When exploring your state or visiting a new one, what is the first thing you look for? For us, it’s the best restaurants and what locals deem the best menu items.
Instead of doing all the research on your own, we’ve handled it for you. Here are the most popular restaurants in each state and what you should order.
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Highlands Bar & Grill is where Alabama staples meet classic French techniques. Pro Tip: order the Hummingbird Cake.
49th State Brewing is a local gem in downtown Anchorage, welcoming both locals and tourists to relax on the rooftop patio while enjoying a fresh locally crafted beer. Pro Tip: order the “Halibut and Chips” with a side of avocado fries.
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Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the seemingly never-ending sunsets at Different Pointe of View. Pro Tip: order the Port Rosemary Braised Short Rib.
Table 28, located in The Burgundy Hotel, combines locally-sourced ingredients with southern flair. Pro Tip: order the meatloaf made with Akaushi Beef, pair with fried Brussels sprouts and potatoes.
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The owners of HOME in Los Angeles wanted to create a restaurant where not only did people feel at home, but they felt like they were eating home cooking. Pro Tip: Order the short rib pot pie.
Safta brings you on a first-class trip to Israel. The food shows influence from the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. Pro Tip: order the pomegranate braised lamb shank.
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If you’re looking for both elegance and comfort, look no further than Tavern on State. This neighborhood spot offers American cuisine with a modern twist. Pro Tip: order the lamb burger with whipped feta, and save room for the chocolate caramel pie with smoked sea salt.
Centrally located on the Wilmington Riverfront, Big Fish Riverfront has some of the freshest seafood in Delaware. Pro Tip: order the fried Virginia oyster.
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Cvi.Che105 is a Peruvian restaurant with locations in both Downtown Miami and South Beach. They are known for their fresh ceviches and flavorful Peruvian dishes. Pro Tip: order the Ají Amarillo ceviche and pair with the Juan Chipoco Iron Man.
Homegrown is a breakfast and brunch restaurant specializing in homegrown southern food. Pro Tip: order the Kage Fighter breakfast and add on a salmon patty.
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Every day, local fisherman bring their catches to Mama’s Fish House. They clean and serve all the fish within 24 hours. Pro Tip: Order the pulehu short rib and lobster.
Diabla’s Kitchen brings you clean comfort food, with every meal being made to order. Pro Tip: Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese is a must-have.
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Boka Chicago received Michelin stars from 2011 to 2019, James Beard nominations 2016 to 2018, and many other awards. Pro Tip: Order the roasted chicken.
Gamba Ristorante is an authentic Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere. Pro Tip: Order the pumpkin moose for dessert.
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Named the best steakhouse in Iowa, The Iowa Chop House is the perfect place to gather and enjoy a little of everything. Pro Tip: Order the duck breast with four-cheese macaroni.
With live jazz music accompanied by great food and even better cocktails, Lonnie’s Reno Club offers a luxe dining experience in Kansas City. Pro Tip: Order the bananas foster.
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Mojito Tapas Restaurant serves up authentic Cuban cuisine in the Midwest. Pro Tip: Order the Tabla de Chimichurri and pair with Patatas Bravas.
Atchafalaya, is what many consider New Orleans’s best brunch spot. Pro Tip: Order the duck confit and sweet potato skillet.
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Chavel is a neighborhood gem bringing together Spanish and French cuisine in Portland, Maine. Pro Tip: order the Quebec Chicken Breast but save room for the pineapple pie.
Orto sources the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients to make authentic Italian food. Pro Tip: Order the ricotta gnudi and meatballs.
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Located on the Boston seaport, Chickadee is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant using ingredients from local farms and markets. Pro Tip: Order the spiced Gemelli braised lamb.
Takoi started as a food truck then quickly grew into one of Detroit’s best Thai Restaurants. Pro Tip: Order the crispy BBQ spare ribs and pair them with sticky rice.
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When you think of Mexican cuisine you think of tacos. But, Colita is breaking the mold by not only giving you exceptional tacos but an upscale twist on some Mexican classics. Pro Tip: Order the lamb barbacoa tacos, corn elote, and chicken tinga tostadas.
Weidmann’s is a historic southern landmark as well as a southern-comfort restaurant in Meridian, Mississippi. Pro Tip: Order the famous blackened redfish.
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Beast Butcher & Block is a BBQ restaurant in St. Louis. The smoked meat platters and outdoor seating bring the crowd day after day. Pro Tip: Order the Burnt Ends and crispy Brussels sprouts.
