NYC’s world-class eateries ignored by surprising, popular annual best restaurant list
We’re not #1.
A popular annual list of the top restaurants in the United States has been released for the 11th year, and you can forget the plaudits that critics and experts regularly sprinkle on the NYC food scene like so much hand-foraged sea salt — the average diner appears to be way less than wowed.
In fact, Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2024 contents itself with just one —count it! — obscure Midtown East eatery to represent the Big Apple’s wealth of culinary options, focusing instead heavily on California and the Sun Belt. The Golden State snagged a whopping 18 of the spots on the list, followed by Florida with 13 offerings.
“Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat list celebrates the must-visit local restaurants across the United States,” said Tara Lewis, Yelp’s Trend Expert. “This year’s list embraces the unique tastes of our users and spotlights the beloved hidden gems across local communities.”
Taking the #1 spot is Tumerico, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Tucson, Ariz. — chef and owner Wendy Garcia reportedly began by selling tamales at a local farmers market.
“Yelpers regularly keep an eye on the chalkboard menu that changes daily based on seasonal availability, such as salsa made from Tucson-grown chiltepin chiles and pitaya (Mexican dragon fruit) or nopalitos (made from prickly pear cactus),” the survey announcement explained.
The site, driven by user generated content, is now in its 20th year. The list is created by analyzing countless reviews, but is ultimately given the final curation by Yelp’s “community managers,” who interface both with Yelp’s star reviewers — known as Yelp Elite — and local business owners.
Number two on the list is Menya Rui, a ramen joint in St.Louis, number three Sunny Side Kitchen, a breakfast joint in Escondido, Calif. and number four an Ethiopian restaurant, GS Cafe, in California’s Inland Empire.
New York’s only entry sits all the way down at number 47 — CHILI, on E. 37th St. between Fifth and Madison is one of many Sichuan-style restaurants to crop up in Midtown in recent years.
The 10 best restaurants in the United States in 2024
Tumerico, Tucson, Ariz.
Menya Rui, St. Louis, MO
Sunny Side Kitchen, Escondido, Calif.
GS Cafe and Ethiopian Cuisine, Covina, Calif.
Fratellino, Coral Gables
Broken Mouth, Los Angeles
Adela’s Country Eatery, Kaneohe, HI
Sierra Subs and Salads, Three Rivers, Calif.
Geno’s Deli Stop N Buy, San Antonio
Uncle Al’s, Agoura Hills, Calif.
The list purposefully steers away from fine dining — according to the site, more than 85% of the restaurants on the list will feed you for less than $30 a head.
Yelp’s Gotham gaffe comes as guidebook publisher Time Out’s globetrotting followers named New York the best city in the world for 2024.
“Even though no city is perfect, the results speak for themselves that despite some of its challenges, New Yorkers love their city for what it is,” Time Out Editor Shaye Weaver told The Post.
For Yelp’s complete list, click here.
