Rachel Pelz

Little Italy technically occupies just three blocks of Mulberry Street. Still, its best-in-the-world pizzerias, Italian restaurants and charming bakeries filled with some of New York’s best cookies, cannoli and cheesecake still inspire all of New York City’s culinary imagination. The spirit of the neighborhood’s immigrant roots spills into nearby Nolita, Soho and Chinatown, where you can still get a taste of New York City as it used to be—and the New York of the future.  Little Italy institutions like Ferrara, where the lines stretch around the block to try a cannoli; Parisi, whose fresh bread and big-as-your-head sandwiches are the thing lunch dreams are made of; and Lombardi’si pizzeria, where the first pizza ever made in the United States was pulled out of the oven, have been around for over a hundred years. Now, they’re joined by newcomers dishing up pizza as reimagined by Eleven Madison Park alums and even a Thai diner slinging fries dripping with coconut milk and massaman curry. Whether you’re looking for a place to sip a strong espresso or smash a late-night pie with clams and parsley, we’ve scoured Mott Street to bring you the best of the best of the beloved neighborhood.  July 2025: It’s peak tourist season in NYC, which means the lines are long, the sidewalks are crowded, and the double-decker buses just keep coming. Just remember your mantra: it’s a pizza “crawl,” not a pizza race. This year brought Ceres to the scene, which reimagines all the classic ingredients (

The hot dog is right up there with a slice of pizza as one of NYC’s most iconic street foods. Traditionally served along the beach in Coney Island and from late-night street vendors to seekers of cheap eats, the humble frankfurter has increasingly been found on high-end menus across the city. It’s also been reimagined by chefs at Mexican restaurants and cocktail bars, where they add exciting ingredients to the traditional snack. Here in New York, you can find chili cheese dogs, Chicago dogs with spicy sport peppers and, of course, the classic New York dog you’re craving. Whether you’re looking to try the newest fad or want a taste of tradition, we’ve rounded up the 15 very best hot dogs in NYC.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC July 2025: We removed Feltman's and Huerta's as they have closed. We also removed Dickson's Farmstand Meats, Frankel's, Kings of Kobe Jongro Rice Hot Dog, Mile End Deli, Lilistar and Portrait Bar. We added Mortiz. 

Whether you’re after amazing views of the New York skyline, an ocean breeze off the beach or a happy hour with your favorite co-workers that feels like a mini vacation, head to one of the best waterfront restaurants in NYC. You can go super nautical and have a drink on a boat bar or take a dinner cruise, or DIY it and grab some cheap eats to have a romantic picnic on a park bench along the shoreline. Our favorite way to celebrate summer in the city is to make a reservation at one of the city’s very best restaurants along the waterfront—whether it’s on the Hudson River, the East River or overlooking the Atlantic Ocean—and remind ourselves that New York is, believe it or not, surrounded by water. We’ve rounded up the best waterfront restaurants in NYC right now to eat, drink and enjoy the New York shoreline and skyline. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in New York

Looking for a dinner reservation with a view? While NYC has some of the best rooftop bars and restaurants and plenty of amazing waterfront dining options, nothing can beat a NYC dinner cruise for an up-close glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge and more of the Big Apple's skyline icons. A summer sunset in New York is made for toasting to friends and families on boat bars, and we’ve rounded up the very best ways to set sail this season. Choose from casual buffet meals, a five-course plated dinner with dancing and formal wear on a luxury yacht, or even a DIY dinner on the (totally free!) Staten Island Ferry—the best dinner cruises in NYC are the ideal way to enjoy the Hudson River, East River and New York Harbor. With tickets at every price point, you can celebrate happy hour with your co-workers, book a special family adventure with a meal that rivals NYC’s best restaurants or even pop the question against the breathtaking backdrop of Gotham at night.  This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 11—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.

Every cuisine has its own take on the delicious dumpling: there's plump Chinese jiaozi, Polish pierogi, Korean mandu, Uyghur manty, the Italian ravioli. Stuffed with meat, seafood or veggies inside a layer of tender dough and then dipped into sauce, they’re one of the most transcendently satisfying foods to eat at any meal. We love them served via carts at lunchtime at NYC’s best dim sum restaurants, served on a turntable at a family-style dinner at a Chinatown restaurant or even dipped in butter along the boardwalks of Brighton Beach.  Whether you’re planning a weekend-long dumpling crawl or just want to pinpoint the exact location of New York’s biggest xiao long bao, these are the very best NYC has to offer. Clear your calendar and get ready to eat your way through translucent tapioca bánh bột lọc and crispy fried dollar dumplings. Don’t forget to bring your straw—you’re gonna need it for those soup dumplings!

