Antiquity Restaurant ★ 4.4
Antiquity Restaurant on Romero Street in Old Town is the longtime adobe room serving fresh seafood, charcoal grilled steaks and reservation only dinners.
Signature: Charcoal grilled steaks, Fresh seafood
A guide to american restaurants worth a trip, by city. We list operators, signature dishes, and the rooms locals book first.
American in Albuquerque
Salt and Board ★ 4.4
Salt and Board on Harvard Drive in Albuquerque's Nob Hill is the charcuterie and wine bar with house boards, wood fired flatbreads and natural wine.
Signature: Charcuterie boards, Wood fired flatbreads
High Noon Restaurant and Saloon ★ 4.3
High Noon on San Felipe Street in Albuquerque Old Town is the adobe steakhouse and saloon with hand cut steaks, green chile stew and a covered patio.
Signature: Hand cut steak, Green chile stew
American in Anchorage
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.
Signature: Fish tacos, House-brewed Broken Tooth beer
Bear Tooth Theatrepub and Grill ★ 4.4
Bear Tooth pairs a dine-in movie theater with a full grill kitchen in Spenard. Sister to Moose's Tooth, with creative tacos and Broken Tooth pints.
American in Atlanta
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.
Signature: Chef's tasting menu, Seasonal small plates
Order: The chef's tasting menu; the menu rotates with the seasons.
Tip: Profits fund The Giving Kitchen, supporting Atlanta hospitality workers in crisis. Reservations on Tock 30 days out.
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.
Signature: Stack burger, Beet salad
Order: The Bocado Stack Burger.
Tip: Reservations on Resy. Closed Sundays. Patio sits on Howell Mill.
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.
Signature: Cast-iron cornbread, Fried chicken sandwich, Smores
Order: Cast-iron cornbread with honey butter, then the fried chicken sandwich.
Tip: The patio is the Beltline's largest; runs dog-friendly. Brunch on weekends is busy; reservations on Resy.
American in Austin
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.
Signature: Wild-boar sausage, Venison burger, House-cured charcuterie
Order: The venison burger on house bun; the meat comes from Griffiths's New School of Traditional Cookery hunts.
Tip: The supper-club nights book separately and run the most interesting menus; the regular dinner card is the daytime grill.
American in Baltimore
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.
Signature: Tuna melt, Raw bar, Wood-fired plates
Order: The tuna melt at lunch, or a raw-bar spread before dinner.
Tip: Johnny's Downstairs is the more grown-up cocktail-and-dinner room below the cafe.
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.
Signature: Green chile, Breakfast burrito, Huevos rancheros
Order: The green chile, ladled over eggs or a breakfast burrito.
Tip: Weekend brunch lines form on The Avenue; the vegetarian and vegan options run deep.
American in Berkeley
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.
Eggy's Neighborhood Kitchen ★ 3.9
Gourmet Ghetto brunch with a plant-filled patio. Fried Chicken and Waffles Benedict, omelets, Avocado Toast and mimosas. Open from 09:30 six days a week.
American in Boise
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.
Order: Eggs Benedict with house hollandaise
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.
Bittercreek Alehouse ★ 4.0
Bittercreek Alehouse on 8th Street anchors Boise's craft beer pub scene with rotating Idaho and Northwest taps and locally sourced pub food.
Order: The rotating Idaho craft beer selection and the locally sourced burger
American in Boston
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 $$. Kitchen leans american.
Signature: Roast beef 1000, Spuckie sub
Order: Roast Beef 1000: thin-shaved roast beef, sharp cheddar, Russian dressing, onion.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Saturday morning sandwich list pulls the longest line; arrive by 11:00.
Yvonne's ★ 4.3
Yvonne's reopened the historic Locke-Ober space on Winter Place in Downtown Boston in 2015 as a modern supper club. Located in Beacon Hill. Priced at $$$.
