Needham, Mass., October 14, 2015 – TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced its Travelers’ Choice™ awards for restaurants around the world, and is giving travelers a taste of the award winners with a collection of popular recipes from select restaurants.
This year’s awards honor 356 restaurants in total, including the top 25 in the world and dedicated lists for Asia, Canada, Europe, India, South America, South Pacific, the U.K. and the U.S. The awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for restaurants around the world, gathered over a 12-month period.
“We tapped the TripAdvisor community to help us serve up the top fine-dining restaurants around the globe because an exceptional dining experience can be the highlight of a trip or a special occasion,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “These elite dining establishments have earned the highest praise from travelers for their remarkable cuisine and commitment to service. As a special bonus, we have asked the chefs of these top-rated restaurants to share recipes with our community so that if you can’t dine at the restaurant anytime soon, you can travel with your taste buds and make some of their dishes at home.”
Top 10 Travelers’ Choice Restaurants in the U.S:
1. Bouley – New York City, New York
Located in an ambient TriBeca warehouse, this tastefully decorated establishment focuses on “transporting its guests to new and exciting culinary heights.” Diners are invited to experience the six course tasting menu that offers decadent creations including roasted foie gras, Maine lobster and Kobe beef. “A gastronomic delight! Not only is the food divine, but the service is impeccable and the atmosphere is so elegant. The sea urchin with caviar floating on a bed of lemon foam is a dish I will never forget,” commented a TripAdvisor reviewer.
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel1 nearby: Hotel East Houston – $285/night
2. Alinea – Chicago, Illinois
Founded in 2005 by Chef Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas, Alinea has a seasonally driven menu that boasts artfully created dishes ranging from Dungeness crab paired with squash blossom, cardamom and saffron, to trout roe with matsutake, apple and mustard. “There is no other place like Alinea. From the entrance to the ambiance, to the food theatre, it is a top-notch experience not to be missed,” raved a TripAdvisor reviewer.
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: The Willows – $198/night
3. Le Bernadin – New York City, New York
For nearly 30 years, Le Bernadin has impressed guests with culinary delights. Diners who opt for Chef Eric Ripert’s tasting menu will sample delicacies such as lacquered lobster tail and King Fish caviar, followed by marinated “golden blueberries” with sweet corn meringue. A TripAdvisor reviewer wrote, “Beautiful décor, luxurious place settings coupled with staff that dances across the dining room to make sure your experience is memorable. Every dish represents a feast for the eyes and an amazing textural experience for the palate.”
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: The GEM Hotel Hudson Yards, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member – $251/night
4. Uchi – Austin, Texas
In the heart of Austin, Texas travelers can enjoy multi-cultural combinations at Uchi, where Chef Tyson Cole applies his knowledge of Japanese traditions to his dishes. Eclectic parings include sea bass crudo prepared with orange oil, garlic and black pepper, as well as “Yokai Berry,” Atlantic salmon, dinosaur kale, Asian pear and yuzu. A TripAdvisor reviewer commented, “From the moment you walk in, you are transported to Japan. The atmosphere is clean and elegant, but cozy at the same time. My only complaint is that I didn't have room to eat more!”
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Best Western Plus Austin City Hotel – $154/night
5. Halls Chophouse – Charleston, South Carolina
Travelers visiting this superior steakhouse can choose from a variety of mouthwatering USDA prime beef such as filet mignon, Japanese Wagyu and dry-aged New York strip. Guests craving something from the sea have their choice of ahi tuna, Maine lobster or southern favorite shrimp and grits. A TripAdvisor reviewer noted, “The food, the service, the music: all exquisite. The best steak I've ever eaten; nothing compares. The snapper with crab meat was delectable.”
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Indigo Inn – $221/night
6. Victoria & Albert’s – Orlando, Florida
With its menu changing daily, Victoria and Albert’s promises innovative creations, unparalleled service and opulent décor. Guests can satisfy their taste buds with culinary masterpieces made with the freshest seasonal ingredients including Italian truffles, beef from Japan and fresh local oysters. “Fit for a king and queen. The food was exquisitely prepared, the beverage selection was off the charts—the service seamless. No detail was overlooked,” raved a TripAdvisor reviewer.
