9201 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.

The Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm

$$ Fodor's Choice

Owned and operated by the Nakagawi family since the early 1920s, this landmark restaurant features three separate dining rooms that overlook a 30-acre natural brackish fishpond, making this one of the most interesting places to eat in Hilo. Some highlights are paniolo (cowboy) prime rib, New York steak, and shrimp scampi. Arrive before sunset and request a table by the window for a view of egrets roosting around the fishpond.

1790 Kalanianaole Ave., Hilo, HI, 96720, USA
808-935–8825
Known For
  • Authentic local experience
  • Ocean and pond views at sunset
  • Fried aholehole (young Hawaiian flagtail)
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch.

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Seasoned

$$$$ Fodor's Choice
With a menu that changes monthly, Seasoned takes its name to heart with its always-changing ingredients from local farms. The creative dishes, created by chef-owner and Michelin-star veteran Rob Corey, reflect influences from North, South, and Central America and feature Colorado specialties like lamb, trout, and bass.
205 Park La., CO, 80517, USA
970-586–9000
Known For
  • Creative cuisine
  • Colorado lamb, trout, and bass
  • Attentive service
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Wed.–Sat. No dinner Sun.

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Sego

$$ Fodor's Choice

Folks have been known to drive for an hour or more to partake of the outstanding modern American and Asian fare served in this charmingly intimate dining room just off the lobby of the romantic Canyons Boutique Hotel in Kanab. The small-plates–focused menu here changes often according to what's fresh, but recent standouts have included wok-fry rice noodles with Hawaiian red crab and curry oil, and seared duck-breast lo mein with sambal and jalapeño cream.

190 N. 300 W, Kanab, UT, 84741, USA
435-644–5680
Known For
  • Creative, globally inspired cooking
  • Stellar wine and cocktail list
  • Romantic yet unfussy vibe
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Thurs. No lunch

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Seito Sushi & New Japanese

$$$ | Central Orlando Fodor's Choice

The epitome of modern Japanese cuisine, Seito offers crowd-pleasing traditional and contemporary ramen bowls as well as unique, handcrafted sushi combinations and Japanese "kitchen food." The sophisticated and fun bar specializes in Japanese cask whiskey and multiple exclusive sake brands.

Selamat Pagi

$$ | Greenpoint Fodor's Choice
Warm and intimate Selamat Pagi brings a little Bali to Brooklyn. The exotic flavors of Kaffir lime leaf, coconut oil, lemongrass, and chili transform local organic produce and proteins into nasi goreng (vegetable fried rice), coconut curry, chili-glazed chicken wings, and other palate-tingling delights. Banana-leaf wallpaper and a DIY design set a rough-around-the-edges yet romantic tone that makes this a great casual date spot—as long as the object of your affection likes spicy food.

Selanne Steak Tavern

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

Located inside a historic 1934 home along Pacific Coast Highway, and named after one of the owners---Hockey Hall of Famer and six-time Olympian Teemu Selanne---Selanne Steak Tavern serves modern steak house fare paired with stellar Napa Valley wines. There is a cozy Carrara-topped tavern-style bar where bartenders make artisanal cocktails and martinis, and a formal fine-dining experience upstairs. Other dining areas include a bistro-style wine room and outdoor dining terrace with beautiful Moroccan light fixtures creating a dramatic evening setting. Entrees include succulent hormone-free steaks and chops. Filet mignon is served sizzling in an 8- and 12-ounce presentation. Other meaty highlights include an 8-ounce Wagyu flat iron steak, 14-ounce Prime Rib Eye, and signature 32-ounce Lord Stanley cut. All are served with seasonal marrow butter and a variety of side sauces. The chefs use the well-stocked on-site herb garden in a variety of dishes and for garnish. Save room for Monkey Bread made with brioche and walnut streusel, toffee sauce, banana compote, and rum raisin ice cream. 

Semma

$$$ | West Village Fodor's Choice

After the huge success of their other restaurants—Dhamaka on the Lower East Side and Adda in Long Island City—79-seat Semma is still the shiniest jewel in this restaurant group's crown. And nabbing a table at a prime hour is reflective of that. Southern Indian fare is the focus here. Semma's menu plucks obscure dishes and recipes that have not yet traveled outside of India and then presents them in a gorgeous, oh-so-edible way. The cocktail program is equally unforgettable, mixing various Indian spices and herbs into spirits to create concoctions that pair perfectly with the award-winning food here. 

60 Greenwich Ave., New York, NY, 10014, USA
212-373–8900
Known For
  • Lively atmosphere
  • Creative Southern Indian fare
  • Hard to get into
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. No lunch
Reservations essential

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Senia

$$$ | Chinatown Fodor's Choice

Every item on the modern American menu at this small, sophisticated, James Beard Award–nominated restaurant is carefully concocted and artfully plated. You can order à la carte or indulge in the pricey tasting menu at the Chef's Counter. The same owners also operate the swanky bar Podmore, nearby.

