Rachel Pelz

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 10—have you booked a table to celebrate Mom yet? In addition to treating her to a massage and a facial during a relaxing spa day, a night spent in absolute peace and quiet at one of the best hotels in NYC or a beautiful bouquet of delivered flowers to her doorstep, make sure to take her out for mimosas and a mile-high stack of pancakes at one of the best brunch spots in NYC.  Whether your mom likes to keep it casual with cheap eats or go all out with a fine dining experience to remember, she’ll appreciate being celebrated by you and the rest of the fam. From cutting-edge sushi counters to elegant, mom-approved French restaurants, these are some of the best prix fixe and a la carte brunches in NYC for Mother’s Day 2025. All you have to do is make a reservation and pick up a box of chocolates on your way to keep the title of “Best Kid Ever” for another year. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Mother’s Day in NYC.

New Yorkers treat brunch like a personality trait, and Manhattan has enough options for all of our personalities: the two-carafes-of-mimosas, the sip-a-coffee-solo-with-a-book and the we're-splitting-everything-and-still-getting-ice-cream-after. We've spent years working our way across the borough at brunchtime, so you can skip the guesswork and head straight for the good stuff at some of the best restaurants in NYC. Find red velvet cake in Harlem that rivals the city’s best bakeries, a French dip that has earned its place as one of NYC’s best sandwiches and the best cocktails for clinking glass from, say, ten a.m. to four p.m.  Updated April 2026: Just in time for patio season’s big comeback, a few new Manhattan brunch spots have made the cut. Grab a table and get ready for spring menus that lean hard into the season with bright citrus, asparagus and the briefly, sweetly omnipresent ramps.  RECOMMENDED: See more restaurants for the best brunch in NYC

A glazed doughnut with sprinkles from a cart with your morning coffee? A New York City classic. A $7 fancy-schmancy cruller from a Williamsburg pop-up? Also classic, in its own way. The doughnut scene in NYC is always frying up something delicious, from a beloved Greenpoint institution that’s been open for more than 70 years to brand-new shops doing numbers on TikTok.  Sweetened fried dough has roots all over the world, which means there are more kinds of doughnuts to eat than we can in a lifetime. But…let’s try. Pair one with a latte from one of the city's best coffee shops, grab a dozen on your way out of one of the city’s best bakeries or settle the great breakfast debate by picking up a doughnut and a BEC from one of the best bagel shops in NYC. Updated March 2026: Some of the most exciting new doughnut shops in NYC were started elsewhere, so you can take a tour of the global doughnut scene without ever leaving the city. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in NYC

New York City doesn't follow breakfast rules. Pancakes at 3pm? Sure! A full dim sum spread in the middle of the night? Why not! It’s a dining scene that starts early, ends late and, in some cases, never stops. Within a few subway stops, you can grab a classic BEC, a big bowl of congee topped with golden sambal, a baguette spread with butter and radishes and a Malaysian spread of coconut rice that'll make you wonder why you ever settled for drip coffee and a protein bar.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in NYC The city's most beloved breakfast spots have long reflected their histories, as families turned morning staples into their neighborhood’s everyday rituals. Find your own favorite way to wake up with this list of the best-of-the-best breakfast spots in NYC, from Northern-Mexican style burritos to a classic bagel sandwich from a counter that’s been slinging lox for more than 100 years.  Updated February 2026: As winter finally loosens its grip, iced coffee season is coming sooner than you think. That means the lines for the city’s most viral spots will be getting longer, too, so grab breakfast at new L.A. import Croft Alley or Cafe Mulberry’s celeb-studded French restaurant before it’s too late. 

Looking for a new spot to watch the big game? Our list of NYC’s best sports bars includes rowdy beer halls, low-key hangs with craft brews, some of NYC’s best dive bars and even a bar dedicated to all things Canadian. Whether you need a weekly place to root for your footie team or just want to drink a few great brews with friends, we’ve rounded up our favorite places to shout at a really big TV. RECOMMENDED: See all of the best bars in NYC February 2026: To prepare for the coming Super Bowl this weekend (or, for some, the Bad Bunny halftime show), we decided to refresh our sports bars list. We added Athena Keke's and The Hairy Lemon. We removed Twist & Smash'd Sports as it closed. We also removed Jack Demsey’s, The Irish Rover and The Black Horse Pub. 