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Silver Lake Resort – $122/night
7. Canlis Restaurant – Seattle, Washington
Since 1950, Canlis has strived to “serve and celebrate Seattle” with its edible creations. Travelers have their choice of a three or four course meal or the seven course tasting menu that offers a sampling of bites including the “Baywater Sweet Oyster” and Wagyu beef. “One of the best meals I have ever had in a restaurant. From the ambiance to the view, the staff, and of course the food, I was so incredibly impressed,” commented a TripAdvisor reviewer.
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Ace Hotel – $134/night
8. Chez Panisse – Berkeley, California
Chez Panisse believes the best-tasting food is organically and locally grown, which is carefully reflected on its rotating menu of farm-to-table pairings. Guests will dine on irresistible fare such as succulent grass-fed beef and grilled spot prawns. Following the main courses, decadent treats like pear and huckleberry tart are served. “The service, the experience, the ambiance all make this one of the best culinary experiences you can have. Book well in advance, if you are ever in Berkeley. Do not leave without coming here at least once,” suggested a TripAdvisor reviewer.
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Berkeley City Club – $229/night
9. Daniel – New York City, New York
With famed Chef Daniel Boulud at the helm, this Upper East Side establishment provides a remarkable dining experience serving contemporary French cuisine paired with world-class wines. Travelers will feast on gourmet delights including smoked sablefish with heirloom tomato gazpacho and Hawaiian Kona abalone. A TripAdvisor reviewer commented, “The menu is perfectly balanced and the focus is on flavor and delivery rather than simply relying on the visual impact and complexity of the dishes. Each dish is a delight and the wine pairings are considered and intelligent.”
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Hotel Newton – $243/night
10. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse – Houston, Texas
Using only the finest ingredients, Pappas Bros. prepares everything from scratch to ensure bold flavor in every bite. Guests of this Texan steakhouse are invited to indulge in a bone-in prime New York strip, filet mignon and pan-seared sea bass cooked to perfection. “I have eaten there many times and have never had a bad experience. Consistency is their trademark! Starting with the bread right through to the dessert, you will be impressed!” raved a TripAdvisor reviewer.
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Hotel Indigo Houston at the Galleria – $192/night
Top 10 Travelers’ Choice Restaurants in the World:
1. Martin Berasategui – Lasarte, Spain
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Barcelo Costa Vasca – $117/night
2. Europea – Montreal, Canada
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: ALT Hotel Montreal Griffintown – $137/night
3. Maison Lameloise – Chagny, France
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: La Maison d'Olivier Leflaive – $215/night
4. Adam’s – Birmingham, England
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Premier Inn Birmingham City Centre (Waterloo Street) – $118/night
5. Restaurant Sat Bains – Nottingham, England
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: De Vere Venues East Midlands Conference Centre & Orchard Hotel – $139/night
6. Geranium – Copenhagen, Denmark
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Somandshjemmet Bethel – $129/night
7. PIC – Valence, France
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Hotel de France – $114/night
8. NARISAWA – Minato, Japan
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Hotel Grand Arc Hanzomon – $116/night
9. Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons – Great Milton, England
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: White Hart Hotel – $174/night
10. Epicure – Paris, France
Highly-rated TripAdvisor value hotel nearby: Hotel Darcet – $136/night
TripAdvisor gathered a collection of recipes from the kitchens of some of the Travelers’ Choice Restaurants to give travelers a taste of the award-winners before booking a reservation. To view and download the collection, go to:http://cdn.tripadvisor.com/pdfs/tc/Recipes2015TripAdvisorTravelersChoiceRestaurants.pdf
For the complete list of winners from the 2015 Travelers’ Choice Restaurants, as well as reviews and candid traveler photos, go to: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Restaurants.
Notes to editors:
1Highly-rated value hotels on TripAdvisor are located within ~five miles of the respective restaurants. Average nightly rates are based on TripAdvisor data for October 1, 2015 through September 1, 2016, aggregated from booking partners including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from millions of travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 375 million unique monthly visitors**, and more than 250 million reviews and opinions covering 5.2 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 45 countries worldwide.
TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 23 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com,www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com,www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl, www.besttables.com and www.dimmi.com.au),www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com,www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com,www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.viator.com, and www.virtualtourist.com.
*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, July 2015
**Source: TripAdvisor log files, average monthly unique users, Q2 2015
