Travel Global Tastemakers 10 Top US Hotels for Food and Drinks, According to the Experts Rural properties with on-site farms and activities are winning over culinary-driven travelers while a few city stays stand out. By Katie Chang Katie Chang Katie Chang is a Brooklyn-based writer who has covered travel, food, and culture for the past 15 years. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 2, 2024 Photo: Single Thread The best part of having easy access to quality food, drink, and accommodations under one roof is flexibility. At hotels with inviting cafes, restaurants, and bars, you don’t have to venture far for a memorable drink or meal. Among the second annual Global Tastemakers list of the best U.S. hotels for food and drink, you’ll find a nice balance of accommodations between metropolitan and more rural, scenic settings. California claimed some spots initially occupied by Las Vegas, while a luxurious, culinary-focused East Tennessee resort that’s adored by Americans and jet-setters from all over the world took the top spot. 18 Top International Hotels for Food and Drinks, According to the Experts 01 of 11 Winner: Blackberry Farm (Walland, Tennessee) Blackberry Farm This secluded countryside resort nested on 4,200 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains offers over-the-top experiences ranging from black Périgord truffle hunting with wooly Lagotto Romagnolo dogs to off-roading in a kitted-out Lexus GX to naturally, unforgettable dining that happens to be all-inclusive. Most ingredients are plucked fresh from Blackberry’s working farm, foraged, or sustainably sourced from area producers to align with the resort’s long-held belief that eating as close to the land as possible benefits us and our planet. 02 of 11 SingleThread Farms (Healdsburg, California) Single Thread At SingleThread, Kyle and Katina Connaughton draw heavily from their years in Hokkaido, Japan. The 10-course tasting menu is artfully served kaiseki-style in traditional cookware like donabe and highlights seasonal seafood and Japanese vegetables from SingleThread’s garden. Their practice of omotenashi, the art of mindful Japanese hospitality, ensures you’ll not only feel full afterward but deeply cared for. 03 of 11 Twin Farms (Barnard, Vermont) Twin Farms With nearly two dozen guest rooms and suites, eight treehouses set 20 feet off the ground, and over 300 forested acres, this all-inclusive haven in Vermont capitalizes on New England’s outdoor charms. The hotel hosts activities such as fly fishing, kayaking, and snowshoeing, perfect for experiencing the best of what the property has to offer. But it’s chef Nathan Rich’s hyper-local ethos — resort hives provide honey, while beef and pork are sourced within a 40-mile radius — that has regulars booking stays at Twin Farms year after year. 04 of 11 Ojai Valley Inn (Ojai, California) Ojai Valley Inn Since 1923, weary Californians have retreated to Ojai Valley Inn for its laid-back vibes and majestic natural beauty. But in recent years, the storied property has established itself as a culinary destination thanks to the work of Chef Andrew Foskey. At the signature restaurant Olivella, Foskey sends out elevated Italian classics with fresh California twists—all best paired with California wines, naturally. 05 of 11 Halekulani Hotel (Honolulu, Hawaii) Courtesy Halekulani The competition for luxury accommodations in Honolulu is stiff, but Halekulani shines above the rest for those who travel with eating well squarely in mind. Whether you’re treating yourself to exquisite French-Hawaiian fine dining at La Mer or extending the weekend vibes at Orchids’s famous Sunday brunch buffet, no meal is complete without a slice of Halekulani’s legendary and cloud-like coconut cake. 06 of 11 Montage (Healdsburg, California) Emma Morris Opened in 2021, Montage Healdsburg has quickly gained praise as one of Sonoma County’s best places to stay. Set on 258 rolling acres dotted with stately oaks and vineyards, this culinary- and wine-focused resort specializes in contemporary California cuisine with French flourishes. Don’t miss the five-course tasting menus crafted by chef de cuisine Sean Koenig or the family-style Sunday Suppers. 07 of 11 The Inn at Little Washington (Washington, Virginia) Inn at Little Washington Located in remote, rural Virginia, The Inn at Little Washington is something you may only get to experience once, if you’re very lucky. At this lavish, 23-room English-style hideaway, proprietor and self-taught chef Patrick O'Connell earned three Michelin stars for his extravagant French tasting menu sprinkled with whimsical touches like Faira, the rolling cow cheese cart. 08 of 11 Harbor House Inn (Mendocino, California) Matt Morris Hugging the rugged Pacific coastline, the historic Harbor House Inn boasts an exhilarating backdrop (picture tumbling turquoise waters and craggy rock islands) for executive chef Matthew Kammerer’s highly imaginative tasting menu showcasing the region’s naturally rich bounty while protecting the planet. To that end, Kammerer and his team regularly forage, reuse kitchen water for the garden, and upcycle fryer oil for candles. 09 of 11 Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm (Albuquerque, New Mexico) Los Poblanos Stretched across 25 acres of dreamy lavender fields, this intimate 45-room inn and working farm encourages guests to connect with the land in more than one way. For executive chef Christopher Bethoney, a tireless advocate of Rio Grande Valley Cuisine, this work is done at Campo. From an open kitchen, Bethoney prepares refreshingly unfussy plates composed of abundant and indigenous ingredients like heirloom corn. 10 of 11 Four Seasons Hotel (New Orleans) Four Seasons The 2021 opening of Four Seasons New Orleans made the Big Easy, which has long been a top dining destination, even more enticing. Two of the city’s most beloved chefs have set up shop here: Alon Shaya whips up refined versions of New Orleans classics at Miss River — the fried chicken is a fan favorite — while Donald Link’s Chemin à la Mer adds French flourishes to local dishes. 11 of 11 Plus One: Wynn Las Vegas Wynn This glamorous resort on the North end of the Strip is in a league of its own when it comes to fine dining. Eschewing the celebrity chef model adopted by its Las Vegas counterparts, the Wynn instead offers award-winning signature restaurants including SW Steakhouse, Mizumi — which welcomed new executive chef Jeff Ramsey earlier this year — Sinatra, and Wing Lei, the first Chinese restaurant in the country to earn a Michelin star. Global Tastemakers is a celebration of the best culinary destinations in the U.S. and abroad. We asked more than 180 food and travel journalists to vote on their favorites, including restaurants and bars, cities, hotels, airports, airlines, and cruises. We then entrusted those results to an expert panel of judges to determine each category’s winners. In many categories, we’ve included a Plus One, hand-selected by our expert panel, to shout out more culinary destinations we don’t want our readers to miss. See all the winners at foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit