In the not too distant past, hotels were just a bed and room—shapeless, faceless boxes where people felt cramped and claustrophobic. Today, hotels have evolved into something free and beautiful. They’re an experience, status symbols, and lifestyle choices.
Hotel restaurants living inside these character-driven properties have similarly evolved. No more lukewarm continental breakfast. We don’t want toast, yogurt, and rubbery boiled eggs. We want a meal that matches the vibe of the room and entire hotel we’re staying at.
In fact, the difference between a good stay and a great stay comes down to dining options. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of epic hotel restaurants to choose from. And, for many, these restaurants can serve as an indicator of the perfect hotels to stay at.
Below, we’ve rounded up 13 of our favorite and best hotel restaurants from across America. They’re loved by locals and, we think, they’ll be loved by you soon too: bon appétit!
13 of the Best Hotel Restaurants You’re Going to Love
1. Coast Kitchen
If you’re cruising down Northern California’s ruggedly handsome Sonoma coastline, Coast Kitchen is the perfect place to grab a fresh breakfast, take a pit stop at midday for lunch, or end your road trip with dinner and drinks. The restaurant is housed inside Timber Cover Resort, which has some of the most insane views of the cliffs, surrounding nature, and mighty Pacific Ocean—the views pair perfectly with their food.
The design plays to the nearby elements of nature, sea and forest, incorporating warm and earth elements that complement the themes created in the food. In the morning that translates to smoked salmon and eggs benedict. Lunch delivers cool crisp salads and oysters on the half shell. And as the sun sets, your dinner menu lights up with roasted steelhead trout and perfectly made steak. Don’t forget to try all those dreamy Sonoma wines while you’re there as well.
2. Cabin Juice
Gravity Haus delivers in every way when it comes to top tier rooms, amenities, and access to outdoor activities. It’s no surprise, then, that their restaurant Cabin Juice is also perfectly executed (with a great name to boot). It’s the perfect place to chow down after a day of adventure in Breckenridge. The best part is that all the food is made to be enjoyed family-style: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and après ski.
The ingredients used pay homage to the high alpine environment, consisting of items from small and local farms in the front range and western slope. Everything is used sustainably and comes together in a beautiful symphony to fashion seasonal menus that you’ll love. We’re talking breakfast burritos, home made bone broth, grass-fed burgers, cuban sandwiches, salt cod croquettes, ribs, steak…the list goes on and on—check it out and get down on some grade-A grub.
3. Solbar
Executive Chef Gustavo Rios loves to flex his creative culinary muscles every day at Solbar, at Solage. He’s been instrumental in building a culture that respects the local produce of Napa Valley as well as its ranchers and farmers. At the same time, he’s able to mix in a perfect blend of powerful, bold flavors from around the globe.
Guests of the hotel and locals alike unwind here after exploring the area’s vineyards to enjoy starters like oysters, yellow corn soup, and parker house rolls (holy hell, yes please). When it’s time to move to dinner, tables are filled with katsu pork chops, grilled wild king salmon, or Parisian gnocchi. After dinner, people love to enjoy cocktails, and even more wine, by the glowing warmth of a 20-foot fire pit.
4. Sam’s Social Club
Sam’s Social Club, at Indian Springs Calistoga, is the place to be for seasonal, creative, and thoughtfully curated menus. It’s nestled in the heart of California’s wine country, and they have some of the best outdoor dining around (even pre-COVID). Every ingredient is sourced directly from farmers, and used to create delicious dishes.
Our CEO and Founder, Patrick Burkhardt, is a huge fan of brunch and has been crushing hard on Sam’s egg in a hole: parmesan encrusted brioche, mushroom fondue, arugula, and fruit or potatoes. If you’re looking for a different kind of brunch, you can grab the avocado toast, Belgian waffles, or even a thin crust pizza. For dinner, some of the hot starters include the market ceviche, followed by a main plate of piri piri chicken or the rib eye steak frites. And did we mention the cocktails are astounding? No meal at Sam’s is complete without a mimosa or an old fashioned.
5. Luca
What once stood as the Army-Navy YMCA in the 1920s today stands as The Guild Hotel. The Italian Renaissance-inspired building might sound counterintuitive to San Diego’s Spanish vibe, but the eye-grabbing exterior and the open-air courtyard isn’t something to be missed. You also shouldn’t miss Luca, the restaurant nestled inside the courtyard.
Diners are invited to enjoy the San Diego skyline, as well as an all-day menu curated by Chef Justin Vaiciunas. With its Mediterranean-inspired flavors, Luca is sure to delight overnighters, day-trippers, or pop-in visitors. Pro tip: order the octopus, it’s one of our absolute favorites (pictured below, wow). And be sure to hit The Guild Bar for drinks to round out a perfect meal.
