At the end of September, Yelp released its Best New Restaurants of 2026 list, and two Los Angeles spots made the cut. Chinatown’s Firstborn took the #2 spot nationwide, and the Caribbean restaurant Lucia landed at #19.
Yelp ranked full-service restaurants that opened after January 1, 2025. The ranking used review volume and ratings from January 1, 2025 to June 11, 2026, to determine the best new restaurants in the nation.
Here’s a closer look at the two L.A. picks.
Firstborn
Firstborn is an art-deco space in L.A.’s historic Chinatown, which Yelp calls a “Michelin-recognized newcomer” and ranks at #2 on the list of 25. Chef-owner Anthony Wang blends his Chinese-American heritage with classic French culinary training, presenting a menu that evolves with farmers market produce.
The prix-fixe menu costs $68, with three choices per course and optional additions. Dishes might include caviar blinis, duck sausage, or Chongqing Fried Chicken with house-made chili crisp and roasted chicken jus.
📍 Location: Mandarin Plaza, 978 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Lucia
Lucia, at #19, serves Caribbean fine dining in an upscale space known for its design. It was featured in the Robb Report‘s list of the 21 most beautiful restaurants in America. It has also drawn celebrities including Usher and Saweetie.
Owner Sam Jordan and Chef Cleophus “Ophus” Hethington, a two-time James Beard Award finalist, run a seasonally rotating menu that honors Caribbean diaspora cuisine. Yelpers praise dishes like the Jamaican Bun with coconut butter and sorrel-apricot jam, the saltfish croquetas, and the jerk lamb shank with whipped sweet potato and goat cheese.
📍 Location: 351 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
