1771 Best Restaurants in USA

Perched at 7,750 feet on Bald Mountain, halfway up the River Run side, this historic ski lodge is known for its fondue and great views. Upstairs, white linen tablecloths and a rustic lounge (think elk antler chandeliers) encircle a four-piece fireplace. Downstairs, Averall’s Bar is filled with pink-nosed skiers warming up with a beer or, in the summer, with hikers enjoying the southern views of the valley and surrounding Pioneer Mountains. On a starry winter night, you can ride the gondola up the mountain, dropping off at the lodge’s doorstep, to enjoy an old European-style meal with the tiny town of Ketchum glittering below.

This charming establishment from an all-star chef trio has quickly become a favorite for classic bistro cooking with plenty of unique elements. A vintage Parisian dining room and marble-topped bar set the stage for fresh takes on French cuisine with a Californian accent. Dungeness crab potato pavé bites are the early signature starter; then there are equally magic mains, like black cod with lobster sauce and miso creamed leeks.

One of celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaii restaurants, this reliable, albeit pricey, place overlooks the lake at the Kings' Shops. Despite the restaurant's boxy interior, the food is good; the three-course, prix-fixe meal is a sure bet, as is blackened ahi. The macadamia nut–crusted Hawaiian fish with Kona lobster cream sauce is a melt-in-your-mouth encounter. If you are in the mood for something lighter, sit at the bar and choose from the enormous selection of great appetizers, discounted cocktails, and happy hour pricing. For families, the kids' menu goes above and beyond standard keiki (children's) menus.

A collaboration between the owners of local favorites Royal Tavern and Khyber Pass Pub, Royal Boucherie is a polished operation set in a moody and intimate bi-level space. A classic brasserie in approach, it specializes in luscious raw-bar selections, house-made charcuterie, and rib-sticking plates like steak au poivre, pork schnitzel, and handwrought pastas. Seating is split between the boisterous, cocktail-slinging barroom, upper and lower dining rooms, and a charming semi-enclosed garden patio that’s one of the city’s lushest alfresco areas. Happy hour specials are offered at the bar during the week. 

A broad, clubby dining room invites lingering over some of the best Italian cuisine in town. Local ingredients find their way into hearty Italian dishes, such as eggplant Parmesan and cedar plank redfish. There's also a romantic bar section just off the main dining areas. The restaurant is a few minutes east from downtown along Interstate 10.

If the perfect sunset happy hour means cocktails, bite-size shareable plates, tropical breezes, ocean sounds, and flaming oversize torches, then make it a point to dine at RumFire, situated beachfront in the Sheraton Waikiki. Enjoy such dishes as lemon-herb mahimahi, island fish tacos, and "local style" sesame-ahi poke; sip signature concoctions like the RumFire Mai Tai or the Fire Runner, made with spiced rum and tropical juices. At night, RumFire is a club–lounge that promises an edgy and exciting experience amid fashionable people and exquisite views.

The late Wayne McDonald started with a cozy one-room roadhouse in 1955 when this stretch of Dania Beach was a remote service road just west of the little airport. The still-rustic place brags that it's "still crackin'." The huge menu features garlic crabs (patrons bang crabs open with mallets on tables covered with newspapers) and peel-and-eat shrimp (either with garlic and butter or spiced and steamed). Finish off your meal with Key lime pie made from a family recipe.

S3 stands for the fabulous trio of sun, surf, and sand, paying homage to its prime beachfront location. The menu features a variety of Japanese-inspired raw dishes, sushi rolls, and dishes with a New American focus. Located on the ground floor of the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, S3 flaunts a fun and fresh swagger. On any given night, you’ll find a mix of locals and tourists loving life while enjoying nightly themes, such as Wine Wednesday.

