Morgan Carter

Choosing a favorite restaurant in New York City is a joyful task with myriad possibilities depending on the occasion, mood and even the time of year. Your favorite dive, fine dining destination and neighborhood favorite might all occupy top spots on your personal best list in spite of their disparate qualities.  Our list of NYC’s 45 best restaurants is the same, spanning each of those categories and more to comprise a catalogue of all the places we wish we were at right now. They don’t have to be the newest or the most recently reviewed, just places that we’ve been to and want to return to again and again, and that we think that you will, too.  Best NYC restaurants at a glance: For classy Caribbean: Kabawa - At chef Paul Carmichael's tasting counter, you'll find simmering and slow-cooked goat, pepper shrimp and all the vibes (East Village) For an excellent steakhouse: Hawksmoor - Aged steaks, a stunning dining hall and an excellent sticky toffee pudding are the calling cards of this London-born import (Gramercy) For trendy pizza: Mama's Too - A New York slice shop that dabbles in triangle and square slices (Upper East Side and West Village) For dinner party like vibes: Dept of Culture – Chef Ayo Balogun's nightly dinner party includes fiery pepper soup among its Nigerian fare (Bed Stuy) For exciting Mexican: Oxomoco – A fun, wood-fired Mexican spot with creative tacos and standout frozen cocktails (Greenpoint) January 2026: Happy New Year, everyone! While I am not

Every drink seems ideal when you're at the perfect bar. Your dive’s beer is frosty, rooftops send you soaring toward the clouds and cocktail destinations shake and stir myriad ingredients into ideally calibrated glassware—leaps above what you try to craft at home. The options are unending, the ice is nicer and you aren’t just drinking, you’re at the spot.  Whether you're dabbling in low-ABV libations, making your way through dedicated martini menus or collecting passwords for pseudo speakeasies, there is an ideal location for every taste, tolerance and occasion. Find them among the 50 best bars in NYC right now. Best NYC bars at a glance: For a taste of old New York - The Dead Rabbit - One of New York's best cocktail bars continues to serve up the smoothest pours of Guinness and one of the best Irish Coffees, period. (Financial District) For a boozin' and a bite: Bar Snack - Excellently fun cocktails with snacks like pickled dusted cheese curds and spice bags (Chelsea) For a late-night croon and swoon: Saint Tuesday - A well-hidden bar found several flights underneath the Walker Hotel Tribeca (Tribeca) For Korean snacks, sips n' such: Sunn's – Sunny Lee's banchan-based bar is a welcome find in Chinatown for natty wines and close quarters. (Chinatown) For tiki anytime of year: Sunken Harbor Club - The speakeasy above Gage & Tollner didn't stay secret for long. And how could it? Their range of tiki cocktails make for some seriously boozy nights. (Downtown Brooklyn) Updated

Your out-of-towner friend wants “something cool,” your date wants ambiance, and you want some local-insider-knowledge cred—NYC speakeasy time. Sure, the trend peaked years ago, when people were wearing suspenders and waxing mustaches and riding fixed-gear bikes for some ungodly reason. Back then, pretensions ran high. But today, it’s all way less serious. The idea works a little better now, tends to be handled with more self-awareness and less self-righteousness. And look: there are no speakeasies. And nothing is truly secret in New York. I mean, you’re reading this. Still, some places effectively toy with the “speakeasy” concept and manage to pull it off, and that’s what we’re here to run down. RECOMMENDED: The best bars in NYC right now There are plenty of bars with unmarked entrances—ones that feel “secret,” not because they’re perpetrating a deliberate trick but just because they’re down a staircase or off a subway platform. Some of these are my favorite bars, places I’m always happy to highlight. But being hard to find does not a speakeasy make. We’ve tried to stick with separating the inconspicuous from places that truly perform a bit of sleight-of-hand. Updated January 5, 2026: Since we last toured the speakeasy-ish landscape, a few doors have quietly shut and a few new ones have flung wide open. We’re missing standout bars like Nothing Really Matters and Angel Share in this go-around, yes. But we had some tough choices to make if we were to bring you real variety and

Diners have a special place in New Yorkers’ hearts. Many of them have stood in their spots for years as regulars come and go with their cups of coffee and bags of donuts; others are brand-new, opened with the idea of reinventing diner food or recreating the vintage vibes of the diner’s heyday. Whether you’re looking for an updated take on the genre to cheap eats at a classic greasy spoon, NYC diners do it all. Check out some of the city’s most iconic burgers and sandwiches, taste an egg cream or ice box cake that’ll knock your socks off and join the long tradition of New Yorkers who have created community in the timeless draw of a diner. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC December 2025: New York is truly home to all manner of tried-and-true classics and fresh takes on the humble diner. For our update, we tried to strike a balance between both, adding in updated information for the West Village's beloved La Bonbonniere and Mike's Diner located in Clinton Hill. We also added Thai Diner and Kellogg's Diner to the list. We removed Cozy Soup 'n' Burger, Gena's Grill, Tom's and Waverly Restaurant. 

