6216 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.

Café Boulud

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

Palm Beach socialites just can't get enough of this prized restaurant by celebrated chef Daniel Boulud. This posh, French-American venue in the Brazilian Court hotel is casual yet elegant with a large and inviting bar that hosts a daily happy hour and a plush dining room that features a seashell-clad ceiling. A prix-fixe lunch menu features homemade charcuterie and entrées of mushroom risotto and smoked brisket sandwich, while dinner is a more formal affair with classic French, seasonal, and vegetarian offerings, plus a rotating roster of international dishes. Sunday brunch in the lush, tropical courtyard is a must in season.

301 Australian Ave., Palm Beach, FL, 33480, USA
561-655–6060
Known For
  • House-cured charcuterie
  • Dover sole
  • An extensive wine list
Restaurant Details
Reservations essential

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Café Degas

$$$ | Bayou St. John Fodor's Choice

Dining at Café Degas is like being at a sidewalk café in Paris. The outdoor seating overlooks picturesque Esplanade Avenue (as does some of the indoor seating), and the inside dining area even has a tree growing through the center. The fare here is a mixture of French-bistro cooking and what you might find at a countryside inn—homemade pâtés, onion soup, steamed mussels, steaks, and crème brûlée. Daily specials are always creative and ingenious, and an evening here is inevitably romantic. Every Wednesday and Thursday, diners can enjoy a happy hour with pâté, cheese, and appetizer and drink specials from 3 to 5 pm. Wednesday evening often features live music, and all bottles of wine are 30% off on Thursday during dinner.

3127 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70119, USA
504-945–5635
Known For
  • Romantic setting
  • Authentic French food
  • Live music most Wednesday evenings
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. No lunch Tues.

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Cafe il Mondo

$ Fodor's Choice

Unquestionably the fanciest spot in Honokaa, this cozy Italian bistro known for its pizza and other options feels like you've taken a step into Florence. Wood details, a full bar, travertine finishes, warm woods, antique furnishings, pendant lighting, and a fantastic stone pizza oven combine to create a thoroughly welcoming atmosphere. On the menu, pizzas and calzones dominate, but there is a full selection of pastas, salads, and sandwiches. Prices are surprisingly affordable. Local entertainers play on weekends.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Café La Jefa

$ Fodor's Choice

Thanks to its misted patio, fast Internet connection, plethora of seating, and, most importantly, fine selection of caffeinated hot and cold drinks, this is a great work-from-café option on the main drag in uptown. The colorful, independently owned, Latina-influenced coffeehouse serves Sisters Coffee out of Oregon, local Townie bagels, Lotus Energy elixirs, fresh-daily pastries, and filling breakfast plates, including smoked salmon toast and chorizo con papas. There's also a vast assortment of chilled and canned beverages alongside healthy grab-and-go nibbles and prepackaged snacks by local makers for those in even more of a hurry.

750 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA, 92262, USA
760-673--7456
Known For
  • Chai chatas and chagaccinos
  • Wraparound patio with shaded section
  • Healthy grab-and-go nibbles and locally made snacks
Restaurant Details
No dinner

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Cafe La Trova

$$$ Fodor's Choice

There's always a festive vibe at this Cuban hot spot from James Beard--winning chef Michelle Bernstein and famed Cantinero bartender Julio Cabrera. Old-school cocktails like the daiquiri, Hemingway fizz, and mojito are made slowly with showmanship straight from 1950s Cuba, while menu highlights include roast calabaza empanadas, arroz con pollo, and skirt steak ropa vieja. Daily live music is known to prompt dancing, and there's a Miami Vice--theme speakeasy with a separate 1980s-inspired cocktail menu—think Cosmos and apple martinis.

Cafe Latté

$$ Fodor's Choice

This ever-popular Grand Avenue haunt is three restaurants in one: a cafeteria-style deli, a pizza and wine bar, and a delectable patisserie—quite possibly the best desserts in town. Don't miss the turtle cake or one of 30 cheesecakes.

Cafe Luxembourg

$$$ | Upper West Side Fodor's Choice

The old soul of the Lincoln Center neighborhood seems to inhabit the tiled and mirrored walls of this lively, cramped French bistro, where West End Avenue regulars are greeted with kisses, and musicians and audience members pack the room after a concert. The bar's always hopping, and the menu includes classics like steak tartare, moules frites (mussels and fries), and lobster roll. There's also a popular weekend brunch. 

