2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked

César earned two Michelin stars and a place on North America's 50 Best within months of opening in July 2024 — an unusually fast credential stack for a new restaurant. Chef César Ramirez's 13-course tasting menu at his SoHo address combines French-Japanese technical precision with internationally sourced seafood and signature dishes carried over from his 14 years at Brooklyn Fare. At $$$$ with near-impossible booking difficulty, this is one of New York's clearest cases for planning well ahead.

Yoshino is currently the most critically validated Japanese tasting counter in New York City, ranked #1 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025 and holding a Michelin star. The omakase format is theatrical and precise, built around a hinoki counter sourced from a 300-year-old tree and knives crafted by a Saga Prefecture master. Booking is hard — plan well ahead and target weeknights.

Book Single Thread Farm for a serious Healdsburg tasting-menu night, especially if Japanese-progressive technique and wine depth are the point of the trip. The $$$$ price tier is easier to justify for milestone dinners than casual wine-country meals, the reservation should be treated as the anchor of the itinerary.

A Michelin-starred dumplings and kakigōri spot in Nashville's 12 South neighbourhood, Locust ranks #24 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025). Reservations sell out the moment they open each month, but the technical precision and focused menu from Noma-trained chef Trevor Moran make the effort worthwhile. Book for Friday to Sunday only.

Atomix is worth pursuing for diners who want a serious modern Korean tasting-menu experience in New York City and are comfortable with a high-price, high-commitment evening. The strongest case is for food-focused pairs or small groups who value structure, service depth, a clear culinary point of view over flexibility.

Saison is a high-price, dinner-focused San Francisco choice for serious special occasions, not a casual test run. Book when progressive American and Californian cooking, formal pacing, major dining recognition justify the spend; cross-shop Aphotic, Benu, Luce, The Wild, Harbor House if cuisine style or format matters more than the name on the reservation.

Sushi Sho is the right book if Edomae-style sushi with a fermentation-forward philosophy sounds more interesting than pristine minimalism. Chef Keiji Nakazawa's Midtown counter holds two Michelin stars and an OAD North America #6 ranking for 2025. Booking is near-impossible and the price is $$$$, but for experienced sushi diners, this is one of the most intellectually serious counters in the country.

Harbor House holds 2 Michelin stars and a top-ten ranking in North America, making it the most serious dining destination on the Mendocino Coast — and one of California's strongest cases for a dedicated food trip. Book three to six months out minimum; this is near-impossible without advance planning. At $$$$ with a tasting menu format, it competes directly with The French Laundry and Single Thread on ambition.

Two Michelin stars and a 91-point La Liste score in 2026 put The Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare among New York City's most decorated tasting menu counters. The Japanese-French format under chefs Max Natmessnig and Marco Prins rewards precision-seekers willing to book months ahead. Book if the counter experience suits you — this is not a casual meal.

Three Michelin stars, a No. 7 ranking in Opinionated About Dining's North America list, nearly 20 courses of Corey Lee's technically precise Asian-inflected cooking make Benu one of the most credentialed tables in the country. Book at least six to eight weeks out — closer to three months for a weekend date. The quiet, contemplative room suits serious food travellers over groups seeking a convivial night out.

Hayato is the most coveted reservation in Los Angeles: a seven-seat kaiseki counter in Row DTLA where chef Brandon Hayato Go cooks directly in front of guests and narrates every course. Two Michelin stars, ranked #2 by the LA Times and #10 in North America by OAD. Near-impossible to book, but worth pursuing for a serious special occasion.

Smyth holds three Michelin stars, a top-five North America ranking from Opinionated About Dining, one of Chicago's most serious natural wine programmes. Dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday, with near-impossible availability and $$$$ tasting menu pricing. Book six to eight weeks out minimum — this is the stronger call over Alinea for food-first diners.

One of the most credentialed French restaurants in North America, Joel Robuchon at The Mansion holds AAA 5 Diamond status, La Liste 96 points (2025), and an Opinionated About Dining #88 North America ranking. The $$$-tier dinner format with a 1,645-selection wine list is the right choice for a significant occasion — and easier to book than comparable restaurants at this level.

