New Yorkers love to eat out and debate where you can find the top dining spots in the city. With new restaurants constantly opening and popular establishments maintaining their elite status year after year, it’s a tough list to crack. From Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy to humble holes-in-the-wall serving up soul-satisfying fare, competition is fierce given New Yorkers’ demanding (yet discerning) tastes.
In this blog post, we’ll dish on seven of our personal picks for the best restaurants that New York has to offer from fine French to authentic Asian to famous steakhouses and beyond. For outstanding ambiance, impeccable service, incredible flavors that dance on your palate, and meals that create memories worth savoring long after you’ve left the table - these are the exceptional NYC establishments you simply must try.
We’ll tempt you with descriptions of each extraordinary eatery, highlights of some of their most mouthwatering menu items, and tips on how best to experience them like a savvy local so you can indulge your inner epicurean on your next trip to the Big Apple.
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.
Furthermore, 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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | Delivery
Olio e Più
Olio e Più 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 Più 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 Più is rustic, which can be hard to come by in the big city.
Besides that, Olio e Più 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.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | Delivery
Boucherie (Union Square)
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.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | No-contact delivery
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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | Delivery
Levain Bakery (Original Location, 74th St, NYC)
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.
Service options: Takeaway | No delivery
Little Chef Little Cafe
Diana from Little Chef Little Kitchen is opening a new cafe in Long Island City on November 11, called Little Chef Little Cafe. 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 Little Chef Little Cafe 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.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | No-contact delivery
The Consulate (Upper West Side)
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.
Plus, 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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No-contact delivery
Bleecker Street Pizza
Bleecker Street Pizza is a neighborhood pizzeria 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. Here, many locals suggest trying the Nonna Maria pizza or the Grandma pizza there.
Founded in 1929 by Italian immigrant Giovanni "John" Sasso, John's of Bleecker Street serves several varieties of 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.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | No-contact delivery
KOCHI
KOCHI is a Michelin-starred Korean chef-owned restaurant with a menu that offers a nine-course tasting menu inspired by Korean royal cuisine and street food. The restaurant's name means "skewer" in Korean, and while most of the dishes are served on skewers, not all of them are.
They use seasonal ingredients to present a series of jewel-like dishes to diners, with each course highlighting a new facet of Korean fine dining. The restaurant has received a Michelin star and has been praised for its innovative and exciting take on Korean cuisine.
Kochi's tasting menu starts at $75, and while luxury-ingredient upgrades are available, they are not essential. The restaurant's intimate and cozy atmosphere, attentive service, and delicious food make it a must-visit for anyone looking for a unique and memorable dining experience.
Reservations are available on Resy, and the restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No delivery
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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No-contact delivery
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, traveled 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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No delivery
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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | Delivery
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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | Delivery
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.
This New York City restaurant has a reputation for delicious food. It serves excellent smoked meat 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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | Delivery
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 of Bánh Vietnamese Shop House 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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | No-contact delivery
Ruta Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine (Astoria)
Ruta Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine is an authentic Mexican restaurant that specializes in authentic homestyle Mexican cooking. 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.
Service options: Dine-in | Kerbside pickup | Delivery
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.
Service options: Dine-in | Takeaway | Delivery
