Best American Restaurants Around the World

Spoon and Stable ★ 4.9

Gavin Kaysen's Spoon and Stable on North 1st Street has anchored Minneapolis fine dining since 2014. James Beard Best Chef Midwest 2018 winner.

OrderThe hand-cut pasta course and the wagyu bone marrow with sourdough toast.

TipBook six weeks out; the chef's counter seats four and goes fast. Bar seats hold space for walk-ins from 17:00.

Indigena by Owamni ★ 4.9

Sean Sherman's Indigena by Owamni inside the Guthrie Theater runs the country's most serious Indigenous kitchen in Minneapolis since June 2026.

OrderBison steak with smoked blue corn and the maple-glazed walleye when in season.

TipDoubled in size from Water Works; 204 indoor seats plus 100 patio. Book three months ahead for weekend dinner; bar seats walk-in at 17:00.

The Boiler Room ★ 4.8

Chef Tim Nicholson's Bemis Bag Building kitchen has drawn multiple James Beard nominations, built on Nebraska farm sourcing and serious charcuterie.

OrderWhatever the charcuterie board carries that evening: house-cured and always different.

Smyth 3 ★ ★ 4.8

The Michelin Guide calls Smyth polished yet welcoming, as chefs John Shields and Karen Urie-Shields present a personal, ingredient-driven tasting menu.

OrderThe tasting menu, which the Michelin Guide says rests on thoughtfully sourced, seasonal products.

TipThe same West Loop chefs, John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, also run a second, distinct restaurant, The Loyalist.

Oriole 2 ★ ★ 4.8

Oriole is hidden down an alley-like street in the West Loop, offering an extended tasting menu presented by Executive Chef and Owner Noah Sandoval.

OrderThe capellini with black truffle, which the Michelin Guide calls a highlight.

TipBookings open through Tock on a 90 day rolling calendar, for the dining room or the kitchen table.

RJ Grunts ★ 4.8

R.J. Grunts, the original Lettuce Entertain You creation, sits in Lincoln Park steps from the zoo with an all-American menu of burgers, shakes and malts.

TryA char-broiled cheeseburger with your choice of cheese on a sesame bun, served with cottage fries and a pickle.

TipHappy hour runs Thursday to Saturday from 8 PM to 10 PM with $5 classic cocktails, beers and wine. A 3.5% surcharge is added to all checks.

Bacon & Butter ★ 4.8

Bacon & Butter on Broadway has served award-winning California farm to fork breakfast, lunch and brunch since 2012, cooked from scratch and made to order.

OrderMichelin's inspectors point to classics from flapjacks and French toast to oversized breakfast burritos.

TipMenus follow what is seasonally available. Michelin's inspectors note that queues often stretch late into the morning.

Diner ★ 4.8

Diner opened under the Williamsburg Bridge with a daily menu committed to local, seasonal, sustainable foods. Its bar is a 90-year-old Kullman dining car.

TipBrunch is served Friday to Sunday from 10:30am to 2:30pm, and dinner runs seven nights.

The Market Place ★ 4.8

The Market Place serves American farm-to-table cuisine from Chef William Dissen on Historic Wall Street in Asheville, for dinner Monday through Saturday.

OrderThe seasonal menu, which follows what is fresh from the local farms.

TipReservations are for dining inside only; the garden patio tables are first-come-first-serve, weather permitting.

The Admiral ★ 4.8

The Admiral is a restaurant at 400 Haywood Rd in Asheville, open from 17:00 on Monday and Wednesday to Sunday, closing at 21:00 or 22:00 each night.

TipDoors open at 17:00 on every day it is open, so plan an evening visit; Monday and Sunday close an hour earlier, at 21:00.

The Big Apple ★ 4.8

The Big Apple is an American grill at Reguliersdwarsstraat 17-19 in Amsterdam with a charcoal grill for steaks and burgers, open daily until midnight.

TipGroups can book the entire restaurant or just a part of it, and the drinks card lists beers, whiskeys and cocktails.

Lucky's Cafe ★ 4.8

Lucky's Cafe on Starkweather Avenue in Tremont, the Diners Drive-Ins and Dives brunch room often voted Cleveland's best, runs farm-driven breakfast and lunch.

OrderShrimp and grits and an order of the house biscuits with house jam.

TipReservations only for parties of six or more; arrive by 09:15 on weekends to skip the queue.

The Old Fashioned ★ 4.8

The Old Fashioned on North Pinckney, the Wisconsin canon codified into a tavern menu since 2005, runs cheese curds, fish fry and brandy Old Fashioneds.

OrderFried Wisconsin cheese curds with a brandy Old Fashioned, plus the Friday fish fry if it's a Friday.

TipWalk-in is reliable any night except Friday; book through OpenTable for Friday fish fry to skip the long wait.

Kai ★ 4.8

Kai at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is Arizona's only AAA Five Diamond restaurant, cooking Pima and Maricopa ingredients from the Gila River land.

OrderThe grilled tribal buffalo tenderloin with smoked corn puree, cholla buds and scarlet runner bean chile.

TipOpen Wednesday to Saturday evenings only; the drive south to Wild Horse Pass is about 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix.

Boca ★ 4.8

Boca on East 6th Street downtown is David Falk's flagship Cincinnati dining room, a modern American destination with luxury proteins and a deep wine cellar.

SignaturePacific bluefin, Wagyu tasting

Wright Square Bistro ★ 4.7

Wright Square Bistro at 21 W York St offers seasonal, freshly prepared food with a distinctly Southern flair, from bistro specialties to gourmet sandwiches.

TipThe bistro pours wines from boutique and organic vineyards, and you can dine in or get your food to go.

Elizabeth on 37th ★ 4.7

Elizabeth on 37th is an American restaurant at 105 E 37th St in Savannah.

State Bird Provisions ★ 4.7

State Bird Provisions in San Francisco runs a small-plate dim-sum-cart format under Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, James Beard winners in 2015.

OrderThe State Bird itself, a brined and fried quail with sweet and sour onions.

TipReservations open exactly 60 days out at 7:30am Pacific; set an alarm or join the standing-room line at 5pm.

Matt's Bar ★ 4.7

Matt's Bar on Cedar Avenue has poured the Jucy Lucy in South Minneapolis since 1954. The original cheese-stuffed burger; Anthony Bourdain ate here in 2009.

OrderThe Jucy Lucy with American cheese and grilled onions, fries on the side.

TipCash and cards both accepted. Note the spelling on the sign: Jucy Lucy, no 'i' in Jucy. Be patient with the molten cheese.

EJ's Luncheonette ★ 4.7

EJ's Luncheonette opened on the Upper East Side in 1992 and serves comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including gluten-free pancakes.

OrderEJ's Famous Crunchy French Toast, challah coated in corn flakes and toasted almonds.

TipHome fries and southern grits are served until 3 p.m., and gluten-free bread or wraps can be swapped in.

Rose's Luxury ★ 4.7

Rose's Luxury in Washington DC is Aaron Silverman's Michelin-star Capitol Hill rowhouse on 8th Street, the line-out-the-door Barracks Row room that flipped.

OrderThe pork sausage, habanero and lychee salad; on the menu since 2013 and the room's calling card.

TipReservations open 4 weeks out via Tock at 10:00 sharp; the walk-up roof bar Bar Pilar takes overflow on warm nights.

Cecilia's Kitchen ★ 4.7

Cecilia's Kitchen at 870 Merrimon Ave in North Asheville serves homemade gluten free crêpes, empanadas, tamales, soups and salads, plus daily specials.

OrderGluten free crêpes, empanadas or tamales.

TipBrunch runs Saturday 11 am to 3 pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm, and the kitchen also takes catering inquiries.