Ranked #14 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025 and holding a Michelin star, The Catbird Seat is Nashville's most decorated tasting menu. The counter-format kitchen experience under chef Rogelio Garcia suits serious food travelers and special occasions. Book well in advance — this is one of the city's hardest reservations to secure.

A high-ceremony French-contemporary Napa reservation for diners who want precision, recognition, a serious wine-led meal. The price tier is steep, but Michelin 3 Stars, Forbes 5-Star recognition, a Wine Spectator Grand Award make the splurge easier to justify for milestone dinners than for casual wine-country dining.

Aska holds two Michelin stars and a La Liste score of 88 points for Fredrik Berselius's 12–14 course New Nordic tasting menu in a converted 1860s Williamsburg warehouse. It is one of the most technically assured kitchens in New York, with a seasonal menu built around Northeastern US produce and Scandinavian technique. Booking difficulty is Near Impossible — reserve before you confirm anything else.

Oriole holds 2 Michelin stars, a 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes, AAA 5 Diamond service — making it Chicago's most consistently decorated fine-dining tasting menu. Chef Noah Sandoval's French-Japanese progressive menu is exceptional, but book six to eight weeks out minimum. This is the city's strongest special-occasion choice at the $$$$ tier if service precision matters as much as the food.

Restaurant Pearl Morissette holds a Michelin star and ranks #77 on Opinionated About Dining's North America list (2025). The tasting-menu-only format, farm-to-table sourcing, exceptional wine program make it the strongest case for a special-occasion dinner in Ontario wine country. Book 4 to 6 weeks out; the private chef's table is the one to target for a milestone event.

Addison is San Diego's clearest choice for a formal, high-spend French-contemporary celebration, backed by Michelin 3 Stars, Forbes 5-Star recognition, major wine-list credentials. Book it when precision and ceremony matter more than flexibility; choose a livelier peer if the night calls for steakhouse energy or a looser à la carte feel.

Somni is a 14-seat Californian-Spanish tasting counter in West Hollywood holding three Michelin stars (2025) and 96 points from La Liste 2026. Chef Aitor Zabala's avant-garde menu blends Basque and Catalan technique with Californian ingredients. Booking difficulty is near impossible — plan two to three months ahead. At $$$$ pricing with a serious wine list, it is the highest-stakes tasting counter currently operating in Los Angeles.

Alo is Canada's most-decorated restaurant and, approaching its 10th anniversary, still the hardest table in Toronto to get. A 10-course tasting menu merging French and Japanese technique, a sommelier-led wine program, a World's 50 Best placement make the $$$$ price point defensible. Book the chef's counter and take the wine pairing. Reserve weeks in advance.

Restaurant Yuu in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is a Michelin 1 Star French-Japanese tasting experience ranked #12 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025 — and one of the most sourcing-serious $$$$ menus in New York City. Booking is hard and dinner-only (Tue–Sat), but the jump in rankings signals the kitchen is at peak form. Book well in advance.

Kono is New York City's most decorated yakitori restaurant — a Michelin three-star, 14-seat omakase counter in Chinatown where Atsushi Kono grills every part of the chicken over kishu binchotan charcoal across 16 courses. Open until midnight most nights, it is the right call for a serious special occasion that does not need to end early.

Pujol is the splurge choice in Mexico City for a serious Mexican tasting-menu dinner, especially for anniversaries, client meals, destination-dining trips. Choose it over more flexible peers when recognition, polish, chef-driven structure matter more than ease, speed, or value.

Ranked #26 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025 and Pearl Recommended, Sushi Yoshizumi is the strongest case for destination omakase on the Peninsula. Chef Akira Yoshizumi runs a quiet, focused counter in San Mateo that has held <em>OAD</em> top-30 status for three consecutive years. Book four to six weeks out minimum — availability is limited and demand is consistent.