Horn & Cantle is the perfect place to satisfy your post skiing and snowboarding appetite. Pro Tip: Order the 32oz. Tomahawk dry-aged bone-in rib eye.
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Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse is a popular gathering spot for the folks of Omaha, Nebraska. Pro Tip: Order the Parmesan-crusted New York strip with lobster mac & cheese.
Nora’s cuisine is a mom-and-pop located in Las Vegas, featuring Italian classics. Pro Tip: Order the beef tenderloin and pair with a bottle of a red wine.
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Frisbee’s Wharf, an outdoor dining experience in Maine that has great views and even better seafood. Pro Tip: Order the lobster roll.
Heirloom Kitchen is a farm-to-table restaurant and supper club, that also doubles as a cooking school. Pro Tip: Order the Gochujang wings.
Geronimo has established a reputation as the best restaurant in Santa Fe. Pro Tip: Order the Maryland blue crab cakes.
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While this is an ongoing debate, the non-stop discussions over Carbone and reservations, which are hard to come by, has made this New York City restaurant one of the best. Pro Tip: Order the lobster ravioli and pair with the veal Parmesan.
Bosphorus Restaurant, located in Cary North Carolina, is what many would call one of NC’s best-kept secrets. Pro Tip: Order the Adana kebab if you like spicy food.
Mezzaluna offers European cuisine and a diverse wine list, which has been curated to complement the menu. Pro Tip: Order the Old Fashioned Crème Brulé.
L’Albatros is a French-inspired restaurant located in Cleveland, Ohio. Pro Tip: Order the grilled sausage platter.
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Whether you dine in for brunch or dinner you are sure to enjoy fresh seafood over incredible views at Hefner Grill. Pro Tip: Order the pecan crusted trout.
Screen Door brings southern cuisine from Louisiana to Portland, Oregon. Pro Tip: Order the fried chicken and waffles.
As Bolete prepares for their outdoor dining village to open in Allentown, Pennsylvania restaurant-goers are excited to enjoy their favorite modern American restaurant again. Pro Tip: Order the roasted duck breast and pair with crispy chicken fried sweetbreads.
Do you need some spice in your life? If you do, India Restaurant is an elegant Indian restaurant with Bollywood films playing in the background and belly dancing table side. Pro Tip: Order the chicken tandoori.
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Bourbon is a whiskey bar and Cajun-Creole restaurant located in Columbia South Carolina. They specialize in bourbon, whiskey, and the flavors of Louisiana. Pro Tip: Order the grilled cab bavette steak and pair it with your favorite bourbon.
Kathmandu Bistro is home to South Dakota’s Nepalese, Indian, and Tibetan food. Pro Tip: Order the rack of lamb.
Aquarium restaurant in Nashville, is a seafood and steak restaurant with a huge fish tank filled with tropical sea creatures. Pro Tip: Order the crusted fresh salmon.
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Jeffrey’s is a neighborhood restaurant specializing in French American fine dining. Pro Tip: Order the dry-aged Wagyu ribeye.
Communal is a restaurant focused on providing a meal that can be shared between friends or strangers. Pro Tip: Order the braised Clifford Farms pork belly.
Michael’s On The Hill was a 1800s farmhouse that transformed into an upscale dining experience. Pro Tip: Order the braised lamb shoulder with artichoke barigoule saffron pasta and the mint crème fraîche.
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The floor-to-ceiling windows and elegant dining room are a few of the reasons that 2941 Restaurant is a hit. Pro Tip: Order the venison chop.
IL Bistro is a romantic restaurant located in Pike Place Market. Its mission is to serve authentic Italian cuisine while creating an intimate fine dining experience. Pro Tip: Order the rigatoni bolognese and a glass of wine for the perfect dinner date meal.
Dobra Zupas has found the perfect medium in being a gathering spot to try local beers and a great place to try out new dishes. Pro Tip: Order the filet and risotto and pair with Lunar Eclipse stout.
The Old Fashioned is a Wisconsin-themed tavern and restaurant, serving beer, brats & cheese curds— all made right in Wisconsin. Pro Tip: Order the Old Fashioned House burger.
The best breakfast, brunch, and lunch in Wyoming is at Eggington’s. This neighborhood eatery puts a twist on everyone’s favorite breakfast classics. Pro Tip: Order the breakfast tacos any time of day and add on the pork green chili for some extra heat.
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