From al fresco dining on private islands to acclaimed establishments perched along oceanside cliffs, we've rounded up 10 of America's very best restaurants for a special honeymoon meal.
We admit that these spots might make it a bit challenging to stay on your honeymoon budget, but we guarantee they'll be one-of-a-kind dining experiences you'll remember forever.
Situated on Maui's gorgeous North Shore, this world-famous restaurant is a must-visit destination for newlyweds. On top of amazing ambiance (thanks in part to authentic Polynesian decor) and extraordinary views (the restaurant is located right on the beach), couples will also be enthralled by the selection of fresh Hawaiian fish brought in daily by the restaurant's fishermen. All in all, this is one superb dining experience honeymooners won't want to miss.
Newlyweds visiting Honolulu and the Waikiki area won't want to miss this award-winning restaurant located at Halekulani Hotel. Named most romantic restaurant by Hawaii Magazine, La Mer stands out thanks to five-star service, exceptional views of the Pacific Ocean and Waikiki coastline, and chef Alexandre Trancher's unique French-inspired menu highlighted by tropical flavors and local ingredients.
Before your meal, snag a table at the hotel's iconic gathering spot - House Without a Key. This famous indoor/outdoor restaurant is known for its fantastic cocktails, traditional Hawaiian music and dancing, and wonderful sunset views.
The ambiance at the Peninsula Grill is incredibly hard to match. The renowned restaurant is situated in the heart of Charleston's historic district and hidden within a verdant garden filled with flickering lanterns, bubbling fountains, and Palmetto trees.
It checks every box for a special honeymoon meal; an intimate setting, spectacular cuisine (featuring seafood, steaks, and seasonal specialties), terrific service, and mouth-watering dessert options. Save room for their signature 12-layer coconut cake, which has been praised by everyone from Food & Wine Magazine to The New York Times.
It's plain to see why a meal at Latitudes is no ordinary experience. First, the restaurant's private island location means that honeymooners will need to take a boat just to get there. On top of that, Latitudes offers up out-of-this-world island cuisine and unbeatable views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Couples can choose between dining in the Ernest Hemingway Room, featuring an assortment of photos of Key West residents and authors, or al fresco on the terrace where tiki torches, swaying palm trees, and pleasant Gulf breezes all combine for a super romantic atmosphere.
Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime meal while honeymooning in Las Vegas? Look no further than chef extraordinaire Joel Robuchon's fine dining restaurant at the MGM Grand.
From the Traveler's Joy Las Vegas Honeymoon Destination Guide: "The 16-course tasting menu at this classic French restaurant within the MGM Grand is the stuff of culinary legends. We won't call the food fussy, but it is fancy: Robouchon is famous for plating so artful, you'd think that serving of osetra caviar in a crustacean gelée should be hanging in a gallery somewhere in Europe. Culinary-minded couples will find a transcendent (notably pricey) experience amid these Pierre-Yves Rochon-designed walls."
Post Ranch Inn's fine dining restaurant is widely celebrated as one of America's most romantic and innovative dining spots. Nestled along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the restaurant offers both indoor dining in its lovely dining room or outdoors on the patio. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow for unobstructed views of the ocean.
Couples will love chef Reylon Agustin's four-course, prix fixe dinner menu, which changes every day. Recent highlights include delightful options like handmade tortellini, dry-aged duck, and chai poached pear.
In a city filled with first-rate dining spots with a view, The River Cafe ranks at the top of our list. Set along the East River and directly under the Brooklyn Bridge, this iconic restaurant offers romantic ambiance and breathtaking views of lower Manhattan.
On top of the jaw-dropping views, it's easy to see why this acclaimed dining spot has been open since 1977. The restaurant boasts outstanding classic American cuisine, one of the best wine lists in the world, and an ultra-romantic atmosphere. All in all, it's a true culinary destination that Big Apple honeymooners should put at the top of their dining list.
It's no secret that Northern California's wine country has a long list of award-winning "destination" dining establishments, but Auberge du Soleil's signature fine dining restaurant ranks highest with us for a special meal.
For starters, The Restaurant, winner of 14 consecutive Michelin Star awards, is located along a sun-drenched hillside overlooking beautiful vineyards and undulating mountains in the distance. While savoring the amazing panoramic views, couples will be treated to a Mediterranean-inspired menu that is dialed into fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.
The Dancing Bear is a must-visit spot for East Coast road-trippers and couples visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Newlyweds will find a wonderful farm-to-table dining experience set amidst a peaceful woods setting.
From North Carolina Rainbow Trout and Grits to Beet & Wild Mushroom Risotto, the ever-changing dishes are regionally inspired and sourced from local purveyors (and many produce items are even grown on the 38-acre property). Visiting during warm-weather months? Be sure to reserve a table on their patio for a memorable al fresco dining experience.
By combining independent films with excellent California-Mediterranean cooking in a unique courtyard setting, Foreign Cinema exudes romance. While enjoying flavorful dishes like Hawaiian Mahi Mahi and Exotic Spiced Duck Breast with Huckleberries, newlyweds can watch classic movies like "All That Jazz" and "The Devil Wears Prada", which are projected on the patio wall. Quite simply, it's super romantic, distinctive, and absolutely one of a kind.
In case you missed it: