New York City, famously known as 'The Big Apple', is not only an epicenter for culture, art, and business, but also a culinary hub that showcases the diversity and vibrancy of its vast gastronomic landscape.
Each street is a testament to the city's rich culinary heritage, resonating with the tantalizing aromas of a multitude of cuisines from around the globe.
This city is a paradise for food lovers, offering a vast spectrum of dining experiences that satisfy every palate, ranging from cozy street-side food trucks serving delectable quick bites to opulent dining establishments that redefine luxury.
As is characteristic of its iconic skyline, New York City's restaurant scene is ever-evolving, continuously surpassing its own high standards.
It's an exciting labyrinth where tradition meets innovation, giving rise to a unique gastronomic blend that is distinctly New York.
The city's culinary prowess is reflected not just in the diversity of its offerings, but also in the quality and creativity infused in every dish, thanks to the passionate chefs and restaurateurs who call this city home.
Embarking on a culinary journey through New York City is like exploring an art gallery.
Each restaurant, each dish, is a masterpiece that tells a tale of history, tradition, and innovation.
In the subsequent sections, we will delve into some of the city's best dining establishments that have managed to capture the essence of New York's vibrant culinary scene.
Get ready to embark on an exciting gastronomic journey that will leave you craving more.
1. Club A Steakhouse
Club A Steakhouse offers traditional steakhouse fare in an ornate setting. It features a separate piano room and wine cellar. The service is excellent and the prices are fair. It is located in a prime Manhattan location. It is considered one of the best restaurants in New York City.
This iconic New York City steakhouse dates back to 1868. You'll recognize it by the giant neon sign and sculpture of a cow. The steaks here are legendary. You'll find them served with classic sides like whipped potatoes and blistered Shishito peppers. Other dishes include duck lasagne and house-made ricotta.
Club A Steakhouse is a great choice for a romantic dinner in New York City. The decor is elegant and the atmosphere is cozy. The restaurant offers live music and low lighting. The interior features picture frames of celebrities.
2. Olio e Piu
Olio e Piu is a fusion of NYC and Naples. It offers thin-crust pizzas, Italian wines, and sidewalk seating. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. This is a top-notch Italian trattoria.
The menu at Olio e Piu is clam-heavy with local ingredients and a curated wine list. The clams are the stars, but the menu also features a Neapolitan-style pizza. There's even an extensive cocktail list. The atmosphere at Olio e Piu is rustic, which can be hard to come by in the big city.
Olio e Piu is slated to open its first Chicago location in November or December. The restaurant first opened in Greenwich Village in 2010. The River North location will aim to create a more upscale atmosphere, with an emphasis on meats and Mediterranean-style dishes. The new restaurant will also have an extensive wine list. The renderings of the new restaurant show a spacious interior with white arched ceilings and sleek white subway tile. It will seat up to 400 diners.
While New York City is a popular destination for foodies, the city also offers upscale dining options that are not overpriced. From old-world Italian joints to celebrity chef-helmed restaurants, New York offers a diverse dining scene.
3. Boucherie Union Square
The Boucherie is an excellent French restaurant that serves filet mignon, escargots, smoked salmon, fruitcake, and profiteroles. The staff is friendly and the prices are average. You can also enjoy a nice cocktail or absinthe in a comfortable atmosphere.
The menu is designed to satisfy both the palate and the eyes, and the wine list is impressive. The artisan cocktails here use a range of exotic ingredients. The Boucherie Union Square location is particularly noteworthy for its absinthe-driven cocktails. The wine list is extensive, and the restaurant also has a private dining room that seats 40 people.
If you want a taste of the French countryside without leaving the city, this is the place for you. The restaurant's decor is reminiscent of the Belle Epoque era. It is decorated with a grand arched skylight and a heated floor. The food is equally elegant.
4. Boucherie West Village
Dry-aged steaks and French fare are the stars of the menu at this bistro. There's also an absinthe bar. Whether you're looking for the perfect date spot or you just want to eat a great steak, Boucherie is the place to go.
Boucherie is a traditional French brasserie and steakhouse located in the West Village. With a menu of classic French dishes, it celebrates the joie de vivre of the neighborhood. It also offers a bar with absinthe-inspired cocktails and craft beer. The bistro seats about 320 people. The decor of the restaurant is both chic and classic, featuring old photos and commercials.
The Boucherie menu is constantly changing, but you can be sure to get a taste of the classics. This classic French restaurant is located in a historic building that was once the Circle Repertory Theater. Various seating options are available, including the bar. The menu includes appetizers, main courses, desserts, and wines. The ambiance is intimate and the service is fast. Prices are fair, and the decor is exquisite.
