This Charlotte restaurant ranks among the 100 best in the US, Yelp says. See why
A Charlotte restaurant blending Peruvian and Japanese flavors is among the best places to grab a bite in 2026, according to Yelp.
Yunta Nikkei in South End has earned a spot on Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list, placing 80th overall. It was the only North Carolina eatery to make the list and joins dozens of other top-rated eateries from across the country.
Yelp’s annual list recognizes “the highest-reviewed restaurants, diners, fast-casual spots, food halls, and more — all ranked by the Yelp community,” according to the business review website.
Editors looked at businesses in the restaurant category, then ranked them using multiple factors including the total volume and ratings of customer reviews. The spots featured on this year’s list had passing health scores as of Nov. 6.
Here’s what makes Yunta stand out from the rest:
Why folks love Yunta
Opened in 2022, Yunta was the first restaurant in Charlotte to offer Nikkei cuisine, CharlotteFive reported. The cuisine is a fusion of Peruvian flavors and Japanese techniques.
Customers can find ceviches, noodle dishes, stir fries and more. Brunch options — including churritos and quinoa tostada — are also available Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m,. according to Yunta’s website.
Other menu highlights include:
- Ponja Tiradito (Peruvian sashimi) with thin-sliced tuna, Nikkei citrus sauce, avocado, crispy quinoa and ginger ($21)
- Mushroom ceviche with aji amarillo and tenkatsu ($19)
- Lomo Saltado with stir-fried filet mignon, potatoes, onion, tomatoes, cilantro and rice ($29)
- Acevichado Maki Roll with ebi furai, Mahi, avocado, crispy peruvian Corn and acevichado sauce ($20)
What they’re saying
Yunta Nikkei had a 4.7-star Yelp rating and nearly 500 reviews as of Jan. 23. Here’s what customers had to say about their recent experiences:
- “Yunta was absolutely amazing. The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The food was top notch - one of the best meals we have ever had. The flavor in each dish was wonderful.” — Paige N. from Durham.
- “The ceviche was truly the star of the show, we tried the yunta ceviche with “medium” spice and WOW. It had a tart and spicy kick to it and was SO delicious. The sweet potato and corn paired beautifully with all of the other flavors. Can’t recommend this place enough!” — Sarah C. from Charlotte.
- If you like raw fish, get the ponjo tradito. It’s thinly sliced tuna in thi citrus ginger sauce that I honestly can drink haha. Soooo fresh. All the sauces and details of each plate was perfection.” — Christine L. from Nashville
What are the top places to eat in the US?
This year’s lineup featured “a Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse, a pop culture-inspired pizza joint, and everything in between,” Yelp said. Here are the spots that lead the pack on the Top 100 list:
- Ci Siamo in New York, New York (No. 1)
- Taste of Texas in Houston, Texas (No. 2)
- NAM Kitchen in Gardena, California (No. 3)
- Waffle and Berry in Honolulu, Hawaii (No. 4)
- Comfort Cafe in San Antonio, Texas (No. 5)
- Adela’s Country Eatery in Kaneohe, Honolulu, Hawaii (No. 6)
- Broken Mouth in Los Angeles, California (No. 7)
- GW Fins in New Orleans, Louisiana (No. 8)
- Slackwater in Salt Lake City, Utah (No. 9)
- Pepp & Dolores in Cincinnati, Ohio (No. 10)
Yunta Nikkei
Location: 2201 South Blvd Ste 130, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: Japanese-Peruvian fusion
Instagram: @yuntanikkei
