Six California Hotel Restaurants Land on OpenTable’s 2026 Top 100 List

When you think about a vacation these days, the restaurant on the hotel’s lobby menu often ends up being the real reason you book the room. OpenTable’s 2026 Top 100 Hotel Restaurants list proves that point, and six spots in the Golden State have earned a coveted spot.

The data behind the list is massive—more than 10 million verified reviews collected between May 2025 and April 2026. Those reviews boiled down to a few key takeaways: 61 percent of Americans say they’ve picked a destination because of its food scene, and 60 percent have booked a hotel specifically for its restaurant. Even more telling, hotel‑dining reservations jumped 13 percent year over year, and a whopping 92 percent of diners admit they’ve eaten at a hotel restaurant without ever staying there.

“Restaurants aren’t just an itinerary line item anymore, they’re the anchor,” says Matt Davis, OpenTable’s head of North America Hotels. “This year’s Top 100 list spotlights the hotel hotspots worth traveling for.”

Here’s the California lineup, each offering a very different flavor of the state:

Gemma at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – Los Angeles
Perched on a rooftop, Gemma serves modern Pan‑Asian dishes with sweeping views of the city. Expect dim sum, sushi, seafood, wok‑style plates and, for the indulgent, Japanese Wagyu steaks.

SingleThread Restaurant & Inn – Healdsburg
Located in downtown Healdsburg, this 55‑seat fine‑dining venue sits above a small inn. Chef Kyle Connaughton and farmer Katina Connaughton draw on their 24‑acre Dry Creek Valley farm for a 10‑course tasting menu that has earned three Michelin stars and a Green Star for sustainability.

Sky Room – Long Beach
Atop the Fairmont Breakers, the Sky Room offers elegant American and seafood fare with panoramic harbor views. It’s a place where a cocktail at sunset feels almost cinematic.

Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort – Laguna Beach
This ocean‑front spot leans into contemporary coastal cuisine, using fresh, local ingredients. Seasonal seafood, prime steaks, and a well‑curated wine list keep guests coming back for more than just the beach.

The girl & the fig – Sonoma
Nearly three decades old, this Sonoma staple presents rustic, Provençal‑inspired dishes built around garden vegetables, herbs, and other local produce. It’s casual, it’s cozy, and it feels like a warm hug after a day of wine tasting.

The Pony Room – Rancho Santa Fe
Set within the Rancho Valencia Resort, The Pony Room serves American‑inspired comfort food with a seasonal twist. Its extensive agave‑spirit selection, lively wine program, handcrafted cocktails, and nightly live music make it a favorite for both locals and visitors.

All six restaurants met a rigorous threshold of diner reviews and five‑star ratings to qualify for the list, underscoring that these aren’t flash‑in‑the‑pan pop‑ups—they’re destinations that consistently deliver great food, atmosphere, and service.

Whether you’re a seasoned food‑ie or just looking for an excuse to explore a new part of California, the OpenTable rankings suggest a simple plan: let the hotel restaurant guide your next getaway.