200 W. 71st St., New York, NY, 10023-4323, USA
212-877–0986
Known For
  • Quintessential UWS bistro
  • After-concert scene
  • Excellent service
Restaurant Details
Reservations essential

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Café Margaux

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

Eclectic, creative, and international all describe the cuisine and decor at this charming Cocoa Village spot, featured on the Food Network. The menu blends French, Italian, and Asian influences with dishes such as Kobe beef meatballs in garlic sesame sauce, penne and chicken breast in Manchego garlic Madeira cream, or a 16-ounce prime boneless rib eye. An outdoor courtyard with umbrella tables adds to the Continental flair.

220 Brevard Ave., Cocoa, FL, 32922, USA
321-639–8343
Known For
  • Great steaks
  • Outdoor seating under umbrellas
  • Vast wine list
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.

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Cafe Mogador

$$ | East Village Fodor's Choice

This East Village dining institution, which has been serving standout Moroccan cuisine in a date-friendly, candlelit atmosphere since 1983, still draws crowds for dinner, lunch, and brunch. Start with an order of creamy hummus to share, then dig into one of the classic couscous dishes, tajine stews, or tasty kebabs.

Cafe Ole

$ | Old City Fodor's Choice

This charming Euro-like café does a wide range of sandwiches, salads, and breakfast dishes, but it’s best known for its shakshuka, the soulful tomato-and-egg stew made here in the Tunisian style. This cozy, bright corner spot is popular with locals and offers outdoor seating on the sidewalk during warmer months.

Cafe Pasqual's

$$$ | The Plaza Fodor's Choice

This cheerful cubbyhole is owned by James Beard Award–winning chef and cookbook author Katharine Kagel, who champions organic, local ingredients, and whose expert kitchen staff produces mouthwatering breakfast and lunch specialties like huevos motuleños (eggs in a tangy tomatillo salsa with black beans and fried bananas) and mahi-mahi tostadas. Dinner offerings range from chicken enchiladas to warm Thai noodle salad. The café's shop offers souvenirs such as cookbooks, aprons, and baseball caps, and there's an art gallery next door selling bronzes, ceramics, glassware, and more. Don't be surprised by the lines out front—it is on every tourist list for a reason (reservations are available for dinner only and strongly recommended).

Cafe Polonia

$$ | South Boston Fodor's Choice

People come to Boston for certain things—colleges, Irish pubs, Fenway Park—and Polish food isn't usually one of them. But, if you do land here, this authentic Polish restaurant in Southie is a must-stop. The menu is rife with an Eastern European culinary heritage in plates like pierogi, beet soup, stuffed cabbage, and kielbasa, and there are some tasty Polish beers. You'll be glad you ventured to Andrew Square.

Café Riggs

$$ | Penn Quarter Fodor's Choice

This spacious restaurant is on the ground floor of the 130-year-old Riggs Bank Building, now known as the Riggs Hotel. The café boasts large Corinthian columns, original stone floors, a sky-high ceiling, and Palladian windows. The menu is as luxurious as its surroundings: an ample raw bar featuring caviar, oysters, and crab. If seafood is not your thing, there are plenty of other choices, like steak frites and duck breast. 

Café Sabarsky

$$ | Upper East Side Fodor's Choice

In the Neue Galerie, this stately coffeehouse—open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—offers a Viennese café experience, with Eastern European-style furnishings and banquettes outfitted with fabric from 1912, daily newspapers, and cases with cakes and strudels. The menu of hearty sandwiches, goulash, sausage dishes, and traditional fare is under the direction of German-born executive chef Christopher Engel, who worked at Wallsé and Aureole, earning a Michelin star. Prix-fixe dinners are sometimes followed by a cabaret performance but note that a ticket costs $300. Museumgoers linger over coffee—it's sometimes tough to find a seat (it's easier in the more understated outpost of the café in the basement.) Breakfast is best for getting seated at Sabarsky; often with no line.

Cafe Sierra Negra

$ Fodor's Choice

Reasonably priced, cheerfully decorated, and offering some of the tastiest food in the Rio Chama Valley, this adobe café-bakery run by the former tour manager of the nearby Georgia O'Keeffe Home & Studio. The eclectic made-from-scratch cooking here runs the gamut from New Mexican (green chile cheeseburgers, roasted and stuffed poblanos) to international (red lentil dal, roasted-turkey crepes with cheddar and cranberry sauce). There's a nice selection of wines, mostly from Spain and Italy, and you'll always find a variety of tantalizing house-made desserts.

20968 U.S. 84, NM, 87510, USA
505-685–0086
Known For
  • Loaves of savory artisan breads baked daily (perfect to take with you on a picnic or back to your hotel)
  • Shrimp tacos with cilantro-jalapeño-feta pesto
  • Occasional themed prix-fixe dinners
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Café Zack

$$$ Fodor's Choice

A local favorite for anniversaries and other celebrations, Zack's serves classic European dishes in an intimate, two-room 1930s cottage adorned with local art. Entrées of note include seafood specials (depending on the local catch), slow-roasted boar shank, and filet mignon, the latter typically crusted in peppercorns or topped with porcini mushrooms.

