Yelp ranks 100 best restaurants in the US. See which ones are in California
Looking for the best restaurants in the nation ? You’ll find plenty of options in California, Yelp says.
The popular review website recently released its list of the top 100 restaurants in the United States for 2026.
“Across the U.S., chefs are plating up memorable, can’t-miss meals at fine-dining rooms, food halls, counter-order favorites, cozy cafes and wallet-friendly gems that deliver big flavor without the big bill,” Yelp said, highlighting trends including “grandma-core” dining, elevated comfort foods and Japanese flavors.
A total of nine California restaurants landed on Yelp’s list of top-rated eateries.
Here’s which ones:
What’s the best restaurant in California? See reviews
NAM Kitchen in Gardena came in third place on Yelp’s list of the best restaurants in the nation.
The restaurant, which is about a 15-mile drive south from Los Angeles, has an average Yelp rating of 4.8 stars with 2,200 total reviews.
“With more than 1,600 5-star reviews and ‘lines out the door,’ Chef Nam Lam’s Vietnamese-Peruvian spot is helping elevate Southern California’s fusion scene to new heights,” Yelp said.
NAM Kitchen’s menu features signature dishes such as lomo saltado, oxtail fried rice, tiger prawn garlic noodles and pho simmered for 48 hours with braised ribs or tender filet mignon.
Meals are paired with drinks such as a June Lemon lemonade with yuzu and peach puree or a Coco Matcha with fresh coconut water and organic matcha foam.
“This was by far the best pho I have ever eaten,” Yelp user Jessica O. of Granada Hills wrote in five-star review of NAM Kitchen.
Yelp reviewer Luke K. of El Segundo also raved about the “absolutely amazing” pho.
“This is easily the best Vietnamese restaurant I’ve ever been to,” the Yelp user wrote. “I can’t wait to come back!”
Another Yelp user, Jaylana G. of Gardena, gave NAM Kitchen a 10 out of 10.
“This place is absolutely amazing,” she wrote. “They have great customer service and honestly treats everyone that walks through the door like family. The food was top tier ... super fresh and very flavorful.”
NAM Kitchen recently celebrated its Yelp ranking via social media.
“We’re honored to be ranked #3 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat!” restaurant representatives wrote in a Jan. 21 Instagram post. “We cook with heart — and this means everything to us.”
Los Angeles restaurant serves up Hawaiian, Korean food
Another Southern California restaurant ranked among Yelp’s top 10 restaurants: Broken Mouth in Los Angeles,
The Asian fusion restaurant, No. 7 on the Yelp list, has an average Yelp rating of 4.8 stars with a total of 2,400 reviews.
“In Hawaii, ‘broke da mouth’ describes food so delicious you can barely slow down to chew — and that’s exactly what diners experience at this Korean-Hawaiian gem tucked inside a popular L.A. food hall,” Yelp said. “Chef-owner Tim Lee ... built the menu around his Oahu childhood: family dinners, his uncle’s Honolulu restaurant and the flavors he couldn’t find after moving to the mainland.”
The result is “genuine home-cooked food made with love,” Yelp said, with menu options including meat jun, spam musubi, pan-fried shrimp and potato-macaroni salad.
“When I (bit) into a shrimp, it was just phenomenal,” “Elite All-Star Yelp reviewer Leonard K. of Los Angeles wrote. “There was so much flavor in it and it was everything I didn’t know I ever wanted.”
Elite Yelp reviewer Christopher P. of Los Angeles highlighted Broken Mouth’s “incredibly friendly” service, massive portions and exceptional flavors.
“This place is delicious!” he wrote. “It’s one of the better Hawaiian plate lunches I’ve had, perhaps ever ...”
Yelp reviewer Marc N. of Alhambra also praised the restaurant’s “extremely nice owner” and unique blend of flavors.
“It’s Korean by way of Hawaii, bringing that island-style influence into L.A. in a way you don’t really see elsewhere,” he said. “The flavors are well thought out.”
Where to find top-rated restaurants in California?
According to Yelp, three other California eateries ranked among the top 20 eateries in the United States.
Greek Bistro in Glendale was No. 16, while Tsukiyo Sushi in Los Angeles was No. 17 and Fat Of The Land in Santa Ana was No. 19.
Lower on the list, Zen Curry and Grill in Temecula was No. 22, while Lapisara Eatery in San Francisco was No. 54 and Board and Drink in San Francisco was No. 89.
What were the top 10 restaurants on Yelp’s list?
Yelp said these were the top 10 most highly-rated restaurants in the United States in 2026:
- 1. Ci Siamo in New York City
- 2. Taste of Texas in Houston
- 3. NAM Kitchen in Gardena
- 4. Waffle and Berry in Honolulu
- 5. Comfort Cafe in San Antonio, Texas
- 6. Adela’s Country Eatery in Honolulu
- 7. Broken Mouth in Los Angeles
- 8. GW Fins in New Orleans
- 9. Slackwater in Salt Lake City
- 10. Pepp & Dolores in Cincinnati
How did Yelp determine best restaurants of 2026?
Yelp said its Top 100 US Restaurants list showcases “the highest-reviewed restaurants, diners, fast-casual spots, food halls, and more — all ranked by the Yelp community.”
To create its ranking, the site “identified businesses in the restaurant category, then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews.”
Most of the restaurants had passing health scores as of Nov. 6, 2025, “when available,” Yelp said.
This story was originally published February 21, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Yelp ranks 100 best restaurants in the US. See which ones are in California."
