USA TODAY Names 39 Must-Visit Restaurants
USA TODAY published an updated "Best Restaurants in the US: 39 Spots You Need to Visit in 2026" list featuring a curated mix of fine dining, casual gems, and emerging chef-driven kitchens. The guide serves as a roadmap for food adventurers planning domestic trips this year.
- This annual list is a recent initiative, with the first "Restaurants of the Year" guide published by USA TODAY in 2024. - Selections are curated by a network of local journalists and food writers from across the country who are embedded in their communities. - The list intentionally omits restaurants in major metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago to spotlight local flavors in other locations. - The number of restaurants included has varied, with the 2024 list featuring 47 establishments and the 2025 list highlighting 44. - Featured restaurants span a wide range of dining experiences, from a taco joint that started as a food cart to a pescatarian tasting menu from a three-Michelin-star chef. - Some of the honored restaurants have also received other notable accolades; for example, Dai Due in Austin was recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a Green Star in 2024. - The 2026 list includes diverse culinary spots such as Hamir's Indian Fusion in York, Pennsylvania, which started after the chef began cooking for a breast cancer fundraiser, and Veritas in Columbus, Ohio, known for its chef's tasting menu. - Three New Jersey establishments were named to the 2026 list: The Pasta Shop in Denville, Ram & Rooster in Metuchen, and Anjelica's Restaurant in Sea Girt.