Brooklyn’s culinary landscape is one of the finest in the world, hosting many of the best restaurants and bars in New York City and beyond. The borough has so many excellent pizza places, BBQ and brunch options, one could spend a lifetime trying them all. If you need a place to get started, look here and peruse through our favorite 23 places for a quick bite, sit-down dinner, or fine dining affair.   RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC December 2025: This list hadn't been touched in some time, and was in need of quite an overhaul. We added some of our favorites that we went back to over the course of 2025, including Theodora, Pitt's, LaRina Pastificio & Vino and L'Industrie. We also added some stellar stars, including Kellogg's Diner, Sailor, Taqueria Ramirez and Win Son Bakery. We removed Clover Hill, Purple Yam, Olmstead, Rangoon and Ugly Baby as they closed. We also removed Agi’s Counter, Atti, Bamboo Garden, Birds of a Feather, Claro, Em Vietnamese Bistro, Govinda's Vegetarian Lunch, Gus’s Chop House, Haenyeo, Hart’s, Inga’s Bar, Kokomo, La Vara, L&B Spumoni Gardens, Nura, Ras Plant Based, Reyes Deli & Grocery, Rana Fifteen, Sofreh, Shan, Win Son and Vinegar Hill House. For more on our editorial policies and ethics, feel free to check out how we review at Time Out.

December 2025 update: There's new songs being added to karaoke machines on a regular basis, so we see it as our duty to keep this list bang up to date. Our latest additions include a K-Pop Demon Hunters anthem, as well as an addicitve tune courtesy of Benson Boone. Whether you’ve got the voice of an angel or you’re totally tone deaf, karaoke unites us all. But heed our warning: choosing the right song is crucial (aka, don’t opt for that Whitney Houston tune if you haven’t the range. And if you don't quite have the skill, steer clear of rapping.) So we thought we’d help out a little bit. In our list of the best karaoke songs ever, we’ve got everyone from Adele to Toto, and from Frank Sinatra to Ricky Martin. There's even recent singalongs from Sabrina Carpenter, Huntr/x and Chappell Roan. Something for everyone. So down that shot, grab that mic and take to the stage. Your audience awaits you. Here are the best karaoke songs ever.  RECOMMENDED:❤️ The best love songs🎶 The 40 best songs of 2025🎉 The best party songs🕺 The 25 best albums of 2025  

The best brunch in NYC can be found every day of the week. Saturday brunch is the best time to gear up for the night ahead, Sundays are perfect for relaxing and a weekday brunch is a rarefied treat designated for ad hoc time off—we would know. We make brunch our business. It doesn’t matter so much when you do it, but where you do it. And whether you skew more toward the breakfast or lunch ends of the portmanteau’s spectrum, toward coffee or mimosas, these are the best brunch destinations in NYC.  December 2025: After a recent visit, we updated our entry for Kokomo, the hip Brooklyn lounge doling out Caribbean eats. We also added Miami-born, Mediterranean newcomer, Motek, to the list. Hummus platter, anyone?  For more on our editorial policies and ethics, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out. Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

We are just one week away from Time Out Market New York, Union Square officially opening! That’s right, on Friday, September 26 at 10am, the Market hall will open its doors, welcoming you and your crew over for fantastic eats and drinks, set to a cool, vibey atmosphere for all to enjoy.  And when we say all to enjoy, we mean it. The centrally located hub is perfect for students who need to refuel, locals who live and work in the community and tourists who are ready to try something new. You may be wondering: Does that include kids? Of course! The Market will have plenty of eats and drinks, sure to appease the littlest ones in your party. And a full family is a happy one. So bring the whole family, kids and all, you've got some eating to do. 

Much like pizza, New York City bagels are the subject of years-long debate, competition, and consideration. Is it something in our water that makes them so special? Is it the accoutrements? And the age-old question: yes or no to ketchup on a BEC? We’re gonna go with "maybe" and "whatever you wish, as long as you’re ordering from the very best bagel shops in NYC." Here are our favorite spots in the city. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC Updated December 2025: We spent a good amount this fall, scouring the city in search of carbs and schmears (I know, hard work). This year's update inducts two viral newcomers of the scene: Apollo's Bagels and PopUp Bagels. We removed Absolute Bagels as it closed late last year and Baz Bagel and Restaurant. We also removed Black Seed, Riverdale Bagels and Sadelle's. 

There’s a long (and we mean really long) list of reasons why one might choose to visit old New York—the food, the theatre, the bars and the art galleries, to name a few—but up there with the best things about this city is, without a doubt, its skyline. And while heading up to Top of the Rock or the One World Observatory are worthy ways to soak it up, your hotel room could be, too. So, that’s why we’ve compiled a round up of the best hotels in NYC with proper, show-stopping views. Sit back and enjoy. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in New York City

The holidays seem to start earlier and fly by faster every year. One way to extend all that cheer and good will is to pack these fleeting weeks with all manner of topical activities. In addition to the classics like tree-peeping and light-looking, New York City has plenty of on-the-reindeer’s-nose holiday pop-up bars to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season—with spirits—throughout the most wonderful time of the year. So gather your loved ones and go on a little Christmas crawl this year, why don't you? RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to Christmas in New York Updated December 8, 2025: December is here and we are in fully holiday mode baby. Perfect for visiting parties or groups who just need a bit of holiday cheer, we've recently added two new wintry experiences to check out this month: Gnomeo's at Romeo's and Le Chalet at L’Avenue at Saks. We've also updated opening dates and holiday hours so you can book your annual appointment to drink out of a Christmas ornament, early. 

