The Top 10 best restaurants in America in 2025
Top 10 best restaurants in America: Let Us start by recalling some well-known restaurants that frequently appear on lists like Michelin stars, James Beard Awards, or other prestigious rankings.
Eleven Madison Park, New York City- Is vegan a while back and have three Michelin stars.
Eleven Madison Park is a fine dining restaurant in the heart of New York City. Overlooking Madison Square Park–one of Manhattan’s most beautiful green spaces–we sit at the base of a historic Art Deco building on the corner of East 24th Street and Madison Avenue. Since opening in 1998, we underwent a full-scale renovation and redesign in the summer of 2017.
Alinea in Chicago– which is famous for its modernist cuisine and also has three stars.
Alinea has been universally praised for its innovative approach to modernist cuisine. It has been named the Best Restaurant in the World by Elite Traveler, the Best Restaurant in North America by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and the Best Restaurant in the U.S. by Gourmet and Business Insider. It is one of only 14 restaurants in the U.S. to earn the coveted Michelin 3-Star rating.
The French Laundry in Yountville, California- By Thomas Keller is another top one with three stars.
The French Laundry is a three-Michelin star French and Californian cuisine restaurant located in Yountville, California, in the Napa Valley. Sally Schmitt opened The French Laundry in 1978 and designed her menus around local, seasonal ingredients; she was a visionary chef and pioneer of California cuisine. Since 1994, the chef and owner of The French Laundry is Thomas Keller. The restaurant building dates from 1900 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Per Se, New York City- Is another Thomas Keller restaurant, so that might make the list.
Per Se is a New American and French restaurant at The Shops at Columbus Circle, on the fourth floor of the Deutsche Bank Center at 10 Columbus Circle in Manhattan, New York City. It is owned by chef Thomas Keller, and the Chef de Cuisine is Chad Palagi. Per Se has maintained three Michelin stars since the introduction of the New York City Guide in 2006.
Le Bernardin, New York City- Specializes in seafood and has three Michelin stars.
Le Bernardin has maintained a four-star rating from The New York Times since 1986. It is the only restaurant in New York that has kept a four-star New York Times rating for over 35 years
SingleThread in Healdsburg, CA– Specialized in Traditional way of Dinning and has a farm-to-table approach, Japanese-inspired farm-to-table with 3 Michelin stars.
Five acre organic farm grows 70% of our produce and uses no municipal water; over 100 olive trees produce all the olive oil used; 100% of the floral material used in the LEED certified dining room and inn is grown on our farm or gathered from the surrounding forest.
Smyth in Chicago- Is a more experimental tasting menu with 2 Michelin stars
The very chic Smyth with its lounge styling and open kitchen is helmed by Chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields. Their cooking is bold and often pushes boundaries, all the while impressing. Sheer creativity is applied to seasonal produce, some of which comes from their garden.
Benu in San Francisco– which does contemporary American with Asian influences and with 3 Michelin stars.
Benu is an oasis in the center of the city. Patience seems to define this kitchen in its relentless pursuit of excellence, whether that may be perfecting technique or waiting for just the right moment to serve an ingredient at its peak.
Canlis in Seattle- Known for its classic with a modern twist and with 1 Michelin star.
Canlis is a fine dining restaurant serving New American and Pacific Northwest cuisine in Seattle, Washington. Situated in the Queen Anne neighborhood, the restaurant has views of Gas Works Park and the Cascade Mountains. It was built by Peter Canlis in 1950, and remains family-owned. The restaurant currently employs over 100 people. It is one of the most award-winning restaurants in the greater Northwest
Atomix in NYC– which is a Korean tasting menu place that’s been getting a lot of buzz with 2 Michelin stars
Atomix, a follow-up to their well-loved firstborn Atoboy, is a place where guests can really dive deep into Chef Park’s cuisine through a tasting menu that is inspired by Korean traditions and technique.
Let Us compile a list considering Michelin stars, James Beard Awards, and other critic reviews.
- Eleven Madison Park (NYC)
- Alinea (Chicago)
- The French Laundry (Yountville, CA)
- Per Se (NYC)
- Le Bernardin (NYC)
- SingleThread (Healdsburg, CA)
- Smyth (Chicago)
- Benu (SF)
- Canlis (Seattle)
- Atomix (NYC)
This list reflects a blend of timeless institutions and modern trailblazers, as recognized by leading culinary authorities.
There are countless restaurants across America, ranging from fast food chains to fine dining establishments. Here are some popular categories and examples:
Fast Food & Quick Service:
- McDonald’s – Famous for burgers, fries, and the Big Mac.
- Chick-fil-A – Known for chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.
- Taco Bell – Mexican-inspired fast food like tacos and burritos.
- Subway – Build-your-own sandwiches.
- Chipotle – Burritos, bowls, and tacos with fresh ingredients.
Casual Dining:
- Olive Garden – Italian-American dishes like pasta and breadsticks.
- Cheesecake Factory – Huge menu with desserts (especially cheesecake).
- Red Lobster – Seafood, especially shrimp and lobster dishes.
- Texas Roadhouse – Steaks, ribs, and free peanuts.
- Outback Steakhouse – Australian-themed steakhouse.
Fast Casual (Higher Quality than Fast Food):
- Panera Bread – Soups, salads, and sandwiches.
- Shake Shack – Gourmet burgers and shakes.
- Five Guys – Customizable burgers and fries.
- Panda Express – American-Chinese fast food.
- Sweetgreen – Healthy salads and grain bowls.
Fine Dining & Upscale:
- The French Laundry (CA) – Michelin-starred, world-renowned.
- Per Se (NYC) – High-end tasting menus.
- Alinea (Chicago) – Experimental and artistic cuisine.
- Le Bernardin (NYC) – Top-tier seafood restaurant.
- Eleven Madison Park (NYC) – Vegan-focused fine dining.
Regional & Specialty:
- In-N-Out Burger (West Coast) – Famous for “Animal Style” burgers.
- Waffle House (Southern U.S.) – 24/7 diner with breakfast all day.
- Pizza Hut / Domino’s (Nationwide) – Popular pizza chains.
- Joe’s Stone Crab (Miami) – Famous for seafood.
- Katz’s Delicatessen (NYC) – Iconic pastrami sandwiches.

