It’s easy to think of a “hotel restaurant” as a small, comfortable dining room that may or may not have a buffet. In many places, particularly budget-friendly or chain hotels, that’s precisely what you’ll see, but some of the best restaurants in the country are found inside hotels. From beachside seating to stunning mountain views, the best hotel restaurants in America have a whole lot more to offer than complimentary breakfast and hot coffee—not that we don’t love those too!
In this list, we explore some of the most unique, upscale, best hotel restaurants in the United States. From California to Virginia, we’re crossing the country, celebrating the best of the best that hotel restaurants have to offer. As we review hip, modern American eateries, Southern France-inspired hotspots, and other incredible establishments, we’ll highlight what makes each restaurant on our list extra special and the lessons your hotel can take away from each.
Discover America’s best hotel restaurants and the lessons they teach us
Whether you run a full-service branded hotel, a bed and breakfast, or a luxury boutique hotel, you’ll find inspiration in the style and real-world success of these phenomenal hotel restaurants.
1. The Summit at the Broadmoor Hotel | Colorado Springs, CO
The Summit restaurant is a contemporary American brasserie inside the Broadmoor Hotel, a stunning property spanning 40 acres. Although Broadmoor is well-known throughout the hospitality industry for its sprawling landscape and immense size, travelers and locals celebrate the Summit for providing one of the most rewarding and unique dining experiences in all of Colorado Springs.
What makes The Summit so special?
The Summit offers an innovative and extensive wine, microbrew, and cocktail collection, as well as a world wine and cocktail program led by an experienced sommelier. Critics, guests, and clients revere it for having one of the highest quality Sunday brunches offered at any upscale hotel throughout the US, and much of the fabulous, fresh produce served on the chef-inspired menu comes right from the hotel’s gardens.
Hotel takeaway: Become an expert in something. Whether it’s regional cuisine, local history, wine, beer, or local farms, promote your hotel’s restaurant as an authority in something specific. In addition to boosting your hotel profile and the restaurant’s credibility, showcasing your expertise in a particular area will help attract travelers and foodies who share related interests.
2. Lumin Sky Bar & Kitchen | Columbus, OH
Located atop the AC Hotel Downtown Columbus, this chic rooftop restaurant offers a menu inspired by cultures and destinations from all over the world, including Spain, France, and the Middle East. Although Lumin’s menu is tapas-based, these aren’t your grandmother’s tapas. Poached octopus, smoked duck flatbread, and buttercream tahini cookies are just a few of the upscale small plates offered.
What makes Lumin Sky Bar so special?
As far as unique hotel selling points go, “rooftop bar” is one of the best! Lumin supplies a space for both hotel guests and local businesspeople to relax, unwind, and take in the stunning view as they soak up Columbus’ nightlife. Sitting eight stories high, Lumin Sky Bar offers what Tasting Table called “one of America’s most underrated skylines.”
Hotel takeaway: Find your hotel restaurant’s unique selling point. Figure out what sets your eatery apart from others in the area and puts your hotel ahead of the competition. Use your unique selling point to inform your operational decisions going forward.
3. The George | Seattle, WA
Located in America’s Pacific Northwest, this hip, modern American brasserie is found inside the freshly renovated Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Keeping a name that pays homage to the hotel’s original dining room, The George officially reopened in April 2022.
Head Chef Thomas Cullen, who previously headed Tavolàta in Seattle’s Belltown, honors classic favorites and regional dishes, like salmon and oysters on the half shell, but adds his signature twist: opulence. One of The George’s signature dishes is a mountainous seafood tower jam-packed with prawns, geoduck, crab, and more. Committed to introducing his patrons to new and exciting dishes that only include the highest quality, sustainably-sourced ingredients, Chef Cullen has “curated a menu that is both approachable and memorable.”
What makes The George so special?
In addition to supplying locals and tourists with an immersive and regional dining experience that makes The George one of the best hotel restaurants in the world, it is also one of the largest establishments on our list. The large, redesigned restaurant offers ample space for hosting hotel patrons, large groups, and events. The George seats 100 in the restaurant, with seating for an additional 20 people in the new bar area, and offers an intimate, private dining room that can accommodate a party of 12.
Hotel takeaway: Celebrate the hotel’s story or the history of the original owners. Incorporate local flair and regional charm in your dishes, highlighting how the hotel’s unique history led to the restaurant’s success. Tell a story with your restaurant marketing, and maximize event revenue with curated dining packages, private bookings, corporate parties, and more.
4. Riot House Restaurant at Andaz West Hollywood | Los Angeles, CA
Led by Chef Pierre Gornes, who has been with the restaurant for decades, Riot House is a Southwest France-style restaurant located inside the stylish Andaz West Hollywood hotel. With a name that pays tribute to the destination’s history of rock and roll, fame, and (occasional) debauchery, the high-end food may surprise you.
When paired with cuisine that takes inspiration from Southern France, the fresh menu and celebrated top toque draw foodies from all over the world. Reservations are required at Riot House Restaurant, and getting a table isn’t easy, so fans of French cuisine should book early.
What makes Riot House Restaurant so special?
After being promoted from sous chef to top toque in March of 2011, Gornes began to work with the area’s vintners and farmers to create vibrant and seasonal dishes. Gornes’ use of farm-to-table ingredients and celebration of elevated Gallic fare appeals to the rising desire for access to organic, sustainability-sourced, locally-grown, high-quality ingredients.
