Let’s face it: food is easily one of the best parts of life. And choosing the right place to eat is a big decision. So much so that it causes fights among friends, couples, and families (or is that just me?). But you get the point.
The list is based on Yelp reviews. Why Yelp? Because there are over 178 million people who use the site/app on a monthly basis. They’re there to help us make the best restaurants decisions. And since we established how important it is to choose wisely, this list will help.
So if you’re heading to another state, try one of these best-rated restaurants (by state) to make your next work trip, vacation, or road trip that much better. Yay, food!
Alabama
Most Worthy: SAW’s Soul Kitchen
Review: 4.5 stars, 738 reviews
Location: 215 41st St S, Birmingham
Type of Food: BBQ
This is a humble BBQ spot with pig decor that specializes in Southern soul food like pulled pork & banana pudding.
Alaska
Most Worthy: Moose’s Tooth
Review: 4.5 stars, 2,092 reviews
Location: 3300 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage
Type of food: Pizza
This spot has inventive pizzas & house-brewed beer – all served in a bustling, colorful hangout with psychedelic art!
Arizona
Most Worthy: Little Miss BBQ
Review: 5 stars, 2,248 reviews
Location: 4301 E University Dr, Phoenix
Type of food: BBQ
This restaurant is a functional eatery with a retro vibe that specializes in Central Texas-style BBQ & traditional sides.
Arkansas
Most Worthy: The Root Cafe
Review: 4.5 stars, 545 reviews
Location: 1500 S Main St, Little Rock
Type of food: Burgers
The Root Café is a chill cafe with a patio that offers sandwiches & salads and is made with locally sourced ingredients.
California
Most Worthy: Bestia
Review: 4.5 stars, 5,795 reviews
Location: 2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles
Type of food: Pizza
Yes, in all of California, this one’s most worth it. The trendy Italian restaurant belongs to an acclaimed husband-&-wife team that highlights creative seasonal fare.
Colorado
Most Worthy: Root Down
Review: 4.5 stars, 3,207 reviews
Location: 1600 W 33rd Ave, Denver
Type of food: American (and has great vegan options)
This restaurant is described as a converted filling station with an artful, high-energy venue for creative American (small) plates.
Connecticut
Most Worthy: Brick + Wood
Review: 4 stars, 413 reviews
Location: 1275 Post Rd, Fairfield
Type of food: Italian
Brick + Wood is a contemporary eatery & wine bar that features Italian street food, wood-fired pizzas & handmade mozzarella.
Delaware
Most Worthy: Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront
Review: 4 stars, 345 reviews
Location: 720 Justison St, Wilmington
Type of food: Seafood
Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront features hearty platters of seafood specialties served in a casual, family-friendly riverfront spot.
Florida
Most Worthy: The Bearded Pig
Review: 4.5 stars, 821 reviews
Location: 1224 Kings Ave, Jacksonville
Type of food: BBQ
The Bearded Pig is described as a casual restaurant with traditional BBQ options & tap brews, plus there’s a patio with TVs.
Georgia
Most Worthy: Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
Review: 4.5 stars, 3,515 reviews
Location: 1238 Dekalb Ave Ne, Atlanta
Type of food: BBQ
The Texan brothers’ provide their slow-roast ribs, pulled pork & Southern sides in the informal space with a patio.
Hawaii
Most Worthy: Marukame Udon
Review: 4.5 stars, 9,087 reviews
Location: 2310 Kuhio Ave, Waikiki
Type of food: Japanese
Guests of Marukame Udon can order at the counter at this casual Japanese restaurant that specializes in noodle soup.
Idaho
Most Worthy: Fork
Review: 4 stars, 1,430 reviews
Location: 199 N 8th St, Boise
Type of food: American
Fork is a creative, farm-to-table American style restaurant that has dishes & craft cocktails served in a vibrant, brick-&-wood space.
Illinois
Most Worthy: Girl & the Goat
Review: 4.5 stars, 8348 reviews
Location: 809 W Randolph St, Chicago
Type of food: American
This is a hot spot where Chef Stephanie Izard serves up innovative yet small plates from a dramatic open kitchen.
Indiana
Most Worthy: The Eagle
Review: 4.5 stars, 1,644 reviews
Location: 310 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis
Type of food: American (Southern style)
The Eagle is rustic and chic; an eatery & beer hall that dishes up Southern classics in sprawling digs with a patio.
Iowa
Most Worthy: Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
Review: 4 stars, 1,203 reviews
Location: 300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines
Type of food: Burgers
The Zombie Burger + Drink Lab is obviously (just by the name) a hip American eatery & cocktail bar. They have a humorous horror theme and both counter and table service.
Kansas
Most Worthy: Doo-Dah Diner
Review: 4.5 stars, 684 reviews
Location: 206 E Kellogg, Wichita
Type of food: American Diner
The Doo-Dah Diner is a homey diner serving American breakfast & lunch classics from scratch, from pancakes to burgers.
Kentucky
Most Worthy: Hammerheads
Review: 4.5 stars, 1017 reviews
Location: 921 Swan St, Louisville
Type of food: American (Southern style)
Hammerheads is described as a little hot spot that serves up creative pub grub like duck fat fries, various beers, and all in a basement.
