The United States is home to some of the world’s most impressive restaurants, offering luxurious global cuisine with a distinct American flair. In fact, many of the country’s top restaurants have rightfully earned Michelin stars, James Beard Awards, and more accolades — making these sought-after spots a challenge to secure a seat at. Book in advance and add these luxury restaurants to your culinary bucket list.
N/Naka, California
Chef Niki Nakayama’s modern kaiseki restaurant in Los Angeles is one of the city’s buzziest spots. Here, you can expect edible sculptures of Japanese fare that are (almost) too beautiful to eat. And, with only 26 seats, the ambiance at N/Naka feels exclusive, making it the perfect place to indulge in the acclaimed 13-course tasting menu. Reservations are released via Tock on Sundays at 10 PM EST and are known to disappear in seconds.
Restaurant Guy Savoy, Nevada
Win big in Vegas? Treat yourself to a meal at this over-the-top French restaurant inside Caesars Palace. The fine dining experience is available à la carte or via a special tasting menu. Signature dishes include “Colors of Caviar,” octopus terrine, and an impossibly rich artichoke and black truffle soup with toasted mushroom brioche and black truffle butter (pictured). Snag a reservation on OpenTable.
Oyster Club, Connecticut
Mystic's Oyster Club offers a refined, upscale boat-to-table dining experience that every seafood connoisseur will enjoy. The dining room is laid-back (dress up or down, depending on your occasion), and the à la carte menu (seasonal) is ever-changing. Reservations are available via OpenTable.
Emmer & Rye, Texas
A menu of house-milled grains, locally grown produce, and off-the-grid sourced wines (for example, one bottle comes from a hermit in France) makes Emmer & Rye a uniquely luxurious brunch or dinner spot. Order off the menu of small plates, pastas, and heartier entrees. Also, don't miss the dim sum-style cart, which features amuse-bouches (small bites) and more surprises (additional cost). Reserve via OpenTable.
The Inn at Little Washington, Virginia
As this first three-starred Michelin restaurant in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, The Inn at Little Washington is known for its romantic pull and vintage charm. Both omnivore and vegetarian pre-fixe menus are offered, each of which promises its own gourmet, whimsical flair. Reserve via Tock or stay overnight at the Inn to ensure a dinner reservation.
Alinea, Illinois
A pioneer of molecular gastronomy, Alinea in Chicago is still one of the nation’s most unique and over-the-top restaurants. While the cuisine is controversial, it’s also highly entertaining – think: plenty of edible chemistry experiments and a now-TikTok-famous dessert eaten directly off the table. Book on Tock.
L’Etoile, Wisconsin
This upscale farm-to-table spot in Madison is far from the nearby college-town fare. Instead, it’s a renowned celebration of Wisconsin’s terroir, serving a refined menu lush with heirloom produce, meat from heritage breed animals, and artisan products from innovative local producers. Tasting menus and à la carte options are both available. Reserve on Tock.
610 Magnolia, Kentucky
At 610 Magnolia in Louisville, chef Edward Lee serves up Kentucky fare at its finest. The progressive pre-fixe menu — which changes in courses and price weekly — stars seasonal local fare grown in the restaurant's greenhouse, plus responsibly farmed animals, and, naturally, cocktails made with Kentucky bourbon. Reservations required; call 502-636-0783 or email manager@610magnolia.com.
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