I often get the question: What's your new favorite restaurant on the scene? And oftentimes, that question alone is enough to make my head spin. Not for lack of trying, but attempting to stay up-to-date with the rotating door of restaurants debuting month after month can be quite an endeavor. So, we've decided to collect some of the latest and greatest on this list of the best new restaurants in New York, for my peace of mind, and so that you, the reader, can get out there and try it yourself. And who knows, maybe a few of these might make it to our best restaurants list by the end of the year. December 2025: My never-ending rolodex of unposted photos from 2025 goes like so: tamarind-laced clams, blackened head-on prawns ladled with chili crisp and slices of focaccia and sourdough sticking out of a bread bowl that was equally edible. Truly, a fine way to measure a year. But a better way to measure a year is something like this list, which is now updated with our best eats of 2025. The best new restaurants in New York in 2025 include a retro-style steakhouse, a comeback Indian restaurant, and, our number one of the year, a Southern spot that screams all things whimsy. 

Have a musical tot on your hands? We've got just the thing.   Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW has teamed up with Time Out Market New York, Dumbo, to present another free concert with the one and only Suzi Shelton and Hopalong Andrew. Hopalong Andrew, who will perform on Sunday, January 11, is known for his lasso-swinging performances set to music for a fun and informative show. He was named "the countrified king of our family entertainment circuit" by New York Magazine. Suzi Shelton, who will perform on Saturday, January 31, creates music that inspires children to sing, dance, and explore. Using props like books and egg shakers, plus appearances from her special friends, Grey Squirrel and Cinnamon Bear, these concerts will have your little ones dancing, clapping and singing along with a kids' entertainment superstar.  And, to start the day on the right note, you can order food and drinks right to the fifth floor. Breakfast options include Clinton St Baking Company, Doughnuttery, Ess-A-Bagel, Settepani and Drugstore. So head out to Time Out Market with your kids and make a day of it! The concert is free and open to the public. Doors open at 10am and the show starts at 10:15am. Designated stroller parking will be provided upon entry. Register for your free spot here.

Your game day destination can be found in Dumbo. All football season long, Time Out Market New York, Dumbo, will be streaming all the games and you are invited. Upgrade your Sunday watch with the ultimate tailgate experience—whether you're here for the touchdowns and celebrations or purely just the vibes. Gather your crew and root on your favorites over beer buckets and specials on pitchers, plus shareable game day bites that can be ordered right to your table. Multiple screens will be showing the games, but if you need to hear the official play-by-play, head over to The Local Corner and secure a prime couch watching spot. Additionally, we will be hosting giveaways and raffles each week, so stop by to score big.

Millennials: Are you as sick of dating apps as the rest of us? While we didn't birth online dating, our generation certainly became the target market, from the early days of OkCupid to the rise of Tinder and Bumble. But if the idea of downloading another app just to have dead-end conversations makes you want to throw away your phone, we have the perfect event for you.  On January 21, ditch the apps and meet fellow singles in IRL at the Millennial Speed Dating Event. Hosted by Plenty of Parties, the speed dating event will be held at the Market, inviting all who are looking for love in the new year and a chance to meet, greet, and hopefully make a connection. Geared toward singles from 28 to 43, the fast-paced event will host mini-dates so you can introduce yourself, share your interests and get a sense of your match. After the rounds, the evening will transition into a social mixer, where guests can mingle freely, continue conversations and enjoy drinks priced for happy hour. Think you made a connection? Make it a real date and grab a bite together at one of our food stalls.  Tickets cost $32. Drinks and food are available for purchase. Reserve your spot here.

Omakases commonly spell a quiet affair between you and the chef as they walk you through novel preparations of fish and rice. Sushi On Me is less talk and more rock, where courses are served among flashing lights, smoking guns and glasses of sake that never run dry. The original basement party (there's now another location in Williamsburg) goes down in the heart of Elmhurst, Queens, tucked away down a set of stairs. You'll know you've arrived once you step inside the long basement and clock the neon-lit sign hung on the wall, informing you to "Enjoy Your Fucking Dinner." And enjoy it you shall, as the 15-course feast of nigri, handrolls and fatty tuna that you get a chance to torch yourself is interspersed with a ricochet of music and disco balls. Unlimited sake is one of the most defining features, as empty glasses don't stay that way for long, particularly after you've knocked one back with the chefs across the counter and chummy strangers seated next to you. Precisely one sparkler-fueled hour later, you'll return topside with a belly full of sake and sushi. Your wallet will be a little less full, but only moderately so: dinner only clocks in at $99 (before tax and tip). Make sure you bring cash to leave a hefty one because the experience is one of the more fun, party-fueled of its kind in the city.

