2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended — Page 3

Demi is the Minneapolis pick for a polished American Contemporary dinner when the meal itself is the point. It suits date nights, anniversaries, serious client dinners better than casual groups, with Gavin Kaysen's name and 2026 recognition from Relais & Châteaux and Opinionated About Dining supporting the splurge case.

Hamano Sushi on Castro Street holds Michelin Plate recognition and an Opinionated About Dining North America ranking, making it one of Noe Valley's most credible sushi options at the $$$ price point. Dinner only, seven nights a week. Book a few days ahead for weekend seats, arrive at 5 pm opening if you want the room at its best.

The Refectory is Columbus's most credentialed French restaurant, ranked #578 on OAD's Top Restaurants in North America (2025) and holding a Star Wine List White Star for its 2,800-bottle cellar. At $$ cuisine pricing with dinner served Wednesday through Saturday, it's the right call for a wine-forward anniversary or special occasion dinner in central Ohio.

Peak on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards is a serious restaurant that happens to have one of the most dramatic views in New York. Chef Rose Noel's New American menu holds up beyond the spectacle, Wine Director Zachary Kameron oversees a 1,920-selection list with real depth. Book a window table explicitly, consider a late dinner — the kitchen runs until 10 or 10:30 PM and the room is better after dark.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea has earned consecutive Opinionated About Dining North America rankings, climbing to #372 in 2025 under chef Gary Volkov. The converted West Village carriage house is a reliable special-occasion dinner pick, with Friday and Saturday evenings delivering the full atmospheric experience. Sunday lunch offers a lower-key alternative, though dinner is where the kitchen shows its range.

Nobu Palo Alto is a safer pick for a polished Japanese meal in downtown Palo Alto than for takeout or bargain dining. Book it for dates, client dinners, celebrations where an easy reservation and recognizable experience matter; cross-shop Pizzeria Delfina Palo Alto or Reposado if the group wants a more casual, lower-pressure meal.

Ssal is the strongest case for Korean-Californian tasting menu cooking in San Francisco: Michelin-starred in both 2024 and 2025, ranked #228 in North America by Opinionated About Dining, operated by chef-owner Junsoo Bae with a 650-selection wine list. Book well ahead. At $$$$ with dinner only, this is a considered spend that rewards repeat visits as the kitchen continues to develop.

Shin Sushi in Encino holds a 2025 Michelin star and an Opinionated About Dining Top 300 North America ranking — making it one of the strongest cases for crossing the Valley. Chef Taketoshi Azumi runs a counter-format omakase at $$$$ pricing that outperforms its suburban setting decisively. Book three to four weeks out minimum; weekend seats go fast.

Sushi Ann is an Opinionated About Dining-ranked sushi restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, rated #392 in North America for 2025. It is one of the more bookable credentialed sushi addresses in New York — no months-long wait, weekday lunch and dinner service, a focused traditional format that rewards returning guests.

Cipriani Downtown gets written off as a scene restaurant, but the Italian-American kitchen has earned an Opinionated About Dining Casual North America ranking (#232, 2025) for good reason. At the $$$ food tier with a 1,300-bottle wine list and easy booking, it sits comfortably above SoHo casual without competing with destination-dining rooms. Book for weekday lunch if you want the food to lead.

Ômo by Jônt is Winter Park's only Michelin-starred restaurant (1 star, 2025), run by chef Ryan Ratino as a contemporary Japanese tasting menu. At $$$$ per head with a serious 250-selection wine program, it is the area's clearest answer for a special occasion dinner. Book four to six weeks out minimum — the room is small and the star will tighten availability.

Should you book Armani/Ristorante New York? Yes for a polished Madison Avenue special occasion, client dinner, or dressed-up date where the room matters. Skip it for casual value, bar energy, or a spontaneous group meal; the stronger play is a planned lunch or dinner when formality is useful.

