Restaurants in New York City
-
A
Cafe con Leche
A cozy hideaway on the Upper West Side, not far from the northern reaches of Central Park and St John the Divine Cathedral, Cafe con Leche's breezy yellow doors lead into a cheery dining room that's short on luxury but long on friendly service. Great Cuban coffee and heaping plates of arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), ropa vieja (shredded beef) and mofongo (a Puerto Rican specialty) keep it busy late into the evening.
reviewed
-
B
15 East
Traditional-sushi lovers rejoice: this is your spot. The large, geometric lights that look like massive paper lanterns and sleek, minimalist interior (done in dark brown and creamy white with red flourishes) will transport you right to Japan. Chef Masato Shimizu relies on daily shipments of fresh fish (such as silverfish, salmon, all sorts of yellowtail, mackerel and eel) flown in from his native island to make his delectable sushi and sashimi.
reviewed
-
C
Fatty Crab
This brick-lined, industrial chic spot steered by chef Zakary Pelaccio serves winning Malaysian-influenced specialties. Start with sweet and sticky Julan Alor chicken wings, follow up with shrimp and pork wontons and then dig into the Dungeness crab with chili sauce. Don’t forget to request extra napkins and an ice cold beer to wash it all down.
In the mood for a devastating snack? Try the ‘Fatty Dog,’ a plump sausage laced with chili sauce, fresh cilantro and pickled radish on a toasty bun.
reviewed
-
D
Casa Mono
Another winner from Mario Batali and Chef Andy Nusser, Casa Mono has a great, long bar where you can sit and watch your pez espada a la plancha and gambas al ajillo take a grilling. Or grab one of the wooded tables and nosh on tapas with jerez (sherry) from the bottles lining the walls. For a cheese dessert, hop next door to Bar Jamon, also owned by Batali; you may have to squeeze in – the place is communal and fun.
reviewed
-
E
Chez Lucienne
The latest culinary excitement to hit Harlem has been this cheery, white-tablecloth French dining spot, where the wonderfully mixed crowd is the epitome of New Harlem. The capable chefs, both Daniel Boulud alums, wow them all with all manner of grilled and poached fish, plus faves like moules frites, duck confit, beef bourguignonne and coq au vin, at lower prices than you’d find for the same traditional tastes downtown.
reviewed
-
F
Boqueria Flatiron
A holy union between Spanish-style tapas and market-fresh fare, Boqueria has wooed the after-work crowd with a brilliant assortment of smooth wines that wash down a selection of small plates showcasing the spectrum of recipes one can whip up using aged cheese, from-the-farm ham and organic vegetables.
reviewed
-
G
Prune
Expect lines around the block on the weekend, when the hungover show up to cure their ills with Prune's brunches and excellent Bloody Marys (in nine varieties). The small room is always busy as diners pour in for roast suckling pig, rich sweetbreads and sausage-studded concoctions.
reviewed
-
H
Tabla
At first glance you'll wonder if you're reading the menu wrong--could lobster and haricot verts be Indian? Only in the hands of Goa-born and France-raised chef Floyd Cardoz, who masterfully blends American produce with his native staples. If you can't get in or you're just in a relaxed mood, stay downstairs at Cardoz's more casual Bread Bar. Order a Tablatini with your tandoori steak and watch the endless parade of street traffic.
reviewed
-
I
Pier i Café
A casual cafe along the Hudson River esplanade, Pier i Café is a perfect pit stop for hungry cyclists, runners, strollers and skaters who want to fuel up and catch some rays (or a gorgeous sunset). Live music some nights, big juicy burgers, fries (with garlic if you like), lobster rolls, hot dogs and more (beer and wine), plus an early morning coffee bar (named Klatch), mean the Pier is always packed. It's open daily May through October.
reviewed
-
J
Gia Lam
Sunset Park has Brooklyn’s ‘Chinatown’ – a host of noodle shops and dim sum places running along Eighth Ave between 50th and 60th Sts, including local fave Gia Lam. It looks more like a well-lit tavern than a noodle shop, but it’s Sunset Park’s go-to for Vietnamese food like pho bo (beef noodle soup), canh chua ca (sweet-and-sour fish soup) or mi xao do bien (stir-fried noodles with seafood).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Antibes Bistro
Quiet jazz and outdoor dining in summer, candlelight, cool-looking wrought-iron lamps and cozy red-brick walls – what's not to like? Antibes has a sunny Mediterranean vibe and an appealing American flexibility: you can order a late breakfast at lunch, or Guinness-soaked short-ribs for dinner if classics like seared tuna, grilled bass, whole snapper and haricots verts don't appeal. Save room for the banana and chocolate mousse dessert.
reviewed
-
L
Kashkaval
It's not quite clear exactly what type of food Kashkaval serves, except that it's really spectacular. It's a cheese shop in front, and in back a cozy restaurant/bar where you can sip wine and share delicious meze with friends, or fresh panini, fondues, chicken curry salad, chicken caponata and more. Cheese and meat plates, spinach and feta borek and creamy white bean piyaz are among the eclectic house specialties.
reviewed
-
M
Focolare
If you’re bent on a Little Italy dinner experience, this relative newcomer is a fine choice. With a cozy interior warmed by a fireplace in winter (and photos of Frank Sinatra and co all around), the kitchen turns out classics in fine style: homemade pasta, cooked al dente, is an excellent base for various red and cream-based sauces; rice balls ooze with cheese; fried calamari zings with flavor.
