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What's the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year.
After the positive feedback from our inaugural USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year and Bars of the Year stories published last year, our extensive team of dining writers has once again collaborated to answer one simple but important question: What’s the best restaurant to try?
The query comes from locals wondering about new openings, out-of-towners seeking hidden gems, and loyal readers trusting our expertise. As journalists, it’s a question we love to answer because we know our communities deeply. Whether it's a classic taco joint in Arizona, a historic Serbian diner in Wisconsin, or a waterfront seafood restaurant in Florida, our recommendations come from those who live, work and eat there.
That’s why this year’s USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year isn’t just another list of hot spots with monthslong waits for reservations in major metros like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. It’s a celebration of local flavors and stories, curated by reporters from across the country who know that a meal of Italian cuisine in Mamaroneck can be just as rewarding as one in Manhattan.
We’re not tourists; we’re storytellers, embedded in the fabric of these food scenes. From cherished institutions to exciting new ventures, here’s a taste of the most remarkable dining destinations across the country right now. Presented in alphabetical order by state, these are our 44 favorite restaurants in America for 2025.
What's the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year.
The best bars in America in 2024: See USA TODAY's 27 favorite spots
We asked, you answered: Here are America's favorite french fries
Lannie's Bar-B-Q Spot | Selma, Alabama
Details: 2115 Minter Ave.; 334-874-4478
In 1944, from the front porch of their home, the Hatcher family started selling pulled pork smoked in a hand-dug pit in the backyard over live oak and pecan coals. In 1946, they opened Lannie's. The fifth generation now works their restaurant. After a 2023 tornado destroyed the original space, which had been in a small brick building across the street from the family home, its rebuilding was followed all over the state. It has that big a footprint. The red sauce is vinegar-based with a bit of a kick. Lannie's is famous for the pulled pork sandwich, which is a mountain of pork piled atop three slices of “light” bread. — Marty Roney, Montgomery Advertiser
Presented by Montgomery Advertiser
Ta’Carbon | Glendale, Arizona
Details: 5834 W. Camelback Road; 623-463-8134, tacarbon.com
This is not the place for glitz and glamour. Now with three locations in metro Phoenix, Ta’Carbon is a classic taco joint in every sense of the word, from the loud music playing over the speakers to the brisk counter service to the self-serve salsa bar at the center of the restaurant. Polished businesspeople and construction workers spend their lunch breaks side by side in the small dining room, savoring the mouthwatering smell of carne asada grilling over charcoal. There’s no wrong answer on the menu, but the star is the hazz, a symphony of charred steak, melted cheese and green chiles available as a burrito, taco or plate. In the land of Sonoran food, Ta’Carbon is quintessential. — Endia Fontanez, Arizona Republic
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Course | Scottsdale, Arizona
Details: 7366 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 106; 480-687-0491, courserestaurantaz.com
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The dishes at Course, award-winning chef Cory Oppold’s latest restaurant, aren’t just elegantly presented. Many have an element of nostalgia, and most look like modern art. Panna cotta arrives in a bowl with a cereal box that, naturally, contains a toy. A stone plate is the canvas for fennel mash, braised fennel petal, parsnip crumbs, edible flowers and lobster tail, as balanced and surprising in flavor as it is in presentation. The open kitchen is a dialogue, allowing Oppold to survey the dining room, and diners to see him and his team make magic. And that’s what a night out at Course is – from service to beverage pairing, it feels special, worthy of milestones and memories. — Bahar Anooshahr, Arizona Republic
Presented by Arizona Republic
Rooster and the Pig | Palm Springs, California
Details: 356 S. Indian Canyon Drive; 760-832-6691, roosterandthepig.com
A short stroll from the touristy bustle of downtown Palm Springs, Rooster and the Pig sits in the corner of an unassuming strip mall with a small patio and makeshift-looking sign providing the only indications that there is even a restaurant here – let alone one of America’s best. But venture within and you’ll find yourself in a slightly funky feeling space livened with faded newspapers and old coffee cans, a fun setting for dining on shaking beef, a stuffed curry ball and other dishes from chef Tai Spendley. Much of the menu is inspired by the way Spendley's mother adapted her own native cooking after moving to the U.S. from Vietnam. — Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Presented by Palm Springs Desert Sun
The Taco Stop | Fort Collins, Colorado
Details: 2601 S. Lemay Ave., Suite 30; 970-281-2313, thetacostopfoco.com
