The 25 best new restaurants in the country, according to diners

Yelp ranked the best new restaurants in the country, from jungle-themed hot spots to a Korean fusion spot.

  • Yelp ranked the best new restaurants in the country based on customer reviews.
  • The list shows that diners are embracing steakhouses, Indian restaurants, and buzzy brunch spots.
  • A jungle-inspired Tempe lounge and a Chinese American prix-fixe restaurant took the top two spots.

America's most exciting new restaurants aren't just opening in New York, Los Angeles, or Miami — they're opening nationwide.

A Yelp ranking of the best new restaurants in the US shows diners are gravitating toward big, experience-driven meals, from trendy steakhouses and Indian restaurants to lavish brunches and live-fire cooking.

To make the list, Yelp ranked 25 of the country's best new full-service restaurants based on a few key factors, including review volume and individual ratings from diners.

To be eligible, restaurants had to open after January 1, 2025, and have a passing health score. Yelp also reviewed data through June 11, 2026, to ensure reviews remained positive well after the business first opened.

The list, released Tuesday, featured Filthy Animal, a jungle-themed restaurant in Tempe, Arizona, at the top, as well as two buzzy New York City openings (Mexican restaurant Limusina and London import Ambassadors Clubhouse) and Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes' new steakhouse, 1587 Prime, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Here are the 25 best new restaurants in the country, according to Yelp.

25. The Chapman in Winter Park, Florida

The Chapman

Boneless roasted all-natural half chicken from The Chapman.

What to order: Crab cake, crispy bang bang lion's mane, ahi tuna steak

What customers say: "Beautiful atmosphere, perfectly crafted cocktails, and a table full of delicious dishes — but those crab cakes absolutely stole the show: flavorful, perfectly seasoned, and worth coming back for all on their own. From the first bite to cocktails and dessert, this was the kind of dinner you don't rush. Definitely adding The Chapman to my favorites," wrote Yelp user Regina M.

Learn more about The Chapman here.

24. Palm Palm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Palm Palm

Coconut shrimp from Palm Palm.

What to order: Grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings, lobster rolls, BBQ short ribs

What customers say: "From the moment we walked in, the vibe was on point, super hip, cool energy, and just the right balance of upscale without being stuffy. Food-wise? No misses. I went with the Prime Filet, which was spot-on: excellent cut, perfectly cooked. We also shared the Wagyu Meatballs, and honestly, those alone are worth coming back for! This is the kind of restaurant you recommend without hesitation and keep in your regular rotation," wrote Yelp user Craig S.

Learn more about Palm Palm here.

23. Gianni & Mac's Ristorante in Marietta, Georgia

Gianni & Mac's Ristorante

Mussels Gianni & Mac's Ristorante.

What to order: Cacio e pepe, charcuterie, cheese wheel pasta

What customers say: "Highlights (aka what you should immediately order)… Appetizer: The arancini — run, don't walk. And please, for the love of carbs, dunk that warm bread in the sauce. You're welcome. Mains: Chicken Parm that could start a fan club, Marsala that made us emotional, Penne Vodka that brought joy to our souls, and Branzino that was fancy and flaky. Dessert: The tiramisu? Let's just say it's not 'to die for.' It's 'to fake your own death and come back for seconds' good," wrote Yelp Elite userMollisa S.

Learn more about Gianni & Mac's Ristorante here.

22. Fish Shop in Washington, DC

Fish Shop

Maryland crab crumpet from Fish Shop.

What to order: Maryland crab frittata, smoked trout crumpets, crispy fried squash blossoms

What customers say: "One of our fave dishes was the Tilefish Kinilaw, a ceviche-adjacent blend of chopped light white [tilefish] and red onion, blended in coconut broth. It was served with lettuce cups, an interesting vessel for the fish-yumminess. The entrée (we shared) was the Massaman Curry with fresh herbs, house-made grilled roti, and an interesting naan-like bread that proved a great vessel for scooping up the decadent curry gravy," wrote Yelp user Trish T.

Learn more about Fish Shop here.