To know Mike's Coffee Shop is to love Mike's Coffee Shop. Located on the edge of Pratt University's campus, the greasy spoon operation has been serving griddled eggs and then some since the 1950s. It is a communal corner that's known to gather all, as those who coast along its booths and stools include neighboring students recovering from a long night out to church ladies donning their Sunday best. And that's because at Mike's, you can get full, fed and on your way with a full breakfast of sides and a coffee for $20 or less. Breakfast brings egg sandwiches on a roll or a bagel starting at $3.25, thick, griddled slices of French toast for only $8.50 and and two eggs any style ($8) tacked on with actually seasoned homefrites that spill over the plate and a slice of toast, all included. And the coffee? It is $2.50, it's bottomless and the servers are quick to fill your cup with a smile before you even think to ask. The weekend does tend to bring a bit of a wait, even more so around September and May (aka orientation and graduation). However, the hostess moves things along rather efficiently, just make sure you are listening for your name to get called lest you get skipped. 

Translating to “a little candy dish,” La Bonbonniere has been in operation since the 1930s. Maroulletis and Marina Cortez Arrieta took over the operation in the 90s, and have kept the doors open through it all—9/11, the blackout of 2003 and Hurricane Sandy. And when they struggled to stay alive during the pandemic, it was the community that showed up for them, giving funds to keep this slice of nostalgia alive for the foreseeable future. To this day, La Bonbonniere functions like a New York diner should. The daily soundtrack includes sounds like metal spatulas clanking on the flat top, orders of pancakes and French fries yelled across the counter and the chatter of patrons squeezed tight around Formica tables. Marina flits through it all with an efficiency only learned by manning such an operation for so long, balancing three platters of club sandwiches at a time and greeting and seating all types, sometimes in English, Spanish and even French. Maroulletis mans the grill with his crew behind the counter, griddling eggs, bacon and their famous pancakes ($9.25) with a nice crispy top and fluffy center, studded with the right amount of chocolate chips, which is a lot. Is the coffee served in those classic blue cups a bit burnt? Well...yes. Do the large portions of potatoes flecked with paprika arrive a bit cold? Also yes. But can you also leave here with an omelette, a few good slices of crispy bacon and a cup of coffee for less than $15, leaving plenty of room to tip? Absolutel

Even 10 years later, a reservation is just as hard to come by at Lilia, which is why I jumped at the chance at a last-minute, late-night reservation, before even confirming the possibility of tablemates. And as someone who had yet to make it inside (really, I gave up trying some time ago), I was relatively surprised that most of what was revered in the early days at Lilia still remains. Comparing notes left by our previous restaurant editor, who reviewed back in 2016, a recent 2025 visit yielded the same "crispy, fresh-from-the-fryer hulls" of cacio e pepe, sheep’s milk agnolotti, and ribboned malfadine from the pasta section and a filet of bass that's still coated with a punchy and herby salsa verde dressing. You might pause and think that Lilia is due for reinvigoration. But perhaps, when you've become the blueprint of modern Italian cuisine in the city, it is best to follow Missy Robbins' lead and "keep it simple." And at a decade in, Robbins' greatest hits still look good. The aforementioned agnolotti remains one of the most popular for good reason: the silky, saffron thread-laced sauce coats ravioli, plump with an airy and soft whipped goat cheese that may just take you to heaven. The flame still churns out filets of bass with a salsa verde that should be mixed with the potatoes underneath, but now blowfish tails are also pulled from the fire, as the little charred morsels come to life with a nice crust of lemon and earthiness from cracked coriander. And the finisher of

Did you know that Miami is referred to as the sixth borough of New York? I didn't, but with the number of people who trade our cold winter prism for beach bumming down south, I suppose I can understand the reference. It is a saying that restaurateur Charlie Levy likely told himself when he moved down to Florida after 20 years in New York and opened a kosher-style restaurant, Motek. Its falafel, schnitzel, and pitas caused such a frenzy that traveling New Yorkers soon asked Levy when he was thinking about bringing it up north. As of September 2025, he finally did, and now a piece of the Sunshine State exists in New York. While incredibly Miami-coded, Motek does glow like a seaside Mediterranean home, with sunny yellow furniture and a twist of faux green vines peppered with yellow flowers that make it feel like you are on the cusp of summer at all times. The optics alone make it a shoo-in for influencers and those in the "see and be seen" crowds, and it would be easy to rest on this laurel alone. Despite this, the food at Motek is comforting and easy, particularly geared toward brunch catch-ups or dinners with out-of-towners who need to ease into the flurry of the city. It is customary to get a few spreads for the table—the labneh sprinkled with hefty amounts of za'atar and hummus with translucent onions make for a nice starter, as does the football-sized loaf of pita that comes with it, hot and glistening with a fresh coat of butter. Plates of charred kebabs and skewers can ea