5. Levain Bakery
Levain Bakery opened on the Upper West Side in 1995 and has since expanded across Manhattan and Brooklyn. In 2020, it will open its first location outside of New York City in Washington, D.C. In the meantime, it has opened locations in Bethesda, Maryland, and Boston. Among its many offerings, the Upper East Side location features delicious, homemade food. In addition to their award-winning breads, they also have a variety of other products, such as cookies and tea.
Fresh baguettes, quick breads, and thick, gooey cookies are available here. Giant cookies, which weigh less than half a pound, are another signature dessert item. Served warm and fresh from the oven, these cookies are an excellent treat.
6. Diana of Little Chef, Little Kitchen
Diana of Little Chef Little Kitchen is opening a new cafe in Long Island City on November 11. The new restaurant is a pop-up that will take over the former Greenpoint Fish and Lobster Company space on 48th Avenue. The two owners are Diana Manalang, a self-taught chef with 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Diana started out with a catering business for two years and then decided to open her own cafe. After scouting for the space for almost four years, she was able to find a space that would fit her vision for the little eatery.
The restaurant offers vegan and vegetarian fare as well as Paleo and Whole30 options. Its extensive menu also features coffee, pastries, and comfort foods. The chef, a Filipino-American, was able to create a menu that would meet the needs of people of all diets and lifestyles.
7. The Consulate
The Consulate is a beloved Upper West Side institution that specializes in French-American cuisine. The menu changes monthly and features dishes from different countries. Head chef, Metodija Mihajlov's goal is to take diners on a world tour with her food.
The Consulate has both indoor and outdoor seating for its patrons. Its service is accommodating and the prices are fair. Its decor and ambiance are also top-notch. It has received a 4.5 Google rating. It is a great option for those who want a taste of New York's international cuisine.
8. Bleecker Street Pizza
This pizzeria on Bleecker Street is a neighborhood staple that is popular with locals and tourists alike. The pizza is thin and crispy, with a tangy sauce made with crushed tomatoes and basil. There is also indoor seating and outdoor seating on warm days.
Founded in 1929 by Italian immigrant Giovanni "John" Sasso, John's of Bleecker Street serves several varieties of pizza. Try the Nonna Maria pizza or the Grandma pizza. The pizza shop first opened on Sullivan Street, and in 1934, Sasso relocated to Bleecker Street. He operated the restaurant until his death in 1954, and the place has stayed family-owned and operated ever since. Today, John's is ranked as one of the best pizza joints in the city.
Located on Bleecker Street in Manhattan, Mama's Too is not your average Upper West Side pizzeria. It is a brick-oven pizzeria with high-quality ingredients and a fresh approach to pizza toppings. Its thin-crusted crust is crisp, and the pies come in square and round shapes. Although it's a small space, it is packed with people who come for the pizza. It's also dog-friendly, so bring your four-legged friend.
9. Kochi
One of the most popular Kochi restaurants is Fort House, which offers a relaxing rooftop setting and exceptional service. The menu features a variety of traditional South Indian, Italian, and Mediterranean dishes. Guests can enjoy a complimentary pumpkin soup between starters, and the service is quick and attentive.
The chef, Sungchul Shim, has worked at Per Se and Neta, and his menu draws inspiration from the royal Korean cuisine of the Joseon dynasty. The nine-course menu features a variety of skewered dishes, and highlights include binchotan-grilled Mackerel and a slow-cooked duck dish known as andong jimdak. The bar is set up in such a way that guests can see the open kitchen from their table. The restaurant is a comfortable, modern space, and the ambiance is lively and friendly.
New York City is home to 19 million residents, and the city's lifestyle is always buzzing. With so many excellent restaurants to choose from, you're sure to find a great place to dine. If you're new to the city, you'll quickly learn which restaurants are the most popular.
10. Crown Shy
A collaboration of chefs from Del Posto and Eleven Madison Park, Crown Shy is a striking place that serves excellent food and stunning cocktails. It is equal parts a destination for special occasions and a pleasant evening out. With a distinctly Manhattan atmosphere, it feels regal without being intimidating.
The swanky, street-level restaurant is located in a 1932 building. The decor is retro-masculine, with a mix of black and brown, and attracts Wall Street suits and off-duty bros in plaid. The vast windows evoke the grandeur of the building.
The menu includes many traditional favorites, like grilled squid and crab cake bites. There are also unique dishes on the menu, such as falafel sandwiches wrapped in bread laffa. Chef Ayesha also creates dilliwala butter chicken and pulao with jeera. Desserts are on the lighter side, too. Satsuma ice cream sandwiches are available, as is a satsuma and vanilla ice cream sandwich.
