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    2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence Winners — Page 4

    Wine Spectator 2026 Restaurant Awards: Best of Award of Excellence winners.

    2026
    95Places
    Restaurant

    Venues on this list

    Vintage Chophouse & Tavern, Calgary, Canada

    Vintage Chophouse & Tavern

    Calgary, Canada

    Restaurant

    Book Vintage Chophouse & Tavern when the meal needs a polished Beltline setting and wine matters. It is a stronger dinner choice than brunch or casual lunch pick, with easy booking and a recognised wine-list credential that makes it useful for special occasions, client meals, small groups.

    Tuya Milano, Milan, Italy

    Tuya Milano

    Milan, Italy

    Restaurant

    Tuya Milano is worth booking if dinner is meant to become a full night out: Mediterranean seafood, Italian dishes, cocktails, a polished Milan room with late hours. At $90 per person, it makes the strongest case for groups, dates, business-nightlife crossover plans rather than quiet tasting-menu dining.

    Bob's Steak & Chop House, San Antonio, United States

    Bob's Steak & Chop House

    San Antonio, United States

    Restaurant

    Book Bob's Steak & Chop House for a polished San Antonio steakhouse dinner where Prime beef, large portions, formal service, sommelier-backed wine matter more than novelty. It is strongest for anniversaries, client meals, birthdays, private events; skip it if the group wants a tasting menu or a lighter casual dinner.

    2Johns Steak and Seafood, Bossier City, United States

    2Johns Steak and Seafood

    Bossier City, United States

    Restaurant

    2Johns Steak and Seafood is a strong Bossier City choice for a celebration dinner when steakhouse format and wine depth are priorities. The 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence gives it a concrete trust signal, booking difficulty is easy, so it suits plans that need polish without a weeks-out chase. Dinner is the safer play than Friday lunch for an occasion-driven meal.

    Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar, Greenwood Village, United States

    Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar

    Greenwood Village, United States

    Restaurant

    Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar is worth booking when the plan calls for a polished, wine-forward Italian dinner in Greenwood Village. The strongest reasons to go are the Northern Italian menu, house pasta and ravioli, smart-casual room, a cellar listed at more than 3,000 bottles with Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence recognition for 2026.

    Claud, New York City, United States

    Claud

    New York City, United States

    Restaurant

    Claud is a Michelin Plate, OAD #1-ranked casual restaurant in New York's East Village, where a basement wine bar format delivers cooking well above its tier. Chef Joshua Pinsky's French-inflected menu and a 1,400-selection wine list make this one of the clearest value cases at the $$$ level in New York. Book two to three weeks out; the bar takes walk-ins.

    Noe, Ko Olina, United States

    Noe

    Ko Olina, United States

    Restaurant

    Noe is a good Ko Olina choice for a polished special-occasion dinner when setting and resort convenience matter more than deep menu research. Book it for a date, anniversary, or calm evening meal; compare MINA's Fish House or 'Ama 'Ama if you want a clearer food-led identity before choosing.

    Merriman’s, Kapalua, United States

    Merriman’s

    Kapalua, United States

    Restaurant

    Merriman's at Kapalua is West Maui's most credentialed fine-casual option: a 4.7-rated New American restaurant built on Hawaii Regional Cuisine sourcing, with OAD Casual North America recognition and a setting at the Kapalua Bay Club that matches the food's ambition. Book it for a special occasion dinner or any night you want a meal that connects to place rather than just resort convenience.

    The Capital Grille, New York City, United States

    The Capital Grille

    New York City, United States

    Restaurant

    Dim lighting, polished wood, white tablecloths, a formal Midtown mood make The Capital Grille a strong choice for business dinners, steakhouse celebrations, wine-led meals near Rockefeller Center. Book it for consistency and classic American steakhouse comfort, not for a chef-driven tasting-menu experience.

    buffet Kull bar, Munich, Germany

    buffet Kull bar

    Munich, Germany

    Restaurant

    Buffet Kull Bar is a Michelin Plate French-Mediterranean restaurant in Munich's Altstadt with one of the city's more serious wine lists: 700 selections, 2,500 bottles, strong in Germany, Austria, Burgundy. At €€€ pricing with sommelier service and easy booking, it is the right choice for a special-occasion dinner where the wine matters as much as the food.

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab Las Vegas

    Las Vegas, United States

    Restaurant

    A strong Las Vegas group-dinner pick when seafood, steak, wine all need to work for one table. Choose it over Sushi Roku for broader menu flexibility, over Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips for a more formal meal, cross-shop Diner Ross Steakhouse if steak is the main priority.

