Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.

2012 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. "


From left to right: chef Patrick OConnell from The Inn at Little Washington, abalone salad from The French Laundry (photo by Deborah Jones) and Twist by Pierre Gagnaire in Las Vegas


Once again we introduce our new Top 40 list in a tribute to the finest dining destinations in America. Every year it is a challenge to compile these restaurants, as the vast expanse of country holds such a diverse range of cuisines, venues and chefs drawn from around the globe --- and grown right here at home. Whether top toques are reinterpreting molecular gastronomy, or rediscovering centuries-old artisan traditions, it is exciting to see our nation's cuisines evolve. From the rustic, verdant backdrops to urban skyscrapers, these restaurants in our Top 40 offer unique dining experiences that amount to our culinary bucket list. We salute the chefs and restaurateurs who continue to innovate, challenge our palates and push ever forward the frontiers of American dining.

ATLANTA
Restaurant Eugene

BOSTON
L'Espalier
Menton

BOULDER
Frasca Food & Wine

CHICAGO
Alinea
Everest
TRU

HEALDSBURG, CA

Cyrus

HONOLULU

Chef Mavro

LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Studio

LAS VEGAS

Joël Robuchon
Picasso
Restaurant Guy Savoy
Twist by Pierre Gagnaire

LOS ANGELES
Mélisse
Patina
Providence
Spago Beverly Hills
Urasawa

LOS GATOS, CA
Manresa

NEW ORLEANS
Restaurant August



 2013 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
2011 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
2010 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
2008 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
2007 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
NEW YORK
Daniel
Eleven Madison Park
Jean Georges
Le Bernardin
Le Cirque
Masa
The Modern
Per Se

PHILADELPHIA

Vetri

RED BANK, NJ

Restaurant Nicholas

SAN DIEGO
Addison

SAN FRANCISCO

Coi
Gary Danko
Masa's

SEATTLE
The Herbfarm

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Michel Richard Citronelle

WASHINGTON, VA
The Inn at Little Washington

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL

Vie

YOUNTVILLE, CA

The French Laundry








2006 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
2005 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
2004 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
1990 Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.






VEGETARIAN FOODWith GAYOT's lists of the Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants, you can discover where to find the best meatless meals.