Signature: Truffle cacio e pepe, Wagyu meatballs
Order: Truffle cacio e pepe with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Tip: Find the unmarked door inside the Yvonne's hair salon entrance. The library room is the quiet seat.
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 $$$.
Signature: Truffle cacio e pepe, Wagyu meatballs
Order: Truffle cacio e pepe with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Tip: The unmarked door is inside a fake wig shop. The library room is the quiet seat.
American in Charlotte
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.
Signature: Crab cakes, House burger, Sunday brunch
Order: The crab cake sandwich at lunch and the house burger for dinner.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the seat to land; the Saturday lunch crowd is mostly the East Boulevard regulars.
300 East ★ 4.3
300 East on East Boulevard is the family-run Dilworth American institution serving comfort plates and weekend brunch to the neighbourhood since 1986.
Signature: House burger, Crab cake sandwich, Sunday brunch
Order: The crab-cake sandwich at lunch and the house burger at dinner.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the seat to land. Book on OpenTable for weekend morning slots.
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.
Signature: Burgers, Bar food, Beer flight
Order: The pub burger and a cold local pint.
Tip: Patio is the seat in spring and autumn. Closed late afternoon Sunday.
American in Chiang Mai
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.
Signature: Ribs, Burgers, Pizza
American in Chicago
Smyth ★ 4.8
Smyth in Chicago is John and Karen Shields's two-Michelin-star tasting menu on Ada Street, with produce from their own farm 90 minutes south of the city.
Signature: Egg yolk in sea-buckthorn, Smoked sturgeon and caviar
Order: The yolk in sea-buckthorn vinegar; it has been on the menu since 2016 for a reason.
Tip: The companion bar downstairs, The Loyalist, runs an excellent burger if you can't land the upstairs seats.
Oriole ★ 4.8
Oriole in Chicago is Noah Sandoval's two-Michelin-star room on Walnut Street in the West Loop, a quiet 28-seat tasting menu with a strong caviar service.
Signature: Hokkaido scallop with caviar, Quail with mole
Order: The opening caviar course; the kitchen treats it as the focal pivot, not a bookend.
Tip: The wine pairings are unusually well-judged at the German-and-Austrian end. Ask for them by region, not by tier.
Ever ★ 4.7
Ever in Chicago is Curtis Duffy's two-Michelin-star Fulton Market tasting menu, opened 2020 after Duffy left Grace, with rigorous service and quiet plating.
Signature: Foie gras with brioche, Wagyu with mushroom
Order: The foie gras course; it is the dish that follows Duffy across his career.
Tip: Sit at the chef's counter if it is on offer at booking. The view of the pass is the room's best seat.
American in Cincinnati
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.
Signature: Pacific bluefin, Wagyu tasting
Orchids at Palm Court ★ 4.7
Orchids at Palm Court inside the Hilton Netherland Plaza on West 5th Street downtown is Cincinnati's AAA Five Diamond modern American tasting room.
Signature: Seasonal tasting, Wagyu and seafood
American in Cleveland
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.
Signature: Shrimp and grits, House biscuits
Order: Shrimp and grits and an order of the house biscuits with house jam.
Tip: Reservations only for parties of six or more; arrive by 09:15 on weekends to skip the queue.
Lucky's Cafe ★ 4.7
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.
Signature: Shrimp and grits, House biscuits
Order: Shrimp and grits and an order of the house biscuits with house jam.
Tip: Reservations only for parties of six or more; smaller groups walk in. Arrive by 09:15 on weekends.
American in Cologne
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.
Grabz Smashburger ★ 4.2
Grabz Smashburger on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel is open until 01:00 on Fridays; American smash burgers after the Belgian Quarter bars.
Grabz Smashburger ★ 4.1
Grabz Smashburger on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves a smash burger and fries for around €14; one of the Belgian Quarter's best.
American in Columbus
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.
