If you're looking for somewhere with that extra something for your next meal out, read on. We've rounded up the most charming places to dine in the country, from historic buildings turned into boutique restaurants to romantic date venues with breathtaking views. Here are the sweetest, quirkiest restaurants in every state – read on for the most charming place to eat near you.
Click or scroll through our gallery as we reveal the most delightful places to dine in America, counting down to the loveliest of all.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
A farmhouse for more than 100 years, this cute building is now the home to one of New Jersey's most romantic restaurants. Sea Girt’s Scarborough Fair Restaurant features rustic interiors, atmospheric lighting, and several private dining alcoves on their own levels, making you feel as if you’re the only ones in the restaurant. There are countless quirky design touches, from the curved brick staircases to the brass lamps imported from Turkey. The food is eclectic and delicious, with a particular focus on fresh, sustainable seafood.
Set in an original farmhouse with beautiful gardens, Quiessence at The Farm has previously been voted the most romantic restaurant in Arizona, and it's easy to see why. Tables draped in white tablecloths are dotted around the lawn and amongst the pretty flowers, while the inside of this fine dining restaurant is equally charming. Produce is grown on site, it has its own chicken coop, and other ingredients are sourced locally. Diners say it's an experience you won't forget.
The cozy Alpino Vino, in Colorado’s Telluride Ski Resort, is North America's highest elevation restaurant at nearly 12,000 feet, treating diners to picturesque views of the snow-capped trees and mountains. The restaurant is full of rustic charm, with a wood-burning fireplace and sheepskin throws, an outdoor wine bar and a menu of gourmet Italian comfort food, with a set tasting menu in the evening. You can ski right up to the front door or arrive by heated snow coach.
A beautiful restaurant set in a Mediterranean-style villa hiding away in the heart of South Beach, Casa Tua is entered through wrought iron gates leading to an enchanting garden. Tables are set among the pretty plants and flowers, while twinkling Moroccan lamps hang from the trees. Inside, you'll find a stylish restaurant with draped windows overlooking the patio and gardens. If the Italian fine dining menu leaves you too full to move very far, the property also houses a boutique hotel.
In the beautiful city of Cambridge, down a cobbled path in the heart of Harvard Square, is Harvest. This elegant restaurant presents the best of New England cuisine, with chefs working closely with local farmers to devise seasonal menus. The interiors are smart, with dark woods and neutral tones, while there's a beautiful patio for dining al fresco.
For an authentic German dining experience, head to the quirky House of Gerhard in Kenosha. The owner, Gerhard Dillner, opened the quaint restaurant in 1964 and, decades later, his family is still running the establishment and serving his original recipes. There’s an Oktoberfest weekend every September and plenty of authentic dishes, including a delicious selection of schnitzels served by staff wearing dirndls.
Belgian bistro Cock & Bowl, in the riverfront town of Occoquan, has a beautiful flower-filled outdoor patio, kitsch interiors, and more than 60 Belgian beers on offer. The menu of traditional Belgian specialties features steaming bowls of mussels served in a variety of sauces with a French baguette and fries, classic garlic butter steak, and a tempting list of sweet waffles with toppings including Belgian chocolate, strawberries, and whipped cream.
Part of the family-owned Ledges Hotel in Hawley in the Pocono Mountains, Glass has wonderful views of the neighboring waterfalls, as well as an eclectic menu of small dishes perfect for sharing. A former glass factory dating back to the 1890s, the building retains its original features while having a modern interior. The menu features cheese boards, crispy shrimp tacos, and wild boar sausage, perfect for enjoying while you soak up the panoramic views from the dining room and outdoor terraces.
The Fed, housed in a former bank building, is a modern, super-cool restaurant with plenty of charm. The interiors feature rustic hanging lights, cozy armchairs, furry throws, open shelving and colorful rugs. There are even two private dining rooms within the old bank vaults. The menu changes constantly, with popular past items including tempura tuna rolls and red snapper ceviche. There's live music every Friday and Saturday night.
