1771 Best Restaurants in USA

Though the ever-evolving menu features cutting-edge fare for the most sophisticated of palates, the margarita-and-coconut-shrimp crowd will thoroughly enjoy a meal at this beachfront spot as well. Many of the dishes feature ingredients harvested nearby, whether it's herbs and vegetables from one of the gardens along Pine Avenue or fish from nearby Cortez. If the grouper is not fresh, it is not on the menu. You can find grouper stuffed or in a salad, or you can venture from the norm and order crab bellies and caviar. The vision here is quintessentially local and sustainable. If you opt for wine, the restaurant's private-label bottles, produced in California, are a good option.

The idea of eating raw fish in a landlocked desert might give some people pause, but be assured that a meal at Sandfish—an uptown sushiya melding Japanese techniques, Scandinavian plating, and a sexy minimalist earth-tone aesthetic—is a gastronomical leap of faith worth taking. Chef Engin Onural studied at the reputable Sushi Chef Institute, so he obviously has classic rolls, nigiri, maki, and sashimi on lock, but not trying his original creations that incorporate unusual ingredients like black-truffle zest, coconut flakes, or fried-potato threads would be a rookie mistake, as would skipping the cocktails made with desert botanicals and titular whiskey.

The sights, sounds, and aromas of New Mexico greet you here: Native American rugs, Mexican ballads, steer skulls and horns, and the smell of chilies and mesquite on the grill. Listen to guitarra music in the rooftop cantina, enjoy the adobe fireplaces on chilly nights, or dine under the stars.

Lining up for brunch at this bric-a-brac-filled restaurant is as much an Upper West Side tradition as taking a sunny Sunday afternoon stroll in nearby Riverside Park. In the morning, locals love the lemon ricotta pancakes and the "fat and fluffy" French toast served with fruit and organic maple syrup; later in the day, folks come for comfort-food dishes like chicken potpie or steak frites with truffle herb fries. There are several other locations around town, but this is the original—the "mother ship."

Head to this Broadway institution to drink in vintage Midtown Manhattan at the compact front barroom or to experience the classic dining room and its reliable Italian and American dishes. Enjoy Sardi's famous wall decor, too: framed caricatures of theater, film, music, and TV stars past and present. Supper and à la carte menus work well for pre- and posttheater dining, each listing plenty of meat and seafood as well as some vegetarian choices and daily specials.

Japantown has a host of sushi options at all price points, but this longtime staple on the second floor of the Japan Center stands out for its excellent rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. The omakase menu, with eight pieces of sushi and nigiri, is a fraction of the cost of its downtown peers, but close to equal in quality and diner satisfaction. The mellow, wood-paneled space is a striking contrast to the constant chatter and mall activity outside.

Savour embraces elegance and comfort, providing the perfect backdrop for its short menu of seasonal dishes that are creatively prepared and beautifully presented. The Cast Iron BBQ Shrimp appetizer and New York strip Steak Frites are favorites. Finish off your meal with a homemade dessert (an Adult Key Lime Pie, with Grand Marnier and Patron custard, perhaps?) and a tableside pour-over coffee.

It might not be the hot spot it was when it opened back in 2011, but this attractive wood-paneled space—named for two 19th-century racehorses—continues to attract an upbeat crowd thanks to its long front bar and top-of-the-line, meat-and-seafood-centric menu. The burger is one of the best around, though these days, you have to choose between the dry-aged beef version and the Impossible Burger vegetable option—even meat-lovers applaud the latter.

The menu at this American bistro changes quarterly but the clientele is here to stay, especially during summer months when people-watching becomes a sport. Grab a seat on the terrace, if you’re lucky, to enjoy such magical cocktails like a cucumber crush of grapefruit, vodka, and elderflower, and menu mainstays such as buttermilk-fried Jidori chicken, braised short ribs, and seared ahi tuna. For a collision of textures, try the sticky steam buns with crunchy chicken, or the crispy calamari with chipotle crema. This is a popular spot for weekend brunch. 

With the Cape Playhouse right across the street, this upscale contemporary American restaurant is a favorite before- and after-show haunt. There's plenty of seafood on the eclectic menu, which includes seafood strudel with crab, shrimp, and scallops baked in a pastry crust and topped with Newburg sauce, but carnivores will delight in dishes like linguine Bolognese or the Mongolian pork chop with braised red cabbage. Lighter meals include a ginger shrimp salad and an Asian-style fish sandwich served with seaweed salad. Save room for their signature grape-nut custard.