Hakkasan Las Vegas is worth booking for a high-energy Strip dinner with a polished, occasion-ready feel, especially if the meal is part of a bigger night out. Forbes Recommended for 2026, it is a stronger fit for atmosphere and group momentum than for a quiet, wine-led dinner; compare L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon or Joel Robuchon at The Mansion if the bottle list and pacing matter more.

Open until 3 am Monday through Saturday, it rewards returning diners who order seasonally and pace their meals. Booking is easy by Las Vegas standards.

Sushi Roku is an OAD-recognised sushi restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip, ranked #478 in North America in 2024. Booking is easy — typically a few days out — and weekend lunch hours from noon make it one of the few Strip sushi options that works as a daytime special occasion meal.

Open daily from 8:30 am with late-night weekend hours to 1 am, it is easy to book and practical for solo diners, groups, off-premise orders alike.

Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen at Caesars Palace is the Strip's most critically validated celebrity-chef restaurant, ranked by Opinionated About Dining in North America three consecutive years (2023–2025). Open daily from 11am, it suits both lunch and dinner. Book a table — the experience is designed for the room, not delivery.

Barbara is one of Vancouver's hardest reservations for good reason: a Michelin star, an Opinionated About Dining ranking, a counter format that puts you directly in front of serious local-sourcing cooking. Open Tuesday to Friday evenings only, it suits solo diners and pairs best. Book three to four weeks out and go Thursday if you can.

Kosaka is one of New York's most technically precise omakase counters, with three consecutive years on the Opinionated About Dining North America list and a ranking of #382 in 2025. The 12-seat West Village counter runs Tuesday through Saturday, dinner only — book at least three to four weeks out. At the $$$$ price point, the fish-forward, technique-driven format earns its place in the competitive New York sushi tier.

One White Street is a Michelin-starred New American in a Tribeca townhouse where the wine program — a World of Fine Wine Global Winner with 1,700 selections — is as important as the plate. Chef Austin Johnson's farm-sourced, seasonally driven kitchen delivers bold flavors at the $$$$ tier. Book well in advance: demand is consistently high and reservation availability is limited.

Hiden is Miami's most credentialed omakase counter: Michelin-starred, La Liste-ranked, helmed by chef Seijun Okano in Wynwood. At $$$$ pricing with a booking difficulty rated Hard, it rewards those who plan ahead. Book four to six weeks out for the most serious Japanese fine dining seat currently operating in Florida.

Restaurant Martin is a strong Santa Fe pick for a composed dinner when the group wants something calmer than a casual stop but easier than a high-stakes destination meal. Its Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America recognition adds credibility, while the lean public details make it better for flexible diners than anyone comparing menus and budgets in advance.

Michelin one-star omakase in Midtown Manhattan with Toyosu Market sourcing and a composed, quiet room inside One Vanderbilt. Ranked #262 in North America by OAD (2025), Joji earns its $$$$ price tag through product quality and precise execution rather than service theatrics. Book several weeks out — midweek lunch slots are your best entry point.

Hyun is Manhattan's most serious Korean BBQ address, built around an omakase-style progression of tableside-grilled Japanese A5 Wagyu. Ranked on Opinionated About Dining's Top Restaurants in North America three years running, it is the right call for a date or special occasion dinner in Midtown, not a casual grill-your-own night out. Booking is easy relative to other NYC fine-dining venues at this level.

Lambs Club is worth booking when the night calls for a polished Midtown steakhouse with a serious cocktail program, not just another pre-theater table. Compared with Gallaghers or Gus's Chop House, it is pricier and more occasion-driven; compared with La Tête d’Or, Crane Club, Carne Mare, its advantage is the bar-plus-dining-room experience near Times Square.

Ranked #157 on Opinionated About Dining's Top Restaurants in North America (2025) and holding a Star Wine List White Star, Luthun is a serious progressive American option in New York's East Village. It runs until 11:30 PM Wednesday through Saturday, making it one of the few kitchens at this level with a genuine late-night window. Booking is easy for now.