Chinese food has been one of the most influential and beloved dining scenes in New York City for more than a century. Shaped by generations of chefs, families and communities across the five boroughs, today’s Chinese restaurants reflect deep regional traditions and the ever-evolving ways New Yorkers eat, from Shanghainese comfort food to Chinese-American dishes that have become NYC staples in their own right. Whether you’re heading to one of NYC’s Chinatowns for a sumptuous weekend brunch or a bakery crawl, tucking into a traditional dim sum spread or chasing the city’s best dumplings, there’s always a new way to experience Chinese food in New York City.  Some of these restaurants are longtime institutions that still make some of us say, “Remember when?” The newer arrivals, whether they’re serving up Italian-Chinese fusion fettuccine or sweet Fujianese ice rice, are all building on that shared history.  January 2026 update: Winter is prime time for finding your new favorite Chinese food in NYC. Cold weather makes warming soups and slurpable noodles especially craveable, and the Lunar New Year will bring renewed energy and celebratory menus across the city.

The most romantic restaurants in New York City fall into two categories: the old-school classics that have been setting the mood for generations, and the new-kid-on-the-block spots where just scoring a reservation is part of the seduction. While some of the restaurants on this list lean pretty pricey, you don’t necessarily need to propose over a 20-course tasting menu. (Although if that’s your thing, we’ve got you, too.) If you know where to look, the city’s full of romantic spots at all price points for first dates, special occasions and even popping the question. Whether you’re looking for a table at one of the best restaurants in NYC, a bowl of pasta at a romantic red-sauce Italian restaurant or just to toast to the night with bar snacks and a pair of the city’s best cocktails, every one of these spots takes date night to the next level. Make sure to save room for dessert: you’re going to want to linger together just a little longer.   Updated January 2025: Valentine’s Day always comes up faster than you think. If you want a table for two on the 14th (and not half of a barstool at 9:47pm), now’s the time to book a romantic reservation. 

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. 

Is there a better meal than a burger between two buns? Whether it’s fast food, chuck that's smashed flat and griddled hot or a high-end take that costs nearly as much as a steak, New York has some of the best cheeseburgers and hamburgers on the planet. In a city known for its sandwiches—like the chopped cheese, bacon egg and cheese, bagels piled high with cream cheese and lox and even (controversially) hot dogs—the hamburger sandwich remains one of the greatest. Order yours smothered with special sauce, gooey with cheddar or American cheese, piled with crispy lettuce or smashed with quick-fried onions. Add a pile of crispy, salty french fries, pair it with an ice-cold martini or a bubbly bottle of champagne and enjoy one of the very best meals in NYC. RECOMMENDED: The best veggie burgers in NYC  Updated October, 27 2025: After months spent eating various combinations of beef and buns, we have a newly updated list on hand (and likely, a higher cholesterol number). The newly minted Deux Luxe easily gained a spot on our list for its simple presentation of Wagyu burgers, as did Sip & Guzzel's tavern burger, also made with A5 Wagyu. Crane Club’s exclusive, bar-only dry-aged burger was also added to the list. The smashing good time inside a Manhattan gas station, Smacking Burger was also added to a list, as was the tried and true, cash-only burger found at J.G. Melon. We removed Brooklyn Ice House, Emily, Fairfax, Gus's Chop House, Two8Two Bar and Burger and Union Square Cafe. 

No place eats quite like Queens. The most diverse county in America packs an entire world of flavor into its 109 square miles, with restaurants that represent the food of all the people who call it home. One night you might be slurping noodles in Flushing, the next eating some of the best seafood in NYC in Long Island City or sipping baijiu alongside a plate of spicy dumplings. Between the beach at Rockaway, the food courts of Flushing and the neighborhood taverns where time seems to have slowed down, Queens is proof that great dining isn’t only about Manhattan’s price tags or hype cycles—it’s happening right here, every night. Updated October 28, 2005: Queens’ dining scene is heating up this fall, with a new wave of openings that stretch from Astoria to Flushing and everywhere in between. The latest arrivals span street food to fine dining, highlighting flavors from all over the world—proof that no other borough captures the city’s diversity quite like this one. Cozy dining rooms are buzzing, grills are firing and new menus are giving even longtime locals fresh reasons to eat their way through the borough. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in NYC

