FROM Italian classics to pop-culture pizza, these spots wow diners and Yelp reviewers alike. Photos from Yelp.
Food & Drink

Yelp names top restaurants in the US

Amelia Clarissa de Luna Monasterial

Yelp’s 13th annual list of the best U.S. restaurants highlights the country’s most-loved dining destinations based on community feedback. From Michelin-inspired Italian to inventive fusion, comfort food, and quirky pop-culture concepts, the top spots showcase creativity, bold flavors, and memorable experiences. We've compiled the Top 10 out of a hundred as a sample of sorts for your next cuisine adventure.

1. Ci Siamo — New York, New York

Located in Hudson Yards, this Italian restaurant delivers authentic travel-inspired flavors. Signature dishes like Rigatoni Alla Gricia and Cavatelli Olo Scoglio transport diners straight to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. Every pasta and pizza is made with care, balancing tradition with a modern, refined touch.

With its inviting trattoria-style atmosphere, Ci Siamo offers more than food—it’s a culinary escape to Italy, all within Manhattan. Even lesser-known dishes like braised rabbit Stracci or Pizza Bianca are crowd favorites, proving that attention to detail makes all the difference.

Ci Siamo serves about 120 of its bestselling Rigatoni Alla Gricia dishes per day.
LEFT: The open, airy restaurant features live-fire cooking, using wood or embers (not flames) to enhance flavors; Right: Executive Chef Hillary Sterling.

2. Taste of Texas — Houston, Texas

This 50-year-old family-run steakhouse is famous for its Certified Angus Beef, which diners can select and watch prepared in the kitchen. Steaks like the butter-soft filet or 16-ounce ribeye with garlic butter have earned loyal fans who keep coming back year after year.

Beyond the food, Taste of Texas doubles as a living history lesson, displaying Texas artifacts and offering career paths for young employees. Its scratch-made salad bar, warm hospitality, and iconic steaks make it a true Texan institution.

FILET Oscar — center cut filet topped with 2 ounces of jumbo crab cake and Hollandaise sauce.
LEFT: Historic Texas memorabilia is displayed throughout the interior; Right: Owners Edd and Nina Hendee.

3. NAM Kitchen — Gardena, California

Chef Nam Lam’s Vietnamese-Peruvian fusion restaurant blends Saigon flavors with Lima’s culinary traditions. Pho simmered for 48 hours, lomo saltado with a Vietnamese twist, and Tiger Prawn Garlic Noodles are must-tries. Creative drinks like June Lemon (yuzu) add the perfect finishing touch.

With over 1,600 five-star reviews, NAM Kitchen is praised for authenticity, innovation, and a menu that surprises diners at every turn. Noodle refills for pho add to the fun and community-focused vibe.

GRILLED salmon garlic noodles.
LEFT: Vietnamese and Peruvian flavors and decor come together at this Southern California eatery; Right: Chef-owner Nam Lam.

4. Waffle and Berry — Honolulu, Hawaii

An all-day breakfast haven, Waffle and Berry is celebrated for its perfectly crispy, soft-on-the-inside waffles and eye-catching açaí bowls. Owner Cali, a former artist, brings his creative flair to every plate, turning breakfast into a visual and flavorful experience.

Whether indulging in a mountain of fruity toppings or a carefully crafted açaí bowl, visitors consistently rave about the quality, precision, and presentation of every dish at this Waikiki gem.

THE Aussie in Paradise (waffles, ice cream, Nutella, fresh strawberries, banana, powdered sugar, and whipped cream).
LEFT: The spot is a little hard to find (accessible only off the Royal Hawaiian Avenue entrance to Waikiki Shopping Plaza), but Yelpers say it’s worth the search; Right: Owner Cali.

5. Comfort Cafe — San Antonio, Texas

This nonprofit brunch spot serves dishes that support addiction recovery programs while delighting the palate. From Crabby Benny to brown sugar pecan pancakes, every meal is crafted to be comforting, hearty, and memorable.

Operating on a “pay what you can” model and staffed by people in recovery, Comfort Cafe blends mission with flavor. Its sister bakery, Sweet Serenity, and additional locations keep the experience fresh and community-focused.

