2081 Best Restaurants in USA

No visit to New Orleans is complete without a chicory-laced café au lait paired with the addictive, sugar-dusted beignets at this venerable institution. The tables under the green-and-white-stripe awning are jammed with locals and tourists at almost every hour, for very good reason. If there's a wait, head around back to the takeout window, get your coffee and beignets to go, and enjoy them overlooking the river right next door or in Jackson Square. The most magical time to go is just before dawn, before the bustle begins and can hear the birds in the crepe myrtles across the way. The metro-area satellite stores (there's even one at the airport now) typically lack the character of the original, although the newest addition in City Park is quite charming.

Thanks to its misted patio, fast Internet connection, plethora of seating, and, most importantly, fine selection of caffeinated hot and cold drinks, this is a great work-from-café option on the main drag in uptown. The colorful, independently owned, Latina-influenced coffeehouse serves Sisters Coffee out of Oregon, local Townie bagels, Lotus Energy elixirs, fresh-daily pastries, and filling breakfast plates, including smoked salmon toast and chorizo con papas. There's also a vast assortment of chilled and canned beverages alongside healthy grab-and-go nibbles and prepackaged snacks by local makers for those in even more of a hurry.

This charming Euro-like café does a wide range of sandwiches, salads, and breakfast dishes, but it’s best known for its shakshuka, the soulful tomato-and-egg stew made here in the Tunisian style. This cozy, bright corner spot is popular with locals and offers outdoor seating on the sidewalk during warmer months.

In the Neue Galerie, this stately coffeehouse—open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—offers a Viennese café experience, with Eastern European-style furnishings and banquettes outfitted with fabric from 1912, daily newspapers, and cases with cakes and strudels. The menu of hearty sandwiches, goulash, sausage dishes, and traditional fare is under the direction of German-born executive chef Christopher Engel, who worked at Wallsé and Aureole, earning a Michelin star. Prix-fixe dinners are sometimes followed by a cabaret performance but note that a ticket costs $300. Museumgoers linger over coffee—it's sometimes tough to find a seat (it's easier in the more understated outpost of the café in the basement.) Breakfast is best for getting seated at Sabarsky; often with no line.

Established in 1929, Caffé Vittoria—Boston's oldest Italian café—is rightfully known as Boston's most traditional Italian café, which is one of the reasons the place is packed with locals. With gleaming brass, marble tabletops, four levels of seating, three bars that serve aperitifs, one of the city's best selections of grappa, and one massive, ancient espresso maker, this old-fashioned café will make you want to lose yourself in these surroundings. Bring your wallet because they are cash-only.

Few might expect a restaurant this original, well priced, and tasty to be tucked between Bryant Park and Herald Square. But the truth is, Calle Dao is a find in this busy neighborhood. Its colorful decor and creative menus are inspired by Havana's once-thriving Chinatown, so expect a flavorful fusion of Cuban and Chinese dishes such as ropa vieja (shredded beef) noodles, crispy duck baos (steamed buns), and fantastic salads, authentic sides, and delicious stir-fries. Daily happy hours can't be beat (weekdays noon--7 pm; weekends 11 am--7 pm) for both libations and bar bites.

Equal parts artisan coffee roaster and casual-chic brunch room, this airy café on a busy downtown corner stands out for both the quality and creativity of its food and drink. Highlights on the food side include the toast with balsamic rainbow beets and Humboldt Fog goat cheese; notable sippers range from a ginger-turmeric latte to local-blueberry mimosas.

This casual spot specializes in classics like grilled cheese sandwiches, hand-cut fries, and local seafood in a lively spot. Order at the counter, then grab a seat inside or at one of the several outdoor seating options; there's also a large beer menu with New England offerings, a good selection of wines, and fun cocktails. Weekend brunch features dishes like sticky buns and egg tacos. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday.

There's often a line out the door of this artisan gelateria on Homer Spit that's operated by a passionate chef who studied the art of making this dense, richly flavored ice cream in Calabria, Italy, and has garnered numerous awards. You can choose from around 15 flavors, including some rotating seasonal options, such as wild Alaskan rose with local honey, and maple brown butter pecan with Alaskan sea salt. It's open till late on summer evenings.

This place is famous among the city's working professionals, who willingly wait in long lines for the signature Chilean-style sandwich, a delicious combination of green beans, chicken, Muenster cheese, tomatoes, and an avocado spread on fresh bread. There are a few other offerings, including empanadas and rice pudding.

This fun-and-funky grease pit in Deerfield Beach is one of Broward County's favorite dives on the supercheap. Serving up massive beef burgers, chicken burgers, and veggie burgers piled high with unapologetically fattening toppings like candied bacon strips, haystack onion straws, hash browns, and blue cheese spread, this is the true diet nemesis. Grab a side of hand-cut sweet potato fries with your burger, wash it all down with a thick Key lime milk shake, and then seal the food coma deal with a dessert of fried Oreos fritters or The Carnie, fried Twinkies with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and powdered sugar.

A jazz combo often entertains the line that snakes down the block outside Cheese Board Pizza; it's that good. The cooperatively owned vegetarian and vegan takeout spot and restaurant draws devoted customers with the smell of just-baked garlic on the pie of the day (look online in advance because there's literally just one pizza offered. For just a nibble, the Cheese Board Bakery & Cheese shop next door sells cookies, bialys, and some of the best sourdough baguettes in town.

A festive air permeates this eatery on North Queen Street, in part because the locals are thrilled that their favorite food truck (still operating outside the far-off Costco) finally graduated to a brick-and-mortar space. The bold flavors of Peru and Venezuela pop in a variety of bowls and, of course, the Venezuelan arepas, soft cornmeal rounds stuffed with savory fillings such as chimichurri chicken. Mad Chef Brewery operates a tap room on-site, pouring its own brews. 

