PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – USA Today released its "2025 Restaurants of the Year" list on Wednesday, naming one Oregon restaurant in the heart of Willamette Valley wine country and another restaurant that's bringing West African cuisine to the Rose City.

2025’s list celebrates local flavors and stories, curated by USA Today journalists, the outlet said.

“Whether it's a classic taco joint in Arizona, a historic Serbian diner in Wisconsin, or a waterfront seafood restaurant in Florida, our recommendations come from those who live, work and eat there,” USA Today said of their list.

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The first Oregon spot on the list: Hayward.

The McMinnville restaurant says it “defines new northwest cuisine,” drawing inspiration from hyper-seasonal ingredients from local farmers.

The “summer camp” menu listed on Hayward’s website features a variety from Sloppy Joe Tartare and chili dogs, to Crudité with potato chips and caramelized onion dip. The dinner menu also includes the “kickback” rotating tasting menu.

The dessert menu offers ice cream sandos and a s’mores tart.

USA Today praised the restaurant’s farm-to-table menu “that’s accompanied by a mix of music and hum of marketplace activity.”

The national recognition comes as Hayward Chef Kari Shaughnessy was named a semifinalist for the 2025 James Beard Awards in the “Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific” category.

The second Oregon restaurant on the list: Akadi.

The Portland restaurant describes itself as “Portland’s vibrant jewel of West African cuisine.”

“Akadi brings Côte d’Ivoire’s most aromatic dishes (and from all corners of the region) to the Pacific Northwest,” Akadi’s website says.

USA Today recommends “immersing yourself in the West African culture and cuisine while surrounded (by) high ceilings, dazzling lights, and hanging plants.”

The dinner menu offers a variety of authentic West African dishes, including stews and entrees such as beef suya, strips of beef marinated in a spicy blend of peanuts, chili, and traditional West African spices.

The dessert menu includes the Classic Puff Puff, described as “mini fluffy fried dough, covered in powdered sugar,” or the Djé Puf Puf – a pumpkin spiced puff puff with whipped cream and berries.