From mountains to river bends – and everything in between – these dining spots are truly a feast for the eyes. Here are the 14 most beautiful places to dine in America.
Situated on the 35th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Manhattan, Asiate boasts one of the most unique dining experiences in the city, complete with contemporary American fare, impeccable service, and unequaled views of the New York skyline. Dine on dishes like hamachi crudo or caviar, sip on champagne, and watch the sun go down on Central Park.
At Waterbar, drawing crowds is easy. Fresh oysters, a stellar happy hour, and panoramic views of the Bay make this Embarcadero hot spot a San Francisco favorite. Nestled below the Bay Bridge, Waterbar is perfect for sipping cocktails on the terrace or dining on seasonal, sustainably sourced seafood al fresco.
This Seattle landmark has been wowing diners since the 1950s. Set within a midcentury home, Canlis dishes out modern Pacific Northwest fare – Wagyu tenderloin tartare, spot prawns with Vermouth butter – alongside panoramic views of Lake Union. Choose from a four-course menu or nine-course tasting menu, and expect nothing less than perfection.
There’s no restaurant quite like Elevation 486. Located on the rocky bluffs of the Snake River, the outdoor patio offers an Idaho dining experience that remains hard to beat. The menu features bistro-style American fare like fire-grilled Oregon quail, Idaho trout, and Idaho pork tenderloin – perfectly accompanied by panoramic views of the New West.
If you find yourself in Utah, take a ride up Ray’s and Red’s chair lifts to Sundance’s mountaintop lodge. At Bearclaw Cabin, dine on “mountain fast food” – nachos, burritos, sandwiches – while gazing at 360-degree views of the Heber and Utah Valleys and surrounding Wasatch Mountains. Open year-round for lunch, Bearclaw Cabin is mountain dining at its finest.
Just a five-minute drive from Boulder, find Flagstaff House: a family-owned establishment built into the mountainside. At an elevation of 6,000 feet (1,828.8 meters), views from the window-encased dining room and outdoor patio overlook the city and surrounding mountain scenery. Known for its extensive wine list – Flagstaff House has a 15,000-bottle wine cellar on-site – and French-American cuisine, this Boulder favorite is perfect for special occasions and romantic evenings.
Perched high above the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Sierra Mar is a stunning restaurant built into the hillside of California’s coastline. This award-winning spot is located at the renowned luxury hotel, Post Ranch Inn – its California-inspired cuisine just as elegant and refined as the grounds on which it was built. The dining room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the sandy shorelines and deep blue waters of Big Sur.
This iconic eatery has become a well-known culinary destination across the globe, its beautifully lit gardens and stunning vistas of Manhattan drawing locals and tourists alike for a romantic escape from the city. Located on the waterfront under the Brooklyn Bridge, the newly renovated River Café dishes out modern American cuisine accompanied by sweeping views of the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
This “members only” club represents both the swank and class of West Hollywood. Located on Sunset Boulevard, Soho House West Hollywood is a beautifully designed and decorated space for eating, drinking, and meeting – the most captivating of the few, the Club and Garden. Find contemporary American cuisine, top-notch cocktails, and panoramic views of Los Angeles – the open-air rooftop is perfect for sipping champagne on a bright summer day.
A 12-mile (19.3-kilometer) boat ride from Seward lies the remote wilderness of Fox Island. On this island, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge offers unequaled natural scenery: pebble stone beaches, crystal clear waters, and snow-capped peaks. Through the large windows at the on-site restaurant, diners can wine and dine amongst awe-inspiring vistas of Halibut Cove – a popular place for spotting sea lions and humpback whales.
There’s no better space to experience the magic of Las Vegas than at Top of the World. Named for its towering height – 800 feet (243.8 meters) above ground – this New American restaurant boasts panoramic vistas of the city from the 106th floor of the Stratosphere Tower. Top of the World rotates 360 degrees every 80 minutes; therefore, you’ll never miss a thing.
