Whether it's a fine-dining spot, a long-running deli or diner, or a barbecue joint that has customers lining up around the block, there are particular places in each US state that people from all over the US are just longing to visit (and eat at). Here we take a look at the most famous restaurant in every state where you should dine at least once.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Legend has it that John 'Big Daddy' Bishop opened the first Dreamland Café in Tuscaloosa after praying for guidance: that night God appeared in a dream and told him that he should build a café next to his home – and so John did. Some 60 years on and Dreamland has 10 locations in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida (not to mention numerous concessions). But it remains famous for its good old-fashioned hospitality and lip-smacking ribs.
This restaurant wasn't established until the 1950s, but its building dates back to the 1920s, having served time as both a funeral home and a furniture store. Today, though, the steaks are the main draw. Cut and aged on site, they're an enduring hit with Anchorage residents – if your wallet allows, splash out on the famous 4-inch thick filet mignon. The iconic neon sign is an instantly recognizable feature of this legendary steakhouse too.
A legendary steakhouse in Phoenix, Durant's – all dim lighting and red leather booths – is the type of place that never changes. Part of the appeal is the man behind the restaurant: the late Jack Durant, who is rumored to have had connections with mobster Bugsy Siegel. Whatever the truth, the storied spot has been feeding diners exceptional steaks – and perfect Martinis – for over half a century.
McClard's Bar-B-Q was opened in 1928 by Alex and Alice McClard, who ran a Hot Springs motel. When a traveler couldn't afford to pay for his room, he offered the couple a recipe for barbecue sauce instead, and the rest is history. The restaurant is still in the McClard family today and, besides its famous sauce, is also known for being a favorite spot of Arkansas native Bill Clinton – they even catered his 60th birthday party.
Prices are high and reservations hard to score at The French Laundry, often described by food critics as the gourmet experience of a lifetime. Thomas Keller has been one of the most celebrated chefs in America for around 30 years, and his California restaurant has held three Michelin stars since 2007. The two nine-course tasting menus change every day, and no ingredient appears more than once during the meal. If you spot the truffle-infused custard on the menu, you're in luck.
Featured on Anthony Bourdain's hit show No Reservations, Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, and the Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, it's safe to say that Denver's Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs has received plenty of attention. The restaurant started as a food truck, and today serves incredible hot dogs made of beef, pork, elk, and buffalo at its brick-and-mortar locations.
Made famous by the Julia Roberts movie of the same name, Mystic Pizza is located in Mystic, Connecticut. ‘A slice of heaven’ is the tagline for this popular pizzeria, and it doesn’t disappoint. As well as pizza, diners can order salads, soups, and chicken wings, and the deep-fried pickles are a hit with regulars. Only the outside of Mystic Pizza features in the movie, and the interior shots were filmed elsewhere – the real-life pizzeria was later redecorated to replicate the set following the movie’s cult success.
It's no surprise that Delaware's most famous restaurant can be found in one of the state's most famous buildings: the landmark Hotel Du Pont. The Green Room, known for its lavish design and oak detailing throughout, first opened over a century ago. It's now fresh from renovations, having been reimagined as Le Cavalier at The Green Room. The menu has stayed classic and diners can still embrace the history, feasting on much-loved dishes like the Hotel Du Pont shrimp cocktail, oysters, and French onion soup.
A Miami Beach institution, Joe's Stone Crab dates back to 1913, when Joe Weiss opened a small lunch counter serving fresh seafood to locals. Still in the same family, it now has several locations, but the original spot remains as popular as ever. The restaurant is most famous for its stone crabs, just as the name suggests. Often visited by celebrities, it's also reportedly referenced in Ian Fleming's Goldfinger as Bill's on the Beach – the best meal James Bond ever had in his life.
Since opening in 1945, Mary Mac's Tea Room has grown from one dining room to six, but much else is the same as it ever was, from the order notepads on each table and the complimentary cornbread muffin for first-time diners, to the menu itself, which includes Southern favorites like fried chicken and peach cobbler. Over the years, it's welcomed visitors including the Dalai Lama, Beyoncé, James Brown, and Hillary Clinton.
