Dining in the United States is a celebration of global flavors, local ingredients, and world-class service. From Michelin-starred fine dining to cozy farm-to-table gems, the U.S. culinary scene is unmatched in variety and excellence. In this 2025 guide, we break down the Best Restaurants in the U.S., highlighting their menus, locations, price ranges, and booking options, so you can plan your next memorable meal with ease.
🍽️ 1. Eleven Madison Park – New York City, NY
Best Restaurants in the U.S,
Cuisine: Modern Plant-Based Fine Dining
Michelin Stars: 3
Location: 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010
Price Range: $$$$ (Tasting menu ~$365 per person)
Online Booking: www.elevenmadisonpark.com
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Cucumber Melon Salad with Yuzu
- Grilled Eggplant with Tahini & Miso
- Black Truffle Rice Porridge
- Beet Wellington with Pepper Jus
- Vegan Matcha Cheesecake
🏨 Bookings:
- Reservations can be made online via Tock
- Private dining rooms available for events
- Vegan tasting menu experience only
🍷 2. The French Laundry – Yountville, California
Best Restaurants in the U.S.,
Cuisine: French-American Fine Dining
Michelin Stars: 3
Location: 6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Price Range: $$$$ (Tasting menu ~$390+)
Online Booking: www.thomaskeller.com/tfl
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Oysters and Pearls (Sabayon with caviar)
- Truffle Custard with Perigord Truffle Ragout
- Japanese Wagyu with Bone Marrow
- Peach Sorbet with Elderflower
🏨 Bookings:
- Reservations via Tock or through the official website
- Book 1–2 months in advance
- No overnight rooms, but local luxury lodging nearby
🌮 3. Pujol (Pop-Up USA) – Los Angeles, CA (2025)
Best Restaurants in the U.S.,
Cuisine: Mexican Contemporary
Location: 8575 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Price Range: $$$ ($180–$225 for tasting menu)
Online Booking: www.pujol.com.mx
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Mole Madre (2,000-day-aged mole)
- Tacos al Pastor with Pineapple Salsa
- Corn Esquites with Chicatana Ants
- Avocado and Tomatillo Tostada
🏨 Bookings:
- Limited-time pop-up via Resy
- No rooms available
- Events and chef’s table experience upon request
🥩 4. Alinea – Chicago, IL
Best Restaurants in the U.S.,
Cuisine: Molecular Gastronomy
Michelin Stars: 3
Location: 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Price Range: $$$$ ($305–$420 per person)
Online Booking: www.alinearestaurant.com
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Edible Balloon Dessert
- Hot Potato, Cold Potato (served with truffle)
- Wagyu with Horseradish Snow
- Lemon Lavender Sphere
🏨 Bookings:
- Online reservations only
- Experience includes multiple-course tastings
- Group bookings for private rooms available
🍝 5. Le Bernardin – New York City, NY
Best Restaurants in the U.S.,
Cuisine: French Seafood
Michelin Stars: 3
Location: 155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
Price Range: $$$$ (Lunch ~$120, Dinner ~$215–$298)
Online Booking: www.le-bernardin.com
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Tuna Carpaccio with Foie Gras
- Poached Lobster with Truffle Butter
- Scallops in Seaweed Broth
- Citrus Pavlova with Passionfruit
🏨 Bookings:
- Reserve via OpenTable or direct website
- Business lunch menu also available
- No rooms but partner hotels nearby
🍔 6. Canlis – Seattle, WA
Best Restaurants in the U.S.,
Cuisine: Northwest Fine Dining
Location: 2576 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Price Range: $$$ ($160–$195 per person)
Online Booking: www.canlis.com
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Dungeness Crab Salad with Nasturtium
- A5 Wagyu with Smoked Onion
- Halibut with Morels and Pea Purée
- House-Baked Sourdough with Cultured Butter
🏨 Bookings:
- Reservations open 30 days ahead on their website