Bastion earned a Michelin star in 2025, placing it at the top of Nashville's dining hierarchy. A small, serious contemporary restaurant at the $$$$ tier in Wedgewood-Houston, it rewards food-focused diners who want a kitchen-led experience. Book well in advance — post-Michelin demand makes this one of the hardest reservations in the city.

Ken Sushi Workshop in San Diego's Carmel Valley has climbed to #179 on Opinionated About Dining's Top Restaurants in North America list for 2025, with a 4.7 rating across 727 reviews. Chef Ken Lee runs a precision counter-sushi operation that earns its recognition. Book mid-week lunch for the easiest entry; Friday and Saturday dinner fill fast.

A Michelin-starred Japanese steakhouse in San Francisco's Design District, Niku is built around an open binchotan grill, in-house dry-aged wagyu, a 730-bottle wine list. The 18-seat chef's counter is the seat to book. Ranked #351 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025), it earns its price point through precision service and sourcing — not spectacle.

Richmond Station is a practical downtown Toronto pick for a polished meal that does not need to become a formal splurge. Book it for weekday lunch, dinner near the Financial District, or a small special occasion; choose another venue if the priority is brunch, a loud group setting, or a confirmed signature-dish plan.

Ten is one of College Street's harder bookings and earns it: back-to-back Michelin Plate recognition (2024 and 2025), and a 185-selection wine list with $$ pricing make it a genuine $$$$ destination on Toronto's west side. Book well in advance and budget $100–$150 per person with wine.

Montréal Plaza holds a Michelin Plate (2025) and ranks #315 in OAD's Top Restaurants in North America — an accessible booking for the quality level. Co-chefs Charles-Antoine Crête and Cheryl Johnson run a seasonal, French-rooted menu with genuine creativity and a playful room designed by Zébulon Perron. Open Tuesday to Saturday evenings only. Book it now while reservations are still easy to secure.

Boulevard at 1 Mission Street is San Francisco's strongest Californian-French dinner at the $$$ tier, with a Michelin Plate, Pearl Recommended status, a wine cellar of 950 selections. The kitchen follows the California produce calendar closely, making late spring and early autumn the optimal windows to visit. Moderate booking difficulty means two to three weeks ahead is usually enough.

Sushi Kaito is a focused omakase counter on the Upper West Side led by Chef Yoko Hasegawa, recognised by Opinionated About Dining in both 2023 and 2024. It is notably easier to book than comparable downtown counters. The best choice for a composed, celebration-style dinner in the neighbourhood.

One of Washington D.C.'s strongest cases for a $$$$ celebration meal, Fiola Mare pairs a Potomac waterfront terrace with an Italian seafood kitchen ranked #216 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025). Weekend brunch and lunch offer the best value ratio. Book the terrace three to four weeks out — it goes fast.

Bond Street has held a place on the Opinionated About Dining North America list since its 1998 opening, with confirming consistent delivery. Easier to book than most serious sushi rooms in Manhattan, it works best for returning diners who position themselves at the dedicated sushi bar and order seasonally. Not a destination-trip anchor, but a reliable NoHo choice for modern Japanese done well.

The Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is one of Dallas's most decorated hotel dining rooms, ranked #424 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025). Chef Charles Olalia runs a French-influenced Texas kitchen across breakfast, lunch, dinner, backed by a 700-selection wine list. Book the chef's table or Wine Cellar room for a special occasion; try lunch first if you want to gauge value before committing to dinner.

Roy's is the easy Honolulu pick for an Asian Fusion dinner that needs more polish than a casual neighborhood meal. Book it for celebrations, date nights, visiting-family dinners, or business meals on the east side; cross-shop Piggy Smalls for a looser Asian Fusion meal or Ono Steaks and Shrimp Shack when value matters more than setting.

