SAN FRANCISCO - Those in search of awe-inspiring views during their travels this summer need not limit themselves to trails, lookout points, or observation decks, as OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations and part of The Priceline Group, unveiled the . These awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 10 million restaurant reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners for more than 25,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Celebrated for their stunning vistas, both rural and urban, and sublime settings, forty restaurants return to the list from 2016, while the remaining 60 make their 2017 debut, among them Joseph's by the Sea in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
While California once again reigns supreme with the most winning restaurants (13), and North Carolina in second place with six, accolades were more evenly distributed this year among the remaining featured states. Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin each receive five honorees apiece, while Colorado, New Jersey, and Texas each have four. Spanning east to west, from New York to Alaska, and north to south, from Vermont to Georgia, 24 additional states are also represented.
"A meal becomes a moment when it transcends the ordinary and becomes a true feast for all senses," said Caroline Potter, OpenTable Chief Dining Officer. "This year's winning restaurants deliver on taste and sight in spades, offering delectable menus and breathtaking surroundings for the ultimate dining experience. They are also a great way for both locals and travelers to immerse themselves in a destination and relish in some of the best views the area has to offer."
Those in search of American fare with a side of splendor can pick from more than 40 restaurants on the list, while seafood and steak lovers will delight in more than a dozen options, each, across several states. The complete list represents a diverse mix of menus for all palates, including Asian, French, Italian, Latin American, among other top cuisines.
The 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America list is generated from more than 10 million restaurant reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners between July 1, 2016, and May 31, 2017. All restaurants with a minimum "overall" score and number of qualifying reviews were included for consideration. Qualifying restaurants were then scored and sorted according to the percentage of qualifying reviews for which "scenic views" was selected as a special feature.