James Beard Foundation Award-winner Alon Shaya helms this lively Israeli restaurant dedicated to his grandfather, using fish, meat, and produce sourced from local area farms to create dishes influenced by the tastes of the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. Rich Bulgarian lutenitsa, unforgettable Moroccan carrots, and blue crab hummus flavored with lemon and butter are just a few of the restaurant's winning options

During the day, this café/restaurant centrally located on Ballard Ave. is a handy pitstop, similar to a coffee shop but on a grander scale. Come dinnertime, the mood changes: there’s table service, craft cocktails flow, and the Middle Eastern flavors are stronger, with more mezze options and five types of kebabs. There’s a large, open dining room and a covered patio; counter-service breakfast and lunch offers around 20 options for eggs, wraps, mezze, and salads, most with a Middle Eastern accent; and the coffee bar is managed by local chain Café Vita.

It's no secret you can eat cuisine from all corners of the world in Queens, but if there's one type of food New York does best, it's Italian, and Queens is no exception. Sac's Place, a family-run eatery in Astoria, is a classic red sauce joint. Known as one of Tony Bennett’s favorite restaurants, a regular offering on the menu in tribute to the late singer is rigatoni al filetto di pomodoro, a simple pasta dish featuring fresh tomatoes. Aside from the Tony special, try their pizza, which from April through November is served in the outdoor pizza garden on 35th Avenue. If you happen to be around in November, head to the annual Pig Roast dinner, a traditional nod to their roots in Abruzzo.

Housed in the bright white space that is Temple Pastries by day, Central District newcomer Sacro Bosco brings Roman-inspired pizza and natural-leaning wines to the neighborhood by night. The small but plentiful menu features a few rotating apps alongside a few staple and a few seasonal pizzas, served Roman style: long, rectangular, thicker crust, and plenty to share. Pair it with a glass of natural vino or channel your inner Italian and go for a spritz. 

Family recipes and beyond-standard Indian dishes makes Saffron a small gem in Orlando's subcontinental culinary scene. The classics—lamb korma, tandoori chicken, and tikka masala—are joined by specialties from Chettinad, Goa, and Kerala.

Irish omelets, Belgian waffles, crepes, steak au poivre, Vietnamese sea bass, Waldorf chicken salad: this eatery's extensive menu clearly travels farther abroad than its name implies. And it does so with utmost taste and flavor, as its faithful local clientele will attest. The best deals are the lunchtime Vietnamese entrées and chicken egg-drop soup. The restaurant is known for its gigantic bowls of pho (traditional soup), which can be ordered any time of day (some people have them for breakfast). It also offers three-course Vietnamese or Parisian dinners for $30. Leave room for crepes à la Grand Marnier, prepared table-side. The interior is pleasant, if a bit old-fashioned, but provides a soothing surprise in this busy part of town with its fireplace, floral motif, and classic columns.

If Long Beach's 2nd Street is a treasure chest of casual communal experiences, Saint & Second is one of its gems. This on-trend modern American restaurant is the latest in a long line of successful concepts run on the same site by the same family for well over half a century, drawing diners in with its sky-high burgers, steak frites, and crisp flatbreads. The industrial-style space also serves inventive cocktails and a whiskey menu longer than Long Beach. "Social hour" deals don't disappoint. You might even find artwork by a local that you can't resist taking home. Like much of 2nd Street, Saint & Second is dog-friendly, so be prepared to make friends with lots of very good boys (and girls).

Instead of walking straight into the Moxy hotel, go to the large door to your right and head down the curved stairs to one of the most beautiful new restaurants in the city. Perfect for a fancier date night, Sake No Hana serves traditional and fusion Japanese food with a wide array of menu options. The wafu (a Japanese-style vinaigrette) carbonara is a must (they whip the poached egg yolk into the noodle dish right at your table), and the spicy tuna tartare with fresh crunch radishes is so stunning-looking that you might not want to eat it—just make sure you take a photo before you do. 

Sakatome is easily the best sushi restaurant in Montana. Owner Drake Doepke creates great flavors with unique combinations of local and exotic ingredients, and he only uses the freshest fish not found on the Seafood Watch list. Try the Bigfork Bomb, one of several specialty rolls.