Every day across the five boroughs, food & bev establishments make their play to attract you—yes, you—with a few scant hours of cheap deals. We’re talking happy hour and, if you ask me, a native New Yorker with over a decade of bartending under my belt, there’s no reason to play hard-to-get. Maybe these bars and restaurants are trying to woo you with a few bucks off the top, a lagniappe on your order, an oh-so-special menu—a lot of places shoot their shot, but only a few really hit.  Look, if you’re content to hold off enjoying yourself until weekend evenings when nearly all of the best spots pack to the rafters and you’re paying through the nose to catch a buzz, knock yourself out. But if you’re smart, you’ll jump on an opportunity when you see it. To that end, below you’ll find some of the best happy hours across the city and the deals therein. Cocktailing, food, wine and beer, there’s a little something for everyone. Just keep in mind: once the word is out, no deal lasts (especially a great one) so don’t delay.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

There are plenty of old school romantic restaurants in NYC—you know, the kind of place where you drop an engagement ring into a bubbly glass of Champagne—but there’s a whole new class of romance in the city, too. These spots are some of the best new restaurants, serving up incredible cocktails alongside inventive cooking. When you really need to impress your date, ditch the sweatpants and your regular pizza meet or night at the local dive bar and make it a night to remember. Start by scoring the reservation (crucial), then eat your way through a menu made for sharing. Only then can you pop the question…or apologize for that thing you did.  Whether you’re looking for an old school, Lady-and-the-Tramp-style Italian classic, a French feeling of amour sans fin or a table at one of the buzziest new restaurants in NYC, we’ve made it easy for you to set the stage for romance. Order classic aphrodisiacs like oysters and red wine, or find a new way to fall in love with palm cakes, poached radishes and a baked Alaska for two.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC Updated as of January 2025: We added La Tete d'or, Le Crocodile, San Sabino and Theodora. 

New York City’s dim sum scene has spread far from Manhattan’s Chinatown. While Mott Street is where you can still find some of New York’s very best Chinese restaurants, the Chinatowns in Flushing and Sunset Park–and beyond–offer some of the very best dim sum in the city. Whether you’re meeting up with a big group of friends or taking family out to see the sights, sipping tea and gorging on an endless array of dim sum is one of the best ways to spend a weekend morning or afternoon in NYC.  Some dim sum restaurants use the iconic rolling carts to serve all those jiggling dumplings, pork buns and turnip cakes through chandeliered halls, while others offer counter service and even delivery for a little dim sum in bed on a Sunday morning. With spots including a hundred-year-old restaurant on Doyers and the world’s most inexpensive Michelin-starred restaurant, we’ve rounded up the very best dim sum in NYC to try right now. RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best restaurants in NYC Updated January 2025: We added Bamboo Garden and Jing Fong. 

Sorry, Cronuts and Cereal Milk soft serves — cheesecake might just be New York City’s most iconic dessert. Fluffy, creamy, sweet and tart, that graham-cracker crust and tangy filling is beloved all over the five boroughs. Stuffed with candied citrus and ricotta in Little Italy, towering over three inches high and weighing as much as a newborn at a Brooklyn deli and reimagined for vegan eaters uptown, each slice represents both the past and future of NYC’s best desserts. Whether you want to be transported back to the New York of the early 1900s or try a new twist from one of NYC’s best bakeries, we’ve found the 14 very best cheesecakes for you to try in NYC right now.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC  

Few things are better than a cup of coffee from one of New York City’s best coffee shops, but a sweet, rich, marshmallow-topped hot chocolate is definitely close. Served alongside imaginative cookies and pastries at the city’s best bakeries or even as a hot cocktail on a frosty night out, a good hot chocolate features the finest coca, surprising mix-ins and deliciously ooey-gooey toppings. Our favorites also showcase the work of the city’s best chocolate shops, melting milk, dark and white bars into the perfect drink to sip as you stroll around the city. Grab your scarf, your gloves and your cup—and don’t forget the ‘mallows! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best restaurants in NYC  

