If you travel, you no doubt have stayed in a hotel, but you may or may not have taken the time to enjoy a scrumptious meal within walking distance, literally, of your room.
To that end, the Daily Meal, based in New York City, an “all things food and drink” in-depth resource that offers a fresh take on dining news and trends by giving readers “the best food and drink experiences at all levels, around the table, at home or on the road,” has recently released their highly anticipated list of the “101 Best Hotel Restaurants Around the World.” And boy, are there some goodies!
To compile the list, they said they “did not discriminate on location; no island, nation or province was off the table,” and their globetrotting list spans six continents, over 40 countries and nations and more than 80 cities.
The great thing is that although some of these cities may not be in your upcoming leisure travel plans, a great many of us travel for business, so there is ample opportunity to lodge and dine at some of these wonderful places. So get your knives and forks and any hotel points you’ve got on hand, and let’s go!
The Caribbean and Mexico
Right about now I could use a little “island time,” so let’s start in the Caribbean. In the West Indies, they’ve chosen two: Le Reserve at La Samanna in St. Martin and the Tamarind Tree at Curtin Bluff in Antigua.
The British Virgin Islands made the list with the Tradewinds at Peter Island Resort & Spa, and in Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia, they named Jade Cuisine at Jade Mountain.
While in Mexico, the La Marea Restaurant at Viceroy Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, and Caesar’s Restaurant at Hotel Caesar’s in Tijuana–yes, Tijuana!–made the list.
USA
Right here at home, there is a bevy to choose from, from coast to coast. In New York City, there’s the NoMad at the NoMad, Jean Georges at Trump International Hotel & Tower and Adour at the St. Regis Hotel.
In Washington, D.C., try CityZen at the Mandarin Oriental and Blue Duck Tavern at Park Hyatt.
Time for Vegas, baby! While in town enjoy a meal at Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesar’s Palace, e by Jose Andres at The Cosmopolitan, Michael Mina at the Bellagio or Joel Robuchon Restaurant at the MGM Grand.
Surprisingly, only one each made the list in L.A., the Bazaar by Jose Andres at the SLS Hotel; San Francisco at MASA’s at the Executive Hotel Vintage Court; and Chicago at NoMI at Park Hyatt. Nevertheless, Florida received two mentions for the Hakkasan at Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach and Cafe Boulud at the Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club in Palm Beach.
Canada
North of our borders there are several sure to tempt your taste buds, such as One Restaurant at the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto, the Mount Burgess Dining Room at Emerald Lake Lodge in British Columbia, gaZette at Le Westin in Montreal, Tiara at Queen’s Landing in Ontario and Hawksworth Restaurant at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver.
Western Europe
Paris topped the list of cities with five, the most nods: Le Comptoir at Htel Relais Saint Germain, Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee at Plaza Athenee Hotel, Restaurant Le Meurice at Le Meurice Hotel, Epicure at Le Bristol and Le Cinq at the Four Seasons Hotel George V.
Elsewhere in Europe, they’ve tapped Italy with Restaurant Terrazza Danieli at Hotel Danieli in Venice, Loggia Restaurant at Villa San Michele in Florence and La Pergola at Rome Cavalieri in Rome. Spain is represented as well in Madrid at the Santceloni at Hotel Hesperia, in Figueres at the El Motel Restaurant at Hotel Empord and in Barcelona at the Moo Restaurant at Hotel Omm.
Africa
Several restaurants in Africa made the list, including at La Marocain at La Mamounia in Marrakech and Morjana at Mazagan Beach Resort in Casablanca in Morocco. Other listings include the Livingstone Room at Victoria Falls Hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Signal Restaurant at Cape Grace in Cape Town, Tatu Restaurant at the Fairmont Norfolk in Nairobi, Kenya, and Sabaya at Cairo Semiramis in Cairo, Egypt.
Asia
Beijing came in strong as well, with Cames Portuguese Restaurant at Legendale Hotel, Morio J-Cuisine at Hotel G, Bei at the Opposite House and Huang Ting at the Peninsula Hotel.
Australia
The Altitude at Shangri-La Hotel and the Garden Court Restaurant at Sofitel Hotel Sydney Wentworth, both in Sydney, the Fontaine at Hayma Island Resort in the Great Barrier Reef and Mesh Restaurant at Crown Promenade Hotel in Melbourne represented Australia.
This is just a little teaser of all the fantastic restaurant and hotels on the list. If you are a foodie like me, you might just plan a trip based on where to get a fantastic meal!