USA TODAY 10Best
The Best Hotel Restaurant? Kuro in Atlantic City
Best Hotel Restaurant (2021)
Some of America's best restaurants helmed by talented and often award-winning chefs can be found within hotels and resorts from coast to coast.
- La Mer - Halekulani - Honolulu
- Woods Restaurant - Grand Hotel - Mackinac Island, Mich.
- Azure - The Royal Hawaiian - Honolulu
- Lemaire - Richmond, VA
- Restaurant at Harbor House Inn - Harbor House Inn - Elk, Calif.
- Chez Philippe - The Peabody Memphis
- Circa 1886 - Wentworth Mansion - Charleston
- Signature, Inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman - La Cantera Resort & Spa - San Antonio
- The Smokehouse Restaurant - Antrim 1844 - Taneytown, Md.
- Kuro - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Photo courtesy of Leading Hotels of the World
No. 10:
Halekulani in Oahu is home to Hawaii’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star restaurant, La Mer. Ocean views complement the menu, which highlights flavors from the South of France, paired with local ingredients.
Photo courtesy of Grand Hotel Mackinac Island
No. 9:
Guests can take a horse-drawn carriage from the Grand Hotel to the Woods Restaurant further inland. Housed in a Tudor-style mansion, the restaurant serves a Bavarian-inspired menu — the Austrian steak soup is a guest favorite.
Photo courtesy of Azure Restaurant
No. 8:
Azure at the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki sits on the beachfront and specializes in fresh island seafood, often purchased directly from the nearby Honolulu fish auction each morning. Sommeliers are on hand to help pair your meal with the perfect wine.
Photo courtesy of Lemaire
No. 7:
Lemaire, located in Richmond’s historic Jefferson Hotel, shares its name with President Thomas Jefferson’s maître d’, credited by many for bringing the art of cooking with wine to America. The restaurant continues this love of food and wine by showcasing a New American menu with Virginia-grown ingredients and Richmond’s Southern food culture. Lemaire also offers an innovative craft cocktail list, combined with a wine list of over two hundred selections.
Photo courtesy of Harbor House Inn
No. 6:
The restaurant at Harbor House Inn has only 25 seats in its oceanview dining room above the Pacific shore. The menu focuses heavily on local ingredients cooked with natural heat sources, like steam and fire. The hyperlocal menu changes daily, and typically includes eight to 12 courses, with an emphasis on seafood and vegetables.
Photo courtesy of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
No. 5:
For fine French dining in a historic setting, look no further than Chez Philippe at The Peabody Memphis. Executive Chef Andreas Kisler helms the only Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond kitchen in the Mid-South, with a menu that features four or seven-course tasting menus, as well as a la carte selections.
No. 4:
Circa 1886 is set in the original carriage house on the grounds of the Wentworth Mansion and showcases many original elements from 1886, including wide pine floors boards, wood burning fireplace and stable doors. Many tables are set in arched booths, walls are carved wood, and the place is lit by candlelight. An ever-changing seasonal menu showcases the best and freshest local and regional ingredients cooked with Southern flair, and the combination of cuisine and atmosphere is hard to beat.
Photo courtesy of Signature, Inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman
No. 3:
Classic dishes get a contemporary twist at Signature, Inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman, the new restaurant at San Antonio's La Cantera Resort & Spa. The seasonal menu features Gulf seafood, house-aged beef, lamb from the Pacific Northwest and fresh produce sourced from the Texas Hill Country.
No. 2:
The Smokehouse Restaurant, considered one of the best historic hotel restaurants in the nation, features a Contemporary American menu, complemented by a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence-winning wine program — the cellar has more than 17,000 bottles from around the globe.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Artit_Wongpradu
No. 1:
Kuro at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City features contemporary Japanese dishes made from a combination of local ingredients and items imported from Japan. Diners can pair sushi, tempura, grilled meats and fresh seafood with an assortment of Japanese whiskies, shochu, sake and wine.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Anne Dimon
A 25 plus year travel writer and... Read More
A 25 plus year travel writer and journalist, Anne Dimon is Co-Founder and President /CEO of the Wellness Tourism Association and owner/ editor of TravelToWellness.com launched in 2004 as the first online resource for the wellness-minded traveler. Prior to her life as a journalist, Anne was president of her own public relations company specializing in hospitality. She has also worked in the hotel industry as a director of public relations. An acknowledged wellness travel expert and industry consultant, Anne is also the co-author of The Travel Institute’s new Wellness Travel Specialist Course, a collaboration with the WTA.
Anne Dimon
A 25 plus year travel writer and journalist, Anne Dimon is Co-Founder and President /CEO of the Wellness Tourism Association and owner/ editor of TravelToWellness.com launched in 2004 as the first online resource for the wellness-minded traveler. Prior to her life as a journalist, Anne was president of her own public relations company specializing in hospitality. She has also worked in the hotel industry as a director of public relations. An acknowledged wellness travel expert and industry consultant, Anne is also the co-author of The Travel Institute’s new Wellness Travel Specialist Course, a collaboration with the WTA.
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most... Read More
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Lawrence Horwitz
Lawrence Horwitz is Executive Director of Historic... Read More
Lawrence Horwitz is Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. Based in Washington DC, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, the official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, include more than 300 of America’s most prominent historic hotels and more than 300 of the finest historic hotels in 45 countries worldwide. As the leader in marketing to the global historic, heritage and cultural travel market, both programs include historic hotels from more than 40 of the finest global chains, brands, and collections. As active partners of organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, White House Historical Association, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Organization of American Historians, and National Park Foundation, Horwitz leads a global marketing and tourism organization dedicated to increasing the recognition and celebration of the finest historic hotels and to promoting cultural and heritage travel to the world’s greatest prestigious treasures.
Lawrence Horwitz
Lawrence Horwitz is Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. Based in Washington DC, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, the official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, include more than 300 of America’s most prominent historic hotels and more than 300 of the finest historic hotels in 45 countries worldwide. As the leader in marketing to the global historic, heritage and cultural travel market, both programs include historic hotels from more than 40 of the finest global chains, brands, and collections. As active partners of organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, White House Historical Association, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Organization of American Historians, and National Park Foundation, Horwitz leads a global marketing and tourism organization dedicated to increasing the recognition and celebration of the finest historic hotels and to promoting cultural and heritage travel to the world’s greatest prestigious treasures.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
