Underrated America: 25 restaurants that prove the US is a foodies’ paradise

It’s a nation which boasts one of the world’s best dining scenes, a country where you can find almost any cuisine from across the world at any price point. It is also one of the most forward-thinking, from restaurants showcasing the cuisine of diverse communities to those shining a light on often marginalised groups.

Farm-to-table dining can be found everywhere, while casual bakeries, cafes and wine bars cook some of the country’s best menus. Korean, Indian, Middle Eastern and Japanese dining continues to grow apace, and plant-focused menus are thriving.

Korean food is thriving in the US.Credit: iStock

Yes, we’re referring to the good old US of A, a country that Australians have traditionally not tended to hunger for, food-wise, at least outside of cities such as New York and Los Angeles, when compared to destinations in Europe and Asia or even in our own backyard.

But good food in the US is no longer centred mainly on NYC or LA with top chefs increasingly moving to smaller towns and other cities such as Washington DC, Las Vegas, and both Portlands (Maine and Oregon).

Here’s our pick of the 25 best restaurants in the US, kicking off with the tried, tested and trusted Big Apple.

Naro, New York City, New York

Across the US, Korean cuisine continues to evolve and grow in appeal with the finest examples set in the historic Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue. Both a casual cafe and a fine-dining establishment, Naro draws inspiration from classic Korean food, expertly blending it with seasonal ingredients. Both a la carte and tasting menus are available, including a vegetarian one. New York Times critic Pete Wells says Naro is making “new magic from classic Korean dishes”, with inspired takes on the likes of bibimbap or kimbap.

Price range $$ Must-order Tasting menu Stay nearby The Waldorf Astoria See naronyc.com

Semma, New York City

Dindigul biryani: goat, seeraga samba rice at Semma, NYC.

Next stop is Greenwich Village where Semma has taken the Big Apple by storm, with publications such as Eater New York and The New York Times waxing lyrical about its considered south Indian fare. Semma, which means “fantastic” in Tamil, offers a tour de force in south Indian cooking, with star dishes such as Goanese oxtail, a stellar goat biryani and Chettinad Maan, a venison shank with star anise and black stone flower.

Price range $$ Must-order Goanese oxtail Stay nearby Soho Grand Hotel See semma.nyc

Damian, Los Angeles

Enrique Olvera, the Mexican chef and founder of Damian, is more famous for running Mexico City’s Pujol, named the 13th best restaurant in the world’s 50 best 2023 list. But his LA outpost Damian, in the Arts District, has garnered much acclaim for its inspired modern Mexican cuisine. In a city famed for its outstanding Mexican restaurants, Damian’s menu, featuring twists on Mexican classics such as lobster al pastor and duck carnitas, is a beacon to food lovers.

Price range $$ Must-order Fish tartare tostada Stay nearby InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown See damiandtla.com

Bistro Na’s, Los Angeles, California

Old Beijing smoked duck breast and Emperor’s Jar at Bistro Na’s.

Anyone who has read the late, great LA food critic Jonathan Gold will know that the San Gabriel Valley in northern LA County is perhaps the country’s best region for Chinese food. And Bistro Na’s, which once held the area’s only Michelin star, is up there with the best. Chinese fine dining is the name of the game here, with an emphasis towards Manchurian cuisine. Highlights include the braised Kurobuta pork belly and the wok-fried Dungeness crab.

Price range $$ Must-order Tea-smoked duck breast Stay nearby Andaz West Hollywood See bistronas.com

Osito, San Francisco, California

Live-fire cooking is one of the main trends in global dining, and the only fully live-fire spot in San Francisco is Osito, in the trendy Mission District. Part restaurant, part theatre, communal tables face an open kitchen, giving a supper club vibe to a restaurant where it’s easy to befriend the strangers beside you. This one-Michelin-star spot is noted for creative fine dining, seasonal ingredients, and dishes such as king salmon with fennel and porcini, or slow-cooked brisket brushed tableside with a rich mussel barbecue sauce.

Price range $$$ Must-order Tasting menu Stay nearby Phoenix Hotel See ositosf.co

Honey Salt, Las Vegas, Nevada

Settle in for brunchy farm-to-table offshoots of American classics.