Signature: Roasted half chicken, Pan-seared scallops
Order: The roasted half chicken from the Lindey's classic menu and a glass of bubbles on the patio.
Tip: Valet parking is complimentary; patio is first-come first-served weather permitting.
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.
Signature: Big sky organic burger, Northstar bowl
Order: The Big Sky organic burger with the side salad and a fresh-pressed juice.
Tip: Counter 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.
Signature: Beer garden plates, Rotating food trucks
Order: A pint of the Land-Grant Greenskeeper Pilsner plus whatever food truck is parked that night.
Tip: The Wintergarden adds seasonal heated tents; The Extension on West Chapel runs Land-Grant's cocktail and natural wine line.
American in Cork
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.
American in Dallas
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.
Order: The seasonal pie of the month. The Drunken Nut on the permanent menu.
Tip: Whole pies can be ordered in advance. The patio is worth waiting for on warm evenings.
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 love it: A 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.
Tip: No 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.
Dot's Hop House ★ 3.9
Deep Ellum institution with 100 beers on tap, a warm patio, and weekly events. Order the rotating texas craft ipa; loaded nachos. At 2612 Commerce St.
Order: Rotating Texas craft IPA; loaded nachos
Tip: Check the tap list on their social media before coming. Patio is heated in winter.
American in Denver
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 patio that runs.
Signature: Veggie burger, Hummus plate, Sweet potato falafel
Order: The sweet potato falafel and the veggie burger; the bar runs an inventive cocktail menu with house syrups.
Tip: Brunch on weekends is the room's busiest service; the patio side runs walk-in until 5 pm.
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.
Signature: Wood-fired chicken, Smoked beet salad, Pasta of the day
Order: The wood-fired half chicken with smoked vegetables and the pasta of the day.
Tip: Stanley Marketplace is a 12-minute drive from RiNo. Brunch on Sunday is the busiest service; the patio runs through October.
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.
Signature: Wood-fired vegetables, Pasta, Cocktails
Order: The wood-fired vegetables and a daily pasta; the cocktail program runs deep on agave spirits.
Tip: The bar takes walk-ins; reservations recommended for Friday and Saturday. Closed Mondays.
American in Des Moines
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.
Signature: Handmade 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
Signature: King Tenderloin, Hand-breaded pork tenderloin sandwich
Aposto ★ 4.5
Award-winning restaurateur Tony Lemmo's restaurant occupies a meticulously restored 1880 Victorian mansion with herbs grown in an on-site garden feeding
American in Durham
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 love it: Open since 1942 without a social media account or a reservation app
King's Sandwich Shop ★ 4.1
A Durham institution since 1942, King's on Foster Street holds a menu where nothing exceeds $10. Grilled cheese, burgers and sandwiches without any fuss.
Try: Grilled sandwiches and burgers
American in El Paso
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.
Order: Prime dry-aged ribeye with bordelaise sauce
Tip: Reservation required for Friday and Saturday evenings. The bar area can take walk-ins for a la carte steak orders.
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.
Order: Prime ribeye upstairs, or the bistro cheeseburger at lunch
Tip: Book 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.
Order: El Paso Lager or the Desert Prickly Pear seasonal
Tip: The prickly pear seasonal is only available August through October. The taproom fills on Friday evenings from 18:00.
American in Fort Worth
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.
Order: Pan-roasted quail, daily fish special, Texas peach upside-down cake.
Tip: The 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.
Order: Wild game mixed grill, pan-seared axis venison, pecan-crusted redfish.
Tip: Ask the server about wild game specials, which change seasonally with elk, boar, and venison sourced from Texas ranches.
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.
Order: Pan-roasted quail, daily fish special, Texas peach upside-down cake.
Tip: The menu changes weekly based on what is fresh. Call ahead to ask about specials. Resy reservations are recommended on Fridays and Saturdays.
American in Galway
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.