Was it really only five years ago when Ruben Santana started selling brisket and ribs out of a smoker in his Queens garage? Nowadays, he's made a stake for himself in Brooklyn, serving his style of Texas and Dominican BBQ on the roof of Time Out Market New York, Dumbo. But if, somehow, you still haven't been to his permanent shop because "Brooklyn is too far," we've got just two things to say to you. First off, buck up. Secondly, Santana is bringing his brisket to Manhattan this month, so this time, you've got no excuses.  That's right, Bark Barbecue is heading over to Manhattan for a two-day takeover, from December 27 to December 28, popping up at Time Out Market New York, Union Square. Over the course of the weekend, Santana will be selling his signature cuts, from his tried and true brisket to carnitas and pork ribs. His Dominican-infused sides are also coming over the bridge, including chicharrones, mofongo and maduros. Oh, and that incredibly cheesy mac and cheese? Yeah, that's coming too. The pop-up starts at 11am on both days and will run until sold out. All we can say now is get there early and we will see you at the square. 

If you've happened to walk by 10th Street during the weekend hours, you've likely come upon a lively scene of people lining the sidewalk. It is all for Apollo Bagels, a buzzy, pandemic-era pop-up turned permanent shop whose bagels have reached such popularity that the landlord has already tried to evict them. The frenzy is warranted, as their sourdough-fermented bagels have already risen to six locations in NYC, including one in New Jersey, in just one year of business.  Yet once you've made it past the fanfare outside, you'll find yourself in a shop so minimal—the East Village shop is outfitted with a large marble counter, a glowing sign and a nondescript cold case—it almost seems like they moved in yesterday. The menu follows suit, as there are only three bagel types to choose from—plain, sesame and everything. The bagel itself? Following the ethos of a "new-school bagel shop rooted in old-school technique," the boiled bagels start with a naturally fermented dough, resulting in a crust that's pimpled like a teenager, bites like a baguette, and has a light and slightly tangy finish. The New York go-to order of bacon, egg and cheese? Non-existent. But what you can find here are open-faced, almost Nordic-style sandwiches donned with bright red and bagel-sized slices of tomatoes, cucumber rounds and lox showered in capers and dill.

Back in 1934, Louis Zabar, a Ukrainian immigrant, opened a smoked-fish shop with his wife, Lillian. Four generations later, and the Zabar's name is still going strong in the Upper West Side—so much so that the shop's marquee nearly overtakes the area of Broadway between 80th and 81st Streets. The two-story, 20,000 square-foot Zabar's of today functions as part deli, part cafe and part gourmet grocery store, all of it a mecca of prepared kosher foods. Inside, crowds gather around counters dedicated solely to smoked fish while lines form in the back, drawn by the fragrant smell of coffee beans roasted and packaged to order. The second floor is home to all manner of kitchenware, plus all the Zabar's gear that's sure to give some clout to your closet. But for the on-the-go New Yorker, the cafe on the corner still draws a crowd for its trademark bagels, made with malt barley flour according to a signature house recipe, as well as jammy hamantaschen, raisin and chocolate-stuffed rugelach and hefty potato knishes.  As you wait in the queue—there always is one—you can take a look back at Zabar's over the years as old-timey signage hangs above the counter and mismatched and slightly slanted frames on the walls bear reviews from long past. In the back corner, you can find pictures of Saul Zabar, who recently passed in 2025, doing what he loved: personally tasting and cupping each coffee bean that walked through the door.

Back in 1916, Abraham Orwasher opened up a pint-sized bakery in the Upper East Side. It bore his name and was planted in an area once coined as "Little Hungary." There, Orwasher supplied the neighborhood with kosher goods, baking loaves out of coal ovens tucked away in the basement. The bakery became a neighborhood institution, carried forward by three generations. But in 2007, the family sold the bakery to Keith Cohen, who comes from a line of bakers. Fears of changing the bakery for good were quickly assuaged as Cohen continues the legacy of the Orwasher family while introducing artisan breads for the modern-day era. Now three locations sit under the Orwashers umbrella, with the 109-year-old bakery standing strong in the UES. The Orwashers of today continue to sell goods made popular by the founder, including loaves of pumpernickel and rye bread and sourdough bagels. Cohen's influence is clear, as baguettes and whole wheat loaves line the walls behind the counter at the original shop. The pastry window gleams with a mix of worlds as rugelach and black-and-white cookies sit next to sugar-dusted morning buns and croissants that burst open with crunchy pistachio phyllo. 

