15 Restaurants That Cook The Food Right In Front Of You

There's something so mesmerizing about observing a master of his craft, whether it's a bartender pulling off circus-worthy tricks with spirits ablaze or a top chef preparing an intricate dish with surgical precision. It was in the early 1980s, however, that chefs finally stepped out of the shadows of fine dining. Until then, the art of cooking was largely kept behind the doors that only waiters could open.

In 1982, Wolfgang Puck's legendary Spago opened its kitchen and offered the diner more than a meal. It inspired a new breed of restaurants that brought us back to the roots of original cooking, with modern gas burners replacing the fire pits, where guests would gather around with anticipation.

Today, open kitchens represent our genuine curiosity with popular cooking shows and food channels on social media. It creates an unspoken narrative told through the mingling aromas and the sound of the sizzling heat. It gives an air of authenticity and rawness that make you feel more connected to the food on your plate. So the next time you feel like having an intimate date with your chef, these restaurants will let you experience the action firsthand.

At Michelin-starred State Bird Provisions in San Francisco, you can savor Californian cuisine in a very authentic way. The restaurant celebrates small plates, each a masterpiece of seasonal ingredients and the chef's creativity. Once inside, you will feel instantly relaxed, greeted by warm but not overly formal service.

The open kitchen is the soul of the State Bird Provisions, where sitting really close to all the action, you can observe the chefs showing their best skills. It's a rare opportunity to see your food come to life and connect with the talented minds behind it, all while casually chatting with other guests at the intimate bar.

The food at State Bird Provisions is a real feast for the senses, constantly evolving to showcase the freshest produce. The restaurant's signature dish, the CA State Bird with Provisions, features fried quail with various sauces and toppings — a must-try for its crispy skin, succulent meat, and inventive flavors. And if you're looking for something a little different, give the Duck Liver Mousse with Almond Biscuit a taste, which is a delightful contrast of savory and sweet.

Zou Zou's is a trendy restaurant in New York that splashes a resounding palette of Eastern Mediterranean flair onto the city's culinary canvas. The restaurant draws its complex flavors from a wealthy heritage of the Middle East, from Lebanon to Egypt, and anything in between. As you sink into the velvety couch, you'll feel like royalty in the lavish space that glamorously represents the region's culture.

The best part about Zou Zou's is that you can watch your food prepared in the stunning open kitchen. There's nothing like seeing your dishes come to life before your eyes as the chefs play with fresh ingredients and nose-tingling spices. You'll be tempted by the mouthwatering array of mezze, salads, and grilled meats, all bursting with color and creativity.

The menu at Zou Zou's is just as impressive as the interior. Start with the duck borek, a savory pastry filled with duck confit, oranges, and pistachios. Not to be outshone, the whipped ricotta, a velvety blend of fresh ricotta, honey, and za'atar, pairs flawlessly with the steaming hot bazlama bread.

The Optimist in Atlanta whisks diners to a nostalgic seashore packaged in an urban dining affair. The restaurant prides itself on serving top-notch, sustainable seafood sourced from hand-picked purveyors across the country. Housed in a building that once was a ham-aging house, Optimist exudes modern farmhouse character with its brick walls, reclaimed wood floors, and large windows that flood the space with natural light.

You can choose to sit in the spacious main dining area, where you can watch the team of talented cooks prepare your meal. Or you can cozy up at the more intimate oyster bar to sample some of the finest oysters in town, shucked and served by a knowledgeable chef.

The menu is studded with options, but the duck fat poached swordfish and the Spanish octopus have been lauded for their exquisite, buttery texture and novel flavor profiles. And let's not forget the lobster roll, jumbo lobster chunks nestled within a delectable bun — a treasure waiting to be discovered.

The Dabney in Washington D.C. is a Michelin-starred restaurant that stands as an open invitation to explore the gastronomic heritage of the Mid-Atlantic. Under the passionate guidance of Chef Jeremiah Langhorne, this fine dining gem crafts its authentic menu inspired by cherished 19th-century cookbooks, offering diners a modern take on tradition.

The atmosphere exudes rustic elegance and charm, elevated by the vintage farmhouse aesthetics and the warm glow of the wood-fired oven. Jeremiah Langhorne is praised for his inventive use of locally sourced produce and an eclectic assortment of foraged rarities like pawpaw purée and sorghum vinegar. His expertise takes center stage in the open kitchen, where his talented chefs craft an exquisite menu that is constantly evolving.

Like a seasoned performer, Langhorne captures the audience's imagination with grilled, smoked, or roasted dishes over a wood-burning flame. Some delectable offerings include grilled Maine lobster with aged rockfish, Shenandoah lamb tartare, and the sweet finale of charred corncob icebox cake. Each dish is a chef's artistic interpretation telling a tale about the region.

Lazy Bear is not your ordinary restaurant; it's a social dining event in the Mission District of San Francisco, where you can mingle with fellow foodies and chat with the chefs as they whip up a seasonal American-inspired feast. This culinary hotspot, which sprang from the humble beginnings of Chef David Barzelay's underground supper club in his own home back in 2009, has transformed into a gastronomic haven, now proudly flaunting two Michelin stars.

The undeniable core of Lazy Bear is its borders-transcending open kitchen; It's like being invited to a friend's house, except your friend happens to be a master chef. The dining room features communal tables, tall ceilings, and stunning wooden beams — the rustic charisma flirting with sleek finishes that instantly prepares you for a classy meal.

Lazy Bear's ever-changing multi-course tasting menu illustrates the peak Californian produce. The recent highlight is whipped scrambled eggs, an indulgent mouthful of luscious eggs elegantly dressed with caviar, chives, and crispy potato. The honey cake served with an airy dollop of whipped cream, berries, and honeycomb is equally impressive.

Cúrate Tapas Bar is the original slice of Spain in Asheville's River Arts District. This trendy spot instantly transports you to a lively Spanish bodega with its cheerful noisiness and upbeat crowd. Upon setting foot inside, you're greeted by the rustic minimalism that enhances the vintage character of the 1920s building. And it's not just about the tapas –- service at Cúrate always comes with hints of infectious enthusiasm, for which the bar has won the James Beard Hospitality Award in 2022.

The bar greets you with an open kitchen, where you can chat with a drink in hand while admiring the chefs and how they master the authentic Spanish ingredients. You'll see them slice paper-thin Jamón Iberico, a melt-in-your-mouth cured ham from acorn-fed pigs, or fry up patatas pravas, crunchy potatoes smothered in a fiery tomato sauce and creamy aioli. However, for the ultimate indulgence, ask about the "tasting menu" — a culinary sample of the restaurant's favorite dishes on one plate.

The Catbird Seat in Nashville is a must-visit for anyone with a taste for small and intimate dining. With only 22 seats, a stunning marble counter surrounds an open kitchen, where you can witness Will Aghajanian, and Liz Johnson create an extraordinary tasting menu. Their every move is on display, and you can personally share your admiration for their creative genius.

Watching them work their wonders, you'll be treated to a careful selection of dishes that flawlessly marry local ingredients with an eclectic mix of exotic flavors. You might savor the succulent Bear Creek Farm beef, which is beautifully tender, as it is juicy, cooked to seamless perfection, or indulge in the adorable cookie jar (you are actually going to be presented with a cookie-filled cartoon-inspired jar), a dessert that evokes childhood memories with a sophisticated twist. Whatever you taste, you'll be impressed by the originality of Catbird — every bite is an intriguing masterpiece.