News hot off the press: Tripadvisor just announced today its final Travelers’ Choice Award for 2023, the Best of the Best Restaurants. You know you want to eat out on vacation (although sometimes staying in to cook can be its own joy if your rental has a kitchen)—in fact, 67 percent of fall travelers said they prioritize food, according to Tripadvisor's fall findings. The 2023 awards showcase seven different subcategories, no matter what your style, from quick bites to upper-end fine dining. There’s also hidden gems, date night, everyday eats and two helpful brand-new categories, family-friendly and vegetarian-friendly.
Tripadvisor created the list based on the quality and quantity of reviews on its platform during the period of June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023. The winners are on six continents, in 58 countries and cover 478 destinations. The U.S. is well represented on the list; in fact, while an Amsterdam restaurant captured the No. 1 Fine Dining spot in the world, New York City hosts the most winners overall. And Tripadvisor kindly created lists of U.S.-only winners in these seven categories: we’ll share the top three for each.
Interesting findings? Tennessee does very well in several categories, and specifically the city of Pigeon Forge! Another state with lots of wins is South Carolina. Wherever you travel, enjoy the regional fare and tuck in!
Best fine dining: ready to indulge a little?
1. Le Bernardin – New York, New York. This French seafood restaurant, where celebrity chef Eric Ripert casts his magic spell, did not appear on the 2022 list but is No. 23 in the world this year—the only U.S. restaurant to appear on the global list. It also appears on Time Out's list of best seafood restaurants.
2. The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge – Blowing Rock, NC. European-style fare on a daily-changing menu is served inside a country inn, with ingredients supplied by local farms in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
3. Hall's Chophouse – Charleston, SC. This old-world steakhouse serves prime steaks, Lowcountry and fresh seafood specialties, along with craveable desserts and an extensive wine list.
Everyday Eats: laid-back fare that doesn’t break the bank
1. Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille – St. Petersburg, FL
2. Local Goat – Pigeon Forge, TN
3. Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House – Marathon, FL
Hidden Gems: restaurants with under-the-radar status
1. Cookie Dough Monster Burgers & Shakes – Pigeon Forge, TN
2. Riverfront Seafood Company – Kingsport, TN
3. Kaya Island Eats – Key West, FL
Date Night: starry eyes over your wine
1. Hot Tin Roof – Key West, FL
2. Circa 1886 Restaurant – Charleston, SC
3. The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge – Blowing Rock, NC
Quick Bites: wolf it down and keep moving
1. Bleecker Street Pizza – New York, NY
2. Portillo’s and Barnelli’s Chicago – Chicago, IL
3. Joe’s Pizza – New York, NY
Vegetarian: healthy and ethical fare
1. The Studio – Hilton Head, SC
2. Full Bloom Vegan – Miami Beach, FL
3. Plant Vegan Restaurant – Asheville, SC
Family-friendly: kids appreciate great cuisine, too
1. Outer Banks Boil Company Corolla – Corolla, Outer Banks, NC
2. MACS–Macaroni and Cheese Stop – Wisconsin Dells, WI
3. Pirate’s Table Calabash Seafood Buffet – Surfside Beach, SC
The full lists are here, including a breakdown for many countries by top 10.