Essential New York restaurants

New York has always been a great place to eat and right now the city’s dining scene is bubbling with fresh ideas. Experienced restaurateurs are expanding their operations, while returning chefs are debuting new ideas. Family-run institutions and cult neighbourhood spots reflect a concentrated mix of cultures and culinary traditions, ranging from tacos to wonton soup to Persian kebabs.

New Yorkers famously always dine out, and so should you while in the city. Stick to our tried-and-tested list and you won’t go wrong.

Still hungry? Check out our dedicated restaurant guides to Williamsburg and Greenpoint, or continue at one of New York’s excellent cocktail bars.

Restaurants in East Village

Penny

Best for: Spontaneous seafood counter dining
Address: 90 E 10th St 1st Floor, New York, NY 10003
Price: $$$

Momofuku Ko alums chef Joshua Pinsky and Chase Sinzer first made their mark in New York with basement spot Claud. Early in 2024, they followed it up with Penny, a seafood counter located just upstairs. The space is simple, clean, and airy, with nearly everyone seated at a long white marble bar that runs down the length of the room. Start with the sesame brioche, before moving on to dishes like octopus and potato salad or stuffed grilled squid in a fiery harissa-laced sauce. While Claud’s legendary devil’s food cake isn’t available here, you can try to sneak downstairs and see if a seat is available for dessert. Reservations are available, but the restaurant is primarily a walk-in spot.

Rosella

Best for: Atmospheric sushi spotlighting local seafood
Address: 137 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

There are plenty of pricey omakase counters in NYC, but none make sushi quite like Rosella. The East Village restaurant is centred on sustainability, with a menu of hot and cold appetizers, nigiri, sashimi, and sushi rolls made entirely with local catches. While the spot isn’t flying in top-tier tuna from Japan, each piece is made with fresh fish caught that day for a uniquely New York experience.

Restaurants in West Village

L’Industrie Pizzeria

Best for: Sourdough slices in the West Village
Address: 104 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014
Price: $

The competition for the best pizza in this city is stiff. If you’re looking for a side by side comparison, head to the West Village where L’Industrie and Mama’s Too serve their respective renditions of the perfect slice half a block away from one another. At L’Industrie, the pies are made with sourdough, which gives the crust a satisfying chew. As for the toppings, they’re thoughtfully applied to pies like their signature burrata and the New Yorker, dotted with high quality pepperoni, sausage, and dollops of ricotta. Grab a slice or two and walk yourself over to Mama’s Too.

Via Carota

Best for: Buzzy trattoria for excellent Italian fare
Address: 51 Grove Street, New York, NY 10014

Rita Sodi and Jody Williams have long been stars of NYC’s Italian restaurant scene. Their OG restaurant is Via Carota, which executes Italian classics perfectly. Order cacio e pepe and twirls of tagliatelle with peas and prosciutto, while standout vegetable dishes include carrot with yoghurt and pistachio. Even the simple green salad with pieces of endive and butter lettuce piled high and lightly tossed in a mustard-laced vinaigrette has a cult following that has spawned countless imitations. The West Village gem offers very few reservations, so instead, get there early to put your name on the list and head to the team’s well-placed aperitivo spot across the street to wait on your table.

Restaurants in Chinatown & Lower East Side

Wu’s Wonton King

Best for: Casual wonton soup with a BYOB offering
Address: 165 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
Price: $

Anchoring the cluster of blocks where Chinatown converges with the Lower East Side — now known as Dimes Square — is Wu’s and its large bowls of hearty but delicate wontons bobbing in broth. It’s a favourite of New York City’s food writers and chefs who come for the soup, towering plates of wok-cooked snow pea shoots, and giant crabs that can be ordered for large parties. If you are looking for wine or liquor, be sure to pick some up on your way to take advantage of the restaurant’s BYOB policy, as the only alcohol they sell is beer.

Mắm

Best for: Fuss-free Vietnamese deliciousness
Address: 70 Forsyth Street, New York, NY 10002
Price: $$

Formerly a pop-up, Mắm isn’t like most New York restaurants. The menu offers just one or two mains at a time like bún đậu đặc biệt, a platter of house-made tofu with sticky rice sausage and several other meaty delicacies. But you can also make an exciting meal out of the snack section, which includes boneless chicken feet with lemongrass, fried eggplants with peanuts and a soft boiled egg, and grilled prawns with a creamy green chilli sauce. Seating is on brightly coloured plastic stools and while the service here is friendly, it’s no fuss. Be prepared to place your order by marking it on a paper menu.

