Sometimes, it’s a single fantastic meal that stands out as the highlight of a trip. Like great hotels, great restaurants are essential to traveling well, and we take delight in reading about your most memorable dining experiences around the world. France and Italy, as you might expect, feature heavily on this list (as well as on our Editors’ Choice list of 2025 favorites), and Japan also makes a predictable appearance. But Harper members enjoyed fine repasts everywhere from Montana to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Restaurant Mirazur
Menton, France

“Restaurant Mirazur, the most outstanding meal of our life. Michelin three-star, exquisite presentation of food, delicious flavors and quality ingredients, nine courses, all themed in a floral motif. In addition, all courses were custom-prepared to accommodate food allergies. Truly an inspiration, and the entire experience was worth every penny.” — L. K.

The Ranch at Rock Creek
Philipsburg, Montana

“Every meal (including breakfast) at The Ranch at Rock Creek was a feast, but the special dinner with wine pairings, adjacent to the Granite Lodge, was truly extraordinary.” — W. S.

Roça São João dos Angolares
São Tomé and Príncipe

“In touring the lush tropical jungle of São Tomé, we were surprised when our van came to a halt at an old plantation high on a hill above the surf below. The main building housed a small hotel, an art gallery and a spacious restaurant owned by charming celebrity chef João Carlos Silva, who welcomed us warmly. Our group was there for the tasting menu. The dining room was on a covered veranda overlooking a verdant hillside bursting with colorful blooms. From the open kitchen, lovely staff delivered course after course of delectable dishes. All were a fine blend of Santomean and contemporary cuisine, and many featured ingredients from the plantation’s own garden. Throughout our sumptuous repast, delicious Portuguese wines were in abundant supply. Several hours later, as we very slowly made our way back to the van, local musicians and dancers regaled us in the grassy sculpture garden. Then, it was time for a nap!” — A. D.

Suján Jawai
Rajasthan, India

“The curries at Suján Jawai. Fantastic.” — J. M.

Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli
Lake Garda, Italy

“Dinner at Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli was one of our most memorable meals. Sitting in one of the most luxurious mansions overlooking Lake Garda is a dream evening. The staff, the food and the location are all at the highest level. The chef is inventive and talented, but the setting put the meal above all others. We dream of returning one day.” — L. S.

InRome Cooking Class
Rome, Italy

“The cooking class recommended by Andrew Harper was the best meal we had in Rome. Accompanied by our grandchildren, we made ravioli, cacio e pepe and tiramisu. We all agreed that we will never replicate that meal.” — M. K.

Sézanne
Tokyo, Japan

“The fusion of Japanese and French ingredients, with lovely Japanese-style service made Sézanne our favorite food experience this past year.” — K. J.

Eden Rock – St Barths
St. Jean Bay, St. Barths

“A custom surprise birthday dinner for my husband at Eden Rock – St Barths served on a private terrace overlooking the Caribbean Sea at sunset in December. A trail of candles led down the steps to an incredibly romantic setting for this very special evening.” — B. K.

Lucio
London, England

“The food is sublime. The owner, Lucio, interacts with all of the patrons. The ambience is romantic. Very small. If you know, you know!” — A. C.

Château Eza
Èze, France

“Château Eza, with spectacular views and superb food. A place we would love to visit again.” — W. S. and S. S.

The French Laundry
Yountville, California

“Dinner at the French Laundry. We only secured the reservation when another guest at Meadowood canceled. The food was sublime, the service excellent and the evening a wonderful bit of serendipity.” — B. R.

Alinea
Chicago, Illinois

“I was not on vacation, but [this is] candidly one of the best restaurants in the USA.” — B. J.

Ballymaloe House Hotel
County Cork, Ireland

“Dinner at the Ballymaloe House Hotel was outstanding. The setting was stunning, the hospitality warm and the food outstanding.” — A. C.

Bar Vendôme
Paris, France

“Oysters, cheeseburgers, good wine and a delicious dessert at Bar Vendôme at the Ritz Paris. We were having a great time, and the staff was so attentive and seemed to enjoy that we were having such a good time.” — B. S.

Château Saint-Martin & Spa
Vence, France

“Grilled loup de mer with sauce mousseline, potato purée and grilled vegetables at the Château Saint-Martin & Spa.” — A. M.

Shima
Tokyo, Japan

“The Japanese sirloin steak at Shima restaurant in the Ginza area of Tokyo.” — M. H.

Ristorante Quadri
Venice, Italy

“Sixteen courses and looked forward to more.” — T. B.