The Taco Stop's buzzing Midtown Fort Collins dining room is a far cry from the restaurant's roots, which took hold more than a decade ago after owners Cesar Lopez and Berenice Longoria tried their luck selling steak street tacos to late-night crowds out of their no-frills food cart. Since then, the couple's operation has ballooned to include its food cart, food truck and a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Its menu is now lined with nachos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, a towering pepito sandwich and more – all inspired by Lopez's upbringing and culinary education in Mexico City. And, as its name implies, The Taco Stop still whips up a range of tacos – earning the crown in The Coloradoan’s taco bracket competition in 2024. — Erin Udell, Fort Collins Coloradoan
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Bardea Food & Drink | Wilmington, Delaware
Details: 620 N. Market St.; 302-426-2069, bardeafoodanddrink.com
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A snazzy, innovative Italian restaurant in downtown Wilmington from owners Scott Stein and Antimo DiMeo, Bardea Food & Drink has easily become the town's most talked about restaurant since it opened in 2018. The restaurant and executive chef DiMeo have each been nominated for James Beard Awards. Bardea also attracted the attention of the White House, which chose Bardea to cook for President Joe Biden's 2024 Quad Summit in Delaware. Shared plates are highly suggested. Don't miss the burrata "pop tart" with sweet onion fennel jam; house-made pastas like the ravioli with duck confit, gorgonzola, and pear-walnut pesto; or share a dry-aged bone-in ribeye and a side of maitake mushrooms with sunchoke garum and caramelized onion crema. — Patricia Talorico, Delaware News Journal
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Bicyclette Cookshop | Naples, Florida
Details: 819 Vanderbilt Beach Road; 239-514-3333, bicyclettecookshop.com
What happens when a wunderkind chef teams up with a retired McDonald’s president on a new restaurant? The ultra-fun Bicyclette Cookshop, where deliciously playful food in a contemporary, casual setting boasts clever surprises without feeling twee. Like René Magritte, the surrealist painter acclaimed for presenting familiar objects and subjects in unfamiliar ways, executive chef-partner Kayla Pfeiffer uses food as her medium, next-leveling classic comfort fare where every intentional ingredient is well thought out. Caviar service pairs with a pack of crunchy Bugles, and the oeufs’ tin recalls classic rock album covers. Pfeiffer’s Big Mac riff, a tribute to business partner Louis Mele’s career, swaps slices of standard American for gooey raclette and Gruyere. That special sauce? Kimchi aioli. — Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News
Presented by Naples Daily News
Pearl & Horn | Pensacola, Florida
Details: 1504 W. Intendencia St.; 850-332-5108, pearlandhorn.com
The adventure at Pearl & Horn starts with where you sit. The restaurant’s theme celebrates the best of land and sea, and the two sections of the divided restaurant reflect that. The Pearl portion boasts a chic marble bar with views of freshly shucked oysters and handcrafted cocktails, while the Horn portion features woodland tones and rich brown leather booths. The menu spans flavors from around the world, including chef George Lazi’s roots in the country of Georgia. Once you’ve chosen your seat, you can pick the menu section you prefer. The baharat-dusted Colorado lamb chops and the crispy red snapper fillet with adjika beurre blanc and hasselback heirloom fingerlings are just a couple of the myriad delights on this intrepid, globe-trotting menu. — Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal
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Swordfish Grill | Cortez, Florida
Details: 4628 119th St. W.; 941-798-2035, swordfishgrillcortez.com
Nestled in the historic commercial fishing village of Cortez, Swordfish Grill is surrounded by working docks and pristine mangroves, gray pelicans and blue herons, leaping mullet, and frolicking dolphins. The experience is a delightful slice of Old Florida paradise. Owned by local fisherman John Banyas, Swordfish Grill offers a waterfront patio and tiki bar with live music, as well as an indoor bar and dining room adjacent to the open kitchen, where locally sourced seafood such as black grouper, American red snapper, or pompano are deftly blackened, grilled or fried. Craving a Southern classic? Order the delectable shrimp and grits. — Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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Wexford | Savannah, Georgia
Details: 27 Barnard St.; 912-335-0040, wexfordpub.com
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Although Savannah does not have an Irish heritage museum, Wexford comes close with its architecture, interiors and menu that convey the story of Irish immigration to Georgia’s first city – driven in the mid-1800s not by potatoes but by prospects and prosperity. This narrative thread, anchored in the archives of Georgia Southern University’s Center for Irish Research and Teaching, informed every aspect of Wexford’s design by the Irish Pub Co., as well as the menu that co-owner Jennifer Strickland helped shape after a 10-day eating tour of Ireland. She then spent another 18 months working with chefs Jason Cummings and Dustin Hambrick to develop a mix of shareables, handhelds and specialties such as fish and chips and shepherd's pie, resulting in generous servings of traditional-with-a-twist pub dishes that are at once clever, comforting and deeply satisfying. — Amy Paige Condon, Savannah Morning News
Presented by Savannah Morning News
Oak Park | Des Moines, Iowa
Details: 3901 Ingersoll Ave.; 515-620-2185, oakparkdsm.com