After spending much of last year dipping in and out of nearly 150 eateries (!), from longstanding institutions to popular taco trucks, I figured it was high time to crown a new number one for 2026. And after a few repeat visits and one delightful butter-based experience later, our number one restaurant in New York goes to the comeback kid, Adda. Photograph: Courtesy of Alex Lau| Interior of Adda I’ll be the first to say, I never got the chance to make it to the original and more casual Adda that stood in Long Island City for nearly a decade, the very one that put chef Chintan Pandya and Roni Mazumdar’s style of unapologetic cookery on display. But I am thoroughly enjoying the second act that has been resurrected in the East Village, both for its balance of something old (re-introducing their bouncy, creamy paneer and the steamed, custardy goat brain) and something entirely brand-new: the Butter Chicken Experience.  What exactly is a Butter Chicken Experience, you ask? The restaurant took its beloved dish and turned it into a tableside treat for $42 per person. Before you write it off as a gimmick, I am here to confirm that it exceeds expectations. For only six tables each night, one of the restaurant's chefs wheels up to the table armed with a smoker of charred heritage-breed chicken, still steaming hot. You'll get to choose the woodchips and—best of all—the butter for the namesake specialty. Current options include an earthy and floral fenugreek, a smoked chili that defini

Always thinking about food? Yeah, us too. But worry not, Time Out Market New York, Union Square, is here to feed you. The Manhattan market has a handful of vendors, backed by award-winning talent, ready to nourish you day and night with smashed burgers, stellar sandwiches and all the crab fried rice you can handle. Thirsty? We have that handled, too. All you have to do is saunter up to the 360-degree bar for crafted cocktails, wine and even beer inspired by the Market. But to truly make it a meal, we've made some recommendations to pair your next meal with a drink that matches. Photograph: Courtesy of Melissa Hom| Wagyu kebab at Kebabwala Borough Buck with the Prime NY Strip Beef Bihari from Kebabwala It would be relatively uncommon to find Wagyu at a roadside kebab stand in India. But lucky for us, Wagyu is a common occurrence at chef Chintan Pandya’s kebab stand in the Market. Here at Kebabwala, marinated hunks of beef hit the grill, cozied next to skewered slices of onions and red peppers. Wonderfully charred, the kebabs are then finished with a fiery and aromatic dusting of red chili, cumin and dried mango powder. For us, we think it is more flavor than fire. But if you need a little help to cull the heat, the Borough Buck ($15) will certainly be up to the task. The vodka mule with pomegranate and lime juices plus a bit of fizz from the ginger beer will surely keep you cool, thanks to a combo of mint syrup plus fresh sprigs of the stuff. Photograph courtesy of Time Ou

When you finally sneak away for that lunchtime break, you only have time for so much. Standing in line? Jostling at the counter with couriers? Waiting behind that indecisive person who just can’t make up their mind? Ain’t nobody got time for that. That’s why at Time Out Market New York, Union Square, we’ve made getting you to your food that much easier.    And how have we done that? With the Taste Time Out app, of course. Available on the Apple Store, the Taste Time Out app makes it easy to thumb through hundreds of dishes at the marketplace, from top-notch burgers to Caribbean patties, cooked fresh from our talented line-up of chefs. All you have to do is scroll and select what fits your fancy, choose dine-in or to go and place your order in a snap. Plus, you can link your debit and credit cards so you can pay with a click. But more than just for ease of ordering, our app has plenty of perks for the taking. That’s right—joining our app enrolls you in our Taste Time Out loyalty program, giving you access to discounts, exclusive offers and, the best perk of them all, free food. Here’s what being a loyal member can get you: Photograph: Courtesy of Time Out Union Square| Time Out New York, Union Square Becoming a loyal fan gets you access to secret menu items… Some of New York’s best dishes aren’t found on menus. Several of our vendors have hush-hush menu items—think secret sandwiches from Paninoteca by Anthony, a spicy starter from Kam Rai Thai and a rotating market fresh cre

Iconic eats in New York just hit different. Of course, we do the gamut of pizza, burgers, and hot dogs galore so incredibly well that people travel in just for a taste. However, the great thing about New York is that our icons reflect the diverse cultures and cuisines found throughout our city. Meaning our excellent eats dabble in shredded pork and steak tacos to Jamaican patties that draw a crowd. Hungry for more? Of course you are. Here are some essential New York dishes that can be found inside Time Out Market, Union Square. RECOMMENDED: The 35 best restaurants in NYC right now Fornino The iconic NY dish: pizza What to order: Lombardi ($23) Michael Ayoub was well aware of his city’s love affair with a good slice. So when the Brooklyn native decided to open his own pizzeria, he knew he had to knock it out of the park. Twenty-plus years later, it's clear that his hybrid Neapolitan and New York pies, dubbed Neo-Neapolitan, are a certified hit. Try the best of both worlds by ordering the Lombardi with prosciutto, arugula, mozzarella, Parmesan and fresh shavings of lemon zest.  Kam Rai Thai The iconic NY dish: fried rice What to order: Crab Meat Fried Rice ($20) When my dad first brought home a steaming box of fried rice, let's just say it was my go-to order for years to come (and still is to some extent). And I am here to tell you that Kam Rai Thai’s interpretation of it is easily one of the best I’ve had. And that's because their Crab Meat Fried Rice is uber generous when it

