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In recent years, it seems that Americans have often forgotten that hotels are not just embassies for travelers from near and far, but also ambassadors of their locales. At their best, they can be hubs of culture, community, and, of special interest to us, cuisine.
This development is all for the good. In recent years, many U.S. hotels have at times felt like they were more about necessities than niceties, at least when it came to their restaurants. (DIY breakfast waffles, anyone?) Too often, “hotel restaurant” meant something generic and servicable, rather than a destination in and of itself. This has stood in contrast to overseas, where Michelin stars stud hotel restaurants as frequently as they do independent operations. But in the U.S., things have looked a little different.
That’s now changing — or perhaps returning to more tony eras of the past. There were days when American hotel restaurants were symbols of progress, innovation, and often, a bit of fantastical glamour, perhaps never more than the turn of the 20th century, which brought a raft of famed hotel-chef partnerships. Whether it was for brunch at New York’s Plaza Hotel or tea service at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, diners had reason to indulge in hote food, whether they were on the road or in their hometowns.
Now, it seems, we’re heading back toward another golden age — a century later, with another heyday for American hotel dining seemingly in reach. From the stateside arrival of London’s Gymkhana at Aria Resort on the Las Vegas Strip, to the reopening of New York’s Waldorf Astoria (and its culinary showstoppers Lex Yard, Peacock Alley, and Yoshoku), and a revamp of Tullibee at Minneapolis’ Hewing Hotel led by chef Nathan Kim, we are once again seeing restaurants that honor their hotel counterparts, with chefs from coast to coast banking on the opportunities and exposure that hotels can provide, while showcasing personal flavors and stories.
Here are some of our favorite spots for hotel dining, from coast to coast.
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Bemelmans Bar NEW YORK | Upper East Side
Few bars have had a run quite like this Upper East Side classic. Housed in The Carlyle since 1947, the charm of the piano bar — with its expertly chilled martinis and room-spanning Madeline murals by author Ludwig Bemelmans himself — never gets old. It’s a must-visit whether you’re traveling to New York for the first time or have lived here for years; the history seeps through the Art Deco design, and the bar has achieved a timelessness proven by recent hoards of twenty-first century-born visitors. For an even more elaborate experience, neighboring Café Carlye offers full-on cabaret-style dinner and a show, with a rotation of talent. But there’s more: Dowling’s at The Carlyle, contrasts its sisters by putting the atmospheric focus on their collection of 200+ works of art, the setting for classic steaks and seafood plus afternoon tea service.
Read more about Dowling’s here.
Brass NEW YORK | NoMad
Tucked behind a curtain off the lobby of the Evelyn Hotel, a luxe experience inspired by New York’s favorite French brasseries awaits. First, The Tusk Bar welcomes guests to a plush lounge channeling early Art Deco with velvet and gold accents, a floor-to-ceiling backbar filled with a generous selection of spirits to satisfy travel day cravings, and destination-worthy cocktails from bar director Tristen Brunel. Beyond the bar, Brass redefines brasserie classics with a fine dining approach from chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra (Bar Contra), plus a bar menu of raw bar snacks and small plates like fried duck sausage-stuffed olives are well worth the trip on their own.
The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil NAPA | Rutherford
From its perch in the hills of Rutherford in the heart of Napa Valley, the Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is a peak wine country experience from start to finish. Fine dining is a core feature of the hotel, its restaurant having been developed at the forefront of the area’s first culinary wave in 1981 by French restaurateur Claude Rouas. The Provence-inspired setting has earned Relais & Châteaux status, in addition to a Michelin star (and three Michelin keys) with chef Robert Curry at the kitchen’s helm. His tasting menus closely follow California’s seasons and are complemented by wine pairings pulled from an award-winning cellar including worlds both new and old — an experience only made more grand by panoramic views of the valley from the restaurant’s terrace.