- Private dining rooms and terrace view bookings available
- Valet and dress code enforced
🥖 7. Brennan’s – New Orleans, LA
Best Restaurants in the U.S.,
Cuisine: Creole & Cajun Fine Dining
Location: 417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Price Range: $$–$$$ (Brunch ~$45, Dinner ~$90+)
Online Booking: www.brennansneworleans.com
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Bananas Foster (originated here)
- Turtle Soup with Sherry
- Blackened Redfish
- Bourbon Pecan Pie
🏨 Bookings:
- Book through OpenTable or directly online
- Rooms for private events & banquets
- Historic ambiance with Southern hospitality
🍕 8. Lucali – Brooklyn, NY
Best Restaurants in the U.S.,
Cuisine: Neapolitan-style Pizza
Location: 575 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Price Range: $$ (Pizza ~$30, Calzone ~$18)
Online Booking: Walk-in only (no reservations)
Website: www.lucali.com
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Classic Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil
- Pepperoni Pie with Garlic Olive Oil
- Calzone with Ricotta & Mozzarella
🏨 Bookings:
- Walk-ins only – arrive early to avoid 2–3 hour wait
- BYOB policy allowed
- No dining rooms or reservations
🥗 9. The Grey – Savannah, GA
Best Restaurants in the U.S.,
Cuisine: Southern with Global Influence
Location: 109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401
Price Range: $$–$$$ (Dinner ~$65+, Brunch ~$40)
Online Booking: www.thegreyrestaurant.com
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Country Ham with Tomato Jam
- Roasted Duck Breast with Grits
- Crispy Pig Ear Salad
- Meyer Lemon Tart
🏨 Bookings:
- Reservations via Resy or direct
- Offers chef’s table and converted bus dining experience
- Historic Greyhound terminal setting
🥘 10. Commander’s Palace – New Orleans, LA
Best Restaurants in the U.S.,
Cuisine: Haute Creole
Location: 1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
Price Range: $$–$$$ (Lunch ~$45, Dinner ~$90)
Online Booking: www.commanderspalace.com
🧾 Menu Highlights:
- Turtle Soup au Sherry
- Pecan-Crusted Gulf Fish
- Cochon de Lait
- Bread Pudding Soufflé
🏨 Bookings:
- Bookings on OpenTable or via website
- Jazz brunches are a must-try
- Semi-formal dress code enforced
🌟 Bonus: Best Restaurant Booking Sites in the U.S. (2025)
If you’re planning to visit any of these top restaurants, here are the most reliable booking platforms:
- Tock – Great for fine dining and tasting menus
👉 www.exploretock.com - OpenTable – Covers most mid- to high-end U.S. restaurants
👉 www.opentable.com - Resy – Trendy and premium restaurant reservations
👉 www.resy.com - Yelp Reservations – For casual and quick-service restaurants
👉 www.yelp.com/reservations
Gallery Section:
📌 Final Tips for Dining at the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
- Plan Ahead: Top restaurants are booked 1–2 months in advance.
- Budget Accordingly: Many fine-dining spots have set tasting menus only.
- Check Dress Codes: Some establishments require formal or business attire.
- Use Local Guides: Apps like The Infatuation, Yelp, or Google Maps reviews help find hidden gems.
Conclusion
The U.S. dining scene is a mix of elegance, innovation, and cultural richness. Whether you’re craving a Michelin-starred molecular meal in Chicago, vegan fine dining in NYC, or authentic Creole in New Orleans, this guide has covered the Best Restaurants in the U.S. with everything you need: menus, pricing, locations, and how to book online. Your next unforgettable meal awaits—bon appétit!
FAQs “Best Restaurants in the U.S.”
1. What are the most expensive restaurants in USA?
Some of the Best Restaurants in the U.S. include Masa (NYC) – over $950 per person for omakase, Sublimotion Pop-Up in Las Vegas (~$2,000), and The French Laundry (CA) at ~$400 per guest. These offer premium ingredients like A5 Wagyu, caviar, and white truffles in multi-course tasting menus.