    Peaks Chophouse & Wine Lounge, Big Sky, United States

    Peaks Chophouse & Wine Lounge

    Big Sky, United States

    Restaurant

    Peaks Chophouse & Wine Lounge is worth booking for a polished Big Sky resort dinner when wine, views, steakhouse comfort matter more than culinary experimentation. It is strongest for dinner and special occasions, with smart casual expectations and a reservation recommended, especially during busy mountain periods.

    Au Vieux Port, Antwerp, Belgium

    Au Vieux Port

    Antwerp, Belgium

    Restaurant

    A weekday, wine-led Antwerp pick near the port, better for dine-in meals than takeaway planning. Au Vieux Port makes sense for a date, client lunch, or restrained celebration, especially if a Star Wine List signal matters more than a clearly published cuisine or price tier.

    Sorrel Restaurant and Bar, Toronto, Canada

    Sorrel Restaurant and Bar

    Toronto, Canada

    Restaurant

    A good Toronto booking when wine matters more than novelty. Sorrel Restaurant and Bar suits weekday lunch, early dinner, small group occasions on Yonge Street, with a 2025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence as the clearest trust signal. Cross-shop Taline for a more defined cuisine brief at a known $$ price tier.

    Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, Incheon, South Korea

    Michael Jordan's Steakhouse

    Incheon, South Korea

    Restaurant

    A polished resort steakhouse for diners who want a familiar, upscale American format inside Inspire Korea rather than a locally driven tasting experience. The strongest play is dinner, especially for couples, business hosts, or celebration groups ordering around steakhouse staples and shared starters.

    The Republic Steakhouse, College Station, United States

    The Republic Steakhouse

    College Station, United States

    Restaurant

    The Republic Steakhouse is the right College Station pick for a planned steakhouse night: celebrations, dates, business dinners, wine-led meals. At $75 per person, it is worth it when the room, service structure, classic steakhouse format matter; skip it if you want a casual meal or tasting-menu novelty.

    The North House, Avon, United States

    The North House

    Avon, United States

    Restaurant

    The North House is a strong Avon choice for celebrations, date nights, private dining, polished regional American cooking in a historic former inn. Go for New England-leaning dishes, a smart casual room, a beverage program with Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence recognition; skip it if the goal is a tasting-menu or chef-counter experience.

    O' by Claude Le Tohic, San Francisco, United States

    O' by Claude Le Tohic

    San Francisco, United States

    Restaurant

    O' by Claude Le Tohic holds a Michelin star and an OAD top-250 North America ranking for a reason: this is classical French technique at a level the city rarely matches, delivered in an intimate fifth-floor room five nights a week. At $$$$, it earns its price for a special occasion, but seats are limited and booking is genuinely hard; plan well ahead.

    Oran Mor, Nantucket, United States

    Oran Mor

    Nantucket, United States

    Restaurant

    Oran Mor is the Nantucket pick for a polished, intimate New American and seafood dinner where wine matters and the room stays conversation-friendly. Book it for couples, small groups, or a special occasion; skip it if you want a loud waterfront scene or a casual drop-in meal.

    Café Tiramisu, San Francisco, United States

    Café Tiramisu

    San Francisco, United States

    Restaurant

    Café Tiramisu is a practical downtown San Francisco pick when an easy booking and wine confidence matter more than a chef-name chase. Its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence (2026) is the clearest reason to prioritize it. For takeout or delivery, check the current off-premise menu first; the stronger case is a sit-down meal.

    Barcelona Wine Bar, Cambridge, United States

    Barcelona Wine Bar

    Cambridge, United States

    Restaurant

    Barcelona Wine Bar is worth booking for a lively Porter Square tapas dinner where the wine program is part of the decision, not an afterthought. Go with a group or casual date, order in waves, use the seasonal rotation instead of repeating the same familiar plates every visit. It is less suited to quiet, private meals.

    Alibertos, Crete, Greece

    Alibertos

    Crete, Greece

    Restaurant

    Alibertos in Kounoupidiana holds a 2026 Star Wine List award, making it one of the more credentialled wine destinations on the island. It is the right booking for wine-focused diners exploring Cretan indigenous varieties away from Heraklion's tourist strip. Booking is easy; a few days' notice is usually enough; and smart-casual dress is the practical default.

    Vida Cucina Italia, Winnipeg, Canada

    Vida Cucina Italia

    Winnipeg, Canada

    Restaurant

    Vida Cucina Italia is the Winnipeg pick for a polished Italian dinner with special-occasion energy, smart-casual expectations, a wine program carrying Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence recognition for 2026. Book it for a planned date, anniversary, client meal, or private dining inquiry, not for a casual last-minute pasta stop.

    Monarch, Dallas, United States

    Monarch

    Dallas, United States

    Restaurant

    Monarch delivers one of Dallas's most serious wine programs; 2,500 bottles, a named Wine Director and Sommelier, depth in California, Burgundy, Italy; inside a 49th-floor Italian-American steakhouse with back-to-back Michelin Plates (2024–2025). At $$$$ on food and $$$ on wine, it earns the price for celebration and business dinners where the bottle matters as much as the plate. Book 3–4 weeks ahead minimum.