Gymkhana LAS VEGAS | Aria Resort & Casino
Part of the recent surge of restaurant transplants taking residence in Las Vegas, Gymkhana’s London-born glamor fits right in on the Strip at Aria Resort. The menu of Indian favorites, from chaat and kebabs from the grill to rich curries and hearty biryani make for a meal ideal for lively group dining. Vegas visitors can taste signature dishes from the original in addition to new bites specific to the locale — with a notable uptick in ingredients like truffles and wagyu beef. The clubhouse-style dining room is a plush escape from casino crowds, while the bar and lounge provide space for Indian-inspired cocktails and theatrical tableside service. If you’re feeling ambitious, stop by Carbone before or after, also housed in the Aria.
Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi WASHINGTON D.C. | Southwest Washington
Chef Kwame Onwuachi made waves with Tatiana at Lincoln Center by exploring how his African and Caribbean heritage were woven into the fabric of New York City culture through the food — and honing his approach to using a restaurant to not only tell a personal story, but also acknowledge the people in its community. So, when Washington D.C.’s Salamander hotel underwent a rebrand and sought Onwuachi to head their new restaurant, it was a chance to dive deeper into his own story while highlighting an often overlooked piece of the capital’s history. Dōgon zeroes in on Onwuachi’s Nigerian roots, taking inspiration from West Africa’s Dogon tribe, and pays tribute to D.C. surveyor Benjamin Banneker. The resulting dishes — such as Ethiopian tibs-inspired short rib awaze with spiced ayib and Texas toast — reflect a new era of Afro-Caribbean dining in the States.
Tullibee MINNEAPOLIS | North Loop
The Hewing Hotel is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a bang, welcoming guests to freshly renovated spaces and reopening its restaurant with a new culinary director. Chef Nathan Kim brings expertise from fine dining kitchens of Chicago — including Obélix and Jeong, which, if you’re familiar, should prime you for the level of cooking now taking place in Minneapolis’ Warehouse District. Kim has a knack for weaving Korean flavors into dishes built with a technical French approach, making for food that feels both comfortingly familiar and excitingly new: Think potato rosti with smoked trout rillette and yuzu gastrique, or Arctic char with leeks, kimchi romesco, and pickled fennel. It’s all driven by an open kitchen centered around wood fire, and goes beyond dinner fare with breakfast, brunch, and lunch menus that are equally satisfying.
El Quijote NEW YORK | Chelsea
This era of the Chelsea Hotel is arguably the finest, or at least the most genteel, in its nearly 100-year history. Sure, there were days when its restaurant, El Quijote, saw frequent visits from Andy Warhol and friends, for a roaring good time full of sangria and Spanish cuisine. But, the food didn’t always rise to the level of the only-in-New York energy. In stepped chef Jaime Young of Sunday Hospitality (Sunday in Brooklyn, Rule of Thirds), for paella that’s now perfectly tender, socarrated, and loaded with delicate seafood. The sangria is a balanced infusion of either albariño or spiced garnacha à la beverage director Brian Evans (The Dynamo Room). The duo also curated menus for the Lobby Bar and adjacent Café Chelsea, meaning excellent bites and beverages at every hour of the day. Thanks to a major restoration in 2018, Don Quijote lives on in the mural that accents El Quijote’s dining room, now free of residual cigarette grime, and a new addition, Teruko, brings Japanese American fare to a new subterranean space.
Frannie & The Fox CHARLESTON | Downtown
Charleston’s boutique Emeline hotel took the notion of “lobby bar” to the next level when it decided to house this multi-room concept steps from the check-in desk. Despite their 2020 debut, the restaurant brought renewed attention to the historic Market district and has continued to be a destination for travelers, as well as a great hang for locals. The restaurant has committed to a seasonal menu of classic Italian dishes infused with South Carolina flavor by way of the best regional ingredients. That means a steady flow of new dishes like blue crab fritters, fresh mozzarella with Benton’s country ham, and wood-fired taleggio pizza with burnt honey. The airy and homey space is the best kind of multi-tool of vibes: the bar is lively, the dining room is relaxed and comfy, and the courtyard is generous and complete with a fire place — all with charming Charleston ambiance and hospitality.
