Best Places to Eat in 2019, Ranked

These 19 new restaurants and bars are the best of the best.

Time's Greatest Places to Eat and Drink, Ranked

When Time magazine revealed its 100 Greatest Places in the world, 19 dining and drinking establishments made the cut. These are places editors, writers and industry experts have called out as being the best of the best, and many of them are brand-new. (One just opened in June!)

We decided to see what real people had to say, as well. So using TripAdvisor as our guide, we've put Time's 19 Greatest Places to Eat and Drink in order, from great to greatest.

From an American soul-food restaurant to a Cambodian street-food favorite, from an underwater restaurant to a charitable grilled-cheese shop, these places wow all who enter.

19. Indigo — Houston, Texas

This 13-seat "neo-soul" fine-dining restaurant with a tasting menu opened in 2018 under Chef Jonny Rhodes. A Black chef, Rhodes is aiming to shake up the culture of fine dining, proving soul food can be more than comfort fare.

TripAdvisor rating: 4 (out of 5)

What people are saying: "The entire experience was lovely. Chef Johnny Rhodes provided wonderful anecdotes and relevant historical points as related tot he dishes. He was sure to spend time with each of the diners, which was appreciated. The staff were superb, only surpassed by the quality of the pescatarian menu." (aaronsC4242QZ)

18. La Fuerza — Buenos Aires, Argentina

An entire bar centered around vermouth — in red and white varieties — La Fuerza is a hipster's cocktail-bar dream come true. The new establishment in the Chacarita neighborhood opened in 2018, pairing its signature drink with small bites like chickpea flatbread and Spanish omelette.

TripAdvisor rating: 4

What people are saying: "Really enjoyed the concept of the vermouth. The flowing taps make it very aesthetic to see. Good quality vermouth one can pack and take back. The food is excellent and so are the cocktails." (skydive4)

17. Masa — Bogota, Colombia

The only pastry shop to land on Time's list didn't just make the cut on account of its insanely delicious breads and goodies. It's also renowned for its artfully designed space featuring triangular-cutout walls and windows, a light and airy communal dining set-up, and a hidden outdoor patio surrounded by plants.

The new restaurant opened early in 2019 and has been making waves since.

TripAdvisor rating: 4

What people are saying: "The pastries are flavourful and flakey! We staying in Bogotá for three nights and stopped by each morning! The service is a bit staggered but the food definitely makes up for it." (Raecine S)

16. BARN by Biota — New South Wales, Australia

For Australians, Biota has long been known for its gastronomic tasting menus. But the restaurant took things to the next level in 2019 when it added barn dining to its offerings, settling on a 100-acre farm to serve a feast of 10 to 15 dishes to a communal table of 60.

Guests eat the dishes family-style, allowing elegant dining to be a shared experience.

TripAdvisor rating: 4

What people are saying: "Biota Dining is a great Restaurant. The food is amazing. A fresh take on standard dishes. All dishes had a twist. The Kangaroo Jaffle was excellent. Sounds easy but it was just great. All the other dishes were excellent, too." (Traveller_from_Syd)

15. Borago — Santiago, Chile

Borago is now considered one of the best Latin American restaurants in the world, but it was far from an overnight sensation. After it opened in 2006, Chef Rodolfo Guzman initially struggled to make the restaurant known.

Flash forward more than a decade, and Guzman's unique menu featuring Chile's naturally growing ingredients is a hit — not just for the flavors, but also for the artistic presentation.

TripAdvisor rating: 4

What people are saying: "Let’s keep this simple, this is the best restaurant in Santiago and delivers an incredibly memorable dining experience. Don’t be put off by the location, it’s worth the trip and the staff will arrange a taxi or Uber to take you home if you like. I wish I could give this place 6 stars, was the best experience my entire trip!" (jwb1011)

14. Nyum Bai — Oakland, California

In 2008, the Fruitvale neighborhood welcomed Cambodian street food to its ranks with the debut of this beloved restaurant, whose name literally translates to "let's eat!"

Here, James Beard-nominated chef Nite Yun serves up Phnom Penh dishes like pea tendrils and stir-fried noodles — along with local brews — to great acclaim.

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

What people are saying: "Wonderful noodle soups and rice plates with a great selection of draft beers. Go early or be prepared to wait as it is popular." (85randyw)

13. Masala y Maiz — Mexico City

Using an ever-changing seasonal menu and sourcing local produce, meats and cheeses, Masala y Maiz considers itself a research-based test kitchen.

