The best new restaurants in NYC you need to try

What is it? Chef Erik Ramirez and Juan Correa’s third concept continues the exploration of Nikkei cuisine. 

Why we like it: While we are on the cusp of losing the beloved Llama San in the very near future, we can still show chef Ramirez our support at Papa San. His latest to debut in Hudson Yards, Papa San tells the tale of his Peruvian and Japanese heritage with ceviches and tiraditos, bright in color and taste, and rolls like the Blue Crab Maki made even more warming with a sticky and spicy sauce. The eel pizza with its ‘waving’ bonito flakes is a fun addition to the table, as is the simplistic wagyu that comes with a literal dollop of Ramirez’s signature lomo saltado sauce.  

Time Out tip: Buenos Aires’s Tres Monos (one of the world’s best bars) shook up the cocktail menu here. The Marxxxtini is an effervescent number with gin, bubbles and a heady passionfruit foam on top.  

Address: 501 W 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 

Hours: Lunch: Mon–Fri 11:30am–2:30pm; Happy Hour: Mon–Fri 4-6pm; Bar: 11:30am–close; Dinner: Sun–Wed: 5–10pm and Thurs–Sat: 5–10:30pm; Brunch: Sat and Sun 11:30am–2:30pm

What is it? A former supper club, turned dive bar, turned supper club yet again. 

Why we like it: The Italian social club rises yet again. Thanks to Louis Skibar (of Kellogg’s Diner, Coppelia and Old John's Diner) and New York-based designers Nico Arze and Matthew Maddy (also of Kellogg’s Diner and All Night Skates), JR & Son's doors are open, once again feeding the masses with Italian comforts. Chef Patricia Vega (previously of Thai Diner) leads the charge here, serving up salads with broken bits of arancini, a thick chicken parm and handmade pastas from the spring-forward ravioli with peas to the Pacherri with a wonderfully spicy lobster fra diavolo sauce.  

Time Out tip: If you love Italian cookies, surely you will love this rainbow layered cake. The maker of one of our favorite desserts in the city, chef Amanda Perdomo’s vegan cake includes layers of raspberry jam, chocolate frosting with toasty coconut on top and a needed hit of flaky salt. Oh, and it's vegan, so all can indulge. 

Address: 575 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Hours: Wed–Sun 6pm–2am

What is it? A sequel from the Agi’s Counter team in Red Hook. 

Why we like it: Jeremy Salamon’s self-described “joyful mess” makes us feel right at home with old lady plates mounted on the walls, tongs that look like chicken feet and multi-colored light fixtures seemingly lifted from all of our favorite Applebees. What does that say about us? We don’t know. But what we do know is that the basket of Caraway rolls (first one is free!), the pimento cheese dip with a salty stack of fried saltines and that pancake souffle sparks joy. And in this economy, we will take it. 

Time Out tip: Speaking of the souffle, it takes 40 minutes to prepare, which your server will let you know as soon as you sit. So skip the indecision now and order the dang thing.  

Address: 347 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 

Hours: Wed, Thurs, Sun 5:30–9pm; Fri, Sat 5:30–9:30pm

What is it? A hot new counter inside one of Williamsburg’s finest omakase restaurants. 

Why we like it: Yes, we know that Shota Omakase isn’t new, as the doors to this omakase restaurant opened back in 2023. However, another counter solely manned by chef Cheng Lin made its debut this year, and that’s enough to book a revisit. Meaning 'exclusive,’ chef Lin’s Gentei Omakase seating features seasonal fish and ingredients in limited supply, including the current menu of Sawara (or king mackerel) from Fukuoka and Kuro Matsu (Bluefish Perch) from Nagasaki. Even better, chef Lin's is more than open for interaction, so ask him about his sourcing or his aged ponzu in between hand-offs of nigiri.

Time Out tip: Chef Lin’s inspiration for his sushi career came from the manga Shota No Sushi, which follows the main character's dream of becoming a sushi master. As a nod to it, a singular shelf mounted near the front of the restaurant displays the full manga series.  

Address: 50 S 3rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Hours: Closed Sun; Mon–Sat with two seatings per night at 6pm and 8:30pm.

What is it? A tasting counter dedicated to the art that is kimchi. 

Why we like it: I will be honest, I didn’t grow up with a ton of Korean food. But I took my friend who did on a visit to RAON. In just a few bites, she immediately stated, “This reminds me of my mother’s cooking.” And that, in part, is why chef Soogil Lim and his wife Sassok Youn do what they do: to share their heritage with those of us who are new to the cuisine and nod to those who are familiar. The 10-course tasting includes the artful and umami Uni Gimbap and a wonderfully cooked halibut with a buttery and scorched topping of gochujang. The Doenjang + Scallop, however, is in a category all its own as the soybean paste in the dish comes from chef Kyeongsoon Oh, a disciple of the legendary Jeong Kwan. 

Time Out tip: Prices are steep at $255 per person. But you can make it even steeper with a mixed beverage pairing for $195. 

Address: 207 E 59th Street, New York, NY 10022

Hours: Tues–Thurs 5:30–11:30pm; Fri, Sat 5–11:00

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What is it: Anthony Ha and Sadie Mae Burns's roving Vietnamese pop-up has finally found a home in the Lower East Side.

Why we love it: After six long years of popping up in some of New York's finest restaurants—and even landing a residency in Paris—this pandemic-era favorite has finally found a permanent home in the Lower East Side. Ha's Snack Bar, previously Ha's Đặc Biệt, is run by Anthony Ha and Sadie Mae Burns. Initially meeting on the line at Mission Chinese Food, the chef couple cook Vietnamese-inflected dishes that shift on the daily, as a recent visit yielded raw oysters in a bright green chili nuoc mam sauce and Ouef Mayo with Trout Roe. Wines are part of the deal too, so snag a glass or two. 

Time Out tip: If the tamarind butter snails are available, make sure you add them to your order. 

Address: 297 Broome Street, New York, NY 10002

Hours: Mon and Tues closed; Wed—Sat 5:30–10:30pm 

What is it? An all-day bakery and cafe from pastry chef Renata Ameni of Kent Hospitality. 

Why we like it: Churro croissants with dulce de leche. Danishes with soft scrambled eggs and a crown of caviar. And pizza croissants? With a resume that includes baking goods at Eleven Madison Park, Jean-Georges and Crown Shy, this is just light work for chef Renata Ameni. Her creations rotate on the daily (with an ice cream counter coming on the horizon!), so it is best to check out Birdee's IG or roll up to Williamsburg to see what’s fresh out of the oven. 

Time Out tip: If you need something a bit more filling, all-day offerings include grain bowls with farro and peas and the Italian Dip sandwich with a healthy helping of giardiniera. 

Address: 316 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249 

Hours: Daily 8am–4pm