Root Down ★ 4.7

Root Down in Denver is Justin Cucci's vegetable-forward dining room in a former 1950s service station in Highland since 2008, with a walk-in patio side.

OrderThe sweet potato falafel and the veggie burger; the bar runs an inventive cocktail menu with house syrups.

TipBrunch on weekends is the room's busiest service; the patio side runs walk-in until 5 pm.

Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon ★ 4.7

Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon in Oakland has poured since 1883 at Jack London Square. The building leans from the 1906 quake; original gas lighting.

OrderWhiskey neat at the leaning bar.

TipThe building leans visibly from the 1906 quake; the floor still slopes. Cash only, photos welcome.

Isidore ★ 4.7

Isidore at Pullman Market earned a Michelin star and a Green Star in 2025, a Modern Texas room from the Emmer & Rye group built around local farms.

OrderThe seasonal tasting built around local farms and producers.

TipBook the dining room rather than the bar for the full menu. Reservations go quickly after the star; plan ahead.

Stubborn Seed ★ 4.7

Stubborn Seed in Miami Beach is Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford's Michelin-starred South of Fifth dining room on Washington Avenue, holding a star every year.

OrderThe tasting menu if you have the time; otherwise the duck for two is the dish locals book ahead.

TipBar seats take a la carte without the prepay; the dining room is set menu Friday and Saturday.

Ellerbe Fine Foods ★ 4.6

Ellerbe Fine Foods in Fort Worth is a farm-to-table destination on Magnolia Ave showcasing seasonal Texas ingredients with genuine craft technique.

OrderPan-roasted quail, daily fish special, Texas peach upside-down cake.

TipThe menu changes weekly based on what is fresh. Call ahead to ask about specials. Resy reservations are recommended on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine ★ 4.6

Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine on Bryant Irvin Rd in Fort Worth is the city's premier table for wild game, ranched seafood, and expert Texas kitchen craft.

OrderWild game mixed grill, pan-seared axis venison, pecan-crusted redfish.

TipAsk the server about wild game specials, which change seasonally with elk, boar, and venison sourced from Texas ranches.

White Elephant Saloon ★ 4.6

White Elephant Saloon in Fort Worth's Historic Stockyards pours cold beers and Texas whiskey alongside live country music every night of the week.

OrderLone Star longneck; the house margarita on the rocks.

Tip21 and over after 19:00 daily. Arrive before 20:00 on weekends to secure a good spot near the stage.

Germantown Cafe ★ 4.6

Germantown Cafe has been a bar and restaurant in Germantown for over 20 years, with a menu of straightforward cooking and a splash of Southern hospitality.

OrderThe coconut curry salmon, the plum pork, the GTC burger or a slow-simmered French onion soup.

TipBook through Open Table or call ahead; happy hour is 3:30 to 6:30pm Monday to Friday in the bar and 7:30 to 9pm on Saturday.

Nadeen's Hermitage Haven ★ 4.6

Nadeen's is an eclectic restaurant in Hermitage offering scratch food with a cozy, country vibe. Owners Nadeen and John Hoffman opened it in the fall of 2017.

Why locals goNadeen's Hermitage Haven was born of Nadeen's dream to own a diner and John's plan to open a restaurant in Nashville.

TipThe waffle topped with crispy fried chicken breast and berries can be ordered Nashville hot or traditional fried.

1700 Steakhouse ★ 4.6

1700 Steakhouse inside Hotel Paso del Norte in downtown El Paso serves prime dry-aged beef under chef Andres Padilla, in the 1912 hotel's restored marble.

OrderPrime dry-aged ribeye with bordelaise sauce

TipReservation required for Friday and Saturday evenings. The bar area can take walk-ins for a la carte steak orders.

Bresca ★ 4.6

Bresca in Washington DC is Ryan Ratino's Michelin-star 14th Street dining room above the boutique scene, a 60-seat space with a beekeeping rooftop.

OrderWhichever pasta course is on the tasting; Ratino's hand-cut shapes change weekly.

TipThe downstairs Bresca takes a la carte; the upstairs Jont (separate venue) is the tasting-menu sister.

Ben's Chili Bowl ★ 4.6

Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC is the 1958 U Street counter from Ben and Virginia Ali, the city's defining half-smoke, served at 1213 U Street NW.

OrderThe chili half-smoke with mustard, onions and chili; the dish that built the room.

TipCash and card both accepted; line moves fastest at the take-away counter on the right.

Staplehouse ★ 4.6

Staplehouse in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta opened 2015 inside a converted carriage house and runs a chef's tasting under the nonprofit Giving Kitchen umbrella.

OrderThe chef's tasting menu; the menu rotates with the seasons.

TipProfits fund The Giving Kitchen, supporting Atlanta hospitality workers in crisis. Reservations on Tock 30 days out.

Cutty's ★ 4.6

Cutty's on Washington Street in Brookline has run the area's best sandwich counter in Boston since 2010. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans american.

OrderRoast Beef 1000: thin-shaved roast beef, sharp cheddar, Russian dressing, onion.

TipClosed Sunday and Monday. Saturday morning sandwich list pulls the longest line; arrive by 11:00.

Annette Scratch to Table ★ 4.6

Annette Scratch to Table in Stanley Marketplace is Caroline Glover's James Beard-winning wood-fired neighbourhood kitchen, a small dining room and patio.

OrderThe wood-fired half chicken with smoked vegetables and the pasta of the day.

TipStanley Marketplace is a 12-minute drive from RiNo. Brunch on Sunday is the busiest service; the patio runs through October.

Drake's Dealership ★ 4.6

Drake's Dealership in Oakland's Uptown stays open past 22:00 with 32 taps, fire pits and wood-fired pizza in the old Dodge dealership on Broadway Auto Row.

OrderDrake's IPA flight and a wood-fired pizza.

TipThe beer garden runs late on weekends; fire pits help against the marine layer. Thirty-two taps on rotation.

Borage ★ 4.6

Borage in Speedway, Indianapolis is a cafe-bakery-market with weekend dinner service and a Progressive American menu. A reliable Indianapolis pick.

OrderThe milk bread course, two seasonal small plates, a glass off the natural list.

TipDinner Thursday through Saturday only. Reservations on the website.

Dai Due ★ 4.6

Dai Due in Austin is Jesse Griffiths's butcher-shop-and-supper-club on Manor Road, a Bib Gourmand kitchen built on Texas farms and wild game.

OrderThe venison burger on house bun; the meat comes from Griffiths's New School of Traditional Cookery hunts.

TipThe supper-club nights book separately and run the most interesting menus; the regular dinner card is the daytime grill.

Epping's on Eastside ★ 4.5

Epping's on Eastside fills the old Epping Bottling Works in Lexington's Warehouse Block with house-cured meats, crab cakes and Cole Arimes' seasonal cooking.

SignatureJumbo lump crab cake, Pork belly

TipWeekend brunch runs 10:00-14:00, and the kid-friendly Poppy & Olive room takes the pressure off family tables.

Wheeler Pharmacy ★ 4.5

Wheeler Pharmacy keeps a 1958-style lunch counter inside its Romany Road drugstore, flipping Buddy Burgers and malts for Lexington's Chevy Chase regulars.

OrderBuddy Burger with a malted milkshake

Why locals goA working pharmacy on Romany Road still runs a griddle lunch counter, and only Chevy Chase regulars think to eat at it.

TipSit at the counter, order the double-stacked Buddy Burger and a malted milkshake, and let the grill cook set the pace.

Aposto ★ 4.5

Award-winning restaurateur Tony Lemmo's Aposto occupies a historic 1880 Victorian mansion on 18th Street, with herbs grown on site feeding the kitchen.

