Best of Flavor 2025
In a time when menu developers are navigating a complex landscape of constraints, this special Best of Flavor report reads like a love letter to menu innovation. Collectively, these 100 stories also reveal emerging themes—pathways highlighting broader trends shaping modern menu innovation..
Best of Flavor Insights: Drinks That Sparkle High-impact ingredients for a better beverage
Clockwise from top left: Red Dragon, Jarana,...
Best of Flavor Insights: Sauce Makes the Pizza Thinking beyond red, white and green
Thousand Island dressing is transformed into a tangy sauce in...
An Upscale Spin on Crab Rangoons Beautiful South | Charleston, S.C.
Crab “Rangoon”: Crab whipped with cream cheese, served with chile gastrique, scallion and wonton...
Filipino-Mexican Quesadilla Mash-Up Señor Sisig | Based in San Francisco
Crunch-a-dilla: Flour tortilla stuffed with pork sisig, Monterey Jack, iceberg and pico de gallo;...
The Gin Cocktail With Wood-Fired Flavor Brodeto | Raleigh, N.C.
The Adriatica: Gin, charred Meyer lemon, honey, lemon juice, fresh basil, Sicilian olive oil...
Miso Cod Remix Uchi West Hollywood | West Hollywood, Calif.
San Francisco Black Cod with fish sauce caramel, chimichurri and market peppers ...
Smoky-Sweet Marg With Mezcal and Gochujang Sous Terre | Raleigh, N.C
Red Dragon: Mezcal, mango-gochujang shrub, fresh lemon juice, cachaça and Campari, garnished with an...
Persian Flavors Shine in an Elevated Ice Cream Sandwich Rumi’s Kitchen | Based in Atlanta
Persian Ice Cream Sandwich: Housemade vanilla ice cream flavored with saffron, pistachio and...
Matcha-Infused Fettuccine With Mushrooms Galore Kaiyō | San Francisco
Matcha Fettuccine: Matcha tea fettuccine, shiitake and king trumpet mushrooms, walnut pesto,...
Vietnamese Chicken Takes Wing Saigon Hustle | Two locations in Houston
Crispy Chicken Wings: Double-fried with a garlic-fish sauce glaze and topped with flash-fried red...
Valentine’s-Inspired Ruby-Red Cremeux Canoe | Atlanta
Ruby Chocolate Entremet: Ruby chocolate cremeux, raspberry gel, pistachio pound cake, pistachio...
A Rainbow of Carrots With a Surprising Pop Chart House Prime | Based in Houston
Roasted Rainbow Carrots with creamy feta,...
Burger and Pizza Become One Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream | Based in Davenport, Iowa
Big Max Pizza with American cheese, seasoned beef, Thousand Island sauce, onion, pickle slices and...
These Award-Winning Tacos Are Minty Fresh Lime Fresh Mexican Grill | Based in Miami
Mahi-Mahi Tacos: Fried or grilled wild-caught mahi-mahi, cabbage mix, tomatillo ranch, pickled red...
Burnt-Ends Sando With a Strategic Protein Swap Clean Eatz | Based in Wilmington, N.C.
Turkey Burnt End Cuban Flatbread: Turkey burnt ends, Epic sauce, Swiss cheese and pickles...
Cheese Sorbet Transforms a Winter Salad Angelo’s | Aspen, Colo.
Aspen Salad: Winter melon, fennel, frisée, arugula, sunchoke, goat cheese sorbet and white balsamic...
This Salmon Salad Balances Umami and Heat Salata Salad Kitchen | Based in Houston
Grilled Miso Salmon Salad with Salata mixed greens, cucumber, red onion, pineapple, bean sprouts,...
The Freshest Focaccia and Prosciutto Sandwich Dialtone Coffee + Wine Bar | Chicago
La Quercia Prosciutto with burrata, tomato, pesto and balsamic on focaccia ...
Pretty in Pink Lychee Macaron Reserve Cut | Based in New York
Pink Lychee Macaron: Pink lychee and strawberry macaron, rose gel and rose petal gelato Credit: Evan...
Transforming Ribeye Through a Bourbon Marinade Eddie Merlot’s | Based in Denver
Prime Bourbon Ribeye glazed with bourbon and garnished with brown sugar, onion straws, parsley and...
Protein-Packed, Flavor-Forward Waffles Nékter Juice Bar | Based in Costa Mesa, Calif.
