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In a city of over 55,000 restaurants, visit these eateries to taste only-in-New-York flavors.
New York is, not arguably, the best place to eat in the world. The five boroughs contain some of the most restaurants per capita of any U.S. city, and the cuisines include tastes from nations, cultures, and traditions worldwide.
Want a family-style Filipino feast on a weeknight? Hard-to-find Czech delicacies for brunch? A Malaysian coffee and breakfast? A never-before-seen mash-up combo of two foods you love but never thought you'd enjoy in the same bite? You've got it.
New York's local restaurants range from historic delis, to new, independent projects that creative New Yorkers put their all into to share their passion with diners across the city. Here are some solid spots to dine in New York, whether you're craving pastrami or poke.
Mari Vanna has been a Flatiron staple for 14 years and is filled with unique antique furniture, lace drapery, cozy armchairs and crystal chandeliers perfect for any occasion. The menu is full of home-style and specialty dishes from Russia, Ukraine and Georgia alongside signature cocktails and flavored vodkas infused in-house.
Çka Ka Qëllu, which translates to “what we happen to have” is introducing Albanian culture, tradition and cuisine to NYC. The space not only offers authentic dishes from the region but also serves as a museum filled with dozens of 18th and 19th century Albanian artifacts hand-collected by the owner. Book a table to explore this unique dining space and enjoy a taste of Albanian and Kosovo cuisine—all while immersing yourself in the rich history.
Ferns is a neighborhood staple in East Village. The laid-back restaurant and bar comes decked out in lush foliage, providing an oasis away from the concrete of NYC. Make sure to stop by in time for happy hour, which runs every day, as the bar serves enticing cocktails such as the Cucumber Mint Collins and classic Espresso Martini, alongside a long list of wine and beer.
If you’re feeling hungry, you’ll find comfort food classics from Chef Matt Oliver—cooked up in savvy New York style. Think drunken mussels, stacked burgers, and spicy quesadillas, alongside boozy brunches to kick-start the weekend. There’s even monthly comedy shows if you need a few good laughs. As for private events? You've got a dedicated basement bar room for all your party needs.
This Midtown spot goes big on authentic Chinese cuisine, with the menu showcasing dishes from Beijing, Shanghai and Southern China. It's a new venue but it looks like it's already making waves with locals.
Dishes run the gamut of classic Chinese options, ranging from kung pao chicken and cumin lamb to a very decent selection of authentic dim sum, including some excellent har gow. One of their specialities is a great-looking Peking duck which looks well worth ordering – just make sure you order early as it takes 45 minutes. Proves it's made from scratch, right?
Each of the dishes is available in the attractive restaurant itself or for takeout.
This Dylan Hotel dining room comes from two Peter Luger alumni, who have grown their mini empire into a stable of five: three in the city, one in Westchester and another all the way over in Japan. They must be doing something right.
This Midtown spot opened back in 2006 and takes its steak very seriously. They dry-age their cuts in their own aging box and keep things nice and simple: porterhouse, sirloin, rib-eye and filet mignon, cooked with confidence.
In a nod, perhaps, to their Sea Fire Grill on 48th Street, seafood options are strong here, too. Think whole Maine lobsters (broiled or steamed—and stuffed with crab meat if that’s your thing), Chilean sea bass, grilled Norwegian salmon, and some hugely popular—and huge—king crab legs in drawn butter. Bring an appetite, basically.
Brasserie Vietnam merges Vietnamese flavors with the finesse of French cuisine to offer a unique gastronomic experience. The decor combines a harmonious fusion of styles paying homage to Southeast Asia’s tropical climate with lush greenery on one side of the dining room and brick and brass on the other as a nod to vintage French decor. Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, Brasserie Vietnam creates an enticing atmosphere with delicious dishes and drinks for intimate date nights or group dinners alike! Find more information on their Instagram.
Head to Shogun Omakase for a meal that conveys the true essence of Japanese cuisine with the freshest seasonal ingredients and fish. Each dish is carefully prepared by chefs with quality in mind and offers a unique range of flavor and texture. Enjoy crisp tempura, grilled dishes cooked over a charcoal fire and sushi prepared with extreme precision. Find all the information you need to book a reservation at their website and find a gallery of past and current dishes on their Instagram.
Chomp Chomp Thai Kitchen is an East Village hidden gem serving up comfort dishes at an affordable price point. Thai street food classics like koi soi are served alongside reimagined dishes like pla tod kamin, a southern style fried fish with turmeric. The casual eatery is ideal for lunch with friends or to stop in for a bite before exploring nightlife in the surrounding area.
Indulging in delicious and healthy meals from Mangia is easier than ever at one of their four retail locations across Manhattan. Whether you’re in Soho or Flatiron or Midtown, enjoy one of their farm-to-table and made-to-order sandwiches, salads or juices alongside a 24-hour bakery.
