Restaurants are everywhere, from local diners to international chains and everything in between. There’s no shortage of options, so which best restaurants should you visit?
The French Laundry, Yountville, CA
The French Laundry is not a restaurant—it’s an experience. Moreover, it’s a Michelin-starred restaurant, but that doesn’t mean the dining itself is overly formal or fussy; you won’t find any clocks, cell phones, or other distractions in this world-class dining establishment.
A reservation at the French Laundry means hours spent waiting for your table. But don’t worry, you’ll be well taken care of while you wait: At check time there will usually be two servers who’ll help with beverages and small plates, which can also be ordered à la carte if you prefer more control over your meal.
And though a visit here may feel like a marathon, the French Laundry offers plenty of post-dinner activities if you choose to stay on. Be sure to book a cooking class before heading home, because you might just learn something new about how to prepare some of your favorite dishes.
Perbacco, New York City, NY
Perbacco has been serving delicious Italian food since 1926, earning its first Michelin star in 1989. It is now considered an institution in NYC restaurants, thanks to chef Michael White, who made his name creating innovative cuisine using seasonal ingredients.
This particular branch occupies a secret location in Manhattan, with sleek modern decor and a gorgeous open kitchen. Diners enter through a hidden door behind the bar and into the dining room. White takes great pride in sourcing locally as much as possible.
He even uses only fresh seafood when he can get it, and his pasta sauce is made daily with nothing more than tomatoes grown in Brooklyn. If pasta isn’t your thing, you can always order steak or fish instead. There are few finer places in NYC to enjoy excellent Italian food.
El Bulli, Spain
Since opening its doors in 1996, El Bulli has earned rave reviews in the world of culinary creativity for consistently pushing the boundaries of what many people would consider “normal” eating.
Chef Ferran Adria turned the restaurant concept upside down when he decided to eliminate service and let diners order and pay for their meals directly at their tables. Rather than having pre-made dishes passed around in carts, each person orders whatever they want off a short list of offerings.
No menus. No reservations. Just raw creativity. After several years of this unconventional approach, El Bulli was awarded three Michelin stars in 2006. Today, the restaurant still lets guests order anything they want without restrictions.
However, traditionalists have started complaining that the lack of structure has resulted in less attention focusing on quality and more attention focusing on novelty and experimentation.
The Fat Duck, Bray, UK
This restaurant took Britain by storm when it opened in 1995.
It features 3 Michelin stars out of four total awards available for fine dining establishments in England. The Fat Duck serves British cuisine – duck being a prominent dish – and prides itself on being inventive yet keeping true to tradition.
According to owner Heston Blumenthal, the secret to its success lies within the use of original equipment and scientific techniques, such as an air filtration system installed in 1994 to achieve perfect temperature and humidity inside the restaurant.
You’ve probably seen photos of famous patrons including Bill Clinton and Paul McCartney enjoying dinner here, and rightfully so! The Fat Duck is located right next to Stonehenge in Wiltshire. This makes it easy to visit if you happen to be in the area.
Le Bernardin, New York, USA
Founded in 1986, Le Bernardin is another New York favorite for classic French fare. Here, Jean-Louis Palladin, previously of La Reserve in Paris, created one of the most renowned tasting menus in America.
It is not inexpensive, but the quality of ingredients and presentation make up for the price. The menu changes seasonally based on what is in but might include dishes like warm salt cod agnolotti filled with saffron risotto.
It also includes black truffle marinated in parmesan cream, and veal sweetbreads stuffed with lobster mushrooms. Many other courses feature foie gras, turbot, and Maine lobster, among other treats.
Conclusion
So, there we have it – a collection of the best restaurants in the world. These restaurants offer the best food ever.