There are three Bakeri locations in Brooklyn, all equally charming, but it's the Greenpoint bakery and café that has people talking. With pretty floral wallpaper, antique mirrors, and rustic furnishings, it's the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy a coffee and breakfast or lunch. There's a vast menu of tempting sweet and savory pastries, breakfast dishes such as avocado tartine with cumin, lemon, and sea salt, open sandwiches, and salads.
Established in 1673, Newport's award-winning White Horse Tavern is believed to be the USA’s oldest tavern building. This historic restaurant has oodles of charm, making dining here a real experience. Today the focus is fresh, local food – think fish, clams, and lobsters caught in Narragansett Bay and artisan cheese, honey, and beef sourced from nearby farms.
A landmark in Maine’s Bar Harbor, local favorite Geddy’s was once a dingy waterfront dive bar before it changed hands and becoming one of the best restaurants in the state. These days the family-friendly local institution is famed for its delicious lobster rolls and the menu also features huge burgers, pizzas, and seafood dishes. The interior is packed with historical photographs and memorabilia, while customers love the fun, lively atmosphere.
Set in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, Appalachian Grill resembles a cozy alpine cabin thanks to its antique artwork, exposed brick walls, and skis and poles mounted on the walls. The menu is just as tempting as the decor, with plenty of sophisticated comfort food including seafood pasta, blackened salmon and shrimp, pecan chicken, and barbecue pork chop.
In a picturesque waterfront setting in New Haven, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill is all about great seafood and steak, plus superb cocktails, wine, and beer. The decor has a nautical theme, there’s a big brass and steel bar where you can enjoy drinks, and there are both indoor fireplaces and outdoor fire pits, making for a cozy, romantic meal whatever the weather.
A local hotspot for nearly 30 years, fine dining restaurant Snake River Grill has a rustic-elegant dining room and stunning deck area. Inside you'll find exposed brick walls, roaring fireplaces and flickering candles, and a relaxed atmosphere. There's a creative menu with highlights including steak tartare pizza topped with black Angus New York steak, garlic aioli, capers, parsley, and red onion, and Persian roasted eggplant.
For a memorable meal in a historic venue, head to Liberty Township’s Cozy’s Café and Pub. A former home converted into a family-run restaurant, this place offers a range of gourmet comfort food with a twist, from red wine–braised short ribs and pan-seared crab cakes with tomato basil butter to a tasty s’mores bread pudding dessert. Meals can be enjoyed in one of the farmhouse dining rooms or outside on the pretty patio area
A finalist for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant, Butcher & Bee, started life aiming to serve perfect artisan sandwiches before its popularity, and menu, grew and grew. A cute spot with a pretty patio, mismatched furniture, plants, string lights, and retro-style tiling on the walls, it has a menu of mezze and sharing plates featuring fresh, seasonal, sustainable, and locally sourced ingredients. Highlights include whipped feta with honey and black pepper, pistachio and avocado falafel, and tomato risotto.
Former garage-turned-restaurant Sparky’s is a firm state favorite with a vintage vibe. Hints of its former life remain, with old cars outside, road signs, and other automobile memorabilia throughout the joint. There’s even an old Chevy truck you can dine in. The menu is big on comfort food classics such as barbecue sandwiches, big burgers, and thick steaks. There's a second location in Butte.
Run by husband-and-wife team Todd and Lori Jansen, the warm and welcoming Sugar Leaf Bakery in Branson serves plenty of sweet treats that look as good as they taste, as well as many savory dishes. Highlights include the panini and tasty salads, as well as the bakery's incredible selection of cobblers, pies, cupcakes, and cookies.