High-protein waffles topped with four varieties of sweet and savory combinations. Credit: Bob Hodson...
Fall-Off-the-Bone Yucatán-Style Barbecue Boleo | Chicago
Patita Pibil: Tender pork shank marinated in traditional cochinita pibil seasoning, garnished with...
Sablefish Embraces Its Sweet Side In partnership with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
Brown Butter Alaska Sablefish basted with a garlic-soy glaze; served with golden roasted hon shimeji...
Corn-Crusted Yakisoba Chicken Brings the Crunch Udon | Based in Barcelona with two Miami locations
Corral Chicken Yakisoba: Toasted corn-breaded chicken, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, zucchini,...
Cajun-Inflected Shrimp Alfredo Dave & Buster’s | Based in Dallas
Cajun Shrimp Pasta: Rigatoni, blackened shrimp, jalapeño-cheddar sausage, bell peppers, Alfredo...
Pivoting Paneer Through Smoky Character Fitoor Indian Grill | San Jose and Santa Monica, Calif.
Reinvented Paneer Lababdar: Onion-tomato masala ...
Crêpe with a Flavor Complex La Madeleine | Based in Dallas
Crêpe la Madeleine filled with balsamic chicken, rice Provençal, broccoli, mushrooms and Swiss...
The Patty Melt’s Fiery Alter Ego Krystal | Based in Dunwoody, Ga.
Cheesy Jalapeño Patty Melt: Beef patties,...
Upping the Enchilada Game Puesto | Based in San Diego
Short Rib Enchilada: Chile-braised short rib, guajillo, Oaxaca-style cheese, avocado and Mexican...
Blackened Chicken Meets Black Tamarind Shor Bazaar | Los Angeles
Smoked Blackened Chicken: Halal chicken tenderloins marinated in sour cream, tamarind and spices,...
The Himalayan Pizza With Mountains of Flavor Mountain Mike’s Pizza | Based in Newport Beach, Calif.
Spicy Himalayan Pizza: Tikka masala sauce topped with tikka masala-marinated chicken, mushrooms,...
Popeyes’ Lemonade is a Big Dill Popeyes | Based in Miami
Premium Lemonade infused with real pickle juice ...
Spicy and Sweet ‘Nduja-Stuffed Dates Olivero | Wilmington, N.C.
Warm Dates with ’nduja, olive oil and sea salt Credit: Anna Routh...
Martini—Popped, not Stirred Bar Bonobo | New York
CornStar Martini: Absolut vodka, Chinola passionfruit, vanilla-popcorn syrup and fresh lemon; served...
A Brighter Shade of Chaat Tamasha Modern Indian | Raleigh, N.C.
Purple Sweet Potato Chaat: Purple sweet potato, kale, shiso, onions, yogurt foam, tamarind chutney...
Afghan Dumplings With Far East Flair Jaji | Oakland, Calif.
Ducktu: Confit duck dumplings with miso-ginger consommé and charred leeks; garnished with radish and...
Church’s Texas Chicken Goes International Church’s Texas Chicken / Texas Chicken | Based in Atlanta
The Golden Dragon: A spicy, hand-breaded chicken filet with a fiery and sweet Golden Habanero Glaze;...
A Polish, Pork-Based Take on the Italian Beef Wurst Behavior | Chicago
The Italian: Pork shoulder, smoked paprika, fennel, sweet peppers, hot giardiniera and Parmesan;...
Fire-Roasted Watermelon Makes a Hot Ceviche Leña Brava | Chicago In partnership with the National Watermelon Promotion Board
Fire-Roasted Watermelon: Fresh watermelon, toasted pistachio crumble, Serrano-mint crema, feta and a...
Cheesesteak Gets a Korean Kick Fred’s Meat & Bread | Atlanta
Korean Cheesesteak: Shaved ribeye or...
This Açai Smoothie Is Coffee-Powered Oakberry | Based in Miami
Coffee Punch: Layered smoothie with signature açaí base, frozen banana and Arabica premium coffee...
Fresh as Spring Aguachile and Shrimp Cavaña | San Francisco
Aguachile Verde con Camaron: Citrus-cured shrimp, avocado, radish, pickled green strawberries,...
Chicago-Style Giardiniera Burger Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar | Based in Chicago
The Dragon Burger: Handcrafted patty with scratch-made giardiniera, Monterey Jack, crisped leeks and...
Taco-Style Sashimi Pacific Catch | Based in Corte Madera, Calif.