Nobu Grand Wailea MAUI | Wailea-Makena
Black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeño just taste better with ocean views. And these ones are unmatched: Sandwiched between the white sands of Wailea beach and the pristine Wailea Blue Golf Course, the Grand Wailea gives Nobu a, well, grand indoor-outdoor space to showcase the sushi and Japanese small plates the global brand is known for. Expect all of the signatures done up with the freshest seafood and A5 wagyu, plus an omakase experience not offered at all Nobu locations. With a glowing bar and breezy terrace, it’s serious tropical luxury — where sunglasses are recommended for early reservations. Pro tip: This location offers a Kamaʻāina happy hour for locals to dine at a discount.
KA’TEEN LOS ANGELES | Hollywood
He shook up the Los Angeles culinary scene with his aptly named street cart-born taco concept, Guerrilla Tacos, and since, chef Wes Avila has been a go-to for creative Mexico-meets-California fare (including a now-signature sweet potato taco). Where Guerrilla banked on a minimal menu and casual spaces, Ka’teen aims for pretty much the opposite: The restaurant has 5,000 square feet of space within the Hollywood Volume, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, sandwiched between Sunset and Hollywood boulevards. And Avila complements the sprawling space with a menu that also takes a bigger-is-better approach — there is one taco on offer, but otherwise, the menu focuses on family-style dishes like striped bass ceviche and lamb shank barbacoa. It’s all inspired by the lush jungles of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and the mostly outdoor restaurant is laden with greenery for a tropical Tulum-worthy backdrop (complete with live DJs on the weekends).
Kin Khao SAN FRANCISCO | Union Square
Chef Pim Techamuanvivit has had a big hand in changing the narrative of Thai food in America since opening Kin Khao in San Francisco’s Parc 55 hotel in 2014. She made waves simply by cooking the food she grew up eating in Bangkok — a concept that’s simple in theory, but in reality, was a complex approach that was far from a safe bet. Techamuanvivit saw a hole to fill — specifically, a lack of variety outside of pad Thai and green curry — and quickly proved to guests (and the Michelin guide) that Thai food has so much more to offer. Utilizing prime California ingredients, Kin Khao showcases blood sausage steamed in banana leaf and served with crispy shallots, there’s charred and spicy Monterey Bay squid with peanuts and cilantro, and seasonal panang made from handmade curry paste. And Techamuanvivit doubled down with a second restaurant, Nari, in Japantown’s Hotel Kabuki, taking a more modern approach to classic Thai dishes and securing yet another Michelin star.
La Padrona BOSTON | Back Bay
Raffles Hotel made a major splash when it brought its luxury digs to Boston in 2023 — its first location in North America. A year after opening, the hotel debuted La Padrona in its ground floor space — a concept from two-time James Beard award winner chef Jody Adams that channels her expert Italian classics through a New England lens (burnt wheat rigatoni with Barnstable clams and seaweed; a lobster roll with caper aioli and caviar). The space is warm and glowing, making for an ideal spot to experience some of Boston’s best bites — whether you’re spending the night or not — and the 17th floor Long Bar offers an additional escape with views of the Back Bay.
Laser Wolf Brooklyn NEW YORK | Williamsburg
In 2022, Brooklyn’s The Huxton, Williamsburg presented CooknSolo — the then-Philadelphia faithful group behind Zahav, Dizengoff, and Laser Wolf — the opportunity to hop the Delaware River and take residence in the hotel’s three dining spaces. Laser Wolf brought its smoky selection of charcoal-grilled meats to the rooftop restaurant, Jaffa Cocktail and Raw Bar inhabits the indoor-outdoor terrace with beverages and bites that hearken coastal Tel Aviv, and K’Far’s all-day menu inspired by Israeli bakery classics provides a culinary outlet to the lobby lounge and café. It’s a trifecta of outstanding Middle Eastern cooking and culture by way of America’s East Coast, complete with views of Manhattan over the East River.
