Must-see restaurants in New York City

  • Men walking through Chelsea Market, 9th Avenue.

    Chelsea Market

    West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District

    In a shining example of redevelopment and renaissance, Chelsea Market has taken a 19th-century Nabisco cookie factory and turned it into an 800ft-long…

  • Smorgasburg

    Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Greenpoint & Bushwick

    The largest foodie event in Brooklyn (perhaps the US) brings together more than 100 vendors selling an incredible array of goodness. Seize stuffed…

  • Le Bernardin

    Midtown

    The interiors may have been subtly sexed-up for a 'younger clientele' (the stunning storm-themed triptych is by Brooklyn artist Ran Ortner), but triple…

  • Eleven Madison Park

    Union Square, Flatiron District & Gramercy

    Eleven Madison Park consistently bags a spot on top restaurant lists. Frankly, we’re not surprised: this revamped poster child of modern, sustainable…

  • O Ya

    Midtown

    With the cheapest nigiri pairs at close to $15, this is not a spot you'll come to every day. But if you're looking for a special night out and sushi's in…

  • Ample Hills Creamery

    Queens

    There is only one Queens location of this storied Brooklyn-born creamery, which has been voted the best ice cream in the US by the Food Network. They…

  • Totto Ramen

    Midtown

    There might be two other Midtown branches but purists know that neither beats the tiny 20-seat original. Write your name and party size on the clipboard…

  • Modern

    Midtown

    Shining two (Michelin) stars bright, the Modern delivers rich, confident creations like foie-gras tart and 'ants on a log' peanut-butter cake. Service is…

  • Maialino

    Union Square, Flatiron District & Gramercy

    Fans reserve tables up to four weeks in advance at this Danny Meyer classic, but the best seats in the house are at the walk-in bar, with sociable,…

  • Locanda Verde

    Financial District & Lower Manhattan

    Curbside at the Greenwich Hotel is this Italian fine diner by Andrew Carmellini, where velvet curtains part onto a scene of loosened button-downs, black…

  • Finch

    New York City

    This quiet, residential brownstone block seems an unlikely setting for a Michelin-starred restaurant, but the Finch is the real deal, serving modern…

  • Wayan

    SoHo & Chinatown

    In his first solo venture, chef Cédric Vongerichten – son of restaurant royalty, Jean-Georges – wields the flavors of Bali with a French flair at Wayan,…

  • Ivan Ramen

    East Village & Lower East Side

    After creating two thriving ramen spots in Tokyo, Long Islander Ivan Orkin brought his talents back home. Few can agree about NYC's best ramen, but this…

  • Outside of Casa Enrique.

    Casa Enrique

    Queens

    Don't let the unassuming facade fool you: Cosme Aguilar, Enrique's Chiapas-born chef-patron, is classically trained, winning a Michelin star – Queens only…

  • The beloved restaurant and bar Tiny's in Tribeca

    Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs

    Financial District & Lower Manhattan

    The rustic interior of this 1810 Tribeca town house – antique wallpaper, salvaged wood paneling, original tin ceilings, pressed copper and marble bar tops…

  • Momofuku Noodle Bar

    East Village & Lower East Side

    With just a handful of tables and a no-reservations policy, this bustling phenomenon may require you to wait. But you won't regret it: spicy short-rib…

  • RedFarm

    West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District

    Experience Chinese cooking as unique, delectable artistry in this small, buzzing space. Diced tuna and eggplant bruschetta, crispy-skin smoked chicken…

  • Lakruwana

    Staten Island

    You'll know when you've arrived at Lakruwana, one of half a dozen Sri Lankan restaurants on Staten Island. The jaw-dropping bronze doors mark the entrance…

  • Ample Hills Creamery

    New York City

    Taking its name from Walt Whitman's 'Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,' Ample Hills makes superb ice cream from organic ingredients. Each Ample Hills outlet has…

  • Juliana's

    Brooklyn: Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn & Dumbo

    Legendary pizza maestro Patsy Grimaldi offers delicious, thin-crust perfection in both classic and creative combos – like the No 1, with mozzarella,…