Set a little back from the infamous strip, Vegas’s Honey Salt is a farm-to-table spot focusing on creative takes on American classics. Brunch is a particular highlight here, with tantalising dishes such as fried chicken benedict, a breakfast poutine of potatoes, bacon gravy, smoked bacon, cheese curds and fried egg, or a breakfast pizza featuring, among other things, scrambled egg and smoked bacon. Reasonably priced and family-friendly, it’s an accessible, beloved spot away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Price range $ Must-order Fried chicken benedict Stay nearby Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino See honeysalt.com 

Kaiseki Yuzu, Las Vegas

Japanese kaiseki, or multi-course tasting menus, are more popular around the world than ever, and home to some of the best fine-dining experiences. No trip to Sin City should miss a visit to Kaiseki Yuzu, bang in the middle of the action on the strip. The chef, Kaoru Azeuchi was nominated for a coveted James Beard Award this year, and his intricate dishes showcase the finest Japanese cooking. From the open kitchen and sushi bar, diners sample the freshest fish, with dishes such as king mackerel wrapped in lettuce with caviar and uni sauce, or grilled wagyu steak with truffles, foie gras and vegetables.

Price range $$$ Must-order Tasting menu See kaisekiyuzu.com Stay nearby The Venetian Las Vegas Louisiana

Neng Jr’s, Asheville, North Carolina

Set in the alternative haunt of Asheville in the North Carolinian Appalachians, Neng Jr’s, a small Filipino restaurant – the city’s first – is what food writer Jenn Rice describes as “ultimate fantasy dining.” Down a back alley, through an unmarked door, you’ll be transported into a world that feels like a mystical 1980s film. Run by chef Silver Iocovozzi, the menu constantly changes, but highlights might include adobo oyster, spring onion bistek or marinated sweetbreads served with a fermented barbecue sauce.

Price range $$ Must-order Rock shrimp with hand-pulled noodles Stay nearby Cambria Downtown Asheville See nengjrs.com

La Petite Grocery, New Orleans, Louisiana

White tablecloths and distinctively Louisianan dishes at La Petite Grocery, New Orleans.

New Orleans has one of the most interesting, distinctive cuisines in America, with its mix of influences from Africa, France, Spain and more. La Petite Grocery, set in what was a 19th-century grocery store, puts a fine-dining spin on Nola classics, and chef James Devillier has earned nationwide acclaim, including a James Beard award in 2016. Start with blue crab beignets before sampling the famous turtle bolognese, shellfish stew or Gulf shrimp and grits.

Price range $$ Must-order Blue crab beignets Stay nearby The Ritz-Carlton See lapetitegrocery.com

The Appalachian, Sevierville, Tennessee

The small town of Sevierville sits between Knoxville and Gatlinburg, deep in the Appalachians. With a daily changing menu, chef David Rule pays homage to an often misunderstood region by elevating Appalachian food. With a farm-to-table ethos, The Appalachian blends traditional and modern flare. On any given day, you might find buffalo frog legs, squirrel catfish and trout from local rivers. “It’s a place that has traditionally suffered tremendously with poverty, and people are reclaiming what it means to be Appalachian,” says Capri Cafaro, a former Democratic politician and author of United We Eat: 50 Great American Dishes to Bring Us All Together.

Price range $$ Must-order Buffalo frog legs Stay nearby The Oliver Hotel, Knoxville See theappalachianrestaurant.com

Bresca, Washington DC

Ryan Ratino, chef-owner of Bresca, was among the youngest chefs to win a Michelin star, and his avant-garde fare, with modern takes on French cooking inspired by Paris’s neo-bistro movement, has taken the nation’s capital by storm. It doesn’t come cheap but book here for some truly innovative and delicious food, including foie gras with rhubarb and short rib cavatelli. Bresca is also noted for its stellar drinks program, earning an exceptional cocktails award from Michelin.

Price range $$$ Must-order Duck a la presse Stay nearby Fairmont Washington DC See brescadc.com

Causa and Amazonia, Washington DC

Amazonia ... the more relaxed of the two restaurants.

Causa and Amazonia are two connected restaurants, with Causa – named after Peru’s national dish – the more formal. Its six-course tasting menu scans the country in an intimate, 22-seat setting. The menu leans towards seafood, inspired by Peru’s coastline, while journeying into the Andes and Amazon, too. At the more relaxed Amazonia, try the skewer menu, featuring duck tongue, chicken hearts and asparagus, and the Amazonian ceviche is a hit.