Many Hawaiians will tell you there's nothing like the original Roy's in Hawaii Kai, run by the James Beard Award–winning Roy Yamaguchi. Famous for its explosive Hawaiian-Japanese fusion cuisine, Roy's was also one of the first restaurants to bring poke into the mainstream. Signatures include the blackened ahi, plus exciting creations such as butterfish with sweet ginger and wasabi beurre blanc.
Big Jud's, which has three locations in the state, reckon their burgers aren't just known all over Idaho – they're world famous. It might have something to do with the size of them: this is the home of the one-pound burger. If that's still not enough for you, try the Big Jud's Challenge: finish a 2lb burger, large plate of fries, and large drink in under 30 minutes, and get your name on the Wall of Fame (and your meal free).
Led by groundbreaking chef Grant Achatz, Alinea has been one of the most influential restaurants in the world for more than a decade, picking up countless awards and a coveted three Michelin stars. Alinea is all about immersive dining, focusing on smells, colors, and textures, as well as incredible tastes. Famous for bending the rules of fine dining, one of the restaurant's signature dishes is its tabletop dessert (pictured), prepared by chefs directly onto the table in front of you.
It's quite a feat to be more than 100 years old and still appearing on lists for the country's best steakhouses, but St. Elmo Steak House manages it rather easily. In addition to the extensive steak menu, people still come for St. Elmo's famous (and spicy) shrimp cocktail. The spot's other claim to fame is that it's one of Parks and Recreation character Ron Swanson's favorite steak houses. In an episode of the TV comedy called Two Parties, he celebrates the bachelor party he never had there, attracting many of the show's fans to the restaurant.
This 100-year-old steak house continues to delight guests with steaks sizzling in extra virgin olive oil, butter and a special Greek seasoning blend. Opened by Greek immigrants Pete Maduras and Tony Papouchis, the Mason City restaurant is now owned by Tony's son Bill and his wife Ann, who are keen to preserve the Greek legacy. To this day, the dishes largely remain faithful to Tony's original recipes.
Revered for its burnt-end sandwiches, this restaurant (previously known as Oklahoma Joe's) has a humble origin story. It began life in a gas station, yet today it's the recipient of countless accolades, including being named as one of Anthony Bourdain's '13 places you must eat before you die'. It also gained national attention in 2014, when president Barack Obama's team ordered $1,400 worth of takeout food to eat on Air Force One.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, Jack Fry's is a Louisville landmark that retains much of its historical charm. The fine-dining restaurant showcases Southern flavors using French-cooking techniques, with dishes such as grilled swordfish marinated and glazed with bourbon-smoked paprika and ancho-molasses. Customers love both the food and the atmosphere here.
In a city bursting at the seams with culinary delights, Commander's Palace remains one of New Orleans' most notable landmarks – and not just for its striking turquoise Victorian façade. Established in the city's beautiful Garden District in 1893, this elegant restaurant has been the training ground for a number of notable chefs, including Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse. It serves up Haute Creole cuisine in a charming setting, and the seafood gumbo is an absolute must-order.
A 19th-century mill in a tiny town, in the middle of nowhere, might seem an unlikely setting for one of the hardest-to-book restaurants in the country (it only takes reservations by notecard, and they receive 20,000 a year), but that's where you'll find The Lost Kitchen. Chef Erin French opened her farm-to-table joint in 2014 and since then it's become a phenomenon, spawning a cookbook, TV show, and memoir. If you can't score a restaurant reservation, there's a shop and farmers' market onsite, too.
There are several notable restaurants in Maryland, so it's hard to single out just one – but Baltimore's Woodberry Kitchen has definitely surpassed its trendy status to become an enduring foodie destination. With many celebrity customers, including Michelle Obama, who dined here with daughter Malia in 2016, the restaurant is known for its American farm-to-table cuisine, and is often praised for its commitment to sourcing locally.