Few communities are lucky enough to have a restaurant like Oak Park, the New American gem that incorporates French techniques in the kitchen. Owner Kathy Fehrmann pulled together a stellar staff, designed a new building using the Prairie style of architecture made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright and considered every detail, from the acorn-shaped lights overhead to the local artwork on the wall. The menu from chef Ian Robertson touches on Midwest staples, such as a bacon-wrapped pork chop, as well as beloved newcomers such as the carrot Wellington and potato gnocchi served with truffle beurre monté that have become standards on this rotating menu. Executive pastry chef Jess Robertson, Ian’s wife, concocts desserts ranging from $4 oatmeal cream pies to $100 banana splits. Sam Tuttle heads up a wine program already lauded by Wine Spectator as one of the best in the country. — Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register
Presented by Des Moines Register
Bodhi | Indianapolis, Indiana
Details: 922 Massachusetts Ave.; 317-941-6595, bodhi-indy.com
Named for the Sanskrit word for enlightenment, Bodhi quickly became one of Indianapolis’ most acclaimed restaurants after opening at the north end of Mass Avenue in March 2021. The 21-plus Thai bistro and craft cocktail bar is a buzzing hangout approachable enough for a quick drink on the greenery-enclosed patio and refined enough for a celebratory splurge. The creative spark behind Bodhi spans three generations of Thai women: owner Taelor Carmine; her mother, Nicky; and her grandmother, Pen Phojanasupan. The family and its staff curate dishes like papaya salad and massaman curry that look familiar on a menu, yet feel completely fresh and novel on your plate. When someone says, “Just wait until you try really good Thai food,” they’re talking about places like Bodhi. — Bradley Hohulin, Indianapolis Star
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Roots Eatery and Pub | Wolcott, Indiana
Details: 114 N Range St.; 219-747-0051, rootseateryandpub.com
Indiana’s small towns are celebrated for hidden gem restaurants. But none is likely as locally sourced as Roots. Owned and operated by siblings Amber Farrington and Luke Furrer, Roots offers many Midwest-comfort favorites, like meatloaf and schnitzel. But the real stars of this restaurant’s plates are the beef and pork, raised on their family’s farm just down the road in Reynolds. Beyond the restaurant’s sign, it would be easy to look past the building while driving along US 231. Step inside and you’ll soon understand how this spot quickly became a destination eatery in a town of fewer than 1,000 residents. — Jillian Ellison, Lafayette Journal & Courier
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Decade | Louisville, Kentucky
Details: 1076 E. Washington St.; 502-749-0110, decaderestaurant.com
You almost wonder if you should knock. Standing on the steps in front of Decade's green door feels like showing up to a house party thrown by your coolest friend. This party happens inside an old brick building on the corner of a street in Butchertown, a Louisville neighborhood with few upscale restaurants. The eclectic artwork and subtle signs suggesting “enjoy yourself” welcome you like a good host would. Delicious food follows, whether it’s a happy hour hamburger, a shareable plate of roasted carrots, a locally sourced and perfectly cooked New York strip, a whole branzino or the must-try house-made focaccia bread served in miniature cast-iron skillets. Decade’s menu, including a wine list and creative cocktails, rotates seasonally. — Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal
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Quebedeaux's Cajun Cafe | Pineville, Louisiana
Details: 3800 Monroe Highway; 318-704-5935, quebedeauxscajuncafe.com
You can't miss the big alligator head sticking out of the facade. The interior, including the restrooms, is decorated with Louisiana-themed art and murals. Chef John Valenzuela owns the Creole Cajun restaurant along with his wife, Leslie. He worked with the renowned Prudhomme family in south Louisiana and learned that you build a restaurant for the diners — not yourself. Valenzuela brought the flavor of south Louisiana to central Louisiana so people here don’t have to drive to Lafayette or New Orleans. On the menu are Valenzuela's signature dishes such as the Voodoo Mambo which is "tasso, andouille sausage, shrimp and green onion cream on fresh pasta." — Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
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The Rooftop at Pelham House Resort | Dennis Port, Massachusetts
Details: 14 Sea St., 3rd Floor; 508-398-6076, pelhamhouseresort.com
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Diners in the know will check what time the sun sets before making reservations at The Rooftop at Pelham House Resort. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Nantucket Sound, offering a sweeping view as twilight slips in through the often open windows. The menu changes seasonally, with chef Dan Cote featuring local ingredients and a worldly influence, such as the Egyptian spice blend dukkah on the autumn salad. The 10 large plates on the menu cover a lot of appetites, with careful preparations of beef, duck, lamb, Chilean sea bass and spiced cauliflower. Leave room for a seasonal dessert cocktail, such as the Autumn Old Fashion. — Gwenn Friss Roiter, Cape Cod Times
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Wusong Tiki Bar | Cambridge, Massachusetts
Details: 112 Mt. Auburn St.; 617-528-9125, wusongroad.com.