Hotel takeaway: Work with local farmers, vintners, brewers, and other vendors to create a network of hospitality-focused businesses that can work together to increase marketing reach, offer richer guest experiences, and elevate the hotel’s food and beverage offerings. Not to mention, supporting local businesses and promoting sustainable practices.
5. Inn at Little Washington | Washington, Virginia
Inside the Inn at Little Washington, a boutique hotel located in the countryside of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll find a magnificent restaurant with the same name. Owner and chef, Patrick O’Connell, opened the inn more than three decades ago. Since then, O’Connell has turned The Inn at Little Washington into a high-status boutique hotel destination sought out by foodies and travelers alike.
In the Portuguese-tiled kitchen, self-taught Chef O’Connell provides guests with farm-sourced refined regional American dishes and outstanding mountain views. Guests visiting the Inn this year will have two incredible menus to choose from, which include mouthwatering dishes like swordfish with wasabi sorbet, Virginia Country Ham, Maine lobster, and much more.
What makes the Inn at Little Washington so special?
The Inn at Little Washington was one of only three restaurants in the entire state to receive a five-diamond rating from AAA in 2023, a title it has held for over thirty years. In addition to exceptional food, the restaurant offers an exclusive Chef’s Table package for food fans seeking an intimate meal with the star of the show. Those who see O’Connell showcase his impressive skills on the kitchen’s Vulcan range, covered by a behemoth copper-and-brass hood, will surely remember the experience.
Hotel takeaway: Look for opportunities to create memorable, immersive experiences for dining guests. Invite local chefs to come by and show off, or partner with a highly-reviewed restaurant to feature one of their dishes on your menu.
6. Stones Throw | York, Maine
Located just a “stone’s throw” away from Maine’s York Beach, Stones Throw Hotel and Restaurant is a cottage-style boutique hotel and restaurant. Offering only a handful of rooms on the upper floor of the beach house, Stones Throw offers a comfortable, cozy atmosphere and staple Maine favorites, like clam chowder, grilled halloumi, and lobster rolls.
What makes Stones Throw so special?
Stones Throw knows its target market: tourists seeking an authentic coastal Maine experience, so they provide exactly that. In fact, “Experience Maine” is one of the primary hyperlinked images on Stones Throw’s main website. Additionally, their proximity to the ocean provides a one-of-a-kind atmosphere for outdoor diners seeking to enjoy the best in fresh seafood, locally-grown vegetables, and hand-crafted cocktails.
Hotel takeaway: Embrace your destination, and incorporate it into hotel marketing materials, your branding, and the restaurant’s atmosphere. If you need help attracting more tourists to your destination or, more specifically, your hotel restaurant, turn to your DMO for guidance.
7. Proof on Main at 21c Museum Hotel | Louisville, KY
Located inside the 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, you’ll find Proof on Main, one of the country’s best hotel restaurants serving up a southern menu that is Tuscan-inspired but accessible, elevated yet comforting. Their locally-sourced dishes include chickpea and country ham fritters, Iowa Berkshire pork loin (the chef’s special), and Italian greens.
At Proof on Main, guests have more than 50 types of bourbon available to choose from, as well as a lengthy list of delectable dishes. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, reservations at this Louisville restaurant are coveted by whiskey fans and foodies alike. Although reservations at this hotspot can be hard to come by, Chef Michael Paley’s signature dish costs only $28.
What makes Proof on Main so special?
Regular patrons of Proof on Main will never get bored with their surroundings, as the restaurant features a rotating collection of 21st-century art that it acquires from the 21C museum right next door. The team at Proof also hosts a month-long program for bourbon lovers called “A Month With.” Throughout the month, they visit and promote local distilleries nearby, tasting flights, enjoying craft cocktails, and getting to know the distillers in their market. They plan and post the monthly map in advance, so interested patrons can follow along on social media or join them in person.
Hotel takeaway: Don’t forget to appeal to local patrons. A successful hotel restaurant needs more than just tourists’ business; look for opportunities to keep things interesting. Host restaurant events, happy hour specials, open mic nights, or trivia, or invite local brewers to host a tasting once a month.
Find out more about America's most successful hotels
Frequently asked questions about the world’s best hotel restaurants
If you still have questions about the world’s most celebrated hotel restaurants, just keep on reading.
1. Are all of the best hotel restaurants in the world expensive?
Absolutely not; delicious and expensive are not always synonymous! Of course, some of the most exquisite hotel restaurants in the world have price tags to match, but many high-end chefs pride themselves on their ability to make excellent, affordable food. Think of Proof of Main, for example, where you can grab a fine meal for less than $50.
2. Do the best hotel restaurants in the world require reservations?
Typically, yes. Because they are so sought out, and demand for a table is so high, most celebrated restaurants require reservations. Just because a restaurant accepts reservations doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to get one.
3. Do any famous chefs have hotel restaurants?
Yes, many of the world’s most highly regarded chefs have their own restaurant—or chain of restaurants—inside luxury hotels. Top chefs like Gordon Ramsey, April Bloomfield, Andrew Carmelline, Mario Batali, and others have opened hotel restaurants.
Get your eatery on the list of the best hotel restaurants in your area!
Now that you’ve seen what makes some of the best restaurants in the country so special, you can use that information to transform your location. Whether you’re thinking of switching up the seating arrangements or adding fresh ingredients from local farms to your dishes, minor changes can go a long way.
However, not all hotels are built for full-service dining or have the added space needed for a restaurant. Up next, we guide you through the 21 most common types of hotels and review which accommodations tend to offer food and beverage service—and how much of it.