Next time you’re in need of catering, Mangia is known for being the largest corporate and events catering company in the city, servicing Fortune 500 clients on a daily basis. Head to their website to view the menus, find your nearest location and start placing your next order.
Gazab, a modern Indian restaurant in NYC’s Lower East Side, focuses on offering a fine dining experience in a small casual space. Price points aren't too high, so you can order extravagently. Menu items include classic Indian cuisine with a twist, like pani puri with semolina crisps and a chef’s special braised baby goat. Reservations are recommended as Gazab gets pretty packed during dinner and through the weekend.
If you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink at any and all hours of the day, Remedy Diner is sure to become your new go-to spot. For nearly two decades, this family-owned-and-operated classic New York-style diner has been serving up dishes of all kinds, from penne alla vodka to a short stack of buttermilk pancakes. The booths and bar stools have been filled with celebrities, movie crews, writers and creatives of all kinds. So next time you’re looking for a bite and a good time at 6pm or 6am, head to Remedy Diner.
Snack your way through the menu at Kalye, a Filipino street food restaurant on the Lower East Side. Ube, adobo and lemongrass feature prominently on the menu, from pork and ube sliders to sizzling shumai.. Plant based options are also ample, like crispy lumpia. The Southeast Asian spot offers an energizing environment to hang with friends, and also doubles as an art gallery for local neighborhood artists and those from the Philippines. Stop in for various dishes and stay to shop art for sale, where all proceeds benefit the creatives involved.
Vegetarians, vegans and raw-foodists, unite! This longtime East Village hangout is all about organic ingredients, meat-free dishes and “live foods” made from uncooked fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Naturally, there are loads of salads, tonics, and macrobiotically balanced quinoa-and-seaweed combos. At this restaurant-meets-venue you can try out their plant-based menu standouts while listening to live music, from jazz to folk. The community-first locale also regularly hosts health lectures, cooking demonstrations, meetings, parties, and yoga classes.
The open kitchen concept at Basta Pasta allow diners a view into the process of crafting each dish. The concept was born in Tokyo by Japanese chef Takada with plans to film a cooking show within the space—now the format allows for entertainment all night long! Book a table now and head to their Instagram for more information.
Nestled on the corner of Spring and Sullivan in the heart of SoHo you’ll find Bandone, the New York home of pasta-obsessed restaurateur Daniele Mancini’s beloved Italian fare. Bandone is the culmination of his gastronomic endeavors in Rome and Madrid with a humble mission to serve fresh takes on classic family recipes and the generous spirit of Italian hospitality.
From impromptu long lunches to special occasions, this is a place for enjoying good food with good people. The pastas are lovingly handmade in-house daily and the menus rotate with the seasons to celebrate quality produce at its unfussy best—with ingredients sourced locally from like-minded suppliers. From fresh focaccia to natural wines, everything is designed to be savored and shared.
Knishes, hot pastrami, chopped liver—you’ll find deli classics and much more at Ben’s. The granddaddy of six statewide locations and one in Boca Raton, Florida, Ben’s Queens branch features a 250-seat purple dining room and extensive menus chock-full of choices. Half an overstuffed sandwich, served on soft, tangy rye or wheat, is thicker than War and Peace, and the beef, turkey and veggie burgers are bursting out of their buns. There's also ribeye steak, stuffed cabbage and goulash, plus lighter choices, such as Caesar salad and grilled salmon with vegetables. To drink, Ben’s serves Dr. Brown’s soda, beer in frosted mugs and several wines by the glass along with other drinks from the full bar. With so many choices, stop kvetching and eat already.
Da Long Yi Hot Pot is famous for its spicy and bubbling beef tallow broth, authenticity and quality of Sichuan spice! With two locations in New York—one in Chinatown and the other in Long Island City—Da Long Yi is making it easy to enjoy delicious hot pot. At the Chinatown location, guests will dine surrounded by traditional Chinese style decor with wooden windows and bamboo rattan lamps, while Long Island City offers a very modern Chinese interior. Both locations have over 3000 square feet of dining area and private rooms.
Drinkology NYC is for cocktail lovers, running a cocktail hour from 4 to 7pm every Tuesday to Friday. During that time, you'll get 20% off cocktails, $11 glasses of wine and appetizer specials. This upscale cocktail bar brings Manhattan energy into Queens, with high-top tables and a dining room that offers modern American cuisine—including lobster guacamole, truffled shrimp dumplings, short rib burgers and a burrata tower. There are even custom-made ceiling mirrors, 3D walls and lights from Europe, for a one-of-a-kind setting.