1095 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura, CA, 93001, USA
805-643–9445
Known For
  • Personal service
  • House-made desserts
  • Excellent California wines
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.

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Call Your Mother Deli

$ | Foggy Bottom Fodor's Choice

Craving bagels? One of the most popular bagel shops in D.C., Call Your Mother Deli, recently expanded to the West End neighborhood. A modern take on a Jewish deli, their specialty is bagels, ranging from the classic everything bagel to more unique flavors like blueberry muffin. Located in the lobby of Yours Truly DC hotel, you can find a steady line for breakfast and lunch from locals who love their bagels and creative toppings. Aside from the bagel sandwiches and flavored cream cheeses, you can also order donuts, muffins, and cookies. 

Calle Dao Bryant Park

$$ | Midtown West Fodor's Choice

Few might expect a restaurant this original, well priced, and tasty to be tucked between Bryant Park and Herald Square. But the truth is, Calle Dao is a find in this busy neighborhood. Its colorful decor and creative menus are inspired by Havana's once-thriving Chinatown, so expect a flavorful fusion of Cuban and Chinese dishes such as ropa vieja (shredded beef) noodles, crispy duck baos (steamed buns), and fantastic salads, authentic sides, and delicious stir-fries. Daily happy hours can't be beat (weekdays noon--7 pm; weekends 11 am--7 pm) for both libations and bar bites.

Calusa

$$$ Fodor's Choice

Nestled on the third floor of the main building of Baker's Cay Resort, this waterfront spot offers panoramic views of the Gulf and a creative menu of Creole-Caribbean-inspired dishes. Start off with a round of craft cocktails (the Dark Rum Sazerac is a popular one), and then head to a table on the multilevel balcony for a dinner of Keys pink shrimp and lobster pasta or local mahimahi with miso-honey glaze. The white-chocolate bread pudding with rum sauce for dessert will leave you swooning.

Calypso Cafe 100 Oaks

$ | Berry Hill Fodor's Choice

Casual healthy dining that is easy on the wallet is Calypso Cafe’s focus, making it a popular laid-back lunch spot. The menu features Caribbean influences, with an emphasis on chicken and fresh produce, creating tropical flavor combinations like their Lucayan salad and famed corn muffins that easily satisfy nutrition-focused eaters and those with dietary restrictions.

700 Thompson La., Nashville, TN, 37204, USA
615-297–3888
Known For
  • Budget-friendly
  • Light lunch fare
  • Vegetarian and vegan options
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.

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Camber

$ Fodor's Choice

Equal parts artisan coffee roaster and casual-chic brunch room, this airy café on a busy downtown corner stands out for both the quality and creativity of its food and drink. Highlights on the food side include the toast with balsamic rainbow beets and Humboldt Fog goat cheese; notable sippers range from a ginger-turmeric latte to local-blueberry mimosas.

Campanella Kitchen & Garden Patio

$$$ Fodor's Choice

A portrait of restaurant consultant and Campanella co-owner Tom Rutledge's grandmother large in the covered patio seating area of his stylish yet snug restaurant inspired by East Coast Italian-American "red sauce" cuisine. The chef's 21st-century remixes of classics like the ones Nonna prepared in Brooklyn include marinara meatballs, butter beans, eggplant Parmesan, steamed clams with linguine, chicken cacciatore, and gnocchi with Bolognese ragout.

7365 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, CA, 95472, USA
707-910–3030
Known For
  • Chicken parm pizza with vodka sauce
  • Specialty and classic cocktails
  • Weekend brunch
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues.

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Campfire Grill

$$$ Fodor's Choice

Located within Garden City's distinctive Conestoga Ranch glamping resort, this rambling and scenic seasonal restaurant (housed in a tent with a firepit overlooking the property's covered wagons) is the most distinctive dining destination in town, and one of the most upscale too. Serving creative American fare throughout the day—including a popular brunch on Sundays—this open-air eatery offers delicious pancakes with maple-macerated berries, shrimp with smoked-cheddar grits, an array of wood-fired pizzas, and other enticing dishes.

