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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 chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean Dōgon at the Salamander in Washington D.C., or the astronomically-inspired Perseid from Chef Aaron Bludorn in Houston, 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, which stands to reason given the many visitors, from Frank Sinatra to John F. Kennedy. The bar has been a backdrop for New York City nightlife complete with live pianists and jazz performers, and 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 (currently Tony Danza). But there’s more: The Carlyle’s recently revamped restaurant, 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.
The Tusk Bar NEW YORK | Nomad
This drinks-and-dinner duo quietly took over The Evelyn Hotel’s dining spaces in late 2023, and it quickly became clear that the food and beverage would speak for themselves. Tucked behind a velvet curtain off the lobby, the refinished spaces channel early Art Deco full of plush velvet and gold accents with a centerpiece grand piano, inspired by New York’s French brasseries. The bar boasts a floor-to-ceiling backbar filled with a generous selection of spirits to satisfy travel day cravings, but the cocktails are what’s destination worthy: Bar director Tristen Brunel innovates culinary-minded classics like the Mignonette Gibson, and is even making a case for the comeback of the Caesar, convincingly constructed with housemade clamato, soy sauce, and fermented chile. No strangers to fine French-accented fare, dishes from chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra (Bar Contra) redefine brasserie classics, 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.
Carousel Bar and Lounge NEW ORLEANS | French Quarter
If you’ve been to New Orleans but haven’t visited Hotel Monteleone’s Carousel Bar, have you really been to New Orleans? Since 1949, the lobby-adjacent restaurant has featured a circular 25-seat bar that rotates a full 360 degrees every 15 minutes — as much a novelty now as it was then. In its early days, it was the place to pre-game before visiting the hotel’s nightclub, the Swan Room, and drew celebrities like Liberace and Tennessee Williams. The former certainly makes sense, considering the bar’s literal star-studded ceiling and dazzling gold carousel top that caps the backbar. The cocktails (thankfully) ditch the kitsch to focus on well-made classics, including the rye-based Vieux Carré, which was invented in house by a former bartender. And though the Swan Room is long gone, the hotel carries on its musical tradition with live music in the lounge four days a week. Add on some blue crab and corn beignets or a Creole Monte Cristo and you’ve got yourself a complete New Orleans experience.
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.
Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi WASHINGTON D.C. | Southwest Washington
By 2023, chef Kwame Onwuachi was well on his way to becoming a household name, having opened New York’s Tatiana. The menus at the Lincoln Center restaurant gave Onwuachi the opportunity to explore how his African and Caribbean heritage were woven into the fabric of New York City culture — 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.
Drusie & Darr by Jean-Georges NASHVILLE | Downtown
You probably know Jean-Georges Vongerichten for his revolutionary take on globally-influenced fine dining, as at his flagship Jean-Georges in New York City. But at the Hermitage, he broadens his influences to culinary traditions of the South and local Tennessee ingredients. The 2021 opening of two concepts within the downtown hotel, Drusie & Darr and Pink Hermit Café, was the chef’s first foray in the South. So, Vongerichten immersed himself in the city through a partnership with Glen Leven Farm, developing a two-acre garden that would fuel the restaurant’s menus with ingredients grown just four miles away. Some dishes at Drusie & Darr read more classic Jean-George, like ahi tuna tartare with avocado, radish, and ginger, but there’s also fluke tartare dressed in sesame and topped with chile-laced crumb. There’s fried chicken with spinach and a habanero emulsion. And at the downstairs café, an all-day menu features simple but satisfying Italian café-inspired bites. All of it feels like a welcome expansion of the JGV playbook.
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 — as with paella that by one uncharitable take resembled “yesterday’s oatmeal” — 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. And it didn’t make the sale with generic food — under the direction of chef Daniel Dalton, 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. Pro tip: a partnership with Holy City Hogs means the pork dishes are always a standout.
Golden Gate Saloon at Holbrooke Hotel GRASS VALLEY, CA
It’s not easy to showcase a piece of regional history in a way that feels polished and fresh, but California’s Holbrooke Hotel is an old dog that knows many new tricks. Situated in the heart of Grass Valley since 1852 — an hour from the state capital and framed by the Sierra Nevada — the landmark building houses “the oldest watering hole west of the Mississippi,” once frequented by the likes of Mark Twain and infamous outlaw Black Bart. A major restoration in 2020 buffed up the original carved mahogany archways, wrought iron accents, and century-old brick walls. Thankfully, the food is equally updated, with local ingredients (though still with an air of campfires and wild game) like Monterey Bay calamari, Juniper-crusted elk, and Deer Creek sourdough. And, the Saloon now has a cocktail counterpart, the Iron Door, a subterranean speakeasy-style bar nestled into the former entryway to a series of underground tunnels.