Chef Dhanapol "Oak" Marprasert is a well-known figure on New York’s Thai scene, moving seamlessly from recreations of street classics to modern interpretations. His spark in the kitchen, however, came from a humble source: his mother.   Marprasert was born in Washington, D.C., into a Thai army attaché family, which later moved to Bangkok's Samsen neighborhood. After his father’s passing, his mother supported him and his two siblings by always keeping food on the table, with an eager Marprasert always ready to assist. To this day, her spirit stays with him. “Whenever I cook, I always think about my mother,” remarked Marprasert.  After graduating from culinary school in Bangkok, Marprasert returned to the States, landing in Tennessee in 2014. He began his career in a Thai restaurant, starting as a dishwasher and working his way up the ladder. Before long, he set his sights on New York, eager to bring his cooking to a larger audience.   "The allure of New York City was undeniable. I saw it as an unparalleled opportunity to bring my unique interpretation of Thai cuisine to a global stage,” he said. “I thrive on healthy competition, and the vibrant culinary landscape of the 'Big Apple' felt like the perfect fit." He started a business in Queens, drawn to the local scene and its "demand for truly authentic Thai food, much like what you'd find in Thailand itself." He and his wife, Jiraporn “Jina” Tisopa, have since met that demand, first with the affordable street eatery Makin in Mi

While most kids spent their waking weekend hours parked in front of the TV, a young Anthony Valois was already up and in line with his father—ready and waiting to be one of the first customers to be let inside their favorite Italian deli. Even now, the smell alone is enough to bring him back to the good times.  “Opening up that door and the smell of cured meats [and] the chaos of what's going on behind the counter—everything was intoxicating,” said Valois.  As a first-generation Italian-American growing up in Brooklyn, food was a huge part of Valois’s livelihood, with vivid memories of grandparents canning tomatoes and school lunch boxes filled with cheeses and mortadella. From an early age, he grew to understand the importance of his food and its ties to his culture. “I started appreciating what goes into Italian cuisine, the philosophies and how to respect the ingredients,” he said, curious about the regionality of cheese and meats at a young age. At one point, he even romanticized opening a trattoria in his homeland. But life goes on, and so did Valois. As a young adult, he briefly attended college, but left after receiving an opportunity to intern on Wall Street. There he stayed for 22 years in the private equity and fund management sectors. Over the years, the little interest he had in the profession faded, and Valois leaned on food to excite him again. But it wasn’t the food of the old country that drew him in. Instead, it was all American barbecue.  “Barbecue seemed

And just like that, Time Out Market New York, Union Square, is opening tomorrow!  After months of planning, prep and everything inbetween, the doors to our Time Out Market New York, Union Square, will open on Friday, September 26 at 8am. Located at 124 East 14th Street, the 20,000 square foot destination found in the heart of Union Square Park will feature seven kitchens powered by some of New York’s finest chefs, a full service bar stocked with coffees and to go goodies in the morning and mid-afternoon and a curated mix of cocktails, wines and beers to usher in the evening. A soon-to-be cultural hub, the market will soon host artists, musicians and more cultural figures that define NYC.   A sister to our Time Out Market New York, Dumbo, our latest market opening marks two important milestones for the Time Out brand as a whole. One, this is the first time that two marketplaces have existed in the same city. And two, the new market clocks in as the smallest of the worldwide locations. But even small packages can be plenty mighty.  “Compared to our existing larger flagships, this is our first smaller neighborhood Market, dedicated to highlighting rising talents alongside local favorites as well as emerging home-grown artists, and to being a space for the local community to come together, from people living and working in this neighborhood, students from nearby universities, or visitors wanting to experience local food and culture,” said VP of US Time Out Markets Virginia Rector

Back in February, we told you that you’d soon be seeing double, as we announced another Time Out Market in New York, this time in Union Square. Last month, we dropped a hit list of some of New York’s most talented chefs around…all of which happen to be heading to the market. And now, we can finally reveal when it is all going down. Time Out Market Union Square is officially opening on Friday, September 26 on the ground floor of Zero Irving (124 East 14th Street, New York, NY 10003). Our first neighborhood Market—a smaller, more intimate format will soon swing open its doors, ready to welcome you over a specially curated line-up of foods, drinks and a huge dose of culture. RECOMMENDED: It’s official: here are all the chefs coming to Time Out Market Union Square Need a refresher on who is coming to the market? We got you. Critically acclaimed chef Kwame Onwuachi is bringing the Caribbean vibe with his patty stand, Patty Palace. James Beard Award-winning chef Chintan Pandya of the Unapologetic Foods crew—aka the heavy hitters behind Adda, Dhamaka and Semma—will be harnessing the energy of a night market in Delhi with his long-awaited kebab spot, Kebabwala. Michelin-rated tacos are coming by way of Taqueria El Chato, thanks to the team-up of chef Gerardo Alcaraz and Chris Reyes. An award-winning pitmaster and a master of Thai cuisine, chef Dhanapol "Oak" Marprasert and his wife Gina are opening a second location of their beloved Astoria restaurant, Kam Rai Thai. Fornino is makin

