Highest-rated restaurants in New Bern by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in New Bern, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#30. Cow Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (152 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 319 Middle St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches, Cafes, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Musashi Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2041 South Glenburnie Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Saltwater Grill
- Rating: 4.0/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 1 Marina Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Ginza Japan
- Rating: 4.0/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3025 Drive M L King Jr Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Taqueria San Luis
- Rating: 4.0/5 (48 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1706 US Hwy 70 East New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q
- Rating: 4.0/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2507 M.L. King Boulevard New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Barbeque, Chicken Shop, American
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Sara's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1150 Broad Creek Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Savages Woodburning Pizzeria
- Rating: 4.0/5 (125 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 303 Metcalf St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Mi Cabana Mexican Restaurant 9
- Rating: 4.0/5 (37 reviews)
- Address: 1731 Red Robin Lane New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Bay Leaf
- Rating: 4.0/5 (350 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 309 Middle St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Carolina Bagel Company & Deli
- Rating: 4.0/5 (83 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3601 Trent Road Ste 10 New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Bagels, Breakfast & Brunch, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Mj's Raw Bar and Grille
- Rating: 4.0/5 (489 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 216 Middle St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood, American, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Bella's Cafe & Catering
- Rating: 4.0/5 (60 reviews)
- Address: 323 Middle St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Baker's Kitchen
- Rating: 4.0/5 (654 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 227 Middle St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Southern, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Baxter's 1892
- Rating: 4.0/5 (36 reviews)
- Address: 323 Pollock St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Music Venues, Tapas Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#15. The Chelsea
- Rating: 4.0/5 (371 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 335 Middle St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Beartown Bistro & Pizza Company
- Rating: 4.5/5 (91 reviews)
- Address: 1200 US-70 New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, New American, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#13. La Rosa
- Rating: 4.5/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1503 South Glenburnie Road Ste A New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Lawson's On The Creek
- Rating: 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
- Address: 529 South Front St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Wine Bars, Cafes, Beer Bar
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Morgan's Tavern & Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (703 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 235 Craven St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood, Pubs, American
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Cypress Hall
- Rating: 4.5/5 (167 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 219 Middle St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Famous Subs & Pizza
- Rating: 4.5/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2210 Neuse Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#8. El Taco Loco
- Rating: 4.5/5 (246 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2408 Drive Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Mon Asian Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (71 reviews)
- Address: 2117 South Glenburnie Road Ste 16-18 New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Grocery, Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Sea & Soul
- Rating: 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 1244 US-70 East New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Soul Food, Seafood, American
- Read more on Yelp
#5. China King
- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 133 Bridge Town Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Thai Angel
- Rating: 4.5/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 247 Craven St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Panichelli's Pizzeria
- Rating: 5.0/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 40 Shoreline Drive New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Kuma Sushi Bar
- Rating: 5.0/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 303 Pollock St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Desserts, Ramen
- Read more on Yelp
#1. East Cuisine Asian Restaurant
- Rating: 5.0/5 (46 reviews)
- Address: 3529 Drive Mlk Jr Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Poke
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.