Williamsburg has long been one of New York’s best dining destinations, home to everything from award-winning pizzerias and iconic steakhouses to new restaurants that draw food lovers from all over the world. You’ll find some of the most well-known chefs at work here, plus plenty of low-key spots designed to hit the spot for cheap eats, date-night cocktails and stunning waterfront views. The neighborhood’s mix of cutting-edge creativity and old-school comfort makes it easy to find the right vibe for any mood, whether that’s a quick stop at a late-night diner or dessert at one of the city’s best bakeries. Wherever you find yourself, you’ll find something amazing—this is the neighborhood that sets the pace for what New Yorkers want to eat right now. Updated October 27, 2025: Fall brings a wave of new energy to Williamsburg’s dining scene, with several high-profile openings joining the mix. The latest arrivals lean cozy and convivial, trading summer’s outdoor spritzes for candlelight, cocktails and comforting plates. Whether you’re waiting in line for the nearly impossible to get into I Cavallini or toasting to the start of winter with a frozen drink (brrr!), Williamsburg’s restaurants are ready with ever-changing menus that reflect the season's flavors.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Williamsburg, Brooklyn

A milkshake is one of life’s simple pleasures. Many shops serve the treat as traditional as it comes, but the very best spots prove just how much magic can be spun from the classic, crowd-pleasing combo of ice cream and milk. All across the city, you’ll find versions at old-school diners, over-the-top creations blended with slices of cake from the city’s best bakeries and ice cream shops that know their way around swirls of soft serve and other cream, dreamy desserts.  At counters all over the city, expect playful milkshakes that highlight house-made flavors, showcase small-batch production and tell the stories of the families who first created them. Whether you’re team chocolate, vanilla, licorice or durian, there’s a shake somewhere in New York City that will hit the spot. September 29, 2025: Colder weather has never kept New Yorkers from chasing down a good milkshake. This fall, lean into local scoop shops’ autumnal flavors like Ample Hills’ Falling for Pumpkin, made with Libby’s pumpkin puree, marshmallow swirl and cinnamon cone pieces. It’s a cozy seasonal shake made for those of us still clinging to the dog days of summer. Whether you’re warming up inside a diner booth or strolling brisk city blocks with a shake in hand, the humble milkshake is a treat worth sipping all year long.

No reservations are required at Cocina Consuelo, a neighborhood spot from a husband-and-wife team known for its 15-hour birria and live music.  The vibe: In shades of sunny yellow and bright blue, it’s the kind of unfussy spot where you can bring the fun—or at least find it. Stop by for live music or just to see what’s on their menu, which is updated with the seasons.  The food: After being braised for 15 hours, the birria bone marrow is served with salsa roja and onions, best eaten with their homemade tortillas. Pair them with a shaved fennel salad with chayote and pickled grapes, or impossibly sweet roasted candy-cane beets.  The drinks: Every beer on their menu comes from Mexico, including a white ale, an IPA and a Helles-style "Axolotita" lager. The wine list is a love letter to the country, too, with a handful of orange wines and easy, approachable reds.  Time Out tip: There’s only one dessert on the menu here, and you’re ordering it. The tres leches cake is made with heirloom corn, Mexican vanilla and topped with seasonal fruit to lighten and brighten every thick-and-creamy spoonful. 

This West Village restaurant from a team of longtime pros hailing from Daniel, Bouley and Union Square Cafe serves up a wine list long on small producers alongside accessible yet elevated fare like caviar with yucca tater tots and wagyu smashburgers.  The vibe: Straightforwardly cozy, with exposed-brick walls and long shared banquettes, its “modern American” interior makes it an easy pick for early date nights, after-work happy hours, or dinner with visiting family.  The food: We can’t help but address the elephant in the room: Arvine’s gigantic garlic knot, which might actually be the elephant of garlic knots. It’s alluringly shiny, crisped on the outside and then drizzled with butter and herbs to be served with puttanesca. (For brunch, it becomes the base of Arvine’s take on a BEC with prosciutto, a fried egg and hot sauce.) It’s a good way to start your meal, since it’s indicative of the entire menu: a little fun, a little different, and extremely delicious.  The drinks: The wine list, from sommelier Adrien Falcon, features skin-contact wines, an assortment of European deep cuts and plenty of easy-drinking, affordable-ish American bottles.  Time Out tip: At just 90 minutes from 5–6:30, cocktails are $11 and two kinds of wine are $8 a glass, so you’ll have to move fast. If you prefer a more leisurely savings, bring your own bottle on Sunday nights; you’ll just have to pay a corkage fee. 