When you stand outside Wusong Tiki Bar's historic building, you’d never suspect there’s a whole new world waiting inside. In 2020, chef-owner Jason Doo, 41, set out on a mission to open an affordable, family-friendly restaurant and to create an upscale, “Disneyesque,” immersive tiki bar experience. Everywhere you turn, you see something new: gold monkeys hanging from the ceiling; rainforest greenery; bright, tropical flowers; straw tiki rooftops; a variety of ceramic tiki tumblers; and a gong behind the bar that’s played for birthdays. The menu perfectly complements the atmosphere, with items such as pork and chicken bao decorated with cute pig and chicken faces. Don't miss the crab rangoon, made with house-made creme fraiche, real crab and lemon zest. — Joanna K. Tzouvelis, Wicked Local
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Bocado Tapas Wine Bar | Worcester, Massachusetts
Details: 82 Winter St.; 508-797-1011, bocadotapasbar.com
Sitting in a rehabbed factory building on a quiet corner in Worcester's popular Canal District, Bocado Tapas Wine Bar seems nondescript from the outside, but the neighborhood has always had its secrets. For instance, few locals know this was once the location of anarchist activist and writer Emma Goldman's ice cream shop. But behind the modest orange door and tightly drawn curtains, the restaurant pulses with life. Bocado’s deft marriage of casual vibes and gourmet food, where friends congregate at the bar and young couples sit at more secluded tables, have been the key to its success. From small, sharable plates of slow-roasted rabbit to large bowls of seafood paella, everything conveys a sense of sharing. — Victor D. Infante, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
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Mabel Gray | Hazel Park, Michigan
Details: 23825 John R Road; 248-398-4300, mabelgraykitchen.com
Few Detroit-area restaurants offer the level of continuous excellence that Mabel Gray exudes. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this fall, the New American restaurant has maintained its staying power by striking a delicate balance of consistency and imagination. There are tried-and-true classics, like steak frites, a 60-day dry-aged, bone-in American wagyu strip steak served with a hearty bowl of house-made fries decorated with pecorino and herbaceous clippings of fresh rosemary. And there are seasonal appearances, like a fall sweet corn tossed in umami miso butter, citrusy preserved lemon and salty, crunchy bits of chicharrónes. A decade in, James Beard Award-nominated chef James Rigato keeps the magic alive at Mabel Gray with innovative projects, like the restaurant’s new vampiric wine cave and private dining room, where sommelier Paulina Schemanski flaunts her skills in Champagne and vino. — Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press
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Tomato Brothers | Howell, Michigan
Details: 3030 W. Grand River Ave.; 517-546-9221, tomatobros.com
The color scheme at Tomato Brothers has changed since the 1980s, but everything else — from the classic soft lighting to the plush seats in the waiting area to the design of the children's menu — has been the same since today's adult diners were children. You can count on the restaurant to have a wait on the regular. People come for the classic Italian and Greek menu: the tasty pizza and meatballs and the pasta portions as big as your head. But really, truly, they come for the breadsticks — an unintended family addition that's known across the country, and even by celebrity actor Dax Shepard. — Cassandra Lybrink, Livingston Daily
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Middlegate Station | Fallon, Nevada
Details: 42500 Austin Highway; 775-423-7134
More than 40 miles outside of Fallon on Highway 50 – "the loneliest road in America" – sits Middlegate Station, a restaurant, bar, gas station and motel all in one. Once a Pony Express stop, it now serves one of the best burgers in all of Nevada. Fredda and Russell Stevenson bought the property in 1985 and it’s now a family affair, with three generations dishing up simple homestyle fare. But the restaurant is known best for its Monster Burger, a triple-decker beast with more than a pound of beef and hot peppers. — Peggy Santoro, Reno Gazette Journal
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Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro | Freehold Borough, New Jersey
Details: 30 E. Main St.; 732-333-0933, aarzu.com
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Downtown Freehold Borough is a treasure trove of restaurants, and its crown jewel may be Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro. An open, airy dining room lined with floor-to-ceiling windows looks out over Main Street, inviting diners to people-watch as they wait for their meal. Partners Archana Sharma, Sammeer Raajpal, Sidharth Sharma and Shravan Shetty (who is also the chef) seek to give Indian food the superstar status it deserves. They have shaped their menu around traditional preparations of dishes like butter chicken and biryani alongside elevated takes on the classics and Indian street food. No matter the dish, presentation is key, from the nest that cradles smoked quail eggs to the vibrant tangle of carrot and beet spirals atop tandoori salmon. — Sarah Griesemer, Asbury Park Press
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Steve's Burgers | Garfield, New Jersey
Details: 506 Route 46; 973-772-1770, instagram.com/stevesburgers
