The best new restaurants in NYC you need to try

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 Applebees. What does that say about us? We don’t know. But what we do know is that the tuna that swims around in a smokey and tangy vinaigrette, a wedge salad with a mess of herbs and funky bleu cheese, and that pancake soufflé sparks joy, making for our best new restaurant of the year. 

Time Out tip: Speaking of the soufflé, it takes 40 minutes to prepare and is only served on the weekends. So if a visit happens on a Saturday night, make sure it is one of the first things you order. 

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 favorite Indian restaurant from Long Island City lives on again in the East Village. 

Why we love it: Before you DM us—yes, we know that Adda existed in Long Island City in 2018, and no, it isn't necessarily the newest thing from the Unapologetic Foods group (that might go to Kebabwala that sits in our market). But one sip of their herbaceous and floral onion chutney martini might make you feel brand new. Adda 2.0 continues the story of its predecessor, unapologetically, of course, with bubbling cast irons of tender lamb and lamb butter for good measure and a personalized tableside Butter Chicken Experience where you can customize the butter down to the woodchips for smoking.

Time Out tip: Adda's Butter Chicken Experience certainly puts on the works, but only a few times a night. Be the talk of the town (or certainly the dining room) and book the experience in advance via Resy.

Address: 107 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5–10pm

What is it? A bi-level Korean pocha and gussied-up Korean barbecue space.

Why we love it: When Sam Yoo of Golden Diner inherited his parents’ lease at Rockefeller Center, he wanted to introduce a two-in-one concept: a lively Korean pub on one floor, named Golden Hof, and a fine Korean steakhouse down below, NY Kimchi. Now, the two have become one, and both are fine options no matter what time of day you come in. Daytime calls for a quick and easy Hof Lunch Box packed with marinated kalbi and chicken katsu, while zen evenings can easily be spent in the basement centering on all things K-BBQ.

Time Out tip: Yoo's famous honey butter pancakes from Golden Diner can be found on the dessert menu. 

Address: 16 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–10pm; Fri 11:30am–11pm; Sat 11am–11pm; Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? A laid-back Caribbean tasting menu courtesy of the Momofuku group.

Why we love it: At Kabawa, chef Paul Carmichael has introduced not only the food of his native Barbados to the fine-dining sphere but also the spirit of the Caribbean. Because here, it is just as common to see patrons swiping up pepper jams with partha for the buss up and shut bread service as it is to join in a little tableside whine between courses. But after the first appetizer, you'll certainly stay seated, particularly if you order the raw royal red shrimp. Blushing red with a dusting of hibiscus, the plump crustacean is topped with bright orange rounds of pepper oil that perfectly walk the sweet and spicy line of the Scotch bonnet pepper. The rest of the menu follows suit with fiery and slow-roasted goat, jerk sausage and caramelized coconut turnovers.

Time Out tip: Arrive a bit early? We wouldn't fault you for getting a nitro daiquiri at Bar Kabawa next door.

Address: 8 Extra Pl, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–10pm

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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: Wed—Sat 5:30–10:30pm 

What is it? The second location of the Thai restaurant shines just as bright with larger digs in Long Island City.

Why we love it: Soothr's became a favorite in the East Village, its dry and wet noodles became a refuge during the COVID era. Its second location in Long Island City builds on the same solid foundation, packaged in a setting that shines like a gem. The interior here is a vast one, seamlessly cycling through a sultry lounge in one corner and a zen-like garden in the next. But it is the food that will keep you returning, particularly the noodles, the duck, and the dungeness crab karee whose beaming red head hides sweet, tender flesh tossed in a silky curry. 

Time Out tip: The weekdays turn out to be one of the best days of the week at Soothr, as live jazz reminiscent of Old Shanghai starts at 7pm.

Address: 204 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–3:30pm, 5–10pm; Sat, Sun 11am–3:30pm, 5–10pm

What is it? While it looks like it's been plucked out of the space race era, this steakhouse down the way from Madison Square Garden is as modern as they come. 

Why we love it: The Dynamo Room is the kind of place that could easily please the suit-jacketed C-suite as it could the Knicks-clad crowd. Oysters are chilled, as is the lobster with deviled egg filling to spoon on, and the selection of dry-aged strips is wheeled to the table so you can eye the marbling details for yourself. But the rather spacious outdoor patio plays host to the comings and goings of MSG ticketholders, ready to please with a dry-aged burger that comes with a ladle of prime rib jus right at the table. 

Time Out tip: Don't skip the sweets here. The seasonal Cherries Jubilee is a sundae you'll want to spoon with our sweetie (before you keep it all for yourself) as the ice cream comes layered with fat cherries and sweetened chunks of brown sugar. 

Address: 2 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–9pm; Sat, Sun 4–9pm; the restaurant stays open until 10pm on game days at Madison Square Garden

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

Why we love it: While we lost Llama San this year, we can still get a taste of chef Ramirez 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 love it: The Italian social club rises yet again. Thanks to the team behind Kellogg’s Diner, Coppelia and Old John's Diner, 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

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What is it? A popular pandemic doughnut pop-up shop turned brick and mortar in Sunnyside. 

Why we love it: Furloughed from their respective jobs at Union Square Hospitality Group, Kimberly Camara and Kevin Borja started what they thought would be a simple side hustle during the pandemic, selling doughnuts baked out of Camara's Queens apartment. But with brioche creations filled with caramelized leche centers and glazed purple with ube, their doughnut drops created a waitlist 10,000 people deep. Backed by a Kickstarter, the two opened a brick-and-mortar in Sunnyside. Lines are still very much a thing, which is to be expected as items have expanded with croissants crowned with shavings of Edam cheese and suisses stuffed with pimento cheese and spam. 

Time Out tip: Filipino flavors also find their way into drinks, with coconut jam lattes and matchas married with pandan. 

Address: 4512 Greenpoint Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 7:30am-4pm; Sat, Sun 9am–4pm