Commander's Palace is the reference point for serious Creole dining in New Orleans: seven James Beard Awards, a 2,800-selection wine list, kitchen sourcing that is genuinely place-specific. At the $$ cuisine price tier, it delivers more ambition per dollar than almost any comparable address in the city. Book well in advance — this is not a walk-in restaurant.

Amaranta is the most compelling reason to visit Toluca for food. Chef Pablo Salas runs a daytime-only Mexican restaurant that has ranked on Opinionated About Dining's North America list three consecutive years — reaching #437 in 2025. Easy to book and calm in atmosphere, it suits food-focused travelers who want depth and regional grounding without Mexico City's reservation friction.

Ranked #326 on Opinionated About Dining's North America list in 2025, Opus delivers European-influenced Canadian cooking and a serious wine cellar — 2,100 selections, deep in Burgundy and Bordeaux — at the $$$ tier rather than the $$$$ price ceiling most Toronto fine dining commands. Open seven nights a week in Yorkville, it is one of the easier OAD-ranked bookings in the city.

Oishii Boston earns back-to-back Opinionated About Dining recognition and offers serious sushi in the South End without the rigid omakase format. Easy to book by Boston standards, with a 220-selection wine list and lunch service on Fridays and Saturdays — a practical first call for a date or special occasion dinner.

Rosella is an à la carte, hyper-sustainable sushi counter in New York's East Village, ranked #245 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025. Chefs Yoni Lang and Jeff Miller deliver technically precise contemporary sushi with a North Fork and West Coast wine list. Easier to book than most venues at this quality level, more flexible than a fixed omakase.

Scaramouche is Toronto's most consistently decorated French fine-dining room, holding a Michelin Plate and three straight years in Opinionated About Dining's North America Top 300. Dinner-only, business casual, genuinely hard to book on weekends — this is the right call for a formal occasion or a serious food visit to the city. Book two to three weeks out minimum.

Nisei is David Yoshimura's Michelin one-star Japanese-American tasting menu on Polk Street, ranked no. 318 on OAD's North America list in 2025. At $$$$ pricing with a 1,455-bottle wine list at moderate markup, it delivers serious value for the category. Booking is hard — plan three to four weeks ahead for Wednesday through Sunday dinner seatings.

Blue Ribbon Sushi in SoHo delivers consistent, a la carte sushi quality backed by three consecutive years on the Opinionated About Dining North America list and. The format is relaxed and bookings are easy — making it the practical choice for quality sushi when you want recognised credentials without omakase commitment or booking friction.

Bernini Honolulu is one of Hawaii's few OAD-ranked Italian restaurants, led by chef Toshihiro Kobayashi and recognised in the Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America list at #466 in 2025. Dinner-only, Tuesday through Sunday, with low booking difficulty relative to its critical standing. A strong choice for a special occasion dinner in Honolulu.

Genki Omakase is worth booking when the brief is a focused New York City sushi meal without heavy ceremony. It is a better fit for pairs or small groups aligned on omakase than for a drinks-first night or a table that wants broad à la carte choice.

Baldi is a practical Beverly Hills pick when you want a polished Canon Drive dinner without committing to a rigid tasting format. Booking is easy, the schedule favors dinner plus late-week lunch, 2026 recognition from Opinionated About Dining gives it a useful trust signal. Cross-shop Il Pastaio for a clearer Italian brief and Nate'n Al's for casual daytime comfort.

Ranked in Opinionated About Dining's Top Restaurants in North America two years running, Carlyle Restaurant delivers technically grounded American cooking in a composed Upper East Side hotel dining room under chef Sylvain Delpique. It is easier to book than most OAD-ranked peers and. The right choice if you want a reliable, polished American table without the downtown booking competition.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil holds a Michelin Star and a Pearl Recommended designation for 2025, with chef Robert Curry running a seasonally sourced Californian menu on a 33-acre olive grove above the Napa Valley floor. Book the outdoor terrace at lunch for the strongest version of the experience. Booking is hard — plan three to four weeks ahead minimum.