Sepia

$$$$ | West Loop Fodor's Choice

The name may evoke nostalgia for the building's gritty past as a print shop, but Sepia is thoroughly forward-thinking in both its design, which features glassed-in chandeliers and leather-topped tables, and chef Andrew Zimmerman’s elegant, seasonal four-course prix-fixe menu. A well-chosen, international wine list and thoughtfully prepared cocktails satisfy oenophiles and cocktail lovers alike; grab a spot on the lounge side for a predinner drink with a side of people-watching.

Serẽa

$$$$ | Coronado Fodor's Choice

One of the Hotel Del Coronado's more upscale restaurants, Serẽa serves market-fresh seafood with Mediterranean flavors. With tables featuring stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and a menu of sustainable seafood, Serẽa puts full emphasis on its seaside location. Sip a seasonal cocktail, indulge in a rich shellfish platter—either roasted or on ice—and let your server wow you with a tableside whole fish presentation, set to the sounds of nearby crashing waves.

1500 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA, 92118, USA
619-435–6611
Known For
  • The "Pearl Diver" dessert, served in a white-chocolate shell
  • Tableside wood-grilled or flash-fried fish
  • Breathtaking ocean view

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Session at Citizen Vinyl

$$ Fodor's Choice

Set in the ground floor of the historic Asheville Citizen Times Building, Citizen Vinyl is one of the South's foremost vinyl record producers. It's also a lounge, bar, coffee shop, and an excellent café, Session. Opt for a chicken salad melt, a breakfast sandwich with fried eggs and chili crisp, or sip a negroni and enjoy the classic playlist. 

The Settlers Inn at Bingham Park

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

Farm-to-table dining is the focus of this restaurant in Hawley. Seasonal breakfast (brunch on weekends) and dinner menus focus on locally sourced produce, some of which is pulled from the inn’s own on-site herb garden. The dinner menu is divided into elements—earth, wind, water, and fire—designating vegetarian, poultry, fish, or red meat dishes. It includes a locally raised buffalo bolognese served with handcut tagliatelli, and grilled quail with cranberry walnut compote. The restaurant takes the farm-to-table concept seriously, and is fully transparent with where it gets its ingredients; it even goes so far as to list the produce farms, cheese makers, and butchers it uses right on the menu.

Seven Glaciers

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

This refined yet relaxing mountaintop restaurant is perched 2,300 feet up Mt. Alyeska, accessed by a 60-passenger aerial tram (free with dinner reservations, otherwise $48 round-trip). The forward-thinking prix fixe menu capitalizes on local produce and seafood and rotates seasonally. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook seven glaciers in an unforgettable panoramic mountain view.

1000 Arlberg Rd., Girdwood, AK, 99587, USA
907-754–2237
Known For
  • Alaska-grown ingredients and top-tier seafood
  • 32-page wine menu
  • Unforgettable panoramic mountain views
Restaurant Details
No lunch
Reservations essential

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Seven Reasons

$$$ | U Street Fodor's Choice

At Seven Reasons, one of D.C.'s most talked-about restaurants in the past two years, chef Enrique Limardo honors his native Venezuela with creative versions of arepas (stuffed cornmeal cakes) and arroz bomba (rice with seafood). The restaurant also takes you on a Latin American tour with offerings such as Argentinean-style steak or Peruvian-style ceviche. The dining room is tropical and sexy, featuring an open kitchen where you can see the culinary team in action. The rooftop patio, which has a mural painted by the chef himself, is perfect for predinner cocktails or dinner alfresco.

2208 14th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20009, USA
202-417–8563
Known For
  • Picturesque rooftop patio
  • High-end Latin American cuisine
  • Open kitchen plan
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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Seward Brewing Company

$$$ Fodor's Choice

This airy two-story microbrewery serves eclectic and creative gastropub fare prepared with locally sourced ingredients—think Alaskan salmon poke steam buns with a crunchy wonton and spicy mayo, and exceptional pizzas topped with fried-garlic olive oil, braised oyster mushrooms, sausage, fontina, and burrata. The high-ceilinged restaurant's design blends rustic-chic, modern deco, and industrial elements and is anchored by an enormous copper fish welded by a local artist.

