Museums are cool, parks are pleasant, hikes are fun and nightclubs are entertaining, but when it comes to travel, there's no better way to get to know a place than eating the food.
Whether you’re looking for flavorful fusion, farm-to-table and plant-based freshness, or headline-grabbing new American cuisine, our country is home to some truly incredible restaurants.
Our cities overflow with Michelin-star chefs, hidden gem eateries and feastable food trucks from the Latin-influenced streets of Miami and Los Angeles, to the metropolitan meccas of New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
See also: 20 Of The Most Sought-After Reservations Across U.S.
We asked our editors to compile the best of the best in their home cities, and here, we highlight a few selects that must be tried whether you’re a local or planning your next big trip. Whether it’s seafood in Boston, French in the Hamptons or steak in Las Vegas, these are the must-try meals in the United States that you just can’t miss.
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270 Northern Ave. / Website
The Cuisine: Seafood.
The Atmosphere: Coastal-inspired interior with bright whites and gorgeous wood tones.
Why You Need To Dine Here: Fresh, high quality seafood and an everchanging menu of new creations.
Boston is a great place for seafood, of course, but it’s also wonderful for steakhouses, French, Italian and more. Check the full list of 17 amazing restaurants in Boston on our full list.
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912 N Nate Street / Website
The Cuisine: Italian.
The Atmosphere: Lavish.
Why You Need To Dine Here: Michelin starred chef Soo Ahn and head pastry chef Nicole Guini combine northern and southern cuisine for an array of shareable dishes.
Truly one of the greatest food cities in the U.S., Chicago’s full list features 35 incredible must-try restaurants that you need to take note of.
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1 Bridgehampton - Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton / Website
The Atmosphere: Country-chic situated on a working farm with gorgeous grounds and ample al fresco seating. Its interiors were designed by Wolfgang Ludes and feature modern touches like zinc and marble accents and reclaimed wood.
Why You Need To Dine Here: The renowned Chef Jean Georges helmed restaurant features farm-to-table cuisine using produce and ingredients from the property’s on-site farm. Proteins are sustainably sourced from local farmers and trusted fishermen.
Pro Tip: It’s a great venue for a private event of any size.
While Jean-Georges at Topping Rose House gives you that decidedly Hamptonian feel, the other 20 restaurants on the Hampton’s full list are not to be ignored, offering everything from classic French to fresh-caught seafood.
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2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S / Website
The Cuisine: Innovative steakhouse.
The Atmosphere: Playful and fresh.
Why You Need To Dine Here: From Michelin-starred chef José Andrés, enjoy truly unique cuisine creations from a passionate staff of chefs.
Pro Tip: Members of the staff are highly knowledgeable about the raising, slaughtering, butchering and aging of a cow, making for curated meat selections and recommendations.
We’re personally big fans of a choice steak when hanging out on The Strip, but you’ll eat more than once in Vegas, so we suggest checking one of the other 32 restaurants in our full list.
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176 N Canon Drive, 90210 / Website
The Cuisine: American/Californian.
The Atmosphere: Sleek Bistro.
Why You Need To Dine Here: Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant is special for being his first restaurant venture. Stay for the quintessentially L.A. creative, locally-sourced food.
Pro Tip: Order the salmon pizza!
While we would be remiss not to mention a true Caifornian cuisine highlight on our list of best restaurants in L.A., there are 47 other incredible restaurants on our full list, representing an array of nationalities and cultures.
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4312 NE 2nd Ave. / Website
The Cuisine: Greek.
The Atmosphere: Inviting and homey.
Why You Need To Dine Here: Mandolin lives up to its hype. The Greek Salad and Greek Sampler with tzatziki, olive and tirokafteri are go-to orders.
Pro Tip: A reservation is a must and Mandolin Aegean Bistro books weeks in advance, so be sure to turn on Resy notifications.
You might not think Greek food when you think Miami, and our full list of 33 jaw-dropping menus offers plenty of Latin-inspired restaurants, including Cuban, but also more Asian recipes than you might think.
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10 Columbus Circle, Manahttan / Website
Cuisine: French.
Atmosphere: Ultra-lux.
Why You Should Eat Here: Perfect for an anniversary.
While Per Se may be recognized as one of the best restaurants in the world, the Jewish delis, Japanese sushi spots and even the famous pizza joints are just as good for their own reasons, and you can find the best of the best on our full list of 49 NYC restaurants.
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757 S Front Street / Website
The Cuisine: Italian.
The Atmosphere: Clean lines and playful details.
Why You Need To Dine Here: As the name implies, this place makes fine foods. Perhaps more than fine. Pastries and gelato are available for pre-order, their brunch is to die for and their dinner menu is curated with Italian staples.
Pro Tip: Go for brunch on the weekends!
Bursting with flavor, Philly’s full list of best restaurants features no less than 53 top-notch eateries that you have to try to believe.
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838 Grant Ave. / Website
The Cuisine: Modern Cantonese.
The Atmosphere: Opulent and ornate.
Why You Need To Dine Here: Chef Ho is a Michelin-starred master with more than 36 years of experience. His new restaurant recently opened in a long-beloved spot in Chinatown, but the lively atmosphere and incredible menu has already blown us away.
Pro Tip: Place an order for the off-menu Peking duck 48 hours in advance of your reservation.
We had to highlight some of the world-class Asian cuisine that makes San Francisco such a special spot in the U.S., but our full list features 31 showstopping restaurants representing a world of flavor.
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1924 9th Street NW / Website
The Cuisine: Ghanaian food and cocktails.
The Atmosphere: Chill, laid-back vibes with a welcoming staff and energizing live bands.
Why You Need To Dine Here: Located just steps away from Black Broadway, enjoy authentic, home-cooked Ghanian cuisine from chef Prince Matey.
Pro Tip: Live bands and DJs perform at the spot on the weekends. Closed on Mondays.
It comes as no surprise that our nation’s capital is a true foodie town, as it plays hosts to politicians and dignitaries from around the world. Dine like the President at this and other restaurants on our full list of 47 must-try eateries in D.C.
If you weren’t hungry before, you must certainly be now, and there’s no time like the present to hit the road and taste your way across our great culinary country. From sea to shining sea, there’s so much to enjoy, just make sure you make a reservation if you choose to hit one of the restaurants with the hardest reservation lists to land on!
Photography by: Jay Wennington / Unsplash