Per Se is one of New York's two or three most complete special-occasion restaurants: three Michelin stars, Central Park views, two nine-course tasting menus that change daily at $425 per person. Book exactly one month out — the window fills fast. The salon accepts walk-ins for à la carte if you miss the main dining room.

Jon Yao's Michelin-starred Arts District restaurant reimagines Taiwanese-American flavors through a 10- to 12-course tasting menu, backed by Ryan Bailey's 2,665-bottle wine program and Austin Hennelly's cocktail depth. Reservations release 30 days out and disappear within minutes. Worth the effort if you're prepared for a three-hour, $$$$-tier commitment with zero à la carte flexibility.

Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace is Las Vegas's most formally structured French tasting experience, scoring 95 points on La Liste in both 2025 and 2026 and holding a top-3 Star Wine List ranking. Booking is easier than the reputation suggests — 2 to 3 weeks out for weekends. Plan your entire evening around it: no shows, no rush.

Jua is a Michelin-starred modern Korean tasting menu restaurant near the Flatiron Building, ranked #37 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025. Chef Hoyoung Kim's product-led menu — wood-fired lamb, dry-aged branzino, Jeju Island fluke — justifies the $$$$ price if you are committed to the format. Booking is hard; reserve well in advance.

Bavel is one of Los Angeles' hardest weekend reservations and one of its most justified. Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis run a Levant-spanning menu from a family roots playbook — Israel, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt — that rewards large groups and repeat visits. Ranked #34 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025 and Pearl Recommended. Book three to four weeks out minimum.

Le Bernardin is worth the splurge when the brief is polished French seafood, calm Midtown formality, a meal built for celebration rather than spectacle. It is less useful for diners chasing a lively room or broad menu flexibility, but for a focused seafood dinner at $$$$, it remains a serious New York booking.

Quintonil is a serious Mexico City splurge for diners who want contemporary Mexican cooking with major award credentials and a polished Polanco setting. Book lunch if the meal is the priority and dinner if the occasion needs a more formal rhythm; either way, treat the reservation as a primary trip anchor, not a last-minute add-on.

Aubergine holds 2 Michelin Stars and operates from a nine-table dining room in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Wednesday through Sunday only. The eight-course tasting menu centers on Monterey coastal produce, with Miyazaki wagyu and red abalone as signature touchstones. Book at least a month out; this is one of the most technically precise tasting-menu experiences on the California coast, comparable in seriousness to The French Laundry but considerably more intimate.

é by José Andrés is Las Vegas's most rigorously structured tasting menu, earning consecutive OAD top-40 North America rankings (2023–2025). Dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday, with two seatings per night. At $$$ pricing with a 160-selection Spain-focused wine list, it rewards food and wine enthusiasts who want the full arc of Spanish molecular cuisine — not a casual night out.

A two-Michelin-star Edomae-style omakase on the Upper East Side, Sushi Noz operates at the precise end of New York's high-end sushi market. Chef Nozomu Abe presides over a 200-year-old hinoki counter in a hushed, temple-like room, where seasonal otsumami give way to nigiri of considerable technical discipline. Ranked 29th in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025, it belongs to a small peer group of counters where Tokyo-calibre sourcing meets Manhattan pricing.

Arca is the most credible fine-dining choice in Tulum and one of the strongest restaurants in Mexico right now, ranked #67 on the World's 50 Best list in 2025. Chef José Luis Hinostroza's micro-seasonal, open-fire menu earns the $$$$ price point, but book six to eight weeks out during high season — this one fills fast.

Ilis is Mads Refslund's Nordic-American tasting menu restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, ranked #61 on OAD North America 2025 and Esquire's #1 Best New Restaurant in 2023. The four- and seven-course menus rotate with the seasons, drawing on regional sourcing for dishes that run earthy and precise rather than rich. Booking is relatively easy for Manhattan fine dining, with dinner service Tuesday through Saturday.

Two Michelin stars and a top-35 North America ranking from Opinionated About Dining (2025), Atera delivers New Nordic and contemporary tasting-menu cooking from a spacious counter in Tribeca. The room runs deliberately relaxed for the price tier, with a serious 1,500-selection wine program to match. Book several weeks out minimum — availability at this level moves fast.

