As the year draws to a close, Yelp’s been looking at all the reviews for new restaurants that opened this year and figuring out which ones have done the best. The annual Best New Restaurants list provides a great way to choose your next dinner spot from restaurants all over the country based on feedback from those who have already eaten there and written a review. Before we look at the top restaurants, here are four trends that Yelp noticed:
Experiential dining is in—that is, not just food but also entertainment that stimulates all the senses.
Japanese food is our favorite—six out of the top 25 restaurants serve Japanese cuisine.
Informal is the way to go—while diners still adore gourmet food, presentation is trending towards relaxed (ditching fancy tables, linen tablecloths, waiters with supercilious brows).
Americans are hardcore fans of restaurants—based on the fact that food-industry sales will reach $1 trillion this year (the first time ever for the U.S.) and the fact that searches for “best new restaurants near me” increased 43 percent in the first part of 2024 compared to 2023.
So who won the best new restaurant? It’s Mēdüzā Mediterrania in Manhattan, where the food is incredible, the presentation elaborate, and live music and a DJ help diners have a more full experience. Special diners have included Taylor Swift and Cardi B, while TikTok videos have set mouths a drool. Besides the Mediterranean cuisine, folks love the boho-chic interior, creative presentations, and immersive experiences.
In second place is Noko Nashville, which serves Japanese food. It’s best in the South and second in the nation, thanks to its grilled comfort food with an east-meets-west fusion. The bluefin tuna crudo is flown in from Japan (it always gets the window seat).
Third place is Meesh Meesh in Louisville, which serves Mediterranean/Appalachian tapas. Shareable plates of Middle Eastern food circulate the outdoor patio on warm nights. A standout is the smoked lamb hummus, made with shredded lamb smoked for 12 hours.
The 25 Best New Restaurants of 2024:
1. Mēdüzā Mediterrania, New York, New York
2. Noko Nashville, Nashville, Tennesee
3. Meesh Meesh, Louisville, Kentucky
4. Kinme Omakase, San Diego, California
5. Burnin’ Shell, Los Angeles, California
6. Wicked Butcher, Dallas, Texas
7. Course Restaurant, Scottsdale, Arizona
8. BoujieMana, San Diego, California
9. Paseo, Anaheim, California
10. Little’s Oyster Bar, Houston, Texas
11. Kawa Ni, Denver, Colorado
12. Gannons Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee
13. Rustica Earth Sea and Fire, St. Augustine, Florida
14. El Cielo, Honolulu, Hawaii
15. Nami, Orlando, Florida
16. The Evie, Chicago, Illinois
17. Katami, Houston, Texas
18. Kappo DC, Washington, D.C.
19. Sartiano’s, New York City, New York
20. Casa Pollastro, Dallas, Texas
21. Carbonara, Arlington, Virginia
22. Love, Makoto, Washington, D.C.
23. Wolf by Vanderpump at Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
24. Percy, Boise, Idaho
25. Catalina Kitchen + Bar, Charlotte, North Carolina