100 best US restaurants, as rated by diners: The standbys
By Restaurant Business Staff on Jan. 23, 2017States that are home to major dining centers still pack quite a culinary punch, a recent OpenTable ranking shows.
The reservations service late last year released its list of the 100 best U.S. restaurants, culled from more than 10 million diner reviews. The spots that made the list crank out a mix of tasty dishes, top-notch service and attention to detail, according to OpenTable. Here’s a roundup of the restaurants in culinary powerhouse states that made the cut, grouped by state.
California
Acquerello, San Francisco
This upscale Italian restaurant, which has received two Michelin stars, offers prix fixe menus for three to five courses, as well as a “truffle tasting” menu.
Addison Restaurant, San Diego
Focusing on local ingredients, this fine-dining spot changes its European-inspired menu with the seasons.
Angelini Osteria, Los Angeles
OpenTable reviewers extol the “comfortable” atmosphere of this Italian concept, as well as its wine list and overall authenticity.
Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford
This restaurant, situated at the Auberge du Soleil resort in Napa Valley, offers up a Mediterranean style menu made from local ingredients.
California, cont.
The Hobbit, Orange
This upscale concept likely draws customers seeking experiential dining, as it offers a single seven-course dinner seating Wednesday through Sunday, which includes time in the concept’s wine cellar as well as an intermission where guests can mingle and talk to the chefs.
Ijji Sushi, San Francisco
This Japanese spot, part of the Ijji Sushi chain, offers a 19-course omakase experience.
The Kitchen, Sacramento
Fine-dining focused The Kitchen offers just one seating per evening, a five-course meal experience that can take up to four hours to complete. The menu, which changes monthly, has an accompanying wine flight that is also adjusted each month.
Kokkari Estiatorio, San Francisco
Open Table reviewers praise the warm, relaxed ambiance of this Greek spot, with several noting that it “never disappoints.”
California, cont.
Quince, San Francisco
The service at Quince is a standout, according to Open Table’s citizen reviewers, with one calling it “accessible (not snooty).”
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Santa Rosa
Situated in the Sonoma Valley, this spot offers a variety of wine and food pairings. Several guests noted its picturesque setting as a selling point.
Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara
Several reviewers praise the “romantic” nature of this spot, which is housed in a citrus packing facility from the 1800s.
Terra Restaurant, St. Helena
This dinner-only concept allows customers to create their own four-, five- or six-course meal for a set price.
Connecticut
Arethusa al Tavolo, Bantam
This concept promotes its use of farm-to-table products, as its uses dairy products from its own Arethusa Dairy Farm.
Thomas Henkelmann, Greenwich
This French restaurant is likely a draw for guests of the Homestead Inn, the upscale hotel where the concept is located.
Florida
Arabella’s Italian Restaurant, Winter Haven
This spot offers guests Italian and Mediterranean style items in what it deems an “Old World” atmosphere.
The Cellar Restaurant, Daytona Beach
This upscale Italian eatery was a birthday destination for many OpenTable reviewers.
The Breakers, Palm Beach
OpenTable’s best-restaurant designation was reserved specifically for The Breakers’ Sunday brunch, which boasts traditional breakfast offerings, a raw bar and 30-plus desserts for $110 a person.
Collage Restaurant, St. Augustine
This dinner-only spot aims for scratch cooking and use of local ingredients, including fish and produce.
Maison Blanche, Longboat Key
Reviewers praise the food and service at this French restaurant, which many called a “gem.”
Illinois
Bavette's, Chicago
This answer to speakeasy-era steakhouses from Brendan Sodikoff’s Hogsalt Hospitality has many fans among OpenTable users, several of whom note its chocolate cream pie as a standout.
Goosefoot, Chicago
This 16-seat concept, located in a neighborhood on Chicago’s north side, is open four days a week, offering a multi-course tasting menu.
Oriole, Chicago
This tasting menu-only concept seats 28, serving dinner at a set price of $190.
Massachusetts
Nevada
New Jersey
Franklinville Inn, Franklinville
The service at the Franklinville Inn was noted by a number of OpenTable guests, one of whom called it “impeccable.”
Peter Shields Inn, Cape May
Reviewers praise the setting of the restaurant at the beachside Peter Shields Inn bed and breakfast.
Restaurant Lorena’s, Maplewood
This restaurant serves up a variety of French-inspired dishes, which change seasonally.
The Saddle River Inn, Saddle River
This eatery, located in a onetime sawmill and basket factory adjacent to the Saddle River, also offers French cuisine, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
Sette, Bernardsville
The “cozy atmosphere” of this Italian spot was a selling point among many visitors.
New York
Chachama Grill, East Patchogue
Many OpenTable reviewers note the “unassuming” atmosphere of this spot serving up American-style cuisine, with one reviewer calling it a “hidden gem in a run of the mill strip mall.”
Daniel, New York City
This signature concept from chef Daniel Boulud has received two Michelin stars for its take on French food.
Le Coucou, New York City
French restaurant Le Coucou was the first American concept helmed by chef Daniel Rose.
