Nobu Malibu offers world-renowned Japanese cuisine with Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dishes like yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño and black cod with miso. Executive Chef Gregorio Stephenson adds Malibu flair with plates like ribeye in yuzu truffle butter. Sweeping ocean views from nearly every seat create a dining experience as stunning as the food.

Élephante brings the spirit of coastal southern Italy to Santa Monica with breezy, lounge-like spaces and ocean views. Inspired by the flavors of Pantelleria and the Aeolian Islands, the restaurant serves seasonal Italian dishes in a chic, transportive setting.

Few chefs can work a hearth like Brian Dunsmoor, who cut his teeth at Southern star Hatchet Hall before opening his namesake restaurant in 2022. The long tables adorned with flickering candles make the restaurant an ideal place for a date, as do fiery dishes like wood-roasted oysters and mushroom-crusted pork chops. The cornbread, slathered in cultured butter, is the stuff of dreams.

This tasting-menu gem is as exciting as ever—Somni’s reboot has earned exclusive three-MICHELIN-Starred status for acclaimed chef Aitor Zabala’s highly imaginative take on Spanish cuisine. With just 14 seats at a wooden chef's counter, the intimate space sets the stage for experimental dishes that blend Zabala’s Catalan and Basque heritage with Southern California ingredients. A deep selection of Spanish wine and location off a lush courtyard add to the transportive experience.

The Musso & Frank Grill offers an authentic Old Hollywood dining experience, evoking the glamour and charm of early 20th-century Los Angeles. The iconic restaurant blends classic dishes with timeless atmosphere.

The rolled lasagna at Don Angie launched a thousand Instagram posts when the West Village Italian-American restaurant from wife-and-husband team Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli opened in 2018. It was also named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants that same year, and the owners received James Beard Award nominations in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Since day one, the bustling dining room with classic black-and-white checkered floors and a curved bar has been one of the city’s most coveted reservations.

Chez Fifi, a French bistro on the Upper East Side, serves Parisian classics with a Basque twist from Executive Chef Zack Zeidman. Set in a historic townhouse, it offers refined dining downstairs, while upstairs Salon de Fifi features inventive cocktails by Yumi Nemoto with elegant small plates.

The sophomore restaurant from Don Angie's Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli points its focus at the sea, taking a spirited spin on traditional coastal Italian-American favorites. We’re talking crab-and-mortadella dip spiked with dill, pasta alle vongole given a shot of heat with aji amarillo, and shrimp parm with a sweet and sour arrabbiata. Although the menu leans playful, the sexy dining room and serious cocktails make this a decidedly grown-up second effort.

The James Beard–recognized restaurateurs from Frenchette, Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson, took over one of the oldest French restaurants in New York when they restored and reopened Le Veau d’Or in 2024. Take comfort in the wood-paneled walls, red leather booths, and red-and-white checkered tablecloths, and get ready for a polished prix-fixe menu of pâté en croûte, poached lobster, and île flottante, among others. Catch a nightcap at the cozy bar—it’s a tiny treasure with only five seats.

Noodles are the star at this Thai East Village gem that got raves from Eater and the New York Times after it opened in 2020. You'll find them in a host of regional dishes like the spicy ba mii pu (dry crab noodles) and chicken khao soi. Pair them with equally exciting cocktails like the tequila and tamarind syrup-based Pay-Thai in a neon-lit space that'll make you feel you're at one of Bangkok's famed street-food markets.

Pizzeria Portofino is a sun-drenched casual restaurant located directly on the Chicago riverfront offering hand-stretched pizzas, coastal wines, an expansive patio and breezy decor that will instantly transport you to the Italian Riviera.

"Top Chef" star and "Top Chef: Duels" winner CJ Jacobson's modern take on Mediterranean cooking at Aba has earned numerous accolades, including being named the Best New Restaurant by both Chicago Tribune and Eater readers. To understand why, start with spreads like smoky garlic hummus or muhummara before moving on to simple but savory dishes like wood-fired lamb chops with broccolini. A drink list that highlights lesser-known producers and “ancient civilization” wines rounds out the experience.

Zarella, a neighborhood pizzeria and taverna from Boka Restaurant Group, is located on the bustling corner of Grand and Wells in the heart of River North. Chef Partners Chris Pandel and Lee Wolen have come together to craft a menu featuring a mix of tavern-style and artisan pizzas, an array of entrées and small bites, as well as fresh salads, alongside an ever-rotating menu of Italian specialties, promising a dining experience that is both nostalgic and unique.

Perched atop the 13th floor of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel under a glass atrium, Cindy's welcomes guests with sweeping views of Millennium Park, the ever-changing blues of Lake Michigan, and beyond. With vibrant service, an all-season terrace, and an extensive beverage menu that intertwines naturally with the dishes, every detail of your experience is thoughtfully crafted to make a lasting memory.

PIZZ’AMICI serves Chicago-style thin crust pizza and classic Italian-American favorites in a warm, welcoming setting. With a cozy atmosphere perfect for date nights, celebrations, or a glass of wine, it’s a spot that makes every guest feel at home.

Open since 1949, this legendary destination is the king of San Francisco steakhouses. From luxurious carved-to-order prime rib rolled out on carts to chefs spinning salads to extra-large martinis with sidecars, every meal in the restaurant’s old-school dining room decked with ruby-hued booths is rollicking and unforgettable.

Drop a pin in Chinatown for your mapo spaghetti needs—the playful Four Kings pop-up now has a permanent address. Watch chefs Franky Ho and Mike Long prepare crowd favorites like fried squab and chili crisp pig head in an open kitchen in the lively dining room, complete with retro '90s and Y2K Hong Kong memorabilia and a Cantopop soundtrack.

The Happy Crane blends authentic Chinese flavors with modern creativity, offering dishes rooted in tradition yet reimagined with fresh ideas. Served in a warm, joyful setting, it’s a celebration of heritage with a contemporary touch.

Elena’s celebrates a family’s love for authentic Mexican cuisine, blending traditional recipes with California-inspired flavors. The menu highlights signature Mexican-American dishes in a warm, welcoming setting.

Yeobo, Darling, founded by chefs Meichih and Michael Kim, honors Korean and Taiwanese heritage through thoughtfully crafted cuisine. Featuring abundant banchan, seasonal ingredients, and innovative interpretations of classic flavors, the restaurant offers an intimate, welcoming space with tea-infused cocktails and premium sool, blending tradition with a modern dining experience.

Makoto, led by chef Makoto Okuwa, elevates Japanese cuisine with masterful Edomae-style sushi and modern interpretations. Set in a vibrant, India Mahdavi–designed space at Bal Harbour Shops, the restaurant offers bright, cozy seating, expanded outdoor dining, and a striking setting perfect for any occasion.

Sexy Fish draws inspiration from the oceans of Asia, focusing on sushi, sashimi, tiradito, tempura, and robata. Signature dishes include yellow tartare, enrygii mushroom tempura, and king crab with bone marrow. Designed by Martin Brudnizki Studio, the luxurious dining room features a dramatic fish tank and original artworks by Damien Hirst and Frank Gehry.

Gianni’s, located in the former Versace Mansion, serves gourmet Italian-Mediterranean cuisine and curated wine selections in a stunning Ocean Drive setting. The restaurant blends elegant design with flavorful dishes for a unique Miami Beach dining experience.

MILA is a rooftop showstopper, complete with a 5,000-square-foot deck adorned with a dazzling central water feature. Inspired by the founders’ global travels, the restaurant’s Mediterranean- and Asian-inspired aesthetic also applies to the menu of shareable dishes, like grilled octopus with romesco and ribeye with yuzu kosho. Go ahead and order fancy add-ons like caviar service and wasabi—this is Miami, after all.

Luca Osteria in Coral Gables brings Italy to Miami with chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s menu of classic and inventive dishes. Highlights include tuna caprese, potato puffs with egg yolk and truffle cream, pappardelle with wild boar ragu, and branzino al limone. The contemporary space features natural wood accents and outdoor seating along Giralda Avenue, perfect for a memorable Italian dining experience.