139 4th Ave., Seward, AK, 99664, USA
907-422–0337
Known For
  • Superb beer brewed in-house
  • Mostly locally sourced ingredients
  • Refreshing salads
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. and late Sept.–May

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Seylou Bakery and Mill

$ | Shaw Fodor's Choice

Skip the chains and head to this beloved local coffee shop and whole-grain bakery offering fresh sourdough creations, whole wheat almond croissants, and seasonal veggie frittatas. Grab a specialty coffee, a yerba-maté or nettle tea, and a 100% whole-wheat chocolate croissant or buckwheat muffin on your way to tour the city. Look out for the afternoon’s pastries, including the wheat-free sorghum brownies.

926 N St. NW, Washington, DC, 20001, USA
202-842–1122
Known For
  • Freshly made breads and whole wheat pastries
  • Specialty coffees and teas
  • Locally sourced ingredients
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.–Thurs.

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Shade Eatery at Higgins Beach Inn

$$ Fodor's Choice

This charming neighborhood restaurant and bar just steps from the beach serves generous, deeply satisfying dishes filled with locally sourced ingredients. Seafood plays a big role in the menu—lobster rolls brimming with fresh meat; Maine crab and corn fritters; blackened haddock sandwich; and Atlantic fish chowder with Maine lobster, clams, and cod—but there are also options for landlubbers, like burgers, sticky pork ribs, and grilled flank steak.

34 Ocean Ave., Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA
207-883–1479
Known For
  • Family-friendly environment
  • Three-season-porch dining
  • Casual and perfect for a postbeach bite
Restaurant Details
Breakfast daily and dinner Wed.–Sun. mid-May–mid-Oct. Lunch daily Memorial Day–Labor Day

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Shake Shack

$ | Penn Quarter Fodor's Choice

Yes, it's a chain made most famous in New York City, but if you're craving a burger, you can get your fix at the D.C. Chinatown outpost. Juicy burgers with a special sauce, classic fries (get them with cheese), and tasty shakes make it worth the short wait—especially if you're looking for a delicious, reasonably priced lunch between visits to Downtown attractions. Other D.C. Shake Shacks are in Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, Union Station, and Nationals Park.

Shannon's Unshelled

$$ Fodor's Choice

The namesake of this shack first got the idea to set up shop when her father posed the simple question: “Where can you buy a quick lobster roll in Boothbay Harbor?” Unable to answer, Shannon’s Unshelled was born, and the shack is now beloved for its grilled, buttered buns stuffed with whole lobsters and served with a side of garlicky, sea-salted, drawn butter.

Shaya

$$ | Uptown Fodor's Choice

You may think you’ve been transported to sexy Tel Aviv in this softly lighted but thoroughly modern dining room set on a hopping stretch of Magazine Street. Here, the inventive Israeli cooking shines: picture copper trays bedecked with small plates of classic Israeli foods that lay the groundwork for unforgettable creative takes like fried chicken hummus, sujuk pide, and Gulf shrimp kebab. (Plan to order more of the puffy, made-to-order pita from Shaya’s signature wood-burning oven.) Don't miss the eclectic wine and spirits list with authentic touches from the motherland, including mint tea and arak (an anise-based spirit).

4213 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA, 70115, USA
504-891–4213
Known For
  • Extraordinary lamb ragù hummus and fried chicken hummus
  • Pita bread from the wood-burning oven
  • Wine and spirits list with Israeli options

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The Shed

$ | The Plaza Fodor's Choice

Expect to wait in line at this downtown eatery that's been family operated since 1953, serving flavorful New Mexican food and popular margaritas. Even if you're a devoted green chile fan, definitely try the locally grown red chile the place is famous for; it is rich and earthy, with a bit of spice. Other specialties include red chile enchiladas, green chile stew with potatoes and pork, and charbroiled Shedburgers. The large selection of soups and salads will appeal to all visitors, and be sure to save room for their famous mocha cake. The rambling, low-doored, and atmospheric adobe dating from 1692 is decorated with folk art, and they have kept prices remarkably fair considering the iconic location. 

113½ E. Palace Ave., Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA
505-982–9030
Known For
  • Red-chile enchiladas and posole
  • Mocha cake
  • Historic adobe setting dating from 1692
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.

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Shelburne Pub

$$ Fodor's Choice

The dark-wood-paneled walls, floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows, and marble café tables inside this venerable spot attest to its history of feeding locals and visitors for more than a century. Although it calls itself a pub, the Shelburne has a casually sophisticated look and vibe, and stellar yet reasonably priced Pacific Northwest fare to go with it—consider the miso-cured sablefish with bok choy and pickled shiitakes, or crispy braised pork with polenta and a blackberry gastrique (a sauce that's sweet and sour). Brunch is a popular affair on weekends. The restaurant is inside a small boutique hotel with comfy rooms.

The Shellmore

$$$ Fodor's Choice

Mount Pleasant's culinary ambitions perhaps reach their apex at the Shellmore, an unassuming wine bar with a chalkboard menu and some of the most romantic nooks in town. Chef-owner Eric Milley always has cheese and cold shucked oysters at the ready, but devotees know he's prone to work wonders with hulking cuts of beef, including prime rib and veal chops.