This Mediterranean wine bar serves tapas, “bruschetta boards” and dips ideal for snacking. Their wine and cocktail lists are Mediterranean, too, with flavors of olive leaf and bottles from Slovenia, Lebanon, Greece and more.  The vibe: First of all, yes: there are columns. Load-bearing features aside, the space is airy, hung with vines, and hums with a cool party energy. It’s definitely designed for sharing plates and tasting wines, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself staying awhile while you work your way through the menu.  The food: Classic tapas like dates stuffed with goat cheese and crispy patatas bravas join a list of bruschetta that range from your standard tomato, olive oil and sea salt to a salty umami-bomb of straciatella, oyster mushrooms and lemon. If you’re still hungry (or just hate to share), a big bowl of frilly riccia pasta in miso butter and black pepper, or a grilled branzino with a side of fries should do the trick.  The drinks: Go for a flight of Spanish reds or skin-contact wines for $35, or explore the wine list, which is organized by vibe: Want a “crisp and refreshing” white or a “bold and gripping” red?  Time Out tip: Brunch is a winner here, with “corrected” iced coffees (corrected with booze, that is, made sparkling with prosecco or warmed with cinnamon tequila) served with fluffy buckwheat pancakes or Spanish baked eggs. 

This Sunnyside bakery started in a home kitchen, where chef Kimberly Camara’s limited-drop pastries gained so many thousands of fans that she opened a brick-and-mortar shop. Here, she brings Filipino flavors to an inventive pastry program, serving up deep purple ube donuts and fried brioche with calamansi curd. The best news? Since they’re no longer working out of an apartment, you don’t have to wait for the latest limited drop to get your fix.  The vibe: First, there’s the line. You’ll probably find at least a few folks waiting, especially on a weekend morning, but don’t worry; they keep it moving along quickly. Once you’ve secured the bag, grab a seat to watch the chefs pipe ganache and white chocolate chantilly in the kitchen.  The food: Kora’s menu changes with the seasons, although their signature pastries, like the leche flan fried brioche inspired by Chef Camara’s grandmother, and the caramelized kouign amann with flaky salt, are always available. Ube, native to the Philippines, is used in a few ways here: in an ube-and-coconut cookie, babka swirled with ube butter and a fried brioche stuffed with ube pastry cream and covered in ube glaze.  The drinks: Signature drinks include a pale purple ube latte, a pandan matcha latte and a salted “coco jam” latte inspired by minatamis na bao, a Filipino treat made of sweetened coconut cream.    Time Out tip: Their coffee bar opens at 7:30am, with just a spread of freshly baked croissants. (If you get there early, go for the ensay

Homie's, a Montreal import to NYC from three friends raised in Queens, makes the case that Montreal’s breakfast fame doesn’t have to stop at their honey-sweetened bagels.  The vibe: Named after Homer Simpson himself, Homie’s really sticks to the theme with the iconic font and a cartoon color scheme. It’s not aesthetic, necessarily, but the doughnuts are prepped and glazed on site all day long, so the smell and taste more than make up for the IP-inspired decor.  The food: Soft, shiny and glazed in bright pink and blue, the food here is what’s gonna make it to your feed. If you go for one of the more complicated flavors, like the Ferrero Rocher with Nutella and hazelnuts or the creme brulee with a flame-torched top, make sure to try their classics, too. A sugar-glazed or cinnamon-dusted doughnut is where Homie’s yeasted dough can be best appreciated in all its springy, puffed-up glory.  The drinks: Sweet treats like Biscoff lattes join the classic donut shop cup of coffee for a pick-me-up after your inevitable sugar crash.  Time Out tip: This is one of our favorite spots to grab a box of donuts for the office or to bring to a friend’s: the flavors are all crowd-pleasers, they’re packed in a cute box and you can get in, out and onto the subway in under 5 minutes. 

