Voted: here are the best 25 restaurants in America (and it's not even close)

Delmonico's Steak House in downtown New York City. Nobu Japanese and sushi house in Malibu, Calif. Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C. NAOE in Miami. Cipriani basically anywhere. 

All of these restaurants are world-renowned, and incredibly exclusive. Many have days or even weeks-long waiting lists, serve pricey and original fare, and boast some of the most loyal and discerning clientele, from U.S. presidents to A-list celebrities. 

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Aside from their exclusivity, each of these restaurants have something else in common. None of them are on TripAdvisor's Best of the Best Restaurants for 2023. 

It's true that life is a little more expensive this year -- especially when it comes to dining. The most recent Consumer Price Index for August 2023 shows that food is 0.2% more expensive than it was in August 2022, with food away from home 0.3% more expensive. Services also rose 0.4% compared to the year ago period.

But even though prices are up, a surge in revenge travel and record spending on experiences like leisure, concerts, travel and dining reveal that Americans aren't going to let the economy put a damper on the mood. They're still eating out, traveling far and wide, and reviewing some of the top restaurants they've visited over the past twelve months. 

The top 25 restaurants of 2023 revealed 

Every year, TripAdvisor (TRIP) -) releases a list of the best-ranked and beloved restaurants based on reviews, quality, trust, and customer satisfaction. Approximately 25 restaurants make the cut in each category, which includes Best Casual Restaurants, Best Fine Dining Restaurants, Best Date Night Restaurants, Best Family Friendly Restaurants, Best Hidden Gem Restaurants, Best Quick Bite Restaurants, and Best Vegetarian Restaurants. 

"We award Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best to restaurants with a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from our community over a 12-month period," TripAdvisor writes of its 2023 awarees. "Each winner has passed our rigorous trust and safety standards. Fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor’s 8 million listings are awarded Best of the Best, signifying the highest level of excellence in travel."

Here are the Top 25 Best Everyday Eats spots, according to TripAdvisor: 

1. Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille - St. Pete Pier, Fla.
2. Local Goat - New American Restaurant - Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
3. Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House - Marathon, Fla.
4. Ristorante Pesto - Philadelphia
5. Moose - AKa's, Denali, Alaska
6. Gambino's - Fairhope, Ala.
7. Golden Goose American Grill - Sedona, Ariz.
8. The Republic Grille - Magnolia, Texas
9. Jettie Rae's Oyster House - Asheville, N.C.
10. Oceana Coastal Kitchen - San Diego
11. Florida's Fresh Grill - Cocoa Beach, Fla.
12. Hook & Barrel - Myrtle Beach, S.C.
13. FIREBREW Bar & Grill - Virginia Beach, Va.
14. Acme Lowcountry Kitchen - Isle of Palms, S.C.
15. Marblehead Chowder House - Easton, Pa.
16. Georgie's - Newport, Ore.
17. Charlie's Bar & Kitchen - Lake George, N.Y.
18. The Hunt Room - Virginia Beach, Va.
19. Sweet Smoke BBQ - Westside, Jefferson City, Mo.
20. Daddy Joe's Beach House Bbq & Grill - Gaffney, S.C.
21. Riverfront Seafood Company - Kingsport, Tenn.
22. Mersea Restaurant & Bar - San Francisco
23. Via Emilia - Mystic, Conn.
24. The Chippewa Room - Cheboygan, Mich.
25. Jazz Bistro On 4th - Fairbanks, Alaska

At the St. Pete Pier, you can enjoy your favorite foods with a side of scenic views.🍴✨ We invite you to exPIERience these outdoor dining options during your next visit. 👇

🍽 Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
🍽 Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro
🍽 Spa Beach Bistro
🍽 Pier Teaki pic.twitter.com/EqV6Hs6AEw

— St. Pete Pier™ (@StPetePier) April 21, 2023

To see the other best rankings, including Best Fine Dining Restaurants, Best Date Night Restaurants, Best Family Friendly Restaurants, Best Hidden Gem Restaurants, Best Quick Bite Restaurants, and Best Vegetarian Restaurants, visit TripAdvisor here.