OpenTable Reveals the 100 Best Restaurants for a Big Night Out
Whether you're spring-breaking or hit with spring fever, there's a feeling of weariness and readiness in the air. For those of us sick of this long winter, OpenTable has released their list of the 100 Best Restaurants in America for a Big Night Out, right in time for al fresco dining weather.
“The list features an array of buzz-worthy restaurants, from up-and-coming to established, trendy to tried-and-true, across 24 states and Washington, DC,” said Caroline Potter, OpenTable's chief dining officer. “Whatever your notion of a big night out entails, whether it’s a bustling bar scene or a spot to see-and-be-seen, fun is on the menu at any of these honorees.”
With 18 restaurants on the list, California boasts the highest number of restaurants for a night on the town, with Florida slightly behind with 17 locales. In total, 50 cities are on the list; New York and Las Vegas appear more than any other destination, with Chicago trailing closely behind with seven restaurants.
The list of the 100 Best Restaurants for a Big Night Out is generated from more than 12 million verified OpenTable diner reviews collected between February 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018. All restaurants with a minimum “overall” score and number of qualifying reviews were included for consideration; qualifying restaurants were then scored and sorted, according to the percentage of reviews for which “hot spot” was selected as a special feature. Based on this methodology, the restaurants below, listed in alphabetical order, make up OpenTable's Hot 100 for 2018.
The 100 best restaurants (domestically) for a big night out, according to OpenTable diners:
Al Biernat’s - Oak Lawn - Dallas, Texas
Andina - Portland, Oregon
Battalion - San Antonio, Texas
Beauty & Essex - Multiple Locations
Bestia - Los Angeles, California
Blend on the Water - Long Island City, New York
The Boathouse - Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Brewery Bhavana - Raleigh, North Carolina
Buddakan - Multiple Locations
Campfire - Carlsbad, California
Campiello - Naples, Florida
Carmine’s - 44th Street - New York, New York
Carnivale - Chicago, Illinois
Carson’s Food & Drink - Lexington, Kentucky
Catch - Multiple Locations
Charlie’s of Bay Head - Bay Head, New Jersey
Coasterra - San Diego, California
Compère Lapin - New Orleans, Louisiana
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Multiple Locations
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Departure Restaurant and Lounge - Portland, Oregon
Double Knot - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duck Duck Goat - Chicago, Illinois
El Five - Denver, Colorado
El Vez - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar - Memphis, Tennessee
Gato - New York, New York
Giada - The Cromwell - Las Vegas, Nevada
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse - Chicago, Illinois
Girl & the Goat - Chicago, Illinois
Gordon Ramsay Steak - Paris Las Vegas - Las Vegas, Nevada
Gracias Madre - West Hollywood, California
GW Fins - New Orleans, Louisiana
Halls Chophouse - Charleston, South Carolina
Harp & Crown - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Herb & Wood - San Diego, California
Husk - Charleston - Charleston, South Carolina
Ironside Fish & Oyster - San Diego, California
Ivan Ramen - New York, New York
Ivy - West Hollywood, California
Juniper & Ivy - San Diego, California
Juvia - Miami, Florida
Kaluz Restaurant - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Komodo - Miami, Florida
KYU - Miami, Florida
The Lark - Santa Barbara, California
Le Diplomate - Washington, DC
Linger - Denver, Colorado
Louie Bossi's Ristorante Bar Pizzeria - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
LUCA - Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Maple & Ash - Chicago, Illinois
Mariposa - Sedona, Arizona
Mastro's Ocean Club - Newport Beach, California
Meril - New Orleans, Louisiana
Moku Kitchen - Honolulu, Hawaii
Momofuku Las Vegas - Las Vegas, Nevada
Mora Italian - Phoenix, Arizona
Morimoto Asia - Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Myers + Chang - Boston, Massachusetts
Nobu - Caesars Palace Las Vegas - Las Vegas, Nevada
North Italia – BLVD - Houston, Texas
Ocean Prime - Naples, Florida
Old Ebbitt Grill - Washington, DC
The Optimist - Atlanta, Georgia
Otium - Los Angeles, California
Oxford Exchange - Tampa, Florida
Parc - Detroit, Michigan
The Pearl - Columbus, Ohio
Perch LA - Los Angeles, California
Pump - West Hollywood, California
Red Ash Italia - Austin, Texas
Red Rooster Harlem - New York, New York
Republique - Los Angeles, California
RPM Italian & Steak - Multiple Locations
Sacred Pepper - Tampa, Florida
Sampan - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sixty Vines - Plano, Texas
Sotto - Cincinnati, Ohio
Southern Social - Germantown, Tennessee
St. Elmo Steak House - Indianapolis, Indiana
Steak 44 - Phoenix, Arizona
Steak 48 - Houston, Texas
Steve & Cookie’s By the Bay - Margate, New Jersey
STK- Multiple locations
SumoMaya Mexican - Asian Kitchen - Scottsdale, Arizona
Tao - Multiple locations
The Tropicale - Palm Springs, California
Town - San Carlos, California
TWO urban licks - Atlanta, Georgia
Uchi - Austin, Texas
Ulele - Tampa, Florida
Uncle Julio’s - Brentwood - Brentwood, Tennessee
Urban Grub - Nashville, Tennessee
Vandal - New York, New York
Water Grill - South Coast Plaza - Costa Mesa, California
Woodberry Kitchen - Baltimore, Maryland
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar - Miami Beach, Florida
Yvonne’s - Boston, Massachusetts
Zahav - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.