Ranked #551 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025), Matador Room is one of Miami Beach's more credible hotel restaurants — a Latin menu built on Florida seafood, a terrace with ocean views, late dinner service Friday and Saturday until 11 pm. Book two to three weeks ahead for weekend evenings; walk-ins are not a reliable strategy here.

Kappo Masa is Masayoshi Takayama's Upper East Side Japanese restaurant, ranked in Opinionated About Dining's Top Restaurants in North America every year since 2023. The kappo format and gallery-adjacent room make it a strong choice for a composed, conversation-friendly dinner. Booking is currently easy by Manhattan standards, with weekday lunch the most underrated window.

Matsuhisa Aspen is the original namesake restaurant in the Nobu Matsuhisa line — predating New York, Los Angeles, every other outpost — and it backs that history with an OAD North America ranking of #465 (2025). Under chef Philip Tanaka, it is one of Aspen's most credentialed dinner options. Book 1–2 weeks out in shoulder season, earlier during peak ski weeks.

Azure is a strong Waikiki pick for a composed dinner when convenience and atmosphere matter more than chasing a hard reservation. Its 2026 Opinionated About Dining recommendation adds a useful trust signal, but the better reason to book is occasion fit: dinner-only hours, resort polish, an easy location on Kalākaua Avenue.

A Michelin Plate-recognised eight-seat omakase counter in Gardena, open weekends only with two seatings per night. At the $$$$ price tier, Sushi Sonagi earns it: chef-driven multicourse omakase with standout dishes including dolsot sekogani and house-made dessert. Book four to six weeks ahead minimum. Best for special occasions and serious sushi diners who plan ahead.

Olamaie is Austin's most credentialed Southern dining room, holding a Michelin star in both 2024 and 2025 and an Opinionated About Dining Top 400 North America ranking. Chef Michael Fojtasek's $$$ price point makes it more accessible than most Michelin-adjacent Austin alternatives. Book three to six weeks ahead; tables go fast and the restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday.

HAGS is one of the East Village's hardest reservations and earns it: a petite, produce-driven tasting menu restaurant with an OAD Top Restaurants in North America (2025) ranking and. Two menus — vegan and omnivore — run at a sensible price for the $$$$ tier. Book at least three to four weeks out, or walk in on Sunday for the pay-what-you-want format.

Mari is a Michelin-starred Korean handroll tasting counter in Hell's Kitchen from chef Sungchul Shim, ranked #177 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025. The counter-only format and $$$$ price tier make it a hard book and a destination dinner. Secure a reservation well in advance.

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.

Sons & Daughters holds two Michelin stars and ranks among the top tasting-menu restaurants in San Francisco, with a Nordic-Californian kitchen that earns its $$$$ price through technical precision and a 630-bottle wine program. Booking difficulty is Near Impossible — plan at least 30 days out. For the right diner, it is one of the city's strongest cases for a full tasting-menu evening.

Le Mousso is one of Montreal's most consistently recognised creative French restaurants, holding a 2025 Michelin Plate and an OAD Top 212 North America ranking. It operates Thursday to Saturday only, 6–10 pm, at 1025 Ontario St E. Book it for an intimate, food-focused dinner — the three-night schedule means slots go fast, but booking difficulty is rated Easy with advance planning.

Sushi Amane is a Michelin-starred omakase counter in Midtown East, Pearl Recommended for 2025. Chef Shion Uino serves a focused progression of Japanese-sourced fish over sharply vinegared rice in an intimate downstairs room. At $$$$ per head, it earns its price through sourcing discipline and technical precision — book well ahead, as the small counter fills fast.

Le Vallauris is the most credentialled French restaurant in Palm Springs, ranked #230 on Opinionated About Dining's Top Restaurants in North America for 2025. With a 1,020-bottle wine list and Sunday brunch service, it's the right call for special occasions and celebration meals. Cuisine is priced at $$ and booking is easy by OAD-restaurant standards.