Restaurants in Nolita

Thai Diner

Best for: Creative Thai food with a party vibe
Address: 186 Mott Street, New York, NY 10012
Price: $$$

Even when you’re not celebrating, a meal at Thai Diner always feels like a party, which kicks off in the morning and runs well into the evening, seven days a week. The restaurant places a Thai twist on a traditional American diner, with lacquered wood panelling and plants surrounding a central bar. Start with Thai disco fries with massaman curry sauce and don’t skip the stuffed cabbage (trust us). Or, pop in for the recently-launched weekday breakfast including Thai-style jok (rice porridge) with turkey, young ginger and an egg. Word to the wise: Prime dinner and weekend brunch times can get busy, so put your name on the list and go for a walk — there’s plenty to see nearby.

Restaurants in Koreatown

Cho Dang Gol

Best for: Restorative Korean tofu stews
Address: 55 W 35th Street, New York, NY 10001
Price: Bibimbap for 17 USD, entrees start from 29 USD

There’s no shortage of superb high-end Korean restaurants in New York City, like the two-Michelin-starred tasting counter Atomix and the high-end Korean steakhouse Cote. But after a long day, the homestyle cooking at laidback Cho Dang Gol is just the thing to restore you. Made in house, tofu is the star here, so be sure to order one of the tofu stews and bring a few friends, since many of the dishes like the bossam are best shared. Arrive early to avoid a long wait and head out for a stroll through K-Town after your meal.

Restaurants in Upper East Side

Le Veau d’Or

Best for: Old-school New York charm with French finesse
Address: 129 E 60th Street, New York, NY 10022
Price: $$$

Le Veau d’Or first opened on the Upper East Side in 1937 and the tight dining room retains much of its original charm, with dark wood walls and red-and-white checkered tablecloths. The restaurant was resurrected by the team behind Frenchette and Le Rock in 2024, who injected new energy into the old-school institution.

The menu ranges from classics like escargot and pâté en croûte to more playful dishes such as pommes souffle served with trout roe and creme fraiche, which taste like an elevated take on chips and onion dip. While many dishes stay true to tradition, bold drinks take a more inventive approach. The “Martini Our Way”, which serves an ice-cold gin martini alongside a highball of vermouth, sparkling mineral water and the “dirty” ice used to stir it, turning what would normally be discarded into a second drink.

Restaurants in Williamsburg

The Four Horsemen

Best for: A small plates and natural wine veteran
Address: 295 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Price: $$$

As trendsetters of the city’s natural wine scene, The Four Horsemen has been at the center of dining discourse for more than a decade now. The wine list is stellar and award winning, poured by expert sommeliers. Menu staples include oeufs mayonnaise swirled with squid ink, while an ever-changing menu of small plates keeps New Yorkers on their toes. Tables fill up quickly, so book ahead, or get down early to snag a seat at the bar.

Restaurants in Downtown Brooklyn

Gage & Tollner

Best for: Old-school steakhouse glamour
Address: 372 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Price: $$$

New York City is a place that values tradition, but also expects that tradition to evolve. Gage & Tollner, which first opened in 1879 in downtown Brooklyn, has done just that. Its current owners, Ben Scheider, St John Frizell, and chef Sohui Kim, have kept the ornate interiors, and restored them to a fine sheen. The menu has all the steakhouse classics like the New York strip and Parker House rolls, but also additions like fried chicken with cheddar kimchi cornbread, and clams kimsino made with bacon-kimchi butter.

Restaurants in Bushwick

Eyval

Best for: Creative Persian cooking
Address: 25 Bogart St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Price: $$$

Persian restaurants are rare sights in New York City. In 2018, Sofreh opened near Barclays Center and has been nearly impossible to get into ever since. Thankfully, there’s far more space at Eyval in Bushwick, which is owned by Sofreh’s former chef Ali Saboor. Meals here kick off with fresh bread that’s best dipped into strained yoghurt with pickled shallots or whipped feta with herbs and walnuts. Next, there are plenty of kebabs to choose from including octopus and mushrooms, as well as larger format dishes like a saffron half chicken. The meal is best shared and the tables can easily accommodate a group.

Taqueria Ramírez

Best for: Standout tacos in Greenpoint
Address: 94 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Price: $

There are just six tacos on the menu at this Greenpoint spot — and that’s a good thing. The tight focus has allowed the team to perfect tacos like the al pastor with marinated pork butt and pineapple and tripa – slow cooked tripe that’s blow torched just before serving. Place your order at the bustling counter and have someone in your party scope out seating — there are just a handful of bar stools, plus some benches outside. If you’re lucky enough to snag one, don’t hog it for too long; these tacos have a cult following.