21. The Farmhouse Tuscan in Alexandria, Virginia

The Farmhouse Tuscan

Fried eggplant appetizer from The Farmhouse Tuscan.

What to order: Deviled eggs, short rib pizza, bruschetta

What customers say: "The ambiance was cozy perfection. I chose the crab a la vodka with handmade pasta and ordered an Italian white wine flight. It's been many years since a restaurant has highly impressed me as much as this restaurant has. Out of all the restaurants we went to in Alexandria, this is the restaurant I would choose to visit again for special occasions, entertaining guests, and date nights," wrote Yelp user Ophelia B.

Learn more about The Farmhouse Tuscan here.

20. The Crunkleton in Raleigh, North Carolina

The Crunkleton

Tomahawk steak from The Crunkleton.

What to order: Beignets, Tomahawk steak, chicken piccata

What customers say: "This place is absolutely gorgeous, and the flavor on everything was top tier! Do not play with that Tomahawk if you do not have a big appetite or room to share. You can easily split that thing between three greedy people or four sane folks. The macaroni tastes like someone's Southern granny made it, and the Broccolini is seasoned to perfection. Great place for a date night or time with family and friends," wrote Yelp user Chinyere U.

Learn more about The Crunkleton here.

19. Lucia in Los Angeles

Lucia

Prawns from Lucia.

What to order: Wagyu beef patties, coconut fried chicken, Trini mac pie

What customers say: "We enjoyed a uniquely prepared catfish-and-grits entrée, as well as the cornbread gnudi, amazing callaloo and polenta sides, wagyu and aloo patties, the Jamaican Bun, Caesar salad, and a gorgeous Guyanese chow mein. It's rare to experience a dynamic meal, with equally wonderful service, all while basking in a beautifully designed space with a soundscape (a fabulous live DJ) that seemed curated to a tee! You have something special there, Lucia," wrote Yelp user Patrice E.

Learn more about Lucia here.

18. Johin'na in Birmingham, Alabama

Johin'na

Chicken skewers from Johin'na.

What to order: Short ribs, bao buns, kimchi fried rice

What customers say: "Chef Amber suggested the Ecchi martini with tequila, and it was the perfect cocktail. We started things off sharing the Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Collard Green Gyoza, which was a pleasant surprise and my fave. We ordered the Peach-Glazed Salmon Teriyaki, Short Ribs, and I had the Hot Stone Miso Cod. My only complaint is I wanted more," wrote Yelp Elite user Jessica J.

Learn more about Johin'na here.

17. Lobby Bar in Washington, DC

Lobby Bar

Steak frites from Lobby Bar.

What to order: Chicken nuggets and caviar, Caesar salad, smash burger

What customers say: "They do something I love, and that's making simple food even better. Traditional items like pigs in a blanket are elevated using wagyu hot dogs; homemade chicken nuggets are elevated with caviar; and cauliflower is taken to the next level with a delicious buffalo/truffle sauce. The cocktail program is second to none. You will definitely find me here again," wrote Yelp Elite user Ryan S.

Learn more about Lobby Bar here.

16. Ah Ma's Kitchen in San Francisco

Ah Ma's Kitchen

Salt and pepper chicken wings from Ah Ma's Kitchen.

What to order: Kiln chicken, chow mein, chicken wings

What customers say: "This place is going viral right now for their XXXL Boba Milk Tea and Pineapple Bun Sandwich, but personally, my favorites were the Stir-Fried Black Pepper Beef Macaroni and Salted Egg Yolk Green Beans. Cooked perfectly. So flavorful and delicious! The tableside hand-torn Kiln Chicken was really flavorful and saucy. I will definitely recommend this to friends and dine here again," wrote Yelp user Alisa B.

Learn more about Ah Ma's Kitchen here.

15. Piedra in Indianapolis

Piedra

Enchiladas Doña Carmen from Piedra.

What to order: Lamb chops, carne asada, enchiladas

What customers say: "The ambiance wowed me even more than expected: The moody lighting, live DJ, and gorgeous interior made it feel like we were on vacation. I enjoyed my enchiladas with four different meats/fillings, which were well executed and hit the spot. The real star of the meal was the pork shank — the mole was truly amazing. It will be the favorite dish we come back to order again and again," wrote Yelp user Rachel S.