SignatureHandmade pasta, Seasonal garden herbs

Smitty's Tenderloin Shop ★ 4.5

The Godfather of Des Moines tenderloin joints. Since 1966, Smitty's has been hand-breading and frying pork tenderloins on a flat-top griddle using family

SignatureKing Tenderloin, Hand-breaded pork tenderloin sandwich

The Regional ★ 4.5

The Regional runs a from-scratch American kitchen on Mason Street in Fort Collins: half-shell oysters, lamb merguez meatballs and gluten-free fried chicken.

OrderThe Wednesday gluten-free fried chicken with house hot sauce

TipThe gluten-free fried chicken is a Wednesday special; weekend brunch runs 09:30 to 14:00 and books out on Resy.

The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm ★ 4.5

The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm plates chef Michael Gillam's modern farm fare in a restored farmstead at Jessup Farm Artisan Village in Fort Collins.

OrderWhatever comfort-food special the farm kitchen is running

TipWeekend brunch runs 09:00 to 14:00; walk the artisan village afterwards for Bindle Coffee and the shops.

Early Bird ★ 4.5

Early Bird on Leavenworth is Omaha's most-visited breakfast spot, with lemon ricotta pancakes and house pastries drawing weekend queues from across the city.

Hush Public House ★ 4.5

Hush Public House in north Scottsdale pairs a neighborhood-bar mood with an ambitious kitchen; the MICHELIN Guide lists it for dishes like whipped eggplant.

OrderWhipped eggplant with braised lamb neck, then the date cake with bourbon toffee sauce.

TipDinner only, every night; the menu moves with local producers named on the chalkboard, so ask what is new.

Tin Roof Broadway ★ 4.5

Tin Roof is a multi-level bar and restaurant on Lower Broadway with live music from lunch to late night, 2 stage levels and a 3rd level rooftop patio.

OrderThe hand-breaded chicken tenders, the wings or a double patty smash burger from the Better Than Bar Food menu.

TipHappy hour runs Monday to Friday from opening until 4pm with 50% off apps, beers and liquor; all ages by day, 21 or older at night.

Riverside Clubhouse ★ 4.5

Riverside Clubhouse is a family-owned American restaurant and local cornerstone of Land Park, with brunch on Saturday and Sunday and happy hour every day.

OrderNona's Short Rib Bolognese, braised short rib and pork sausage with cavatappi in a creamy tomato sauce.

TipBreakfast is served Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 2pm, and parties of 8 or more are subject to a 20% service charge.

Lindey's ★ 4.5

Lindey's on East Beck Street has been German Village's brick-paved district anchor American room since 1981, with a covered patio in Columbus.

OrderThe roasted half chicken from the Lindey's classic menu and a glass of bubbles on the patio.

TipValet parking is complimentary; patio is first-come first-served weather permitting.

Oxford Exchange ★ 4.5

Oxford Exchange on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa runs a bookstore, restaurant, coffee bar and TeBella tea bar, with a sunlit conservatory and Buddy Brew Coffee.

OrderButtermilk pancakes with the maple butter.

TipToast named Oxford Exchange among the top 20 brunch spots in America; arrive before 9am on weekends or expect a 90-minute wait.

Millie's Cafe ★ 4.5

Millie's Cafe on Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake is a home for good cooking, serving egg scrambles and breakfast plates with potatoes and a homemade biscuit.

OrderDevil's Mess: eggs scrambled with Cajun-spiced turkey sausage and white cheddar cheese.

TipSilver Lake is first come, first served; for takeout call the location at (323) 664-0404.

Thyme Cafe and Market ★ 4.5

Thyme Cafe and Market at 1630 Ocean Park Boulevard is a warm neighborhood cafe and marketplace in Santa Monica that serves seasonal fresh food.

TipIt is open for takeout and indoor and outdoor dining, and the market side offers gourmet to go, picnics and boxed lunches.

Plate 38 ★ 4.5

Plate 38 is a chef-owned neighborhood restaurant on East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, serving brunch, seasonal cooking, craft cocktails and wine.

OrderTruffle Mushroom Burger, Prime Rib Dip or Angel Hair Pasta from the brunch favorites.

TipA reservation ahead of time is recommended, and on Wednesday you can bring a bottle of your own.

The Hungry Pearl ★ 4.5

The Hungry Pearl is an urban eatery at 100 Pearl Street showcasing New York chefs and unique vendors. Stalls run from Tex-Mex tacos to Taiwanese bao.

TipIt opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and is closed on weekends; hours may vary by vendor.

Good Luck ★ 4.5

Good Luck on Anderson Ave runs occasional brunch pop-ups with a seasonal menu that applies the same farm-to-table discipline as its evening kitchen.

TipBrunch at Good Luck is seasonal and irregular; check the website before planning a visit. When it runs, it is one of the most polished brunch experiences in the city.

Mister A's ★ 4.5

Mister A's in San Diego is the 12th-floor Bankers Hill rooftop room atop the Manchester Financial Building, with panoramic views of the bay.

OrderThe Dover sole boned tableside; the Caesar for two with white anchovies.

TipReserve a window booth at sunset; planes from the airport tip directly toward the room during the descent.

Trust Restaurant ★ 4.5

Trust Restaurant in San Diego is Brad Wise's Hillcrest neighborhood room since 2016, the small-plates wood-fire kitchen that anchors Wise's Trust Restaurant.

OrderThe wood-grilled octopus on a smear of harissa; the cauliflower steak as the vegetarian centrepiece.

TipBook counter seats for the open-fire kitchen view; the Group also runs Fort Oak and Rare Society if Trust is full.

Grabz Smashburger ★ 4.5

Grabz Smashburger on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves American-style smash burgers with crispy patties and house sauces.

La Petite Grocery ★ 4.5

La Petite Grocery is an Uptown restaurant where Chef Justin Devillier, the 2016 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: South, reworks New Orleans cuisine.

OrderThe Blue Crab Beignets with remoulade, one of the restaurant's much-loved dishes.

TipSunday brunch runs from 10:30am to 2:30pm, and lunch is served Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30am to 2:30pm.

GB&D (Golden Brown and Delicious) ★ 4.5

GB&D runs burgers, fried chicken and a tight Asian-inflected menu in the Commons. Casual, no fuss, all-day Sunday brunch. Recently moved from the Village.

SignatureBurgers, Fried chicken sandwich, Avocado toast

Stanbury ★ 4.5

Stanbury takes no reservations: the seating list opens at 4:30 PM in person, seating starts at 5:00 PM, and the menu changes with moods and seasons.

SignatureRoasted marrow with parsley and capers

Rye Plaza ★ 4.5

Colby and Megan Garrelts opened Rye Plaza in 2017 as the Country Club Plaza outpost of their Midwestern cooking; fried chicken and biscuits headline.

OrderFried chicken plate with mashed potatoes and biscuits; finish with the butterscotch pie.

TipThe Plaza room takes Tock reservations and runs a busy weekend brunch. Sister room in Leawood is the original.

Fork ★ 4.5

Fork in Philadelphia is Ellen Yin's 1997 Old City flagship on Market Street, a James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur 2022 anchor of the Philadelphia dining.

OrderWhichever hand-cut pasta is on the seasonal menu; the roast duck if it appears.

TipThe bar runs a separate menu and a half-price oyster happy hour weekday afternoons. Walk in for it.

Coyote Cafe ★ 4.5

Coyote Cafe pioneered modern Southwestern under Mark Miller in 1987; today the downtown room serves elk and tellicherry ribeye, with a rooftop cantina.

SignatureElk tenderloin with huitlacoche, Tellicherry-crusted ribeye, Buttermilk pecan pie

OBC Kitchen ★ 4.4

OBC Kitchen stocks over 150 bourbons and whiskeys behind a Lansdowne storefront, the Lexington bar-restaurant where bacon arrives in a glass with the drinks.

