9201 Best Restaurants in USA

Nashville is known for its meat-and-three-style restaurants, and Swett's is one of its most famous; past patrons run the gamut from presidents to pop stars and everyone in between. If you’re looking for Southern staples like collard greens, baked mac and cheese, and entrées that range from fried catfish to barbecued ribs, this family-owned restaurant is the place to be.

The epicurean heart of Whittier for more than two decades, Swiftwater offers delightful surprises like its famed calamari-steak sandwich—squid tenderized and fried in a secret batter. Other menu items include burgers, homemade chowders, rockfish, halibut, and salmon.

Set in a grand stone-and-timber lodge that overlooks both the remains of the old Roslyn No. 9 mineshaft and the Hyatt Suncadia Resort's scenic Rope Rider Golf Course, this wine-centric dining room provides an elegant counterpoint to the area's quirky saloons. The menu mixes Pacific Northwestern and international recipes—apple chutney–baked Brie, pear-pancetta flatbread, and Angus rib-eye steaks—and Swiftwater's own mostly Bordeaux-style wines are superb.

Swyft and Ore Hill are two restaurants in one, both located in the historic Swyft-Bull house, at Kent's center crossroads. Downstairs, Swyft takes on the character of an old New England tavern, with elevated comfort classics like a BLT, burgers, and Neapolitan pizza from a wood-burning oven, while upstairs, Ore Hill features a locally produced chef-driven prix-fixe menu partially sourced from their own Rock Cobble Farm. Each dish and drink is an experience, with five or seven courses, with or without drink pairings. Reservations are required at Ore Hill, but walk-ins are welcome at Swyft. The house is named for the families (one who built nearby Bull's Bridge) who occupied the home for more than 175 years.

A rotating menu at this fine bistro in Albany's historic downtown changes monthly and features flavorful cuisine at reasonable prices. The restaurant strives to ensure that most of the ingredients, including the lamb, eggs, and vegetables, are raised within 10 miles. The wine list includes worldwide classics, but is strong on local Oregon wines, too.

One of the finest restaurants in the Valley, T. Cook's exudes romance, from the floor-to-ceiling windows with dramatic views of Camelback Mountain to its 1930s-style Spanish-colonial architecture and decor. It's not a place for dining in a rush. The Mediterranean-inspired menu, while frequently changing, is diverse enough to satisfy both foodies and less-adventurous eaters.

One of Makawao's landmarks is this mom-and-pop shop, which has changed very little over the last century. If you arrive early enough, you can get an incredible "stick" doughnut, cream-filled malasadas, or delicious cream puffs. The store makes hundreds daily but sells out.

This converted 1925 lunch car (diner) is one of Vermont's most romantic restaurants. The sleek red and black space amounts to an intimate, candle lighted theater, thanks to an open kitchen whose flames flare in production of French-influenced, new American cuisine, drawn heavily from local ingredients.

Tabla's reputation for great Indian food has lasted since 2008. Start with a selection from the enormous range of house-made breads before choosing from the menu of biryanis, curries, tandoor-fired meats, or vegetarian dishes like bhindi masala and sautéed paneer.

The chef-owners of this neighborly restaurant say their fare "walks the line between comfort and haute cuisine"—mostly California-inspired and "hyperseasonal" items that might include Mt. Lassen trout with leek roulade or local duck breast in Grand Marnier sauce served with fig and potato gratinée. The same could be said for the casual but knowing hospitality and the decor (bare wooden tables yet linen napkins), but it all works: dining here engenders quiet excitement.

Serving artfully crafted modern American fare in a sceney cathedral-ceiling restaurant with tall black leather booths, a pair of esteemed chefs have created one of the most alluring dining destinations in the city. The five- and seven-course tasting menus change frequently and are based on what's in season, but recent offerings have included locally raised lamb shank accompanied by smoked and pickled alliums and saffron lamb jus and a vegetable "steak" topped with plum-zucchini caponata, leeks, and nasturtiums. Wine and nonalcoholic pairings are available.  The on-site bakery dispenses fine coffee, breads, and pastries Wednesday through Saturday.

Tac/Quila is what happens when two lawyers dare to dream out loud and switch gears mid-career—judging from the crowds at this always humming joint, they made the right decision. The setting features flower-laden "living" walls and a blend of mid-century modern and classic-Mexican design elements, but the menu is all Mexican, with Jalisco-style appetizers, tacos, ceviches, and meat dishes, as well as a surprising number vegetarian and vegan copycats. And, like any Mexican restaurant worth its margarita salt, this one has a bar that's well stocked with a variety of tequilas and mezcals. For similar bites and booze in a quieter, less-crowded space, head over to sister eatery Clandestino.

Arguably the most talked-about tacos in the entire Bay Area are at this colorful, cheery spot operating from a shipping container in an alley in between Uptown, Temescal, and Piedmont Avenue. Fillings are always packed with flavor, complemented by dialed-in salsas like a peanut–arbol chile one with carefully charred broccoli. There are always multiple tempting vegan tacos offered, which is extremely rare to find. As popular as the tacos are, the creative tostadas (perhaps topped with Dungeness crab or cactus) have an equally devoted following.

Pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and robust regular and espresso coffees are the morning specialties of this bakery whose lineup expands at lunch to include hefty salads (spinach, tuna, Chinese chicken, and a Caesar among them), chicken potpies, and dense, flavorful sandwiches served on a half dozen breads baked that day. Stand in line to order, then choose seating indoors or on a shaded patio fronting the building.

