By Ann Abel

I’ve been reading way too many restaurant obituaries lately. So instead of more obituaries, I’m writing love letters.

These ten restaurants came to life for me during the past year. (On top of ten more from some of my favorite professional eaters.) Some opened despite the odds, while others have managed to hold on despite those odds. Let’s hope they continue to hold on. Some have Michelin stars while others don’t even have menus. They all reminded me of the origin of the word restaurant—to restore, to take care of, to make feel complete. And during a sad and tiring year, they brought more than a little joy …

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Ann Abel is a travel writer and editor and was a senior editor at ForbesLife. She writes for Forbes, Departures, Conde Nast Traveller, Robb Report, Afar, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Hemispheres, Brides, Modern Bride, Well + Good NYC, and other print and online publications.”In the name of lifestyle journalism, ” she says, ” I’ve gotten a tattoo in Bora Bora, been bitten by a massage therapist, and flown small aircraft above three continents.” She lives in Lisbon.