The 21 Most Beautiful New Restaurants in America of 2025

Chef Marcus Samuelsson blends modern American fare with Black culinary traditions at his eponymous Marcus DC. Influences pulled from across the African Diaspora have woven their way into the restaurant’s design courtesy of Kamille Glenn, founder of dsgnrswrkshp. She tapped nearly two dozen artists to bring the place to life, making for a burst of kaleidoscopic colors and movement across the interiors. Those bold, bright hues appear on a canvas with a crisscrossed design inspired by Black braided hair, made by Washington, D.C. native Autumn Spears, and in a vibrant collaged piece that depicts scenes from Black life, created by artist Brandon Coley Cox. Marcus DC is anchored, though, by a large, abstract collage by Derrick Adams, in an ode to identity that makes quite the statement.

The dining space at New York’s Huso, located in Tribeca, is a serene oasis. Here, oak, cream, and gray hues come together for a sophisticated atmosphere, one that is complemented by dark-blue tones on the banquettes and curved corners for a touch of softness. A Shoucair Design firm, also based in the Big Apple, chose to dot the space with artwork by Keith Haring as well as a custom porcelain installation by London artist Valéria Nascimento, which features hundreds of handmade pieces. It’s a warm space, one that makes you feel welcome the second you walk through Huso’s doors.

Stock & Bond is housed in the famed Farmers and Mechanics Bank building, a behemoth that shows off plenty of Art Deco splendor. The Minneapolis steakhouse channels that grandiose 1940s architecture in its design, dreamed up by Wilson Ishihara. The space is dark and moody, with splashes of contrasting gold throughout. You can also expect six gilded lotus-blossom chandeliers, striking teak paneling, and jewel-toned furniture. Looming over the 8,340-square-foot dining room is a banker with a pen in his hand (another ode to the building’s history), the star of a bold mural from artist Aaron Petz.

It takes a lot to transform a boogie board factory into a stunning restaurant, but that’s exactly what L.A. interior-design studio Bells + Whistles did with Lilo. The Carlsbad tasting-menu spot encapsulates indoor-outdoor living, with diners walking through an intimate garden before stepping inside. The interiors offer plenty of that nature, too, in the earth-toned dining room, including a textured wallpaper that mirrors the local cliffs and white-oak rods that mimic ocean waves. The chef’s counter, meanwhile, shines the spotlight on quartzite and oak, two materials that come together to create a soft, warm space.

This whimsical spot may take the prize for the most playful entry on our list. Cento Raw Bar brings its seafood-focused fare off the plate and into its design, making it seem as though guests are dining inside an oyster shell. To create that effect, the walls were done up in a creamy, textured design that creates a cavern-like space. Other fun touches include custom shellfish towers made locally in Santa Monica, vintage Italian lounge chairs, and glassware from MoMA. It’s an immersive experience, one that Cento pulls off with ease.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten ventured into Brooklyn for the first time this year, and the design prowess of his ABC restaurants continued to shine. Lois Freedman, president and CEO of Jean-Georges Management, combined the airy style of the original ABC Kitchen in the Big Apple with the pink and white color scheme of ABCV for the new spot—though it’s not without its own statement-making pieces. ABC Kitchens pays homage to its home borough with two stone walls, made from slabs leftover from the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Diners can also enjoy a mix of vintage and modern furniture, as well as a bold stained-glass window inspired by the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami.

Chicago is now home to a culinary holy grail, with Adalina Prime’s towering ceilings and curved wooden beams mirroring an actual cathedral. Though that expansive design, created by the team at Dunne Kozlowski, isn’t the 10,500-square-foot steakhouse’s only draw. The space is also home to a dramatic indoor-outdoor atrium, as well as fun patterned chairs, bold chandeliers, and jewel tones throughout. Adalina Prime is filled with both warmth and drama, putting a fun twist on the classic steakhouse design. There’s even a two-story wine cellar hidden within.

Lucien, in San Diego, is home to two personalities. One is what you see right when you walk in, a bright, airy courtyard bar with wood and stone accents that’s inspired by the coast. Continue on, and you’ll discover a moody, dark dining room, taking its design cues from La Jolla’s sea caves. Here, you can dine underneath an intimate stone alcove, with touches of bronze and oak throughout. Plus, design firm Tecture made sure you could have a peek into the kitchen, an expansive space where you can watch chef Elijah Arizmendi at work.

Though it’s located in the Windy City, Crying Tiger more closely resembles a Southeast Asian night market, full of vibrant energy and rich colors—though there’s a touch of Chicago’s industrial design roots that shines through. At the new spot, David Collins Studio once again teamed with Lettuce Entertain You (the duo worked together on the group’s Tre Dita spot); here, you can expect a bold “patchwork” pattern throughout, light fixtures inspired by a traditional Korean textile technique, and statement drapery. The food at Crying Tiger, too, takes its diners on a journey through Southeast Asia, with dishes like grilled wagyu beef nam tok and clay pot lobster pad thai. You’ll forget you’re even in the Windy City.

Aba Nashville transports you right into a summer day in the Mediterranean. The two-story spot is filled with over 150 potted plants and trees, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. All that greenery is accented by a group of stunning Italian Murano amber glass chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. Massive windows and a skylight brighten up the space, while Nero Marquina and Carrera marble mosaic tiles add texture underfoot. Rich brown tones make an appearance on bar stools, velvet chairs, and leather booths and banquettes, adding a good dose of warmth. As a bonus, each bathroom also had its own personal design scheme.