A Wine Country–style establishment that sources ingredients from the on-site gardens and surrounding farms and orchards, this popular restaurant occupies a redbrick 1921 schoolhouse in the town of Sanger. Chef Ryan Jackson, who grew up on local fruit farms, creates seasonal menus from the bounty of familiar backyards, mostly filled with classic American dishes with a contemporary twist.

If you don't mind zombies leering at you while you eat, then head to this enclosed faux drive-in, where you can sit in a booth that looks like a candy-color, 1950s convertible while watching clips from classics like Attack of the Fifty-Foot Woman and Teenagers from Outer Space. The menu includes a variety of burgers, from barbecue to classic, as well as pan-seared chicken pasta and chicken-salad sandwiches. End with a hot-fudge sundae or plant-based cookie shake.

You have to take the road less traveled to find Sea Level, a haven for fresh seafood. The indoor-outdoor restaurant overlooks the ocean from sea level at Marriott's Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, and its seasonal menu wows with daily specials and cocktails featuring ingredients from the chef's organic garden.

This unassuming café set in a one-time bungalow is the island's go-to breakfast spot for omelets, biscuits, and piles of pancakes. Lunch and dinner offerings shift to an array of sandwich options, seafood entrées, and fried platters. It's kid-friendly and has a dine-outside deck, but come early if you don't want to wait for a table for brunch.

Here in one of the area's few places for "fine dining," the waiters are tuxedo-clad, the tablecloths crisp linen. The menu's offerings resemble those available on a luxury cruise ship. Rum buns begin the meal, where the highlights include enormous crab cakes and filet mignon topped with crabmeat and rich béarnaise sauce. Order one of the showy flambé desserts, which are prepared table-side. They also have an extensive children's menu.

Locals think of this casual waterfront seafood market–eatery as a well-kept secret, but more patrons are making their way here for a pre- or postcruise treat. The market is connected to the restaurant, guaranteeing not only freshness but an array of choices. You don't just order a fish sandwich or plate of steamed shrimp; you choose from at least four varieties of fish (try the Golden Tile in season) and several varieties of shrimp (the Royal Reds may be the best you've ever tasted). Seating is alfresco, with views of the Port Canaveral waterway and passing cruise ships. Best for lunch or an early dinner; the restaurant closes at 7.

It's hard to believe that a chain restaurant can offer healthful yet hearty and very flavorful food, but the innovative Seasons 52 does just that, with some of its menu changing weekly as well as seasonally. Nearly everyone orders the flatbread starters, and entrées might include wood-roasted, dry-rubbed pork chop with braised cabbage or caramelized grilled sea scallops with butternut squash and leek risotto, broccolini, and lemon butter. An impressive wine list with dozens of selections by the glass complements the menu. For dessert, indulgent classics like pecan or Key lime pie and carrot cake are served in petite portions. Although the cuisine is haute, the prices are modest—not bad for a snazzy, urbane bistro and wine bar. It has live music nightly to boot.

Upbeat and elegant, Seasons's pleasing arches, soothing palette, and open-kitchen plan draw diners for business lunches and dinner dates; oenophiles revel in its well-chosen cellar. Wood-fueled grills and pastas dominate the seasonally changing roster of dishes with tangy sauces (Atlantic salmon might be complemented with a dill crème fraîche; a creole jus for Cajun chicken; pork tenderloin brightened by a fig-bourbon blend). Starters might include autumn squash griddle cakes with cherry chutney or beet tartare with crostini. The rooftop patio and bar offers specialty cocktails, lighter meals, and occasional live jazz.

In setting that evokes a luxury wooden schooner’s cabin, Seaworthy in the Ace hotel delivers an intimate evening of pristine seafood. Try oysters raw and grilled, caviar crudo, snapper collar, and fish-and-chips made with local fluke. Service is attentive and informed.

An attractive, black-clad staff serves sushi and other Japanese dishes to the hip crowd that frequents this place. Sashimi and rolls of all varieties are available; teriyaki dishes, vegetable, noodle, and fresh-fish dishes round out the menu, which includes an extensive sake list. Try the steamed pork buns.

