You reviewed, and Yelp answered. New York has officially claimed the top spot on Yelp’s newly released 2026 Top 100 Places to Eat list, with Manhattan’s Ci Siamo crowned the number one restaurant in the country.
RECOMMENDED: Ci Siamo finally opens in Manhattan West tonight
Helmed by executive chef Hillary Sterling, Ci Siamo has become one of the most consistently thrilling Italian tables in New York since opening in Hudson Yards. Its wood-fired hearth anchors both the room and the menu, sending out blistered focaccia, charred vegetables and deeply savory pastas that manage to feel rustic and refined all at once. Sterling’s cooking nods to Italian tradition while embracing a distinctly New York sense of scale and confidence, which may help explain why Ci Siamo resonated so strongly with Yelp users nationwide.
The accolade also reflects broader trends shaping how and where Americans are choosing to dine right now. Yelp’s editors point to a rise in so-called “nonna-stalgia” or “grandma-core” dining: an appetite for slow-cooked, comforting, family-style food that feels like an antidote to the city’s relentless pace.
Ci Siamo isn’t the only New York restaurant earning national love this year, though. Four other NYC spots landed on the list, underscoring the city’s range and restless appetite for reinvention. Brooklyn’s L’Industrie Pizzeria came in at number 27, continuing its reign as one of the borough’s most beloved slice destinations thanks to its crisp, airy crusts and meticulous approach to toppings. Charoen Krung Thai, ranked number 35, represents the city’s enduring affection for Thai cuisine, while Gurumé at number 38 adds a layer of intrigue with its global, fine-dining-leaning sensibility. Rounding out the group is Da Andrea in Chelsea at number 45, a longtime favorite that proves classic Italian comfort still has serious staying power in a city that’s constantly chasing the new.
Yelp’s broader list highlights a few other telling shifts: sushi bars, handroll counters and Nikkei-style Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurants claimed a significant portion of the Top 100, while sandwiches have evolved into full-fledged dinner stars rather than just lunchtime standbys. There’s also a notable emphasis on accessibility, with more than half of the restaurants offering reservations or digital waitlists, and nearly two-thirds priced under $30 per person.
For New Yorkers, though, Ci Siamo’s ascent to number one isn’t just a win for one restaurant but a reminder that thoughtful, deeply rooted cooking still has the power to rise above the noise. And in a city that eats as much with its heart as its eyes, that may be the most meaningful ranking of all.