New Yorkers may remember the ever-so-popular Soup Queen, who was selling soups throughout the pandemic from her home. The business grew beyond owner Sarah Khoshaba’s kitchen could accommodate, so she expanded her soup-focused operation out of Farewell bar in Bushwick. Now, Khoshaba has opened her first brick-and-mortar location serving up soups, sandwiches, breakfast items and small bites. At Gunther's—named after her beloved dog—you can find rotating soups, great vibes and a warm welcome.
100% plant-based and vegan, this Queens incarnation of Urban Vegan Kitchen has kept its upbeat family vibe. The addition of an elevated space housing a stage and a large open dining area makes it ideal for live music and events.
The Latin and Southern American comfort food-inspired menu features original favorites including tacos, empanadas and chick-un and waffles. Additionally, a plant-forward Chef's Menu offers an elevated veggie culinary experience.
This izakaya-style restaurant in Greenpoint offers Japanese favorites, including yakitori, sushi and sashimi. Owner Nick Wang puts a focus on quality, and the restaurant sources sustainable fish, free-range meats and produce from organic farms. Amami even makes its soy sauce and wasabi in house. Before you order dinner, make sure to explore their cocktail menu: with a program featuring ingredients like edamame, lychee, ginger and wasabi, their seasonal drinks are inspired by Japanese whiskeys and aged sakes.
Looking for fresh flavors, delicious cocktails and a stylish setting? Terasa North Ninth is calling. Located on the corner of Bedford and North 9th in Williamsburg, this sleek eatery puts a contemporary twist on Mediterranean Balkan cuisine. If the first thing that catches your eye on the menu is the 'Charcuterie and Cheese' section, you're not alone—who doesn't love smoked and cured meats and Mediterranean dips like baba ganoush and ajvar (roasted red pepper spread)? Make sure you save room for the mains, which range from a whole grilled branzino to ćevapi (grilled mince beef sausages) and a burger made with the classic Balkan blend of pork and beef. Negronis and Aperol Spritzes are on tap; or, choose a signature cocktail instead (we've got our eyes on the watermelon margarita).
At Lighthouse BK in Williamsburg, the menu is full of fresh, seasonal and ingredient-driven modern Mediterranean and Israeli food. Lighthouse BK is a neighborhood favorite and a local gem. With produce sourced from local farms, the space also works to impart sustainability initiatives for education and change within the community. Stop by and feel immediately at home.
Located in East Williamsburg, LoHi serves summer vibes year round from their rooftop perch featuring endless views of Brooklyn and the city skyline. An inclusive menu features vegan krab cakes made with shredded jackfruit, grilled fish tacos and a double smashed burger served on a brioche roll. House cocktails are shaken up with infused spirits like cucumber tequila or chamomile bourbon to add soft botanical notes as you sip. The expansive space makes for a stunning backdrop for your next get together. Whether it’s an intimate wedding, celebrating a milestone or meeting a friend for happy hour, LoHi is the spot to gather.
Indulge in dishes and drinks that evoke nostalgia yet elevate the basics at Endswell in Brooklyn. The chefs and bartenders craft every item with skill and flair, promising a delightfully tasty sensation in each bite and sip. The lavish setting makes for great date nights while keeping room for regulars and walk-ins to infuse the atmosphere with warmth and camaraderie! View the full menu—featuring dishes like coq au vin and vegan cacio e pepe—on their website or head to their Instagram for specials and events!
Grab your plant-based friends and head to Ornithology Jazz Club—the world's first vegan jazz club. The space hosts weekly vegan chef residencies focused on sustainability and minimal waste. Open daily from 6pm to 3am, no reservation is needed or cover required to snag a table amidst the music. The first set of the night goes from 6:30-8:30pm with a second show from 9pm-12am and a jam session closing the night out until 3am. Ornithology is also the headquarter business of the jazz-focused nonprofit, Gotham Yardbird Sanctuary. For more information on featured chefs, musicians and more head to their website or Instagram.
Little Rascal has been a Nolita staple for a decade, expanding its beverage offerings to Brooklyn with the help of renowned mixologist Keith Larry of Employees Only. The new Little Rascal location in Greenpoint serves modern Mediterranean dishes alongside an elevated cocktail program. The decor is elegant and comfortable while paying homage to the owner's Turkish heritage; lining the walls are puppets that are handmade by an Istanbul-based artist and representing the diversity of people in New York. Each cocktail ingredient—no matter how inventive—is crafted in house with ingredients from vermouth and bitters to curaçao and falernum.
Mya's Bar and Kitchen (MBK) combines traditional Jamaican cuisine with culinary flavors from the American South—Louisiana to be specific—and Asia in the heart of the Bronx. The eatery embraces African diasporic intelligentsia in all of its facets and uses its dining room for more than just enjoying delicious food and drink. With a commitment to uplifting the community, they open their doors for culinary creatives across the city to create and enjoy a unique dining experience! Learn more at their Instagram and book a table now on their website.
