"Foodies, have you heard of 'grandma-core dining' or 'nonna-stalgia' yet? Well, according to Yelp's 2026 top 100 U.S. restaurants report, grandma-core is one of the hot new food trends you can expect to see in 2026. This particular trend entails restaurants embracing nostalgia and comfort. That means you, as the diner, would experience old-fashioned and traditional recipes, often made with simpler ingredients. You'll find these homey meals served in a cozy, whimsical setting."
"If you're excited to forgo your usual tech-driven or fast-casual dining spots, or the fancy restaurants with minuscule portions where you empty your wallets but still come out hungry, check out restaurants featuring the grandma-core trend. suggests visiting Carmelina's in Boston or Pepp and Dolores in Cincinnati. Both spots made it on Yelp's 2026 top 100 U.S. restaurants list."
Grandma-core dining centers on nostalgia and comforting, home-style recipes often made with simpler ingredients and served in cozy, whimsical settings. Diners can expect old-fashioned, traditional meals presented on mismatched plates and serveware. The trend encourages stepping away from fast-paced, tech-driven eating and fosters deeper emotional connections through slow-cooked, shareable dishes reminiscent of family recipe boxes. Examples include Carmelina's in Boston and Pepp and Dolores in Cincinnati, both named among top U.S. restaurants. Menus may rotate and sometimes feature real grandmothers working in the kitchen. The movement responds to fatigue with fast-casual and minimalist fine dining.
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