The menu changes regularly in this classy restaurant, but the spicy pork-belly ragù is a sure thing (when available). Best to make reservations (which open two weeks in advance at 10 am) at this 66-seat restaurant that only seats groups of four or fewer. Sit in the dining room or the patio for the four-course menu, or at the bar if you prefer à la carte. Many dietary requirements are accommodated; call ahead for complex needs or allergies. Top off an excellent evening with a selection from the well-curated cocktail menu, and purchase some merch to remind yourself of one of the best meals you'll have had in D.C.

Opened in 2001, this Japanese restaurant helped pioneer San Diego’s ramen movement as the first noodle house on Convoy to set down roots without compromising the purity of Japanese cuisine. All ramens are made from scratch, and you can taste it with every slurp of the flavorful broth. Whet your appetite with the pan-fried gyozas, the teriyaki chicken wings, or the signature Tajima fries topped with minced pork, onions, and mozzarella. Move on to the spicy sesame ramen with just enough kick, or opt for the original with tonkotsu pork broth, egg noodles, pork or chicken chashu, and all the traditional fixings. Their poke bowls and fried rice dishes soak up those rare imported Japanese craft beers or premium sake. If you’re lucky, grab a seat at the bar or communal table centering the lively restaurant.

You'll often see chef-owner Takashi Gibo behind the sushi bar at this hip and lively Japanese restaurant across from the Gallivan Center. Takashi is known for sublime, melt-in-your mouth sushi as well as a slew of izakaya-style treats, like miso-grilled eggplant, baked marinated sablefish, and shiitake lamb shank in Japanese yellow curry. The list of specialty sushi rolls is long and never lacks for inspiration—try the one topped with escolar, sliced strawberry, spicy sauce, and fresh chilies, with toasted almonds and eel sauce on the outside. The full-service bar serves crisp sake and fine martinis.

Just a short walk from the 7 train is an easy-to-miss, unsuspecting izakaya, Takumen. Serving up giant bowls of slurpy noodles in salty, umami-packed broths, Takumen does ramen near perfectly, but they offer plenty more delectable dishes, too. Go for a variety of obanzai (izakaya samplers), like the sesame tofu edamame salad and the kombu cauliflower-and-broccoli pop. While their ramen dishes are naturally more desirable in the wintertime, they also have a year-round ice-cream window, where they serve soft-serve in flavors like matcha and vanilla, along with anmitsu, a traditional Japanese dessert made with red bean paste and agar jelly.

Hidden in the back of the Japan Pavilion, the impressive and intimate Takumi-Tei is split into five theme rooms inspired by water, wood, earth, stone, and washi paper. Though hours are limited, the dining experiences are of the highest caliber, with two omakase, multicourse options—an omnivorous meal ($250 per person) or a plant-based meal ($150 per person). Seasonal items include Japanese A5 Wagyu steak, lobster tempura, sashimi, vegetable tempura, and soba noodles. Children must be over the age of eight to participate, and there is no kids' menu.

French and American influences are clear in the Swiss chef's dishes, from rack of lamb with Dijon mustard to grilled filet mignon stuffed with Roquefort and fresh spinach. The formal dining room has subtle, elegant touches, such as votive candlelight and white tablecloths. A more casual menu is available at the bar.

Aimee Olexy's Talula's Table in Kennett Square was an unlikely phenomenon; the little country market had a months-long backlog of reservations for its lone farmhouse table. Olexy's urban extension of that runaway success is a sprawling, high-ceilinged space decorated with quotes by Alice Waters printed on the walls, a courtyard with a garden that glows under twinkly lights, and an elegant seasonal menu. The knowledgeable servers do a great job explaining interesting cheese boards with names like "The Master Class."

The pricey, farm-to-table eight-course prix-fixe dinner at this cozy, cult-favorite market and eat-in spot in the heart of Kennett Square requires advance planning, but fortunately Talula's offers its own artisanal cheeses, house-cured meats, and handmade breads and pastas throughout the day, along with a coffee bar and prepared meals for takeout. Breakfast and lunch at the communal table feature seasonal soups, salads, and sandwiches using local ingredients, or you can just pick up the makings for a picnic. The four-hour-long dinner—about 20 people maximum at two tables—is a special treat that is so popular you have to book a year in advance, making it one of the Northeast's top restaurant reservations since 2007.

Though the cooks at this lively counter-service restaurant are adept at preparing tamales—both the Oaxacan style wrapped in banana leaves and the more conventional style wrapped in corn husks (try the version filled with roasted pasilla peppers, onions, corn kernels, and queso fresco)—the kitchen also turns out fabulous seafood burritos and grilled-corn esquites. Be sure to check out the colorful murals that decorate the space and don't miss the chance to dine on the spacious side patio. There's an additional location on North Russell Street.

This fabulously unusual pub and microbrewery is located just a few miles east of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, across the highway from the regional Taos airport. In a high-ceilinged, eco-friendly building with soaring windows, you can sample exceptionally well-crafted Scottish Ale, Black Widow Porter, and Kolsch 45. Step outside to sit on the expansive patio and take in the amazing mountain and mesa views. Two outdoor stages present the best in live musical entertainment, frequently drawing large and enthusiastic crowds to enjoy regional and international artists. Tasty burgers, fries, salads, and desserts are served too.

The first thing you're likely to notice upon walking into this festive trattoria is the mammoth wood-fired brick oven, in which personable chef-owner John Bonica prepares such mouthwatering dinner fare as roasted veggies over polenta, blistered-crust pizzas with creative toppings, and wine-braised roast beef. Several excellent pasta dishes are offered, too.

This perennially packed counter-service taqueria seamlessly merges an easy-going atmosphere with cheffy bonafides: co-owner Oliver Poilevey also helms French favorites Le Bouchon and Obelix. The chef puts his pedigree to work with super-flavorful tacos—like duck carnitas with date puree or blood sausage with whipped creme fresh—that go far beyond the usual.