New school burgers meet old school digs in Steve’s Burgers, Jersey’s youngest landmark fast food joint. Competing against 100-year-old grease grub giants in a state where hot dogs are gods and patty melts their friars, the teenage spot has all but convinced a demographic of “I only eat at one place” loyalists that its stools are more worthy of their butts than whatever hometown sweetheart has gotten them for the past five decades. At the heart of the operation is Steve Chrisomalis, a classically trained chef who, in his 20s, chose to swap prime filet mignons for 80/20 beef patties. Today, at 37, the restaurateur is topping those chuck blends with beer-battered onion rings, over-easy eggs and other Instagrammable accoutrements to create the perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation. — Kara VanDooijeweert, NorthJersey.com
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Canal House Station | Milford, New Jersey
Details: 2 Bridge St.; 908-995-7200, canalhousestation.com
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Canal House Station is in the quiet Delaware River town of Milford, but its food – and pedigree – is fierce. Founders Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer are some of the biggest names in the culinary world as operators of Canal House publishing studio, James Beard Award semifinalists and former editors of Saveur magazine. But diners won’t find pretentious fare at Canal House Station. They’ll enjoy American favorites untethered to trends during the five-course Sunday dinner, including carrot, turmeric and ginger soup; almond prune and plum tart; goulash with egg noodles. Inside the cafe area, farmhouse tables are flanked by an open kitchen dotted with cookbooks and produce. The fine dining area evokes the history of the former Milford Railroad Station, where dark woods meet tall windows. — Jenna Intersimone, MyCentralJersey.com
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Augstine's Salumeria | Mamaroneck, New York
Details: 213 Halstead Ave.; 914-315-6541, augustinesny.com
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Farm-driven food and an emphasis on authentic Italian cooking are the focus at Augustine’s, where husband-and-wife owners Brianne Myers and chef Marc Taxiera pour their heart and soul into everything they do. Both bring into their casual neighborhood spot a storied pedigree from some of Manhattan’s top restaurants: The Russian Tea Room for him and BLT Steak for her. Taxiera — a frequent visitor to San Leucio, Italy, where his family is from — has a modern take on dishes inspired by his mother and grandmother. The family theme is big here: The restaurant is named after Taxiera’s grandfather, who used a prized fork for optimal "pasta-to-mouth-delivery” as part of the restaurant’s logo. The 2-year-old restaurant has also received kudos from Michelin and Wine Spectator. A must-try: the pappardelle with duck ragu, red wine, herbs and spices. The pasta is made in-house from flour that’s grown and milled in Pennsylvania from a pre-Revolutionary War grist mill. — Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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Rocky's Restaurant | Rochester, New York
Details: 170 Jay St.; 585-232-9717, rockysonjaystreet.com
Rocky’s Restaurant is the last remaining Italian-American restaurant in a neighborhood that was once the epicenter of the city’s sizable Italian population. This unpretentious spot has been in the same place and run by the same family since 1949 – and not much of the decor and menu has changed since. It serves delicious, piping hot, no-frills fare at reasonable prices. It’s known for its tripe, and Thursday is its biggest day of the week, when it serves its homemade ravioli. The service is above and beyond. Expect your house salad to be served in a wooden bowl and your soda in a plastic cup from the 2013 PGA Championship at the nearby Oak Hill Country Club. Simply put, Rocky’s is a Rochester institution. — Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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Olivero | Wilmington, North Carolina
Details: 522 S. Third St.; 910-399-2961, oliveroilm.com
The family photos on the wall are more than just decorations here. They are the inspiration for the restaurant that James Beard nominated chef Sunny Gerhart created in a renovated laundromat. The namesake is his great-grandfather, merchant sailor Jose Olivero, and the path he followed through Spain, Italy and North Africa before settling in New Orleans. Co-executive chef Lauren Krall Ivey helps bring those flavors to life and has also worked in renowned kitchens, notably in James Beard winner Ashley Christensen’s flagship Death and Taxes restaurant. Olivero’s menu is familiar with unexpected twists – house-made pasta with octopus Bolognese, beignets topped with mortadella and fontina fonduta, a shareable plate of grilled chicken thighs with crispy okra. — Allison Ballard, Wilmington StarNews
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The restaurants of Western North Carolina
USA TODAY honors the Asheville restaurant industry for its resolute actions to feed and care for first responders and the community amid and in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene. The historic, late-September storm pummeled Western North Carolina leaving a wake of devastation. The service industry was at the core of the relief efforts, with workers giving their all to care for neighbors while enduring their own losses and woes. The food and beverage community’s sacrifices and grueling, round-the-clock work are recognized. This year, instead of choosing one restaurant, USA TODAY pays homage to all the resilient hospitality workers and businesses. — Tiana Kennell, Asheville Citizen Times
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The Crown | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Details: 7204 N. Western Ave.; 405-242-3471, thecrownokc.com