Some of NYC’s best restaurants feature Middle Eastern favorites: spicy kebabs, creamy baba ganoush and classic falafel sandwiches can be found on menus all over the city. From Astoria to Bay Ridge and everywhere in between, Middle Eastern fare is just as satisfying at a fine dining destination as it is when you stop for cheap eats after a night out on the town. Whether you’re craving kibbeh from Lebanon, stuffed Kurdish dumplings or a bubbling pan of shakshuka at brunch, you can find the best of NYC’s Middle Eastern dishes at these 12 restaurants.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Yes, we’re all tired of standing in line for the hottest new food in NYC. And yet, here we are, still waiting under the blazing sun for the chance to score a pie from the new pizza shop Ceres. After a buzzy opening due to the quality of the slices and the pedigree of the chefs (how often do Eleven Madison Park alums open a slice shop?), a nod from Dave Portnoy’s viral pizza reviews and a shout-out from Jimmy Fallon made it nearly impossible to get your hands on a pie.  Now that the folks at Ceres have become more accustomed to being the belle of the pizza ball, they’ve got a good system for slinging ‘em out from their tiny oven on Mott Street. You’ll have to show up hours before you’re ready to eat (they open at 11:30am), wait for your chance to put your name down inside their frills-free shop, and then wait…again. The menu is limited, but you’ll just have to trust the process.  Go for the white pie, topped with crème fraîche, sweet onions and salty, buttery pancetta, and then covered with a celebratory handful of chive confetti. The cheese, too, is a classic, but never plain, packed with San Marzano tomatoes and firm, fresh scamorza and then finished with half-melted, sharp-ish cheese and pocked with little burnt bubbles from the oven’s heat. Every pie is served on top of a crust inspired by the crispy-crunchy, airy-chewy joy of baguettes.  Pie prices can soar to $60—the ‘nduja, made with pork, burrata and aged balsamic for a spicy-and-sweet bite, is the spendiest—so be prep

While Little Italy might be an unlikely neighborhood for a Thai diner, Thai Diner makes the case for swapping out your morning cannoli and cappuccino for congee, coconut pancakes, and Thai iced tea. From the folks who brought you the late, great Uncle Boons, the menu brings back that restaurant’s best hits—like their crab fried rice with spicy seafood nam prik and a gooey, gigantic coconut sundae—while introducing new dishes that loom just as large in our imaginations.  The space is cozy and welcoming, with hanging lanterns above and the plates at the next table close enough that you might be tempted to reach out and grab a steaming Thai disco fry from your neighbor’s plate while you wait for your order to come out of the kitchen. We wouldn’t blame you if you did: the dish, one of Thai Diner’s knockouts, comes hot and salty, dripping with massaman curry and coconut cream and piled with peanuts and pickled peppercorns.  Stop by for an early-bird breakfast from 8:30am to 11am, which features sweet-and-salty dishes like Thai tea, Babka French toast, and soy-anise eggs, or soak up a Saturday night on the town with tapioca dumplings in a spicy dipping sauce and a standout phat see ew served with vinegared chilies. Whenever you come, make sure to save room for dessert—the eminently photographable strawberry chrysanthemum “monster cake” comes with scary-cute eyes, a mouth and a surprising layer of bright green jelly, and the Uncle Boon’s coconut sundae is packed with coconut gelato,

Many words have been spilled about Ferrara’s cannoli and delicate, sweet-savory sfogliatella since they first opened in 1892, to say nothing of the pounds of flour and sugar that have hit the floor in the past 133 years. Grab your treats to go from the glass cases filled with colorful cookies, or sit and sip a limoncello or sambuca while you savor a slice of torta da ricotta or Italian rum cake in the shop.  Whether you’re staying or not, make sure to try the cannoli that Ferrara is known for. (One is a cannolo, two are cannoli and three, as they say, is a delicious crowd.) They’re a classic for a reason: creamy, sweet ricotta, studded with chips and served in a crisp, sugar-dusted shell or dunked in melted chocolate. Grab a box of jammy, nutty rainbow cookies to take with you—you can say they’re to share when you get home, but they’ll make the perfect pick-me-up while you walk around the city.  The vibe: Adorably old-fashioned, with the classic decor and menu that attracts tourists from all over the world.  The food: Fresh-made pastries from recipes that have stood the test of time.  The drink: Strong cappuccinos and stiff sambucas to take the edge off a day spent sightseeing.  Time Out tip: Grab a gift box and consider your souvenir shopping complete—or eat ‘em all on the subway. Your secret’s safe with us. 