This Beverly Hills import has been attracting lines of brunching New Yorkers hoping for a little taste of sunshine (or at least a celeb sighting) ever since it opened. Owner Michael Della Femina, whose grandfather grew up right around the corner of the NyC location, found a space that feels like the perfect fit: bright enough to nod to Croft’s Los Angeles roots, while welcoming all the freezing New Yorkers who can’t get through breakfast without opening their laptops. The vibe: Despite the long brunch lines, the counter service keeps things moving. Still, nobody seems to be in much of a rush. It works just as well for a quick, healthy-ish bite before hot Pilates as it does for a long, slow morning with nowhere to be.  The food: This is the kind of food you imagine Californians eating: think ripe avocado slices bursting from breakfast burritos and cozying up to heirloom tomatoes; actually good gluten-free banana pancakes sweetened with honey; and fried chicken, turkey sausage or tuna salad wrapped up in cups of crisp butter lettuce.  The drink: Grab a latte or matcha for a midmorning pick-me-up, then grab another on your way (finally) into the office.  Time Out tip: Their L.A. location is famous for its Chinese chicken salad with cabbage slaw, Jidori chicken (the Kobe beef of poultry!) and creamy peanut dressing, so don’t miss it. Table pancakes and table salad? We’re in.   

The stretch of Park Slope near the elementary school where celebs do drop-off has never been a culinary destination. Well, until now. Vato, from the four lifelong friends behind Michelin-starred Corima was always going to be a different project: easy and more casual, rooted in their culinary traditions and all wrapped up in their truly transcendent tortillas. Although it might have been originally conceived as a low-key neighborhood restaurant, the crowds waiting outside every day beg to differ.  The vibe: Vato is walk-in only, which keeps the lines long but moving quickly. Most folks grab and go, but there are a few seats if you want to stay and linger awhile with your burrito in hand. In the summer, the outdoor seating is nice, but you might as well take your lunch a couple of blocks up to Prospect Park.  The food: The flour tortillas, which are pressed fresh daily, make Vato a destination. Slim, soft and stuffed with burnt ends and soft scrambled eggs or pollo en mole, these Chihuahuan-style burritos are worth waiting for. The pastry program, led by pastry chef Erick Rocha, is equally serious. The cinnamon roll is the standout (you may, in fact, have already seen it a hundred times on your feed), and the conchas are crackly-crunchy on top and filled with soft, tart yuzu curd.  The drinks: Grab a cold brew or a bright hibiscus aqua fresca to pair with your breakfast burrito, and watch your whole day turn around.  Time Out tip: If you walk by and there’s no line, go in. It d

The team behind The Mulberry, the buzzy cocktail bar with secret back rooms for its celebrity clientele, has a daytime project upstairs. Café Mulberry is still buzzy and, tucked away behind the cute coffee counter, a little secretive, but it’s also a place where you can grab an espresso and pain au chocolat without it feeling like a whole scene.  The vibe: In a word: French. The interior’s intimate without being precious (although the prices are precious), so it’s the spot we’d pick for a solo lunch with a book or a catch-up with that cool friend we've been meaning to see for months.  The food: Good bread with salty butter and spicy radishes features on both the daytime and the dinner menu, and you’d be remiss to skip it, since it goes as well with a latte as it does with a cocktail. French onion soup and a simple salad with watercress and sherry vinaigrette bridge the menu, too. In the mornings, you’ll find fancy egg soldiers in silver egg cups; at dinner, a luxurious seafood platter with a half-lobster, shrimp cocktail, crab salad and snow crab claws.  The drinks: Pair your meal with a bottle of wine, then try your luck getting into The Mulberry’s back room for a couple of dirty martinis with your celebrity friends.  Time Out tip: If you’re pressed for time, skip the sit-down breakfast and grab a latte and a snack from the coffee counter. The coffee’s excellent, and walking around Soho with a baguette is always a 10/10 experience. 

Named for qinghua, the delicate, floral-patterned blue-and-white porcelain dishes, Blue Blossom honors traditional craft with its confident, crowd-pleasing cooking. Inside the huge space in the middle of Midtown, the shareable dishes land somewhere between classic and camera-ready, like steamers of vibrant rainbow dumplings in red, green, purple and black. The vibe: Lively, glossy and unmistakably buzzy, the blue-and-white porcelain throughout the space manages to avoid tipping into “theme” territory. During peak hours, the dining room’s lively, but you most likely won’t find yourself walking into an hour-long wait.  The food: Go for the half-salted baked chicken, simply cooked with scallions and ginger, and the Peking duck, which arrives tableside with crispy skin and all the fixings. Don’t skip the shredded, sauteed potatoes, either, which are a rare find on the city’s Chinese menus.  The drinks: The cocktails are as colorful (and photographable) as the dumplings: if you don’t feel like drinking a bright blue cocktail with curacao and clarified milk, you can go for a Pale Violet with aged rice wine and Cabernet Sauvignon, a Jade Green with rum and kiwi or a Rose Red with gin and strawberry. Time Out tip: Come with a big group and order family-style. You’ll be happy for the extra hands when you’re tearing into the duck and passing all those plates around.