2. What are the best fine dining restaurants in the world?
Top global fine dining spots include Geranium (Denmark), Central (Peru), Disfrutar (Spain), and Noma (Denmark). These offer creative tasting menus, often blending local terroir with modern gastronomy, and many hold Michelin stars and global awards.
3. Where is the best place for dinner in the USA?
New York City offers unmatched variety and luxury, but for one restaurant, Eleven Madison Park stands out for its innovation and plant-based fine dining. For steak lovers, Peter Luger is iconic, while Le Bernardin is a seafood paradise.
4. What is the greatest fancy restaurant you’ve ever been to?
For many food critics and travelers, The French Laundry in Napa Valley is the peak of American fine dining. Its flawless service, intricate French techniques, and serene garden location make it legendary.The French Laundry include the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
5. What is the most famous restaurant in America?
Le Bernardin (NYC) and The French Laundry are among the most globally recognized. However, for pop culture fame, Katz’s Delicatessen and Nobu also have iconic status due to media appearances and celebrity clientele.Le Bernardin include the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
6. Which US city has the best restaurants?
New York City leads for diversity and luxury. Los Angeles excels in innovation and global fusions. Chicago is a fine dining hub. For BBQ or soul food, Austin and New Orleans are top picks.Los Angeles include the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
7. What is the best restaurant in Fort Lee, NJ? – Maketripplan
Ventanas Restaurant and Lounge is Fort Lee’s standout fine dining spot, offering Latin-Asian fusion, stylish interiors, and upscale ambiance. Other great options include BCD Tofu House (Korean) and Sojo Spa Club’s rooftop dining.Ventanas Restaurant and Lounge include the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
8. What is the best restaurant you have ever dined at? Why?
Many choose Alinea (Chicago) for its artistic plating, sensory elements, and theatrical molecular gastronomy. It transforms dining into an emotional and visual experience, not just a meal.Alinea (Chicago) include the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
9. Where can I find the best US restaurants?
Start with the Michelin Guide USA, James Beard Awards, and World’s 50 Best list. Websites like Tock, Resy, and Eater.com offer curated picks by city, cuisine, and budget level. James Beard Awards include the Best Restaurants in the U.S..
10. What is the fanciest restaurant you have ever eaten at?
For luxury and exclusivity, Masa NYC tops the list. With only 26 seats and a no-photos policy, it’s sushi at its most refined, using only the highest-grade fish flown in from Japan.
11. What are the best steakhouses in the United States?
Top steakhouses include Peter Luger (NYC), Gibsons (Chicago), Bern’s Steak House (Tampa), and Cote Korean Steakhouse (NYC). These specialize in USDA Prime, A5 Wagyu, dry aging, and tableside service. Peter Luger (NYC), Gibsons (Chicago), Bern’s Steak House (Tampa), and Cote Korean Steakhouse (NYC). include the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
12. Which ten American cities have the best food scenes?
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- San Francisco
- New Orleans
- Austin
- Portland (OR)
- Miami
- Seattle
- Las Vegas
13. What are the best foodie cities in the world? – Cooking Secrets
Globally, Tokyo, Barcelona, Paris, Bangkok, and New York lead. Each offers diverse culinary traditions, from Michelin stars to street food, all rooted in deep local flavors and culture.
14. How should a meal be ended in a fine dining restaurant?
Meals end with a dessert course, often followed by mignardises (small sweets), espresso, and a warm towel. Staff typically check for satisfaction and may offer parting gifts or the chef’s thank-you note.
15. What is so special about fine dining?
Fine dining combines artful presentation, exceptional ingredients, personalized service, and often a thematic or sensory journey. It’s not just food—it’s storytelling through flavors, textures, and ambience.
16. Why are there so few French restaurants in the US?
French cuisine is complex, time-intensive, and often costly to operate. Changing tastes, rising labor costs, and a preference for casual dining also make it hard for traditional French spots to thrive.
17. What culinary aspects make fine dining?
- Multi-course tasting menus
- High-quality seasonal ingredients
- Plated artistry
- Personalized service
- Ambience (lighting, music, decor)
- Wine pairing and sommelier service
18. What is your favorite restaurant that’s only in your state?
Each state has local gems—like Commander’s Palace (Louisiana) or Canlis (Washington)—that reflect unique regional cuisine. These spots often use local ingredients and historical architecture to elevate the experience.
