2 Of The Country's Best New Restaurants Are In FL

FLORIDA — Two of Yelp’s Best New Restaurants of 2024 are in Florida.

To determine the ranking, Yelp considered the volume and ratings of reviews for full-service restaurants that opened after Jan. 1, 2023, and consulted with trend expert Tara Lewis.

Here are the Florida eateries Yelp singled out for its honors, and a brief description of what they are known for:

Rustica Earth Sea and Fire, St. Augustine, No. 13

The Yelp description: "Appetizers include Indonesian-style pork gyoza, crab beignets with yuzu, and scallop ravioli drenched in truffle butter. The seafood bar menu is just as eclectic, ranging from Japanese sushi options to a shrimp cocktail with crispy oysters in a spicy homemade sauce. Options like seared striped bass in a red wine sauce, an oven-roasted Vietnamese monkfish, and a seared hanger steak with duck-fat potatoes round out the entrees."

One Yelper said: "Chef Jean Paul, Kat and Derek were a great team. Scallop raviolis are not to be missed, as well as the fried chicken and scallop and shrimp risotto. The preparation and presentation were great. Food served fresh and straight from the kitchen. Wonderful meal with a superb service."

See more on the Rustica Earth Sea and Fire website.

Nami, Orlando, No. 15

The Yelp description: "Guests can reserve an upscale seat at the 10-seat omakase counter for a 20-bite tasting menu, or choose a la carte offerings such as green miso lamb chops and BBQ Unagi. There are also playful spins on classics, like the popular Tuna Pizza (fresh tuna dotted with edible flowers and aioli over a crispy base) and Nami Nuggets, an upscale spin on chicken tenders with a side of Japanese BBQ sauce."

One Yelper said: "This place remains a top-tier favorite, earning another perfect score from me. … For the main course, we ordered the Chilean Sea Bass. It had zero fishy taste, which I always appreciate, and while the texture was a bit unusual for me, the flavors were bold and spot on. We wrapped up the evening with dessert, ordering the Golden Rocher and the Hot Chocolate Fondant. Both were excellent, but the hot chocolate fondant stole the show with its rich, decadent flavor and perfect execution."

See more on the Nami website.

To view the full list of 25 restaurants, visit Yelp’s website.