SignatureBacon in a glass

TipIt sits in the Lansdowne Shoppes beside sister steakhouse Malone's; weekend service opens at 10:00 with brunch dishes.

Mullets ★ 4.4

One of Des Moines' most-loved brunch destinations, known for its Bloody Mary bar with more than a dozen house-made builds, generously plated Eggs Benedict

Block 16 ★ 4.4

Block 16's daily specials on Farnam deliver fine-dining ingredient sourcing at $12 to $14, the best value-to-quality ratio at any lunch counter in Omaha.

Beginner's Luck ★ 4.4

Beginner's Luck on Main Street in Old Town Scottsdale is chef Bernie Kantak's all-day hangout; he was a 2025 James Beard Best Chef Southwest semifinalist.

OrderMy Rich Uncle's French Toast: challah, five spice, coconut-pecan streusel and salted butterscotch syrup.

TipBrunch and lunch are walk-in only; dinner service, with reservations recommended, runs Friday and Saturday.

Antiquity Restaurant ★ 4.4

Antiquity Restaurant at 112 Romero St NW serves fresh seafood, charcoal-grilled steaks, fowl, lamb and veal, Tuesday through Saturday, by reservation only.

SignatureFresh seafood, Charcoal-grilled steaks

Indian Pueblo Kitchen ★ 4.4

Indian Pueblo Kitchen sits inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center at 2401 12th Street NW and cooks Pueblo recipes with red and green chile and blue corn.

SignatureNative Superfoods Waffles

The Owl Cafe ★ 4.4

The Owl Cafe at 800 Eubank Blvd NE serves hearty New Mexican comfort food, with famous green chile cheeseburgers, enchiladas and homemade breakfast all day.

TryGreen chile cheeseburger

Chez Jay ★ 4.4

Chez Jay has kept its nautical dive-bar dining room on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica since 1959, a city Historic Landmark of steaks, peanuts and lore.

DrinkMartini with free peanuts

FoodBar menu

TipThe sandy-floored front room is the landmark bit, designated by the city in 2012; the Backyard patio opened in 2019.

Breakfast by Salt's Cure ★ 4.4

Breakfast by Salt's Cure griddles its famous oatmeal griddle cakes on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, a compact daytime spin-off of the original room.

Worth the queueOatmeal griddle cakes

TipGluten-free and vegan versions of the griddle cakes exist; the counter sells the mix to take home.

Sunday in Brooklyn ★ 4.4

Sunday in Brooklyn serves brunch daily until 16:30 on Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, led by its praline maple pancakes and a hot chicken sandwich.

OrderThe Sunday Pancakes with praline maple sauce, or the hot chicken sandwich with lime crema.

TipBrunch is served every day from 09:30 to 16:30; one pancake order at $18 is enough to share, and a double runs $23.

Diner ★ 4.4

Diner is an old Pullman dining car on Broadway near the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn, serving brunch Friday to Sunday from 10:30 to 14:30.

OrderThe semolina pancake or the breakfast sandwich with Calabrian chili oil.

TipBrunch runs Friday to Sunday only; the menu changes often, and the burger is always available.

Pepe's Cafe ★ 4.4

Pepe's Cafe has fed Key West since 1909 and calls itself the oldest eating house in the Keys, shucking oysters and baking bread on Caroline Street daily.

OrderOysters shucked to order with house hot sauce

TipThe 2026 Bubba awards gave Pepe's best mojito and best margarita on the island; happy hour runs 16:00 to 18:00.

Harpoon Harry's ★ 4.4

Harpoon Harry's calls itself Key West's last true diner, flipping key lime French toast and blue plate specials on Caroline Street from 06:30 every day.

OrderKey lime French toast with the home fries

TipIt is cash only with bike racks out front; the nightly blue plate special is the best value dinner near the seaport.

Hawks Provisions and Public House ★ 4.4

Hawks Provisions and Public House is a gastropub restaurant and artisanal shop in East Sacramento, established in 2015 and serving modern American cuisine.

OrderHawks Fried Chicken with seasonal sides on Monday evenings, or the pillowy potato gnocchi.

TipHawks Fried Chicken with seasonal sides is available every Monday evening, in the dining room or as an online order to go.

Wright's Gourmet House ★ 4.4

Wright's Gourmet House on Dale Mabry Highway has run a Tampa sandwich and bakery counter since 1963, famous for Cuban sandwiches and the legendary rum cake.

OrderThe Cuban sandwich pressed crisp and a slice of the famous rum cake to take home.

TipThe Casper family bought Wright's from the founders in 2024 to keep the recipes in Tampa hands; cash and card both work.

Fat Beet Farm Kitchen and Bakery ★ 4.4

Fat Beet Farm holds the 2026 Michelin Green Star for sustainable cooking, sourcing produce from its own working west Tampa farm and regional partners.

OrderA garden bowl built from the day's farm pick plus a slice of seasonal sourdough.

TipThe kitchen runs daytime hours plus a weekend farm market; the Michelin Green Star is Florida's headline 2026 award.

Liholiho Yacht Club ★ 4.4

Liholiho Yacht Club in San Francisco is Ravi Kapur's Hawaiian-leaning room above the Tenderloin, with one of the city's strongest fun-dinner energies.

OrderTuna poke with sesame nori chips, followed by spam fried rice.

TipThe bar room takes walk-ins; the dining room is two months out.

True Laurel ★ 4.4

True Laurel in San Francisco is Lazy Bear's sister cocktail-and-snack bar in the Mission, with David Barzelay's kitchen plates and a strong drinks list.

OrderCrispy brassicas and the cocktail tasting at the bar.

TipThe bar takes walk-ins; book the dining room only if you want the bigger plates.

Locals Only ★ 4.4

Locals Only on Alexander St is a go-to daily breakfast and brunch spot, known for creative egg dishes and local sourcing in a compact downtown dining room.

TipExpect a wait on weekend mornings; they do not take reservations for brunch. Arrive by 09:30 to avoid the worst of the Saturday queue. Coffee program is strong.

Kettner Exchange ★ 4.4

Kettner Exchange in San Diego is the Brian Malarkey-designed rooftop dining room on Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy, a tri-level space with a covered.

OrderThe crispy lamb shank, on the menu since opening; the Korean BBQ ribs to share.

TipBrunch on the rooftop runs Saturday and Sunday; book the terrace, not the indoor dining room.

Emporium Pies ★ 4.4

A specialty pie shop in a 1930s Victorian bungalow in Bishop Arts, with handmade pies that change seasonally. Kitchen leans American desserts and pie.

OrderThe seasonal pie of the month. The Drunken Nut on the permanent menu.

TipWhole pies can be ordered in advance. The patio is worth waiting for on warm evenings.

The Greenwich ★ 4.4

The Greenwich in Denver is Caleb Schiff and Lucas Whyland's RiNo dining room since 2019, with a wood-fire kitchen and an in-house cocktail bar that runs late.

OrderThe wood-fired vegetables and a daily pasta; the cocktail program runs deep on agave spirits.

TipThe bar takes walk-ins; reservations recommended for Friday and Saturday. Closed Mondays.

Sunspot ★ 4.4

Sunspot on the Cumberland Avenue Strip near the University, the multicultural Southwestern and Caribbean room since the 1990s, anchors the UT dining scene.

OrderThe sweet potato burrito with black beans, or the rotating Sunspot bowl of the season.

TipUT home football Saturdays run packed; weeknights for the lunch counter, weekend brunch for the patio.

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery ★ 4.4

Chef Jeff Balfour's Southerleigh brews 15 beers in-house on the ground floor of the Pearl Brewery and pairs them with Texas coastal cooking.

OrderFried chicken, Gulf snapper and a pint of the house-brewed beer.

TipSit near the gleaming brew tanks and order the fried chicken with the house pilsner. The patio fills fast on Pearl market mornings.

