What was the best locally owned restaurant to open in 2024 in Fresno area? You choose
It takes a lot of guts to open a restaurant, especially in this economy.
At a time when big names such as DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant and Javier’s Mexican Restaurant are closing locations in Fresno, there are still entrepreneurs hopeful enough and brave enough to launch their own mom-and-pop eateries.
At least three dozen of them gave it go in 2024.
We want to know who you think did it the best. Keep reading to vote in our poll for the top new local restaurant in the Fresno-Clovis area that opened this year.
To keep this truly focused on new-to-the-scene restaurants, we excluded second locations and franchises.
Be sure to type YES in the security field first to prove you’re not a cheating robot. Then vote for your favorite. Feel free to vote as many times as you want, since this is clearly not a scientific poll.
Also, below the poll, scroll down to see a recap of all the new restaurants and links to our Fresno Bee stories about them.
New restaurants that opened in the Fresno area in 2024
Aha Ahi is a poke restaurant that opened inside the former Bitwise building on R Street downtown.
Bharat Royal Cuisine is an Indian place at The Marketplace at El Paseo near Highway 99 and Herndon Avenue.
Chez Maryse is run by a French chef and a former Hmong refugee who gives jobs to people with disabilities. It’s at 4945 E. Mckinley Ave.
Eagle Sandwich Co. in north Fresno pays tribute to Clovis West High School, the USA and the founder’s father.
Fuego Taqueria y Restaurante serves authentic Mexican cuisine such as tacos, quesadillas and mulitas at Gettysburg Avenue and Fresno Street.
Fusion Indian Cuisine & Bar is a high-end Indian restaurant in the former Riley’s Brew Pub in Clovis with lots of creative street food.
The Hub Eats & Drinks is a family-friendly sports bar with elevated cuisine near the movie theater at the Marketplace at El Paseo.
Harry’s Hen House near Costco on West Shaw Avenue deep fries entire chickens (though you can buy them in smaller pieces).
Kabab Time is a Mediterranean restaurant at Herndon and Milburn avenues with a Chipotle style of ordering.
The Layover is a travel-themed pub serving lunch on Fulton Street in the former Peeve’s Public House.
Le Banh Mi Bistro is a family-owned restaurant serving Vietnamese sandwiches at Shaw and Clovis avenues in Clovis.
Los Gato’s Tacos Y Tortas serves Mexican favorites in a remodeled gas station at Palm and Dakota avenues.
Main Street Burgers a family-run place in the Marketplace at El Paseo that took over when a chain burger place couldn’t make it.
Mariscos El Centenario on Blackstone Avenue opened serving Mexican seafood and hosting live banda music.
Na Nah Thong is a Thai and Lao street food place that’s barely in its soft opening near Red Robin on North Blackstone Avenue.
Naju Tofu is a Korean restaurant at Cedar and Nees avenues with plenty of meat on the menu.
Oak Hill Wine + Bistro opened in the former Vino Grille & Spirits spot in north Fresno and is now serving an “elevated” menu with a Latin-French-American influence, wine and cocktails.
Osaka Hibachi & Japanese Cuisine is a fast-casual Asian restaurant serving various noodle and rice dishes and bento boxes at Maroa and Shields avenues.
Oishi Sushi & Grill opened in the Old Town Cafe spot serving classic sushi rolls, ramen soup, hibachi-grilled steak and rice bowls.
O-iza Modern Japanese in River Park serves upscale sushi and Japanese food and is the latest from the owner of Hino Oishi and Spicy J’s Specialty Chinese Cuisine and more local Asian restaurants.
Olive Tree Mediterranean is a new halal restaurant just getting on its feet at Cedar and Shepard avenues.
Rappit Up! opened its storefront serving plant-based wraps, sandwiches, breakfast items and desserts at Bullard and Marks avenues.
Roma Italian Kitchen, run by a member of the Mike’s Pizzeria family, transitioned from a food truck to its first restaurant serving quick Italian favorites at Chestnut and Shepherd avenues.
Sandy’s Chili serves Thai food inside a gas station at Ashlan and Cedar avenues.
Smash ‘N Burgers makes thin and crispy burgers at Shields Avenue and First Street.
Smash Bros Bistro specializes in smashburgers at Bullard Avenue and Fresno Street, but the chefs here do a lot more scratch-made food. That includes fried chicken sandwiches, Brussels sprouts and cakes with Fresno State ice cream.
Springly opened near Barnes & Noble with modern Vietnamese food, coffee, bakery items and fresh flowers.
Thai Taste was opened by a chef from Thailand serving Thai street food at the Bulldog Plaza at Barstow and Cedar avenues.
Thai Wok & Cafe is a new restaurant at Shaw and Marks that boasts about its papaya salad, mango sticky rice dessert and more.
Zaatar Bistro is sit-down restaurant at Shepherd Avenue and Champlain Drive with authentic Lebanese, Mediterranean, European and American food, open for breakfast, brunch and dinner.
This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 10:30 AM.
