New York City Restaurants

Around between April and November? Make sure you stop by Brooklyn Flea to experience its giant weekend food market, where vendors serve up all kinds of street eats, from your familiar fare to the more…unusual (spaghetti donut, anyone?) You can’t miss Ramen Burger’s NYC-famous offering of the same name, or the rolled ice cream concoctions from Roll and Chill. Plus, two words: lobster rolls (get yours at Redhook).

Known for its gourmet grab and go foods and imported delights, pop into Dean & DeLuca’s New York Times Café for freshly brewed coffee and carefully crafted sandwiches, salads and produce. Choose from their exciting array of cakes, cookies and donuts or grab a box of the sushi prepared in-store every day.

Sure, its reputation is huge worldwide, but the ‘new style’ Japanese fare on offer at Nobu, easily some of the best on earth, will not disappoint. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is truly a master at his craft – his sushi packs a punch and the sizzling steak is unbelievable, but the real star of the show is, and may forever be, the black-cod miso. Try it. It’s impossible to have a bad time at Nobu.

Got a hankering for some baked goods? Look no further than Dominique Ansel. The bakery offers pastries, desserts and drinks of all shapes and sizes, and people travel from all over the country to taste their legendary cronuts (that’s a croissant-donut hybrid to you and I). They introduce a new flavour every month, and it would be rude not to try more than one. Wash them down with a hot chocolate or a chocolate chip cookie shot.

Voted the number one restaurant in the world in 2017 – yes, you read that correctly, the world – it’s safe to say Eleven Madison Park should be on your radar for places to eat in New York. The epic $315, 11-course tasting menus are matched only by the restaurant’s remarkable service. Located in an elegant Art Deco building on the corner of 24th Street and Madison Avenue since 1998, this is a must for foodies with an eye for fine dining.

If it’s a pastrami sandwich you’re after, we’re talking one place and one place only: the world-famous Katz’s Delicatessen. Flag down your meat slicer and get them to serve you Katz’ sensational thick-cut pastrami on freshly baked rye. The brisket is something else, too, and don’t forget pickles on the side! Food commitment/jealousy issues? Don’t worry, Katz’s let you try before you buy.

Where to get a good steak in NYC, you ask? Peter Luger’s may well be the answer. You’d be mad not to go for the signature dry-aged prime porterhouse – butter soft, perfectly seasoned, melt-in-your-mouth... heaven. Served with truffle fries and preceded by the extra thick bacon (of dreams) to start, you’re in for an unforgettable meal. Trust us.

Situated atop the immersive theatre, Sleep No More at the McKittrick Hotel, Gallow Green is a magical, secret garden-esque rooftop restaurant. It’s one of the most beautiful New York City restaurants; enjoy panoramic views of the city while you tuck into their famous buffet brunch. We’re talking fresh pastries, fluffy gruyere scrambled eggs, family-recipe fried chicken and homemade granola, to name just a small selection. Mimosas all round!

The front bar room is one of the best New York City restaurants, whether you’re lunching a la carte any time of day at The Tavern, or enjoying a set menu dinner at The Dining Room. Chef Michael Anthony’s off-menu burgers are one of the city’s worst-kept secrets, with both the beef patty and bacon topping made in-house - his outstanding and delicious ingredient combos have earned him many an award.

The burgers here have such a lofty reputation amongst New Yorker’s that you’d be forgiven for worrying about potential overhype. Fear not, these guys really know what they’re doing, and what they’re doing is a tasty variation on the classic cheeseburger. Burgers aside, The Spotted Pig do their thing brunch, lunch and dinner and everything is delicious but, you’ve got to give the legendary pig ear salad a try.

Sustainability champion Dan Barber’s farm-to-table initiative is the main draw for this West Village gastropub, which serves up an ever-changing menu of fiercely seasonal, greener than green and incredibly tasty dishes. Simple but creative plating and a cosy but buzzy atmosphere, Blue Hill is an unmissable dining experience. From melt-in-your-mouth pastured duck to spring-pea soup or peaches and honey for dessert, Everything. Is. Incredible. It’s no wonder this place was featured on Netflix’ Chef’s Table.