    Tapas & Liège, Québec, Canada

    Tapas & Liège

    Québec, Canada

    Restaurant

    Book Tapas & Liège for a lively Québec dinner built around shared plates, wine, a polished but social room. It is strongest for couples, adult groups, repeat visits where the next move is either the tasting format or a more beverage-led evening. The Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence in 2026 is the clearest signal that the cellar matters here.

    Wolfgang's Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener, Seoul, South Korea

    Wolfgang's Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener

    Seoul, South Korea

    Restaurant

    Book Wolfgang's Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener when the brief is a polished New York-style steakhouse in Cheongdam, especially for business dinners, celebrations, wine-forward steak meals. At $120 per person with smart casual dress and easy booking, it makes sense for groups that want familiarity and formal service rather than a chef-led tasting menu.

    Angler SF, San Francisco, United States

    Angler SF

    San Francisco, United States

    Restaurant

    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.

    Halls Chophouse, Charleston, United States

    Halls Chophouse

    Charleston, United States

    Restaurant

    Halls Chophouse is Pearl's recommended steakhouse on King Street in Charleston, earning. The wine program; 2,000 bottles, 180 selections, $$ pricing, with a $45 corkage fee; is what separates it from the field. Budget $$$-tier for dinner and book at least a week out for weekends.

    Breeze of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Breeze of Tokyo

    Tokyo, Japan

    Restaurant

    A practical Marunouchi choice for dates, client meals, low-friction celebrations near Tokyo Station. Breeze of Tokyo is strongest when the high-floor setting and 2026 Star Wine List recognition matter more than a tightly defined chef or cuisine narrative.

    Shula's Steak House, Naples, United States

    Shula's Steak House

    Naples, United States

    Restaurant

    Book Shula's Steak House for a classic Naples, Florida steakhouse occasion: formal room, polished service cues, steakhouse staples, a Wine Spectator-recognized wine program. It is strongest for celebrations, business dinners, private-room hosting rather than chef-driven dining or casual experimentation.

    Aretsky's Patroon, New York City, United States

    Aretsky's Patroon

    New York City, United States

    Restaurant

    Aretsky's Patroon is a practical Midtown East choice for weekday business meals and wine-led dinners, with 2026 Star Wine List recognition as the main trust signal. Book it when location, conversation, beverage credibility matter more than a clearly labeled cuisine or weekend brunch format.

    Maxwell Park, Washington DC, United States

    Maxwell Park

    Washington DC, United States

    Restaurant

    Maxwell Park is a practical late-evening wine choice in Shaw, especially for first-timers who want a lower-pressure stop rather than a full dinner reservation. Go for the wine credibility and flexible timing; choose San Lorenzo, Family Ethiopian, Chaplin’s, or Oyster Oyster instead if the night needs a clearer cuisine-led meal.

    Charlie's l Etoile Verte, Hilton Head Island, United States

    Charlie's l Etoile Verte

    Hilton Head Island, United States

    Restaurant

    Book Charlie's l Etoile Verte when the night calls for a wine-led Hilton Head meal rather than a broad, high-energy crowd-pleaser. Star Wine List recognition is the main trust signal, the easy booking difficulty makes it useful for regular visitors planning a calmer lunch or a smaller dinner.

    The Library, Houston, United States

    The Library

    Houston, United States

    Restaurant

    The Library is Houston's most serious neighbourhood wine bar, holding a World of Fine Wine 3-Star Accreditation and a North America Regional award. The list emphasises old-world producers and back vintages, backed by nearly 2,000 wine books on the walls. Best for wine-focused dates or small groups in Spring Branch; not the right fit if food or cocktails are the priority.

    Oyster & Wine Bar, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Oyster & Wine Bar

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Restaurant

    Oyster & Wine Bar is a practical Tsim Sha Tsui pick when the brief is seafood, wine, a polished hotel setting rather than a long destination meal. It makes the most sense for couples or small groups already staying in Kowloon; choose Celestial Court for Cantonese, Morton's for steak, or Imasa for Japanese instead.

    PERIGEE, Seoul, South Korea

    PERIGEE

    Seoul, South Korea

    Restaurant

    PERIGEE holds back-to-back Michelin Plate recognition (2024 and 2025) at a ₩₩ price point that undercuts most of Seoul's comparable contemporary venues. Booking is easy, the Gangnam location is accessible points to consistent delivery. The best-value entry into Seoul's Michelin-recognised contemporary tasting circuit.

