As the best restaurants in New York City (NYC) remind us, there’s never a lack of dining options in town: The buzz around where to eat, what’s new, and what’s good is never-ending. And thankfully, NYC is the king of restaurant buzz, meaning diners get to benefit from new culinary destinations on a daily basis. As you might imagine, the ten restaurants below (among the best the city has to offer) are just a few among many that have been stirring up buzz. Whether they’re new, revamped, or recently award-winning, each is sure to delight. We’ve included a variety of neighborhoods and price points to pick from – pro tip: don’t forget to check out Taureau for some of the best fondue you’ve ever had either – so there’s a little something for everyone. Date night or late night — get ready to dig in, as the best restaurants in New York won’t disappoint.
| Name | Location | Description |
| Momofuku Ko | 8 Extra Pl New York, NY 10003 |
Dining at Ko may cost a pretty penny, but fans of David Chang will appreciate the clever fare at this East Village spot. If you’re not looking to splurge on the complete tasting menu, the a la carte bar menu will please your palate. |
| Prune | 54 E 1st St # 1 New York, NY 10003 |
Prune was popular before, but chef Gabrielle Hamilton’s recent James Beard win has secured this restaurant’s notoriety. Be sure to leave room for dessert. You won’t find cold candied clementines or strawberry panna cotta like this anywhere else. |
| Una Pizza Napoletana | 175 Orchard St New York, NY 10002 |
You’ve had to wait nine years for the famed restaurant to return, but the new menu proves it was well-worth the wait. Naples-style pizza has never tasted so good, especially at the hands of Anthony Mangieri. |
| Legacy Records | 517 W 38th St New York, NY 10018 |
You wouldn’t recognize this restaurant from its humble roots as an old recording studio, as its opulent interior matches the carefully crafted dishes. Now, you can find elevated Mediterranean cuisine such as Raviolio Doppio and Duck for Two on the menu as well. |
| The Polynesian | 400 W 42nd St New York, NY 10036 |
Most people wouldn’t describe a tiki bar as refined or sublime, but The Polynesian breaks the mold. This spot is best for cocktails. Its sweet refreshments (served in boats) are the ideal afternoon pick-me-up. |
| Spicy Village | 68B Forsyth St New York, NY |
“Hole-in-the-wall” may be an understatement for this new Chinatown restaurant. You’ll get a lot of bang (or spice) for your buck. They have plenty of options for omnivores and vegetarians alike. The best bite on the go is definitely the pork sandwich. |
| Frenchette | 241 W Broadway New York, NY 10013 |
If you’re looking for upscale French fare in Tribeca, look no further. This new spot is serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, so there’s never a bad time to stop by. But if you are swinging by in the evening, be sure opt for the rotisserie lobster with curry beurre fondue for sure. |
| Davelle | 102 Suffolk St New York, NY 10002 |
This quaint Japanese cafe offers creative takes on comfort food. You can get Japanese style toast or Napolitan Spaghetti to ease your hunger and warm your heart in the Lower East Side. |
| Di An Di | 68 Greenpoint Ave Brooklyn, NY 11222 |
If you’re up for a trek to Greenpoint, then Di and Di is your destination. They specialize in Vietnamese cuisine, so of course, you have to order the pho. You can pick from one of five varieties to get your perfect fill. |
| Joe & Pat’s | 4503, 168 1st Avenue New York, NY 10009 |
This is the restaurant’s second location (the first being in Staten Island), and it’s just as good as the original. Pizza is what they’re known for, and of course what you should order. You can’t go wrong with options like Vodka, Margherita, or Shrimp Scampi. |
CHEAT SHEET
To read up more on the best restaurants to eat at in New York City (NYC), make sure to see:
Assistant Editor Ciara is a DC native and East Coast roamer with degrees in both English Professional Writing and Drama & Theatre Studies from Elon University. She's written for a variety of publications including Highway 64, Travel Writing at Elon, and Odyssey. More of her work can be found at ciaracorcoran.com.
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