It’s no secret that New York City does pizza well. Case in point: Locally adored Paul Giannone, who’s serving up incredible wood-fired Napoli pies in his ever-growing collection of pizzerias. Most talked about are The Honey Jones–topped with cherries, prosciutto, gorgonzola and local-made honey–and possibly the best vegan pizza in NYC (seriously, it’s so good, non-vegans even order it)!

Overlooking Gramercy Park, this Roman-style trattoria which has all the neighbourhood warmth you’d expect. Pork is at the heart of the menu – ‘Maialino’, in English, is ‘little pig’ – with dishes like suckling pig ragu, seared pork shoulder, and crispy suckling pig face on offer. Pastry chef Jessica Weiss also brings in the crowds; her desserts are something else. Get them to-go with a coffee, too

This restaurant/market hybrid – all exposed brick, dangling light bulbs and metal fixtures – spans the 2,500 square feet where Barnes & Noble’s flagship once stood. There’s a wine bar, bakery, charcuterie station and salad bar. You need to try the matcha and red velvet croissants, but the main restaurant area is the real showstopper – try the Hawaiian poké that all the locals are raving about!

Brooklyn’s got to be the (arguably) best borough for pizza, and Di Fara’s pies are no exception. With that signature Neapolitan char and tang, this sought-after, family-owned spot is unarguably up there as one of the greatest New York City Restaurants. Locals don’t just head here for the famous pizzas and excellent selection of wines: They come to see Dom DeMarco, the pizza master himself, do his thing. Prepare to queue, but it’s so worth it

This fantastic Chinese chainlet is famous for a reason, serving up delicious dishes from Xi’an along China’s Silk Road. The menu is small in the best way, and the must-try here is the mouth-wateringly good spicy cumin lamb (try it in a burger or torn into noodle soup). This ain’t your standard American-Chinese fare, that’s for sure.

Ranking in amongst the top 50 restaurants in the world, a New York City food guide without Cosme is no food guide at all. Listen up: For contemporary Mexican fare done exactly the way it should be, head over to NYC’s Flatiron District and sample the eatery’s famous duck carnitas. Pair with a margarita (obligatory) and, if you’ve got the room, follow with the equally celebrated husk meringue with corn mousse.

One of the USA’s top three restaurants, it’s no surprise a table at Per Se can be hard to come by. That said, the $300 or so nine-course tasting menu is flawless and insanely delicious, so a waiting list is barely an inconvenience. Thomas Keller’s oysters and caviar dish is gastronomical genius, and right when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the assortment of desserts will blow your mind. Make sure you meet the dress code!

The ultimate Italian dining experience, Eataly is a lively restaurant in the heart of the Flatiron District, above the world-famous Eataly marketplace full to the brim with Italian fare to take away with you. Charcuterie, fresh pasta, handmade Neapolitan pizza, gelato and wine flights, … has it got your attention? Thought so. There’s a reason this micro-chain has taken off!

Green at its core, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s restaurant proves sustainable food does not mean boring food. ABC Kitchen is all about seasonal, organic, locally-sourced dishes; line-caught tuna sashimi, crab toast with lemon aioli, and malted chocolate ganache with toasted marshmallow icing… okay, it’s all good.

Artfully decorated and with an expertly crafted menu, The Modern has two michelin stars under its belt. And with good reason. The tasting menus here are to die for, from their much-talked-about pea soup with caviar to a butterbeer inspired dessert. If you can, reserve your table for when the sun’s still out – the restaurant looks out onto the MoMA’s sculpture garden

Burger fanatics, J.G. Melon has got to be on your hitlist. In fact, the bacon cheeseburger here is somewhat of an NYC institution. J.G. Melon burgers are what the city is all about. Order a side of cottage fried potatoes and a beer – bottled or on tap – for the full experience. Magic.