Sashimi Handrolls: Seared Ahi, Spicy Salmon and Pacific Yellowtail ...
Al Pastor to the Core Zazil | San Jose, Calif.
Trompo Pastor: Pork, spices, pineapple, onions, cilantro and corn tortillas Credit: Buen Rallo...
A Frothy Margarita of Folklore Lona Nashville | Nashville, Tenn.
Mercado Margarita: Jalapeño-infused tequila with passionfruit, lemon and lime juices; topped with...
Mexi-Cali Empanadas “Lamb” It Up Blind Coyote Cantina | Yorba Linda, Calif.
Lamb Empanadas: Masa dough empanadas filled with seasoned ground lamb, Oaxaca cheese and beans;...
New World Gazpacho Pintxo by Valdemar | Woodinville, Wash.
Corn Gazpacho: Sweet corn, jalapeño, coconut milk, cucumber, saffron, crushed Marcona almonds,...
Taste the Rainbow Bright Bowl Rubio’s Restaurants | Based in Carlsbad, Calif.
Rainbow Bowl: Roasted sweet potato, Tajín-pineapple salsa, roasted corn, pickled red cabbage,...
Say Hello to the Fifty Dollar Burger Wild Rye Restaurant and Bar | Butte, Ore.
Fifty Dollar Burger: Angus beef, maple-cured foie gras torchon, smoked provolone, onion Bordelaise,...
Saddling Up to Texas Tartare Credence | Houston
Parisa: Lightly smoked beef with aged cheddar, Serrano, cured egg and gaufrette potatoes...
Strawberry Shortcake Comes to Breakfast Sunny Street Café | Based in Columbus, Ohio
Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes: Macerated strawberries, whipped cream, shortbread crumble and crème...
Apple Upon Apple Upon French Toast Early to Rise | San Francisco
Apple Butter French Toast: Calvados apple butter, roasted Pink Lady apple rings, sliced Granny Smith...
Panna Cotta Takes a Smoky Turn Palo Santo | Atlanta
Charcoal-Smoked Panna Cottta: Yuzu, basil, peach raspado and charcoal-smoked meringue...
Purple and Perfect for a Late-Night Sip Bar Louie | Based in Addison, Texas
Midnight Berry Martini: Blackberry syrup, peach liqueur, vodka, pineapple juice, strawberry-lime...
Pillowy-Soft, Umami-Packed Donut Holes PostBoy | New Buffalo, Mich.
Donut Holes with togarashi, furikake, ssamjang aïoli and pickled Fresno chiles Credit: Gabrielle...
The Joy of Fried Chicken and Gravy Jollibee | Based in West Covina, Calif.
Chickenjoy with Gravy: Fried chicken served with savory gravy ...
Mac and Cheese Gets a Pork Belly and Beer Upgrade Nixtaco Mexican Kitchen & Distillery | Roseville, Calif. In partnership with California Milk Advisory Board
Mac & Chich: Creamy pasta with beer-cheese sauce and pork belly chicharrón in salsa verde; topped...
Infusing Botanics into a Cocktail Stunner Suspiro | San Jose, Calif.
El Alquimista: Empress gin, rose water, bergamot, cava brut and hibiscus flower ...
Walnut “Chorizo” Tartine Nordstrom Restaurant Group | Based in Seattle In partnership with California Walnuts
Walnut “Chorizo” Tartine: Toast topped with walnut cream, salsa macha, poached egg and walnut-based...
Peruvian Causa Gets a Glow-Up Overstory Rooftop Bar | Atlanta
Causa Limeña: Aji amarillo causa, chicken salad, avocado, shredded eggs and huancaína Credit: Green...
Four Old Fashioneds Are Better Than One Tupelo Honey | Based in Asheville, N.C.
Whiskey Wayfarer Old Fashioned Flight made with sugar and Angostura bitters; includes Maker’s Mark...
Haiti’s Iconic Fried-Food Feast Favorites Bistro Bar | New London, Conn.
Griot (fried pork), fried plantains, Akra and sausage with pikliz Credit: Bread Beast Food...
Crowning Agnolotti With Autumnal Vibes Alora Coastal Mediterranean | San Francisco
Pasta with pumpkin, pecorino, brown butter, sage, pumpkin seeds and crushed amaretti Credit: Brianna...
From Pita Trimmings to Spiced Donut Deliciousness Meso Modern Mediterranean | San Jose, Calif.
