Bon Appetit has been a lead advocate in the growth of the food movement since the very beginning. As part of their mission to bring the world of food to the home chef, they began putting together a list of the best new restaurants in America.
Every year, a few members of the Bon Appetit staff travel the country (…um how do I get volunteered for that) and identify 50 of the trendiest, most innovative, and most delicious restaurant concepts. Then, they later release their official Top 10 Hot New Restaurants both in the print magazine and online. Each of the top 10 gets a full story in the magazine, allowing readers everywhere to almost get the chance to taste the food. But what about the rest of the equally-deserving list?
Here’s what dishes you should order at each of the Best New Restaurant nominees to get a taste of what makes them so special ahead of the Hot 10 release.
Bavel (Los Angeles, CA)
It doesn’t matter what you order for your main course, it’s all good. What really matters is the first thing you’re going to put in your mouth when you stop by this little LA institution inspired by middle eastern cuisine. Be sure to order the Duck ‘Nduja Hummus, which comes with their made-to-order pita.
Better Luck Tomorrow (Houston, TX)
You wouldn’t expect much out of the food from this low-key neighborhood bar if you stumbled upon it unknowingly. Maybe you’d get a hint once you look at the surprisingly fresh menu, but you’d really know after you got your first taste of their cacio e pepe #pastatuesday special.
Bitter Ends Garden & Luncheonette (Pittsburgh, PA)
Built around a garden concept, this restaurant’s menu relies entirely on what’s growing at the moment. If you happen to have the chance to stop by over the summer in peak produce season, grab the tomato sandwich while you can.
Brenner Pass (Richmond, VA)
Reflecting the owner’s love for the mountains, this Richmond, VA institution sounds like it would be out of place. Locals don’t mind the incongruity and neither should you because it translates into a large menu of craft cocktails and a food menu full of innovative dishes with European influence.
If you really want the full experience, get a large group together and order the whole roasted suckling pig, which comes with a variety of family style sides.
Bywater American Bistro (New Orleans, LA)
Although NoLa is the common influence that runs through all of Bywater American Bistro’s food, chef Nina Compton puts her own unique twist on every dish. Their meals don’t have unnecessary frills, but are guaranteed to make you feel good on the inside. Stop by for brunch on the weekend and try the rice porridge with hogs head broth, spicy shrimp, and pickled carrots.
Cadence (Philadelphia, PA)
Cadence boasts a playful menu with categories simply labelled by number, one through four. Going with the set price menu will give you the biggest bang for your buck, at $65 for four courses, not including drinks because it’s a BYOB concept. Be sure to order the beautifully seared scallop with pork and broccoli for your second course.
Cafe Roze (Nashville, TN)
Cafe Roze is killing the All Day Cafe concept in East Nashville. As hard as it is to choose between stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I’d recommend snagging the Roze Bowl off the Breakfast and Lunch menu. It’s perfectly Instagram worthy with beets, lentils, quinoa, and roasted zucchini. For an extra pop of color and protein, add the turmeric egg.
Call (Denver, CO)
If you want a hint of the playful vibe that awaits you at Call, check out their website. The bright natural light and welcoming vibe make for the perfect place to rejuvenate during lunch. Grab a smoked mushroom tartine on fresh-baked bread that will have you abandoning sandwiches for good.
Carnitas Lonja (San Antonio, TX)
If there’s one thing that Texans know, it’s their meats. And then up next, it would have to be tacos. This new restaurant combines the two in a simple carnitas-centric menu and does it so well that they frequently sell out of the stuff. Stop by at a reasonable time and you’ll get the chance to try it, hopefully with a side of beans and guac.
Cervo’s (New York City)
Although Cervo’s is dubbed an oyster bar first, you’re going to want to explore their entire seafood-centric menu when you visit. If you can, grab a drink and try a variety of their appetizers. The simplest is also a crowd favorite: prawns a la plancha.
The Charter Oak (St. Helena, CA)
Because of its proximity to Napa Valley, The Charter Oak is in the unique position to honor local ingredients without forcing it or sacrificing flavor. It’s a great idea to keep an eye on the special board because it will always feature the absolute freshest local ingredients.
One way to explore their seasonal take on a classic dish is by ordering the monthly wing flavor. These are a whole world away from the mediocre takeout buffalo wings you grew up eating.
Che Fico (San Francisco, CA)
Who says high quality Italian food needs to be enjoyed in stuffy old-school restaurants, wearing only super fancy clothes? Apparently not the masterminds behind Che Fico. They use California ingredients to create comforting Italian dishes, like the spaghetti alla chittara topped with a mound of black truffle and pecorino romano.
