The Best Restaurants in the U.S.

Posted on May 25 2021

By Ali Harford

Each year, food magazines like Bon Appétit, Eater, and Food and Wine come out with some sort of “best restaurants” list. Reporters spend months on the road eating, writing, and researching to develop their picks—so we picked out ten of our favorites from those lists to create the ultimate foodie roadtrip. The list includes bakeries, casual restaurants, and fancier, four-course-meal type restaurants. If you like good food, this is the trip for you.

Khao Noodle Shop, Dallas

Try the: Yum Mee (egg noodles with shrimp, squid, and pork); fried gizzards; and mok rice cake.

The Elysian Bar, New Orleans

Try the: Elysian sour cocktail; baked gulf oysters; and grilled beef shoulder tender.

Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, AL

The food here changes daily, but expect food “rooted in classic French technique,” using “regional, heritage ingredients.”

Husk Nashville, Nashville

The food served here also changes regularly with “what the region’s producers provide,” but has some overlap. If you go, try the: buckwheat crepe with Bear Creek Farm beef; spring onion buttermilk cheddar biscuits; and hickory smoked wings.

Momofuku Noodle Bar, New York City

Try the: pork belly buns; mushroom ramen; and caramelized white chocolate pie.

Eventide Oyster Co., Portland, ME

Try the: New England clam chowder; Maine lobster stew; and Eventide brown butter lobster roll.

Ochre Bakery, Detroit

Try the: almond croissant; lemon pistachio cake; and the chorizo, aioli and comte on sourdough.

Frasca Food & Wine, Boulder, CO

Try the: carciofi e tonno; reginette verde con astice e grappa; and anatra.

El Ruso, Los Angeles

The meat menu varies daily, but if you can, try the: beef birria quesataco; mole tacos; and aguja plate.

Matt’s BBQ Tacos, Portland, OR

Try the: chopped brisket breakfast taco; The G.O.A.T. (flour and corn tortilla with queso, brisket, pulled pork, and guacamole); and sliced pork belly taco.