Louisiana
Most Worthy: Acme Oyster House
Review: 4 stars, 6,640 reviews
Location: 724 Iberville St, New Orleans
Type of food: Seafood
They say life’s more fun with seafood. Acme Oyster House has authentic New Orleans style seafood as well as other classic Cajun and Creole dishes, and it’s all served with a side of fun.
Maine
Most Worthy: Eventide Oyster Company
Review: 4.5 stars, 2,793 reviews
Location: 86 Middle St, Portland
Type of food: Seafood
Eventide Oyster Company is considered a tiny, busy seafood joint with a “raw” bar, lobster rolls, and creative New England fare and cocktails.
Maryland
Most Worthy: Thames Street Oyster House
Review: 4.5 stars, 2,281 reviews
Location: 1728 Thames St, Baltimore
Type of food: Seafood
Thames Street Oyster House is a brass-&-wood-trimmed restaurant offering a raw bar, Eastern coastal food, and upstairs harbor-view seating.
Massachusetts
Most Worthy: Neptune Oyster
Review: 4.5 stars, 4,804 reviews
Location: 63 Salem St, Boston
Type of food: Seafood
Neptune Oyster is a hot spot. Lines form easily for the raw bar and warm, buttered lobster rolls at this small but high-end oyster bar.
Michigan
Most Worthy: Dime Store
Review: 4.5 stars, 1,367 reviews
Location: 719 Griswold St, Detroit
Type of food: Breakfast
The Dime Store is described as a hip, airy spot that serves up creative spins on brunch favorites, plus they have craft beer and classic cocktails.
Minnesota
Most Worthy: Butcher & the Boar
Review: 4.5 stars, 1,565 reviews
Location: 1121 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis
Type of food: American
The Butcher & the Boar is a bustling American eatery with a beer garden, which offers a meat-focused menu, craft brews, and bourbons.
Mississippi
Most Worthy: The Pig & Pint
Review: 4.5 stars, 692 reviews
Location: 3139 N State St, Jackson
Type of food: BBQ
The Pig & Pint features BBQ plates with global influences. They also offer a long craft beer list offered in hip and rustic surroundings.
Missouri
Most Worthy: Q39 (Midtown)
Review: 4.5 stars, 3,696 reviews
Location: 1000 W 39th St, Kansas City
Type of food: BBQ
This is another hip and airy restaurant with beamed ceilings and exposed brick, serving smoked BBQ & wood-fired meats.
Montana
Most Worthy: The Burger Dive
Review: 4.5 stars, 345 reviews
Location: 114 N 27th St, Billings
Type of food: Burgers
The Burger Dive is said to be a quirky joint with checkered floors. They specialize in dishing up inventive burgers and hot dogs. Plus they have real milkshakes.
Nebraska
Most Worthy: Block 16
Review: 4.5 stars, 841 reviews
Location: 1611 Farnam St, Omaha
Type of food: American
Block 16 is a sandwich shop with a garden-to-table philosophy. They serve casual lunches of gyros, burgers, and sides.
Nevada
Most Worthy: Bacchanal Buffet
Review: 4 stars, 9,340 reviews
Location: 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas
Type of food: Buffet / Diverse
Bacchanal Buffet is described as a luxe, modern Caesars Palace buffet, offering 9 show kitchens, 500 daily dishes, and pool complex views.
New Hampshire
Most Worthy: Republic Cafe & Bistro
Review: 4.5 stars, 564 reviews
Location: 1069 Elm St, Manchester
Type of food: Mediterranean
Republic Cafe & Bistro is another farm-to-table Mediterranean food spot, where they serve wine all day in relaxed quarters featuring local artwork.
New Jersey
Most Worthy: Tops Diner
Review: 4.5 stars, 2,564 reviews
Location: 500 Passaic Ave, East Newark
Type of food: Breakfast diner
Tops Diner is a well-established restaurant with classic American diner eats, baked goods, and cocktails.
New Mexico
Most Worthy: Cocina Azul
Review: 4.5 stars, 1,214 reviews
Location: 1134 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque
Type of food: New Mexican
Apparently, the pictures don’t do justice for this place. People say the food is absolutely on point.
New York
Most Worthy: Burger & Lobster
Review: 4 stars, 5,222 reviews
Location: 39 W 19th St, New York
Type of food: Seafood and burgers
People say this is their go-to restaurant when craving burgers, even though most customers go there for the lobster.
North Carolina
Most Worthy: Midwood Smokehouse
Review: 4.5 stars, 1,681 reviews
Location: 1401 Central Ave, Charlotte
Type of food: BBQ
People say this is the best BBQ place in the state that has a great beer selection. Apparently, the large brisket with bacon-wrapped jalapeños is the best choice.
North Dakota
Most Worthy: Würst Bier Hall
Review: 4.5 stars, 294 reviews
Location: 630 1st Ave N, Fargo
Type of food: German
The spot is said to have great food and great beer. The sweet potato fries have a marshmallow fluff, which seems strange but is a fantastic combo.
