America's Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings This Fall
Fall marks the peak season for exciting new restaurant openings across the U.S., offering must-visit spots for food lovers and casual diners alike. Key trends include promising hotel restaurants, bold Latin American flavors, and expansions into dynamic food halls. Our expert guide highlights the top openings—book your reservations early, as spots will fill fast.
New York
Standouts often break from tradition, like Thai Diner in Nolita from the team behind Michelin-starred Uncle Boon’s and Uncle Boons Sister. Enjoy late-night Thai disco fries featuring Massaman curry instead of gravy.
In Flatiron, James Beard Award-winner Alfred Portale launches his first solo venture since 1985 at Gotham Bar & Grill: Portale, specializing in Italian pastas and breads made from house-milled flour.
For groups, Market Line at Essex Crossing’s Lower East Side offers variety in its 150,000-square-foot subterranean space. Fall debut includes Veselka pierogis, Nom Wah dim sum, The Pickle Guys, Tortilleria Nixtamal tacos (don’t miss al pastor), Ample Hills ice cream, and Doughnut Plant.
At Essex Market upstairs, Adda Indian Canteen’s team opens Dhamaka, showcasing regional Indian dishes with produce from a local organic farm.
In Brooklyn, Frankies 457 and Franks Wine Bar duo partners with Tartine’s Chad Robertson and Pizzeria Bianco’s Chris Bianco for F & F Pizzeria, promising top-tier slices. Nearby, chef Ricardo Zarate’s Once brings Nikkei fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisines.
Los Angeles
L.A. spotlights female-led hotel projects in Santa Monica. Sqirl’s Jessica Koslow and Contramar’s Gabriela Cámara helm Onda at The Proper Hotel, emphasizing sustainable Latin flavors.
Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger debut Socalo, a Mexican gastropub inspired by Tijuana’s culinary evolution.
Northern California
Three-Michelin-star Manresa’s David Kinch opens casual Mentone in Aptos, featuring house-milled flour pizzas, nettle pasta, and local greens.
In San Francisco’s Mission, Liholiho Yacht Club team’s Dear Inga delivers Eastern European fare with smoked fish, fermentation, and live-fire cooking from Georgia research trips.
Philadelphia
Zahav’s Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook expand with Merkaz (casual Israeli coffee, breakfast, pitas) and Laser Wolf (charcoal skewers, salads, pita).
Defined Hospitality’s Mexican trio at Pod Hotel: full-service Condesa, tacos at El Techo, and coffee with Mexican chocolate at El Cafe.
Chicago
Bucktown’s Giant team opens Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar with drinks like Fluffhead (gin, coconut, kaffir) and American-Chinese dishes: cold fried chicken, kung pao beef, moo shu pork.
South Loop’s Moody Tongue adds The Dining Room (12-course tasting with king crab cheung fun) and casual The Bar (corn cakes with foie gras, spiced Romanesco).
Washington, DC
Ex-Himitsu chef Kevin Tien’s Emilie’s on Capitol Hill serves small plates from rolling carts, like hamachi crudo with nuoc cham.
Union Market’s La Cosecha features premium Latin concepts: El Cielo DC by Manuel Barrientos and plant-based Ali Pacha by Sebastian Quiroga.
Stay updated via Instagram, as openings evolve quickly.