Drifters Wife (Portland, ME)
Located in a Portland, Maine wine shop, this place was a local’s hidden gem until Bon Appetit spilled the beans. At least that means that you’ll get the chance to experience their menu that was carefully crafted around the shop’s wine selection. The dinner menu changes daily, but if it’s available, try stepping out of your comfort zone to try the cod with yogurt, lentils, and beef tongue.
Driftwood Oven (Pittsburgh, PA)
As the name suggests, Driftwood Oven is a restaurant concept built entirely around one giant pizza oven. It all began with a passion for sourdough, which they use for fresh bread as well as their 16-inch pizza crusts. Try ordering a classic pie with mozzarella, pecorino, red sauce, and basil that makes the delicious crust shine.
Ellē (Washington, D.C.)
Although the name may take a few tries to get right, Ellē’s menu will have you hooked from your very first taste. They began as a bakery and still stay true to their roots by baking fresh breads and pastries every day. Try stopping by on your way to work for a breakfast sandwich, featuring house smoked brisket, farm eggs, and cheese on a sesame potato bun.
Felix (Venice, CA)
Inspired by Italy and fueled with local California ingredients, Felix has already been nominated to the James Beard Awards. The first thing you’ll notice about the menu is that the pasta dishes are categorized by Italian region. I’d recommend going for one of the “Le Paste del Centro” called Rigatoni All’Amatriciana, featuring guanciale pork, tomatoes, and certified DOP pecorino romano.
Flowers of Vietnam (Detroit, MI)
After a long hiatus from his hometown, Flowers of Vietnam chef George Azar is back and doing better than ever at telling the underdog story from deep within southwest Detroit. Every dish is given a letter and number code to make ordering easy, so I’ll just say stick to B-3. It’s a showstopper fried whole fish with tomato, banana blossom, forbidden rice, and cilantro.
Folk (Nashville, TN)
Folk’s tagline is “A place for everyone” and I have to say that I personally think they should change it to “A meal for everyone.” With pizza as a centerpiece, it’s pretty easy to make everyone happy. For a funky bite, try ordering the clam pizza topped with bonito, lemon, chili, and fresh parsley.
Freedman’s (Los Angeles, CA)
If you’ve been operating under the belief that there’s no such thing as a good deli on the west coast, you’re going to have to accept that you were wrong all along. Freedman’s is just the Jewish New York deli that you’ve been looking for, but in LA. Do yourself a favor and order the Freedman’s Reuben, available all day, and so good that they put their name on it on the menu.
Frenchette (New York City, NY)
Frenchette is exactly how it sounds, a tiny little French restaurant in the heart of New York City. For now, they only serve dinner, but say that breakfast, lunch, and brunch menus are on their way. You might as well try out a dish traditional to France but rarely seen in the United States, Blanquette de Lapin. For those who didn’t take french in high school, that translates to stewed rabbit with fresh egg noodles and morel mushrooms.
Hearthside (Collingswood, NJ)
The entire dining room of Hearthside is built around their stunning wood-fired oven so that you can watch your food as it’s being made. Menu items are sorted by small, medium, large, and for the table. Get the full hearth experience by ordering the 30-day dry aged porterhouse.
Hello, Sailor (Cornelius, NC)
Celebrating North Carolina’s unique combination of southern comfort food traditions and access to fresh seafood, just looking at Hello, Sailor’s menu can be a little intimidating. Instead of having to choose, order the No. 2 platter, which showcases both baby back pork ribs and carolina shrimp calabash with sides of avocado coleslaw and beef fat french fries. It’s the best of both worlds.
#SpoonTip: Be sure to save room for dessert because you’re going to want to Instagram your pineapple soft serve in front of their colorful mural wall.
JuneBaby (Seattle, WA)
JuneBaby is like a journey through the American south. Chef Edouardo Jordan hopes to showcase the beautiful and delicious cuisine that came out of hard times without ignoring the hard history. The menu features all the classics from buttermilk biscuits and cornbread to fried catfish and oxtail. Try coming on Saturday night for JuneBaby’s signature BBQ Dinner.
Kado no Mise (Minneapolis, MN)
“Kado no Mise” translates to corner restaurant and that’s just what this joint’s concept is. No frills. Only simple and delicate food that’s handcrafted to order. Skip looking at the menu and sit at the sushi counter so you can order Omasake and let the chef make you his ideal dinner.
Kamonegi (Seattle, WA)
Kamonegi really specializes in just two simple items: tempura and soba noodles. Since they’re one of the few restaurants in the entire nation to serve handmade noodles, you’ll want try one of their 8 soba noodle offerings. Order the Shrimpcado Bukkake so you can also test out their secret recipe for shrimp tempura over a cold noodle preparation.
