Victoria Marin

Sure–celebrating Cinco de Mayo satisfies any South-of-the-Border craving, but why reserve the city’s best margaritas in NYC for just one day? It's always time for tequila, especially when shaken up with a hit of spice or swirled with sweet watermelon. Hit NYC’s best Mexican restaurants for some serious agave spirits, or down them alongside some of Gotham's best tacos. Fair warning, though: You're gonna want a pitcher.   RECOMMENDED: Full guide to cocktails in NYC Updated May 2025: We added Gueros Brooklyn, Fresco's Cantina, Oyamael and Superbueno. We removed the Black Ant as it closed, La Contenta, La Loncheria and Kokomo. 

The one thing you’ll catch New Yorkers being humble about–self-deprecating, even–is our Mexican food. NYC locals will demure to west coasters before muttering under our breath about the pizza, bagels and inimitable tap water that’s said to make this city’s food so great. But our very own Mexican culinary landscape has gone from good to great and then some over the years, and we, too, have plenty to boast about. Here’s where to find the very best Mexican food in NYC right now. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC April 2025: We added Carnitas Ramirez, Mariscos El Submarino, Mayahuel and Nene's Taqueria. We removed Dos Toros, Empellón al Pastor and Molé. 

While the bagel is most prominently featured in things that New Yorkers love and that are round and good, the doughnut is close behind it. Whether you spell it as donut or doughnut, this round ring of sweetness is a treat as old as time (and can be eaten at any time) whether during an early morning commute or a late night treat.  If you've been hunting through the city’s best bakeries and coffee shops for the best doughnut in NYC, look no further. We've compiled a handy list of where to find the most exemplary fried rings, including a spot in a Staten Island strip mall and brioche-based treats from the brick-and-mortar offshoot of a beloved online bakery. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dessert, these are NYC’s best outposts for doughnuts. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best restaurants in NYC

With an embarrassment of riches when it comes to brunch options, finding Manhattan’s very best can feel like an Odyssian undertaking. With choices oscillating between breakfast and lunch, caffeinated and boozy, uptown and down, choices are truly unending. Informed by years of intrepid brunching across the five boroughs (someone has to do it), I’ve consolidated this baker’s dozen of the best places for brunch in the city’s busiest borough (we humbly offer a lineup of the best spots across the river in Brooklyn, too), where you’ll find everything from griddle classics at casual cafes to fancy foods at some of the best restaurants in NYC. RECOMMENDED: See more restaurants for the best brunch in NYC

Like most New Yorkers, I find breakfast to be a feast-or-famine kind of sport. On those snooze-button days, if we’re lucky, it might mean just grabbing a bagel to devour along with a few quick gulps of coffee on your morning commute. On the days when we have the good, albeit less frequent, luck of having more time to spare, a leisurely brunch and its promise of booze and decadence may be on the menu. Either way, some of the world’s best takes on the most important meal of the day can be found right here in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

New York City is famous for its incredible dining scene, home to some of the best restaurants in the world. But if you think top-tier dining and kids don’t mix, think again. While there are plenty of gimmicky spots that focus more on entertainment than cuisine, many restaurants manage to strike the perfect balance between being fun for kids and serving genuinely great food. These kid-friendly restaurants in NYC ensure that both parents and little ones have an enjoyable experience. At these spots, kids will be excited to dig in, and parents won’t have to settle for bland, uninspired meals. Expect high-quality dishes, a welcoming atmosphere and menus that cater to even the pickiest eaters. Whether you're craving pizza, tacos, burgers or a more adventurous dining experience, there are countless places across the city that accommodate families without sacrificing taste. Some restaurants offer playful themes, interactive dining experiences or spacious outdoor seating, making them ideal for kids to explore while parents relax. So gather the family and get ready to enjoy a delicious meal in one of the most vibrant food cities in the world.

New York City's brilliant Black community is constantly making this town one of the best places to live, creating incredible spaces for culture and art to flourish and opening expertly crafted restaurants and bars. If you're looking for a way to support Black-owned businesses, these amazing restaurants created, owned and run by Black New Yorkers are an excellent place to start.  Updated February 2025: We've added A&A Bake Shop, Angel of Harlem, Brown Butter Craft Bar & Kitchen, Cuts & Slices, Datz's Deli, Dept of Culture, HAAM, Ramen By Ra, Red Rooster, Tatiana and Sugar Hill Creamery.