Signature: Craft beer selection, Vegetarian plates
Order: Ask the bar team what is freshest on tap; the Irish craft tap selection rotates with the season
Tip: The kitchen keeps sensible hours; a useful spot for a quick bite alongside good craft beer any day of the week.
American in Ghent
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.
Order: Pulled pork slider with a house cocktail: the late-night kitchen is open until the final set.
Tip: The best nights are Thursday through Saturday when live acts play; the kitchen stays open until the final set ends.
American in Gothenburg
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.
Order: ['Half-pint of house lager', 'Pretzel with mustard', 'Cheap tasting flight of 3']
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.
Order: ['Scandinavian single malt', 'Craft lager on draught', 'Late-night pub platter']
American in Greenville
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.
Signature: Burgers, Fried chicken sandwich, Avocado toast
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.
Signature: Wood-fired plates, Local farm vegetables
American in Hanoi
Furbrew The 100 Garden ★ 4.5
Furbrew's The 100 Garden in Hanoi is the Danish-founded craft brewery's flagship Tay Ho beer garden, pouring 30-plus taps including its own Vietnamese brews.
Signature drink: Vietnamese-ingredient craft beers, 30+ taps
Food: Pub snacks
Order: The Vietnamese passion fruit sour or the Pho IPA; flight paddles let you sample across the rotating list.
Tip: Two-story taproom plus a large outdoor beer garden. The smaller Furbrew Box Bar is across the lane at the same address.
Pasteur Street Au Trieu Taproom ★ 4.4
Pasteur Street's Au Trieu taproom in Hanoi sits in an Old Quarter shophouse behind St Joseph's Cathedral, pouring Vietnamese-ingredient craft beer.
Signature drink: Jasmine IPA
Food: Pub food, pizza, snacks
Order: The Jasmine IPA or the Cyclo Imperial Chocolate Stout; full food menu including pizzas.
Tip: Three Pasteur Street taprooms in Hanoi; Au Trieu has live music weekly and is the most central.
American in Indianapolis
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.
Signature: Milk bread, Daily small plates
Order: The milk bread course, two seasonal small plates, a glass off the natural list.
Tip: Dinner Thursday through Saturday only. Reservations on the website.
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.
Signature: Smash burger, Reuben
Order: The smash burger with cheddar and the day's draft list.
Tip: Bar walk-ins all day. The corner patio runs spring through fall.
American in Jackson
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.
Order: The flagship contemporary lager, or ask what new seasonal is on tap
Tip: Events like Lagers and Joggers, Pints and Poses, and live music nights keep the calendar full; check the website.
Fertile Ground Beer Co. ★ 4.1
Fertile Ground Beer Co. is Jackson's best-kept craft beer secret: a community-first taproom with German beer garden patio, contemporary lagers and ales.
Why locals love it: Tucked into Belhaven Town Center and overshadowed by the Michelin restaurants next door, this is the state capital's flagship craft brewery and one of the South's better communit
Tip: Wednesday through Saturday evenings are the taproom at its best; the patio with bench seating from Germany is worth the visit alone.
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.
Order: Bread pudding for dessert, or the short rib sandwich at lunch
Tip: BYOB means you can bring a bottle from Briarwood Wine around the corner - a ritual for regulars.
American in Kansas City
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.
Signature: Fried chicken, Cast-iron skillet biscuits, Butterscotch pie
Order: Fried chicken plate with mashed potatoes and biscuits; finish with the butterscotch pie.
Tip: The Plaza room takes Tock reservations and runs a busy weekend brunch. Sister room in Leawood is the original.
American in Knoxville
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.
Signature: Sweet potato burrito, Sunspot bowl
Order: The sweet potato burrito with black beans, or the rotating Sunspot bowl of the season.
Tip: UT home football Saturdays run packed; weeknights for the lunch counter, weekend brunch for the patio.
Sunspot ★ 4.4
Sunspot on Cumberland Avenue, the multicultural Southwestern and Caribbean room on the UT Strip since the 1990s, anchors Knoxville's student-area dining.
