Finally, in a year when it seemed you couldn’t pass a day without hearing about how Americans are drinking less, it was telling just how much excitement cohered around the latest generation of wine and cocktail bars — not just Lei, again, but also Maison and Madeira Park in Atlanta, or Boston’s Darling. Could it be that, rather than abstaining, we’re getting more choosy and specific about when, and what, we want to drink?

In any case, as we do each year, we asked Resy Hit List contributors in our key cities to weigh in on what defined dining in their town during the past year, and to choose a restaurant that added to the national conversation about dining. Their choices revealed all of the above — as the following list shows — thanks to 16 restaurants that not only set a tone for excellence but for progress and for inspiration. They helped shape culture in their cities, and inspired others to keep pushing forward.

Perhaps that’s why 2025 felt like the year when an arc that started a half-decade ago with COVID landed us in a place with a far more mature dining culture. Yes, vibes are still with us (and we love them!) and yes, there may be some choppy seas ahead. But the confidence, and the personality, of great restaurants today are a cause for joy. We’re excited — hungry, you might say — to see what 2026 will bring.