Chef Norman Listman grew up in Mexico while Chef Saqib Keval was raised by an Indian family (by way of Africa) in California. Yet the culinary greats discovered their family recipes were remarkably similar, leading them to design a menu emphasizing the historic connections between foods from Mexico, India and East Africa.

The combination isn't called fusion, but mestizaje, meaning "mixed generational food."

TripAdvisor rating: 4.5

What people are saying: "The restaurant is a gem in a quiet neighborhood. The cuisine is a happy marriage between Indian and Mexican. Innovative menu and cool decor. Attentive staff and excellent food and wine. If you’re in Mexico City, this is a must-try." (TA6888)

12. Pizzeria Beddia — Philadelphia

This pizza joint arose out of a serious problem.

For years, Philly loved the pizzas created by Joe Beddia. They loved his grit and how the original location was a hole-in-the-wall dump with long lines of people clamoring to get at his dough. But Beddia couldn't keep up with the demand, so he closed his shop and opened this full-size restaurant instead.

Is Philly happy to taste his delectable pizza again? Yes. But we must admit the establishment's new gigs are lacking in true Philadelphia spirit.

Americans really love their pizza, so it's a bold move to put a pizza place on the list of Greatest Places. Is this one really the best? You be the judge.

TripAdvisor rating: 4.5

What people are saying: "Worth the wait, worth jumping through hoops, worth the money. Great, if not the best pizza." (Pirate828)

11. Under — Lindesnes, Norway

This restaurant located 18 feet below the sea, with windows to watch the wildlife swim by, is definitely a place to check out when dining around the world.

The semi-submerged establishment (part of it is above ground so you can get into it) isn't only about its location gimmick, though; the menu is filled with sustainable fish-based dishes that delight.

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

What people are saying: "The interior is just spectacular, with a very special light from the large window towards the sea and a lot of small fish swimming outside. In the bar some stairs up, there is a window showing both under and over sea level. While we were standing there a duck suddenly passes by close to the window! The evening meal was 18 dishes, mainly created from local area, most of them from the sea." (Nordkvinnen)

10. Benne on Eagle — Asheville, North Carolina

Another soul-food restaurant to make the list is led by Asheville's James Beard-nominated chef John Fleer — a white man cooking soul food in a hotel restaurant in a historically Black neighborhood.

With the help of a diverse team, including chef de cuisine Ashleigh Shanti, the restaurant manages to nail Appalachia menus while paying, as Fleer puts it, "homage to the African-American culinary traditions of our region."

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

What people are saying: "We loved Benne on Eagle for its food, setting and space, and for its diversity, which was rare in Asheville. The food is modern takes on southern soul food and is excellent." (WanderingOne)

9. Lime Out — St. John Island, U.S. Virgin Islands

It's a floating restaurant with bar stools attached so diners can sit in the warm Caribbean Sea while noshing under the sun. What's not to love about this must-visit restaurant?

Even cooler? It's powered by the sun and you can relax on your own float or pull up on a boat for dining right off of St. John Island.

The menu features tacos and drinks only, which is really all you need.

TripAdvisor rating: 4.5

What people are saying: "Hard to say anything bad about a floating swim up bar in the Caribbean! You rent a kayak from Hansen Beach and head out and have delicious craft cocktails while soaking in the water. A lot of thought went into the design of the 'barstools,' that leave you half-submerged in the water! We can't wait to return." (sieberjm4)

8. 80/20 — Bangkok

80/20 closed down for an overhaul, reopening in 2019 to much fanfare. Chef Napol Jantraget (just call him Joe) and his wife, pastry chef Saki Hoshino, originally served food that was 80 percent from Thailand, and 20 percent from elsewhere around the world. (Hence the name.)

But now, with a new look, the chefs have dedicated 100 percent of the menu to Thai-grown foods, which you can sample during a 9-course dinner.

When your country is known for some of the best food on the planet, why bother with anything else?

TripAdvisor rating: 4.5

What people are saying: "A great experience dining here. The menu showcases some of the most interesting flavors the Thai kitchen has to offer. The head chef is very much into fermentation and it shows in the food. It is all very good. If you get the chance, be sure to check out the fermentation chamber." (FrederickSebastian)

7. Wolfgat — Paternoster, South Africa

There is only room for 20 in this intimate restaurant, which also requires a two-hour drive from Cape Town. But Chef Kobus van der Merwe built it, and they came...in droves.

Accolades, too, have been plentiful for this intimate and remote establishment. Wolfgat, which opened in 2016, was even named Restaurant of the Year 2019 in the World Restaurant Awards.

