped it earn platinum LEED status. Breakfast is served all day, but you can opt for sandwiches, salads, and burgers for lunch. You also can’t go wrong with the Thai steak salad made with grass-fed Angus or the cucumber-and-avocado sandwich with a side of homemade potato chips. The attached grab-and-go bakery opens at 7 am for train commuters. There is even a doggie menu for patio-side pooches. 

Collins Quarter at Forsyth Park

$

The white fort in the middle of Forsyth Park opened in 2020 with a full-service restaurant, bar, and café that bustles from early mornings to late afternoons. Sophisticated Southern brunch and lunch fare like shrimp 'n' grits, pork belly Benedict and avocado toast (of course) pair with a drink bar that offers signature coffees, beautifully garnished craft cocktails, and fun treats for the kids. Glorious, bright interiors lead to spacious outdoor seating.

Communal Coffee

$ | North Park

The exterior of Communal Coffee reads "Coffee + Flowers," and though that's not the name of the café, it's also not inaccurate—you actually can pick up a bouquet while you're there. But while there's plenty to keep patrons occupied—including a curated selection of housewares, books, and chocolates—the main attraction is still the fresh-brewed coffee and flaky, buttery pastries.

The Contented Sole

$$

After winter storms destroyed its former location, the resilient crew of this beloved restaurant packed up and moved to a new location about a mile and a half away. They've settled into the new space, bringing the relaxed vibe with them, as well as exceptional tacos (try the fish or fried oyster options), the delicious lobster club sandwich, Korean barbecue smoked chicken, and the pizza. If you're looking for something less bread-forward, order locally raised oysters from the raw bar or the fish tartare, especially if it's tuna. There's live music a few evenings each week.

32 Southside Rd., New Harbor, ME, 04554, USA
207-677–3000
Known For
  • Raw bar
  • Terrific tacos
  • Lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. and early Sept.–late May

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Copley's on Palm Canyon

$$$

Chef Andrew Manion Copley prepares decadent dishes with flavors and techniques he picked up at past posts in Europe, Australia, and Hawaii in a setting that's straight out of Hollywood—a hacienda once owned by Cary Grant. Dine in the clubby house or in the garden under the stars and with mountain views.

621 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA, 92262, USA
760-327–9555
Known For
  • Romantic patio dining
  • Fresh seafood and meats bathed in rich sauces
  • Sweet and savory herb ice creams
Restaurant Details
Closed July and Aug. No lunch
Reservations essential

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Corkscrew Café

$$

Farm-fresh food is the specialty of this casual, Old Monterey–style bistro, where the herbs and seasonal produce come from its own organic gardens, the catch of the day comes from local waters, and the meats are hormone-free. Don't miss the collection of corkscrews dating from the 17th century to the present.

55 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley, CA, 93924, USA
831-659–8888
Known For
  • Wood-fired pizzas
  • Fantastic regional wine list
  • Garden patio
Restaurant Details
Closed Jan.

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Cosmic Food Truck

$ | South Austin

Named after the nearby charming indoor/outdoor coffee shop and café, Cosmic is also home to this open-aired food truck lot right off South Congress. It's ideal for indecisive or group travelers or anyone who wants to sample some of Austin's best food truck fare. There are breakfast tacos and all-day Mexican food from Pueblo Viejo, barbecue (till it sells out) from LeRoy & Lewis, and mouthwatering lollipop-style chicken wings from Tommy Want Wingy—all parked around a large lot of communal picnic table seating. Cosmic slings coffee, tea, boozy day drinks, and specialty cocktails. Live music and special events are hosted periodically.

121 Pickle Rd., Austin, TX, 78704, USA
512-481–0694
Known For
  • Open-air, all-day food offerings
  • Communal picnic table seating popular with all types of travelers
  • Diverse options, from coffee and cocktails to barbecue and breakfast tacos

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The Cottonwood Café

$$
Occupying a cute cottage hemmed by a white-picket fence, Sisters’ signature brunch spot serves breakfast all day. The menu features such recognizable dishes as scrambles, hash, and eggs Benedict—all elevated by the chef’s attention to sourcing ingredients from regional growers and bakers.

Counter Culture

$ | South Side

This low-key, slightly off-the-beaten-path café is worth finding for its delicious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, or even just for an afternoon coffee break. Inside the industrial space, tuck into plates of huevos rancheros and other eggy fare in the morning, and a mix of Southwestern and Asian dishes later in the day. The dog-friendly, covered patio beyond the dining room has long communal tables and a few smaller, more private ones. There's a good selection of house-made baked goods and espresso drinks as well. It's cash-only and casual—you order your food at the counter. Prices are reasonable for the quality and amount of food served.

Cuantos Tacos

$ | East Austin

A popular anchor at the east side's Arbor Food Park, this cheery yellow truck has become Austin's go-to for Mexico City–style street tacos. A helpful diagram at the walk-up window showing the actual size of the pequeño tacos (100% nixtamal) is as straightforward as the service and menu here. It's hard to go wrong choosing from the modest selection, but the suadero (flank steak) and cachete (beef cheeks) tacos are excellent. Weekly specials also pop up, and everything can be enjoyed alfresco at the park's picnic tables.

1108 E. 12th St., Austin, TX, 78702, USA
512-905–0533
Known For
  • Authentic Mexico City–style tacos worthy of a connoisseur
  • Tiny tacos that pack a punch
  • Great value
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Dancing Turtle Coffee Shop

$
The long list of mocha varieties at this early-morning hot spot tempt you to deviate from your usual latte, and the fluffy muffins and scones only add to the decadence. All-fruit smoothies offer a healthy balance.
57196 Saxon Cut Dr., Hatteras Village, NC, 27943, USA
252-986–4004
Known For
  • Long specialty smoothie menu
  • Coffee drinks with elaborate flavor options
  • Grab-and-go pastries
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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Delbar

$$ | Inman Park

The Farsi word delbar translates to “heart, captured,” and that’s exactly what this restaurant intends to do. The interior is elegant and striking, and the cuisine's color and flavor is equally enthralling. Delbar’s menu is based on food that owner Fares Kargar made and ate growing up in Iran, as well as inspiration from all over the Middle East. If you want an intro to Persian cuisine, try the tahdig, or crispy rice. No matter what you choose, a reservation is a choice decision.

870 Inman Village Pkwy. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, USA
404-500–1444
Known For
  • Mix of Middle Eastern cuisines
  • Vibrant look and feel
  • Greenhouse/open air seating
Restaurant Details
No lunch weekdays
Reservaton recommended

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Dewey Square Food Trucks

$ | Downtown

On weekday mornings and afternoons, locally operated food trucks congregate at Dewey Square plaza on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, ready to serve Financial District professionals an eat-it-while-you-walk or picnic meal. Typically, four to five different options offer variety from curry to Korean. Surrounded by organic gardens, public art, and Fort Point Channel, the setting creates atmosphere for a cheap and tasty lunch.

Dicey's Pizza & Tavern

$$ | Wedgewood-Houston

This place looks and feels like it’s been here for ages—and it has, but not as a pizza restaurant that now serves thin-crust pizzas cut into small squares, a selection of subs, and a few salads. In a short time it has become a neighborhood hangout where, depending on the time of day, you’ll find families with babies in strollers meeting with out-of-town friends or fans tailgating or settling in to watch the soccer match. There’s a large covered deck area with ceiling fans, and beyond that is a patio area with picnic tables and umbrellas; both have views of the beautiful May Hosiery Mills building that's now home to the Soho House Hotel. Prefer takeout? Walk up to the pickup window out front.