LEFT: Interior dining room; Right: Co-managers Jaycee K. Clark and Justin Motl.

6. Adela’s Country Eatery — Kaneohe, Hawaii

A tiny takeout counter on Oahu, Adela’s transforms local produce like taro, ulu, and lechon into colorful, handmade pastas. Favorites include Lechon Malunggay Pasta and creamy Taro Pasta, all highly praised for fresh flavors and generous portions.

Though takeout-only, many diners head to nearby Kāneʻohe Beach Park for a scenic meal. Add a slice of Ube Cheesecake or fresh gelato, and this small eatery delivers big flavors and memorable experiences.

LEFT: There’s always a line at this takeout-only spot; Right: Co-owner Millie Chan.

7. Broken Mouth — Los Angeles, California

Korean-Hawaiian fusion shines at this LA food hall favorite. Chef-owner Tim Lee draws inspiration from his Oahu roots, offering dishes like pan-fried garlic butter shrimp, Meat Jun ribeye, and purple multigrain rice.

Reviews rave about the “genuine home-cooked” feel, with bold flavors and generous portions. Broken Mouth is small in size but big in heart and taste, earning repeated spots on Yelp’s annual Top 100 list.

THE Spam Musubi is a crowd favorite, boasting 607 reviews on Yelp.
LEFT: The counter-order spot is tucked inside an LA food hall; Right: Chef-owner Tim Lee.

8. GW Fins — New Orleans, Louisiana

This fine-dining seafood spot uses steakhouse techniques to elevate fish dishes. Dry-aged tuna and swordfish, Tempura Fin Wings, and scallop-crusted halibut are fan favorites. The chef’s approach brings out deep umami flavors, making seafood approachable and unforgettable.

GW Fins balances culinary innovation with sustainability, introducing diners to lesser-known cuts while ensuring every dish is full of flavor and flair.

THE wildly popular Tempura Fin Wings (prepared in Korean dressing) are a unique cut of fish, designed so guests can “pick them up and eat them like a chicken wing,” according to Chef Michael Nelson.
LEFT: A sleek full-service bar adds to the fine-dining experience; Right: Executive Chef Michael Nelson.

9. Slackwater — Salt Lake City, Utah

Known for pop-culture-inspired pizzas, Slackwater combines creativity with culinary skill. The Hot Honey Double Pepperoni, Mulligatawny Soup, and Shakedown Grill calzone all delight fans with flavors inspired by TV shows and music.

Its 300-strong craft beer menu and rotating specials ensure every visit offers something new. The dough, made from a 15-year-old starter, adds the perfect crusty, chewy foundation to each inventive pie.

THE California Sunrise pizza — featuring green goddess dressing, roasted chicken, and peppered bacon, all topped with fresh avocado and chiffonade spinach — is one of the bestsellers.
LEFT: Salt Lake City is one of Slackwater’s five Utah locations; Right: Group photo from left: co-owners Justin Gumm and Blake Hirschi with SLC general manager Mike Kijewski (who “really sets the tone” for the friendliness of that location, Blake says).

10. Pepp & Dolores — Cincinnati, Ohio

This Italian comfort-food spot honors family recipes with handmade pasta, slow-simmered sauces, and warm hospitality. Signature dishes include Spicy Vodka Pasta, Limone Pasta, and traditional Sunday sauce with veal and pork meatballs.

Family photos lining the walls add charm, while the gelato—hazelnut-chocolate or vanilla mascarpone—rounds out the menu. Pepp & Dolores blends homestyle flavor with a welcoming, lively atmosphere.

THE Limone Pasta is a Yelper fave, with handmade spaghetti, Meyer lemon, chili flakes, Parmigiano-Reggiano, garlic breadcrumbs, and ricotta cheese.
LEFT: An upstairs bar complements the downstairs dining area; Right: Brother-owners John Lanni (left) and Joe Lanni (right).

These top ten restaurants show the diversity, creativity, and joy of American dining, from refined international cuisine to heartwarming comfort food and inventive fusion experiences.