For me, 2025 came and went like a flash. Yet, what is left behind is a series of trends that defined the scene. The year started off strong as New Yorkers braved the cold for a baked good, lining up and saying hello to 2.0 versions of bakeries (Radio Bakery, L'Appartement 4F, and Win Son Bakery), while making room for ube-glazed doughnuts (Kora) and shops that offered only cinnamon rolls (Sunday Morning). Our love of carbs is clear, so much so that a pastry-fueled marathon fielded over 5,000 sign-ups in 24 hours. Caribbean cuisine surely defined the year, with pepper shrimp and cassava dumplings finding their way in the fine dining sphere. According to the Michelin man, Japan's kaiseki cuisine is starting to edge out omakase, and Indian food continues to leave its mark, solidified by Semma's James Beard Award win and the rise of cocktail bars that shake up betel leaves and paneer. And as for wine? Nowadays, a bar is only as good as its snacks. Wine bars that solely stock cheeses in charcuterie? Out. Ones that serve a medley of banchan and tamarind-slicked snails? In. So it isn't surprising that this year, some of my best bites aligned with the trends, as I tore through habanero-roasted goat and Filipino pastries. But as someone who eats out multiple days of the week, and sometimes twice in one day, all to find the best pizza, burgers, and steaks of the city, there were plenty of dishes that rose above the rest. Below, check out some of my best bites of the year. And if you n

The last sip of a margarita spells one of two things: another round or the check (it could also spell a third thing: the floor). But lucky for you, this cocktail on the Lower East Side tastes like the best bit of the drink. It called the Saltair, and it’s found at Bar Contra. If the name sounds familiar, it should—Bar Contra is an evolution of Contra, the once-accessible, no-frills tasting restaurant from chefs Fabián von Hauske-Valtierra and Jeremiah Stone. While it consistently wowed the Lower East Side for nearly a decade, the duo closed shop in October 2023. Thankfully, they kept the keys and promised to adapt the space into something entirely new. That "something new" became Bar Contra, a casual but experimental cocktail bar paired with the high-end snacks Hauske-Valtierra and Stone are known for. To execute the drinks, the twosome became a threesome with the addition of Dave Arnold, a multi-hyphenate talent whose résumé includes founding the Museum of Food and Drink and owning some of New York’s favorite bygone bars, including Booker & Dax and Existing Conditions. RECOMMENDED: This buzzy Lower Manhattan street was just named one of the coolest in the world Arnold’s influence is quite clear: Bar Contra leans into gastronomy as bartenders chill glasses with a swirl of liquid nitrogen and clarify drinks via centrifuge. It’s this creative approach to cocktails and an eccentric assortment of small plates that earned the bar a spot on this year’s Best Bars in North America.

Just a few months ago, we asked you what kind of food you wanted to see at the latest Time Out Market in Union Square. And let's just say, you let us have it. Suggestions for juicy smashed burgers, foldable pizza slices and two-fisted sandwiches flooded our comment section (and even this editor's personal email address). We hear you, we see you, and now, after months of planning, we are just about ready to feed you.   Now the secret is out. Today, we are announcing the seven restaurants and chefs who are coming on board at the new Time Out Market Union Square. Soon to be cooking at 124 East 14th Street inside Zero Irving, our line-up of talent will wow you with Caribbean patties, flame-grilled kebabs and Michelin-rated tacos, all in one place. So start spreading the word: here's who and what you can look forward to at Time Out Market Union Square next month: Critically acclaimed chef Kwame Onwuachi is bringing his Caribbean patty stand, Patty Palace, to the Market: Since 2022, we've come along with Kwame Onwuachi as he journeyed through his upbringing in New York at the wildly successful, award-winning and perpetually popular restaurant, Tatiana. Now, Onwuachi continues his ode to the city by channeling his favorite childhood snack: the Jamaican patty. Following successful stalls at CitiField and a truck parked outside his Lincoln Center restaurant, Onwuachi’s installment of Patty Palace at the Market will expand on his curried chicken iteration, adding simmering beef and jer

It is official—Time Out Market New York, Union Square is now open!   That’s right, our latest Market is open and ready for business. Inside the 20,000-square-foot space, you’ll find kitchens staffed by established names and up-and-coming talented chefs from across New York City, a selection of to-go goods and coffees and a curated line up of cocktails, wine and beer. Our latest market hall plans to follow in the footsteps of our sister market hall, Time Out Market New York, Dumbo. And that is to bring you the best of New York under one roof. Here’s what to expect at Time Out Market New York, Union Square. Who is cooking at Time Out Market New York, Union Square? From award-winning chefs to some of our beloved local favorites, the latest market hall has a little bit of everything to satisfy your cravings. Nosh on Jamaican patties from Patty Palace courtesy of Kwame Onwuachi; chargrilled kebabs and chicken biryani from James Beard Award winner Chintan Pandya of Kebabwala; suadero, al pastor and more Michelin-recommended tacos from Chris Reyes and Gerardo Alcaraz of Taqueria El Chato; burgers, fries and Sichuan-spiced mushrooms from the talented Sam Braverman of Lori Jayne; Neo-Neapolitan pizza and sandwiches from Michael Ayoub of Fornino; delectable Thai from award-winning pitmaster and chef Dhanapol "Oak" Marprasert of Kam Rai Thai; and world-class sandwiches from Anthony Valois of Paninoteca by Anthony. RECOMMENDED: It’s official: here are all the chefs coming to Time Out Mar