Upscale American and Mediterranean fare is served at Salt, one of Juneau's nicest dining options, and though it's a bit pricey, the ambience and interesting menu make it worth the extra expense. It's also a good spot to stop for a cocktail if you can snag a spot at the tiny bar in the back. As with many Juneau restaurants, the service can be outstanding or maddening depending on the night; it's not recommended for those in a hurry.

The menu at this upscale roadhouse with a sloping wood-beamed ceiling focuses on seafood and meat—beef, lamb, chicken, duck, and other options—with many dishes in both categories grilled. Start with the classics, perhaps a martini and oysters Rockefeller or fried calamari, before moving on to well-plated entrées that might include crispy-skin salmon, wine-braised short ribs, a duck confit Cobb salad, or grilled rib eye.

This lively, dockside bar-bistro on the eastern side of Camden harbor is a sweet spot to meet friends for drinks and small bites or for a full dinner. The sophisticated menu is complemented by lovely views of the boat-filled harbor and picturesque townscape across the way. Sit outside on the dock or on the rooftop, or inside in the window-filled dining room.

Known for locally sourced seafood in a chic historic setting, Saltine offers a primo dining experience in Downtown Norfolk. Go for the Mon.-Fri. happy hour: James River oysters and peel ‘n’ eat shrimp plus beer, wine, and craft cocktail specials

This upscale restaurant wins over diners with its sailing motifs, great cocktails, and modern Southern menu. Take in the sunset and a plate of seared sea scallops from the gorgeous outdoor seating area overlooking the waterfront park. From Lowcountry flavors to innovative dishes, Saltus sets the standard for a memorable dining experience.

A 25,000-gallon saltwater aquarium provides a dramatic focal point at this popular, upscale restaurant. The menu features steaks and all kinds of seafood, from lobster to Gulf grouper to whatever else is available fresh from the markets each day. The restaurant is busy year-round but especially so in the high season, so arrive early or prepare to wait.

Oysters shucked moments after they're taken out of Tomales Bay and a tightly curated list of excellent wines are the keystones of this charming oyster bar. With indoor and outdoor patio seating and a concise, creative menu, this spot makes for a welcome post-hike or post-beach indulgence. True to the spirit of the region, it's dedicated to sustainable farming, foraging, and fishing. Locals swear the oysters here are as fresh as it gets. Note that it's cash and Venmo only.

Packed every night, Salute is the downtown spot for consistently delicious Italian fare and pleasant service. The kitchen serves up grilled steaks, seafood, and a long list of pasta dishes—try the chicken gnocchi with pesto cream, perfectly executed shrimp piccata, or classic ragu Bolognese—and traditional Italian desserts like tiramisu and gelato.

Whether you're up early or late, Sam and Lee's has got you covered. They start with an excellent breakfast menu and stay open late with mostly Chinese fare, such as kung pao beef, almond chicken, and Szechwan chow mein. Locals rave about the kimchee too.

Tourists, locals, and spa guests—some of the latter in bathrobes after treatments—assemble inside this casual resort restaurant or on its extensive patio for breakfast, lunch, bar snacks, or dinner. Lunch options include thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, a cheddar burger, and entrées such as chicken paillard, with the burger reappearing for dinner along with fish, steak, the house-made pasta of the day, and similar fare.

Its distinctive setting, in charming old house smack in the middle of Ballard Avenue, suits San Fermo's simple yet elegant Italian menu, which emphasizes house-made pasta and local ingredients (some coming from the restaurant's own farm). Tables both on the porch and in the small dining rooms have a relaxed, homey ambiance.

Most of the flavors are from India, yet Sanaa is really a celebration of the Spice Islands—locales off the coast of Africa that, for centuries, enticed traders from the world's far corners. Exotic yet approachable lunches and dinners make it a true find on the outer edges of the Disney empire; views of zebras and giraffes on the savanna right out the picture windows are another draw. Potato-pea samosas are good starters. For the main course, try the tandoori chicken or the potjie-inspired meal, a bowl with a mix of a protein and unique base. This is the only sit-down restaurant open for lunch at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.