Yelp Crowns “Here We Are” in New York City as Top Restaurant in U.S. for 2026
Yelp’s annual list of the Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S.has revealed the dining experiences resonating most with its community, with “Here We Are,” a modern Italian restaurant in New York City, taking the coveted No. 1 spot for 2026.The list,announced today,highlights a diverse range of establishments across 34 states,reflecting evolving culinary trends and a continued demand for both affordability and unique dining experiences.
“This year’s list is a testament to the power of the Yelp community,” said Tara Lewis, Yelp’s trend expert. “By sharing honest reviews and photos, diners have surfaced a mix of cozy neighborhood favorites, brunch and sandwich shops, and unique culinary experiences you won’t find on any other list.”
The 2026 list demonstrates a broad spectrum of dining experiences, from fine-dining establishments like GW Fins (#8) in New Orleans and food halls such as Los Angeles’s Broken Mouth (#7), to beloved sandwich shops like Blues City Deli (#82) in St. Louis and budget-kind eateries like adela’s Country Eatery (#6) in Kaneohe, HI.Sence 2014, Yelp’s annual rankings have recognized nearly 1,000 restaurants in over 400 cities, significantly boosting thier visibility and revenue.
Top 5 Restaurants on Yelp’s 2026 List:
- Here We Are (New York, New York) – Celebrated for its modern Italian cuisine and standout classics like Rigatoni Alla Gricia.
- Taste of Texas (Houston, Texas) – A 50-year-old steakhouse allowing guests to hand-select their cuts.
- NAM Kitchen (Gardena, California) – A Vietnamese-Peruvian fusion restaurant and the most-reviewed business on this year’s list.
- Waffle and Berry (Honolulu, Hawaii) – An all-day waffle and açaí café boasting a near-perfect five-star rating.
- Comfort Cafe (San Antonio, Texas) – A nonprofit brunch spot operating on a “pay what you can” model, supporting addiction recovery.
Regional Hotspots and Emerging Trends
Texas dominated this year’s rankings with 17 restaurants, including seven in Houston alone. California followed closely with nine honorees, while New York City secured five spots. Beyond traditional culinary hubs, Nashville and Las Vegas emerged as rising stars, each claiming four restaurants on the list, signaling a growing diversification of the nation’s dining scene.
The list also reveals a strong preference for affordability, with approximately 65% of the featured restaurants priced under $30 per person. This indicates a continued demand for high-quality, budget-friendly meals alongside more upscale dining experiences.
Diners are currently embracing several key culinary trends, including nostalgic comfort food at spots like Pep & Dolores (#10); elevated sandwiches, as exemplified by Stasi’s (#75); all-day breakfast and brunch options at RJ Skillets (#14); Japanese and Nikkei cuisine at Noko Nashville (#24); and restaurants offering a special-occasion, dress-up atmosphere like COTE Miami (#20).
AI-powered Tools Enhance Dining Discovery
Yelp is further empowering diners with new artificial intelligence tools designed to simplify the restaurant discovery process. The Yelp assistant, an AI-powered chatbot, provides instant answers to questions about local businesses directly on their Yelp pages. Additionally,Menu Vision utilizes a user’s camera to surface real photos and reviews of dishes as they browse a menu,aiding in real-time ordering decisions.
The complete Yelp top 100 Restaurants of 2026 list is available on the Yelp app, and additional facts about the winning establishments can be found on Yelp’s website. Photos of the featured restaurants are included in the press kit.
To determine the rankings, Yelp analyzed businesses in the restaurant category based on a combination of review volume and ratings, with a preference for establishments maintaining a passing health score as of November 6, 2025. Founded in San Francisco in 2004, Yelp Inc. continues to connect millions of people with local businesses through its community-driven platform.