From the teams behind Café Spaghetti and Swoony’s and the beloved NYC institution Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Sal Tang’s celebrates Cantonese-American cooking (with a few brief nods to Italian food). You’ll find familiar dishes New Yorkers grew up on, like wonton soup and sweet-and-sour chicken, alongside fettuccine tossed with spicy pork ragù and crispy garlic. It’s playful without being too precious, and the kind of space that already feels like a longstanding neighborhood fave.  The vibe: Like Swoony’s, Sal Tang’s leans a little scene-y but mostly relaxed, with an energy that works just as well for an early family dinner as it does for a date-night drink at the bar.  The food: Classics like wonton soup and the nostalgic-but-upgraded crab rangoon mozzarella sticks are a hit for starters, and the sesame chicken cutlet is pure throwback pleasure. Always get a big domed dish of fried rice for the table, even if the only other thing you’ll be ordering is a handful of Tsingtaos.  The drinks: The tropical-leaning cocktail lineup includes lychee martinis, mai tais, and a salted plum daiquiri made with small-batch Sweet Crude rum. House iced teas and lemonades can be spiked, making it easy to turn an early dinner into a night out on the town.  Time Out tip: Start at the bar with a couple of cocktails and an order of egg rolls, but don’t be surprised to find yourself moving to a table once the dishes you order start taking up all your elbow room. 

Named for the hwaro, a traditional Korean charcoal brazier that anchors Hwaro’s 13-course tasting menu, this intimate marble chef’s table is tucked inside chef Sungchul Shim’s Midtown steakhouse, Gui. The rounded counter seats just 22 guests, guaranteeing an up-close-and-personal view of the chefs at work on your meal. The price of the tasting menu, at $295 per person, puts this spot firmly in “special occasion” territory, and Shim does his part to make every occasion feel legitimately special.  The vibe: Intimate, secretive and exuding “quiet luxury,” the round marble counter lets you keep your focus on just two things: your date and the food. If you’re looking for something to keep the conversation going, just take a look around the room. Custom dishes accompany every course, and the walls are full of ceramics and sparkling mother-of-pearl inlays that will reward your attention to detail.  The food: A seasonal, market-driven tasting menu features luxurious ingredients like black truffles shaved over scallops, foie gras served with milkbread and rich jajang bordelaise spooned lovingly over bowls of comforting jook. Expect the menu to change frequently, although the hwaro will always remain at its heart.  The drinks: A list of wines by the glass makes it easy to pair with each course. Or ask your server to guide you towards one of their excellent bottles, which range in price from $100 to well into the thousands.  Time Out tip: Because it’s a tasting counter, expect the menu

This new Malaysian spot in Greenpoint from the team behind Hainan Chicken House in Sunset Park is worth a ride on the G train for the poached half chicken alone. Cooked in ginger, scallion and deep, dark soy, then served up with house-fermented chili and fragrant chicken rice, it might be one of your favorite dishes this year.  The vibe: Intimate and cinematically lit, you can clearly see the influence of co-owner Chris Low, who is also a filmmaker. Kelang retains the low-key coziness of the original Hainan Chicken House while upping the drama to make it a date-night destination.  The food: Comforting Malaysian dishes, like the pork trotter with dark soy and root tea, bring depth, while udon noodles with scallops, pork shoulder and prawns are extremely easy to love. (And of course, you can’t leave without tasting the aforementioned chicken.) Try to save room for their singular dessert, a malty Milo sundae with candied peanut brittle and toasted coconut.  The drinks: Kelang offers a full bar as well as nonalcoholic options, including Sarsi, a spicy Southeast Asian sarsaparilla soda, and calamansi limeade with ginger, honey and mint.  Time Out tip: If you’re feeling snacky, stop by for brunch: a plate of crispy curry puffs with mint chutney, flaky paratha with straciatella and sambal oil and a bowl of coconut curry will keep you going until dinnertime.