The Barn at Blackberry Farm is a fine-dining room on a working Tennessee farm, with a 135,000-bottle wine cellar holding a World of Fine Wine 3-Star Accreditation and farm-sourced American cooking under Chef Cassidee Dabney. Access is tied to a Blackberry Farm resort stay, pricing is $$$+, and the experience is worth building a trip around for food and wine explorers who want land-to-table depth.

Grant Achatz's three-Michelin-star flagship delivers one of America's most theatrical tasting experiences, with scented vapors, tabletop desserts, a black truffle explosion that justifies the hype. Bookings sell out in minutes, dinner runs three to four hours, the $210–$265 per person price tag (before wine) makes this a clear special-occasion choice. Worth it if you value performance alongside precision.

Noz 17 is a seven-seat omakase counter in Chelsea holding a Michelin star and an OAD top-50 ranking. Chef Junichi Matsuzaki's free-wheeling procession of otsumami, sashimi, nigiri makes it one of New York's strongest serious sushi bookings. Book four weeks out minimum — this is a hard seat to get.

Noda is a Michelin one-star, eight-seat omakase counter in Flatiron ranked #31 on OAD North America 2025. Chef Shigeyuki Tsunoda delivers technically precise traditional omakase — warmed rice, pristine nigiri, standout sea eel and uni — backed by a serious sake and vintage Champagne program through the adjoining Shinji bar. Hard to book; reserve months out.

Book Eleven Madison Park if a high-commitment vegan French tasting menu is exactly what you want, not just because it is famous. The case is strongest for first-timers who care about tasting-menu structure, formal service, a room built for a major occasion; diners wanting flexibility, meat, or an easier group dinner should choose another New York splurge.

Ranked #54 on Opinionated About Dining's 2024 North America list, Jung Sik Dang is the most accessible of New York City's top-tier progressive Korean tasting-menu rooms. Book it for a special occasion dinner in TriBeCa; a return visit via lunch is worth checking for value. Easier to secure than Atomix, with comparable ambition.

Quince is the San Francisco splurge to choose when a formal Italian-contemporary tasting menu, serious wine support, Michelin-level polish are the brief. It is worth the spend for milestone dinners and wine-focused guests, but less compelling for groups that want ordering flexibility or a looser room.

Langdon Hall is Ontario's most complete fine dining destination: a Michelin Plate, AAA 5 Diamond property ranked #33 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025), with chef Jason Bangerter's nine-course tasting menu built on 85 percent Ontario-sourced ingredients. Book the full overnight stay, add the World Classics wine pairing, plan well ahead — weekend tables go fast.

Torien is New York City's only yakitori restaurant operating at Michelin-star level, making it the clear answer if this format is your focus. The NoHo counter — a sibling to Tokyo's Torishiki — ranked #48 on OAD North America in 2025. Dinner only, hard to book, worth the $$$$ commitment if you want binchotan yakitori at its highest expression in the United States.

Ranked #40 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025) and holding a Michelin Plate, Lorea delivers technically precise modern Mexican cooking in Roma Norte at $$$ — one price tier below Pujol and Quintonil, with comparable critical standing. Book two to three weeks out for weekends; Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are more accessible.

Gilberto Cetina Jr.'s Michelin-starred Mexican seafood counter inside Mercado La Paloma delivers James Beard–level cooking at taquería prices. Order the smoked kanpachi taco and Baja scallop aguachile at lunch, or book the $120 Thursday–Friday tasting menu for eight courses without the line. No alcohol license, communal seating, peak-hour queues — but the quality-to-price ratio is exceptional.

A two-Michelin-star restaurant next to MoMA with tableside service, an exceptional wine programme (3,045 selections), and one of the most decorated track records in New York City. Book the main dining room for a special occasion, the Bar Room for a lower-commitment introduction to the same kitchen. Reserve six to eight weeks ahead for dinner.

