The uber popular travel site Tripadvisor announced their Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Awards, honoring diners’ favorite Fine Dining and Everyday Dining Restaurants. Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these restaurants were consistently given high ratings and praise by diners in the U.S. and internationally. The prestigious 2020 awards honor a total of 461 restaurants around the world.
This year, the types of cuisines and dining locales that seemed to be trending the most, were:
- That’s Italian: Americans are craving authentic pizza and pasta dishes this year.
- Southern Sizzle: Cities down south stole the show, with restaurants from Memphis, to The Woodlands, to Scottsdale delighting diners.
- NYC, the culinary center: Home to seven of the top Fine Dining and Everyday Dining Restaurants, more than any other city.
Bucking all those trends, The French Laundry in Yountville, California, made its debut in this year’s awards as the #1 Fine Dining Restaurant in the U.S. With over 1,100 “excellent” Tripadvisor reviews. This 20-year-old French restaurant is called “bucket list” or “life changing” by diners who visit.
Below are Tripadvisor’s top 10 Fine Dining and Everyday Dining Restaurants in the U.S., along with popular dishes from recent traveler reviews. To view the full list of 2020 Travelers’ Choice award-winning restaurants, including Tripadvisor diners’ favorite restaurants in the world, visit: https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Restaurants.
Fine Dining Award-Winners
High-end, special occasion restaurants known for impeccable food and service.
1. The French Laundry – Yountville, California (also ranked #24 in the world overall!)
- Popular dishes: Oysters and pearls, waygu beef
2. Daniel – New York City, New York
- Popular dishes: Foie gras, amuse bouches
3. Halls Chophouse – Charleston, South Carolina
- Popular dishes: Prime rib, crab cakes
4. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar – Memphis, Tennessee
- Popular dishes: Bison, stuffed filet
5. GW Fins – New Orleans, Louisiana
- Popular dishes: Soft shell crab, lobster dumplings
6. Geronimo – Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Popular dishes:Elk tenderloin, sea bass
7. Collage Restaurant – St. Augustine, Florida
- Popular dishes: Black grouper, veal Orleans
8. Cafe Monarch – Scottsdale, Arizona
- Popular dishes: Cauliflower soup, sea bass
9. Charleston Grill – Charleston, South Carolina
- Popular dishes: Foie gras, crab cakes
10. Peninsula Grill – Charleston, South Carolina
- Popular dishes: Lobster “3 Way,” coconut cake
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