New York City is home to some of the most lauded, iconic restaurants in the world. And for good reason, the best restaurants in NYC represent a rainbow of cuisines and approaches, and buzzy new restaurants pop up on a regular basis, constantly giving New Yorkers something new and exciting to try. But it’s the old beloved spots that have stood the test of time and served generations of fans, that have become known as the most famous restaurants in the city. From high end steakhouses to casual delis, these classic Gotham restaurants are spots that everyone—both locals and visitors alike—should try at least once.

The Bronx is more than just home to those pinstriped Yanks. It’s also home to the city’s real Little Italy, and subsequently some of the best pizza in NYC, as well as some exemplary interpretations of the global foods that well represent the Boogie Down’s rich diversity. So grab a pint at one of the borough’s top-rate beer halls, and toast to the best restaurants and bars in the Bronx. RECOMMENDED: The full guide to the Bronx

There's something for every occasion at the best Greenwich Village restaurants: whether you're an NYU student looking for a quick bite between class, a meal close to the Union Square farmer's market or provisions for a picnic in Washington Square Park. Think high-end locavore-based brasseries, acclaimed falafel joints and fast-casual Neopolitan pizza havens. Whether you’re craving a platter of oysters on the half-shell or the famed spicy rigatoni at one of the best Italian restaurants in NYC, we are here to help feed you. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best restaurants in NYC Update (December 2024): This time, we added John’s on Bleecker, Auntie Guan’s, NY Dosa’s, Chloe on Bleecker and Acru to our list!

Thanksgiving in NYC is an especially high-spirited time of the year: from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to Friendsgiving festivities galore to plenty of opportunities to sample the gamut of the city’s best pies. Not looking to set off the fire alarms in your shoebox apartment this year? Well you’re in luck, some of the best restaurants in NYC are open this holiday. Here are some of our favorites. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Thanksgiving in NYC

Finally, Indian food is in control of its own story. Tired of pandering to Western tastes (butter chicken, we are talking to you), Indian restaurateurs are boldly exploring regional specialties of their homelands, and they are graciously inviting us for the ride. From fine dining to street snacks, these are the best Indian restaurants NYC has to offer.  In our most recent update, we added Bungalow, Semma, Junoon and Kanyakumari. Amma and Rahi have closed. RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best restaurants in NYC

Every single creation at Alimama is a spectacle: a gorgeous symphony of color, design and taste that makes as much for a gorgeous photo as it does a delicious experience. The highlights here are the gluten-free mochi donuts, which are infused with flavors like salted caramel Nutella and matcha toasted rice crispies.

Step away from the chaos of SoHo’s bustling streets and into Odd Sister, a cafe that is at once cool and sophisticated and cozy and casual. Brunch, which is available every day of the week here, includes decadent takes on a breakfast sandwich made with everything bagel-seasoned focaccia, Manchego and thick cut bacon, a French omelet with tomato, caramelized onions and Gruyère, and pancakes topped with brûlée bananas, candied nuts, caramel and vanilla cream.

With entree selections like a crab cake Benedict and fried chicken and shrimp waffle, seafood lovers who love sweet sips are in luck. For $60, Sweet Catch offers guests their choice of entree and 90 minutes of unlimited mimosas and “bellies,” both of which are available in the usual orange and peach flavors in addition to strawberry, mango and passionfruit.    

This new kid on the Upper West Side block is the first NYC outpost of a beloved Connecticut brand known for its outstanding takes on its namesake menu item. But don’t stop at the granola (of which there are three distinct flavors), as the homey and hearty savory dishes are out of this world, too. Go for The Heisenberg or the huevos rancheros for an especially tasty and filling meal.

It’s a family affair at this tiny shop with a big heart in Bed Stuy, where the couple at the helm are supported by various relatives in keeping their “contemporary food for the soul” endeavor alive. While they’re perhaps best known for the duck leg confit mac n cheese bowl that first put them on the map, if you find yourself there on the weekend, try one of their brunch-only menu items, like cornbread French toast or biscuits and chicken sausage gravy.