reviewed
-
N
Fairway
As well as the Upper West Side branch of this gourmet food store, there is this branch in Harlem and one in Brooklyn (718-694-6868; 480 Van Brunt St, Red Hook, Brooklyn; F, G to Carroll St, transfer to B61). All three have stunning arrays of produce and global goods, but the bigger Harlem spot boasts a 10,000-sq-ft ‘cold room, ’ where you can wear a special jacket to pick out meats, flowers, dairy products and other chilly treats.
reviewed
-
O
Vegetarian Dim Sum House
Get mocked all day long with dead-ringer takes on classic Chinatown specialties: fake ‘shrimp’ dumplings, spicy ‘spare ribs,’ sweet-and-sour ‘chicken’ and Hunan ‘pork’ are realistically created with ingredients like soy, wheat gluten and yams. For those not looking to recreate the meat they shun, straight-up options like asparagus with bean curd and spinach dumplings abound.
reviewed
-
P
Itzocan Bistro
This small and lovely cafe, located at the edge of East Harlem, presents an intriguing array of items that combine the best of French and South of the Border cuisine. There’s a huitlacoche soufflé cake and mussels steamed in tequila to start things off, and then a bevy of amazing mains: adobo-marinated duck breast, pistachio-crusted salmon with chipotle ragout and a batch of seafood tamales. The vibe is friendly, too.
reviewed
-
Q
Virgil's Real Barbecue
Rather than specializing in one specific style of BBQ (styles vary in sauce type and meat base throughout the US), Virgil's celebrates them all. Menu items cover the entire BBQ map, with Oklahoma State Fair corndogs, pulled Carolina pork and smoked Maryland ham sandwiches, and platters of sliced Texas beef brisket and Georgia chicken-fried steak. Meats are smoked with a combo of hickory, oak and fruitwoods, keepin' it all real.
reviewed
-
R
Sip Sak
Owner Orhan Yeger can usually be found supervising the kitchen, just to make sure everything tastes authentically Turkish (to match the orangey ceiling, bright yellow walls and vivid blue tiles of his restaurant). Lamb and seafood specials never disappoint, but the classic Turkish meze, with borek filo (dough stuffed with feta cheese), hummus and cacik (thick yogurt with garlic and cucumber) is also a winner.
reviewed
-
S
Taboon
A white-domed oven grabs the eye as you enter this airy, stone-floored and brick-walled eatery, and if you watch it carefully, you'll see some crisp, sage-rubbed bread taken out and brought to your table as you're seated. The food is a fusion from both sides of the Mediterranean: shrimp in shredded pastry, haloumi salad, lamb kebabs, various grilled fish dishes and lots of variations on hummus. Live flamenco Monday nights.
reviewed
-
T
Jackson Diner
This stylish converted diner is one of New York’s best all-you-can-eat buffets, with a daily rotation of curries (eg goat, chicken, lamb, veggie) laid out with fresh naan bread, rice and sweets. The buffet, which runs from 11:30am to 4pm daily ($10 weekdays, $11 weekends), is worth the extra dollar or two over other cheapie buffets in the area. The diner is half a block from the subway stop, on the right-hand side.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Vinegar Hill House
Tucked into out-of-way Vinegar Hill, this homey spot is decked out in a charming array of thrift store bric-a-brac. But don't let the low-key decor fool you: chef Brian Leth cooks up an evolving menu that is bracingly fresh and unfussy, like homemade garganelli with escarole and preserved lemon or seared trout with hazelnuts and baby carrots. There is a wine list stocked with French vintages (from $36 per bottle), as well as retro cocktails (the John Collins is particularly refreshing).
This place is popular, especially in summer when the back patio is open. Show up near opening time if you don't want to wait.
reviewed
-
V
Brazil Brazil Grille
Most of W 46th St is informally known as 'Little Brazil,' a stretch of businesses, shops and restaurants that cater to the expat Brazilian community. This restaurant, with its relaxed vibe, hefty (and affordable) drinks, live weekend music, and delicious frango a passarinho (chicken in white wine, garlic and olive oil), lula frita (calamari) and camarao alhoe (garlic shrimp), is a favorite. Another nearby standout is Via Brasil; its long room has waving palm trees and super-friendly waiters. The menu's got authentic feijoada (beans and meat), moquecas (fish stew) and more.
reviewed
-
W
Aburiya Kinnosuke
Fairly authentic Japanese cuisine (a few nods to American can be found here and there) dished up amid paper lanterns and sleek cherrywood tables tucked behind private screens, or at the open Robata grill at the bar. Sashimi, sake and mains like salmon harasu (fatty salmon), dried horse mackerel, organic pork simmered with brown-sugar soju,and Japanese-style beef and veggie pot-au-feu dot the menu.
reviewed
-
X
Benoit
Alain Ducasse's New York eatery Benoit is full of bright blond wood, red banquettes, glinting sconces and a more laid-back black-and-white bar. You'll be transported to Paris by fresh-baked croissants, garlicky escargots, tender duck l'orange, cassoulet and roasted chicken for two. Ducasse fans will also want to check out his more upscale Adour in the St Regis Hotel; it's got a knockout wine list.
reviewed
-
Y
L'atelier De Joel Robuchon
If you've eaten at any of Robuchon's celebrated restaurants in Paris, Tokyo, London or Las Vegas, you know what to expect - a smorgasbord of flavors in tiny bites. Taking small plates and omakase to a whole new level, L'Atelier's frog legs croquettes, hangar steak, caramelized free-range quail stuffed with foie gras, served with potato puree, and lychee desserts are divine. Sit at the counter, if you can.
reviewed