Campo

$$$$ | Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Fodor's Choice

With pink light rising on the Sandias and lavender fields aglow, dining at Los Poblanos—its menu wholly committed to finely prepared dishes made from organic and locally sourced ingredients—can be a transcendent experience thanks to the pastoral setting of Albuquerque’s historic North Valley. The seasonal menu is a tantalizing mix of distinctive farm-to-table flavors crossed with Southwestern cooking traditions that together have been become the basis for Rio Grande Valley cuisine. Start with tangy sweet potato pierogi, then move on to a superb field or lemon za'atar salad, then the braised lamb birria, beet risotto, or a special tamale adovada. Or try one of the house-made pastas (carrot cavatelli is a favorite, and, as with most dishes here, they will always accommodate non-meat-eaters with a wholly satisfying variation). Wine, spirits, and microbrew selections, local and regional, are well-chosen. Campo ("field" in Spanish) diners enter its high-ceilinged open space—brilliantly transformed from a one-time dairy barn building—through the charmingly tiled and whimsically lit Bar Campo; dining outdoors is a treat as well since the weather here cooperates just about year-round. Find a somewhat smaller menu at the bar, or come for a memorable breakfast or brunch throughout the week.

4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107, USA
505-338–1615
Known For
  • Top-notch farm-to-table dining (reservations a must)
  • Inspired decor with fun Bar Campo up front
  • Brilliant outdoor seating with superb views

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The Canteen

$ Fodor's Choice

This casual spot specializes in classics like grilled cheese sandwiches, hand-cut fries, and local seafood in a lively spot. Order at the counter, then grab a seat inside or at one of the several outdoor seating options; there's also a large beer menu with New England offerings, a good selection of wines, and fun cocktails. Weekend brunch features dishes like sticky buns and egg tacos. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday.

Cantler's Riverside Inn

$$$ Fodor's Choice

Jimmy Cantler, a native Marylander who worked as a waterman on Chesapeake Bay, founded this local institution 40 years ago. The no-nonsense interior has nautical items laminated beneath tabletops, and steamed mussels, clams, and shrimp as well as a tomato-based Maryland crab soup, seafood sandwiches, crab cakes, and much more. Water-view outdoor dining is available seasonally, and boat owners can tie up at the dock; there's limited free parking during the busy summer season so be prepared to wait.

458 Forest Beach Rd., Annapolis, MD, 21409-5910, USA
410-757–1311
Known For
  • Seasonal outdoor dining right next to the water
  • Steamed crabs served on a "tablecloth" of brown paper
  • A classic casual Maryland seafood experience

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Canyon River Grill

$$$ Fodor's Choice

Helmed by James Beard finalist and ardent fly-fisherman Kevin Davis, this modern restaurant on a picturesque bend in Yakima River Canyon has tall windows and a covered deck overlooking the scenery. Stop for a hearty breakfast before a day of recreation on the river, or for a memorable lunch or dinner of artfully prepared contemporary American fare, such as grilled Idaho trout with roasted pecan–brown butter or tagliatelle with goat Bolognese and burrata. 

The Capital Grille

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

This swanky and splurge-worthy steak house serves up impeccable steaks and chops, along with a host of other well-crafted entrées, in the dimly lit dining room with an old-school gentleman's club feel. Though dry-aged, hand-carved steaks are the specialty, Capital Grille also excels at seafood: pan-seared scallops, Maine lobster, and sushi-grade seared sesame tuna are equally delicious choices.

230 Tressor Blvd., Stamford, CT, 06901, USA
203-967--0000
Known For
  • The steaks, of course, prepared exactly as you like
  • Creamed spinach, truffle fries, lobster mac and cheese---lots of sides to share
  • Perfect for a special occasion (or when you're really hungry)
Restaurant Details
No lunch weekends

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Capitol Burger

$ Fodor's Choice

This cheerful food truck, which doles out superb burgers with imaginative toppings, along with fries and soft drinks, parks in different parts of Torrey (often beside The Chuckwagon hotel)—check their Facebook page for the latest hours and address. Favorites among these over-the-top creations include the burger topped with gooey mac-and-cheese, smoked bacon, coal-roasted green chilies, and whole grain mustard; and another slathered with pulled pork, cream cheese, pickled jalapeños, and barbecue sauce. 

Cappy's Restaurant

$$$$ | Alamo Heights Fodor's Choice

An Alamo Heights casual but upscale staple since 1977, Cappy's features exceptional menus of innovative dishes against a warm, two-level modern backdrop of brick architecture, tall windows, and pleasant outdoor seating. Well-prepared and presented dinner entrées include Faroe Island salmon, rib eye with smoked tomato confit, and seafood paella with saffron risotto. They have an extensive wine list and craft cocktail menu, and abundant varieties of scotch and bourbon. Weekend brunch is a treat, with classic Benedict and lobster grilled cheese. A rotating gallery of art showcases local artists.