The Modern, New York
Situated at the Museum of Modern Art, this fine-dining spot is run by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, and was the first of Meyer’s concepts to drop tipping last year.
New York, cont.
O ya, New York City
Reviewers praise the concept's 18-course omakase menu, which it serves daily, as well as its creative sushi preparation.
Peck’s Arcade, Troy
This tavern-inspired spot serves up shareable portions of American-style dishes.
Per Se, New York City
Thomas Keller offers a nine-course tasting menu as well as a nine-course vegetable menu at this concept, which has received two Michelin stars.
Russell’s Steaks, Chops and More, Williamsville
Open Table customers boast about the friendly service at this steakhouse near Buffalo.
New York, cont.
Sushi Nakazawa, New York City
The experience at Sushi Nakazawa adds up to what one reviewer calls “a scratch-this-off-the-bucket-list dining destination.”
The Trattoria, Saint James
The cozy ambiance is a big hit among OpenTable diners visiting this BYOB spot serving rustic Italian dishes.
Trattoria L’incontro, Astoria
This Italian concept, which opened in 1999, serves up a range of individual-sized pizzas alongside a variety of pasta dishes and seafood.
Yono’s Restaurant, Albany
Offering dinner only, Yono’s offers American-Indonesian fusion, and is noted by many OpenTable reviewers as being somewhere to celebrate a special occasion.
North Carolina
Bida Manda Restaurant and Bar, Raleigh
This Laotian concept serves up such dishes as pork belly soup with coconut curry and rice noodles.
Fearrington House Restaurant, Pittsboro
This farm-to-fork spot, open since 1980, aims to celebrate each of the seasons with its offerings, many of which are made with produce and herbs from its on-site gardens.
The Little Dipper, Wilmington
Fondue concept The Little Dipper offers a full menu featuring an appetizer, main course and dessert, but guests can also order courses a la carte.
The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge, Blowing Rock
The menu changes each day at this dinner-only restaurant at the Gideon Ridge Inn.
Saint Jacques French Cuisine, Raleigh
This eatery serves up a variety of French inspired fare and also offers cooking classes, such as an upcoming class on Super Bowl snacks.
Sette, Bernardsville
The “cozy atmosphere” of this Italian spot was a selling point among many visitors.
Pennsylvania
Bibou, Philadelphia
This BYOB restaurant offers a French tasting menu only, serving guests four days a week.
Bolete, Bethlehem
Multiple reviewers call Bolete the best restaurant in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, with at least one noting that its meals are worth taking a bit of a drive for.
Vetri, Philadelphia
This 32-seat Italian restaurant offers a tasting menu only, which comes to $155 per diner. It also hosts a number of cooking classes.
Zahav, Philadelphia
Zahav serves up Israeli cuisine for dinner only, offering small plates, entrees and appetizers.
Texas
Bliss, San Antonio
Fifty-two-seat Bliss offers up American cuisine with a focus on local ingredients.
Camp Verde General Store and Restaurant, Camp Verde
Part restaurant and general store, Camp Verde makes for a unique place to spend a day shopping and eating, reviewers noted.
Chama Gaucha, San Antonio
This location of the Chama Gaucha chain is a go-to for many Open Table reviewers seeking to celebrate special occasions.
Chez Nous, Humble
In addition to its regular menu, this French concept offers a three-course prix-fixe option Tuesday through Friday for $40.
The French Room, Dallas
This popular French spot located in the Adolphus Hotel was recently closed as part of the hotel’s renovations.
Truluck’s Steak, Seafood and Crab House, Austin
The downtown Austin outpost of the steakhouse chain gets praise from guests for its “top notch” service.
Virginia
Bistro L’Hermitage, Woodbridge
This French concept was noted by many OpenTable reviews as being a prime date spot.
Fat Canary, Williamsburg
Guests praise the scallops at and short ribs at this bistro-style concept, with at least reviewer calling their meal at Fat Canary the best they had in all of last year.
Fleurie, Charlottesville
The menu changes each day at this dinner-only eatery, which also offers a three-course “pre-theater” menu guests on their way to a show.
The Goodstone Inn & Estate Restaurant, Middleburg
As part of a 265-acre resort, this eatery offers guests a wide range of seasonally focused menu items. Visitors can also order a picnic lunch for two through the restaurant.
The Inn at Little Washington, Washington
Located at The Inn at Little Washington, this restaurant serves traditional French dishes with a contemporary bent.
L’Auberge Chez Francois, Great Falls
Inspired by French countryside inns, this concept is a popular choice for celebrations and special occasions, as shown by OpenTable reviews.
L’Opossum, Richmond
Another French-inspired spot, L’Opossum was praised by many reviewers for its quirky vibe and eclectic menu and decor.
Washington, D.C.
Barmini by Jose Andres
This “cocktail lab” offers more than 100 drinks and is located adjacent to Chef Andres Minibar restaurant, which boasts two Michelin stars.
Harold Black
OpenTable reviewers praise the “speakeasy vibe” of this spot, as well as its snack offerings.
Season Restaurant
Brunch is a big selling point among many reviewers who visited this restaurant at the Four Seasons.