The restaurant is located on van der Merwe's 130-year-old family farm, where he can source many ingredients for his 7-course dinner experiences.

TripAdvisor rating: 4.5

What people are saying: "Kobus is an incredibly talented chef and he has curated an experience at Wolfgat that is honest and authentic, sophisticated, yet unpretentious and totally unique. Every course was a work of art, interesting, beautiful to look at and utterly delicious. The 7-course menu is built around seafood. (You see, smell, hear and taste the sea when you dine here.)" (JanievdS)

6. Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel — Singapore

It was at the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore where the famed Singapore Sling cocktail was created in 1913.

Renowned for being a rowdy place with peanut shells covering the floor, Long Bar got a full restoration and reopened in 2018. But don't worry, the peanuts and Slings are still being served, just in a slightly more refined space.

TripAdvisor rating: 4.5

What people are saying: "Everyone says a visit to Raffles Singapore is a must do to enjoy a Singapore Sling. Our visit did not disappoint the refurbished long bar and hotel are spectacular. Of course the drinks were delicious. A must do for any traveller. We did not wait long to be seated or to receive our drinks." (Sarah R)

5. CO Cellars — Burlington, Vermont

We know what you're thinking: a wine-tasting spot in upstate Vermont? Hmm. Yet the wild-fermented, Vermont-grown grapes have created wines so tasty, people — and Time — swear by it.

With a locale near apple orchards, you'll also find ciders at this standout location.

Google rating: 5

What people are saying: "Amazing libations. This place is one of the best in VT. Very unique, top notch quality. Definitely a taste of VT. Should be on everyone's short list!!" (Stafano Coppola)

4. Kumiko — Chicago

The name should give away what this hotspot is becoming famous for: Japanese-influenced cocktails.

The 1,700-square-foot space cannot hold more than 30 people at a given time, which is quickly becoming a problem as everyone is rushing to sample the omakase-style cocktail menu. It runs $130 for a sampling of five drinks paired with small bites, and is worth every penny.

TripAdvisor rating: 5

What people are saying: "Kumiko is a welcome addition to the Fulton Market/West Loop area of Chicago. The cocktails are exquisite as are the do-it-yourself style omakase bites. They even have an awesome selection of alcohol free "mock-tails" that are perhaps even more inventive than the actual cocktails!" (MattD966)

3. All Square — Minneapolis

It's rare to find a person who doesn't love grilled cheese — but it's not just the easy-to-adore sandwiches that make this restaurant a standout.

All Square employs people with a criminal record in an effort to help them work and live in a society that is often quick to judge. A non-profit restaurant, All Square takes donations and works to make sure those "who have paid their debts to society are all square."

We hear calories don't count when you are eating to help others.

TripAdvisor rating: 5

What people are saying: "Lovely restaurant tucked away in a Minneapolis neighborhood with some of the best grilled cheese options this side of the Mississippi. But there’s more. The cause, the people, and the community make this a very, very special place. Don’t miss it." (Pulsinator7)

2. Hiakai — Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand's indigenous Maori people make some of the best cuisine in the world. Don't believe us? Try inventive dishes rooted in the traditional culture — like kamara gnocchi and fried fish collars — at this stylish city restaurant.

Bringing Kiwi food to the culinary stage, native Chef Monique Fiso is using locally sourced, hard-to-find ingredients that aren't always available to patrons of the often-packed restaurant.

TripAdvisor rating: 5

What people are saying: "This is an experience, a journey through our land's amazing offerings. Prepared at the highest level with amazing combinations and flavors, and delivered to the table with a narrator for the journey, imparting amazing tidbits of information and history of the food in front of you." (Mallyzone)

1. Macallan Distillery — Craigellachie, Scotland

Macallan is the producer of some of the world's best aged single-malt scotch; people have paid more than a million dollars for a "vintage" bottle. And the company's new home very much reflects the worth of its goods.

Just opened in June 2019, this distillery is a design masterpiece, camouflaged into the rolling hills of Scotland with an undulating roof covered in grass and wildflowers. Inside, visitors tour a collection of 398 bottles from Macallan's history — not to mention 840 bottles placed along a glass wall near the entrance.

Sampling the spirits that Scotland does best is, quite simply, a must-do.

TripAdvisor rating: 5

What people are saying: "A distillery experience like no other, the new facility is incredible. Our guide was very knowledgable and gave great insight into what makes the Macallan the Macallan. As the facility is so new it differs a lot from a traditional distillery layout, and producing 15 million litres a year; bigger than most too. An excellent tour not to be missed." (neilc143)