Signature: Sweet potato burrito, Sunspot bowl
Order: The sweet potato burrito with black beans, or the Sunspot bowl of the season.
Tip: UT home football Saturdays run packed; weeknights and weekend brunch are reliably easier.
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.
Signature: Specialty hot dogs, Bottle shop
Order: A specialty dog build, plus a bottle off the rotating craft-beer wall.
Tip: The bottle shop runs longer than the kitchen; aim for lunch or early dinner before the Old City night crowd arrives.
American in Las Vegas
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.
Signature: Truffle gnocchi, Hawker bowl, Drinking-vinegar cocktails
Order: The Hawker Bowl: rice, marinated proteins and pickled vegetables; rotates with the season.
Tip: The patio runs first-come; ask for the patio booth at booking and aim for golden-hour seatings.
American in Los Angeles
Musso and Frank Grill ★ 4.0
Musso and Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard has poured martinis since 1919, and still pours them stiffer than anywhere else in Los Angeles.
Signature: Martini, Chicken pot pie Thursday
Order: Martini at the bar and the Thursday chicken pot pie.
Tip: The original 1919 bar is the seat to ask for; reservations are for the dining room, not the bar.
American in Louisville
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.
Signature: Wild-fermented sour beer, Brewpub plates
Order: A flight of wild sours and an IPA alongside a brewpub burger or shareable.
Tip: Walk-in for the taproom. Closed Mondays; weekend afternoons run busiest.
American in Madison
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.
Signature: Fried Wisconsin cheese curds, Friday fish fry
Order: Fried Wisconsin cheese curds with a brandy Old Fashioned, plus the Friday fish fry if it's a Friday.
Tip: Walk-in is reliable any night except Friday; book through OpenTable for Friday fish fry to skip the long wait.
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.
Signature: Settle Down burger, Old Fashioned
Order: The Settle Down burger and one of the rotating Old Fashioned variations on the cocktail menu.
Tip: Closed Sundays; weeknight 16:00 happy hour is reliably the easiest seat.
American in Manchester
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.
Signature: Burgers, Brunch plates
Order: Buttermilk-fried chicken sandwich and the Bloody Mary; brunch eggs on toast.
Tip: Half-price food on Mondays; brunch and lunch for a tenner most weekdays.
American in Memphis
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.
Signature: Cheeseburger, Bread pudding
Order: Cheeseburger with onion rings; bread pudding for dessert.
Tip: Open 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.
Signature: Catfish dinner, Burgers
Order: Catfish dinner with hush puppies; sit on the patio at sunset.
Tip: Wednesday is half-price burger night. The walk from downtown across the Auction Avenue bridge takes 15 minutes.
American in Miami
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.
Signature: Carolina gold rice with caviar, Hokkaido scallop, Aged duck
Order: The tasting menu if you have the time; otherwise the duck for two is the dish locals book ahead.
Tip: Bar seats take a la carte without the prepay; the dining room is set menu Friday and Saturday.
American in Minneapolis
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.
Signature: Hand-cut pasta, Bone marrow
Order: The hand-cut pasta course and the wagyu bone marrow with sourdough toast.
Tip: Book 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.
Signature: Bison steak, Wild rice
Order: Bison steak with smoked blue corn and the maple-glazed walleye when in season.
Tip: Doubled 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.
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.
Signature: Jucy Lucy
Order: The Jucy Lucy with American cheese and grilled onions, fries on the side.
Tip: Cash and cards both accepted. Note the spelling on the sign: Jucy Lucy, no 'i' in Jucy. Be patient with the molten cheese.
American in Mérida
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.
Signature: Gourmet burgers, Truffle fries, Bourbon list
American in Napa
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.
Signature: Biscuit breakfast sandwiches, Seasonal sandwiches, House-smoked meats
Tip: Open Tuesday-Saturday, 08:00-15:00. Get there by 11:00 on weekends if you want the biscuit sandwiches.
Contimo Provisions ★ 4.3
Contimo's wood-fired biscuit sandwiches with eggs and house-smoked meats make the best breakfast sandwich in the city. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 08:00.
Signature: Biscuit breakfast sandwiches, House-smoked meats, Seasonal sandwiches
Tip: Open 08:00-15:00 Tuesday-Saturday. The biscuit breakfast sandwich sells out by 10:00 on weekends.
Contimo Provisions ★ 4.3
Contimo's wood-fired biscuit sandwiches and house-smoked meats have earned consistent local and regional food press recognition as among the North Bay's best.
Why locals love it: Only open Tuesday-Saturday and closes at 15:00, keeping it off the Saturday wine-tour breakfast circuit. On a quiet residential block on Randolph, not visible from First Street.
Tip: Tuesday through Saturday, 08:00-15:00. The biscuit breakfast sandwich sells out before 10:00 on weekends. The rest of the day's menu is outstanding for lunch.
American in Nashville
Pinewood Social ★ 4.1
Strategic Hospitality's 13,000 square-foot Peabody Street complex in downtown Nashville combines a restaurant, copper-bar cocktails, six vintage bowling.
Signature: Burgers, Brunch with bowling
Order: Burger at the bar; banana cream pie on weekends.
Tip: Bowling books out for weekend nights; the patio with mini bocce takes walk-ins year-round.
American in New Orleans
Bayona ★ 4.4
Bayona in New Orleans is Susan Spicer's 1990 Creole cottage on Dauphine Street, a courtyard fine-dining room with the smoked duck PB&J that has anchored.
Signature: Smoked duck PB&J, Pepper-jelly glazed shrimp
Order: The smoked duck breast PB&J, the menu's longest-running dish.
Tip: Lunch is the better-value seating; book the back courtyard if the weather is kind that afternoon.
American in Oakland
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.
Order: Whiskey neat at the leaning bar.
Tip: The building leans visibly from the 1906 quake; the floor still slopes. Cash only, photos welcome.
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.
Order: Drake's IPA flight and a wood-fired pizza.
Tip: The beer garden runs late on weekends; fire pits help against the marine layer. Thirty-two taps on rotation.
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.
Order: Fried chicken and a shot of bourbon.
Tip: Music and DJs run after 9 p.m.; cover is on most weekend nights.
American in Oklahoma City
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.
Order: Craft cocktail at T Room; seasonal local beer
Tip: Check the calendar for live music events, which elevate the bar experience on weekends.
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.
Order: Classic cocktail; supper club ribeye
Tip: The 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.
Order: Prosciutto-wrapped figs; seasonal cocktail from the bar menu
Tip: Visit on a Sunday during the Unicorn Brunch for themed cocktails and a lively Paseo crowd.
American in Omaha
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.
Signature: House-cured charcuterie, Farm-sourced vegetable courses
Order: Whatever the charcuterie board carries that evening: house-cured and always different.
The Boiler Room ★ 4.8
Chef Tim Nicholson's James Beard-nominated kitchen changes its daily menu to reflect Nebraska farm availability, with an in-house charcuterie programme.
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.
American in Philadelphia
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.
Signature: Hand-cut pasta, Roast duck
Order: Whichever hand-cut pasta is on the seasonal menu; the roast duck if it appears.
Tip: The bar runs a separate menu and a half-price oyster happy hour weekday afternoons. Walk in for it.
American in Phoenix
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.
Signature: Tribal buffalo tenderloin, Great Plains bison, Cholla buds
Order: The grilled tribal buffalo tenderloin with smoked corn puree, cholla buds and scarlet runner bean chile.
Tip: Open Wednesday to Saturday evenings only; the drive south to Wild Horse Pass is about 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix.
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.