Hashiri is San Francisco's quietly improving omakase counter, ranked #358 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025. Chef-led, sourcing-focused, dinner-only Tuesday through Saturday, it suits food-forward diners willing to commit to the format. Book one to three weeks out; easy to secure by fine dining standards, but the single nightly seating leaves no flexibility on timing.

Orchids is Honolulu's most consistently recognized hotel restaurant, ranked by Opinionated About Dining three years running and backed by a 750-bottle wine program with a named sommelier team. Chef Christian Testa leads an Italian and Mediterranean kitchen at a $$$ price point inside the Halekulani. Booking is easy, but plan to spend $150+ per head once wine is involved.

Manhatta delivers genuinely seasonal New American cooking 60 floors above the Financial District, backed by Danny Meyer's service standards and a 1,570-selection wine list. Ranked #237 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025), it earns its price at $$$. Book 1 to 2 weeks out for lunch, 2 to 3 weeks for weekend dinner.

Mori Nozomi is the most compelling sushi omakase to open in Los Angeles in 2024 — Michelin-starred, eight seats, built around a kaiseki-inflected progression that goes well beyond a standard nigiri format. Reservations are hard to secure and evenings-only Tuesday through Saturday. Book if you are serious about the format; expect to plan weeks ahead.

Family Meal at Blue Hill delivers a fixed, family-style seasonal menu built around vegetables sourced from Blue Hill at Stone Barns — more intimate and less theatrical than Eleven Madison Park at the same $$$$ price tier. Ranked #428 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2024). Book three to four weeks ahead; this room fills fast.

NUBIANI is the Korean BBQ choice to consider when the meal needs more polish than a casual grill night. It is easier to plan than tougher reservation targets, has late hours on key nights, carries Opinionated About Dining recognition, but price-sensitive groups should check the menu first.

Seven Reasons is one of Washington, D.C.'s hardest $$$$ reservations to secure, the OAD rankings — #284 in 2024, #285 in 2025 — justify the effort. Chef Enrique Limardo's Venezuelan, Peruvian, Caribbean menu delivers generous portions in a bi-level room that looks as good as the food. Book three to four weeks ahead for dinner; weekday lunch is your best chance at a shorter lead time.

Jory at the Allison Inn is the meal to plan your Willamette Valley trip around — a Forbes Four-Star Pacific Northwest kitchen with a casual dress code, deep wine list, service that earns its credentials. Book three to four weeks out for weekends and request the open kitchen counter for the best seat in the room. The 40-minute drive from Portland means you commit, so make it count.

Scarpetta is the practical NoMad choice when the group wants a polished central Manhattan dinner without a difficult booking chase. The 2026 Opinionated About Dining Recommended recognition gives it credibility, while the real value is location, flexibility, broad occasion fit rather than a hyper-specific dining format.

Fearing's at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas is the city's most credentialed Southwestern fine dining address, holding Michelin Plate recognition in both 2024 and 2025 and. Book three to four weeks ahead for weekend dinners. At $$$$ it earns its price for special occasions where service quality and a regionally grounded menu both matter.

IMA is a Michelin Plate-recognised Japanese restaurant in Beverly Hills operating at the $$$$ tier, earning. It holds its own against serious competition in the Los Angeles Japanese dining field, the relatively low review count means reservations are more attainable now than they will be once 2025 Michelin attention builds. Book weekday evenings and confirm the menu format before you go.

Casa Tua is Miami Beach's most credentialed Italian restaurant: ranked #223 in North America by Opinionated About Dining (2025) and holding Star Wine List's #1 spot, it delivers serious cooking and a serious wine list inside a landmarked 1925 house. Book here for special occasions or wine-focused dinners. For more casual Italian at a lower price point, consider Boia De instead.

Kabawa is worth prioritizing for a New York City celebration when the table wants a Caribbean tasting menu with a clear point of view. The counter-forward room suits solo diners, dates, small groups better than large parties, the strongest reason to choose it over nearby alternatives is the more structured, occasion-ready experience.