Roef ★ 4.4

Roef is a cafe-restaurant on the Middenweg in Watergraafsmeer for coffee, a simple lunch, a beer on the terrace or dinner, with many herbs from its garden.

Why locals goOut on the Middenweg in Watergraafsmeer, a no-fuss cafe-restaurant whose herbs and flavourings come largely from its own herb garden.

TipOpen Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00, so it suits coffee or a simple lunch as well as dinner; closed Sunday and Monday.

Bayona ★ 4.4

Bayona opened in 1990 in a restored 200-year-old Creole cottage in the French Quarter and is known for imaginative cuisine drawn from the Gulf Coast.

TipReservations go through Resy, and lunch can be taken in the restaurant's courtyard.

Bear Tooth Theatrepub and Grill ★ 4.4

Bear Tooth Theatrepub pairs a dine-in movie theater with a full grill kitchen in Spenard, with fish tacos, burgers and Broken Tooth Brewing pints.

SignatureFish tacos, House-brewed Broken Tooth beer

Settle Down Tavern ★ 4.4

Settle Down Tavern on South Pinckney, in the First Settlement District a block off Capitol Square, runs a tight tavern menu and a strong cocktail program.

OrderThe Settle Down burger and one of the rotating Old Fashioned variations on the cocktail menu.

TipClosed Sundays; weeknight 16:00 happy hour is reliably the easiest seat.

Tessaro's ★ 4.4

Tessaro's in Bloomfield grills its burgers over a hardwood fire in Pittsburgh. A neighborhood bar widely argued to make the city's best burger.

OrderThe hardwood-grilled burger, cooked over the open fire behind the bar.

TipNo reservations; put your name in and wait at the bar. Cash and card both fine.

Main St Provisions ★ 4.4

Main St Provisions in Las Vegas is Kim Owens and Justin Kingsley Hall's Arts District room on South Main, a daily-changing-menu kitchen with house-made.

OrderThe Hawker Bowl: rice, marinated proteins and pickled vegetables; rotates with the season.

TipThe patio runs first-come; ask for the patio booth at booking and aim for golden-hour seatings.

Mr HotDog ★ 4.4

Mr HotDog in Letna is a tiny counter the neighbourhood books a week ahead. Order the the classic with onions; the chilli. Kitchen leans american hot dogs.

OrderThe classic with onions; the chilli.

The Jones Assembly ★ 4.3

The Jones Assembly in Oklahoma City is a live music bar inside a 1930s Film Row warehouse with three distinct spaces and an upscale cocktail lounge.

OrderCraft cocktail at T Room; seasonal local beer

TipCheck the calendar for live music events, which match the bar experience on weekends.

Contimo Provisions ★ 4.3

Contimo applies fine-dining sourcing to a lunch counter. Wood-fired biscuits and house-smoked meats have earned wide regional press recognition.

SignatureBiscuit breakfast sandwiches, Seasonal sandwiches, House-smoked meats

TipOpen Tuesday-Saturday, 08:00-15:00. Get there by 11:00 on weekends if you want the biscuit sandwiches.

Ardsley Station ★ 4.3

Ardsley Station at 102 E Victory Dr serves Southern Comfort with a modern twist, with wine, craft beer, signature cocktails and a firepit patio.

OrderBrunch on the weekends, or the American Southern Cuisine menu.

TipBook ahead through Open Table or by phone; the outdoor seating area has a retractable roof, a cozy firepit and TVs.

Bill's Cafe Willow Glen ★ 4.3

San Jose's beloved breakfast institution since 1977, Bill's Cafe Willow Glen draws weekend crowds with hearty egg plates and bottomless coffee.

OrderEggs Benedict with hollandaise

Sailor ★ 4.3

Sailor is a Fort Greene, Brooklyn neighborhood bistro on DeKalb Avenue serving chef April Bloomfield's seasonal American menu of familiar dishes.

OrderRoast chicken at dinner; at lunch, the burger with a stack of fries.

TipTables release at 11:00 each day, two weeks ahead, and half the seats are held for walk-ins. A queue often forms before the 17:00 opening.

Goldy's Breakfast Bistro ★ 4.3

Goldy's Breakfast Bistro has anchored downtown Boise brunch since 1999, with eggs Benedict, French toast, and house-made hollandaise drawing weekend queues.

OrderEggs Benedict with house hollandaise

Northstar Cafe Short North ★ 4.3

Northstar Cafe on North High Street is the Columbus Short North outpost of the founded-here chain, with the Big Sky organic burger and Yoga bowl.

OrderThe Big Sky organic burger with the side salad and a fresh-pressed juice.

TipCounter ordering, no reservations; weekend brunch waits an hour, weekday lunch is easier.

Land-Grant Brewing Taproom ★ 4.3

Land-Grant Brewing in Columbus's Franklinton runs the 12,000 sqft renovated factory taproom on West Town Street, with the largest beer garden.

OrderA pint of the Land-Grant Greenskeeper Pilsner plus whatever food truck is parked that night.

TipThe Wintergarden adds seasonal heated tents; The Extension on West Chapel runs Land-Grant's cocktail and natural wine line.

Anson 11 ★ 4.3

Anson 11 on North Oregon Street in downtown El Paso runs two dining rooms: a ground-floor bistro for casual meals, and an upstairs room for prime steaks.

OrderPrime ribeye upstairs, or the bistro cheeseburger at lunch

TipBook the upstairs via the website for dinner; the downstairs bistro takes walk-ins for lunch.

DeadBeach Brewery ★ 4.3

DeadBeach Brewery on Durazno Avenue produces Mexican-influenced lagers, IPAs, and stouts with seasonal releases; El Paso's flagship craft brewer since 2024.

OrderEl Paso Lager or the Desert Prickly Pear seasonal

TipThe prickly pear seasonal is only available August through October. The taproom fills on Friday evenings from 18:00.

The Restaurant at Mission Ranch ★ 4.3

The Restaurant at Mission Ranch serves a walk-in Sunday buffet brunch at Clint Eastwood's ranch below the Carmel Mission, meadow and bay beyond.

OrderThe Sunday buffet, eaten on the deck above the sheep meadow.

TipNo reservations except holiday brunches; put your name down, take a drink to the deck and watch the sheep until the table calls.

The Owl House ★ 4.3

The Owl House on Marshall St in Rochester serves American food with a large vegetarian and vegan selection, named Best Gluten-Free in Best of Rochester 2025.

OrderThe seasonal vegetarian entree and the weekend brunch menu.

TipFree parking at the end of Marshall Street. Reservations on Tock. Brunch Saturday and Sunday 10:30-14:30.

Larrys ★ 4.3

Larrys is a restaurant, café and wine bar and brunch spot, open from morning to night, serving dishes inspired by Lawrence and Boucherie Lawrence.

TipReservations are taken for the evening only, and the site has a link to check whether there is a waiting list.

Chalet BBQ ★ 4.3

Chalet BBQ roasts local fresh chickens slowly on real hardwood charcoal, open every day from 11AM to 10PM for dine-in, take-out and delivery.

OrderThe hot chicken sandwich, served with fries and wing sauce.

Bocado ★ 4.3

Chef Todd Ginsberg's West Midtown room in Atlanta runs the city's most-debated burger: the double-stack with American cheese on a Martin's potato bun.

OrderThe Bocado Stack Burger.

TipReservations on Resy. Closed Sundays. Patio sits on Howell Mill.

Yvonne's ★ 4.3

Yvonne's reopened the historic Locke-Ober space on Winter Place in Downtown Boston in 2015 as a modern supper club. Located in Beacon Hill. Priced at $$$.

OrderTruffle cacio e pepe with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

TipFind the unmarked door inside the Yvonne's hair salon entrance. The library room is the quiet seat.