Opened in 1826, Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the United States. Over the course of its history it has counted JFK, American statesman Daniel Webster, and even Louis Philippe, King of France among its regulars (the king lived above the restaurant during his exile in the late 18th century). As the name suggests, it specializes in seafood, and their clam chowder is rightly famous.
One of Michigan's most unique and well-loved restaurants is the incredible Bavarian Inn. Opened in 1888, in the Bavarian-themed town Frankenmuth, the restaurant claims that more than 20 million guests have come to feast on their world famous, all-you-can-eat, German family-style dinners. And while Bronner's, tipped as the world's largest Christmas store, is the town's main draw, it's rare that visitors don't stop by for a meal at the Bavarian Inn, too.
Yes, there are James Beard Award–winning restaurants and plenty of incredible steakhouses in the North Star State, but the most iconic food here is the Jucy Lucy or Juicy Lucy. There's a fiercely fought rivalry between Matt's Bar and The 5-8 Club over the origin of the revered burger, a thick meat patty surrounding oozing melted cheese. Matt's – which has seen the likes of Barack Obama swing by for a burger – nudges it for the most well-known spot, but why not try both?
Opened in 1935 by Greek immigrants, the Mayflower Cafe is a firm local favorite for steak and seafood mains. However, it's their famous comeback sauce that's earned them a place on this list. The distinctive dipping sauce and salad dressing specific to this area of Mississippi is made of mayo, chili sauce, ketchup, lemon juice, and other spices and condiments – it's mixed in salads, slathered on fried green tomatoes, and generally eaten with pretty much everything. The café also earned nationwide fame after it was featured in the film The Help.
Arthur Bryant's started life as an alley stand serving food for Garment District workers in Kansas City. Today, it's one of the most famous barbecue joints not only in Missouri, but the whole country. Despite being a relatively bare-bones joint – think unpretentious decor and fluorescent lighting – the barbecue restaurant has seen a serious amount of notable diners over the years, from Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford to John McCain and Barack Obama. Beef-brisket burnt ends and burnt-end sandwiches are among the top dishes.
Often cited as the state's best restaurant, period, Lucca's is something of a Montana legend, promising punters that 'when you come to Lucca's you're not eating out – you're dining out'. There are impeccably executed Italian classics on the menu – think calamari fritti, veal scallopini, and tiramisu (pictured). But it's their humble baked ziti dish, with crispy pancetta, tomato, and three cheeses that's a must-try.
In a town – and state – known for its beef, The Drover in Omaha stands out for its original whiskey-marinated steaks, served here for over 40 years. The marinade ingredients – aside from the whiskey, of course – are top secret, but the steaks are soaked for just 15 minutes, allowing you to really savor the flavor of the Nebraskan beef. Besides the food, customers love the Western-style interiors and atmosphere.
Yes, there might be countless celebrity chef–owned, Michelin-starred, and award-winning restaurants in Las Vegas, but sometimes it's the places that never change that matter the most. The list of famous – and infamous – people who have graced the Golden Steer is impressive: Elvis Presley, Joe DiMaggio, Frank Sinatra, and Muhammad Ali, to name just a few. These days, it remains a slice of Old Vegas in the glitzy, modern city, serving up its famous steaks in delightfully old-school surrounds.
Since opening in 2012, small-plates restaurant Moxy has become one of the hottest culinary spots in the Northeastern US. Owner and chef Matt Louis is a four-time semi-finalist for the James Beard Best Chef title, and the restaurant delivers dishes inspired by local farmers, fishmongers, culture, and history. The menu changes regularly, but expect dishes like fried clams, crisp pork belly, beef short rib marmalade, and whoopie pie sliders with chocolate dipping sauce.
Dating back to 1942, this East Newark spot is something of a legend in New Jersey – and beyond. This isn't your average diner. The interiors are sleek, there's a full bar that boasts an impressive cocktail list, and the food is exceptional. In addition to the usual stalwarts of milkshakes, burgers, and meatloaf, you can expect delights like English-style fish and chips, and Cajun shrimp with chicken jambalaya.