No surprises for guessing what this Brooklyn eatery does best: The meat on German-inspired Prime Meat’s menu is expertly done, every time. Amish chicken, dry-aged steaks, pork schnitzel are all highlights, and a side of spätzle (egg noodles) is a must. Pssst… there’s seafood on the menu, too, and it’s mouth-wateringly good. Plus, the menu is locally and sustainably sourced, and nearly everything is made in-house.

Offering a modern and innovative take on Chinese cuisine, RedFarm is not to be missed. Head over to either restaurant to sample what they’re most famous for: Soup dumplings of all shapes and sizes – they’re all that and dim sum. Otherwise, the black truffle soft-cooked omelette is a taste sensation, and the extraordinary lobster with pork and egg is highly recommended.

Whether you’re a sirloin or a porterhouse kinda person, Keens is up there with the New York City restaurants to get your steak fill (and when we say fill, we mean fill). Lamb chops three inches thick are on the menu, too, and they’re delicious enough to hold their own against the impeccably cooked cuts of beef. Make the most of the whiskey bar and order yourself an Improved Highland Cocktail. Prepare for meat sweats!

Rated one of the best places to eat brunch in NYC, this Tribeca Italian hot spot was brought to life by none other than Robert De Niro. The lemon ricotta pancakes are truly unmissable, but so is the burnt orange toast with honey and ricotta – looks like you’re gonna have to get both! For lunch and dinner, ‘My Grandmother’s Ravioli’ and the grilled octopus are popular picks.

The French food hall to end all food halls, Le District boasts restaurants, vendors and markets offering all the French food you could ever desire, however casual or fancy you’re feeling. At Bar à Frites, grab some hand cut fries with malt vinegar mayonnaise; at Beaubourg, order a glass of wine and choose from a variety of entrées, hors d'oeuvres and a whole lot of (excellent) seafood.

Your quintessential American restaurant, Upland is very much California-style, prioritising farm-to-fork fare. Vegetables are the name of the game, with kale somehow successfully topping pizzas, and chef Justin Smillie’s modern takes on classic comforts like quiche lorraine and Caesar salad are seriously killer. The burgers at Upland are damn good, too, and with milk and cookies on offer, so are the desserts.

Everything on the Nakazawa menu is melt-in-your-mouth fresh and masterfully prepared; the three-part tuna flight is like no tuna you’ve had before, but you’ll love the omakase (chef’s selection). You’ve gotta be on the ball with this sushi hot spot: Reservation waits can be over a month long. Try your luck at requesting a chef-facing bar seat to see Daisuke Nakazawa himself in action.

Everything at this michelin-star restored 1950’s tavern is fantastic – the roasted bone marrow and duck breast with poached rhubarb especially – but the 8oz prime beef Black Label Burger with sautéed onions and a clarified butter drizzle has got everyone talking. You simply have to try it for yourself.

A tasting meal at David Chang’s 12-seat restaurant is a truly mind-blowing experience. The dishes are simple in presentation, allowing the expertly executed ingredients and flavours to shine through. You won’t be forgetting Momofuku Ko’s sea urchin, partially carved duck, or Japanese cheesecake any time soon. You’ll need to book well in advance, but it’s worth it.

Foodies and wine-lovers alike can’t miss this part-Vineria (winery and restaurant), part-gourmet Alimentari (pantry). While shopping for their takeaway Italian fare is part of the experience here, don’t miss out on a sit-in dinner; pasta done exactly the way it should be, cured and roast meats and delicious fish. Need we say more? Well, their gelato is fantastic, as well.

With its rustic exposed walls and marble bar, Estela is as good for Instagram as it is for your appetite. Another of the world’s 50 best restaurants, their menu is small-plate-focused and perfect for sharing, which means you get to sample double the dishes! Everything here is good – really – but make sure to try the ricotta dumplings with shaved mushrooms. We can’t promise you’ll want to share, though.