Curious Dog ★ 4.3

Curious Dog on West Jackson, the brothers Weidenhamer's hot-dog counter in the historic JFG building, runs over 30 specialty dog builds since 2009.

OrderA specialty dog build, plus a bottle off the rotating craft-beer wall.

TipThe bottle shop runs longer than the kitchen; aim for lunch or early dinner before the Old City night crowd arrives.

300 East ★ 4.3

300 East on East Boulevard is the family-run Dilworth institution that has poured wine and run a comfort-food menu in Charlotte since 1986 reliably.

OrderThe crab cake sandwich at lunch and the house burger for dinner.

TipSunday brunch is the seat to land; the Saturday lunch crowd is mostly the East Boulevard regulars.

Beerbliotek Taproom Snacks ★ 4.3

Beerbliotek's Kungssten taproom on Varholmsgatan offers a half-pint of their house lager for under 60 $ with simple pretzels and snacks, making it one.

OrderHalf-pint of house lager, Pretzel with mustard, Cheap tasting flight of 3

CAMP Modern American Eatery ★ 4.3

CAMP runs modern American on East Broad: wood-fired mains, local farm vegetables, open-kitchen counter. Now owned by Brian Crossan since February 2024.

SignatureWood-fired plates, Local farm vegetables

Different Pointe of View ★ 4.3

Different Pointe of View sits 1,800 feet up at the Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, a AAA Four Diamond room pairing American cooking with a wide skyline view.

OrderThe multi-course tasting with wine pairings, timed for sunset over the city lights.

TipRequest a window or terrace table at dusk; the room is on North 7th Street, well north of downtown.

Mary's Newtown ★ 4.3

Mary's Newtown is the church of the divine burger and the one that started it all; its own page says it is only available for exclusive hire.

TryBurgers

Akasha Brewing Co. ★ 4.3

Akasha Brewing on East Market in Louisville turns up the funk with wild-fermented sour beers from a NuLu taproom tucked between Feast BBQ and Grind Burger.

OrderA flight of wild sours and an IPA alongside a brewpub burger or shareable.

TipWalk-in for the taproom. Closed Mondays; weekend afternoons run busiest.

R&J Lounge and Supper Club ★ 4.2

R&J Lounge and Supper Club in Oklahoma City serves a retro American supper-club menu inside a kitschy 1950s-inspired red and gold space with a beloved patio.

OrderClassic cocktail; supper club ribeye

TipThe alley entrance at 320-B NW 10th is part of the charm, look for the subtle signage.

Picasso Cafe ★ 4.2

Picasso Cafe in Oklahoma City's Paseo Arts District pairs a creative New American menu with craft cocktails in an art-filled neighborhood atmosphere.

OrderProsciutto-wrapped figs; seasonal cocktail from the bar menu

TipVisit on a Sunday during the Unicorn Brunch for themed cocktails and a lively Paseo crowd.

Union Bar and Soda Fountain ★ 4.2

Union Bar and Soda Fountain crosses a mid-century soda counter with craft cocktails on Jefferson Street in Fort Collins: burgers, floats and boozy shakes.

OrderA burger with a boozy shake or a housemade soda

TipHousemade sodas and boozy milkshakes are the point; vegan and gluten-free menus are marked. Happy hour weekdays 15:00-18:00.

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe ★ 4.2

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe has anchored the boardwalk below the Santa Monica Pier since 1902 as Loring's Lunchroom, burgers and buckets on two patios.

OrderThe famous burger with a bucket of beers

TipIt became Big Dean's in the 1970s; grab a patio rail seat, order the burger and watch the boardwalk crowds.

Bill's Cafe Alameda ★ 4.2

The Alameda Bill's Cafe anchors the Rose Garden with classic San Jose breakfasts and a welcoming counter-service atmosphere since the late 1970s.

OrderCorned Beef Hash with hollandaise

Mary Ellen's Bar & Kitchen ★ 4.2

Mary Ellen's serves grilled cheese down an Appelrouth Lane alley until 02:00, the late Key West kitchen that beats a pizza slice after Duval Street.

OrderA grilled cheese from the nine varieties, with the dipping sauces

TipAppelrouth Lane is easy to walk past; the kitchen serves late, which makes it the grown-up alternative to pizza slices.

Bittercreek Alehouse ★ 4.2

Bittercreek Alehouse keeps kitchen and taps running until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, with Idaho-sourced pub food and rotating craft beers.

Universal Joint ★ 4.2

Universal Joint fills a converted gas station on Lookout Street in North Shore Chattanooga with burgers, tacos, draft beer and a wraparound patio.

OrderA smash-style burger and whatever local draft is pouring.

TipWednesday trivia and Thursday Mario Kart nights pack the bar; the garage doors open the whole room in good weather.

Pickle Barrel ★ 4.2

Pickle Barrel has poured from a century-old flatiron wedge on Market Street since 1982, Chattanooga's definitive late-night dive with a roof deck.

DrinkRotating craft drafts

FoodBurgers and fried pickles to close

TipStrictly 21 and over at all times. The wedge-shaped roof deck is the best people-watching perch downtown.

Hog's Breath Inn ★ 4.2

Hog's Breath Inn, the Carmel courtyard restaurant Clint Eastwood founded in 1970, reopened in August 2025 restored with steaks and clam chowder.

OrderGrilled Castroville artichokes, then the Plains Drifter prime rib French dip.

TipNew operator Lee Morcus calls the 2025 restoration a tribute, not a reinvention; the sunken courtyard fireplaces survived the remodel.

Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall ★ 4.2

Ladybird in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta sits on the Beltline with a summer-camp-themed kitchen and a wide patio. Kitchen leans american camp-themed.

OrderCast-iron cornbread with honey butter, then the fried chicken sandwich.

TipThe patio is the Beltline's largest; runs dog-friendly. Brunch on weekends is busy; reservations on Resy.

Celestial Beerworks ★ 4.2

Celestial Beerworks on Butler Street in Deep Ellum is a Dallas brewery widely regarded by insiders as the city's best hazy IPA producer, weekends only.

Why locals goA Deep Ellum production brewery widely regarded by Dallas beer insiders as the best hazy IPA producer in the city, yet virtually unknown outside the craft-beer circuit.

TipNo food; bring your own or grab something from the street nearby. New cans sell out within hours of release; follow them on Instagram for drop dates.

The Ruby Slipper Cafe ★ 4.2

The Ruby Slipper, a brunch brand born in New Orleans, serves breakfast, lunch and brunch with Southern favorites, beignets, scratch biscuits and cocktails.

TipRuby takes weekday reservations at participating locations and runs a remote weekend waitlist, so join it before you set out.

Frazer's ★ 4.2

A Benton Park gathering place for 25 years, Frazer's pairs a globe-trotting comfort menu with one of the better cocktail programmes on the south side.

OrderThe cioppino loaded with mussels, clams, shrimp and squid.

TipIt is a neighbourhood room that fills with regulars; reserve at weekends and ask the bar what is being shaken that night.

Friendly's Restaurant & Bar ★ 4.2

Friendly's is a south-side neighborhood sports bar that keeps its kitchen open to 1:30am seven nights a week, plating pizza and wings for the bar crowd.

TryBar pizza, wings, and griddle plates

TipIt is cash only with a back patio. Come after midnight for the full bar menu and cheap drinks during the nightly late happy hour.

Johnny's ★ 4.2

Johnny's in Roland Park is Foreman Wolf's relaxed neighbourhood diner, plating a tuna melt, raw-bar plates and a wood-fired all-day menu daily.

OrderThe tuna melt at lunch, or a raw-bar spread before dinner.

TipJohnny's Downstairs is the more grown-up cocktail-and-dinner room below the cafe.