    Le Clos Bernard, Méribel, France

    Le Clos Bernard

    Méribel, France

    Restaurant

    Le Clos Bernard is worth choosing for a relaxed Méribel occasion built around Savoyard cooking, wood-fired grilled meats, a serious wine list. The forest chalet setting makes it stronger for lunches, dates, families, winter group dinners than for solo dining or formal fine dining.

    Lumière, San José del Cabo, Mexico

    Lumière

    San José del Cabo, Mexico

    Restaurant

    Lumière is the right San José del Cabo booking for a formal, romantic resort dinner built around French fine dining and a serious wine program. Go when the occasion calls for polish and quiet confidence, not when the goal is a casual local crawl or a chef-driven tasting-menu search.

    L'Auberge Provencale, Boyce, United States

    L'Auberge Provencale

    Boyce, United States

    Restaurant

    L'Auberge Provencale is the Boyce-area pick for a wine-led countryside occasion, backed by Star Wine List recognition in 2026. Book it when the meal is meant to feel planned and unhurried; cross-shop Side Saddle Cafe for a simpler casual stop or Goodstone Inn and Harrimans Grill for other polished nearby options.

    Brasserie Benjamin, Megève, France

    Brasserie Benjamin

    Megève, France

    Restaurant

    Brasserie Benjamin is the sensible Megève booking when convenience, a polished Four Seasons setting, a brasserie format matter more than chasing a highly specific cuisine. Michelin Guide France & Monaco 2026 Plate recognition adds reassurance, but the stronger reason to go is low-friction resort dining for couples, families, or mixed groups.

    Barcelona Wine Bar Fairfield, Fairfield, United States

    Barcelona Wine Bar Fairfield

    Fairfield, United States

    Restaurant

    Barcelona Wine Bar Fairfield works when wine is central to the night and the group wants energy without a formal tasting-menu setup. Its Wine Spectator and Star Wine List recognition give it a stronger wine signal than many easygoing Fairfield options, while easy booking makes it practical for dates, small celebrations, flexible group plans.

    Fahrenheit 132, Fredericksburg, United States

    Fahrenheit 132

    Fredericksburg, United States

    Restaurant

    Fahrenheit 132 is a smart Fredericksburg pick when the night calls for a polished dinner with credible wine backing rather than a quick casual meal. Its Star Wine List recognition gives wine-minded diners a clear reason to choose it over simpler local alternatives, especially for date night, visiting guests, or a small special-occasion dinner.

    Duvin, Paris, France

    Duvin

    Paris, France

    Restaurant

    Duvin is a practical Pigalle pick when the goal is an easy Paris meal rather than a heavily signposted destination dinner. Book it for convenience, repeat visits, or a casual group plan; choose BRU or Les Canailles Pigalle instead if you need clearer cuisine, price, or occasion fit before committing.

    La Grand'Vigne, Bordeaux Martillac, France

    La Grand'Vigne

    Bordeaux Martillac, France

    Restaurant

    La Grand'Vigne is the Bordeaux Martillac choice for a polished, wine-led dinner rather than a casual local meal. The 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence makes the cellar the main reason to book; choose La Table du Lavoir - Les Sources de Caudalie instead if value and ease matter more.

    Tupelo Park City, Park City, United States

    Tupelo Park City

    Park City, United States

    Restaurant

    Tupelo Park City is the choice for a planned, recognition-backed dinner rather than a casual resort-town meal. The 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, 2026 Star Wine List recognition, 2025 James Beard semifinalist status make it a stronger fit for special occasions than easy walk-up alternatives.

    Layla at MacArthur Place, Sonoma, United States

    Layla at MacArthur Place

    Sonoma, United States

    Restaurant

    Layla at MacArthur Place is a Mediterranean-leaning California restaurant inside a Sonoma boutique hotel, strongest at breakfast and lunch with an all-day service window that outperforms most Plaza competitors. Chef Cole Dickinson (ex-Acacia House, Dry Creek Kitchen) executes a consistent menu spanning Parker House rolls, shakshuka, Creekstone prime cuts, but the format skews hotel-polished rather than chef-driven. Book for morning service or resort convenience; for dinner-focused visits, Sonoma's independents offer more personality.

    Dakota's Steakhouse, Dallas, United States

    Dakota's Steakhouse

    Dallas, United States

    Restaurant

    Dakota's Steakhouse is worth booking when the brief is a formal Dallas steak dinner with a stronger-than-usual sense of occasion. Expect about $100 per person before wine, business-casual dress, aged steaks, seafood, a subterranean room reached by glass elevator. It is better for dates, client dinners, compact celebrations than casual weeknight dining.

    Somm, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Somm

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Restaurant

    SOMM is a modern French bistro at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Central, currently closed through 2025 for renovations. When it reopens, it is the strongest choice in Hong Kong for a wine-led dinner at the $$$ tier, with 1,800 selections and an 11,000-bottle cellar weighted toward Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux. Plan ahead for 2026.