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The stark transition from the bright, white exterior of the building into the dark, moody interior of The Crown sets the tone for the well-crafted sensory experience chef-owner Eric Smith’s team works to bring from start to finish. Inside, you’ll find character in both the people and the food. The team gives familiar ingredients fun new ways to shine, from masterfully prepared cocktails at the bar to dutifully selected menu options. You’ll find Asian flavors scattered throughout, from sushi rolls to entrees such as the pork three ways, or The Crown’s signature Patrick Bateman — a playful surf and turf dish. Nowhere is that more true than in Smith’s two choices for tasting options: a customized experience in the main dining room or an extravagant immersion of your five senses in The Crown Room. Plus, when Smith isn’t honing his own craft, he’s giving back to the community or partnering with other chefs to let them flex their own creative muscles. — JaNae Williams, The Oklahoman
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The Aperture | Cincinnati, Ohio
Details: 900 E. McMillan St.; 513-872-1970, theaperturecinci.com
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Located in a restored art deco building that most recently housed a pawn shop, The Aperture features a cool, minimalist dining room warmed by an open-fire kitchen. Here, chef-owner Jordan Anthony-Brown offers a mezze-style menu that demonstrates how to balance complex textures and flavors without abandoning comfort. Case in point: his hamachi collar, served in a sweet orange glaze, zig-zagged with a crab paste miso aioli and polka-dotted with sliced serrano chilies. A Cincinnati native, Anthony-Brown left town for about 20 years, honing his craft at restaurants such as the Michelin-starred Rose’s Luxury in Washington, D.C. Since opening The Aperture, he’s received both local and national accolades, including a spot on the New York Times annual list of the 50 best restaurants in America. —Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer
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Agni | Columbus, Ohio
Details: 716 S. High St.; 614-674-6600, dineatagni.com
An evening at Agni is a course-by-course trip around the world. Each meticulously prepared, beautifully plated dish takes you to a place that’s meaningful to chef-owner Avishar Barua or his team: his Bengali background, Midwest upbringing and travels in Thailand; his kitchen staff’s roots in Oaxaca, Mexico; his old job at a Chinese restaurant and more. Barua, a former “Top Chef” contestant who has beaten Bobby Flay and cooked on “Guy’s Grocery Games,” is a serious but playful chef. Among his creations are a masala ranch dressing for a fried-mushroom bar dish and a “heckuva good” sauce for his chaat starter that’s an ode to Heluva Good grocery-store dip. Agni was one of Bon Appetit's best new restaurants of 2024, and Barua was a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef Great Lakes in 2024. — Bob Vitale, Columbus Dispatch
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Social at the Stone House | Massillon, Ohio
Details: 824 Lincoln Way East; 330-809-0461, socialstonehouse.com
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There’s a realization when you step into Social at the Stone House that this meticulously renovated Romanesque house built in the 1840s is a place to be enjoyed for any occasion. Wind down after a busy week with a creative libation, perhaps a hibiscus velvet mule or a luxe mocktail. Grab a table by one of the five indoor fireplaces to chat with friends and enjoy Asian fusion dishes such as kung pao dumplings or baked feta with grilled focaccia. — Bev Shaffer, Canton Repository
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Hayward | McMinnville, Oregon
Details: 1140 NE Alpine Ave.; 503-687-3605, haywardrestaurant.com
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The hidden-in-plain-sight restaurant – a James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant – is easy to miss, with only a small sign indicating its location inside Mac Market. But executive chef Kari Shaughnessy’s work embodies the tenets of Oregon's farm-to-table movement, with a focus on supporting local growers, promoting sustainability and engaging in community projects. The menu is approachable, accompanied by a mix of music and the hum of marketplace activity. Shaughnessy initially opened it as a breakfast spot that evolved through the pandemic. Now, dishes have varied Asian, Italian and New American influences, including a don't-miss sesame focaccia with koji butter made fresh daily. — Em Chan, Salem Statesman Journal
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Akadi | Portland, Oregon
Details: 1001 SE Division St.; 971-271-7072, akadipdx.com
The word "akâdi,” derived from the Bambara language, means "tasty." The restaurant Akadi in Portland lives up to the name. High ceilings, dazzling lights and hanging plants greet customers as they are whisked to their seats inside the West African restaurant. The decor and music reflect the cuisine that chef Fatou Ouattara serves, immersing diners in the culture for the duration of their meal. Menu staples include hearty stews that can be paired with fufu (fermented cassava dough) and fish and meat entrees. Akadi is especially well-loved for its sauces made from roasted carrots, ginger, garlic, Roma tomatoes and a savory mix of African spices. — Samantha Pierotti, Eugene Register-Guard
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Poison Heart | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Details: 931 Spring Garden St.; poisonheartbar.com