The Lakewood (Durham, NC)
Unfortunately for both residents of Durham and the rest of the foodie world alike, The Lakewood restaurant has closed since BA assembled their list.
The Line (Washington, D.C.)
The Line Hotel in Washington DC is the perfect place for foodies to stay that don’t want to have to stray far from their room for a fantastic meal. The hotel boasts three separate dining experiences.
At A Rake’s Progress, which showcases southern food with local ingredients, try grilled french toast with pork belly for brunch. Brothers and Sisters is the perfect stop American classics with a Japanese and Taiwanese twist, like octopus hot dog. Spoken English offers an intimate asian-inspired meal with dishes like whole roast duck served family style.
Majordōmo (Los Angeles, CA)
Majordōmo is a brainchild of David Chang, the founder of the Momofuku enterprise, offering yet another unique selection of asia-inspired dinner items. Their menu changes daily, but try ordering the fried skate rice with scallion, egg, and chili sauce on a date night.
Marisol (Chicago, IL)
Marisol’s contemporary cuisine is just as innovative and playful as the large, multi-colored mural that covers the restaurant’s main wall. Artist Chris Ofili’s immersive paintings create the perfect environment for enjoying Chef Jason Hammel’s always-evolving seasonal menu. Running with the art and food theme, be sure to start your meal off with the Marisol Salad inspired by a recipe from the MoMA Artists’ Cookbook.
Maydan (Washington, D.C.)
Maydan means gathering space. It is a space where diners from all backgrounds are surrounded by a melting pot of delicious dishes. Come with as many friends as you can gather so you can try a variety of dishes.
Every table is set with fresh bread, so order some spreads that you haven’t heard of for dipping, like Muhamarra, a combination of walnuts, red pepper, and pomegranate molasses, and Taktouka, a spin on marinara with stewed tomato, green peppers, and garlic.
MTN (Venice, CA)
When you walk into MTN, don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the large menu featuring a variety of innovative takes on authentic Japanese dishes. Take a few breaths and accept the fact that you’re going to have to come back. But, for now, make sure you get your hands on the pork bone ramen. It’s the best of the best with house made noodles and 18-hour slow simmered broth.
Nimblefish (Portland, OR)
Sushi? In Portland, Oregon? Why the hell not? They always have a huge variety of extremely fresh fish to choose from, so try the Chirashi-zushi, which is like the original poke bowl. Check out the menu for a little background on where each fish is sourced from.
Nonesuch (Oklahoma City, OK)
Eating at Nonesuch isn’t like eating at a regular restaurant. It’s a dining experience. The only seating option is one of 20 seats at a giant single counter and the only menu option is a 10-course tasting menu.
Everything may be out of your hands, but in this case that’s okay. Every single bite is perfectly crafted by the culinary team using local ingredients.
Nyum Bai (Oakland, CA)
Despite Americans’ recent fascination with exploring international cuisines, you still don’t hear much about Cambodia. By celebrating nostalgic Cambodian food, Nyum Bai hopes to expose more Bay Area residents to it. Get your feet wet with Amok, a traditional dish featuring steamed fish cooked in banana leaves with egg, kroeung spice paste, and coconut milk.
Palmar (Miami, FL)
In a town well-known for Cuban cuisine, Palmar automatically sticks out for offering a menu full of Chinese stapes as well as standout dishes from other Asian countries. The tropical atmosphere matches Miami, so grab a drink and relax while you enjoy their house made Dim Sum dumplings with fillings like duck confit, prawn and chive, or scallop kaffir lime.
Pammy’s (Cambridge, MA)
Pammy’s is a family-owned establishment inspired by the Italian trattoria, or neighborhood restaurant. That makes it the perfect environment for a relaxed weeknight dinner with friends or get together with family. The Italian-inspired menu pulls international ingredients to create unique and interesting dishes like Lumache pasta with bolognese sauce and gochujang.
Proud Mary (Portland, OR)
Proud Mary began as a coffee roastery and wholesaler. When they decided to branch out to offering breakfast and lunch, it was an instant hit. Their Australian-inspired menu is the poster child for the perfect mix of sweet and savory brunch dishes, including the locals’ favorite “Toast to the Producers” featuring local mushrooms, ricotta, and sourdough.
Robin (San Francisco, CA)
The concept behind Robin was to create a modern take on traditional Japanese Omakase. In practice, that means sushi made with perfect technique and local and sustainably-sourced ingredients. Every diner gets to curate their own experince, but be sure to try some non-traditional seafood like Barracuda and Seaperch.
Rose Foods (Portland, ME)
BA writer and Portland aficionado, Andrew Knowlton, said that Rose Foods was “worth its weight in legit bagels.” Those are fighting words for members of the loyal NY Bagel fan club, but Rose can hold their own. This misplaced Jewish Deli is the perfect place to order a Luxe Lox bagel with nova lox, salmon caviar, and lox cream cheese.