Ohio
Most Worthy: Hot Chicken Takeover
Review: 4.5 stars, 1,187 reviews
Location: 59 Spruce St, Columbus
Type of food: Chicken
Hot Chicken Takeover is an American casual fried chicken restaurant chain that specializes in Nashville hot chicken.
Oklahoma
Most Worthy: Kitchen No. 324
Review: 4.5 stars, 1,094 reviews
Location: 324 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City
Type of food: American
Kitchen No. 324 is seen as a wonderful place for brunch or any meal. People love the atmosphere, and the menu both elegant and amazing.
Oregon
Most Worthy: Screen Door
Review: 4.5 stars, 6,734 reviews
Location: 2337 E Burnside St, Portland
Type of food: American (Southern style)
Screen Door offers refined Southern specialties like buttermilk-fried chicken in a roomy space and also offers weekend brunch.
Pennsylvania
Most Worthy: Zahav
Review: 4.5 stars, 2,722 reviews
Location: 237 St James Pl, Philadelphia
Type of food: Middle-Eastern
People are saying that the tasting menu is a go-to choice and for the amount and quality of food you get, the prices are very reasonable and fair.
Rhode Island
Most Worthy: Los Andes Restaurant
Review: 4.5 stars, 2,184 reviews
Location: 903 Chalkstone Ave, Providence
Type of food: Latin-American, Peruvian
One reviewer on Yelp said: “Try this place, whether you eat meat or seafood, you can’t go wrong and will likely need a doggy bag. Just be sure to make a reservation!”
South Carolina
Most Worthy: Poogan’s Porch
Review: 4 stars, 2,781 reviews
Location: 72 Queen St, Charleston
Type of food: American (Southern style)
Poogan’s Porch offers a traditional Southern cooking cuisine served in a Victorian townhouse with porches and a massive wine cellar.
South Dakota
Most Worthy: Taphouse 41
Review: 4.5 stars, 239 reviews
Location: 2101 W 41st St, Sioux Falls
Type of food: Burgers
People are saying that if you happen to be looking for the best burger in Sioux Falls, this is the place. Especially, the egg burger!
Tennessee
Most Worthy: Hattie B’s Chicken
Review: 4.5 stars, 4,997 reviews
Location: 112 19th Ave S, Nashville
Type of food: Chicken
A Yelp reviewer wrote this: “Everything is delicious. If you like spicy but want the kick and flavor of this juicy chicken, get medium. But if you don’t care for spicy but want a light kick, pick mild.”
Texas
Most Worthy: The Breakfast Klub
Review: 4.5 stars, 4,122 reviews
Location: 3711 Travis St, Houston
Type of food: Breakfast
This is a definite must for breakfast in Houston. The wings and waffles are considered to be the best and the meat falls right off the bone.
Utah
Most Worthy: Red Iguana
Review: 4.5 stars, 3,419 reviews
Location: 736 W N Temple, Salt Lake City
Type of food: Mexican
Red Iguana is said to be the best Mexican food in Salt Lake City. One Yelp reviewer said she recommends the mole Amarillo enchiladas, tacos don Ramon, and anything with Chile Verde in it.
Vermont
Most Worthy: The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
Review: 4 stars, 1,402 reviews
Location: 160 Bank St, Burlington
Type of food: Burgers
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill is a farm-to-table gastropub that offers a great seasonal beer garden showcasing burgers and craft brews.
Virginia
Most Worthy: The Bee and the Biscuit
Review: 4.5 stars, 563 reviews
Location: 1785 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach
Type of food: Breakfast
It’s a charming cottage restaurant with New American breakfast and lunch dishes featuring local produce. People say the biscuits are enormous and fluffy – a proper southern biscuit.
Washington
Most Worthy: Pike Place Chowder
Review: 4.5 stars, 6,920 reviews
Location: 1530 Post Aly, Seattle
Type of food: Seafood, American
The local seafood place serves traditional and specialty chowders in a counter-serve setting. And people are saying that their Salmon Smoked Chowder lives up to the hype.
West Virginia
Most Worthy: Pies & Pints
Review: 4.5 stars, 631 reviews
Location: 222 Capitol St, Charleston
Type of food: Pizza
A Yelp reviewer said this: “Delicious. Plenty of unique options for the adventurous and classic staples for the purist. If you like lots of sauce, make sure you order extra.”
Wisconsin
Most Worthy: Blue’s Egg – Milwaukee
Review: 4.5 stars, 1,473 reviews
Location: 317 N 76th St, Milwaukee
Type of food: Breakfast
Blue’s Egg is a globally inspired American breakfast and lunch spot that offers carry-out coffee and pastries in an art deco atmosphere. People say that you have to order the Monkey Bread because it’s “divine.”
Wyoming
Most Worthy: Wyoming’s Rib & Chop House
Review: 4 stars, 493 reviews
Location: 400 W Lincoln way, Cheyenne
Type of food: Seafood and Steak
A Yelp reviewer said: “Two words describe the food: hot and delicious! My husband ordered gumbo and the ribs with a loaded baked potato. I ordered the house salad and BBQ shrimp. No wonder they’ve been voted the best chophouse in Wyoming.”