  • Jeffrey's Grocery

    West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District

    This West Village classic is a lively eating and drinking spot that hits all the right notes. Seafood is the focus: there's an oyster bar and beautifully…

  • Café Boulud

    Upper East Side

    This long-standing Michelin-starred bistro by Daniel Boulud attracts a rather staid crowd with its globe-trotting French-Vietnamese cuisine. Seasonal…

  • Roberta's

    Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Greenpoint & Bushwick

    This hiply renovated warehouse restaurant in one of Brooklyn's booming food enclaves makes some of the best pizza in NYC. Service is relaxed, but the…

  • Foragers Table

    West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District

    The owners of this outstanding restaurant run a 28-acre Hudson Valley farm, from which much of the seasonal menu is sourced. It changes frequently, but…

  • Zenkichi

    Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Greenpoint & Bushwick

    Created by a homesick Tokyo chef, this hushed restaurant promises peace and pleasure in equal proportions. Sink into one of the secluded booths, order the…

  • Tra Di Noi

    The Bronx

    Gossamer-light lasagna sheets drenched in rich tomato sauce, gooey arancini filled with scoops of herbacious bolognaise, mammoth-sized tender chops…you…

  • Blue Hill

    West Village, Chelsea & Meatpacking District

    A place for Slow Food junkies with deep pockets, Blue Hill was an early crusader in the farm-to-table movement. Gifted chef-patron Dan Barber, who hails…

  • Absolute Bagels

    Upper West Side & Central Park

    A bagel shop run by Thai immigrants might be puzzling to connoisseurs, but one thing's for sure: many folks – most of whom wait in a line down the block –…

  • Miss Ada

    New York City

    Chef-owner Tomer Blechman presents dishes inspired by Mediterranean flavors and recipes from his native Israel: octopus with eggplant, za'atar-seasoned…

  • HinoMaru

    Queens

    You won't stumble across too many Michelin-listed ramen houses but this casual Astoria noodle bar helmed by chef Koji Miyamoto deserves all the attention…

  • Buttermilk Channel

    New York City

    Taking comfort food to rare heights, Buttermilk Channel is a bustling, friendly place beloved of locals. Brunch is dominated by French toast and syrup…

  • Fette Sau

    Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Greenpoint & Bushwick

    The atmosphere is unfussy, but the reverence for smoky meat is indubitable at the 'Fat Pig,' Brooklyn's best house of barbecue. The cement floor and…

  • Dough

    New York City

    Situated on the border of Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy, this tiny, out-of-the-way bakery takes the business of doughnuts seriously – making light, chewy …

  • FOB

    New York City

    Homestyle Filipino barbecue is lovingly prepared at FOB (meaning 'fresh off the boat'). Hospitable waitstaff conjure up beer-braised spare ribs, flounder…

  • Boqueria

    Upper East Side

    This lively, much-loved tapas place brings a bit of downtown cool to the Upper East Side, with nicely spiced patatas bravas (fried potatoes in tomato…

  • New World Food Court

    Queens

    Head to the basement to choose from 30 some-odd purveyors of Eastern culinary wonders, from hand-pulled Lanzhou noodles to Korean-style barbecue, deftly…

  • Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao

    Queens

    Juicy, savory soup dumplings; thick, sticky noodles; spicy wontons – everything you'd want from a dumpling house you'll find at cash-only Nan Xiang Xiao…

  • Nom Wah Tea Parlor

    SoHo & Chinatown

    Hidden down a narrow lane, 1920s Nom Wah Tea Parlor might look like an American diner, but it's actually the oldest dim sum place in town. Grab a seat at…

  • Olmsted

    New York City

    Chef-owner Greg Baxtrom, alumnus of a string of hot kitchens, cooks such outstanding, seasonally inspired food that even Manhattanites cross the river to…

  • Modern Love

    Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Greenpoint & Bushwick

    Celebrated chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz's 'swanky vegan comfort food' has been received with open, watering mouths in Williamsburg. The restaurant is a…

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