19. What’s the best restaurant in the United States?
Eleven Madison Park, The French Laundry, and Alinea are widely considered the top 3. Rankings shift, but these remain top-tier for creativity, consistency, and awards.Eleven Madison Park include the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
20. Is it hard to run a fine dining restaurant business model?
Yes—due to high food costs, skilled labor needs, complex service, and long prep hours. Profit margins are thin, and demand for perfection is constant. It’s a labor of passion more than profit.
21. Which city has the best Indian restaurants in the world?
London is top-rated for high-end Indian dining. New York City, Delhi, and Mumbai are also leading contenders. NYC’s Junoon and Dhamaka have gained international acclaim. NYC’s Junoon and Dhamaka include the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
22. Are pancakes available at a fine dining restaurant?
Rarely. Pancakes are generally served in casual or brunch spots. However, some luxury brunch menus may feature elevated versions like soufflé pancakes or caviar-topped blinis.
23. Which American city is the best place for dining out?
New York City offers endless culinary options—Michelin stars, ethnic street food, speakeasies, and more. Whether you crave Uzbek, Ethiopian, or French-Japanese fusion, it’s all within reach.
24. Why do fine dining restaurants usually only sell dinner?
Dinner allows more time for multi-course tasting experiences and higher per-seat revenue. Lunch service rarely justifies the same prep, staffing, and ambiance investment for fine dining standards.The French Laundry include the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
25. Do you consider Olive Garden a high-end restaurant?
No. Olive Garden is a casual dining chain. While popular for Italian-American comfort food, it doesn’t meet fine dining criteria like ingredient quality, plating, or service format.
26. In a business, why must I choose a fine dining restaurant?
Fine dining creates a strong impression, shows professionalism, and provides a quiet space for negotiation. It’s ideal for client dinners, high-stakes deals, or celebrating success.
27. Americans, what part of the country has the best food?
The Northeast (NYC, Boston) excels in diversity; the South shines with BBQ and soul food; the West Coast is best for health-conscious, global fusion, and seafood.
28. What is the average cost of a fancy dinner?
Expect to pay $150–$400 per person at fine dining restaurants, depending on the city, number of courses, and wine pairings. Tasting menus often start around $200 without drinks.
29. Do celebrities only eat at fine dining restaurants?
Not exclusively. Many enjoy private chefs, exclusive clubs, and trendy fusion bistros. Some are regulars at fine dining spots like Nobu or Craig’s LA, but also support upscale casual eateries.
30. What are high-end restaurants?
Best Restaurants in the U.S.(United Sate):
These are restaurants that offer:
- Multi-course gourmet meals
- Luxurious interiors
- High chef-to-guest ratios
- Premium wines and ingredients
- Personalized service and exclusivity
31. What are “American food” restaurants like overseas?
They often serve burgers, BBQ, steaks, pancakes, fried chicken, and mac n’ cheese. Chains like TGI Fridays, Hard Rock Café, and Outback are common abroad, presenting a stylized American dining experience.
32. What is the best fast food chain in USA?
Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out, and Shake Shack are widely praised for taste, consistency, and service. Popeyes and Five Guys also dominate in their categories.
33. Is fine dining an art or a science?
It’s both. The science lies in precise techniques, temperature control, and plating logic. The art comes through storytelling, design, emotion, and flavor harmony across courses.
34. Does any airport have a high-end restaurant?
Yes. JFK (NYC) has Deep Blue Sushi, and LAX features Petrossian Caviar & Champagne Bar. Singapore’s Changi Airport even offers Michelin-starred ramen!
35. Where are the best Chinese restaurants in the US?
Top cities include San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. Must-try spots:
- Hwa Yuan (NYC)
- Koi Palace (San Francisco)
- Sichuan Impression (LA)
- Din Tai Fung (Multiple locations)