4 days ago
Two Palm Beach County spots named 'Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in U.S.' by OpenTable, Kayak
Hotel restaurants are no longer just for weary travelers. They're the destination.
That's the message behind a new collaboration between OpenTable and Kayak, which produced a first-of-its-kind list of the Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America featuring two local standouts.
First up: Akira Back, a modern Japanese concept inside The Ray Hotel in Delray Beach. Influenced by celebrity chef Akira Back's Korean heritage, the eponymous restaurant draws locals and visitors alike with vibrant dishes, dramatic design and a multi-sensory dining experience.
'This award reflects our passion for pushing the boundaries of Japanese cuisine, paired with world-class hospitality and an unforgettable dining experience,' said Back via email.
Hotel restaurants are a Back signature: his name is on more than a dozen of them, including the Michelin-starred Dosa at London's Mandarin Oriental Mayfair.
, the stylish American bistro at Via Flagler by The Breakers, a few blocks from the resort, also scored a spot. Named after the resort's founder, Henry Morrison Flagler, the restaurant blends elevated comfort food with a touch of nostalgia in a setting that's both refined and welcoming.
The rankings draw from more than 10 million verified diner reviews, travel search data, and national surveys to spotlight where travelers are dining once they arrive.
Bragging rights in Florida
With 21 winners, Florida boasts more top hotel restaurants than any other state on this list, including 10 in Miami and Orlando. There are no numerical positions on this ranking; every winner is listed alphabetically.
Other Florida winners by city include:
Fort Lauderdale: Steak 954 at the W
Key West: Cafe Marquesa
Miami: Gianni's at the Former Versace Mansion, Il Mulino New York, Lido Restaurant at The Surf Club, Limonada Bar + Brunch, Palace, The Roof at Esmé
Naples: The Grill at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples (the beach resort)
Ocala: Stirrups at World Equestrian Center
Orlando: A Land Remembered at Rosen Shingle Creek, BACÁN, Bull & Bear Steakhouse, Capa and Ravello at Four Seasons Orlando, Epilogue, Knife & Spoon, Nami
Tampa: Lilac
Culinary tourism is trending
To uncover dining trends at U.S. hotel restaurants, OpenTable and Kayak analyzed over 10 million verified diner reviews, year-over-year travel search data and two national surveys of hotel diners.
The list is rooted in diner insights and travel behavior, and it reflects a growing trend: travelers are planning trips around what and where they want to eat.
According to OpenTable, 47% of Americans book a trip specifically to dine at a restaurant, and 38% have chosen a hotel because of its restaurant.
Kayak reports a 51% year-over-year increase in the use of its 'restaurant' hotel filter, which they say is a clear sign that food is becoming a deciding factor in travel planning.
Other survey findings:
73% of travelers say they'd return to a hotel because of a great on-site dining experience.
45% admit they post more about meals than monuments while traveling.
'Travelers aren't just asking, 'Where should I go?'' said Kate Williams, Kayak's chief communications officer. 'They're asking, 'What's on the menu when I get there?'
Of note, Booking Holdings is the parent company of both OpenTable and Kayak. Only restaurants using the platforms were considered.
If you go: Akira Back at The Ray Hotel
Address: 233 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach
Call: 561-739-1708
Web:
Hours: Daily 5 to 10 p.m.
If you go: Henry's Palm Beach at The Breakers
Address: 229 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach; Via Flagler by The Breakers (just a few blocks from the resort)
Call: 561-206-1896
Web:
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Daily brunch until 3 p.m.
Etc.: Complimentary shuttle from The Breakers available for resort guests.
Diana Biederman is The Palm Beach Post's new-ish food & restaurant writer. If you have any news tips about the local dining scene, please send them to dbiederman@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: OpenTable, Kayak name Palm Beach County hotel restaurants best in U.S.
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