The United States has an enormous restaurant scene, from casual counters serving comfort food to world-famous tasting-menu dining rooms. If you love trying new places, the three restaurants below show how varied American dining can be. Opening hours and menus change, so always check each restaurant’s website before you go.
1. Karv Kitchen
Karv Kitchen is a relaxed spot built around Mediterranean-style comfort food. Its menu is known for gourmet gyros and wraps, slow-braised lamb shank and grilled lamb chops, along with soft drinks, beers and desserts. A fun favourite is its mini doughnuts served with ice cream. It is the kind of place that works well for a casual meal with family or friends.
2. Eleven Madison Park, New York City
Eleven Madison Park, set in an Art Deco building overlooking Madison Square Park in Manhattan, is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the country. Under chef Daniel Humm it was named number one on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017. The restaurant is known for long, carefully choreographed tasting menus and polished service, and it has made headlines for reinventing its menu in bold ways, including a period of serving a fully plant-based menu. Reservations are essential and are usually released well in advance.
3. Higgins, Portland, Oregon
Higgins became known in Portland for championing local, seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients long before farm-to-table dining was fashionable. Its menus featured house-made charcuterie such as boudin blanc with sauerkraut, root vegetables like turnips and radicchio, and a well-loved bar. If you are planning a visit, check its current status, since restaurant ownership and opening plans can change.
How to Pick a Great Restaurant When Travelling
- Match the occasion: a tasting menu suits a celebration, while a casual counter is better for a quick meal.
- Read recent reviews: focus on reviews from the last few months, as menus and chefs change.
- Book ahead: popular restaurants fill up quickly, especially at weekends.
- Ask about dietary options: most good kitchens can adapt with advance notice.
- Check the budget: look at menu prices online so there are no surprises.
Conclusion
From the relaxed comfort food of Karv Kitchen to the fine dining of Eleven Madison Park and the local focus of Higgins, these restaurants show the range of American food culture. Use them as inspiration, and explore local favourites wherever you travel.
