Innovation is worth celebrating.
Food & Wine recently released its list of the best new restaurants in the US. The restaurants that were selected are all doing some incredibly original and ambitious things with food.
Despite having only been opened within the last year, these 10 restaurants have already made their mark on the food world. Keep scrolling to see them.
Brewer's Table at Surly Brewing — Minneapolis, MN
520 Malcolm Avenue SE
Located directly above the Surly Brewery, Brewer's Table pairs a rotating menu with their house-brewed beer. For $70 per table guest, diners can enjoy four courses, complete with beer to accompany each course.
Cala — San Francisco, CA
At Cala you can find tacos and tostadas made with fresh seafood and local ingredients. This Bay Area hot spot transforms traditional food-truck fare into elegant and authentic Mexican cuisine. On the weekdays, stop by the Cala counter to grab a $3.50 Mexico City-style taco for a quick, flavorful bite.
Death & Taxes — Raleigh, NC
Named after the building's previous occupants — a mortuary and a bank — this restaurant is chef Ashley Christensen's latest endeavor in the culinary world. Inside, you will find a 1,900-pound wood-burning stove used to make the restaurant's signature dishes, including grilled pork chops and clams.
High Street on Hudson — New York, NY
This place is the perfect place to grab a bite any time of the day. At breakfast you can find fresh-baked bagels and pastries. At lunch, dine on creative salads and classic sandwiches, including duck meatballs on a homemade roll. At dinner, grab your friends to share plates and pastas accompanied by unique cocktails and local beers.
Launderette — Austin, TX
This gourmet American restaurant offers a separate "snacky bits" section on their menu, featuring fried olives, beef tartare, burrata, labneh, and a rabbit and hawk dish. Launderette's unique food selection helps to keep Austin weird ... and delicious.
Locol — Los Angeles, CA
1950 East 103rd Street
Locol takes fast food to a new level with top-quality ingredients and affordable prices. The $6 crushed tofu and veggie-stew bowls are the most expensive items on the menu, and you can grab a cheeseburger topped with tangy chile "awesome sauce" for just $4.
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio — Chicago, IL
Pasta lovers, take note. At Monteverde, guests can watch as chef Sarah Grueneberg makes homemade pasta. Large mirrors hang above this table, allowing guests to see the process of creating traditional and original pastas, like wok-fried strangozzi noodles.
Shaya — New Orleans, LA
This trendy Israeli spot offers a modern spin on traditional dishes. The smell of fresh pita fills the restaurant and serves as the perfect utensil to scoop up the unique hummus flavors on offer. Bring friends to share dishes packed with diverse flavors from the Holy Land.
The Dabney — Washington, DC
You can find locally sourced, Mid-Atlantic ingredients in every one of The Dabney's dishes. The open kitchen features a wood-burning stove and allows guests to watch as their family-style dishes are prepared. The restaurant also features a variety of ciders and beers to accompany the flavorful American cuisine.
Townsman — Boston, MA
For fans of fresh seafood, Townsman is the place to go. Be sure to order the Grande Plateaux, a platter of local shellfish with a selection of cures, terrines, and seasonal pickles.
This story was originally published by Food & Wine.