What makes you visit a restaurant again and again? A menu packed with favorites? Regular surprise menus? An exciting vibe that hits when you enter? Poison Heart checks all the boxes, a combination that melds a punky, people-watching hot spot with an innovative test kitchen. Poison Heart’s setting is a black box topped with a big neon cherry, '90s rock nostalgia with a playlist to match. While listening to Kate Bush and sipping your freezer martini, enjoy staples like oysters and waffle fries “wit wiz.” Lest those favorites make you too comfortable, savor a revolving lineup of chef residencies, like Old Liz’s Oklahoma-inspired burger and caviar donuts from Elma. Whether the patrons or plates, there’s always something interesting at Poison Heart. — Annemarie Dooling, USA TODAY
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Dharma Bums | Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Details: 4935 River Road; 215-663-2867, dbums.com
Dharma Bums offers an inventive menu so surprisingly delicious, you’ll forget it's vegetarian. Mixing comfort food favorites with Asian flair, find small bites and mains like hand-cut Thai street fries, kimchi mac 'n' cheese balls, hot honey cauliflower, and waffles topped with gochujang and black miso garlic butter. But this peaceful retreat on a quiet edge of Bucks County is more than its menu. With plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to host community-centered events – including acoustic jam circles, weekly hootenannies, craft workshops, yoga classes, clothing swaps and pop-up markets – Dharma Bums embodies a spirit much like the book it was named after, creating a place for expression, reflection and connection. — Michele Haddon, Bucks County Courier Times/The Intelligencer
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Matunuck Oyster Bar | South Kingstown, Rhode Island
Details: 629 Succotash Road; 401-783-4202, rhodyoysters.com
Matunuck Oyster Bar offers destination dining on Potter Pond, where its signature oysters are grown and harvested. Nestled on a beach road in South Kingstown, 35 miles south of Providence, the restaurant offers a taste of Rhode Island. Lobster rolls, classic stuffies (local stuffed quahogs) and clams casino are on the menu, as is clear-broth Rhode Island chowder. Sushi, ceviche, tuna tartare tacos and scallops crudo offer modern takes on local seafood. A winning wine list pairs with the menu. As for mood: Watch the harvested oysters cleaned on the deck or shucked at the raw bar, or sit on the roof deck. Can't miss? Order the special, a bottle of Tattinger Champagne with a dozen oysters. — Gail Ciampa, Providence Journal
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Comal 864 | Greenville, South Carolina
Details: 1112 Woodside Ave. and 219 W. Antrim Drive, Suite C; 864-214-1862, comal864.com
Comal 864 announces itself with 12 red, green and yellow peppers dangling from its storefront – a visual cue of the cultural food experience happening inside. What began as a 2019 pop-up restaurant has turned into two thriving crosstown eateries that specialize in traditional Tex-Mex cuisine with a twist. Chef Dayna Lee-Marquez has the expertise and charisma to infuse Japanese and Southern flavors into the ever-evolving menu while keeping it rooted in South Texas. She also brings a civic mind to her work, supplying free food and hygiene products during the holiday season and cooking for the community during the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene. Comal 864 is a gem. — A.J. Jackson, Greenville News
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Sanaa's Gourmet Mediterranean | Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Details: 401 E. Eighth St., Unit 100; 605-275-2516, sanaacooks.com
At Sanaa’s Gourmet Mediterranean, a two-time James Beard Foundation award nominee, there are freshly made fatayers, vegetarian kibbeh, kofta kabobs and, course, beloved baklava. But perhaps the daily line of lunchgoers hunger most for their chance to greet the charming restaurateur herself, Syrian-born Sanaa Abourezk. She will dance in the kitchen, fingers snapping and all, then approach the counter with her red lipstick and red pepper earrings on, serve a plate of organic cuisine for you and then ask how your kids are doing. Her menu is consistent and savory; the colors of the boutique restaurant are playful and warm – as are the low-hanging decorative lamps; and oh, our local darling Sanaa, she will teach you how to properly love food and how to love yourself. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
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A Dopo | Knoxville, Tennessee
Details: 516 Williams St.; 865-321-1297, adopopizza.com
Sometimes hidden in the shadows of the overpassing interstate, the unassuming A Dopo in downtown Knoxville is a local culinary gem that elevates the concept of sourdough pizza to a dinner-only delicacy. Most often requiring a reservation for a guaranteed seat at a candlelit table, A Dopo specializes in “Neapolitan-ish” pizzas, including a mouth-watering truffle pie made with aged mozzarella, white truffle oil, speck ham, mushrooms, chives and fig jam. Don’t sleep on the small-batch gelato or the impressive selection of Italian wine and local beer. Owned by a leader in the Knoxville food scene who supports budding restaurateurs, A Dopo is a must-try for anyone who thinks their favorite pizza can’t be topped. Just let A Dopo’s flavor change your mind. — Ryan Wilusz, Knoxville News Sentinel
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Bad Idea | Nashville, Tennessee
Details: 1021 Russell St.; 629-729-4332, badideanashville.com
Book your reservation now on Open Table.
