First Look

Thrillist takes you inside the hottest new restaurants, from upscale destinations to casual cafes.

First Look - Thrillist

Find the best spots daily to eat and drink in hipster neighborhoods. Hit the roof, drink a beer and eat delicious at top-tier restaurants. Plan your nightlife adventure with maps and reviews of unknown micro-brews, rooftop parties, and independent drink.

Best Restaurants & Bars - Places to Eat & Drink - Thrillist

Central Park Welcomes an Outpost of The Beloved Harlem Standby Melba’s Restaurant

Austin

Mackenzie Smith Kelley/Local Foods

Great news: there’s no need to drive to HTX to get your fill of delicious overstuffed sandwiches (or wait for the pop-ups to come back), Local Foods is here to stay.

Houston’s Local Foods Opens its First Permanent Location in Austin

Los Angeles

Photo courtesy of catchrestaurants.com

It’s not easy to predict the popularity of high-end restaurants; the whims of the celebrity and disposable-income set in LA change like the weather in other parts of the world.

A Stunning New Steakhouse and Celeb Hot Spot Opens on Melrose Place

Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Saffy’s

Naming after people is always a bit of a risk—what if that person turns out to be a jerk, or burns a city to the ground?

A Swanky New Shawarma Spot from Bestia and Bavel Duo Lands in East Hollywood 

A Glamorous New Brasserie from a Celebrated Chef Opens in Hollywood

This Italian Steakhouse from a ‘Chopped’ Judge Just Opened at the InterContinental Buckhead

A Classic Brazilian Eatery Makes Its Grand Return to Midtown, and It’s a Family Affair

Obélix Brings Foie Gras Tacos and Modern French Fare to River North

San Francisco

Photo courtesy of The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Shop

There is a special mystique to a vintage tourist destination, even for seasoned locals who would never purposefully go on their own.

Legendary Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop Reopens with a Fresh and Futuristic Look

Chef Daniel Boulud Debuts a Vibey New Bistro Inside the Beekman Hotel

Aviation-Themed Pie Spot Cleared for Landing at the Historic ‘Top Gun’ House

Photo by Kelly Dobkin for Thrillist

If you’re one of those New Yorkers who was part of the pandemic mass exodus to Los Angeles, there’s a good chance that you spent a winter weekend or two in Miami during your Big Apple years.

Central Park Welcomes an Outpost of The Beloved Harlem Standby Melba’s Restaurant

Chef Melba Wilson expands her soul food empire with a casual new concept overlooking the iconic Wollman Rink.

Houston’s Local Foods Opens its First Permanent Location in Austin

Local Foods’ temporary pop-up goes brick-and-mortar in a chic and airy 2nd Street District space.

A Stunning New Steakhouse and Celeb Hot Spot Opens on Melrose Place

This luxe modern take on steak has an official Kobe license from Japan, a Beef Sommelier, and draws an A-list crowd.

A Swanky New Shawarma Spot from Bestia and Bavel Duo Lands in East Hollywood

Named after the couple’s daughter, Saffy’s is a homestyle Middle Eastern restaurant that’s casual in attitude, but thoughtful and precise in execution.

A Glamorous New Brasserie from a Celebrated Chef Opens in Hollywood

The modern French project from former Bon Temps head Lincoln Carson features high technique and even higher style.

This Italian Steakhouse from a ‘Chopped’ Judge Just Opened at the InterContinental Buckhead

Get a reservation ASAP at celebrity chef Scott Conant’s new Italian-inspired steakhouse in the InterContinental Buckhead.

A Classic Brazilian Eatery Makes Its Grand Return to Midtown, and It’s a Family Affair

Brothers Carlos and Victor Pedro reopened Ipanema in a new location and continue the legacy of their father’s original restaurant.

Obélix Brings Foie Gras Tacos and Modern French Fare to River North

Snag a reservation at this new French bistro from Oliver and Nicolas Poilevey ASAP.

Legendary Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop Reopens with a Fresh and Futuristic Look

The iconic chocolate company turned to a sleek Bay Area design firm to reimagine their flagship retail experience with fresh chocolate.

Chef Daniel Boulud Debuts a Vibey New Bistro Inside the Beekman Hotel

The restaurant is an homage to his hometown of Lyon in France and resides in a building that opened the same year as the Brooklyn Bridge.

Aviation-Themed Pie Spot Cleared for Landing at the Historic ‘Top Gun’ House

Head to the picturesque, beachfront property in Oceanside for seasonally inspired handheld pies served in a historic filming location.

Magical Miami Aegean Restaurant Mandolin Opens at Soho Warehouse in Downtown LA

The beloved Miami hotspot highlighting the cuisine of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey has expanded to a massive indoor-outdoor space in the Arts District.