Must-see restaurants in North America

  • Glenn's Food & Libations

    Massachusetts

    Glenn is out to spice up your life. He's got the seafood you're looking for, but he's serving it in ways you never imagined. Oysters might come baked with…

  • ON20

    Connecticut

    On the 20th floor of the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co, contemporary ON20 serves an elegant fusion menu with peerless views of the…

  • La Sibarita

    Tepoztlán

    High on a hill above town, the restaurant at Posada del Tepozteco has gorgeous views of the valley below. With surreal cliffs and a pyramid overhead, the…

  • Kitchen Mouse

    Los Angeles

    A super-cute cafe with tied-back curtains, freshly picked flowers and sidewalk tables, Kitchen Mouse is Highland Park's favorite herbivore. Everyone from…

  • Lambert's

    Taos

    Consistently hailed as the 'Best of Taos,' this charming old adobe north of the Plaza remains what it’s always been: a cozy, romantic local hangout where…

  • Epice

    Nashville

    For an inviting and delicious respite from exploring the shops of 12South, pop into this bright and sparkling Lebanese bistro. The highlight at lunch? The…

  • El Charco de la Higuera

    Western Central Highlands

    This salt-of-the-earth restaurant doubles as a modest museum to local mask-making and offers typical cocina colimense (Colima-style cuisine). The combined…

  • Güero's Taco Bar

    Austin

    Set in a sprawling former feed-and-seed store from the late 1800s, this Austin classic always draws a crowd. Güero's may not serve the best Tex-Mex in…

  • Los Cocuyos

    Centro Histórico

    Suadero (beef) tacos abound in the capital, but this always-open stand reigns supreme. Follow your nose to the bubbling vat of meats and go for the artery…

  • Big Lee's

    Northeast Florida

    It's only open Friday and Saturdays, the hours are fungible – if they run out of food, they'll close, so arrive early – it's a little ways out of town,…

  • Redfish

    Southern Oregon Coast

    At first glance this slick, outrageous-sea-view restaurant would seem better located in Portland's Pearl District – it's even attached to a highbrow art…

  • Providence

    Hollywood

    Consistently near the top of every list of great LA restaurants, chef Michael Cimarusti's James Beard–winning, two-Michelin-starred darling turns…

  • Hash House a Go Go

    San Diego

    This buzzing bungalow with its old-school dining room, busy bar and breezy patio dishes up rib-sticking 'twisted farm food' straight from the American…

  • Broke Da Mouth Grindz

    Kailua-Kona

    A favorite with the plate-lunch crowd, Broke Da Mouth lives up to its name via heaping portions of delicious garlic furikake chicken (try it 'hurricane…

  • Stehekin Pastry Company

    North Cascades

    In a large city this improbable coffee and pastry shop would do a roaring trade. Out in the middle of a wilderness area it appears like a mirage and is…

  • Pepperhead

    Southwest Colorado

    A haven of smoky Southwestern spice, this favorite sits in a colorful room adorned by a beautiful mural. Start with a grapefruit margarita – it's tart…

  • Akadi PDX

    Portland

    Akadi chef-owner Fatou Ouattara brings the flavors of her native Ivory Coast and other West African countries to Portland, where you'll find devoted…

  • Imperial

    Portland

    Opened by long-adored Portland chef Vitaly Paley, the Imperial – attached to Hotel Lucia – is huge in scale but fastidious and detail-oriented in approach…

  • Perini Ranch Steakhouse

    Panhandle Plains

    Perini Ranch Steak House is frequently named among Texas' best steakhouses. Enter under the trees and through the screen door. Try an amazing rib eye at a…

  • Taylor’s

    Westlake & Koreatown

    Fifties throwback Taylor's is all old-school LA, from the dark-leatherette booths and wood-paneled walls, to the vest-clad old-school waiters. Some…

  • La Palma Mexicatessen

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Follow the applause: that's the sound of organic tortilla-making in progress. You've found the Mission mother lode of handmade tamales, and pupusas …

  • Tamales Madre

    Zona Rosa & Reforma

    This is tamales heaven, especially for vegetarians. Cyclists blaring 'tamales!' from speakers on CDMX's streets sell lard-based tamales that are stingy on…

  • Benkyodo

    Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights

    Since 1906, family-owned Benkyodo has survived earthquakes, world wars, even Japanese American internment – and still the Okamura family keeps making life…

  • Patina Green Home and Market

    Dallas & the Panhandle Plains

    For most of the day, Patina Green is an attractive shop with creative and tasteful housewares plus a deli section with some of the best local prepared…

  • L'Opossum

    Richmond

    We're not exactly sure what's going on at this gastronomic laboratory, but it works. The name of the place is terrible. And dishes come with names that…

  • Sushi Izakaya Gaku

    Honolulu

    Known mostly by word of mouth, this insiders’ izakaya (Japanese gastropub) beats the competition with adherence to tradition and supremely fresh sushi and…

  • The Mill in New Glasgow

    Prince Edward Island

    Chef Emily Wells has turned this lakeside restaurant into a destination address since winning the 'Taste Our Island' competition in 2015. The ethos is…

  • Jennivee’s

    Chicago

    This LGBTIQ+-friendly bakery mixes Filipino and American flavors. The teeny room couldn't be any cuter. Chandeliers dangle from the ceiling, and a handful…

  • Lee

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    Truly a feast for the senses, dinner at acclaimed cuisinier Susur Lee's self-titled flagship is an experience best shared. Slick servers assist in…

  • El Parasol

    Santa Fe Region

    This unassuming trailer in Española is still regarded as the best of the six El Parasols scattered across Central New Mexico. Order at least two chicken…

  • Hoodoo Brown BBQ

    Connecticut

    A Texas road trip inspired this unlikely Connecticut cult classic, where brisket falls off your fork and leaves you speechless (because maybe your mouth…

  • Elf Cafe

    Silver Lake & Echo Park

    This intimate Echo Park mainstay is one of the best – if not the very best – vegetarian restaurants in LA. The menu has distinct Mediterranean and Middle…

  • Gabby's Burgers

    Nashville

    In a joint that's just a cow's tail bigger than a shack, the hard-working Gabby's crew cranks out grass-fed-beef burgers, which many say are Nashville's…

  • Molinari

    North Beach & Chinatown

    Observe this quasi-religious North Beach noontime ritual: enter Molinari, and grab a number and a crusty roll. When your number's called, let wisecracking…

  • Roy’s Hawaiʻi Kai

    Oʻahu

    Roy Yamaguchi is one of the driving forces behind Hawaii Regional Cuisine, emphasizing fresh local ingredients with artfully blended European, Asian and…

  • Roosevelt's at the Tarpon Inn

    Corpus Christi Area

    The fine dining room at the Tarpon Inn is worth getting spiffed up for. Reserve a table on the verandah and settle back to enjoy a seasonal menu of…

  • Pa‘ia Fish Market Southside

    Kihei

    Word is out about this fantastic seafood joint, a spinoff from the popular Pa‘ia Fish Market in the Upcountry. Across the street from Kalama Park, the…

  • Alter

    Wynwood & the Design District

    Alter brings creative high-end cooking via its award-winning young chef Brad Kilgore. The changing menu showcases Florida's high-quality ingredients from…

  • Cattlemen's Steakhouse

    Oklahoma

    Oklahoma City's most storied restaurant, this Stockyards City institution has been feeding cowpokes and city slickers slabs of beef since 1910. Deals are…

  • Javier's

    Dallas

    This deeply cultured restaurant takes the gentrified cuisine of old Mexico City to new levels; forget whatever ideas you may have previously held about…

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