357 Shelmore Blvd., Charleston, SC, 29464, USA
843-654–9278
Known For
  • Savvy wine selection
  • Serene atmosphere
  • Attentive cooking
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch

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Sherald's Frosty Freeze

$ Fodor's Choice

If you hanker for the nostalgia, and the prices, of an old-fashioned hamburger stand, you're in luck. Order at the window and eat outside at picnic tables, or have friendly carhops deliver your meal right to your vehicle. Be aware that this place can get packed and there could be a wait.

Shilling Canning Company

$$$ | D.C. Waterfront Fodor's Choice

Shilling Canning takes pride in the quality of its fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and it shows. The Shilling family hails from Baltimore, where they were known for their positive values and respect for the community, as well as their excellent food products—chef Shilling and his team are clearly devoted to honoring the family legacy with a similar ethos. Customer service is impeccable. If you’re sometimes overwhelmed with long menus and multiple decisions, it’s refreshing that the dinner menu here consists of a weekly changing three-course chef’s menu with optional wine pairings. The patio is set off from the main street and bordered with plants, which adds to the pleasant, upscale atmosphere.

Ship Out Fish & Chips

$$ Fodor's Choice

Order at the food truck window and have a seat in the airy indoor greenhouse-style dining room at this fun and casual restaurant decorated with wind chimes, art glass, hanging plants, and funky folk art—there's seating outside in the courtyard, too. Located in a quiet neighborhood south of downtown and Youngs Bay, this laid-back seafood spot serves up sublime fish (halibut, cod, prawns, scallops, calamari, or oysters) and chips, plus po'boys, chowders, and burgers. Although they don't sell alcohol, you can bring your own. 

92351 Lewis and Clark Rd., Astoria, OR, 97103, USA
503-468–0373
Known For
  • Cajun-seasoned halibut sandwiches
  • Caesar salads topped with battered seafood
  • Good location en route to the beach of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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Shiro's Sushi Restaurant

$$$$ | Belltown Fodor's Choice

Founder Shiro Kashiba is no longer here (he's now at his namesake restaurant Sushi Kashiba in Pike Place), but this sushi spot is still the best in Belltown. Settle into the minimalist space for ultra-fresh fish and omakase service that's a bit more affordable than at other spots. The happy hour (4:30-6:00 pm Monday through Thursday) is a particularly good deal. 

2401 2nd Ave., Seattle, 98121, USA
206-443–9844
Known For
  • Chef's choice omakase
  • High-quality fish
  • Simple ambience
Restaurant Details
No lunch

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Shooters Waterfront

$$$ | Intracoastal and Inland Fodor's Choice

Fresh, coastal-inspired dishes are enjoyed alfresco at this dockside restaurant, where each of the three bar areas and massive lounge get gorgeous Intracoastal views. Munch on the expected seaside starters like coconut shrimp, crispy calamari, and smoked fish dip before moving onto flatbreads, sushi, or one of the many entrées served at both lunch and dinner. The daily happy hour features half-price drinks and bites under $10. Arrive by boat or take advantage of the complimentary valet.

Shukette

$$ | Chelsea Fodor's Choice

This spin-off of Shuka in SoHo first fired up its burners in summer 2021 and was an instant hit, far exceeding in enthusiasm than the original. The focus of this stylish 80-seat eatery is modern Middle Eastern cuisine, with flavor-packed fare that spans the entire region. Chef Ayesha J. Nurdjaja takes traditional recipes and goes a step further with them, adding, for example, red onions and a sauce of chilies and garlic to the ultracreamy hummus or stewed lamb hiding inside the kibbeh. There's a delicious surprise on every plate.

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230 9th Ave., New York, NY, 10001, USA
212-242–1803
Known For
  • Fish and meat cooked on the charcoal grill
  • Homemade bread, griddled to order
  • The mostly Mediterranean wine list
Restaurant Details
No lunch

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Side Door Café

$$$ Fodor's Choice

This enchanting dining room, set in an old brick and tile factory with a high ceiling, exposed beams, a fireplace, and many windows, shares its space with Eden Hall performance venue. The menu changes often, but favorites that tend to appear regularly include Marcona almond–crusted seared salmon with harissa and seasonal grilled vegetables and Northwest bouillabaisse with a lemongrass-saffron-tomato broth.

6675 Gleneden Beach Loop, Gleneden Beach, OR, 97388, USA
541-764–3825
Known For
  • Funky and historic industrial setting
  • Relaxed location just outside the bustle of Lincoln City
  • Eclectic seafood-intensive dishes
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch

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