Chef Chris Cho grew up around his family's Korean restaurant of the same name, still a staple restaurant in the North Philly neighborhood of Olney. In 2018, he opened his own spot on Spruce Street, where the menu is a mix of classic Korean foods like bibimbap, budae jigae (a rich spicy stew), and japchae (springy, stir-fried sweet potato noodles), and more new-school items inspired by his childhood in Philadelphia's Korean community like General CHO chicken, a play on that Chinese-American staple, General Tso's chicken. Seorabol uses Korean gochujang (a spicy red chili paste) to add a spicy kick to the dish. There's also a full bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

Of the Capitol Hill area's several excellent Italian options, Serafina feels most like a neighborhood trattoria. The menu features well-made classics: pasta carbonara and Bolognese, osso buco, arancini, lasagna, stuffed eggplant. Burnt-sienna walls and a dark ceiling give the dining room a hint of an Italian villa vibe, a sense that's heightened in the courtyard out back. The neighborhoody feel is partly due to the location, just west of Capitol Hill in the Eastlake, away from the Hill's hubbub.

Good Mexican food in Montana is a treat after a day on the dusty trail, whether dining inside or on the back patio. Try a taco salad, a beef burrito, or a chicken enchilada with one of the restaurant's famous margaritas; dinners are served with complimentary chips and homemade salsa. You can order tacos individually or as a taco board with Mexican street corn, black beans, Mexican rice, and pico de gallo. The cinnamon-and-sugar churros with dulce de leche dipping sauce are delicious, but you may want to try the less traditional huckleberry tres leche cake for dessert. Don't be surprised if there's a line in July, August, and early September. The restaurant is a favorite with locals and visitors, and it doesn't take reservations.

This longtime Italian favorite is spacious and lively, with consistently excellent contemporary-upscale Italian cuisine and a superb wine list. It has many local regulars for good reason but is also one of the city's most popular restaurants with visiting celebrities and athletes.

Hot pot is the name of the game at this longtime neighborhood spot tucked into the heart of Chinatown. As you sit around a central high-top bar, you can dip thinly sliced Wagyu beef, pork cheek, or a sampling of seafood into your selection of a dozen different types of broth. If there's one thing to complain about, it's that portion sizes lean on the small side, but this should not deter you from a visit.

To get to this romantic spot overlooking Soquel Creek, you can take a cable car or walk the stairs down a steep, fern-lined bank beside a running waterfall. Dining room options include the rooftop Redwood Room, the wood-paneled Wine Cellar, the creek-side, glass-enclosed Greenhouse, the Fireplace Room, and the airy Garden Room.

Proprietor James Shields served the lesser gentry and upper middling ranks of locals and travelers in the 1740s. Today, the largest of the colonial taverns now serves more than just light fare, though soup, salads, wrap sandwiches, and pie are still popular. This tavern closes at 9 pm.

Located on the ground floor of The Whaler's Inn, Shipwright's Daughter immediately rose to statewide recognition for delicious, tremendously creative fare sourced from local farms and the crisp, clear waters where eastern Long Island Sound meets the Atlantic Ocean. Expect daily specials where the catch of the day was actually just caught, plus pasta, imaginative meat and vegetable dishes, and breakfast daily. Chef David Standridge was recently named Best Chef in the northeast by the prestigious James Beard Awards, so reservations are recommended, although drop-ins may often find comfortable seats at the bar.

This elegant steak-and-seafood house is in the converted tobacco warehouse district known as the Bluffwalk. With warm exposed brick walls and an urban sensibility, the restaurant offers a wide variety of steaks, chops, and classic seafood dishes. Think traditional, with a variety of cuts and preparations, in addition to seafood standards from surf and turf to shrimp cocktail and lobster bisque.

If you're a sucker for midcentury modern flair, the aesthetic alone at this partially open-air St. Armand's Circle spot is a draw. But the food, whether you're in the mood for the St. Louis "Jenga" ribs or roasted cauliflower and quinoa, is the true enticement, especially when paired with the right local brew served on tap. This place is upstairs from a trendy (and surprisingly pricey) clothing boutique of the same name and owners, so keep that in mind while you navigate the busy surroundings in search of a meal. Bonus: this place gets extra points for the retractable roof in its back dining area.