Joo Ok earns its Michelin star with a Korean tasting menu that moves between tradition and contemporary technique without overreaching. Chef Shin Chang-ho's 16th-floor room above Koreatown is a hard reservation to get and worth pursuing if fine dining with a Korean culinary framework is what you are after. At $$$$ per head, the value holds up against New York's tasting menu competition.

Ranked #47 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025 and Pearl Recommended, Nakaji is a sourcing-focused omakase counter on Bowery where the fish quality does the talking. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30 pm. Booking is easier than most counters at this level, making it one of New York's most accessible high-end sushi options.

A two-Michelin-star dinner on the 63rd floor of a Wall Street Art Deco tower, Saga is one of New York City's most convincing special-occasion restaurants. Chef Charlie Mitchell's American tasting menu, a wine list of 8,000 bottles, 360-degree skyline views make the $$$ price point defensible. Book well in advance — tables are among the hardest to secure in the city.

Birdsong holds two Michelin stars and a Pearl Recommended 2025 designation, with live-fire Pacific Northwestern cooking that has climbed to #58 on the OAD North America list. At $$$$ pricing, it delivers more technical depth than Lazy Bear and more ingredient-forward cooking than Atelier Crenn. Book several weeks ahead — counter seats, the best option for solo diners and food enthusiasts, go fastest.

Langbaan is Portland's most decorated Thai restaurant and the 2024 James Beard Outstanding Restaurant winner. It runs as a ticketed tasting-menu experience with limited seats — booking difficulty is hard, advance purchase is essential. For food-focused travelers who want Thai cooking at a nationally recognized level of ambition, this is the reservation to prioritize in Portland.

Ever is Curtis Duffy's two-Michelin-starred modernist tasting menu in Chicago's Fulton Market, earning 96 points from La Liste in 2026 and AAA 5 Diamond recognition in 2025. The service is as considered as the cooking, the room is built for occasions that should feel deliberate. Booking is near impossible — plan several weeks ahead minimum.

Commis is Oakland's two-Michelin-star tasting menu and one of the Bay Area's most consistent high-end bookings. Chef James Syhabout's sourcing-led, California-inflected menu has held two stars since 2010, ranked #53 in Opinionated About Dining's North America list for 2025, is backed by a 1,035-bottle wine program. Book as far in advance as possible — availability is near-impossible on short notice.

Book The Inn at Little Washington when the meal is the occasion. It is a high-commitment New American destination with Patrick O'Connell attached, three Michelin stars, Forbes 5-Star recognition, major wine-list credentials, making it strongest for anniversaries, proposals, serious client dinners rather than casual flexibility.

Angler SF is a Michelin one-star seafood restaurant on the Embarcadero, driven by a wood-burning hearth and one of San Francisco's most serious wine lists — 2,530 selections strong, with depth in Burgundy and California. At the $$$$ price tier, it earns its place for a wine-anchored dinner with Bay Bridge views, but book well ahead: availability is tight.

Jean Georges holds 2 Michelin Stars, a La Liste 95-point ranking (2026), and a Central Park dining room that justifies occasion spending. Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner only, it's harder to book than most New York tasting-menu restaurants — plan 3–4 weeks ahead minimum. For Modern French cooking with global flavor range and a setting that earns its price, this is a dependable choice.

Canlis is Seattle's most decorated fine-dining address, open since 1950 and now sharper than ever under F&W Best New Chef Aisha Ibrahim. The multicourse tasting menu, panoramic Lake Union views, a 12,000-bottle wine cellar make it the city's clearest answer to a serious occasion dinner. Book three to four weeks ahead and budget well above $200 per person with wine.

Californios holds two Michelin stars and a #59 OAD North America ranking for good reason: Val Cantú's Mexican heritage tasting menu, anchored in California farm produce and a 960-bottle wine list with rare Mexico depth, is unlike anything else at this price tier in San Francisco. Book months ahead — availability is near impossible — and budget for both the $$$$ food and a $$$ wine pairing.

Atelier Crenn is a high-commitment San Francisco splurge for diners who want modern French fine dining as the main event. The case for booking is strongest for a focused table of two, a milestone dinner, or a repeat visit where the format still feels worth the premium; otherwise, cross-shop nearby $$$$ peers with more flexible cuisine profiles.

