Yelp reviews don’t lie.
From soul solid food to barbecue , the American South knows its intellectual nourishment . In late years though , these long - beloved cuisine in Department of State like Tennessee , Kentucky , Mississippi , and Florida have get word a rise in modern fusion construct like plant life - based “ barbecue ” and Creole - Cajun take on Southern formula . But who is the routine one fledgeling ?
According toYelp , the serious newfangled restaurant in the South isNokoin Nashville .
Opened in March 2023 , executive chef Dung “ Junior ” Vo , who was accept in the coastal urban center of Nha Trang in Vietnam , specializes in Asian - influenced , wood - fired ravisher . The eating place has become famous for comfort food offerings like the “ Burnt Ends ” Lettuce Wrap ( beef belly , spiced honey glaze , carrot ) , Smoked Fish Dip ( dill , yuzu , flatbread cracker bonbon ) , and Brisket French Dip ( chop up wagyu brisket , provolone , au jus ) . On the drink fare , guests can order sake , beer , wine-colored , and cocktail like the Noko Old Fashioned ( wagyu juicy - washed Bourbon dynasty ) .
Photo courtesy of Noko
Yelp determined this ranking by first gathering all of the full - serving restaurants in the Southern United States that opened after January 31 , 2023 . From there , the site ranked all of the restaurants base on the entire intensity and ratings of review left on Yelp varlet between January 31 , 2023 and May 1 , 2024 . Finally , Yelp consulted with its Community Managers ( employee that work closely with local dapple to promote humble business revenue ) to get the privileged scoop on the red-hot go - tos .
With more than 23,000 following onInstagram , the Noko Instagram is filled with mouthwatering shot of food and instigate video recording explaining the restaurant ’s journey .
Redditshares in Yelp ’s praise of Noko with commenters saying everything from “ Noko is easily my favorite eating house in Nashville right now ” to “ the managing director even called me the next day to ask how the experience was — that ’s not a vulgar degree of armed service in this town . ”
Runners up on the Yelp best new restaurants in the South list include the Mediterranean- and Southern - melded spotMeesh Meeshin Louisville , Kentucky and European- and Japanese - inspired eateryNamiin Orlando , Florida .