Signature: Tasting menu, Wine pairings, Mountaintop views
Order: The multi-course tasting with wine pairings, timed for sunset over the city lights.
Tip: Request a window or terrace table at dusk; the room is on North 7th Street, well north of downtown.
American in Pittsburgh
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.
Signature: Hardwood-grilled burger, Steaks
Order: The hardwood-grilled burger, cooked over the open fire behind the bar.
Tip: No reservations; put your name in and wait at the bar. Cash and card both fine.
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.
Signature: Wood-fired mains, Brunch
Order: Whatever is cooked over the wood fire, and a cocktail or a brunch plate at weekends.
Tip: Brunch is the locals' pick. Reserve for weekend evenings; the bar takes walk-ins.
American in Portland
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.
Signature: Biscuits and bacon gravy, Vegan tofu bowl
Order: The biscuits and bacon gravy with potato cakes
Tip: Dog-friendly with a doggie menu. The covered patio is the seat to ask for in summer.
American in Prague
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.
Signature: Hot dogs, Sliders
Order: The classic with onions; the chilli.
American in Richmond
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.
Signature: Pizza, Pasta
American in Rochester
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.
Tip: Brunch 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.
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.
Tip: Expect 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.
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.
Signature: Seasonal vegetarian plates, Brunch dishes, Weekend specials
Order: The seasonal vegetarian entree and the weekend brunch menu.
Tip: Free parking at the end of Marshall Street. Reservations on Tock. Brunch Saturday and Sunday 10:30-14:30.
American in Sacramento
Hawks Provisions and Public House ★ 4.4
Hawks Provisions on Alhambra Boulevard, East Sacramento, opened 2015 as the sister room to Hawks Granite Bay. Michelin Recommended modern American with patio.
Signature: Burger, Wood-fired vegetables
Order: The dry-aged burger, the Wagyu tartare, wood-fired seasonal vegetables
Tip: Bar takes walk-ins; the patio books up summer weekends. Sister to the Granite Bay flagship.
The Firehouse ★ 4.4
The Firehouse on Second Street in Old Sacramento is the historic 1853 brick firehouse turned fine-dining room with the largest wine list in the region.
Signature: Beef filet, Seared scallops
Order: The beef filet, the seasonal seared scallops, a bottle from the wine cellar
Tip: Jacket suggested for the dining room. Patio courtyard is the warm-weather option. Book a week ahead.
Empress Tavern ★ 4.4
Empress Tavern beneath the Crest Theatre on K Street, downtown Sacramento, is an Alchemist CDC culinary incubator with rotating chef takeovers and pop-ups.
Signature: Rotating chef pop-ups, Cocktails
Order: Whatever the current rotating chef is serving; the cocktail menu shifts weekly
Tip: Thursday to Saturday 16:00-23:00. Happy hour runs 16:00-18:00 and 22:00-23:00.
American in San Antonio
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.
Order: The seasonal tasting built around local farms and producers.
Tip: Book the dining room rather than the bar for the full menu. Reservations go quickly after the star; plan ahead.
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.
Order: Fried chicken, Gulf snapper and a pint of the house-brewed beer.
Tip: Sit near the gleaming brew tanks and order the fried chicken with the house pilsner. The patio fills fast on Pearl market mornings.
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.
Order: Fish tacos, grass-fed burgers and a craft beer.
Tip: Yes, you can do laundry while you eat fish tacos. The patio and live-music nights are the real draw.
American in San Diego
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.
Signature: Tableside Caesar, Dover sole, Tomahawk steak
Order: The Dover sole boned tableside; the Caesar for two with white anchovies.
Tip: Reserve 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.
Signature: Wood-grilled octopus, Cauliflower steak, Whole roasted fish
Order: The wood-grilled octopus on a smear of harissa; the cauliflower steak as the vegetarian centrepiece.
Tip: Book counter seats for the open-fire kitchen view; the Group also runs Fort Oak and Rare Society if Trust is full.
