1771 Best Restaurants in USA

Traveling back 65 million years requires just a short walk through the Marketplace and into this large restaurant, which is set beneath a towering brachiosaurus skeleton and is filled with primordial special effects and animated prehistoric creatures such as the restaurant's menacing namesake—a 15-foot T-rex. The dinosaur theme continues on the menu where the rib, chicken, pasta, and seafood dishes have names like Mes-O-Bones, Megasaurus, and Supersaurus Sampler. In the Paleo Zone area, kids can focus less on food and more on fossils as they dig for hidden bones and gems.

Located inside the recently reimagined Tin Building on Pier 17 in The Seaport, T. Brasserie is a decidedly polished, classically French dining experience—everything you might expect from elite French chef-restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Like the other eateries and market stalls within, it has perfected its specialties, in this case, all the Gallic standards you can conjure, plus a few modern additions. Among the essentials are baked brie, moules (mussels) or steak frites, escargot, and a standout French-onion soup; the newer takes include avocado stuffed with crab salad, gruyere cheeseburger on a puff-pastry bun, and various wood-fired grill dishes. The brunch menu is nearly identical, with more egg options. The space itself is enticing, with lots of green tile, velvet seating, and brass fixtures, and in warmer weather, sitting on the roomy covered terrace is a special delight.

The inn is historical, with its fireplaces and antique furnishings, but the restaurant's culinary sensibilities are thoroughly modern. The menu changes seasonally but consistently offers excellent seafood and vegetarian options. If you come for brunch, you can dine in the ivy-draped patio surrounded by eclectic sculptures. If you come for dinner, make time for a nightcap—perhaps a craft cocktail or a straightforward glass of whiskey—in the intimate lounge.

Locations and owners have changed more than once since this old-timer started as a coffee stand in 1849, but the crowds keep coming. Snag one of the private booths or sit at the timeless bar and sample seafood—always the name of the game here—such as Dungeness crab Louie or local sand dabs (a type of flounder).

One of Asheville's hottest dinner spots, this neighborhood tavern serves elevated but approachable fare like pork schnitzel with fennel salad and striped bass with harissa. 

It’s a bit of a specific recognition, but Tam O’Shanter is the oldest restaurant run by the same family in the same location in Los Angeles, operating for more than 90 years in its Tudor-style spot. Their delicious food, ranging from thinly cut prime rib to belly-warming shepherd's pie, makes it one of the most festive places in town during the holidays. Fun fact: it was Walt Disney’s favorite restaurant.

Many consider Tamarind to be one of Manhattan's best Indian restaurants, and the elegant atmosphere makes it a different experience from many other NYC Indian eateries. The dining room is full of windows and natural light, and service is charming and attentive. The busy kitchen prepares multiregional dishes, some familiar (tandoori chicken, a searing lamb vindaloo), some unique (she crab soup with coconut rum). The more intriguing a dish sounds, the better it turns out to be.

Chef-owner Richard Sandoval brought his popular concept of modern, upscale Mexican cuisine from New York to Denver, and it's just as welcome here. The food is classic Mexican with a twist, such as seafood tacos, huitlacoche (edible fungus) dumpling soup, and elaborate moles. The tequila flights are a favorite at the large, inviting bar, which is highlighted by a mural made of semiprecious stones by artist and restaurant namesake Rufino Tamayo. Spanish art fills the interior, and in season the outdoor patio supplies a rare view of the mountains.

This elegant Lebanese spot offers an expansive Halal menu that balances comfort and sophistication. Mezze plates burst with bright, layered flavors, while the grill turns out juicy skewers, shawarma, and tender flatbreads. There’s plenty for vegetarians, too, from smoky baba ghanoush to herb-packed salads, all served with warm, pillowy pita fresh from the oven. Though fully Halal, the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol—but the drinks menu shines regardless, with fragrant options like cardamom-spiced Turkish coffee and freshly blended fruit juices that feel just as celebratory.