An NYC brunch fave, the Balthazar is the ultimate joint for a business breakfast. Perfectly cooked eggs pretty much any way you could want them, fresh pastries, waffles, pancakes and more French fare than you’ll ever have time (and stomach space!) to sample. The steak and moules frites are unbelievable. Not just for brunch and breakfast, the three-tiered seafood platter is the perfect sharer for a dinner to remember, and so is the whole-roasted chicken for two.

Easily one of the best Thai restaurants in New York City, Uncle Boons has all the classic curries and noodle dishes, executed brilliantly. Plus, their charcoal grill turns out delicious eats like charred prawns and rotisserie chicken, and the toasted coconut sundae is the dessert crown jewel. Make sure to order yourself one of their famous beer slushies – it’s the drink you didn’t know you wanted.

This hipster’s stomping ground is as much about the mysterious and somewhat exclusive feel of the place as it is the food, but they certainly don’t skimp on their food; it’s fresh and it’s very, very good. Ribeye tacos, chorizo tacos, veal tongue tacos, grilled market fish tacos… okay, you get it. But La Esquina does tacos well, guys. Also, the crab meat tostadas and baby back ribs are fantastic

Joshua Smookler does some of the best ramen around, the flagship bowl made from a broth of oxtail and bone marrow with brisket and pickles. Clean broth, perfectly tender noodles and the most incredible meaty (and non-meaty) additions is what Mu Ramen is all about; try and get a seat at the bar so you can watch the chefs work their magic. Ramen aside, the dry-aged prime rib confit, cooked in aged beef fat, is something else.

Soho’s Northern Italian-accented Charlie Bird has one of those menus where everything is just really good. This is the perfect place if you like to share small plates. Try the chicken liver ciabatta toasts, roasted octopus, Farro salad with sugar snap peas and fresh burrata. The bigger dishes are truly sensational, too. Best of all, Charlie Bird has an award-winning selection of wines from which you can choose

Bâtard is a European gem, serving up creative and contemporary French and Austrian-inspired tasting menus for possibly the best gourmet deal in the city. Choose from a selection of over 800 wines and let chef Martin Glocker do his thing; the steak tartare is unbelievable, and the rabbit sausage makes for a truly unforgettable risotto. For dessert, Coffee & Milk–espresso mousse with cocoa and toasted milk ice cream – is sensational.

Daniel Boulud’s michelin-star café, housed inside the Surrey Hotel on Upper East Side, is an exciting contemporary take on French cuisine. With dishes like sake and beet-cured salmon and farmer’s market-inspired seasonal dishes on the menu, you’ll want one of everything. The desserts are what really get people talking, and chocolate is the name of the game. If you’ve got any sense, you’ll go for the molten chocolate cake – it’s a chocolate-lover's’ heaven.

With two michelin stars under its belt, Aquavit should feature on every restaurant guide to New York. Contemporary Scandinavian cooking with flavour inspiration from around the world, every meal here is an exciting one. Smörgåsbord brunches and tasting menus to die for make this Nordic establishment totally unmissable, and this is one restaurant where dessert is a must: The goat’s cheese ice cream with white chocolate and blueberries is a taste (and visual) sensation.

Though of course the trailblazing burgers are the main attraction, this speakeasy-style Burger Joint does excellent shakes, fries and freshly baked brownies too. Head to the lobby of Le Parker Meridien for tasty, no-frills grub to satisfy that umami craving. You can’t go wrong with the classic cheeseburger – cooked to perfection and wonderfully messy. Burgers start at around $8 and it’s a sinister $6.66 for the entirely un-sinister milkshakes

Where to eat in New York when the sun is out? Roof at Park South Hotel is the ideal summer dining spot, but of course is a great choice year round. With impressive views of the NYC skyline and a range of frozen cocktails that have the locals talking, the food is almost secondary here. Almost. The hummus and market vegetables at Roof are excellent, and the truffle fries with parmesan are a true crowd-pleaser.