    Frankie’s The Steakhouse, Duluth, United States

    Frankie’s The Steakhouse

    Duluth, United States

    Restaurant

    Book Frankie's The Steakhouse when the night calls for a polished Duluth steak dinner and the wine list is part of the point. It is a stronger fit for dates, client meals, celebrations than for casual group grazing, especially if the table wants classic steakhouse pacing rather than Korean barbecue energy.

    Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, New York City, United States

    Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

    New York City, United States

    Restaurant

    Wolfgang's Steakhouse at the Times Building is a reliable Midtown choice for USDA Prime dry-aged beef, backed by a Star Wine List-recognized wine program of 420 selections and an OAD Casual North America ranking. Booking is straightforward; weekday tables come together quickly, weekend dinner warrants a week or two of lead time at most. The $$$ pricing tier puts it in serious-night-out territory without the advance-planning demands of New York's $$$$ tier.

    Cafe Monarch, Scottsdale, United States

    Cafe Monarch

    Scottsdale, United States

    Restaurant

    Cafe Monarch is a family-owned, four-course prix-fixe fine dining restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, named a Top Three Fine Dining Restaurant in the Nation by Trip Advisor. Book it for a celebration dinner or serious date night; the seasonal, locally sourced menu and nationally recognized service justify the commitment. Skip it if you want à la carte flexibility or a casual evening.

    Les Clefs de Crystal, Seoul, South Korea

    Les Clefs de Crystal

    Seoul, South Korea

    Restaurant

    Les Clefs de Crystal is worth shortlisting for a wine-led night in Cheongdam, especially if the group wants a calmer Gangnam plan with Star Wine List recognition behind it. It is a better fit for pairs or small groups than for large, casual outings where pricing, seating, menu expectations need to be settled in advance.

    Cucina Alba, New York City, United States

    Cucina Alba

    New York City, United States

    Restaurant

    Cucina Alba is a strong Chelsea booking when the room matters as much as the pasta: polished, social, better suited to dinner than a quiet value play. Go for Modern Italian, a smart-casual night out, a wine program with serious recognition; skip it if the priority is a spontaneous, low-spend meal.

    Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon, Tabernash, United States

    Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon

    Tabernash, United States

    Restaurant

    Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon is the Tabernash pick when dinner should feel wine-led rather than purely casual. The strongest reason to book is its 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence and Star Wine List recognition; choose another option if you need confirmed pricing, lunch, or a specific cuisine lane before deciding.

    The Capital Grille, Dallas, United States

    The Capital Grille

    Dallas, United States

    Restaurant

    The Capital Grille is a safe Dallas-Uptown pick when the brief is a formal steakhouse dinner with dry-aged beef, seafood, a wine program carrying real weight. At $90 per person, it is worth it for business dinners, celebrations, wine-led meals, less so for diners chasing a local chef-driven surprise.

    Mastro's Steakhouse, Washington DC, United States

    Mastro's Steakhouse

    Washington DC, United States

    Restaurant

    Mastro’s Steakhouse is worth booking for a formal Penn Quarter celebration where steak, seafood, wine, live music are part of the plan. At about $120 per person, it makes more sense for birthdays, client dinners, arena-adjacent nights than for quiet value-seeking dining.

    KANG MINCHUL Restaurant, Seoul, South Korea

    KANG MINCHUL Restaurant

    Seoul, South Korea

    Restaurant

    A one-Michelin-star French restaurant in Gangnam with an improving La Liste score (80pts in 2026) and a small room that makes reservations genuinely hard to secure. Book 3–4 weeks out, target weekday lunch for the best availability, come for refined French cooking with real conviction behind it; not a Korean cuisine experience.

    Champlain, Quebec City, Canada

    Champlain

    Quebec City, Canada

    Restaurant

    Champlain holds a 2025 Michelin Plate and sits inside the Château Frontenac, making it Quebec City's most complete formal dining proposition at the $$$$ tier. The wine program runs to 12,000 bottles with strength across Bordeaux, California, Canada. Book three to four weeks ahead; this is a hard reservation, especially on weekends and during peak season.

    M Dining + Bar, Manila, Philippines

    M Dining + Bar

    Manila, Philippines

    Restaurant

    M Dining + Bar is a good Makati choice when the brief is polished, wine-forward, more formal than casual. The strongest trust signal is its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence in 2026, so book for the beverage-led fine-dining format rather than a specific named dish or chef-driven tasting menu.

    Los Abrazos, Playa Mujeres, Mexico

    Los Abrazos

    Playa Mujeres, Mexico

    Restaurant

    Los Abrazos is worth booking if the goal is a polished steak-and-wine dinner inside Playa Mujeres rather than a broad resort meal. The wood-fired South American format, $70-per-person price point, business-casual dress code, 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence make it strongest for couples, celebrations, wine-minded diners.

