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This is the best new U.S. restaurant of 2025, according to Yelp—and it’s not where you think it is

A celestially-themed Afro-Caribbean stunner in D.C. earns the crown

Gerrish Lopez
Written by
Gerrish Lopez
Time Out Contributor, US
BBQ Greens from Dōgon in Washington, D.C.
Photograph: Scott Suchman | BBQ Greens from Dōgon in Washington, D.C.
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Yelp’s Best New Restaurants of 2025 is out, and the list is a who’s-who of culinary creativity—a coast-to-coast lineup of flavor, fire and fearless chefs. This year’s class highlights the hottest dining trends including open-fire cooking, gourmet meat boards, chef-driven concepts and global street food that’s getting the fine-dining treatment. From a celestial Afro-Caribbean experience in D.C. to seafood grilled over flames in Brooklyn, these newcomers are the spots that Yelpers are loving.

The year’s top spot goes to Dōgon in Washington, D.C. Located in the Salamander DC hotel, this celestial-themed Afro-Caribbean restaurant from James Beard Award-winner Kwame Onwuachi is inspired by the Dogon tribe of West Africa and 18th-century astronomer-surveyor Benjamin Banneker. Dōgon is as conceptually rich as it is delicious. The indigo-and-gold interior glows like a night sky, R&B hums in the background and the menu connects Onwuachi’s Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian and Creole roots. Yelpers rave about the “crispy, fluffy” Hoe Crab, “moist, seasoned to perfection” Chicken and Jollof Rice and a Rum Cake that “steals the show.” Every dish is meant to be shared—and every bite feels like a story. The vibe? “Sexy, romantic, unforgettable.”

RECOMMENDED: Kwame Onwuachi is bringing his Jamaican patties to a permanent location in Manhattan

Landing at number two, Celeste in Narragansett, Rhode Island, is all about ocean air, oysters and coastal comfort. Overlooking Narragansett Bay, this spot from the employee-owned Newport Restaurant Group serves up gourmet pizzas, Mediterranean-inspired plates and a warm nautical charm. The Margherita pizza and Whipped Feta with Lamb Meatballs have become instant legends, and diners can’t stop talking about the “life-changing” Rosemary Focaccia. With locally sourced ingredients and a scratch kitchen ethos, Celeste has made itself the new Rhode Island classic.

Brooklyn chef Tomer Blechman (of Miss Ada and Nili fame) returns with Theodora, his ode to fire-kissed Mediterranean seafood. The Fort Greene favorite blends Greek, Mexican and Brazilian influences into dishes like Steelhead Trout and Swordfish Belly Skewers—all grilled over open flames. The whipped ricotta sourdough with brown butter, honey and sage is the must-order dish Yelpers call “divine.”

Rounding out the top five are Commission Row in Indianapolis, Indiana—an upscale chophouse reinventing Midwest dining—and Sgrizzi by Chef Marc in Las Vegas, where old-school Italian meets Strip glamor.

The list is comprised of full-service businesses in the restaurant category that opened after January 1, 2024. Yelp ranked them based on several factors including total volume and ratings of reviews between January 1, 2024, and June 11, 2025. Insight from Yelp Trend Expert Tara Lewis sealed the deal.

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