Price range $$ Must-order Tasting menu Stay nearby The Watergate Hotel See causadc.com

Cellar Door Provisions, Chicago, Illinois

The bakery, small plates and wine bar combination has taken the US by storm, and Cellar Door Provisions, in Avondale, a neighbourhood teeming with top dining options, is up there with the best. A James Beard Awards semi-finalist in 2020, this creative all-day bistro and bakery switches seamlessly from counter service during the day to table service at night. Dishes such as squash blossoms filled with stracciatella or lamb loin tartare with horseradish, peas and dill showcase the “beautiful food” on offer, with a seasonal, vegetable-focused menu and fine baking, according to Mitchell Davis, chief strategy officer of the James Beard Foundation. Note that there’s a no-reservations policy.

Price range $ Must-order Squash blossoms with stracciatella Stay nearby Thompson Chicago See cellardoorprovisions.com

Mi Tocaya Antojeria, Chicago

Diana Davila’s dishes hark back to pre-Hispanic Mexico.Credit: Marisa Klug-Morataya

Fine Mexican food can be found all over the US, but Mi Tocaya Antojeria serves some of the very best. Run by chef Diana Davila, the restaurant showcases food from various Mexican regions, using the finest produce, both local and Mexican. Think heirloom Oaxacan corn tortillas, wagyu steak burritos, or beautifully fried oyster tacos with tomato, olive, orange and chilli salsa on squid-ink tortillas. The classics – guacamole, burritos – are sublime, but come here for the likes of peanut butter tongue, and dishes harking back to pre-Hispanic Mexico.

Price range $ Must-order Fried oyster tacos Stay nearby Chicago Athletic Association Hotel See mitocaya.com

Neptune Oyster, Boston, Massachusetts

New England is famous for its seafood, and arguably the best place to sample lobster, oysters and fresh fish is at Neptune Oyster. For almost two decades, this Boston favourite has wowed guests and claimed national awards. Be prepared to queue, as there’s a no-reservations policy, but it’s well worth the wait for the classic and inventive seafood dishes. Try the clam chowder with salt pork and thyme, the Neptune burger (cheddar, fried oysters and garlic mayo) and the unmissable Maine lobster roll.

Price $$ Must-order Maine lobster roll Stay nearby The Colonnade Hotel See neptuneoyster.com

Kann, Portland, Oregon

After opening in 2022, Kann has quickly received nationwide acclaim, culminating in recently being named the best new restaurant at the James Beard Awards. The brainchild of Haitian chef Gregory Gourdet, Kann’s menu pays homage to his Haitian roots with dishes such as plantain brioche buns, glazed duck with cane syrup, pineapple and tamarind and smoked beef rib in a Haitian coffee rub. Don’t miss classics including legim – a savoury stew of aubergine, carrots and spinach – and pikliz, or spicy pickled cabbage.

Price range $$$ Must-order Smoked beef rib with a Haitian coffee rub Stay nearby Woodlark See kannrestaurant.com

Franklin Barbecue, Austin, Texas

Lunch tray: pork ribs, smoked turkey, sausage, brisket and pulled pork at Franklin Barbecue.

You can’t visit Austin without sampling Texas barbecue, famous for incredibly tender brisket, ribs and sausages. All three are as good as it gets at Franklin’s, a must-visit spot. Unfortunately, that’s common knowledge, and the queues here can be monumental, especially on weekends. But don’t let that put you off because pitmaster Aaron Franklin is widely considered one of the best in the country. Order brisket, pork ribs and beef ribs by the pound, or any in a sandwich with classic sides such as coleslaw, potato salad or pinto beans.

Price range $ Must-order Brisket Stay nearby Fairmont Austin See franklinbbq.com

Bulrush, St Louis, Missouri

Like the Appalachians, the Ozarks (incorporating parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas) have long been underrepresented, and chef Rob Connoley is attempting to change that with his contemporary fine dining experience. The two-time James Beard semi-finalist scoured historical records to uncover the origins of Ozark cooking, which blends indigenous influences with those of European settlers and enslaved people. Most ingredients are locally sourced, with wild game and foraged mushrooms a particular strength. While it retains a casual feel, the multi-course menu is “very much an elevated dining experience,” says Cafaro.

