Retail therapy is well-named. There's an easy dopamine rush in feeling that you could remake yourself with a smart new pair of shoes or the purchase of a fancy wallet. Everyday problems quickly fade during a spree of treating yourself. But, what happens when your favorite shopping outlets have cafes where you can feast in delicious elegance? Transcendence, that's what. Read on for 12 exceptional restaurants and cafes conveniently located at your favorite stores.
Multiple Locations
Are you a design fan in New York, Yountville, Chicago, West Palm Beach, Toronto, Nashville, Toronto, or Minneapolis? Stop by RH Restaurants inside Restoration Hardware. Naturally, exquisite decor is on the menu with the venues that include rooftop vistas, indoor fountains, and cozy courtyards. Each stunning location features classic fare like shrimp cocktail, burrata, roast chicken, and burgers.
Dallas
There's no in-store dining experience more iconic than The Zodiac in downtown Dallas. The beloved restaurant inside Neiman Marcus has been serving Dallas for more than 50 years, and still gets rave reviews. One Open Table reviewer who has been going for a decade says, "It has always been amazing." Other reviews mention the "elegant setting" and "top notch" service and food. The Mandarin orange soufflé, a sort of gelatin-based salad is perhaps its most famous dish, with many copycat recipes online. The approved recipe can be found in the 2003 "Neiman Marcus Cookbook," now out-of-print, but still available online.
Chicago
After much anticipation, Lululemon's all-day Fuel Space has opened with food to "nourish your body and soul." The menu includes basics like avocado toast, black bean burgers, and smoothies, but also options like a sweet potato muffins, smoked carrot hummus, and a wheat berry bowl. There's nothing like a chia breakfast bowl to say "I do yoga in Lululemon pants."
Multiple Locations
Terrain, a national brand under the URBN family, is a design-y destination for home and outdoor goods, and the plant store of our dreams. In a few of their locations, they have a Terrain Café, featuring feel-good dishes like quinoa bowls, Moroccan poached eggs, mixed field greens topped with various proteins, and more. The cafés seem to be well-received, with positive Yelp reviews mentioning "impeccable service," "fresh and delicious" food, and "wonderful lunch ambiance."
New York
Dubbed "New York's Latest Spot to See and Be Seen," the newest location of L'Avenue inside the flagship location of Saks Fifth Avenue was designed by renowned architect Philippe Starck. The restaurant spans two floors — a French art-deco inspired dining room and Chalet, a chic lounge upstairs. Chalet features cocktails by mixologist Nico de Soto, including "Bee-Once," a mix of bee pollen vodka, beet and pomegranate shrub, pear verjus, and champagne. The all-day menu of L'Avenue includes Osetra caviar, truffle risotto, lobster frites, and Peking duck. Desserts are by legendary pastry chef Pierre Hermé. It's no wonder that model Gigi Hadid hosted her birthday party here.
Oak Brook, Illinois
This casual, minimalist restaurant was created with Cornerstone Restaurant Group (also known for working with Michael Jordan on his steakhouses). The vegetable-focused, locally sourced menu includes dishes like salmon Niçoise; quinoa and lentil poke; deep dish cauliflower lasagna; and chicken Pozole. The space is airy and modern and showcases many of Crate and Barrel's home goods.
New York
New York's first Nordstrom location opened in 2019 after years of anticipation. While it opened with seven (!) restaurants, including cocktail lounges and a mochi doughnut spot, the signature restaurant Wolf is by far the buzziest. Opened in collaboration with chef Ethan Stowell, a renowned Seattle restaurateur and James Beard Award nominee, the name comes from Stowell's acclaimed Seattle restaurant How to Cook a Wolf. The menu includes starters like king salmon crudo and duck egg, to mains like a brown butter agnolotti, king crab salad, and a burger featuring bacon and Calabrian chili aioli.
Atlanta
Star Provisions in Atlanta from chef Anne Quatrano celebrates local meat, cheese, and produce, and stocks hand-crafted homewares. Bacchanalia, the attached restaurant takes it one step further with simple and elegant dishes, complete with wine pairings. Try the crab fritters.
Related: 25 Food Halls and Markets That Offer a Taste of Something for Everyone
New York
ABC Kitchen features the cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, using fresh and local ingredients. Herbs and microgreens are lovingly cultivated on the rooftop garden and the dining room features found, salvaged, reclaimed, and recycled building materials. Especially famed is the roast carrot and avocado salad — and when's the last time a salad was the iconic menu item? A testament to the talent of Jean-Georges.
Multiple Locations
Looking for a dessert-only experience? Streetwear stop Kith offers Treats a cereal bar and ice cream shop. Create your own ice cream, milkshakes or cereal box sets from their 20+ cereals and 30+ toppings, or try their signature ice cream cones named after folks like Lebron James, rapper Action Bronson, and more.
New York
If you follow any of New York City's food media stars on social media, you've likely already seen photos of La Mercerie, the thoughtful French café in SoHo housed inside an upscale purveyor of furniture and design accessories. The all-day restaurant has pastries, eggs, and light bites for breakfast (try their famous croissant), and dishes like boudin noir, buckwheat crepes, and beef bourguignon from lunch to dinner. The whole space is wildly Instagrammable, and if you're in the market for beautiful $10,000 ottomans or four linen napkins for $105, Roman and Williams is worth stopping by.
New York
In 2018, Bergdorf Goodman converted its run-of-the-mill downstairs café into the colorful Palette, designed by New Orleans pop artist Ashley Longshore. The menu features hearty café fare — think crab melt, tea sandwiches, a chopped salad, and deviled eggs.
