Bon Appétit Editor-in-Chief Jamila Robinson said the publication's 2026 Best New Restaurants List during an appearance on Morning Joe.
The annual list serves as a primary benchmark for the American culinary industry, highlighting emerging trends and standout venues that define the current dining landscape.
The 2026 selection includes restaurants that opened between March 2025 and March 2026 [2]. These establishments span 16 cities across the U.S. [1], reflecting a broad geographic survey of new culinary entries.
Robinson said the selections during the broadcast, detailing the criteria used to identify the year's most impactful openings. While the primary focus of the announcement was the restaurant list [3], some reports noted a focus on bars in the country.
As part of the rollout, Bon Appétit is offering exclusive perks to its subscribers at select locations. These subscriber benefits are available at three of the listed restaurants [4], including venues located in Chicago, and Los Angeles [4].
The publication continues its tradition of identifying venues that demonstrate exceptional quality and innovation within a specific one-year window. By focusing on the period ending in March 2026 [2], the list captures the most recent shifts in regional tastes and service models across the 16 featured cities [1].
“The 2026 selection includes restaurants that opened between March 2025 and March 2026.”
The release of the Best New Restaurants list functions as both a cultural guide and a business driver for the hospitality sector. By providing a curated map of 16 cities, Bon Appétit directs consumer traffic toward specific emerging markets, while the integration of subscriber-only perks signals a shift toward using culinary prestige to drive digital subscription growth.