It's hard to believe that New Mexico's largest Mexican restaurant (it can seat more than 1,200 people at one time) started out as just one room with only a handful of tables. Open for more than 50 years now, Albuquerque's El PInto still serves up some of the best Mexican food in the state, and its brand of sauces and salsas is now sold nationwide. It's also known for its tequila bar, which has more than 160 varieties on offer. The restaurant is particularly worth visiting in summer, when you can enjoy a leisurely meal on one of their leafy patios.
New York is a city full of iconic restaurants, from Peter Luger to Grand Central Oyster Bar, but no spot is better known than Katz's. Founded in 1888, the deli has appeared in countless movies and TV shows – most famously, When Harry Met Sally (the table at which the scene was filmed now has a plaque that reads: 'Where Harry met Sally...hope you have what she had'). You'll probably have to wait in line, but the legendary pastrami sandwiches are worth it.
In an idyllic setting just outisde of Chapel Hill, Fearrington House Restaurant has been feeding happy diners since 1980. Combining the culinary traditions of the American South and the techniques of European cooking with locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant was doing the farm-to-table thing before it was a buzz phrase. It's also the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star restaurant in the US to be Green Certified (meaning it has reached sustainable levels of food waste, energy use, and other eco goals).
North Dakota is well-known for its beef, and Peacock Alley makes the most of the state's bounty. It's held up as one of the best spots for steak in the state, and has even been given the prestigious National Beef Innovator of the Year award by the National Cattleman's Association. The Steakhouse Burger, with applewood smoked bleu cheese and bourbon sauce, is a winning dish.
Built in 1803, this old colonial building has welcomed an impressive 12 US presidents over the years. Today, The Golden Lamb – purportedly Ohio's longest continually operated business – remains a popular resting point for travelers, serving comfort food such as burgers, fried chicken, shrimp, and ribs, alongside an impressive range of regional beers.
First opened in 1910 as a cafe, Oklahoma City's Cattlemen's was set up to serve the ranchers, cowboys, and cattle haulers working in the region. It became Cattlemen's Steakhouse in 1945, when it changed hands following a high-stakes dice game, and over the years has served everyone from John Wayne to George Bush Senior (who favored the T-bone here). It doesn't just trade on its history, though; the steaks are as good as ever.
The clue's in the name at this Portland institution, which dates all the way back to 1892 and is both a beloved local spot and a must-visit for tourists. Dine here and you'll join the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Madonna, and Michael Jordan, who have all enjoyed the fresh seafood at Jake's Famous Crawfish. The crawish is the specialty here, of course, but the Dungeness crab and bay shrimp cakes are also real favorites.
Opened in 2008, this Israeli restaurant in the heart of Philadelphia slowly gained popularity – then, a few years ago, it started winning big awards and demanding attention on a national level. Named outstanding restaurant at the 2019 James Beard Awards, it's consistently ranked among the best in America. The restaurant's signature dish – pomegranate lamb shoulder with chickpeas – is a whole lamb shoulder that's been dry-aged, smoked, and glazed with pomegranate molasses for an incredibly intense yet sophisticated flavor.
Believed to be the USA’s oldest tavern building, Newport’s White Horse Tavern is a real slice of history. Established in 1673, it was run by a pirate in the 18th century, then served as accommodation for loyalists and British troops during the Occupation of Newport in the Revolution. Today the focus is fresh, local food: fish, clams and lobsters caught in Narragansett Bay, and artisan cheese, honey and beef sourced from nearby farms.
No barbecue for South Carolina? Surprising, maybe, but not unexpected when it's also home to one of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in the Southeast. Charleston's multi award-winning Husk (which now has locations in Savannah, Georgia and Nashville, Tennessee) has one guiding philosophy: if an ingredient isn't from the South, it's not coming in the kitchen. Expect dishes like slow-smoked pork ribs, crispy catfish, and fried cornbread panzanella on the frequently changing menu.