Ernest is a Michelin Plate-recognised Modern Californian restaurant in San Francisco's Mission District, ranked on the Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America list in both 2024 and 2025. At $$$ pricing with moderate booking difficulty, it is the most accessible entry point into serious San Francisco cooking — worth booking two to three weeks ahead for weekend tables.

Ai Fiori, on the second floor of the Langham Hotel on Fifth Avenue, is Midtown's most wine-serious Italian restaurant, holding the Star Wine List #1 ranking in 2025 and an Opinionated About Dining #235 North America position. At $$$$ pricing, it delivers formal service and a 1,750-selection wine list that justifies a return visit for anyone who treats the bottle as seriously as the plate.

Saddle Peak Lodge is a converted 1920s hunting lodge in Calabasas earning consecutive Opinionated About Dining recognition (ranked #369 in 2025) under Chef Adam Horton. Book for dinner when the canyon setting and game-forward seasonal menu are at full effect. Booking is easy relative to peers, but plan for the 30-minute drive from central LA.

Mita is Washington D.C.'s only Michelin-starred plant-based Latin American tasting menu, operating out of Shaw since earning its star in 2024. Chefs Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora run a short and long format menu drawing on Brazilian, Bolivian, Colombian influences. At $$$$ with a serious wine program, it is the right booking for a special occasion — provided plant-based cooking is a genuine interest, not a concession.

Uchi is the better Miami pick when the meal needs range, pacing, enough depth to justify a return visit. It is not the obvious choice for a quick casual bite or a high-priced sushi-only splurge; it works better for two to four diners who want a composed dinner and care about the wine side of the experience.

Chef Pepe Moncayo's Spanish-Japanese omakase at Penn Quarter has earned OAD Top 400 in North America for two consecutive years and a Michelin Plate recognition. At $$$$ pricing, it delivers a genuinely distinctive tasting menu format that outpaces most D.C. peers on concept and execution. Book three to four weeks out minimum — demand has grown steadily since its 2023 OAD debut.

Citrin is a Michelin-starred Californian restaurant in Santa Monica with a wine program calibrated to match its ingredient-driven cooking — and a booking window that requires planning. Ranked #224 on OAD's 2025 North America list, it's a strong return visit for anyone who has eaten here once and wants to engage more seriously with the pairing format. Book 3–4 weeks out minimum.

Feld is a Michelin Plate-recognised tasting menu restaurant in Chicago's Ukrainian Village, running 20-30 nightly-changing courses built almost entirely from ingredients sourced within a four-hour radius. At $$$$ per head it's one of the most produce-committed kitchens in the city — book well in advance and commit to the format. Recognised by Bon Appétit as one of America's best new restaurants.

Ranked #209 on OAD's Top Restaurants in North America in 2025, Yui Edomae Sushi is the most credentialed sushi counter in Las Vegas — and it is not on the Strip. Chef Gen Mizoguchi runs a focused Edomae format Monday through Saturday from 6 pm. Booking is more accessible than comparable counters in New York or San Francisco, which makes this one of the easiest decisions in the city for serious sushi.

Gravitas is Michelin-starred, OAD-ranked, one of Washington D.C.'s strongest cases for serious tasting-menu dining. Chef Matt Baker's set menus run three to six courses in a converted Ivy City space with fine service and an open kitchen. At $$$$ pricing with limited Thursday–Sunday hours, this is a deliberate booking — and worth making for a special occasion or a client dinner where the food needs to deliver.

Ranked #268 in Opinionated About Dining's 2025 Top Restaurants in North America, Sushi Gen is Little Tokyo's most dependable argument for traditional edomae sushi without the omakase-only price commitment. Ideal for two to four people at the counter, it works well for a special occasion or business meal. Book a week or two ahead for Saturday dinner; weekday lunch is easier to secure.

