I love Happy City as a general gateway to modern board games. It is very quick to teach game with a little bit of engine building and set collection. There is an advanced variant that adds more complicated cards and a spacial element that I have not had an opportunity to try.
Azul and its variations are the best match for a recent hit that is approachable.
Wingspan would be a recent game that has blown up, but there is a little learning curve.
Though not new, Dixit would be a game that is very approachable and that has been very popular. It is my go-to when gift giving. "The Game" (I know, terrible name) is another older one that people want to get after I introduce them to it.
Codenames has blown up, Pandemic was super popular in 2019 but I can't bring myself to want to be anywhere near it now for some reason. I'm trying to think of others but those jump to mind as pretty big ones.
I've found some of the card games can be a good in, things like Point Salad or Sushi Go.
Gets people thinking differently, and can then move onto something more intricate.
Depending on the age, something like Dragomino or Kingdomino may work as well.
I concur about Sushi Go. Catan works too due to it's ubiquity. If you can get them to grok trick taking, Skull King is amazing. And Coup is hella easy but also needs the right group.
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