New York City boasts one of the most robust restaurant scenes in the country, with options ranging from the pinnacle of fine-dining to $1-a-slice pizza. But it's not the be-all and end-all of great food — phenomenal restaurants can be found all across the US.
Business Insider recently released its annual list of the best restaurants in America, which featured numerous selections outside of New York. To compile the ranking, we combined six noteworthy lists composed by food critics, experts, and diners. You can read the full methodology here.
From exquisite Italian dishes in Boulder, Colorado, to modern Israeli cooking down in New Orleans, read on to discover 26 excellent restaurants outside of New York City.
SEE ALSO: Here's how we ranked the best restaurants in America
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26. Everest
Chef: J. Joho
Location: Chicago, Illinois
At Everest, which holds one Michelin star, guests can choose between the seven-course degustation menu, the seven-course vegetarian menu, or three- and four-course prix-fixe menus.
Each selection treats guests to elegant French dishes, like magret duck served with marinated turnips, or slow-braised wild sea bass accompanied by artichokes and leeks.
25. Trois Mec
Chef: Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo
Location: Los Angeles, California
At Trois Mec, a collaboration among chefs Ludo Lefebvre, John Shook, and Vinny Dotolo, guests get in with tickets instead of reservations.
You'll need to be a registered user on their website to try to snag a ticket, but once you do, you'll be treated to elegant dishes like Dungeness crab ceviche and beef tenderloin with smoked peanut butter.
24. Highlands Bar and Grill
Chef: Frank and Pardis Stitt
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Savory dishes and impeccable service have made Highlands Bar and Grill a favorite in Birmingham since it first opened its doors in 1982.
The iconic spot shifts its menu daily to incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients — think summers filled with okra soft-shell crab and winters of root vegetables and venison — that merge French techniques with Southern flavors.
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