Although the street view isn't much, jewel-toned hanging lanterns, cozy wraparound booths, and upbeat tunes await inside one of Nashville's top spots for Chinese fusion. The Chinese roasted duck is can't-miss, but order ahead or prepare to settle in and have a few cocktails while it's being prepped. Shorter on time? You can't go wrong with speedier mains like lobster fried rice or kung pao cauliflower.

World-renowned Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio makes his foray into the Chicago dining scene with this sleek homage to the cuisine of his homeland. Small-format dishes make it easy to try everything, and the pisco-based cocktails are unmatched; just be wary of your wallet, as prices tend to add up quickly.

The tunneled vestibule of this nightclub-cum-bistro is lined with stone tubs filled with water and rose petals, leading patrons—including lots of celebrities—into the dim, lavishly decorated space. The pan-Asian menu is almost endless, with dishes from sushi to dim sum and everything in between, but most people come more for the experience than the food. Decor includes black cobblestones, bamboo, and Buddhas (one that's 20 feet tall is seated above a koi-filled pool). The quintessentially Asian decor complements the expertly prepared sushi and sashimi. Reserve a table early to enjoy dishes (Spring Mountain Roll with spicy crab and lobster, lobster wontons with shiitake ginger broth, Peking duck for two) in tranquility before loud, young crowds and thumping music descend from the nightclub upstairs. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. 

Honolulu has its share of Italian restaurants, and Taormina, taking its culinary cues from Sicily, is considered one of the best by foodies, locals, and visitors alike. In a sleek, elegant room (there is outdoor seating, but this is one place it's best to dine indoors), you can dine on well-executed classics, such as porcini risotto with sautéed foie gras and a breaded veal chop "alla Taormina" (the restaurant's take on veal Parmesan). Pastas include spaghetti vongole (with clams), sarde e finochetti (sautéed sardines with fennel, anchovies, olives, and capers), and the trademark uni (sea urchin) with tagliatelle. Don't miss the artfully presented antipasti misti (mixed appetizers). For dessert, go traditional with cannoli or tiramisu. The wine list is extensive, and prix-fixe menus are offered for lunch and dinner.

One of several area restaurants operated by the Marchetti-Tarantino family over the past four decades, Maria Marchetti still makes all of the restaurant's homemade pasta and ravioli. You'll also find traditional Italian fish (il pesce), meat (la carne), and poultry (il pollo) dishes on the menu, along with a full roster of antipasti.

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.

Fun, dressed-up American favorites—a little something for everyone—are served in this renovated early-1900s stone farmhouse several miles east of town. The kitchen cranks out everything from Cajun-spiced prawns to meat loaf with marsala-mushroom gravy to grilled ribs and steaks.

At this handsome restaurant, lovely aromas waft from the wood-fired oven in the open kitchen. Among the popular choices on the dinner menu, which has both small plates and full entrées, are lemon-crusted sea scallops, rack of Colorado lamb, and small pizzas (including a white seafood version). Bragging rights continue as it has won the Master Chef's Classic at the Key West Food and Wine Festival for three years running.

Tavern on State won chef Emily Mingrone the 2021 Connecticut Restaurant Association Chef of the Year, and this little spot just outside of downtown hasn't stopped wowing everyone who takes a seat. Burgers are outstanding, and sourced from the chef's nearby butcher shop, Provisions on State, but the menu also features globe-spanning influences applied to seasonally available ingredients like grilled octopus with chili butter or roasted bone marrow with sourdough bread. The offerings are ever changing, but the quality is not. Chef Mingrone's other restaurant, Fair Haven Oyster Co., in New Haven's eastern Fair Haven section, is also well worth a visit.

Acclaimed chef Roger Stettler leans on his Italian heritage to create this rustic, open-air restaurant's award-winning menu. Lunch features hearty soups, salads, and sandwiches, and the house-made pastas are the highlight of the more upscale dinner service. Belly up to the lively bar or request an outdoor table to enjoy sweeping ocean and mountain views.

It's a Greek throwdown every night at this Hollywood institution. Expect a lively night of great eats (including authentic hot and cold mezes and wood-fire-grilled meats and seafood), tabletop dancing, and lots of wine. If you don't have a car, the restaurant is on the Intracoastal and accessible by Water Taxi.