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. And it did so with the help of a couple of chefs: First, George Mendes led the charge at property restaurant Amar, bringing his signature Portuguese American flavors to New England after earning a Michelin star at New York’s Aldea. Now, the 17th floor restaurant features a menu of Mediterranean dishes served either à la carte or in a three-course tasting menu, with floor-to-ceiling views of Boston’s Back Bay. 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.
Laser Wolf Brooklyn NEW YORK | Williamsburg
When restaurateurs Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook decided to expand their group of award-winning Middle Eastern restaurants to New York City, it was a major moment for the then-Philadelphia faithful duo. Their original Zahav, Dizengoff, and Laser Wolf had brought much-deserved attention to America’s birthplace for their dynamic and distinct menus that expanded the boundaries of Israeli American cuisine. In 2022, Brooklyn’s The Huxton, Williamsburg presented CooknSolo 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.
Lowland CHARLESTON | Lower King
Charleston’s hospitable approach to restaurants, and especially hotel restaurants, has long been its signature. The reputation was built on OG spots like Charleston Grill. But the tradition doesn’t seem to be slowing down: When the boutique Pinch Hotel landed downtown in 2022 — an uber-charming, recently renovated, modern but homey space in one of Charleston’s signature 19th-century carriage houses — they smartly tapped chef Jason Stanhope, who had led the kitchen at one of the city’s most formidable restaurants, FIG, to construct an opening menu that put the region’s culinary best on full display. Lowland offers a concise but comprehensive menu of dishes from fish fritters with butter beans and ramp tartar sauce to pork schnitzel and savoy cabbage dressed in mustard butter and capers — a solid argument for drawing visitors from near and far.
Lutie’s AUSTIN | Hancock
It’s a piece of Austin that’s as much of an escape for locals as it is for travelers: The Commodore Perry Estate sits smack dab in the middle of Austin’s Hancock neighborhood, neighboring UT Austin. Thankfully, the longhorn cheers fade well before you reach the Mediterranean-style villa, a former residence-turned-private school, which inhabits a serene 10 acres framed by Waller Creek and Hancock Golf Course. The property was awarded two Michelin keys in 2024 — an outstanding achievement just four years after being bought and renovated. And the Michelin recognition extends to Lutie’s, the restaurant helmed by chefs Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu, who channel their fine dining-formed skills into creative fare. Nicholson leads the charge in all things savory with a seasonal menu of dishes like chickpeas with green corn and lime yogurt, and antelope in sauce Robert with okra and figs. Desserts are equally original, as Querejazu draws on her experience in pastry for both plated desserts and a daily selection of pastries. The velvet-clad, jewel-toned dining room and patio are as equally immersive and chic as the hotel’s main buildings, with views over the sprawling green grounds.
Perseid HOUSTON | Montrose
Chef Aaron Bludorn, an alum of Daniel Boulud’s Dinex Group, hasn’t always been in Houston, but after debuting in Texas with his first brick-and-mortar, Bludorn, in 2020, he quickly engrained himself its in culinary landscape, with a nuanced and dynamic approach to Gulf Coast cooking. He has since grown his footprint to also include Bar Bludorn and Navy Blue Restaurant, and through each, the chef has developed a signature style that evolved his French-by-way-of-New York City training with inspiration from Texas ingredients and southern dining traditions. Now, with the addition of Perseid in Houston’s Hotel Saint Augustine, he’s tying those culinary threads tighter together. The 100-seat restaurant in the Montrose neighborhood references the area’s annual summertime meteor shower. Dishes like wild boar Bolognese and red snapper with pine nut gremolata pull together many references to tell a story that could only be found in Houston, and the restaurant’s chic indoor and outdoor dining spaces make it a perfect place to dine under the stars.
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 L.A.’s Genghis Cohen and Nashville’s White Limozeen, so you can count on a delicious and truly one-of-a-kind experience.
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.