Musaafer gets its name from the Hindi and Urdu word for “traveler,” and the New York City spot certainly takes its diners on a design journey through Indian culture. The result is an opulent, dramatic space, one that pays homage to iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal with mother-of-pearl inlays, hand-painted wall panels, lotus flower chandeliers, and soaring ceilings. The restaurant’s semi-private dining room is an ode to the Sheesh Mahal, a.k.a. the Palace of Mirrors; the aptly named spot is full of—you guessed it—mirrors, which reflect light for a truly dazzling effect while you dine.

This isn’t your average supper club. Obvio ups the ante here, creating a sultry, decedent space for a cocktail or two. Restaurateur Juan Santa Cruz designed each and every last detail himself; he first jotted down the idea for Obvio’s bar on a napkin while traversing through Kenya—hence the striking giraffe silk brocade that wraps the curved walls. The supper club’s moody orange lighting (made from parchment in England) is taken straight out of Blade Runner, a rich glow that completely envelops its diners. That neo-noir feeling persists as Obvio transforms into a nighttime hot spot with a DJ, too.

The Occidental opened its doors back in 1906 and has been a haven for statesmen and A-listers ever since, since it’s located just a mere two blocks from the White House. The spot relaunched this year under Starr Restaurants, and the team tapped renowned designer Ken Fulk to usher in a new era. Now, each room at the eatery represents a specific slice of American culture, though all share the same old-world glamour. One dining room is entirely enveloped in green velvet, inspired by a vintage Cristofle box; another shows off oil portraits of 20th-century presidents. This is a place seeped in history and intrigue.

Bold color reigns supreme at Limusina, the new Mexican restaurant that opened in New York City this past fall. Gold, peach, and red are the stars of the show here; the hues are in everything from the drapery to the striking chandeliers to the maximalist bar, complete with floating marble slabs. The dalliance of texture and those vibrant colors is what makes the spot a standout, one that captures diners’ attention the moment they walk in—and keeps it throughout their meal, too.

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Carbone Riviera is exactly what you’d expect from the latest entrant into Mario Carbone and Major Food Group’s culinary empire. The spot combines that classic MFG pizzazz with a Lake Como–style grandeur, an ideal combo for its perch within the Bellagio. Renowned designer Martin Brudnizki brought his signature maximalist style to the table, crafting a striking sea-inspired mosaic that covers the columns and archways around the space alongside a swirling ceiling design and expansive mirrors. Plus, it has a large outdoor space right along that famed Bellagio fountain, making for a dazzling haven in Sin City.

Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes stepped off the field for their latest venture, teaming up to open a new steakhouse in the Chiefs’ home city. And, as you’d expect, there are subtle nods to football throughout the nearly 10,000-square-foot 1587 Prime. You enter the space through a dark corridor, akin to running through the tunnel before a big game. The lighting, too, is similar to the Xs and Os in a playbook, while brass inlay markers delineate yards on the floor. But it’s not too heavy-handed, leading to a striking space as electric as the players behind it.

Japandi style, a mix of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, has been a large presence in the design world as of late. Yamada, in New York, perfects that blend of wabi-sabi (beauty in simplicity) and hygge (comfort and coziness), making for a warm, welcoming retreat. The Michelin-starred locale uses its chef counter as a focal point, which made from a single slab of the Japanese cypress Hinoki in a soft brown. Partitions in the space were crafted using a traditional Japanese technique called Kumiko woodworking, alongside custom plateware from ceramicist Shinobu Habauchi dotting the 10-seat counter.

This year, Alexy Kos and Che Huang of Child Studio transformed this dining room into a vibrant oasis. Nestled within a historic building that once played host to Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt’s house for ambitious women looking to thrive in N.Y.C., Cafe Zaffri brings rich, architectural heritage into the modern day. The atrium bathes the interior in sunlight, while fun wallpaper, warm millwork, and an abundance of texture pay homage to the past. It’s decor with a real point of view.

Colors and patterns collide at Bar Issi, a Palm Springs locale that brings 1970s Italian glamour to the forefront. That means dancing alligator–clad wallpaper, mismatched chairs done up in zigzagging patterns, and gold mohair fabric clinging to the ceiling, among other bright details. In addition to all that fun, many of the materials used here are sustainable or recycled, such as repurposed yogurt pots used for the bar’s backlit top—something that makes Bar Issi’s design all the more impressive.

At Lucia, sculptures are the star. Alexis Readinger, of design firm Preen, Inc., turned the Los Angeles joint into a visually enticing locale that’s full of energy and fun. The white-terrazzo bar is topped with three 18-foot verdigris sculptural palms, while velvet booths are encased in their own domes, reminiscent of shells. The spot uses its Caribbean cuisine as a touchstone for those light and breezy touches, pairing it with a 1950s-era design, forming an opulent combination that just works.

All roads lead to Rome, and one of those very avenues inspired the details of this new San Fran Restaurant. Via Aurelia, named for the road leading from the Eternal City to Pisa, proudly shows off its Tuscan roots in the kitchen, with seafood, homemade pasta, and more on the menu. It’s also full of signature Italian stylings, including Florentine sandstone, vaulted ceilings, frescoed plaster patinas, and terra-cotta hues throughout. And at the far end, a stunning mural sits between lime-washed walls, meant to symbolize a cloudy, darkened sky.