As exciting as traveling is for culinary experiences, exceptional dining is happening right around us – Michelin-rated seafood spots like Holbox (#1) to elegant dinner parties in San Francisco – there are so many opportunities this year to savor delicious food.
This year’s top restaurants showcase an array of flavors. From vegetarian Mexican at Tumerico to The Good Salad’s salad made of kale and quinoa, these restaurants provide something delicious for everyone.
1. Tumerico in Tucson
Tumerico is a vegetarian Mexican restaurant owned by Chef Wendy Garcia. Her cuisine relies solely on eye-and-taste recipes to produce mouthwatering cuisine that keeps customers coming back time after time.
Not too far from home is exceptional dining: fast-casual counters, food trucks and bustling food halls across America provide incredible meals.
2. The Good Salad in Silicon Valley
Santa Clara’s dining scene is vibrant. At The Good Salad’s fast-casual business, they specialize in healthy yet delectable signature chef-crafted salads – made-to-order and delivered fast for pickup or delivery!
Sanad Al Souz, a former tech engineer, started her business with one takeout window and now boasts locations in Palo Alto, Los Altos and Campbell. Their Downtown Campbell location features their first dining room.
This year’s top 10 restaurants highlight an increasing trend towards sustainable and local fare. Diners can be seen slurping ramen at Holbox (#1), enjoying barbecue-stuffed arepas at Chellas Arepa Kitchen in Pennsylvania (#5), or experiencing the mix of flavors found at Wally’s Cafe in California (#6).
3. De Babel in Arizona
De Babel Restaurant of Scottsdale provides an enjoyable Mediterranean culinary journey. Customers have given De Babel top reviews due to its generous portions, authentic flavors and friendly service; its dishes will satisfy anyone – vegetarians or vegans alike.
Babylon Restaurant was named for an ancient city known for its culture and delicious food, such as its delicious gyro plates, falafel sandwich and chicken tawook dishes that have long been enjoyed by diners. Their creamy velvety homemade hummus stands out as one of their star items as it is made with love from scratch and perfectly spiced.
4. Wally’s Cafe in California
Wally’s Cafe in Rocklin, California, is an unassuming gem that delights customers with authentic Lebanese/Mediterranean cuisine. Offering fresh vegetarian options and exquisite onion rings – customers love coming here!
Wally’s is known for their exceptional hospitality, making guests feel welcome and appreciated in a casual environment. Their food rivals that of more formal restaurants yet is served in a more laid-back setting. Three times, Yelp recognized this family-run establishment as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in America!
5. Alinea in Chicago
Alinea, one of America’s premier restaurants, stands as a beacon for modernist cuisine. Chef Grant Achatz approaches dining like avant-garde performance art – using edible air-filled balloons as part of his dishes and using an ice cube in hot coffee to achieve dual temperatures.
Each menu item at Alinea is tailored to elicit specific emotions or memories; for instance, one dish created as an homage to Thailand made my table-mate remember her visit there years earlier – this uniqueness of Alinea really shows.
6. Benu in New York
After working at both The French Laundry and Per Se, Corey Lee opened Benu in 2010. This high-ceilinged space features small tables for dining that provide the ideal place for Chef Lee to showcase her delicate cuisine.
His tasting menu showcases patience in both technique and ingredients; dishes like faux-shark’s fin and barbecued quail Milton are prime examples of how his unique combination of contemporary Asian influences shines through in each bite.
Jungsik New York became the first Korean restaurant ever to receive this honor, becoming part of an exclusive group that have received three stars from Michelin Guide this year.
7. Cleopatra’s Needle in New York City
Cleopatra’s Needle stands proud in Central Park. Covered with hieroglyphics dating back to Thutmose III’s time, though additional ones were added by Ramses II to honor his military victories 200 years later.
Elbert Farman, the US consul-general in Egypt, petitioned Isma’il Pasha for permission to gift the monument formally to America and eventually received approval two years later. Now came the hard part – transporting it.
8. Eleven Madison Park in New York City
Three Michelin star restaurant Daniel Humm is known to constantly innovate at his cavernous Art Deco building overlooking Madison Square Park, from creating grid menus to performing table magic tricks.
At first glance, Plant Based Tasting Menu stands as an opportunity to establish a sustainable model of fine dining; however, their approach uses too much force instead of taking an integrated approach that could produce greater impact. Instead, what they have created is worth purchasing but isn’t suitable for everyone.
9. The NoMad in New York City
The NoMad Hotel and Restaurant, in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, was developed by Eleven Madison Park team with a stunning interior that frequently fills up.
Fashion insiders and creatives flock to this hotel because of its minimalist vibe and NoMad location, creating a stay that feels more like staying with friends than checking into a generic chain hotel.
NoMad is home to some iconic landmarks and destinations, such as the Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park and Eataly. Additionally, its vibrant retail and business district can also be found nearby.
10. The French Laundry in Napa Valley
Napa Valley and wine have long been associated with three Michelin star restaurants like Thomas Keller’s Yountville eatery. Under Chef Thomas Keller’s mentorship, many other chefs who now hold three-star accolades worldwide have gone on to emulate his work, such as Rene Redzepi of Noma in Denmark and Grant Achatz of Chicago’s Alinea in Chicago.
Lowland in Charleston is a captivating homage to Southern cuisine, boasting warm brick walls, vibrant wallpaper and charming fireplaces. James Beard Award semifinalist Geoff Davis serves sophisticated Southern comfort food from boiled peanuts and barbecue shrimp to dayboat scallops and thick tavern burgers.