11. Dhamaka
The name Dhamaka is derived from the Hindi word dhamaka, which means "party" or "explosion." It will open on Valentine's Day 2021. Pandya, who is originally from Mumbai, travelled to small villages in India to collect recipes for his restaurant. Initially, he thought he would only cook the food he ate for his own consumption.
While New Yorkers may not associate Indian food with upscale dining, Dhamaka is the antithesis of that notion. This tent-like restaurant has a menu and is not a place for takeout. While it is a small restaurant, it's home to a stellar tasting menu.
12. Gage & Tollner
Located across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan, Gage & Tollner has been open for a century. It offers classic cuisine with an emphasis on steak and seafood. The menu includes dishes like lobster Newburg, filet mignon, and pork chops with shiitake mushrooms. There is also an extensive wine list that is mostly American in nature and moderately priced.
This historic restaurant is a must-visit destination for special occasions. The first restaurant was opened in 1879, and it has had many notable customers over the years. Stars such as Mae West, Jimmy Durante, and "Diamond Jim" Brady have eaten here. The restaurant also features a tiki bar on the second floor. The historic building was recently renovated and is now run by a team of respected industry veterans.
13. Rezdôra
Rezdôra is a new northern Italian restaurant in the Flatiron neighborhood. Its delicious dishes are complemented by an impressive playlist and a quaint, cozy atmosphere. You might want to make a reservation ahead of time to try the restaurant's incredible desserts.
The staff at Rezdora takes their work seriously and are happy to explain wine pairings. The prices are incredibly reasonable for what you get. The atmosphere is comfortable and chic, and the food is highly regarded. If you want to eat at one of the best restaurants in New York City, Rezdora is worth checking out.
14. Hudson Smokehouse
Hudson Smokehouse is a family-friendly restaurant that specializes in barbecue fares. Its spacious and casual interiors feature rustic touches and expansive windows. Outdoor seating is also available. In addition to smoked meat, Hudson Smokehouse also serves cocktails and beer.
This New York City restaurant has a reputation for delicious food. It serves excellent brisket and ribs, as well as sides like slaw and a tasty banana pudding. It also offers delicious beer. The quaint atmosphere adds to the charm of the establishment. It has received a 4.3 Google rating.
15. Bánh Vietnamese Shop House
Bánh Vietnamese Shop House is one of the best restaurants in New York City that serves authentic Vietnamese fare. Located in Dumbo, steps away from the Brooklyn Bridge, this restaurant has received rave reviews. In addition to serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine, the restaurant is run by an American couple.
The restaurant opened in 2017. It serves Vietnamese cuisine. The new restaurant is part of a growing movement of modern Vietnamese restaurants in New York City. The owner, Jimmy Tu, is an alum of Eleven Madison Park. Besides serving traditional Vietnamese dishes, the restaurant is also known for its creative take on the country's cuisine.
The restaurant is an instant hit in Manhattan. The menu includes Vietnamese favorites like pho, bun cha, and banh mi. A special dish on the menu is the banh chung chien, a crispy rice cake filled with pork. Another must-order is the banh mi sandwich, which may be the best sandwich in the world.
16. Ruta Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine
This authentic Mexican restaurant specializes in authentic homestyle Mexican cooking and craft beer. The menu offers both beer and cocktails. The atmosphere is cozy and the prices are moderate. The staff is friendly and the service is prompt. Ruta Oaxaca is a great choice for a special night out in New York City.
The restaurant's decor reflects the spirit of Oaxaca. The street-side dining shack is painted in vibrant pink, and there are murals adorning the walls. The bar is stocked with mezcal and tequila, and there are wooden saucers filled with flavored salts. The menu is focused on Oaxacan cuisine, with four moles and other dishes that are inspired by the region.
Claro is a true Oaxacan restaurant with authentic decorations and a curated menu. The décor was designed by Oaxacan artists, and the menu features traditional fare like Garnachas, Tacos de Tinga, and Mole Verde. Claro also offers one of the city's best Mezcal lists.
18. Oxomoco
If you're a fan of regional Mexican fare, the hip Oxomoco is a must-visit in New York City. Named for the Aztec goddess of the night, this trendy Greenpoint restaurant combines traditional tastes with modern flavors. Tacos stuffed with a variety of ingredients are a signature dish. Other dishes include trout aguachile and shrimp ceviche tostada, which are cooked in a wood-fired oven.
If you're looking for something affordable, the grilled half chicken at Oxomoco is the perfect choice. It is served with red rice, crispy potatoes and chunks of avocado. For dessert, you can choose from a variety of tempting desserts, including coffee ice cream and crumble. You can even indulge in a glass of orange wine to complement the delicious food.