With its road signs almost as famous as the place itself (you can see them for miles before you're even near), Wall Drug is a wonderfully random pit stop for weary travelers. There's a historic display to remind visitors of the spot's humble beginnings back in the 1930s, a gift shop, and even an 80-foot tall brontosaurus sculpture. It's not solely a restaurant – more of a curious tourist attraction. But, when it comes to the food, the legendary hot beef sandwich and donuts come up trumps.
The Loveless Cafe's huge neon sign is almost as iconic as the place itself, and means you can't miss this Nashville stalwart. Serving up Southern comfort food favorites since 1951, the cafe has lost none of its rustic charm, from the red checkered tablecloths to the friendly service. Taylor Swift, Martha Stewart, and Dolly Parton are among the celebrities who have dined here, and the café makes up to 10,000 biscuits a day to satisfy hungry customers.
In a state known for its barbecue, it takes a lot for one restaurant to stand out – but plenty of meat-lovers make the pilgrimage to this sprawling ranch, half an hour outside Austin. The famed pit here has been cooking up delectable meat since 1967, with brisket, pulled pork, and bison ribs among the favorites.
Ruth's Diner originally opened in downtown Salt Lake City in 1930, but moved to its current, leafier location on Emigration Canyon in 1949, where it still sits in one of the city's old trolley cars. The eponymous Ruth started out as a cabaret singer before turning her hand to the diner – and the food still enjoys an excellent reputation. The breakfasts are especially popular, and can be enjoyed on the patio in warmer months.
When it opened in 2005, Waterbury's Hen of the Wood ushered in a new era of farm-to-table dining in Vermont – and quickly became one of the hottest tables around. The dishes are simple and down-to-earth, but exquisitely crafted from local ingredients. In 2013 they opened an equally lauded sister restaurant in Burlington, and both spots continue to be hugely popular.
This beautiful village inn was established in 1728, back when Middleburg, Virginia was called Chinn's Crossroads. The historic property has seen an incredible number of notable people pass through its doors, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Tom Cruise, Paul Newman, and Elizabeth Taylor. President Kennedy once used the inn to hold a press conference. Today, The Red Fox Inn & Tavern's history is apparent throughout, but there are modern menus showcasing local produce too.
When Peter Canlis wanted to build a restaurant back in the 1950s, central Seattle locations were all too expensive, so he settled for a venue way up on the edge of a cliff outside of the city. Years later the seemingly awkward location has paid off, because diners rave about the breathtaking views alongside the exceptional food. Now with numerous James Beard Awards and Wine Spectator Grand Awards, Canlis is one of Seattle's most fascinating places to eat.
Tipped as America's first resort, Greenbrier has also welcomed diners for over a century. The Main Dining Room hasn't changed much throughout the resort's existence, and a sense of historic charm can be very much felt within the walls. The fine-dining restaurant serves impressive, albeit old-school, dishes such as roasted hen and glazed pork loin, and it remains one of the most famous dining rooms in the whole country.
Established more than 100 years ago, Mader's is a typically German restaurant, serving traditional dishes such as pork patties, wiener schnitzel, and a Bavarian platter with different types of sausage, potato dumplings, and sauerkraut. Over the course of its long history, Mader's has gained popularity with countless celebrities too. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford have all dined at the historic joint and it's also a top choice for musicians: everyone from Britney Spears and Katy Perry to Kanye West and Eric Clapton have been spotted here.
As far as storied histories go, it's hard to beat Wyoming's The Irma – or Buffalo Bill's The Irma, as it's often known. The hotel was built by William F 'Buffalo Bill' Cody, who named it after his daughter, and the famous bar is made from cherrywood that was a gift from Queen Victoria. Just as when it first opened, The Irma is a bustling social hub, and the restaurant serves up classic American fare like steaks, burgers, seafood, and chicken pot pie.