USA Today 10 Best New Restaurants in the United States

USA Today 10 Best New Restaurants: The Maker’s Hobbit House

The United States is home to more than a million different restaurants, according to the National Restaurant Association, with hundreds of new options opening up each year. We asked our readers to vote for their favorite new restaurants to open in the past 18 months, ranging from chef-driven fast casual concepts to high end dining with a focus on hyper-local and sustainable ingredients.  The Maker’s Hobbit House is between the top 10 winners in the Best New Restaurants category for 10 USA Today. The top 10 winners in the category Best New Restaurant are as follows:

1. Tempest – Charleston, South Carolina
2. Knife & Spoon – Orlando
3. Wit & Wisdom Sonoma – Sonoma, California
4. Water Pig BBQ – Pensacola Beach, Florida
5. Island Vintage Wine Bar – Honolulu
6. Tempus – St. Louis
7. Via Locusta – Philadelphia
8. Maker’s Mark Hobbit House – Richmond, Rhode Island
9. Halekulani Bakery & Restaurant – Honolulu
10. Zacatlán – Santa Fe, New Mexico

A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!

Maker’s Mark Hobbit House (2020)

Richmond, Rhode Island

This new one-of-a-kind dining experience at The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences transports diners to Middle-earth. The restaurant space features a wood-burning fireplace, overhead skylights and tables made from repurposed Maker’s Mark whisky barrels. Lunch and dinner include a four-course meal and Maker’s Mark bourbon flight tasting.

TEMPEST

Charleston, South Carolina

This new upscale seafood restaurant, housed in the former historic Harriott Pinckney Home for Sailors, serves local, sustainable South Atlantic seafood with a seasonal menu from Top Chef alumnus Jamie Lynch.

KNIFE & SPOON

Orlando

This steak and seafood restaurant, led by Chef John Tesar, opened at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes this fall. Steaks are dry-aged for 45 to 240 days, and guests can design their own drinks from a rolling cocktail cart in the dining room.

WIT & WISDOM SONOMA

Sonoma, California

The newest restaurant from Chef Michael Mina offers American comfort food in a comfortable Sonoma wine country tavern. Diners can sip wines from an extensive wine list, play a game of bocce ball or sip cocktails during happy hour.

WIT & WISDOM SONOMA

Sonoma, California

The newest restaurant from Chef Michael Mina offers American comfort food in a comfortable Sonoma wine country tavern. Diners can sip wines from an extensive wine list, play a game of bocce ball or sip cocktails during happy hour.

WATER PIG BBQ

Pensacola Beach, Florida

Water Pig BBQ brings low and slow ‘cue to the beach. Diners enjoy smoked meats and classic BBQ sides served in an open-air atmosphere on a raised deck or at a bar overlooking the bay.

ISLAND VINTAGE WINE BAR

Honolulu

At Island Vintage Wine Bar, guests tuck into food made from farm-to-table ingredients, paired with an already award-winning wine list. Wines are available by the glass, bottle or flight, or sample from one of 40 cuvenee dispensers.

TEMPUS

St. Louis

St. Louis chef Ben Grupe opened Tempus in the Grove neighborhood of St. Louis in the middle of the pandemic. The menu features elevated versions of comforting, familiar dishes, like a pickle-brined fried chicken sandwich, polenta with bolognese or chocolate chip cookies and milk.

VIA LOCUSTA

Philadelphia

This new intimate Italian restaurant just off Rittenhouse Square focuses on pastas made from locally-sourced and milled flour and shareable plates. From-scratch cocktails are designed to complement the menu. Read more…