RT Rotisserie (San Francisco, CA)
Didn’t think that an entire restaurant concept could work around a simple rotisserie chicken? Chef Evan Rich is working hard to prove you wrong. Aside from the obvious rotisserie chicken order, be sure to try the whole roasted cauliflower with red beet tahini for a pop of color and freshness.
Sorrel (San Francisco, CA)
On any given day, you can find Sorrel’s culinary team raiding Bay Area farmer’s markets in addition to stocking up on what’s best from their own personal gardens. That makes for a constantly changing, but always fresh, menu. They don’t have any permanent dishes, but take the chance to try their squash blossoms with corn, garbanzo beans, ricotta, and pickled green tomato if you get it.
Sour Duck Market (Austin, TX)
I’ll admit that when I looked into the Sour Duck Market, I was surprised that the limited menu earned it a spot on BA’s list. After reading raving review after raving review, however, I had to remind myself that it’s about quality over quantity. If you can pry your eyes away from the stocked bakery case, try the gourmet wagyu burger with burnt ends mayo, queso, and pico.
Suerte (Austin, TX)
Inspired by the long-lasting traditions of Mexican fiestas, Suerte is a place that’s just asking you to have a good night with friends. They make tortillas in-house from a variety of different corns, meaning that the color will always be a surprise.
Any of the selections from the taco menu category Vitamina T are delicious, but for something truly unique try the Quesadilla del Tulle. It’s filled with queso, squash, and banana peppers, topped with cured egg work, and then dipped in pumpkin seed and pistachio salsa.
Suraya (Philadelphia, PA)
You can come to Suraya market, restaurant, and garden for all things that taste of Beirut. It’s another little-known cuisine in America, but with Suraya’s success, I doubt it will be long until everyone’s talking about it. As soon as you enter, you’ll be considered a Habibi, or beloved friend, of the restaurant. Order a variety of Mezza for the table when you come with friends, including the Beirut classic Kibbeh, which is a fried dumpling made from beef and bulgur.
Talat Market (Atlanta, GA)
Although Talat is still raising money via Kickstarter to put the finishing touches on their restaurant, they’re obviously already making waves in the food industry. They are serving up the first ever “Georgian Thai” and people everywhere are willingly eating it up. The menu is limited, but you don’t need to look further than Tom Seap Muu for a delicious meal of sour pork broth, ribs, and a variety of authentic thai herbs.
Tempesta Market (Chicago, IL)
Everyone that’s obsessed with efficiency will want in on the Tempesta Market concept. It’s a one-stop shop for groceries, artisan meats, and a full-service deli. This is one time where it’s okay to go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. Before grabbing a cart, grab a #1 sandwich, called The Dante, which features more high-quality meats than I can count plus cheese, a little veg, and a house-made aioli on a baguette.
Ugly Baby (Brooklyn, NY)
Despite the slightly discouraging name, Ugly Baby’s food is far from ugly looking or tasting. Chef Sirichai Sreparplarn brings authentic Thai dishes to Brooklyn by combining many of the same ingredients in different ways and with different cooking techniques to create a variety of unique dishes. If you can handle “brutally spicy” food, be sure to try the Kua Kling, which is southern dry eye round curry.
Vespertine (Culver City, CA)
It takes a certain person to venture to try a restaurant that claims to be “a gastronomical experience seeking to disrupt the course of the modern restaurant.” If that person happens to be you, try to get one of their prepaid reservations for “an immersive, multi-sensory event.” I have to admit that, even knowing nothing about the menu, I’m interested.
Wa’z (Seattle, WA)
Focused around the Japanese tradition of Kaiseki, Wa’Z offers chef’s counter seating so diners can watch Chef Hiro as he takes full control over cooking their meal. Instead of reading the menu and picking what they want, diners get to hear about the history of Kaiseki while small bites are cooked and presented to them for tasting.
You’ll only choose between a 8-10 course meal at the counter or a 5-6 course menu served in the dining room. It’s obvious that the full experience is the way to go, at a surprisingly reasonable $100 per person.
Yume Ga Arukara (Cambridge, MA)
This Udon-centric mini restaurant just finished their Indiegogo campaign. While you wait to see what Yume Ga Arukara becomes in the future, be sure to stop by now to try Niku Udon, the only dish on the menu. It really is worth the trip.
Be sure to keep an eye out for BA’s announcement of the Hot 10 Best New Restaurant winners on August 14, 2018. It’s a big deal for a lot of the up and coming restaurants around the country to gain exposure to a wider audience beyond their home cities.
How many can you try before they get too busy to even get in the door?