Fig & Ash ★ 4.2

Fig & Ash in Deutschtown serves wood-fired American comfort food in Pittsburgh. A North Side room built around an open hearth and a strong weekend brunch.

OrderWhatever is cooked over the wood fire, and a cocktail or a brunch plate at weekends.

TipBrunch is the locals' pick. Reserve for weekend evenings; the bar takes walk-ins.

Liberty Grill ★ 4.2

East Coast American-style brunch using Irish ingredients, anchoring Washington Street for over two decades. Eggs Benedict, French toast, burgers and weekend.

Rooster Cafe Firenze - Sant'Egidio ★ 4.2

Rooster Cafe, at Via Sant'Egidio 37r, serves American brunch every day, morning till afternoon, with fresh and organic products sourced in Italy.

OrderTypical American brunch dishes made with fresh and organic products sourced in Italy.

TipIts coffee comes from a Faema E61 machine, which the cafe calls the Ferrari of coffee machines.

Missy Sippy Blues and Roots Club ★ 4.2

Missy Sippy near Sint-Niklaaskerk has live blues and roots music and stays open until 02:00 at weekends, with a New Orleans-inspired menu until late.

OrderPulled pork slider with a house cocktail: the late-night kitchen is open until the final set.

TipThe best nights are Thursday through Saturday when live acts play; the kitchen stays open until the final set ends.

The Breakfast Club Soho ★ 4.2

The Breakfast Club on D'Arblay Street in Soho, London W1F, opened in 2005 and serves Pancake Delights, two thick fluffy pancakes with your favourite flavours.

OrderPancake Delights, with 6 always-on house flavours plus monthly guest specials

TipFrom 2pm until close every day, a Pancake Delights stack plus a matcha, tea or coffee costs £10.

Tin Shed Garden Cafe ★ 4.2

The LGBTQ-, women- and veteran-owned brunch garden on NE Alberta in Portland, with topping-layered potato cakes, vegan tofu bowls and pineapple mimosas.

OrderThe biscuits and bacon gravy with potato cakes

TipDog-friendly with a doggie menu. The covered patio is the seat to ask for in summer.

Tarrant's Downtown Cafe ★ 4.2

Tarrant's at 1 West Broad has run all-day food in a former pharmacy since 1996. The pizza-and-pasta menu is the Richmond downtown standard, open late.

SignaturePizza, Pasta

Polo Grill ★ 4.2

Utica Square institution holding DiRoNA and AAA Four Diamond recognition, known for classic steaks, fresh seafood, and a Wine Spectator-awarded list.

Vienna Sausage ★ 4.2

Vienna Sausage at Schottenring 1 calls itself THE hot dog restaurant of Vienna, for anyone who likes good atmosphere, quality and super tasty hot dogs.

Torc ★ 4.1

Torc on Main Street pairs a 15-page wine list with contemporary American cooking. Sleek and social, it is popular with winemakers on their off nights.

SignatureSeasonal American plates, Local produce-led menu

TipThe bar programme and happy hour are a good way into Torc without committing to a full dinner.

Cole's Chop House ★ 4.1

Cole's Chop House has anchored Main Street since 1999 with Napa Valley dry-aged beef, a serious older-Cabernet wine list, and a settled, timeless dining room.

OrderBone-in ribeye with a 2010-2015 Napa Cabernet.

TipThe bone-in ribeye is the star, and the Cabernet list has back-vintages not easily found elsewhere. Make a reservation for weekends.

Mimosas of Willow Glen ★ 4.1

Mimosas of Willow Glen is famous for its supersized mimosa pitchers and plates like country fried steak and rib eye steak and eggs in San Jose.

OrderChorizo Benedict with housemade hollandaise

Fertile Ground Beer Co. ★ 4.1

Fertile Ground Beer Co. at Belhaven Town Center is Jackson's flagship craft brewery, making bright and clean contemporary beers using traditional brewing.

OrderThe flagship contemporary lager, or ask what new seasonal is on tap

TipEvents like Lagers and Joggers, Pints and Poses, and live music nights keep the calendar full; check the website.

Hi-Fi Clyde's ★ 4.1

Hi-Fi Clyde's mixes Tex-Mex-leaning bar food, murals and live music on West Main Street in Chattanooga's Southside, with a kitchen running to 22:00.

OrderTacos and queso during happy hour, then hold the table for the band.

TipFriday and Saturday the bar pours to 01:00; weeknights it winds down at 23:00, and the kitchen holds to 22:00 every night.

Madonna Inn Copper Cafe ★ 4.1

Madonna Inn Copper Cafe serves all-day diner classics under hammered copper and pink leather, with the famous cake case by the door in San Luis Obispo.

OrderAny diner classic followed by pink champagne cake from the bakery case.

TipThe bakery counter sells whole pink champagne cakes to travel; slices go fastest on weekend evenings.

South End Buttery ★ 4.1

South End Buttery on Shawmut Avenue has run the South End's all-day cafe-and-bistro in Boston since 2005. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans american.

OrderButtermilk pancakes with maple syrup and crispy bacon.

TipBrunch books on Resy; walk-in line moves in 30 minutes. The bakery counter at the front is the easy take-away seat.

Eli's Mile High Club ★ 4.1

Eli's Mile High Club on MLK Way runs the East Bay's most-loved dive-and-music night until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Fried chicken from the kitchen.

OrderFried chicken and a shot of bourbon.

TipMusic and DJs run after 9 p.m.; cover is on most weekend nights.

The Fountain on Locust ★ 4.1

An Art Deco soda fountain in Grand Center, The Fountain on Locust pairs retro sandwiches and salads with ice-cream martinis and over-the-top sundaes.

OrderAn ice cream martini and a sandwich.

TipThe ice cream martinis are the signature; pair one with a sandwich. A good pre-theatre stop.

Golden West Cafe ★ 4.1

Golden West Cafe on Hampden's Avenue is a longtime counter for green chile, breakfast burritos and Southwestern plates with strong vegetarian options.

OrderThe green chile, ladled over eggs or a breakfast burrito.

TipWeekend brunch lines form on The Avenue; the vegetarian and vegan options run deep.

King's Sandwich Shop ★ 4.1

King's Sandwich Shop on Foster Street has operated since 1942. Nothing exceeds $10; grilled sandwiches and burgers prepared the same way since founding.

Why locals goOpen since 1942 without a social media account or a reservation app

Bishop Arms ★ 4.1

Bishop Arms on Avenyn keeps its whisky wall and craft beer taps running until 01:00, providing a reliable late-night stop on the main boulevard for drams.

OrderScandinavian single malt, Craft lager on draught, Late-night pub platter

Mary's ★ 4.1

Mary's Newtown is the church of the divine burger, with a short menu and loud music; the Newtown page says it is available only for exclusive hire.

OrderA burger, as the site calls Mary's the church of the divine burger.

TipMary's Newtown is listed as available only for exclusive hire, so check with the venue before making the trip.

Beer O'Clock ★ 4.1

Beer O'Clock is a rock bistro on Parodos Minotavrou 23 in Heraklion, serving tasty burgers and more than 100 beer labels from all over the world.

OrderA beef burger from the open kitchen, with a beer from the list of 100 labels

FoodBurgers, starters and salads

TipHappy hours run from 4pm to 8pm, and the kitchen stays open until midnight.

Bryan's Burger Bar ★ 4.1

Bryan's Burger Bar on Calle 60 Mérida runs gourmet burgers and truffle fries near Parque Santa Lucía, the Centro sister to Trotter's modern grill group.

SignatureGourmet burgers, Truffle fries, Bourbon list

Night Burger ★ 4.1

Night Burger at Łukowska 7B serves fresh beef burgers with house fries and red coleslaw, in its Praga-Południe venue or by delivery, including at night.