Celebrate Jasper's rich German heritage by grabbing an authentic meal at traditional German-style tavern, Schnitzelbank. Owned by husband-and-wife team Larry and Betty Hanselman since 1961, the restaurant is a truly family-run affair, with the couple's six children and many grandchildren also helping out. The top dish is the bratzel – a jumbo salted pretzel covered with sauerkraut, two bratwurst sausages and honey-mustard sauce – which has been voted the number one sandwich in Indiana. There’s even a glockenspiel playing every half hour.
This award-wining Huntsville restaurant receives rave reviews from diners thanks to its cozy, romantic atmosphere – think jazz music playing softly in the background, classic decor in neutral shades, a candlelit patio area, and delicious menu of modern American cuisine. You can dine on the likes of roasted red snapper, porcini and truffle ravioli, and glazed smoked duck breasts at this utterly charming spot.
Romantic fine dining restaurant Parker's offers a seasonal menu featuring locally sourced, organic ingredients; menu highlights include roasted duck breast, seared scallops, and the artisan cheese plate. The decor, meanwhile, is tasteful and smart, with soft lighting, flickering candles, and exposed brick walls. Diners say it's the perfect place for a date night.
A visit to Winston-Salem’s Ryan's Restaurant is a magical experience. It's a cozy spot set deep in a forest, where you can dine out on the deck looking over the trees and stream, while inside the comfy sofas and crackling fireplace will keep you snug. The restaurant serves a tempting menu of mainly seafood and steaks, which diners say are cooked to perfection, but it's the fairytale surroundings that keep people coming back time and time again.
You'd be hard pressed to find fresher food than at Campo, located at the Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm in Albuquerque. Dishes are created from seasonal, organic ingredients sourced from the property’s own fields, as well as local farmers and herdsmen. The restaurant is housed in a renovated barn, with an open kitchen and amazing views of lavender fields and the Sandia Mountains. There's also an innovative menu of botanical cocktails.
For a romantic meal in Minneapolis, head to the atmospheric Café & Bar Lurcat, which has huge windows overlooking Loring Park. The chic restaurant area has sparkling chandeliers, exposed brick walls, and high ceilings, while the candlelit bar is the perfect blend of classic with a nouveau twist. There's a menu of small plates, pastas, steaks, and seafood, plus more than 200 wines to choose from.
Located on a historic street in Ellicott City, the popular Manor Hill Tavern sits in a mid-19th-century building that once served the area’s livery trade. The place has a rustic feel, with plenty of original features including exposed stone walls, barn doors, and wooden beams, and local artwork hanging throughout. There's a menu of inventive brick oven pizzas such as Figgy Piggy with fig jam, prosciutto, goats' cheese, and honey-roasted red onion. It also serves sandwiches and salads.
Set in a castle-style chateau built in 1907, Wandering Vine is something of a Kansas City landmark and is often cited as one of the most romantic places to dine in the area. Inside, expect open fireplaces and original stonework paired which chic, modern furnishings, and a cozy, intimate atmosphere. There are small plates, brunch, and dinner menus with highlights including lobster and roasted pumpkin ravioli and calamari with chipotle aioli.
Set over a series of thatched bungalows on the water, Tidepools is surrounded by flowers, waterfalls, tiki torches, and tropical fish, making for a stunning dining experience. It's the perfect spot to watch the sun set while enjoying the menu of locally caught fish and perfectly cooked steaks. There's also an extensive wine list, and diners praise the outstanding service and romantic atmosphere.
If you're looking for a breathtaking spot to enjoy a sophisticated tasting menu, look no further than Sierra Mar, which is part of the Post Ranch Inn hotel. Perched on a rugged cliff, the romantic restaurant has panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and a luxurious outdoor patio. The menu changes daily, but recent dishes have included delights such as Monterey black cod with miso butter and baby turnips, and beef tenderloin with potato galette and mushrooms.