71above earns its place on your shortlist for a reason beyond the 71st-floor view: a World of Fine Wine 3-Star Accreditation, a 1,430-selection wine list, consistent OAD recognition since 2023 back up the experience. At the $$$ tier, it's a point cheaper than most comparable LA special-occasion venues and easy to book — the rare combination of ambition and accessibility.

Wakuriya is a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant in San Mateo, ranked #274 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025. Book 4 to 6 weeks out for weekend seats — this is one of the Peninsula's hardest reservations to land. At $$$$ per head, it's the right call for serious food travelers who want structured, seasonal Japanese cuisine done with real precision.

Sasabune is a credentialed Upper East Side sushi counter with back-to-back Opinionated About Dining rankings and a calm, focused room that suits serious sushi dining. It is easier to book than the top tier of New York omakase and delivers consistent quality — a strong choice for food enthusiasts who want OAD-validated sushi without a months-long wait or a $500-plus commitment.

Robin is a $$$$ Japanese tasting-format restaurant in San Francisco's Hayes Valley, helmed by Adam Tortosa and recognised by Opinionated About Dining across three consecutive years alongside a 2024 Michelin Plate. The drinks program is a genuine reason to book, not an afterthought. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 pm; reserve three to four weeks out minimum.

Brindille is Chicago's most focused Parisian bistro at the top price tier, earning a Michelin Plate and back-to-back Opinionated About Dining North America rankings. The room is quiet, the French cooking is technically grounded, Friday and Saturday service runs to 11 PM. Book four to six weeks out for weekends — demand is consistent and late-notice availability is not reliable.

Nonesuch is Oklahoma City's most nationally recognized New American restaurant, ranked #266 in North America by Opinionated About Dining in 2025 and carrying. Chef Garrett Hare runs a dinner-only kitchen Wednesday through Saturday, booking is straightforward relative to the restaurant's standing. If you're planning one serious dinner in Oklahoma City, this is the place to spend it.

Soichi holds consecutive Michelin stars (2024 and 2025) and, making it the strongest case for fine Japanese dining in San Diego. Chef Soichi Gutierrez runs an intimate counter-format omakase in Normal Heights at the $$$$ tier. Book four to six weeks out minimum — seats are limited and demand has increased sharply since the first Michelin recognition.

Redbird delivers serious Contemporary New American cooking inside a converted 1925 cathedral rectory in Downtown LA, at $$$ price points that undercut most of the city's credentialed dining options. Chef Neal Fraser's kitchen holds a Michelin Plate and ranked #192 on OAD's Top Restaurants in North America in 2025. Comparable in ambition to Lazy Bear or Smyth, but with a setting neither can match.

A Michelin-starred American kitchen operating inside what looks like a roadside pub in Woodside, CA. Chef Mark Sullivan's restaurant holds a 2025 Michelin star and an OAD Top 600 North America ranking, with food pricing at $$ and a 16,000-bottle wine cellar. Strong value for the credential level, but book 3–4 weeks out for weekends.

Tei-An is Dallas's most credentialled Japanese izakaya, holding a Michelin Plate in both 2024 and 2025 and consecutive Opinionated About Dining rankings for North America. At $$$$, it's the focused, technically serious choice for Japanese dining in the Arts District. Book 2–3 weeks out for weekend dinner — this one fills fast.

Sushi of Gari is one of Midtown Manhattan's most consistently recognised sushi destinations, ranked #390 on Opinionated About Dining's North America list in 2025 and holding. Chef Masatoshi "Gari" Sugio's style mixes traditional nigiri technique with composed, flavour-forward toppings — easier to book than Joji or Shion, a practical first-timer's entry into credentialed New York sushi.

Ranked #298 on Opinionated About Dining's North America list in 2024, Sushi Ginza Onodera Honolulu is the city's most credentialed omakase option — and surprisingly easy to book for its pedigree. Chef Shinsuke Mizutani runs a counter-forward format at 808 Kapahulu Ave. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday; lunch is Saturday and Sunday only. Book dinner for your first visit.