Learn more about Piedra here.

14. Society Swan in Scottsdale, Arizona

Society Swan

Sea bass with a lobster butter sauce from Society Swan.

What to order: Truffled Brie baguette, Maine lobster roll, steak frites

What customers say:"We started with the French onion soup, which was among the best we have ever had. I enjoyed the baked paccheri pasta, which was incredibly filling and delightful — a texture dream. We finished with the toffee pudding… I was shocked by how great it is. Our service was great and so were our drinks! The ambiance was extremely romantic," wrote Yelp user Brooke F.

Learn more about Society Swan here.

13. Oh London in Creve Coeur, Missouri

Oh London

Little Birds Nest from Oh London.

What to order: Bangers and mash, chicken tikka masala, salmon bruschetta

What customers say: "We are frequent diners at Oh London, and there's a good reason we keep coming back. The Chicken Tikka was truly to die for — perfectly seasoned, tender, and bursting with flavor. The homemade chips were addictive, and the Caesar salad was so good you couldn't stop eating it. Every dish shows just how top-notch the chef is," wrote Yelp user Tiffany E.

Learn more about Oh London here.

12. Agnes and Sherman in Houston

Agnes and Sherman

Egg Foo Young from Agnes and Sherman.

What to order: Scallion waffle, rangoon, cheeseburger fried rice

What customers say: "What a unique (and delicious) concept, set in an aesthetically retro and fun space. Every dish is such a great fusion of culture and flavors — but in particular, the scallion waffle, Rangoon, chilled cucumber, and Egg Foo Young blew me away. Without a doubt, the best 'diner' food I've ever had. Nick Wong and team, you've done something really special here," wrote Yelp Elite Eleni K.

Learn more about Agnes and Sherman here.

11. Toro Bravo in Reno, Nevada

Toro Bravo

Chilaquiles from Toro Bravo.

What to order: Short rib tacos, creamy cilantro rice, papas bravas

What customers say: "We hit up Toro Bravo for our anniversary dinner, and what a dinner it was. The hamachi ceviche had just the right amount of kick. My stars, though — the ribeye special and octopus, with tortillas on the side, were heaven. To finish everything off, we had a delicious Basque cheesecake," wrote Yelp Elite Angel D.

Learn more about Toro Bravo here.

10. Ambassadors Clubhouse in New York

Ambassadors Clubhouse

Ambassadors Clubhouse.

What to order: Butter chicken, chicken chops, beetroot raj kachori chaat

What customers say: "From the energetic Punjabi music to the richly spiced food, there's an unmistakable sense of indulgence running through the experience. The food is incredible. This is not a place to rush through dinner. Among the standouts were the Original BBQ Butter Chicken Chops, Chili Cheese Pakode, and Ajwaini Wild Jheenga, all of which brought something distinctive to the table," wrote Yelp user Udit A.

Learn more about Ambassadors Clubhouse here.

9. Dorothy's Downtown in Jacksonville, Florida

Dorothy's Downtown

Rack of lamb from Dorothy's Downtown.

What to order: Short rib, crab cakes, beignets

What customers say: "I first visited Dorothy's a month or two after they opened, and I've been hooked ever since. The food is absolutely packed with flavor and consistently delicious. My standout favorites? Definitely the Fried Chicken, Gumbo, and the Bayou Pasta. I could honestly eat them weekly and never get tired of them. The beignets were another hit," wrote Yelp user Lotsy S.

Learn more about Dorothy's Downtown here.

8. Mezcla in Columbus, Ohio

Mezcla

Carnitas tacos from Mezcla.

What to order: Fish tacos, scallop tostada, chile relleno

What customers say: "They take all the expected flavors, toss them up in the air, and serve them back to you in the most interesting and unique ways. The scallop taco was served cold with a mild, delicious mole. So crispy — easy to break into pieces and share. The tacos dorados were more like flautas, filled with seasoned creamy potatoes and sprinkled with nuts. A beautiful room to enjoy great food," wrote Yelp user Jeffrey R.