Located inside a former church on quaint Bentonville Square in downtown Bentonville, The Preacher's Son is a striking place to eat. The dramatic architecture of the Gothic Revival–style church, staggeringly high ceilings, and painted glass windows make for a beautiful setting. The menu changes seasonally and prioritizes locally sourced ingredients and there's also a speakeasy-style bar in the basement.
Located in the Wild West town of Virginia City, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the boutique Café Del Rio promises fresh Southern flavors – and doesn't disappoint. Menu highlights include pork carnitas burritos, a fried chicken dinner, and roasted Brussels sprouts with pumpkin seeds, lime, and chipotle. Diners praise the friendly atmosphere and outstanding service.
This stunning mansion house has a picturesque setting on the Gulfport waterfront, surrounded by lush gardens with a beautiful view across the water. The Chimneys combines Southern architecture and a predominantly seafood-based menu, with dishes such as crab claws, fried oyster salad, baked seafood eggplant, and excellent fish tacos. Customers say it's a charming spot and the service is impeccable.
The Garden District's aqua mansion, Commander's Palace, has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893. This famous restaurant has won an incredible seven James Beard Awards. It continues to be a must-visit thanks to its beautiful interiors and delicious Creole-inspired menu, which features dishes such as mango chili glazed pork belly and pecan-crusted Gulf fish.
For a taste of Spain, look no further than Mesón Sabika. Housed in a mansion dating back to 1847, and surrounded by four acres of beautiful gardens, this stunning restaurant serves a range of tapas dishes and paellas. You can dine al fresco and soak up the surroundings, or inside, you'll find a series of charming dining rooms to pick from.
Located in Boulder, one of the most remote towns in the USA with a population of less than 250 people, Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm isn’t the easiest place to get to, but it’s definitely worth the journey. Located on Hell's Backbone Road, a scenic backway from Boulder to Escalante, this pretty restaurant has its own six-acre farm and serves a varied menu of sustainable dishes. Highlights include bison tenderloin with lemony mashed potatoes and vegetables and the award-winning house salad.
For a real family-run restaurant experience, head to Lexington’s Momma Rabbit’s Nibbles and Sips. Eight siblings – Will, Sarah Grace, Spencer, James, Webb, John, George and Richard Allen – created the restaurant, drawing on their background of raising animals and growing crops organically. When you pick up a sandwich, soup, or salad, have a look at the walls which are covered in retro movie posters that formerly hung in the home of the siblings’ grandmother, Momma Rabbit.
The sprawling Stephanie Inn Dining Room has a prime location right on beautiful Canon Beach, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, Haystack Rock and the Tillamook Lighthouse. There's a nightly tasting menu featuring seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients, with recent dishes including morel mushroom soup, marinated rack of lamb, and warm chocolate cake.
The cozy, fine dining Redbrook Restaurant has a romantic atmosphere with its open fires, candlelit tables, and original features. Part of the historic Hillbrook Inn and Spa, a manor house located on George Washington’s first land purchase in 1750, it's a stunning place to enjoy a meal. Expect dishes such as beef tenderloin with fingerling potatoes and seasonal vegetables, or there's a set chef's tasting menu with wine pairings available.
The award-winning Aposto is set in a Victorian mansion dating back to 1880, with a pretty patio surrounded by flowers and a kitchen garden. Its modern Italian menu is small but perfectly formed; expect standout dishes such as lamb osso bucco and crab gnocchi. For dessert, the tartlet with seasonal filling and house-made ice cream is not to be missed.
A former florist with a striking Art Deco facade, Cheever’s Café in Oklahoma City brims with charm. The café retains many original features, including the terrazzo floors and the glass-walled flower case that now displays desserts and wine bottles. The menu features steaks, seafood, small plates, and sharers, but the bestselling dish is the chicken-fried steak with jalapeño gravy and garlicky, red-skinned mashed potatoes.