    JNcQUOI Asia, Lisbon, Portugal

    JNcQUOI Asia

    Lisbon, Portugal

    Restaurant

    Book JNcQUOI Asia when wine depth matters and the group wants a polished Avenida da Liberdade dinner rather than a quiet local meal. Star Wine List recognition in 2026 gives it a clear drinks-led reason to choose it; for Portuguese Contemporary cooking, Sítio Valverde is the sharper alternative, while Cervejaria Ribadouro is better for a simpler seafood night.

    Paradiso, St. Moritz, Switzerland

    Paradiso

    St. Moritz, Switzerland

    Restaurant

    Paradiso holds a Michelin Plate (2025) and runs a serious French lunch programme in St. Moritz, backed by a 600-label wine list with 10,000 bottles in the cellar. Food pricing sits at the $$ band within a €€€€ venue, making it one of the more accessible Michelin-recognised lunches in the resort. Book if wine depth matters as much as the food.

    The Fishery, San Diego, United States

    The Fishery

    San Diego, United States

    Restaurant

    The Fishery holds back-to-back Michelin Plates (2024 and 2025) at the $$ price point, making it one of the strongest-value seafood options in San Diego. Chef Mike Reidy's kitchen delivers consistent, Michelin-recognised seafood without the booking difficulty or price of the city's starred restaurants.

    The Capital Grille, Orlando, United States

    The Capital Grille

    Orlando, United States

    Restaurant

    The Capital Grille is a safe upscale pick on Orlando’s International Drive when the brief is steak, seafood, wine, a polished room. It is strongest for business dinners, celebrations, dressed-up group meals, with Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence recognition in 2026 supporting the wine-led occasion case.

    cork&olive, Lake Mary, United States

    cork&olive

    Lake Mary, United States

    Restaurant

    Book cork&olive when the wine list matters as much as the Italian cooking. At about $75 per person, it makes the most sense for dates, anniversaries, small groups who want fresh pasta, seafood, a polished Lake Mary dining room without driving into Orlando.

    Number One, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    Number One

    Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    Restaurant

    Number One at The Balmoral is Edinburgh's most credentialled fine dining room, combining Michelin Plate recognition, a World of Fine Wine 2-Star wine list, service warm enough to justify the £99–£119 per head price tag. Book at least three to four weeks out. The seven-course tasting menu, built around named Scottish producers, is the format to choose.

    Privo Restaurant, Targu Mures, Romania

    Privo Restaurant

    Targu Mures, Romania

    Restaurant

    Privo Restaurant is worth booking when the priority is a polished, design-led dinner in Târgu Mureș rather than a casual local meal. The draw is the combination of modern international and Mediterranean cooking, smart-casual atmosphere, 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence recognition, with enough menu range for business dinners, date nights, mixed-taste groups.

    Rosi at The Beaumont Mayfair, London, United Kingdom

    Rosi at The Beaumont Mayfair

    London, United Kingdom

    Restaurant

    Book Rosi when you want a calm Mayfair hotel dining room, especially for breakfast or a low-friction meal at The Beaumont. The Michelin Guide Plate adds reassurance, but the draw is convenience and polish rather than a chef-led destination format. For a clearer cuisine or value play, compare it with Apricity or The Mayfair Chippy.

    The Capital Grille, Raleigh, United States

    The Capital Grille

    Raleigh, United States

    Restaurant

    The Capital Grille is worth booking in Raleigh when the goal is a polished steakhouse dinner with a serious wine program, business-casual atmosphere, familiar fine-dining structure. It is strongest for client meals, anniversaries, steak-and-seafood groups; less compelling if the table wants a chef-driven tasting menu or casual neighborhood energy.

    Knife & Spoon, Orlando, United States

    Knife & Spoon

    Orlando, United States

    Restaurant

    Knife & Spoon is Orlando's strongest steakhouse argument at the $$$$ tier, with USDA Prime beef from 44 Farms dry-aged up to 240 days by James Beard-nominated chef John Tesar. Michelin Plate-recognized for 2024 and 2025, it earns its price for group occasions and serious beef dinners. Book at least three weeks out; this is not a spontaneous reservation.

    La Luce, Lviv, Ukraine

    La Luce

    Lviv, Ukraine

    Restaurant

    La Luce is a practical Lviv pick for a late dinner, celebration, or business meal where wine credibility matters. Booking difficulty is easy, but groups should still plan ahead because table fit matters more than general availability. Cross-shop Harmata for a more destination-style meal and Nice Guys for a more casual group dinner.