Pita Donut dusted with cardamom and cinnamon sugar; served with honeyed labneh or fruit compote...
Chicken Skin Sauce-Studded Banh Mi BriDer | Denver
Rotisserie Chicken Banh Mi with housemade cracklin’ aïoli, nuoc cham vinaigrette-dressed herbs,...
Japanese-Style Fried Chicken Wren | Tysons, Va.
Japanese-style crispy fried chicken thighs with house tare, jalapeño rings and cabbage slaw; served...
Pickle-Packed Pizza Toppers Pizza | Based in Whitewater, Wis.
The Pickle: Pizza with a ranch sauce base, topped with mozzarella, bacon, dill pickles and fresh...
The Seafood Answer to Saucy Ribs Marcus Bar & Grille | Atlanta
G’s Famous Fish Ribs with grilled Pacu with peach barbecue and cabbage pikliz ...
Shiitake, Maitaki Plus Mushroom Dashi Nami Lake Nona | Orlando, Fla.
Mushroom Donabe with rice, ginger, shiitake and maitake mushrooms and mushroom dashi; served with...
N.Y. Strip Seasoned in San Antonio Savor Cavalier | San Antonio
Texas Wagyu N.Y. Strip with squash purée, chimichurri drizzle, basil dust and pea shoots garnish...
The Raclette Burger Inspired by Soup Félix Cocktails et Cuisine | Charleston, S.C.
Raclette Burger: Double short rib-brisket blended patties, caramelized onion, Dijonnaise and...
Fried Sticky Buns for the Win Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails | San Antonio
Southern-Fried Sticky Bun: Fried cinnamon roll with a whiskey-infused maple syrup sauce, candied...
A Lighter, Lentil-Packed Satay Wrap LifeWorks Restaurant Group | Based in Philadelphia In partnership with Lentils.org
Shrimp & Lentil Wraps with cucumber-daikon slaw and peanut dipping sauce ...
The Non-Alc Cocktail With an A-maiz-ing Hue Jarana | Aventura, Fla.
Chicha Morada with purple corn, pineapple and spices; garnished with lime ...
Chicago-Nashville Pizza Connection Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom | Based in Houston
Nashville Hot Crispy Chicken Pizza: White sauce base, topped with Nashville hot sauce-tossed fried...
Broken Yolk Café’s Vegan Crowd-Pleaser Broken Yolk Café | Based in San Diego
Spicy Vegan Bowl: Plant-based Just Egg scrambled with spinach, mushrooms, onion and red and green...
Reinvigorated Reuben—Just Add Lamb Saint & Second | Long Beach and Woodland Hills, Calif.
Lamb Pastrami Reuben with purple sauerkraut, aged white cheddar, secret sauce and marbled rye;...
The Caesar Salad With Pesto Power Newk’s Eatery | Based in Jackson, Miss.
Pesto Pasta Chicken Caesar Salad made with chicken, romaine blend, pesto bowtie pasta, Parmesan, red...
Wahlburgers’ Triple Threat Wahlburgers | Based in Hingham, Mass.
Triple Threat Slider Flight: Slider trio composed of...
Salsa Macha Yields a Seafood Sensation Kachina Cantina | Denver
Tuna Ginger Macha: Tuna sashimi, salsa macha, ginger, avocado and cilantro ...
Steak Meets Mexican Dumplings Ámbar Restaurante | El Paso, Texas
Pork Tomahawk with potato-herbed chochoyotes, kale, local mushrooms, sotol-chile colorado, queso...
French Onion-Inspired Popover Foreign & Domestic | Austin, Texas
Gruyère Popovers: Airy, crispy, chewy bread with Gruyère and black pepper, served with charred onion...
The Cocktail with a Climax Stateside Kitchen | Nashville, Tenn.
The Climax: Vodka, soda, grapefruit, lemon and blueberry syrup with a glitter rim and spoonful of...
A Pop of Nostalgia Mano a Mano | Chicago
Popcorn Gelato with caramel and dehydrated corn kernels Credit: Hsing Chen...
Ceviche Hits the Tropics Toro | Based in Denver
Amarillo Ceviche: Hamachi, aji amarillo, leche de tigre, mango, cucumber, coconut milk and red onion...
Miso-Caramel Pancake Magic Lingo | Brooklyn, N.Y.
Apple Tarte Tatin Pancakes with Granny Smith apple praline and red miso-caramel ice cream...