James Beard Award–nominated restaurant The House of William & Merry is set in a cute 1922 farmhouse, which is also the home of chef-owners, husband-and-wife team William Hoffman and Merry Catanuto, and their son and daughter. The family live on the first floor, while the restaurant is on the ground floor, with tables both inside and outside on the front patio. The menu of creative dishes made from local, sustainable ingredients changes seasonally, with options like crawfish bisque and grilled Hudson Valley duck breast.
Copper Rill consistently receives outstanding reviews. Customers say dining here is an amazing experience, with reasonably priced, gourmet food. Located right on the river with views of Idaho Falls, the restaurant serves a varied menu, with highlights including sautéed shrimp and chicken pasta in a rich lobster sauce, pan-seared salmon with fire-roasted tomato relish, and Thai lamb chops. Diners also rate the service and romantic atmosphere.
For casual fine dining from an award-winning chef, head to Max’s Restaurant and Pub at the Snowvillage Inn in Eaton Center. Originally built as a summer home by Frank Simonds, a Pulitzer Prize–winning author, the inn has welcomed guests since 1948, with its restaurant a particular highlight. Here you'll find sweeping views of Mount Washington, as well as tasty dishes such as blackened tiger shrimp, rack of lamb, and fettuccine with seasonal vegetables, Parmesan, and olive oil.
Built in 1905 and originally used as a train station for the Clam Shell Railroad, The Depot Restaurant is now a fine dining restaurant with an international wine list and oodles of charm. The restaurant is just blocks away from the Pacific Ocean and has a menu of fresh seafood, salads, vegetarian dishes, and steaks. There's a heated patio, plus the spot retains some of the original features such as the ticket window, which is now the perfect place for people-watching.
Mezzaluna, housed in a 1917 building in Fargo, is known for its excellent food and elegant decor. With high-backed banquettes throughout the dining room and plenty of original architectural features, it provides a stunning backdrop for your meal. The menu features both classic and inventive dishes, such as beef ragu and halibut with pink peppercorn velouté.
The Keeping Room in Nebraska City has been reinvented many times over the years since being built in 1870, functioning as everything from a grocery store to a dentist’s office. It’s now a great place to eat, drink, and shop. Alongside the café, there’s a boutique selling cute antiques, clothes, and home decorations. Dishes include panini, wraps, salads, and a mouth-watering selection of desserts.
Previously run by TV baker Brie Golliher, Boyce General Store is now under new ownership, serving comfort food at its best Wednesday through to Saturday. Locals absolutely love this historic place, which started out as a grocery store in 1869. Popular dishes include the joint's signature catfish, the hearty lasagna, and fried Bologna sandwich. Customers are always quick to note how warm and welcoming the staff are.
An understated local favorite, La Baleine Café in Homer has amassed glowing reviews. Owned by chefs Kirsten and Mandy Dixon, the café with a conscience opens daily at 5am to serve locals and fishing crews with free coffee and delicious breakfasts made with fresh, organic ingredients. Reindeer sausage, locally made chorizo, and fish caught that day are among the highlights. There's also a lunch menu featuring dishes such as Alaska salmon burger with sharp Cheddar, and a ramen bowl with house-made broth, local vegetables, and seasonal fish.
The Inn at Weathersfield in the tiny town of Perkinsville is tucked away in the woods and set inside a charming 18th-century house. The restaurant has a close relationship with local farmers, with at least 75% of ingredients coming from within a 25-mile radius of the inn, or from the on-site vegetable garden. The dining room is incredibly cozy, with wood-burning fireplaces, plus there are boutique rooms available if you want to make the most of your visit.
Enjoy fairytale dining in a rustic treehouse at The Laurel Tree in Utopia, Uvalde County. This beautifully quaint private dining room, complete with antique furnishings, is perched in a 450-year-old oak tree with just one table seating up to six people. Dishes are prepared by a Cordon Bleu–trained chef, with ingredients sourced from the surrounding gardens and local markets. There is more seating available in the main house, plus luxury B&B accommodation.
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Last updated by Dominique Ayling.