Dante Beverly Hills LOS ANGELES | Beverly Hills
When news hit the stands that the historic Italian cafe, Dante, was expanding beyond its New York City home, West Coast fans rejoiced. And to make it even bigger news, the new location would be housed in The Maybourne Beverly Hills, offering a luxe indoor-outdoor space ideal for enjoying Dante’s signature fluffy Garibaldis with views of the Hollywood Hills. True to form, the Mediterranean-leaning menu is a perfect complement to the California vibes, maintaining New York favorites like Dante’s signature burrata, and the cheeseburger stacked with pickled beets, smoked bacon, and spicy mayonnaise. And as an added bonus for Los Angeles, there’s poolside service with an exclusive menu for hotel guests full of mare misto and seasonal bellini. You’d be hard pressed to find a better way to soak up the California sun.
The French Room DALLAS | Discovery District
With a history that spans centuries, the Adolphus Hotel’s most storied dining spaces — The French Room and it’s adjacent bar — have been pillars of Southern hospitality in the heart of Dallas’ Downtown Historic District since 1912. The grandeur of the dining room is unmatched, with a recently restored Beaux-Arts style that sets a perfect scene for afternoon tea service and a host of monumental events. The two spaces make for an experience complete with both yin and yang: Where The French Room boasts gilded, vaulted ceilings and bright white tablecloths, The French Room Bar is its darker sibling offering a moody space for cocktails and French classics from steak tartare to raviole du Dauphiné. It’s full of timeless French elegance infused with Texas verve.
ViceVersa MIAMI | Downtown Miami
Bartender-owner Valentino Longo knows a thing or two about what makes a good hotel restaurant, having trained in some of Europe’s top spots before moving to the States and earning accolades at Miami’s The Champagne Bar at The Surf Club Restaurant. Now with his own space in downtown Miami’s Elser Hotel, Longo channels his Roman heritage into exquisite Italian aperitivo tailored to the local beachside scene. Think perfectly chilled and force-carbonated Americanos and negroni spagliatos served in pristine imported glassware. And to round out the experience, there’s pizza, raw bar bites, and daily housemade gelati from none other than the team behind the former locally beloved Jaguar Sun.
The Surf Club Restaurant MIAMI | Surfside
This historic spot has been a landmark since it opened in 1930, spawned as a social club by a few rebellious Miamians who wanted to hole up with refreshments by the beach — Prohibition be damned. Through its many evolutions, the ornate Mediterranean-style building has maintained its grand, old world vibes and its stance as a destination for beachside dining (and drinking). After a major renovation, the now-hotel and restaurant re-opened in 2017, with none other than chef Thomas Keller in the kitchen. You can bet he brought the same classical French-rooted approach to Surfside that defines both The French Laundry and Per Se. This time, he focused the menu on classic “continental” dishes that reflect his fascination with midcentury country-club cooking— the Caesar salad is prepared tableside, the lobster thermidor is a pristine Maine lobster tail with puff pastry and morels in a silky sauce of Gruyere. As originally intended, it’s an idyllic escape, whether it be from South Miami Beach or beyond.
The Mountaineering Club SEATTLE | University District
The Space Needle isn’t the only place to get a decent view in Seattle. On the 16th floor of the U District’s Graduate by Hilton, this homey cocktail lounge offers panoramic views from the Puget Sound to the Cascade mountains, viewed through floor-to-ceiling windows or from the generous 60-seat terrace (and without swaths of tourists). And the Pacific Northwest vibes carry through to the menu of creative cocktails (like the Whidbey Island Iced Tea with blackberry liqueur, or the Chalet Lobby with vodka and brûléed fig) plus bites that range from wakame-ranch seasoned popcorn to a Wagyu and Dungeness crab hotdog topped with celery and mustard remoulade. It’s backed by the same team behind Nashville’s White Limozeen, so you can count on a delicious and truly one-of-a-kind experience.