Want a cold brew with a side of … fruit? Not As Bitter specializes in coffee that’s sweet, tart and anything but bitter. Cold brew shaken with fresh grapes, a durian latte and even a “Butter Beer”—that’s coffee and syrup whipped into a sweet and creamy foam—star on their menu, which changes with the seasons. The colorful cups look good on the ‘gram, but they’re also legitimately delicious. While we like a cup of bitter, black coffee first thing in the morning, a fresh strawberry matcha makes for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.  RECOMMENDED: This new LES coffee shop serves a butter beer worthy of Harry Potter

Serving up Sey and Uncommon beans, this coffee shop is one for the coffee-heads. It’s also one for the egg sandwich fanatics. Their gigantic version features pimento cheese, green tomatoes and paprika mayo, turning the classic bodega BEC into a destination-worthy meal. The cafe’s interior is small and slick-ly designed (the owners of Che also run the cool-kind wine bar Daughter and concept shop Sincerely, Tommy), so it’s one of our top picks for impressing on a getting-to-know-you coffee date.

Chef Julian Medina has conquered Mexican and Cuban restaurants—now, he’s turning to Italian food. In a cozy townhouse on the UES, he’s serving up his take on the traditional cuisine. Try zucchini blossoms stuffed with cheese and Calabrian chilis, arancini with black truffle and even a spicy pizza topped with sweet peaches. Bring a date to twirl up some pasta—their Sunday gravy, which is made with beef cheeks and slow-cooked tomato sugo, is thankfully served every day—and order from their martini menu or peruse the entirely Italian wine list. 

This new spot in a modern office tower serves up Sichuan and Hunan food—the spicier, the better. It’s an upscale-ish spot to bring a date, especially since it doubles as a cocktail lounge. Their specialty is baijiu (a spirit often made from, you guessed it, sorghum), and you can try it in their take on a Negroni, a sling or in a flight of four. Pair your baijiu with some dim sum to share—we like the crispy taro puffs and the spicy wings with garlic.

Open 24 hours a day from Tuesday to Saturday, this Korean comfort food spot offers up spicy hot pot, noodles and K-barbecue. If you’re stopping by after a late night out (ahem), you may be compelled to order up the hangover soup: made with dried pollack, pork bones and greens, it’ll fortify you to face the day ahead. It’s a perfect spot for big groups, so don’t be surprised to see a bachelorette party stop by fresh from a karaoke lounge.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by BOBO🍬Foodie (@bobo_foodie.ny)

It’s tough to find Cambodian food in NYC, but you can get a bite on the Upper East Side. At Bayon (which was recently opened by the owners of the beloved Angkor, and in the same location), order the prahok, the salted, fermented fish paste that adds an umami burst to every bite, and the baked amok, which is one of Cambodia’s best-known dishes. This souffle-like meal is steamed, fragrant with scallops, coconut milk and lemongrass, and totally transportive.

Late night or early morning, Cuban breakfast always hits. Grab an order of sweet pan dulce, an omelet topped with ham and cheese or French toast smothered with banana, nuts and gooey peach jam. They’re known for their sandwiches, too, with a solid Cubano that rings up at just $6 (a total bargain, as the line will prove) along with mofongo served with shrimp, chicharrón and other proteins. With a stubbornly affordable menu and always-open hours, the place is usually packed with local regulars for you to rub shoulders with.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Floridita Restaurant (@floriditanyc)

Pasta Louise, situated along a fairly quiet stretch of South Slope’s 8th Avenue, was basically purpose-built for parents. It’s allergen-friendly, super laid back and you certainly won’t be the only table dining with two or three generations of family. Every night, they serve a single homemade pasta shape—you get to choose the sauce and the toppings, including meatballs, homemade ricotta and a silky, salty cacio e pepe. The food menu is as full of crowd-pleasers as the drink menu, which offers a selection of spritzes designed for moms to love. 

This elevated neighborhood spot turns the classics (think burgers, a big chopped salad) into parent-pleasing delights. In the early evening hours, the intimate tables are full of young parents and their toddlers, but as the night grows later, don’t be surprised if you see a celeb sitting down for dinner. Make sure to finish the night with a slice of seven-layer cake, which might be the best thing on the menu. It’s technically sized for two, but if you want to let Mom and Dad share and get your own, we wouldn’t blame you.  This is the sister restaurant to Gertie.