Price range $$$ Must-order Tasting menu Stay nearby The Ritz-Carlton, St Louis See bulrushstl.com

COTE Miami, Miami, Florida

This Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse is an outpost of a New York City original, with a nightclub vibe and a stellar cocktail list. “Exquisite meat aged on site is the focus,” says Mitchell Davis, with the meat served alongside traditional Korean side dishes, or banchan. Since 2021, Miami has had its own branch, which combines the fun and fire of a Korean barbecue joint with the aesthetics of an American steakhouse. The steak omakase menu is a hefty $225 per person, but offers the chance to sample the array of delicious meats on offer.

Price range $$$ Must-order Steak omakase (tasting menu) Stay nearby SLS Brickell See cotemiami.com

The Surf Club Restaurant, Miami

If you’re looking for opulent cooking in a setting harking back to 1950s Miami, head to the The Surf Club Restaurant, located adjacent to the Four Seasons hotel and just off the beach – spearheaded by Thomas Keller, perhaps America’s most famous chef, who runs the celebrated Napa three-Michelin star restaurant The French Laundry. Here at The Surf Club Restaurant, which also has its own Michelin star, the food is an interpretation of classic Continental cuisine. There’s Maine lobster thermidor, gulf prawn cocktail, a $US150 ($236) prime beef short rib wellington for two and caesar salad prepared tableside.

Price range $$$ Must-order Tuna ribeye steak Stay nearby Fontainebleau Miami Beach See surfclubrestaurant.com

Sarma, Somerville, Massachusetts

Sarma in Somerville: pumpkin fritters with coriander, chickpea and walnut. Credit: Lane Turner/Getty Images

Set in Somerville, a city five miles northwest of Boston, and just north of Cambridge, Sarma is part of a growing appetite in the US for Middle Eastern-inspired small plates. Its vast menu of boldly flavour mezze scours much of the Mediterranean, from cheese saganaki to sweet pea falafel to short rib dolmades. Desserts include a Turkish coffee tiramisu and pistachio baklava. Incredibly popular, it’s worth booking well ahead, although you might luck out with a walk-in at the bar.

Price range $ Must-order Shortib dolmades Stay nearby Lenox Hotel See sarmarestaurant.com

Owamni, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sean Sherman, also known as the Sioux Chef, has become one of America’s most important chefs by centering the cuisine of indigenous peoples, particularly those of the Dakota and Minnesota territories. Sherman’s restaurant in the middle of Minneapolis has routinely been named one of the best in the country. The focus is on pre-colonial ingredients, with no dairy, wheat, cane sugar, beef, chicken or pork. Expect a plethora of dishes made up of wild rice and corn, while turkey, bison or elk, as well as fish, make up the protein.

Price range $$ Must-order Elk taco Stay nearby Alma Hotel See owamni.com

Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Friday Saturday ... American dishes with a twist.

Friday Saturday Sunday has become one of the country’s most talked-about spots, particularly after winning outstanding restaurant at the recent James Beard Awards. The kitchen at this small fine-dining spot is run by Chad Williams, a Philadelphia native. The eight-course seasonal tasting menu, focusing on American dishes with a twist, may feature mouthwatering items like sweetbreads with mushroom and plantain, oxtail with cabbage and grilled quail with pate. An inventive cocktail list completes an all-round top-class experience.

Price range $$$ Must-order Tasting menu Stay nearby Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia See fridaysaturdaysunday.com 

Tavernetta, Denver, Colorado

“There’s a reason why the Michelin Guide is expanding into Denver, and it’s because of restaurants like Tavernetta,” says food writer Ali Wunderman. This “understated alpine Italian dining experience” focuses on perfectly cooked Italian food, with a small menu offering big flavours. The tagliatelle with Maine lobster and gnocchetti sardi with fennel sausage are guaranteed hits, as is the stellar tiramisu.

Price range $ Must-order Tiramisu Stay nearby The Oxford Hotel See tavernettadenver.com

Chubby Fish, Charleston, South Carolina

Prepare to queue for a taste of Chubby Fish’s famed caviar sandwich.

Chubby Fish in Charleston, one of America’s best food cities, is something of an institution, a no-reservations seafood joint where you’ll find people waiting in line well before the 5pm opening time, hoping to score a table. “It’s like stepping into a cosy restaurant in a European sea town. The caviar sandwich, grilled oysters in a rendered crab fat sauce, tuna crudo, and legit one of everything on chef James’s menu is what you should order,” says North Carolina-based food writer Jenn Rice.

Price range $ Must-order Caviar sammich Stay nearby The Vendue See chubbyfishcharleston.com

The Telegraph, UK