Infatuation today released America’s Best New Restaurants of 2026, its annual list naming 25 breakout openings across 22 cities that made the biggest impression this year. Covering more of the country than they have before, these are the restaurants that Infatuation’s team of local critics kept returning to, recommending and measuring everything else against.
This year’s winners span 22 cities and capture a wide spectrum of modern American dining, from a Mexican steakhouse in Houston to a boundary-pushing Cuban place in West Palm Beach, a Japanese all-day cafe in Tulsa and a flour tortilla specialist in New York City. Across regions and styles, the list reflects the cuisines, formats and points of view that are pushing dining forward right now.
From 2,000+ visits to 25 standouts
The 2026 list reflects a yearlong effort by Infatuation’s on-the-ground, city-based editorial teams, spanning more than 2,000 new restaurant visits across the country. Eligible restaurants opened between October 2025 and October 2026, and the final selections balance food, experience and a singular distinction that makes a restaurant feel of the moment.
“Our writers cover these cities all year. That’s how we know what has real momentum, what makes waves and what will matter after the hype fades,” said Arden Shore, Editor-in-Chief of The Infatuation. “These restaurants are the rare openings that feel instantly defining. They don’t just earn great ratings, they leave a mark.”
In addition to the national list, The Infatuation also unveiled city-specific Best New Restaurants lists for Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Highlights from Infatuation’s Best New Restaurants of 2026
A few standouts from this year’s national list include:
- Border Town (New York City) – A walk-in-only Mexican restaurant with $15 cocktails and a cantina-like setting—plus soft, lard-laced tortillas worth crossing town for.
- All Well (Chicago) – A menu that shifts from casual bites and cocktails to a five-course experience, with standout ingredients and inventive drinks like a Scotch Old Fashioned finished with oolong tea and a coconut ice cube that deepens as it melts.
- Present Tense (Nashville) – A Japanese izakaya with an expansive menu, including hiramasa sashimi served with olive brine.
- Rye Bunny (Washington, D.C.) – Attentive service and a fine-dining-meets-counter-service format, with dishes like Wagyu flat iron steak and grilled zucchini with romesco and frico tradizionale.
- Emelina (West Palm Beach) – A tasting menu that feels wholly original, reimagining classic Cuban flavors with bold, unexpected turns.
The complete list is available at https://www.theinfatuation.com/all/guides/best-new-restaurants-america-2026
The trends defining dining right now (and beyond)
Alongside the list, Shore shared observations on the cultural and culinary forces shaping American dining today, from what’s bringing diners in the door to what’s influencing the next wave of restaurant culture.
- The “Erewhon-ification” of America – The fancy grocery store is turning into a destination: smoothies, prepared foods, merch and a vibe-forward experience that feels closer to dining than errands.
- The Burgers are Drowning – Burgers are going full spectacle: cut, flipped and submerged in sauce or molten cheese for maximum drama and camera appeal.
- Rise of the Sexy Chicken Spot – Rotisserie chicken is being upgraded into a full night-out proposition: shareable birds, glossy sides and wine-forward rooms with date-night lighting. This is comfort food with swagger that still feels approachable.
- Pu Pu Platters are Back – Call it nostalgia or a party tray renaissance: pu pu platters are returning as a low-stakes, high-fun way of dining that turns the meal into a shared event.
- Restaurants are the New Nightlife – The restaurant is the place to see and be seen. Restaurants are doubling as the night’s destination, designed for a full experience: a charged room, a social crowd and food that keeps the party at the table for hours.
“Dining is getting more creative and more social at the same time,” said Shore. “The best new places aren’t just serving great food, they’re building formats and rooms people want to be part of, and that’s where the next wave is coming from.”
The complete national list, city-specific lists and dining trends are available at https://www.theinfatuation.com/all/collection/best-new-restaurants-2026
About Infatuation
Infatuation helps people find restaurants they’ll love, through honest reviews, guides and recommendations from its editorial team. Editors make reservations anonymously and do not accept free meals, compensation or special treatment. For more information and to explore Infatuation’s restaurant recommendations in your city, visit Infatuation online. Plus, you can also download Infatuation app, follow Infatuation on TikTok or Instagram and sign up for your city’s newsletter.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261109162290/en/
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