Rose's Luxury is a Michelin-starred Capitol Hill anchor and one of the strongest cases for $$$$ dining in Washington D.C. Chef Aaron Silverman's family-style prix fixe runs Wednesday through Saturday only, tables are hard to secure — book four to six weeks out. Ranked #57 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025, Pearl Recommended.

A Michelin-starred Korean BBQ restaurant from Corey Lee of Benu, San Ho Won delivers technically precise fire cooking at $$$, well below the $$$$ tasting-menu tier. Ranked #38 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025, it is one of San Francisco's strongest value cases for a serious dinner. Book three to four weeks out minimum.

Contramar is the strongest value argument in Mexico City's serious restaurant tier: $$ pricing, a 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand, a top-51 Opinionated About Dining ranking. Gabriela Cámara's Pacific coast seafood kitchen in Roma Norte is the clearest answer to 'where should I have lunch in Mexico City?' — easy to book, group-friendly, consistently credentialled.

<p>Coquine earns its 2026 James Beard Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program semifinalist nod with a wine-forward New American menu and unpolished Southeast Belmont dining room. Chef Katy Millard's cooking favors produce and protein over plating spectacle, the beverage program drives pairing decisions more than at most peers. Book weeknights for easier walk-in odds; weekends require 3–4 weeks advance notice.</p>

Toronto's only two-Michelin-star sushi counter, Sushi Masaki Saito delivers edomae omakase at a level unmatched anywhere in Canada. Chef Masaki Saito's access to Japanese fish and product is genuinely without peer in the country. Book months ahead — this is near-impossible to secure — and only if omakase is a format you already know you want.

Torrisi holds a Michelin star and an Opinionated About Dining #69 North America ranking (2025), and it earns both inside one of New York's most impressive dining rooms — the landmarked Puck Building in NoLIta. The Italian-American menu is rooted in the city's immigrant food history, the wine list runs to 850 selections, booking difficulty is high. Plan three to four weeks ahead for weekend dinner.

Parks BBQ is the strongest case for Korean barbecue in Los Angeles, holding consecutive Michelin Plates (2024–2025) and back-to-back OAD North America top-100 placements under chef Jenee Kim. At $$$, it delivers documented national-level quality in the heart of Koreatown without the $$$$ price tag of LA's tasting-menu circuit. Book two to four days ahead for weekday dinner; lunch is more accessible.

bōm is one of New York's hardest Korean reservations to land and one of the more rewarding — a Michelin-starred counter tasting menu from chef Brian Kim, ranked #83 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025. The wagyu-forward format, live counter grills, luxury ingredient stacking make this the right call for diners who want premium Korean cooking at the top of the city's range.

Senia is the most credentialed New Hawaiian restaurant in Honolulu, ranking #66 on Opinionated About Dining's Top Restaurants in North America in 2025 — up from #87 in 2023. Chef Anthony Rush runs a focused dinner-only operation in Chinatown, Tuesday through Saturday. Book here for special occasions when both the food and the cocktail program need to perform.

A Michelin-starred tempura counter in Murray Hill ranked #65 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025. The fixed tasting format runs soup, sashimi, a seasonal tempura sequence — counter seats are the only ones worth booking. Hard to get, consistently credentialed, a strong value case against broader $$$$ omakase options in New York.

Casa Oaxaca is the most decorated restaurant in Oaxaca, ranked in Opinionated About Dining's top 68 in North America three years running and holding a Michelin Plate in 2024 and 2025. Chef Alejandro Ruiz delivers formally recognised Oaxacan cooking at $$$ pricing — worth it for serious food travellers, though Levadura de Olla offers comparable quality at lower cost. Book a weekday lunch for the easiest access.

Oiji Mi is one of New York City's most compelling cases for contemporary Korean fine dining: a Michelin-starred, five-course prix fixe in Flatiron with a kitchen ranked #63 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025. Book it for a special occasion or a serious date. Hard to get into, consistently worth the effort.