6. MakeReady L&L
Competing with the food scene in Nashville isn’t easy. You’ve got to face off with Southern favorites like biscuits and gravy, meat and three, and hot chicken. Yet, MakeReady L&L in the Noelle has become a favorite among both visitors and locals.
It’s due in part to the team’s dedication to perfecting tavern food—like their insane looking cheeseburgers—and their commitment to “those not afraid of getting their hands dirty.” Truly a bastion for the people, you’re sure to find hearty fare that sticks to your bones and delights after a long day. And here’s a fun piece of trivia in case you were wondering: the L&L stands for Libations & Liberation.
7. Public Kitchen
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings his worldly-inspired tastes to Public Kitchen at Public New York City. The menu is primarily dictated by the seasons, and it offers a diverse array of options for carnivores (smoked short ribs) and vegetable lovers (corn and Thai basil potstickers) alike.
What’s more, almost all dishes on the menu are kissed by the in-house smoker, wood-burning oven, or wood-burning grill. As far as most hotel restaurants go, that’s definitely something to set them apart in the sprawling world of New York City cuisine. Be sure to grab a spot on their Parisian and Italian themed outdoor terrace as the perfect pairing with your next night out on the Lower East Side.
8. Villon
Both Forbes and Travel & Leisure claim that Proper is San Francisco’s “hippest hotel.” It’s not surprising given the aesthetic of the building’s exterior and the chic rooms. But what really sells it is the lineup of bar and restaurant options in the hotel.
Think of their restaurant Villon, inspired by artist Jacques Villon but pronounced “villain,” as an all-day extension of your own living room. And their food goes well with any occasion, whether you’re popping in for an antioxidant-rich breakfast smoothie, enjoying a light lunch, or keeping the party alive with a nightcap.
9. Somerset
What happens when you take a famed 1920s hotel—now The Viceroy Chicago—breathe new life into it, and bring in celebrated Chicago chef Lee Wolen? You get Somerset, a restaurant that seeks to provide a new-fashioned take on America’s old-fashioned country club culture.
According to Chef Wolen, Somerset dishes out “food people like to eat”—simple. However, while the mindset might be simple, the flavor profiles and combinations the kitchen prepares are complex enough to hold your attention meal after meal. And don’t forget to sample some pastries on the menu by Meg Galus, one of the hottest pastry chefs in the Windy City.
10. Seaworthy
What’s better than oysters and cocktails? How about oysters and cocktails inside an 1832 Creole cottage, nestled in New Orleans? Located inside Ace New Orleans Hotel, Seaworthy brings oysters sustainably harvested from the Gulf Coast, East Coast, and West Coast (best coast—sorry we had to, we’re from San Diego). There’s also a sizable selection of locally sourced fish and game to boot.
Get a healthy slice of Southern hospitality with your uniquely designed Seaworthy cocktail. Plus, they have food menus and happy hour specials served until 1 am. And everyone knows a few late-night oysters are the perfect treat before you and your partner head back upstairs.
11. 1 Kitchen by Chris Crary
Take a drive down West Hollywood’s famous Sunset Boulevard and then make a pit stop at 1 Kitchen inside the 1 Hotel. You’ll find executive chef Chris Crary serving up farm-to-table dishes as only Southern California can deliver.
Case in point, there’s an organic garden and beehive on-site that produce ingredients for the different meals. There are also a number of zero-waste dishes that embody the ethos of this restaurant to “eat mindfully and well.” From staff to patrons, this restaurant is truly a collaboration to celebrate all the nature provides us on a daily basis.
12. Broken Shaker
Heralded as “the coolest backyard in Miami” by GQ, the Broken Shaker at Freehand is a must-see when you’re in Miami. It tips the scales more toward drink than food with its extensive alcohol menu, but the dishes they do offer are sure to delight.
Grab a cuban sandwich to go with your beer, or a mezcal cocktail with your carnitas tacos. Make sure to come back often because their specialty drinks rotate both monthly and seasonally. And they’ve always got some cool ice cream sandwiches to help beat that Miami heat: who doesn’t want that?
13. Rhett
A true embodiment of the South, Rhett guarantees all of their diners excellent food, service, and ambiance just for showing up. The Alida’s signature restaurant features a high and tight menu of breakfast (until 2pm), salads, mains, and supper (starting at 5pm).
Travelers and locals are sure to cross paths here as they gaze out over the Savannah River with a freshly made cocktail, smooth glass of wine, or ice-cold beer. There are also two private dining rooms where you can enjoy their all-American menu all day long. Y’all come back now! Ya hear?
Book the Best Hotel Restaurants
Honestly, there’s no wrong choice when it comes to any of the hotel restaurants on this list. If you’re just passing through, or staying around for a few days, there’s enough diversity of flavor to keep you coming back time and time again. And if you’re interested in booking any of these properties, reach out to us today.