Crispy rice-based batter keeps the fried chicken at this tiny spot impressively tender. The kitchen experience of the accomplished chefs behind this simple concept shows in the quality and intriguing Filipino flavors of side dishes such as coconut collard greens and garlic rice. Order ahead of time to make sure to get your chicken, as they sell out most days.

Escape into chocolate bliss here, where even the aromas are intoxicating. This award-winning chocolatier offers wedges of decadent cakes, ice creams, and sorbets, and dazzling chocolates all made on-site. Whether you like your chocolate dark and pure, sugar-free—even with a chipotle filling—you can't go wrong. You can eat at one of a handful of leather couches or wooden chairs and tables, but don't expect so much as a salad or a wrap: it's all chocolate, all the time.

There's more to love than just cookies at this adorable off-the-radar bakeshop. Each day more than a dozen types of treats are baked fresh with care, including Rocky Road and Nutella swirl cookies, banana bread, carrot cake, and more. Even the biggest sweet tooth can be conquered with the larger-than-life cookies and cakes served here.

Tucked beside the popular Glover Street Market, this bakery is justly renowned for both savory and sweet treats, including—most famously—cinnamon "twisps" (the bakery's own decadent version of cinnamon rolls). Note that they often sell out by late morning, so arrive early if you want to get one. There are also smoothies, milk shakes, and build-your-own sandwiches.

Some of the best bites come from the smallest spots, and that's especially true at Clive's Cafe. This local gem serves hearty plates of some of the best Jamaican food in Miami. Each entrée, from curried goat to jerk chicken, is piled high and features your choice of two sides, such as the popular rice and peas or macaroni salad. Don't forget to grab a spicy beef patty for the road.

The light and open, bamboo wood–filled flagship location of Coava Coffee Roasters offers some of the highest-quality single-origin, pour-over coffees in the city. There are additional branches in Hawthorne and Downtown, and a separate coffee bar a few blocks away on S.E Main Street where you can watch the coffee roasting process.

Around the corner from its big brother Cochon, Butcher packs its own Cajun punch with an upscale sandwich menu that dials up the flavor on local classics. With house-cured meats and olive salad, the muffuletta reveals exactly how delicious Italian-Creole can be, though the pork-belly sandwich, with refreshing mint and cucumber, also brings customers back. In addition to sandwiches, there are meaty small plates and a rotating selection of wines, beers, and well-made cocktails. There are a few tall tables for dining in, or you can get your sandwich to go. Before leaving, stock up on boudin, bacon pralines, and other to-go Cajun delicacies—all much better souvenirs than anything for sale on Bourbon Street.

This local coffeehouse company pours specialty coffee employing unusually high standards for environmental and economic sustainability. Flavor-wise, the sturdy coffee is brewed from beans they roast themselves, which have become a staple in many locals’ home kitchens. There's also quirky and creative baked goods—everything from vegan Pop-Tarts to rich daily quiches.

Specializing in locally roasted PERC coffee, house-made baked goods, and craft beers, the Coffee Fox is a great stop whether you're on the run or looking to perch. The cold brew will win the hearts of coffee aficionados in the hot summer months. The popular Mexican Mocha is a sweet and spicy twist on the traditional mocha and features local chocolatier Adam Turoni's dark chocolate with a kick.

There’s a fight in Los Angeles over who created the French dip sandwich. The first contender is Cole’s, whose sign on the door says it's the originator of the salty, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meats. The restaurant opened in 1908 and today is still going strong with dark lighting, delicious sandwiches, and a secret speakeasy called the Varnish hidden in the back.

The men’s room nods to the famous clientele of the past with plaques over the urinals notifying bathroom goers that Charles Bukowski and Mickey Cohen both "pissed here.”

Modeled after the cozy coffee cafés of Melbourne, Australia, this bustling locale serves espresso, cold brew, and its famous spiced lavender mochas, as well as a curated menu that features favorites like smashed avocado toast at brunch and duck confit, served alongside fingerling potatoes and oyster mushrooms, at dinner. The beer selection includes favorites from craft breweries around the country, and the wines are carefully selected from some of the world's most unique regions to complement the food. With high ceilings and beautiful natural light, this airy spot is very photogenic.

It's tucked away in a strip mall and has only 50 seats inside (counting the bar) and a handful out on the sidewalk, but everything down to the condiments is made in house here. Rabbit sausage and noodles or lamb meatball risotto are examples on the seasonal one-page menus the chef puts together daily. When there's fish on the menu from local waters, go for it. At the open kitchen in the warm, modern space, you can banter with the chefs if you sit at the bar.

One of the city’s neighborhood charmers, this beloved bakery churns out the best of French, British, and American pastry traditions, as well as their own unique treats. Mornings mean the espresso bar is busy and the croissants are flying off the shelves, while midday offers light salads, quiches, and their savory signature, the cretzel—a buttery, crisp, pretzel-knotted treat. Loose-leaf tea in the afternoon goes perfectly with their beautiful cakes, such as the stunning Victoria sponge. 

Next to its sister concept and successful fine-dining restaurant, Juniper and Ivy, The Crack Shack's flagship location is a casual eatery complete with a walk-up counter, picnic-style tables, a bocce court, and a giant rooster—a nod to the egg- and chicken-themed menu. Ingredients are sourced from high-quality vendors and used for sandwiches, of which the fried-chicken varieties shine, as well as salads and sides like fluffy mini-biscuits with a miso-maple butter and a Mexican spin on poutine. The all-outdoor space feels like a cool playground for foodies, and there's even a slick bar that doles out craft cocktails. Parking can be a challenge in the busy neighborhood, but if you're just picking up to-go, be sure to snag one of the curbside pickup spots right out front.