Local artist Honey McCrary spent over a year building the 700-square-foot undersea mosaic on the ceiling of this seafood eatery. The beautiful artwork is reason alone to step inside, and it underscores the effort and intention put into the overall design and menu at this fine-dining haven along the City Market. Shareable plates include a signature seafood tower and roasted clams, shrimp, and oysters. 

This tiny candlelit space is an enchanting mix of elegance and chummy neighborhood revelry—both in the atmosphere and the food. Simple but high-quality dishes, such as gnocchi alfredo and braised lamb shank, are prepared expertly, and the menu changes frequently; fun theme nights include "Beerger Tuesday," when you can enjoy a burger, beer, and fries for just $16, and "Pasta Thursday," with a different featured pasta, accompanied by a serving of wine, for $22.

Using locally sourced ingredients, the chef at this small, independent redbrick eatery on Sanford's main drag creates Southern-fusion dishes. His house-made biscuits and gravy are renowned, the Saturday brunch menu features a Southern-style croque monsieur with candied collard greens, and dinner choices include pan-seared Florida catfish with bacon from Tennessee and the ever-popular shrimp and grits with corn from Zellwood, Florida.

Above the Mitsukoshi department store is this teppanyaki steak house, where chefs do performance cooking at 20 grills. Standouts include filet mignon and Tori chicken breast, but the restaurant also has a small sushi selection, as well as a kids' menu with Teppan-style chicken or shrimp with rice and veggies. Be sure to save room for green tea ice cream, though! Kids will enjoy watching the talented chefs while parents relax with some sake.

Perched on the second story of a building in Ching Young Village, The Terrace offers sweeping mountain views along with stellar sushi and fresh-fish dishes in a lively environment that attracts the local post-work crowd. There's a sushi menu (try anything with the special beet-cured kampachi), plus a main menu with small plates, appetizers, and daily special entrées.

An ornate ceiling, crystal chandeliers, and elaborate floral arrangements highlight this room in the Omni William Penn, which has been restored to its original 1916 appearance. You can enjoy seafood, steak, or prime rib. There's a weekend breakfast buffet from 6:30 am to 2 pm.

Part of the Terrain garden center and home furnishings store, this charming café, restaurant, and bar occupies a greenhouse space adorned with wooden beams, party lights, and, of course, leafy plants. It's the perfect match for a brunch/lunch or dinner of sophisticated, seasonal regional fare (much of it from local producers) such as artisanal cheeses, mushroom soup, vegetable-filled bowls, salads, and creative meat and fish options. Don't even try to resist desserts like a chocolate terrarium. This place can get busy with shoppers and locals, so make reservations.

Under the guidance of James Beard Award–winner and Top Chef master Tony Mantuano, Terralina brings sophistication and southern Italian cuisine to Disney Springs. Meticulously planned to look like a resort in Italy's Lake District, Terralina's open design and wood-fired grills provide a stylish atmosphere and some of the best recipes Mantuano can create, including wood-fired, hand-tossed pizzas along with salads and sandwiches. The antipasti tower is a starting course eye-opener, and steaks and seafood delight.

The mouthwatering photos on the menu don't do the real stuff justice. Locals and cruise-ship vacationers frequent this casual Thai/Japanese eatery within walking distance of cruise-port hotels. Seafood is an emphasis here, with specialties like lobster pad Thai and snapper with ginger and scallion. The Thai curries, noodles, and soups can be prepared "Thai hot," but "medium" packs a subtle punch, too. Decor is eclectic and relaxing, with brightly painted walls and low-hanging sconces. Don't fret if you see a crowd out front. The place does a brisk takeout business.

The name of the restaurant comes from the three young chefs who each have a distinctive culinary style (Hawaiian, Southwestern, and Pacific Rim), but somehow it all works. The space is as big as the menu—there are salads, burgers, steaks, and fresh fish, as well as a raw bar with sushi and hand rolls—with three separate dining areas, plus an outdoor patio. The daily happy hour from 3 to 6 pm features discounts on popular menu items, sushi, and cocktails.