Learn more about Mezcla here.

7. Bar Boheme in Las Vegas

Bar Boheme

Seafood tower from Bar Boheme.

What to order: French onion soup, Bœuf bourguignon, chicken liver pate

What customers say: "From the chic but comfortable decor to the attentive customer service, this place was a hit for us! Celebrating a birthday, it definitely felt elevated and special. The kitchen executed each dish perfectly. Big highlight was the French onion soup, and thank you for having beef tallow fries on the menu — the flavor makes a difference. I highly recommend this place," wrote Yelp user Corine M.

Learn more about Bar Boheme here.

6. 1587 Prime in Kansas City, Missouri

1587 Prime

Wedge salad from 1587 Prime.

What to order: Crab cakes, lobster rolls, steak frites

What customers say: "As huge Chiefs fans, we were excited to experience it — and every detail, from the seating and service to the incredible ambiance, was top-notch. The petite 6-ounce filets, both with and without the shrimp topping, were cooked to perfection and full of flavor. The wine list was exceptional. The jazzy, bluesy music created the perfect atmosphere," wrote Yelp user JoAnn R.

Learn more about 1587 Prime here.

5. Lilo in Carlsbad, California

Lilo

Lobster from Lilo.

What to order: Kaluga caviar, big eye tuna, Miyazaki wagyu

What customers say: "Each dish was a whimsical work of art and tasted so fresh and delicious. It's amazing how the chefs are able to pair flavors that work so well together. The attention to detail was exquisite. Definitely make this a destination meal if you want a magical experience," wrote Yelp user Connie Y.

Learn more about Lilo here.

4. Eylan in Menlo Park, California

Eylan

Lotus root chaat from Eylan.

What to order: Taro root chaat, chilled green grape chaas, king trumpet mushroom

What customers say: "The Sigri Kabab and Taro Root Chaat were phenomenal appetizers — bursting with flavor and beautifully executed. For the main course, we ordered the Roasted Cornish Hen with paneer kulcha, Hispi cabbage with rumali roti, and the yakhni pulao. Every dish was delicious, thoughtfully plated, and deeply satisfying," wrote Yelp user Vandy B.

Learn more about Eylan here.

3. Limusina in New York

Limusina

Limusina.

What to order: Red snapper aguachile, short rib quesabirria, elote

What customers say: "The ambiance is warm and lively without being overwhelming. Limusina's menu is all about Mexican classics with a creative twist, from upscale ceviches and aguachiles to playful small plates like truffle machete quesadillas, pork belly chicharrón, and over-the-top elote brûlée. Every item we ordered was better than the last, and you can really taste how much attention they put into balancing bold flavors and textures," wrote Yelp user Taylor B.

Learn more about Limusina here.

2. Firstborn in Los Angeles

Firstborn

Zhajiang Oxtail, squid, and cucumber from Firstborn.

What to order: Fried chicken, duck sausage, barbecue cabbage

What customers say: "The food was absolutely amazing from start to finish. The highlights were the celery root blini with crème fraîche and Ossetra caviar, trout tartare, duck sausage, and grilled short ribs. And a special shoutout to the fried boneless chicken leg — it was delicious! My partner ordered the non-alcoholic Hojicha Orange Milk Punch, which was phenomenal," wrote Yelp user Alex H.

Learn more about Firstborn here.

1. Filthy Animal in Tempe, Arizona

Filthy Animal

Lamb chops from Filthy Animal.

What to order: Pibil dumplings, glazed pork chops, lamb chops

What customers say: "Phenomenal dining experience! We tried multiple appetizers, and the grilled oysters were the best-tasting we have ever had (so good that we had to order another round). For my main course, I opted for the ribeye, which was nicely seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The milk bread was shockingly good… this was the first time I've ever had tomato butter, but definitely won't be my last," wrote Yelp user Andrew C.

Learn more about Filthy Animal here.

The post The 25 best new restaurants in the country, according to diners appeared first on Business Insider