Chef Atsushi Yokota sources ingredients predominantly from Japan; French-trained bookend courses add range to the tempura sequence. Hard to book, worth the effort for diners whose priority is tempura at this level.

n/naka is a two-Michelin-starred kaiseki in Culver City where Chefs Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama serve a 13-course, California-inflected tasting menu rooted in seasonality and precision. Ranked ninth on the LA Times 2024 list of 101 Best Restaurants, it is one of the hardest reservations in Los Angeles. Book months ahead and commit to the drinks pairing.

Nicos has held an OAD North America ranking three years running and a Michelin Plate, all at a $ price point that undercuts every comparable option in Mexico City. Chef Gerardo Vázquez Lugo's kitchen has been executing traditional regional Mexican cooking in Claveria since 1957, the service is practiced enough to justify the cost many times over. Book for Saturday lunch; Wednesday through Saturday are your dinner options.

Chef Holly Smith's Northern Italian kitchen in Kirkland has placed in the Opinionated About Dining Top 100 North America three consecutive years (2023–2025) and. It is the strongest Italian dining option in the greater Seattle area for a focused, occasion-worthy dinner — easier to book than Canlis and more serious than most city-centre alternatives. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday evenings only.

Alfonsina has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand for three consecutive years and ranks in OAD's Top 60 restaurants in North America — strong credentials for a $$ restaurant on Calle García Vigil. Chef Jorge León runs a kitchen grounded in Oaxacan ingredients, but the drinks program is the detail most first-time visitors miss. Easy to book and worth returning to.

Next Restaurant is a Michelin-starred tasting menu in Chicago's Fulton Market that rebuilds its entire menu every four months around a new culinary theme. Founded by Grant Achatz and ranked #76 on Opinionated About Dining's 2025 North America list, it delivers a theatrical, narrative-driven experience at the $$$$ tier. Book when the current theme aligns with your interests — the format rewards planning.

Le Coucou holds a Michelin star and ranked #81 on Opinionated About Dining's North America list in 2025, making it one of downtown Manhattan's strongest cases for classical French cooking at the $$$$ tier. Chef Daniel Rose runs an à la carte menu — giving you more spending control than tasting-menu-only peers — with dinner service running until 11 PM. Book four to six weeks out minimum.

Edulis is a Michelin-starred, tasting menu-only room on Niagara Street that delivers classical Mediterranean-influenced cooking — with a seafood focus — in an intimate, unhurried setting. Ranked #79 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025) and scoring 94 points in La Liste 2026, it earns its $$$$ price tier through precision and warmth rather than formality. Book hard in advance; Sunday lunch is the format to prioritise.

Kasama is the world's first two-Michelin-star Filipino restaurant, operating as a daytime café and a 13-course tasting menu in Chicago's East Ukrainian Village. The tasting menu books 45 days out and earns its $$$$ price with James Beard and Opinionated About Dining credentials. Plan at least two visits: one for the daytime pastry program, one for the evening tasting menu.

Rezdôra earns its Michelin star with deeply regional Emilia-Romagna cooking in a warm Flatiron room that avoids the stiffness common at comparable $$$$ venues. The regional pasta tasting is the move on a first visit; the 525-bottle wine list, with Piedmont and Tuscany as its strengths, rewards a return. Book at least three weeks out — this one fills fast.

Masayoshi Takayama's three-Michelin-star omakase at Columbus Circle is New York's most expensive sushi counter and among the hardest to book, but the 26-course tasting and pristine hinoki bar justify the $800+ price if you're comparing it against the city's other top-tier omakase programs. Request counter seating for the full experience.

Vespertine is Jordan Kahn's two-Michelin-starred tasting menu in Culver City, priced at $395 per person for a four-hour, multi-sensory evening. Pearl Recommended for 2025 and ranked top 26 in North America by Opinionated About Dining, it is the only restaurant in Los Angeles combining this level of technical cooking with full theatrical production. Book it if you want an event, not just dinner.