TryBeef burgers with house fries and red coleslaw

TipDelivery runs from 2pm to 2:30am across Warsaw, and the venue itself is open until 2:30am on Friday and Saturday.

Citizen Public House ★ 4.0

Citizen Public House on 5th Avenue in Old Town Scottsdale is a comfort-food pub with barrel-aged cocktails, bacon fat popcorn and a daily social hour.

OrderBacon fat popcorn, the fondue-dipped pretzels and a barrel-aged cocktail such as the Rose Garland.

TipSocial Hour runs 16:00 to 18:00 daily; sit at the bar for the cocktails or ask the host about private dining.

Crazy Cat Eat Up ★ 4.0

Crazy Cat Eat Up is a BYOB neighbourhood kitchen with a cult following for its bread pudding, meatloaf sandwich, and weekend brunch plates served in a homey.

OrderBread pudding for dessert, or the short rib sandwich at lunch

TipBYOB means you can bring a bottle from Briarwood Wine around the corner - a ritual for regulars.

Ole Tavern on George Street ★ 4.0

Ole Tavern on George Street is a downtown Jackson pub in a 117-year-old grocery building, known for the King George Burger and live music nights on weekends.

OrderKing George Burger with home fries and a Mississippi craft beer

DrinkCraft beer and Mississippi whiskey

FoodPub fare including the King George Burger

TipThe 117-year-old grocery building bones make this feel nothing like a standard downtown bar; live music nights bring a strong local crowd.

Brophy's Tavern ★ 4.0

Brophy's Tavern runs Carmel's Irish pub and sports bar at 4th and San Carlos, plating Monterey Bay calamari and fish and chips under seven screens.

OrderMonterey Bay calamari, then the Brophy's burger.

TipNext door to Hotel Carmel with a shuffleboard game room in back; this is the village's default screen for a big match.

Cold Beer Company ★ 4.0

Neighbourhood bar at the east end of Deep Ellum with a big dog friendly patio, Texas craft beer on draft, a long can list, burgers and grilled pimento cheese.

OrderGrilled pimento cheese sandwich; Big Ass Hot Dog

TipWeekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 15:00, and the patio is the draw when a game is on.

Petro's Chili and Chips Downtown ★ 4.0

Petro's Chili and Chips on Market Square, the chili-on-chips concept born at the 1982 World's Fair Knoxville, runs the Petro signature bowl downtown.

OrderThe original Petro with chili, cheese, sour cream, salsa and Fritos.

TipThe 1982 World's Fair original; Petro's still runs across Knoxville malls but the Market Square counter is the symbolic one.

The Cove ★ 4.0

The Cove is a quirky Tobin Hill spot that is a restaurant, car wash and laundromat in one, serving fish tacos and grass-fed burgers with craft beer.

OrderFish tacos, grass-fed burgers and a craft beer.

TipYes, you can do laundry while you eat fish tacos. The patio and live-music nights are the real draw.

Staring at Jacob ★ 4.0

Staring at Jacob is a cafe at Jacob Van Lennepkade 215 in Amsterdam serving American soul food with a hiphop vibe, from chicken & waffles to eggs benedict.

OrderThe Rasco: buttermilk fried chicken with a sweet and spicy BBQ glaze on a Belgian waffle.

TipKick back on the sunny terrace with a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa, just steps from the Vondelpark.

Mortimer's ★ 4.0

Mortimer's East Memphis neighbourhood room on North Perkins has run family-owned pub burgers, soups and bread pudding since 1981, carrying recipes.

OrderCheeseburger with onion rings; bread pudding for dessert.

TipOpen Monday to Friday from 11:00 and Saturday-Sunday from 16:00. The bar fills with regulars at 17:00.

Tug's Casual Grill ★ 4.0

Tug's Casual Grill anchors the Harbor Town neighbourhood on Mud Island in Memphis with a wide riverside patio, burgers and Mississippi catfish dinners.

OrderCatfish dinner with hush puppies; sit on the patio at sunset.

TipWednesday is half-price burger night. The walk from downtown across the Auction Avenue bridge takes 15 minutes.

Bierhaus ★ 4.0

Bierhaus on Henry Street Galway has held 24 rotating craft-beer taps since 2005; a small food menu with vegetarian options makes it a reliable Westend stop.

OrderAsk the bar team what is freshest on tap; the Irish craft tap selection rotates with the season

TipThe kitchen keeps sensible hours; a useful spot for a quick bite alongside good craft beer any day of the week.

The Pen and Pencil ★ 4.0

Eighty-cover American room on the corner of Hilton and Tariff Streets, Manchester. Northern Quarter brunch crowd from 10:00; cocktail bar runs late.

OrderButtermilk-fried chicken sandwich and the Bloody Mary; brunch eggs on toast.

TipHalf-price food on Mondays; brunch and lunch for a tenner most weekdays.

Ralph's ★ 4.0

Ralph's is an American restaurant at 173 Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris.

Garlic Barbecue ★ 4.0

Garlic Barbecue is an American restaurant at 285 Jianguo East Road in Huangpu District, Shanghai.

Boise Fry Company ★ 3.9

Boise Fry Company makes Belgian-style fries the star, using Idaho organic potatoes alongside bison burgers and a rack of house-made dipping sauces.

OrderBelgian-style fries seasoned at the table with house salt blends and house-made dipping sauces

Del Monte Cafe ★ 3.9

Del Monte Cafe has run as a family diner in San Luis Obispo's Railroad District since 1981, cooking breakfast through dinner a block from the Amtrak depot.

OrderThe breakfast plates before an Amtrak departure two blocks away.

TipSunday service stops at 14:00; on weekdays it is one of the few diners serving dinner.

1865 Craft House & Kitchen ★ 3.9

1865 Craft House & Kitchen pairs modern American plates with a deep Central Coast tap list on Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo's motel-row gastropub.

OrderA smash burger with a flight of Central Coast taps.

TipWeekend brunch starts at 10:30; book ahead if you are bringing a group.

Selwyn Avenue Pub ★ 3.9

Selwyn Avenue Pub in Myers Park has poured pints and slung burgers across Selwyn Avenue for more than thirty years, with a beer list and a back patio.

OrderThe pub burger and a cold local pint.

TipPatio is the seat in spring and autumn. Closed late afternoon Sunday.

Eggy's Neighborhood Kitchen ★ 3.9

Gourmet Ghetto brunch spot with plant-lined outdoor patio. Fried Chicken Waffles Benedict, fluffy omelets, mimosas. Open from 09:30 six days a week.

Tavern at the Point ★ 3.9

Tavern at the Point on the historic Old Point Tavern corner is the new operator at one of Indy's oldest bar addresses. Gastro-pub plates, Indiana drafts.

OrderThe smash burger with cheddar and the day's draft list.

TipBar walk-ins all day. The corner patio runs spring through fall.

American Pub Ace ★ 3.8

American Pub Ace runs until 05:00 on Yagenbori in Hiroshima, an American-style room with burgers, hot dogs, darts, billiards and a poker table at the back.

DrinkBottled beer and casual cocktails

FoodBurgers and hot dogs

TipKitchen orders stop at 04:00 even though the bar keeps pouring, so eat before the last hour.

The Duke's ★ 3.8

A riverside American favourite at River Ping Palace, stacking barbecue ribs, big burgers and stone-baked pizzas for expats and families by the Ping.

SignatureRibs, Burgers, Pizza

PJ’s Steaks ★ 3.6

PJ's Steaks at 88 Creek St serves Philadelphia cheesesteaks as grilled subs, in a freshly baked 8 inch Italian roll and made only to your order.

OrderThe Original Cheesesteak: beef steak, fried onions and a choice of cheese.

TipCheese selections are American, Provolone, Cheddar and Stinky Cheese (Sharp Provolone).