Nashville's Bad Idea is a wine bar and restaurant set in a former Presbyterian church that fell into disrepair after a vicious tornado. Now, it’s an anchor for the neighborhood, a temple to fascinating wines and Laotian-inspired food that draws on chef Colby Rasavong’s heritage. Here, Rasavong deftly evokes the French colonization of Laos, which infused the food and wine culture there. You’ll find pain perdu paired with caviar and Southeast Asian coconut jam, and lacy crepes stuffed with scallops and served with a racy nam prik-infused blanquette. All told, Bad Idea is anything but. — Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean
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Dai Due | Austin, Texas
Details: 2406 Manor Road; 512-524-0688, daidue.com
Hunter, fisherman, chef and award-winning author Jesse Griffiths and Tamara Mayfield opened Dai Due restaurant and butcher shop in 2014 as an outgrowth of their popular supper club and farmers market stand, and the seasonal and local ethos of a farmers market is the anchor of this rustic beauty. All of the proteins, produce, beverages and homemade accoutrements have roots in the Lone Star State, from the smoked porterhouse hog served with apple butter to the tallow-roasted mushrooms you can drape over crusty sourdough spread with whipped cherry lard. No restaurant says “Texas” with the same confidence as Dai Due, which executive chef Janie Ramirez, a year-one employee, has steered for more than a half-dozen years on the course set by Griffiths and Mayfield. — Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman
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Jimenez y Friends Barbecue y Taqueria | Lubbock, Texas
Details: 4606 34th St.; 806-407-5771, instagram.com/jimenez_lbk
Known for its fresh corn tortillas, the hangover-curing Drunken Taco, the queso-covered Smothered Burrito and – now – barbecue smoked over pecan wood, Jimenez y Friends Barbecue y Taqueria has earned all kinds of accolades lately, including Texas Monthy's top 50 tacos and a review from the magazine for its barbecue. But life-long Lubbockites will remember the family name from its first business, a burrito shop, which launched in 1992 and fed Texas Tech Red Raiders until 2003. Today, customers for the to-go-only restaurant are greeted by a piñata atop a display case of baked goods and a colorful mosaic tile counter where a Jimenez family member jots down orders in a small waiting room. The food is worth the wait, and the barbecue has become so popular, it's served at its own weekend pop-up: Friends BBQ. — Alana Edgin, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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Three Brothers | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Details: 2414 S. St. Clair St.; 414-481-7530, threebrothersmke.com
Tucked into a residential area in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood, this sweet Serbian restaurant has been a cornerstone of the community for 68 years, a family-run space for three generations. Step inside the cozy dining room at Three Brothers and you’re transported to Grandma’s house, right down to the Formica tables. Homestyle Serbian fare is brought to the table on mismatched plates and platters: A fresh Serbian salad that sneaks a wallop of flavor in its seeming simplicity, chicken paprikash that soothes and pickled sarma with fluffy dumplings that sings. And, of course, the burek: the restaurant’s signature is squeeze-your-shoulder comfort with a crust that crackles into a flurry of buttery, paper-thin phyllo. Three Brothers is a time capsule of Old World charm with heaps of comfort to spare. — Rachel Bernhard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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BroKogi Korean Fusion Restaurant | Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Details: 108 Division St.; 715-618-6215, koreanrestaurantstevenspoint.com
Diners travel from across central Wisconsin to experience fried chicken, Korean corndogs, bulgogi beef, kimchi fried rice and other dishes at BroKogi Korean Fusion Restaurant in Stevens Point. Nestled in a small building next to Jimmy John’s along the city’s main thoroughfare, the unassuming restaurant has become the go-to for diners hoping to satisfy their Korean cuisine cravings. Brothers Sangwoon Kim, 20, and Sangin Kim, 19, opened BroKogi in September 2023 after operating a successful food truck for just a few months. When owners of the only brick-and-mortar Korean restaurant in central Wisconsin closed, the Kim brothers took the leap, opening a permanent location, keeping Korean cuisine in the area. It was so successful that 10 months later, the brothers opened a second location in Wausau. — Caitlin Shuda, Stevens Point Journal
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best restaurants in the US: 44 spots you need to visit in 2025