America's first Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse, Cote delivers more than most $$$$ venues in New York: A5 and USDA Prime beef dry-aged in-house, tableside grilling by trained staff, a 1,200-label wine list with a World of Fine Wine 2-Star Accreditation. The Butcher's Feast at $65 per person is the entry point for first-timers. Book three to four weeks out minimum — weekend prime slots are near impossible.

Stages at One Washington is one of the strongest cases for a dining detour to Dover, NH: ranked in OAD's top 60 restaurants in North America for three consecutive years, with a sourcing-driven progressive American format that changes with the season. It's significantly easier to book than comparably ranked urban tasting menus, the tracks with the critical recognition.

Bangkok Supper Club earned an Opinionated About Dining Casual North America recognition in 2025 and strong credentials for a West Village Thai restaurant at the $$ food price point. Chef Max Wittawat's contemporary Thai menu pulls from family recipes with precise execution. Book for a return visit and ask for counter seating.

Daniel is the benchmark for classic French fine dining in New York: three Michelin stars, a 10,000-bottle cellar, formal Upper East Side service that has stayed consistent for over 30 years. Book four to six weeks out minimum. At $$$$, it is a genuine special-occasion restaurant, but the wine program alone — 2,000 selections with particular depth in Burgundy and Bordeaux — makes it the strongest wine-and-food pairing destination in its category.

Emeril's is the right booking when a New Orleans dinner needs to feel serious, polished, worth planning around. With Michelin 2 Stars, a Wine Spectator Grand Award, E.J. Lagasse leading a Cajun kitchen, it is better for a seated special occasion than takeout, delivery, or a casual group meal.

Hawksworth has held the top of Vancouver's contemporary dining scene since 2011, earning La Liste recognition and a top-100 Opinionated About Dining ranking in North America. It currently operates as a breakfast and lunch venue inside the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, with reliable service and a European-rooted Pacific Northwest menu. Book when consistency and occasion polish matter more than novelty.

A 10-seat Edomae omakase counter in the basement of a Little Tokyo office building, Sushi Kaneyoshi holds a Michelin star and ranks #78 on OAD's North America list (2025). Chef Yoshiyuki Inoue's focus on Hikarimono and classical technique places it among LA's most serious sushi destinations. Hard to book, fixed format, $$$$ — right for committed omakase diners, not a casual introduction to the category.

Atoboy is Pearl's recommended modern Korean restaurant in NoMad, Manhattan, offering a $75 set menu that consistently ranks among North America's best casual fine-dining options. Chef Junghyun Park's creative Korean-Western pairings and a 3-Star wine accreditation make this an easy call for a special occasion dinner without the $$$$ commitment of Atomix. Booking is straightforward — usually a week or two out.

Naro delivers serious Modern Korean cooking from inside Rockefeller Center — a Michelin Plate recipient, OAD Top 100 North America (2025), and Pearl Recommended. The tasting menu format in the main dining room is the reason to go; the bar offers a la carte access at lower commitment. Booking is currently Easy relative to peers in New York's Korean fine dining tier.

Kochi is a Michelin-starred Korean skewer restaurant in Hell's Kitchen delivering a hands-on tasting menu from chef Sungchul Shim. Ranked #85 in North America by OAD (2025), it earns its $$$$ price point through precise sourcing — Iberico pork, steelhead trout — and a format that favors energy over ceremony. Book 4+ weeks out; this is a hard table in New York's fine-dining market.

Légende earned a Michelin star in 2025 and, making it one of Quebec City's most credentialed creative-cuisine restaurants. Part of the La Tanière Group, it delivers northern Canadian cooking with a 600-selection wine list at the $$$$ price tier. Book well ahead — tables are hard to secure, dinner is the format that justifies the spend.

Gabriel Kreuther holds two Michelin stars, a AAA 5 Diamond rating, 93 points from La Liste — and earns all of them. The French-Alsatian kitchen in Midtown Manhattan is best booked for a Wednesday or Thursday lunch to experience the full dining room at its most accessible. Walk-ins are possible at the lounge; the eight-seat Kitchen Table is the standout option for groups.