The 25 Most Popular Restaurants Of 2015

It's common knowledge by this point that opening a restaurant can be a very, very risky endeavor. Restaurants come and go — in many cases they won't even stay open for a full year. But some restaurants beat the odds, raking in millions upon millions of dollars every year and becoming legendary in their respective cities in the process. These are the 25 most popular restaurants of 2015. 

This 700-seat seafood spot has been an Illinois institution since it first opened in 1982. Last year it raked in $17,553,828.

This New York highlight of the Batali-Bastianich restaurant empire (which also contains institutions like Babbo) was ranked the top Italian restaurant in American by The Daily Meal last year. It brought in $17.6 million in sales. 

This super-luxe Bellagio steakhouse, run by renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, also made $17.6 million last year. 

Recently ranked the 29^th best steakhouse in America by The Daily Meal, this 113-year-old Indianapolis institution raked in $17,739,203 last year. 

A legendary New York steakhouse that ranked 23^rd in this year's ranking of America's bet steakhouses, Sparks made $18.1 million in sales last year.

This trendy Washington New American restaurant and live music venue made $18,383,790 in sales last year.

Chef David Burke's flagship Chicago steakhouse brought in $18,480,000. 

This elegant steakhouse, located in Las Vegas' Wynn, made $19.3 million last year.

The second entry from Batali and Bastianich on this list (and our pick for the sixth best steakhouse in America this year), Carnevino brought in $19.9 million. 

This high-end power broker hangout made $20.5 million last year.

The Las Vegas outpost of this restaurant, which has three locations (not including the original, separately-owned Joe's Stone Crab in Miami), also did extraordinarily well, bringing in $20.9 million. 

This big and bustling pizza and pasta restaurant and specialty sweets emporium brought in $21,122,795. 

Located on a faux riverboat in Downtown Disney, this pricey fine-dining spot made $21.2 million for the Walt Disney Company last year. 

This sprawling and lavish Meatpacking District hotspot brought in $21,425,583.

The most successful of this mini-chain's three locations, the Chicago outpost of Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab brought in $21.8 million last year.

Number 14 of our ranking of America's Best Steakhouses, this 24 year-old classic Chicago gem made $22,535,918 last year. 

This game-changing modern steakhouse is still pulling in the crowds, bringing in $23.5 million. 

This club-like Pan-Asian restaurant has two New York locations and one in Las Vegas, but the Midtown Manhattan location is actually its lowest-grossing, bringing in only $24 million last year.

This legendary New York steakhouse (which is owned independently from the steakhouse chain with the same name) made $26,057,894 last year.

Washington's oldest bar and restaurant, in business since 1856 (and in the same location since 1983), this legendary establishment is also Washington's highest-grossing, making $28,056,008 last year.

This family-style Times Square institution brought in $30,984,068 last year. 

This Italian restaurant with an insanely popular downstairs nightclub made $31 million. 

This legendary (and legendarily expensive) Miami institution made $36,136,486 last year.

The original location of this trendy hotspot made $38 million. 

Tao's Las Vegas outpost, which is located in the Venetian and includes a restaurant, banquet facilities, a lounge, a nightclub, and even a beach, is America's highest-grossing restaurant, raking in an astonishing $47 million in sales.