New year, new trends. And 2024 had plenty of dominant restaurant fads that will likely continue into 2025. Yelp curated a list of the best restaurants that opened in the last eighteen months, narrowing the top list of newcomers down to 25 spots that defined dining in 2024.
To find the top new restaurants, Yelp data analysts identified full-service businesses in the restaurant category which opened between January 1, 2023, and September 1, 2024. Each spot was then ranked via a methodology balancing several factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews. Every restaurant on the list has a passing health score as of September 1. The list also balances dining by region — only two New York restaurants are on the list, four California restaurants, four Texas restaurants, and two Washington D.C. restaurants leave room for geographic diversity among new eateries making waves in Idaho, Hawaii, Nevada and beyond.
Already, American dining in 2024 is expected to break records: Food-industry sales are expected to exceed $1 trillion in sales by the end of the year, a first for the American restaurant scene. Americans may have mixed thoughts and feelings about the economy, but they seem to love going out to eat. Or at least, chasing the popular and social media worthy dining spots that have kept Yelp users intrigued, posting and reviewing.
American Dining trends in 2024
As seen in recent data from Yelp users, diners are curious about what’s new and cool. Searches for “best new restaurants near me” increased 43% in the first 3 quarters of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to Yelp research. Data also shows that experiential dining, Japanese cuisine, and casual atmospheres (that is great food and great service, no white tablecloths in sight) were some of the most beloved trends in 2024.
And yes, at least one restaurant on the list has had a well-documented visit from Taylor Swift, undeniably relevant restaurant influencer.
Here are the favorite new restaurants across America, from Manhattan to Boise to San Diego and so many cities in between, all according to Yelp.
Meesh Meesh in Nashville
Yelp’s 25 Best New Restaurants of 2024
1. Mēdüzā Mediterrania, New York City, New York
2. Noko Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee
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, District of Columbia
19. Sartiano’s, New York City, New York
20. Casa Pollastro, Dallas, Texas
21. Carbonara, Arlington, Virginia
22. Love, Makoto, Washington, District of Columbia
23. Wolf by Vanderpump at Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
24. Percy, Boise, Idaho
25. Catalina Kitchen + Bar, Charlotte, North Carolina