    Laurie Raphaël, Quebec City, Canada

    Laurie Raphaël

    Quebec City, Canada

    Restaurant

    Laurie Raphaël holds a Michelin star and AAA 5 Diamond award (both 2025), making it Quebec City's most externally validated tasting-menu restaurant. Chef Raphaël Vézina's ten-course, terroir-driven menus sit at $$$ pricing; serious cooking in a room that feels warmer than its credentials suggest. Book well in advance: tables are hard to secure.

    RPM Steak, Chicago, United States

    RPM Steak

    Chicago, United States

    Restaurant

    RPM Steak is Chicago's most wine-serious steakhouse, holding a World of Fine Wine 3-Star accreditation and a Michelin Plate, with a rotating sourcing program that draws from Japanese prefectures and American producers. Dinner runs $66+ per head before a 6,525-bottle wine list. Book well ahead; this River North room fills consistently, especially on weekends.

    Madera, Menlo Park, United States

    Madera

    Menlo Park, United States

    Restaurant

    Madera at Rosewood Sand Hill is the most credentialed dinner option in Menlo Park, holding a Michelin Plate (2025) and an OAD Top 600 North America ranking. The seasonal California menu rotates genuinely, the wood-fire grill is the kitchen's consistent anchor, a 2,000-label wine list with Coravin access to rare vintages makes it the right call for a serious special occasion dinner on the Peninsula.

    LA Vie by thomas bühner, Taipei, Taiwan

    LA Vie by thomas bühner

    Taipei, Taiwan

    Restaurant

    LA Vie by Thomas Bühner is Taipei's strongest case for European contemporary fine dining with a serious wine program: 470 selections, a dedicated sommelier, a Michelin Plate backed by a rising La Liste score. Book three to four weeks out for weekends. Best suited to special occasions and business dinners where wine and service formality matter as much as the food.

    MARILENA, Victoria, Canada

    MARILENA

    Victoria, Canada

    Restaurant

    Victoria's most serious modern seafood restaurant, Marilena earned C100B's 2024 Best New Restaurant award by running two strong menus simultaneously: a Pacific-focused raw bar under Sushi Chef Ilhan Yu and a technically confident main kitchen led by Kristian Eligh. The Toptable-backed room is large, polished, built for occasions. Book easily; order across both menus.

    Chairman's Club, Macau, Macau

    Chairman's Club

    Macau, Macau

    Restaurant

    Chairman's Club is worth considering only if you already have VIP access at Wynn Palace. It is a private gaming-lounge dining environment with boutique food and beverage outlets, a bar, cigar lounge, smart-casual dress, $$$$ positioning, a 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, not a public restaurant with a standard menu or booking flow.

    Restaurant Baran-Rapan, Sochi, Russia

    Restaurant Baran-Rapan

    Sochi, Russia

    Restaurant

    Book Restaurant Baran-Rapan when the wine list is the reason for the meal. Its 2024 2-Star wine-list recognition makes it a stronger fit for dates, celebrations, business dinners than casual walk-in dining, especially if the group wants a planned evening in central Sochi rather than a clearly cuisine-led choice.

    Packing House Wines, Claremont, United States

    Packing House Wines

    Claremont, United States

    Restaurant

    Packing House Wines is the Claremont pick when wine matters more than a full restaurant format. Star Wine List recognition in 2026 gives it a stronger credibility signal than a typical neighborhood wine stop, but it is better for smaller, wine-led plans than for a formal dinner. For a meal-first celebration, compare Tutti Mangia Italian Grill, Aruffo's, or Union On Yale.

    Tudor Hall, Athens, Greece

    Tudor Hall

    Athens, Greece

    Restaurant

    Hotel King George sits on Syntagma Square with a 3-Star World of Fine Wine Accreditation and rooftop dining overlooking the Acropolis. It suits food and wine travellers who want a central Athens base with a credibly vetted wine program. Booking is rated Easy, but summer rooms and Tudor Hall dinner reservations should be secured two to four weeks ahead.

    The Capital Grille, New York City, United States

    The Capital Grille

    New York City, United States

    Restaurant

    A practical Midtown steakhouse choice for business dinners, special occasions, travelers staying near Grand Central. Book The Capital Grille when the priority is a polished classic room, steak-and-seafood familiarity, a wine program with a 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence signal.

    Les Petites Canailles, Paso Robles, United States

    Les Petites Canailles

    Paso Robles, United States

    Restaurant

    A Michelin Plate wine bar in downtown Paso Robles, Les Petites Canailles delivers French farm-to-table cooking and a 1,100-selection wine list in a relaxed, low-ceremony room. Consecutive Michelin Plate recognition (2024 and 2025) and back the quality. Book three to four weeks out for weekends; the format suits couples and serious wine drinkers best.

    Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant, Buffalo, United States

    Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant

    Buffalo, United States

    Restaurant

    Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant is worth booking when wine is central to the meal: the 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence gives the cellar real credibility, the intimate Calumet Building setting suits dates, anniversaries, hosted group dinners. The $$$ pricing makes less sense for a quick casual meal, so reserve ahead and use it for a planned evening.

    The Restaurant at Tu Tu' Tun Lodge, Gold Beach, United States

    The Restaurant at Tu Tu' Tun Lodge

    Gold Beach, United States

    Restaurant

    The Restaurant at Tu Tu' Tun Lodge is worth booking when the meal is part of a quiet Rogue River escape, not when convenience is the priority. At $75 per person, the strongest case is Pacific Northwest cooking, a 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence list, a calm lodge setting that works especially well for couples and special occasions.

    Washington Inn, Cape May, United States

    Washington Inn

    Cape May, United States

    Restaurant

    Washington Inn is the Cape May choice for a polished, service-led dinner rather than a casual shore meal. Book it for anniversaries, parents’ weekends, or wine-focused dinners where the historic setting and classic New American menu justify the spend; skip it if you want a quick, low-key seafood stop.

    Cote, Las Vegas, United States

    Cote

    Las Vegas, United States

    Restaurant

    Cote is worth booking for a Las Vegas dinner when you want Korean steakhouse energy with a serious wine angle. It is a stronger seated-dinner choice than an off-premise option, the easy booking profile makes it useful for late-planning Strip trips, especially for groups, dates, wine-minded occasions.

    Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, Charlotte, United States

    Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

    Charlotte, United States

    Restaurant

    Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse is worth booking for a dressed-up SouthPark dinner where steak, seafood, wine are the point. It is strongest for business dinners, anniversaries, group celebrations; less ideal for a quiet casual meal or anyone trying to keep the night restrained.

    Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Fort Worth, United States

    Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

    Fort Worth, United States

    Restaurant

    Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse is worth booking for a formal Fort Worth steakhouse dinner built around prime beef, seafood starters, a serious wine program. Choose it for dates, client dinners, celebrations where polished service and a dressed-up room matter more than novelty or a counter-style experience.

    The Butcher Chef, Toronto, Canada

    The Butcher Chef

    Toronto, Canada

    Restaurant

    The Butcher Chef is worth booking for a dressed-up Toronto steakhouse dinner where premium beef, seafood, wine, Scotch are part of the occasion. It suits anniversaries, client dinners, small celebrations better than casual nights out, with the strongest value for diners who will use the beverage program rather than just order a steak and leave.

    Summer Pavilion, Singapore, Singapore

    Summer Pavilion

    Singapore, Singapore

    Restaurant

    Ranked #95 in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants (2025) and awarded a Black Pearl Diamond, Summer Pavilion is Singapore's most decorated Cantonese kitchen; not a hotel dining room that happens to serve dim sum. The seafood-led menu under Chef Cheung Siu Kong justifies its $$$ price point through serious ingredient sourcing and classical technique. Book well ahead: reservations are near impossible to secure at short notice.

    Klaw, Miami, United States

    Klaw

    Miami, United States

    Restaurant

    Klaw delivers a focused surf and turf offer from inside Miami's historic Women's Club building on Biscayne Bay, backed by a Star Wine List #1 ranking in 2025. The setting does real work for special occasions, booking is straightforward at the $$$$ tier. Best for diners who want a visually commanding waterfront room with King Crab and premium beef at the center of the meal.

    Mizumi, Macau, Macau

    Mizumi

    Macau, Macau

    Restaurant

    Mizumi at Wynn Palace is Macau's most complete Japanese dining venue, running teppanyaki, tempura, sushi zones with an OAD Asia ranking of #254 (2025) and a sake list of 70+ varieties. The sushi counter, led by a Japanese government-designated master craftsman, is the standout. Book at least a week ahead; Wednesday closures apply to both Mizumi and adjacent Sushi Mizumi.

    Puttanesca, Leiria, Portugal

    Puttanesca

    Leiria, Portugal

    Restaurant

    Puttanesca is a strong Leiria pick for a relaxed Mediterranean dinner built around tapas, wood-fired meats, wine. It is better for couples or small groups than solo quick dining, with the strongest value coming from sharing plates and making the wood oven part of the order.

    TheM Neo Bistro, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    TheM Neo Bistro

    Almaty, Kazakhstan

    Restaurant

    TheM Neo Bistro is worth booking for a polished but relaxed Almaty meal, especially if wine matters and the group wants flexibility from brunch-leaning plates to fuller dinner orders. The 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence gives the wine program real weight, while the smart-casual format keeps it useful for dates, birthdays, business meals.

    One White Street, New York City, United States

    One White Street

    New York City, United States

    Restaurant

    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.

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