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.
Signature: Crispy lamb shank, Tuna tartare, Korean BBQ ribs
Order: The crispy lamb shank, on the menu since opening; the Korean BBQ ribs to share.
Tip: Brunch on the rooftop runs Saturday and Sunday; book the terrace, not the indoor dining room.
American in San Francisco
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.
Signature: State Bird with provisions, Sourdough pancake with ricotta
Order: The State Bird itself, a brined and fried quail with sweet and sour onions.
Tip: Reservations open exactly 60 days out at 7:30am Pacific; set an alarm or join the standing-room line at 5pm.
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.
Signature: Spam fried rice, Tuna poke, Baked Hawaii
Order: Tuna poke with sesame nori chips, followed by spam fried rice.
Tip: The 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.
Signature: Caviar service, Burger, Brassicas
Order: Crispy brassicas and the cocktail tasting at the bar.
Tip: The bar takes walk-ins; book the dining room only if you want the bigger plates.
American in San Jose
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.
Order: Eggs Benedict with hollandaise
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.
Order: Corned Beef Hash with hollandaise
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.
Order: Chorizo Benedict with housemade hollandaise
American in Santa Fe
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.
Signature: Elk tenderloin with huitlacoche, Tellicherry-crusted ribeye, Buttermilk pecan pie
American in St. Louis
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.
Order: The cioppino loaded with mussels, clams, shrimp and squid.
Tip: It 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.
Try: Bar pizza, wings, and griddle plates
Tip: It is cash only with a back patio. Come after midnight for the full bar menu and cheap drinks during the nightly late happy hour.
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.
Order: An ice cream martini and a sandwich.
Tip: The ice cream martinis are the signature; pair one with a sandwich. A good pre-theatre stop.
American in Sydney
Mary's ★ 4.1
Mary's pub burger on Mary Street, Newtown, Sydney. Cheeseburgers, fried chicken and mac and cheese in a former church-turned-rock-bar. Daily till late.
Signature: The Mary's burger, Fried chicken, Mac and cheese
Order: The Mary's cheeseburger and a side of fried chicken.
Tip: Loud room; sit upstairs if you want conversation.
American in Tampa
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.
Signature: Buttermilk pancakes, Avocado toast, Afternoon tea
Order: Buttermilk pancakes with the maple butter.
Tip: Toast named Oxford Exchange among the top 20 brunch spots in America; arrive before 9am on weekends or expect a 90-minute wait.
Oxford Exchange ★ 4.5
Oxford Exchange on Kennedy Boulevard runs a bookstore, restaurant, coffee bar and TeBella tea bar in a sunlit conservatory with a retractable glass roof.
Order: Buttermilk pancakes at brunch with the maple butter and a flight of TeBella teas.
Tip: Toast named Oxford Exchange among America's top 20 brunch spots; arrive before 9am on weekends.
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.
Signature: Cuban sandwich, Roast beef sandwich, Rum cake
Order: The Cuban sandwich pressed crisp and a slice of the famous rum cake to take home.
Tip: The Casper family bought Wright's from the founders in 2024 to keep the recipes in Tampa hands; cash and card both work.
American in Tulsa
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.
American in Washington DC
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.
Signature: Pork sausage and lychee salad, Family-style mains
Order: The pork sausage, habanero and lychee salad; on the menu since 2013 and the room's calling card.
Tip: Reservations open 4 weeks out via Tock at 10:00 sharp; the walk-up roof bar Bar Pilar takes overflow on warm nights.
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.
Signature: Hand-cut pastas, Tasting menu courses
Order: Whichever pasta course is on the tasting; Ratino's hand-cut shapes change weekly.
Tip: The 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.
Signature: Chili half-smoke, Chili cheese fries
Order: The chili half-smoke with mustard, onions and chili; the dish that built the room.
Tip: Cash and card both accepted; line moves fastest at the take-away counter on the right.
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