![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/restaurants\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-96514352.jpg\" "\\"The")
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The best new restaurants in California have menus inspired by Indian, Caribbean and Hong Kong flavors, according to Yelp.<\/p>\n
Tyler Stableford<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
Looking for a new restaurant to try? Five California restaurants rank among the best in the nation, according to Yelp.<\/p>\n
The popular review platform recently showcased the 25 best new restaurants of 2026, highlighting \u201cexceptional U.S. dining destinations that Yelpers can\u2019t stop recommending.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yelp\u2019s list focuses on \u201ctop U.S. dining destinations, chef-driven menus and exciting culinary experiences,\u201d highlighting trends including brunch, steakhouses and Indian cuisine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese newcomers aren\u2019t just serving memorable food,\u201d Yelp said. \u201cThey\u2019re creating unforgettable experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
See what the Golden State\u2019s best new restaurants are serving up:<\/p>\n
What is the best new California restaurant in 2026?<\/p>\n
Firstborn in Los Angeles was California\u2019s best new restaurant in 2026, Yelp said, coming in at No. 2 nationwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn art-deco gem in L.A.\u2019s historic Chinatown, this Michelin-recognized newcomer delivers a \u2018remarkably complex\u2019 dining experience,\u201d Yelp said.<\/p>\n
Firstborn was highlighted by the Michelin Guide for the first time in 2026 after officially opening in March 2025.<\/p>\n
The prix fixe menu, which costs $68 per person, is a four-course experience featuring Chinese fusion food. Dishes include butter-poached prawns, lamb terrine and beef cheek with grilled peppers and whipped potatoes.<\/p>\n
Firstborn has an average Yelp rating of 4.2 stars out of five, with 162 reviews.<\/p>\n
Yelp reviewer Athena W. said she had a \u201cspectacular meal\u201d at Firstborn, adding that the eatery offers a \u201cgreat exploration of Asian fusion done in a fine dining\/tasting menu-style.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoly smokes!\u201d another reviewer wrote. \u201cFirstborn may be the best restaurant experience for the most affordable price EVER in LA.\u201d<\/p>\n
Which California restaurants rank in the top 5?<\/p>\n
Yelp named Eylan in Menlo Park the fourth best new restaurant in the United States in 2026.<\/p>\n
Eylan\u2019s chef, Srijith Gopinathan, and restaurateur Ayesha Thapar were finalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards. The restaurant earned Bib Gourmand and Exceptional Cocktails honors from the Michelin Guide in 2025.<\/p>\n
The menu focuses on Cal-Indian food with dishes such as kebabs, paneer, naan and roti. Eylan also has multiple prix fixe multi-course dinners.<\/p>\n
Eylan also puts its own spin on classic cocktails including old-fashioneds, Manhattans and cosmopolitans.<\/p>\n
The eatery has an average Yelp rating of 4.3 stars from 202 reviews.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would recommend their cocktails and well as mocktails menu,\u201d Yelp user Amita G. wrote. \u201cIt\u2019s very well crafted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Landing at No. 5 on Yelp\u2019s list of the best new restaurants in the United States, Lilo in Carlsbad \u201cearned a Michelin star within two months of opening,\u201d the restaurant review platform said.<\/p>\n
Lilo seats 24 people at a chef\u2019s counter serving a \u201cmulti-course tasting menu rooted in a thoughtful connection to nature,\u201d according to the restaurant\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
Some \u201cstandout dishes\u201d Yelp reviewers highlighted were Kaluga caviar with ice cream, Santa Barbara sea urchin and Miyazaki wagyu.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a rare meal that rises to the level of a culinary performance,\u201d Yelp user Jennifer B. said. \u201cEvery dish lovingly placed in front of us was a delicate work of art containing ingredients sourced from around the globe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lilo had an average rating of 4.7 stars from 118 reviews on Yelp.<\/p>\n
What other new California restaurant did Yelp rank as the best?<\/p>\n
At No. 16 on Yelp\u2019s ranking, Ah Ma\u2019s Kitchen serves Hong Kong-style comfort food and Cantonese classics.<\/p>\n
The San Francisco restaurant\u2019s \u201cmust-try specialties\u201d include kiln chicken and a scrambled egg , pork and pineapple bun.<\/p>\n
Dishes inspired by Hong Kong tea restaurants include noodle soup, beef chow fun and salt egg yolk chicken wings.<\/p>\n
Many Yelp reviewers said the restaurant has \u201cdelicious\u201d dishes and affordable pricing<\/p>\n
Suzy C. said the kiln chicken was \u201cabsolutely worth it. It\u2019s flavorful all the way through, incredibly juicy, and perfectly balanced — not too greasy or bland at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ah Ma\u2019s Kitchen has 105 reviews on Yelp, with an average rating of four stars.<\/p>\n
Another Los Angeles eatery, Lucia, was No. 19 on Yelp\u2019s list of the best new restaurants in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cLucia puts a unique and modern spin on Caribbean classics and brings fine dining techniques to the region\u2019s diverse food,\u201d the restaurant said on its website.<\/p>\n
It has also been previously recognized for its interior design including being highlighted in Robb Report\u2019s 21 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America in 2025.<\/p>\n
Yelp said Lucia pays tribute to \u201cCaribbean diaspora cuisine,\u201d with menu options including pastas, beef and crab patties and \u201cheritage classics\u201d such as escovitch sea bream and oxtail.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the outstanding service, to the beautiful ambience and their delicious food,\u201d Yelp reviewer Staci R. said.<\/p>\n
Lucia had an average Yelp rating of 4.3 stars with 394 reviews.<\/p>\n
What are the best new restaurants in the West?<\/p>\n
Yelp highlighted a total of nine new restaurants in the West on its list of the top spots to eat, including:<\/p>\n
How did Yelp come up with its ranking?<\/p>\n
To rank America\u2019s best new restaurants in 2025, Yelp examined full-service restaurants that open after Jan. 1, 2025.<\/p>\n
The restaurant review platform looked at the total volume and ratings of reviews.<\/p>\n
Yelp said it also consulted with trend expert Tara Lewis to \u201czero in on what spots Yelpers were loving.\u201d<\/p>\n
All restaurants on the list had passing health scores as of June 1.<\/p>\n
Loading\u2026<\/p>\n
Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Alexiah Syrai Olsen<\/p>\n
The Tribune<\/p>\n
Alexiah Syrai Olsen is a service journalism reporter for The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, California. She earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in journalism and design from The New School in New York City.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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