When Yelp drops its annual Top 100 Best Places to Eat in the U.S. list, it’s less a ranking and more a snapshot of how America is eating right now. Yelp’s 13th annual list, published on Wednesday, January 21, proves that 2026 diners are chasing everything from Michelin-starred splurges to pop culture-inspired comfort food, all filtered through the collective appetite of the Yelp community. This year’s list spans the full spectrum, spotlighting fine-dining temples, fast-casual standouts, food halls, diners, and cozy neighborhood gems that punch well above their price point.
The big-picture takeaway? Dining trends continue to evolve. Yelp’s data points to the rise of “grandma-core” dining, featuring nostalgic dishes, cozy interiors, and food that feels like a hug. Japanese cuisine continues its reign, as Miami diners know very well, from meticulous sushi counters to craveable street-food-inspired concepts. And Gen Z-approved dress-up destinations are having a moment, with restaurants doubling as social stages where the vibe is just as important as the plate.
Out of the 100 restaurants selected nationwide, South Florida made a strong showing. Four local spots landed on the list overall, with three in Broward County and one in Miami. The biggest local win came from Cote Miami, which cracked the coveted top 20, landing at No. 20 on this year’s list of top 100 restaurants.
Dinner at the Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse Cote Miami in the Design District comes at a steep price.
No. 20 – Cote Miami
A Miami restaurant landing the 20th spot makes sense, as the city has fully come into its own as a world-renowned dining destination. But this isn’t your ordinary restaurant — Cote is America’s first and only Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse, and its Miami outpost has become a go-to for celebratory dinners, expense-account nights, and anyone who appreciates precision and drama at the table. It’s also ranked among New Times‘ 10 Best Steakhouses in Miami, and it’s won New Times‘ Best Steakhouse in both 2021 and 2022.
Founded by Simon Kim in New York City in 2017, his Miami Design District outpost offers a selection of Waygu beef, including American Waygu and A5 Japanese Wagyu, the latter sourced from the Miyazaki prefecture, where true Wagyu are raised. The steaks are dry-aged for a minimum of 45 days in-house, then seasoned with a mixture of British Maldon, Himalayan pink, and Korean thousand-day salts, and presented raw and cooked to order, tableside. And if you have a taste for primo caviar, Cote has you covered. It came as no surprise in 2022 when Cote Miami earned a Michelin star, an honor it has maintained ever since.
The dimly lit bar at Cote Miami in the Design District is a hit among Yelp reviewers
What Yelp Reviewers Love About Cote Miami
On Yelp, Cote Miami boasts a 4.5-star rating from nearly 1,000 reviews, with diners raving about everything from the buttery filet to the deeply flavorful hanger steak.
One reviewer summed up the experience with the kind of detail only a true steak lover brings: “The filet was super tender, great quality. The hanger steak was a bit more marbled; good, with a more meaty flavor. I’ll give it a B.” Even the sides get their flowers, with the Cote bibimbap earning high marks and the service described as exactly what you’d expect for a special-occasion splurge.
Another Yelp reviewer wrote, “It’s worth the hype! If it’s your first time, I think the best option is the Butcher’s Feast at $78 per person. It comes with four to five different cuts of meat and various Korean sides. All meats are cooked to perfection (you don’t cook yourself), and I don’t have a favorite because they’re all delicious. My favorite side dish is the seaweed salad. As for service and ambiance, you can’t go wrong with top service and a dim vibe.”
Larb Thai-Isan has landed on Yelp’s Best Places to Eat in 2026 list
Broward County Winners
Broward’s trio of honorees underscores the county’s growing reputation for diverse, chef-driven dining that doesn’t need a Miami zip code to draw national attention. Coming in at No. 42, Larb Thai-Isan in Fort Lauderdale earned praise for its bold, unapologetically spicy Northern Thai and Isan flavors, the kind of food that rewards diners who trust the kitchen and order adventurously. It’s also ranked among New Times‘ 13 Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, and won New Times‘ Best Thai Restaurant in 2023.
At No. 64, Revelry in Pompano Beach continues to prove that neighborhood restaurants can still feel exciting, blending comfort and creativity in a way that keeps locals coming back. Rounding out the list at No. 72 is Rosalia’s Kitchen in Miramar, a beloved, soulful spot that feels like the very definition of “grandma-core,” serving heartfelt food that tastes personal, generous, and deeply rooted.
Cote Miami. 3900 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-434-4668; cotekoreansteakhouse.com.