The Obamas Still Have Fantastic Taste in Restaurants

The former president and his family continue to dine at the world's coolest—and most delicious—restaurants

01 of 10

CAFÉ ALTRO PARADISO

michelle-obama
David Sullivan; Inset: Getty

New York City

On December 18th, Michelle Obama and friends dined at chef Ignacio Mattos’ popular Italian restaurant in Soho. The former first lady—who was in New York for an event on Wednesday night at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center to promote her memoir Becoming—and her group of 10 dined on dishes like arancini (fried rice balls) with Calabrian chili, Castelvetrano olives and provolone, and pastas like candele cacio e pepe and malfatti with chanterelle mushrooms and mint. Following the meal, Mattos posted Obama’s order ticketon Instagram with a caption: “For more responsible, generous and inspiring human beings. ❤️” The outing marked Obama’s second visit to one of Ignacio’s restaurants—she and Barack Obama dined together at Estela in 2014.

02 of 10

SUCCOTASH

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjFjJMUg-BH/Edward Lee/InstagramMichelle Obama
Edward Lee/Instagram

Washington, D.C.

On Tuesday night, the former first lady had dinner at this southern-style, Penn Quarter area restaurant. Chef Edward Lee posted a photo with Mrs. Obama on Instagram, writing: "It was an honor and a joy to cook for @michelleobama. And thank you for listening to me talk about @leeinitiative and the dreams we have for our next generation of chefs and activists." According to Lee's post, Obama "enjoyed" the restaurant's Crispy Blue Catfish served with mint-jalapeno aioli, lettuce slaw and burnt lemon.

03 of 10

SEASPICE

michelle obama and chef angel leon

Miami

Former First Lady Michelle Obama dined with a group of 11 friends and secret service on the brasserie's orchid-covered terrace overlooking the Miami River on Tuesday. Obama enjoyed a 6-course meal, prepared by Executive Chef Angel Leon (pictured), which included oysters, caviar, local stone crabs, 1855 prime Ribeye and tres leches for dessert.

04 of 10

LIVERPOOL HOUSE

obama-trudeau-2
The Obama Foundation/Twitter

Montreal

During Barack Obama's first visit to Canada since leaving office, the former president had an intimate dinner with Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau at the Montreal seafood hotspot. Trudeau tweeted about the pair's June 6th meal later that night: “How do we get young leaders to take action in their communities? Thanks @BarackObama for your visit & insights tonight in my hometown.”

05 of 10

UPLAND

michelle-obama
TheImageDirect.com

New York City

On March 10th, Barack and Michelle Obama had lunch with U2 frontman and activist Bono in the restaurant's private dining room, a source told PEOPLE. As Bono and the Obamas walked out of the eatery, the source said, “the whole restaurant stood up and applauded and cheered for them." The Obamas have dined at Stephen Starr's hotspot before. The former president took daughters Malia and Sasha there for brunch in 2015—when he enjoyed one of chef Justin Smillie's cheeseburgers, which features two beef patties covered in melted cheese and topped with lettuce, avocado, tomato and peppadew peppers.

06 of 10

NOI THAI CUISINE

Oahu, Hawaii

During a surprise visit to the islands in March, Obama dined at the upscale restaurant in the Royal Hawaiian Center. "It was an honor to welcome former President Barack Obama in Noi Thai Cuisine Hawaii," the eatery posted on Facebook. "He was as warm and friendly as anyone you could meet!!"

07 of 10

EMILIO'S BALLATO

barack-obama
Anthony Vitolo/Instagram

New York City

Obama had dinner with his eldest daughter, Malia, at this Italian restaurant in late February. After being treated like a rockstar while grabbing coffee earlier that afternoon, the two bonded some more in the evening, attending the revival of Arthur Miller’s The Price on Broadway, starring Danny DeVito and Mark Ruffalo.

08 of 10

GRAMERCY TAVERN

gramercy-tavern

New York City

President Obama kept his eat-a-thon going during his February visit to the city. For lunch, he was spotted dining at Danny Meyer’s Flatiron fine dining restaurant. "Beyond proud. Thank you @barackobama for dining @gramercytavern #barackobama #inspiredleader Great moment ...," Gramercy Tavern's executive chef Michael Anthony captioned a video of Obama shaking hands with guests while leaving the restaurant.

09 of 10

THE BRESLIN

New York City

Michelle Obama had the power brunch of our dreams at chef April Bloomfield's hip gastropub. On March 11th, the former First Lady was joined by Sarah Jessica Parker, Robin Roberts and Gayle King for a four-hour catch-up. "They each ate fish and chips from our brunch menu and got dessert as well," reported Vanity Fair.

10 of 10

CARBONE

CARBONE
Philip Lewis/Bloomberg/Getty

New York City

It's safe to call the Obama family "regulars" at this upscale Italian restaurant. Most recently, Barack and Michelle stopped in for dinner with their daughter Malia in March. The former president also dined at Carbone in 2013 and then again in 2015—where he ordered veal parmesan and the porterhouse for two, according to Eater.

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