The Best Restaurants in NYC for an Absolutely Unforgettable Meal
New York City is tops when it comes to culinary choices. You can pretty much get any type of food here, from mouth-watering dim sum to gourmet tasting menus at Michelin-starred restaurants - and everything in between (bagel with a schmear, anyone?). Here are some of the best restaurants in NYC where you can take a bite (or two) out of the Big Apple.
Best Steakhouses in NYC
Peter Luger Steak House - Williamsburg, Brooklyn
NYC has plenty of great steakhouses, but a true classic is Peter Luger, which has been serving up phonebook-sized steaks, along with baked potatoes and creamed spinach, since 1887. The wait staff has been there for years and won't think kindly of anyone ordering their steak well-done.
Keens Steakhouse - Midtown
Another quintessential NYC chophouse is Keens, just a few blocks from Herald Square. Tuck into your filet mignon or New York sirloin amid clubby mahogany paneling and Victorian-style wall sconces (and be sure to check out the collection of churchwarden pipes hanging from the ceiling).
Bowery Meat Company - East Village
One of NYC's contemporary steakhouses, Bowery Meat Company serves everything from lamb chops and wagyu meatballs to short rib ravioli and duck lasagne, and, of course, plenty of juicy steaks, including a grilled ribeye, filet mignon, and 40-ounce T-bone Florentine for two.
Cote - Flatiron District
This steakhouse and Korean barbecue hybrid from Simon Kim has been getting attention since it opened last year. The signature dish is the butcher's feast, which comes with prime cuts of beef (which patrons cook on their own at the in-table grill), traditional Korean side dishes called banchan, salads, stews, and more.
Best Italian Restaurants in NYC
Marea - Midtown
New York has so many top-notch Italian restaurants, but one of the standouts is Marea, an upscale Italian seafood restaurant from celebrity chef Michael White. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but the braised octopus and bone marrow fusilli practically have a cult following.
Del Posto - Chelsea
Located in Chelsea, Del Posto is an upscale bi-level Italian restaurant in west Chelsea. Design elements include a central marble staircase, rich woodwork, and gold accents, and the menu features delicious house-made pastas like gnocchi with caviar and spaghetti with sea urchin.
Carbone - Greenwich Village
This trendy red-sauce joint, in a retro-glam space in Greenwich Village, is from the Major Food Group, which also has Parm and Santina's (and is now in charge of the food operations at the old Four Seasons restaurant). Try Italian classics like veal marsala and vodka rigatoni.
Lilia - Williamsburg, Brooklyn
At Missy Robbins' Lilia, you can tuck into homemade pastas (like fettuccine with spicy lamb sausage and ricotta gnocchi) and grilled dishes (like swordfish with marinated sweet and hot peppers). The wine list has selections from Piemonte, Tuscany, and other Italian wine-making regions.
Best Seafood and Sushi Restaurants in NYC
Nobu Downtown - Tribeca
There are plenty of fab sushi spots to choose from, but Nobu is a classic. Nobu Matsuhisa's sushi mecca recently moved to a new location with snazzy new interiors, but you can still find classics on the menu - like black cod with miso, rock shrimp tempura, and yellowtail jalapeño rolls.
Le Bernadin - Midtown
Michelin-starred Le Bernadin is consistently ranked as one of the top restaurants in NYC. Pan-roasted monkfish with a chorizo infusion, crab-filled calamari in a smoked tomato broth, and baked lobster in a red wine sauce are a few of the sublime dishes found on chef/owner Eric Ripert's menu.
Kanoyama - East Village
In addition to the melt-in-your-mouth sushi and sashimi (golden cuttlefish and red snapper from Japan are often on the menu), Kanoyama - which recently earned a Michelin star - also serves shrimp dumplings and steamed egg custard, and, for dessert, mochi ice cream.
John Dory Oyster Bar - NoMad
When in NYC, you should make the pilgrimage to the Oyster Bar in Grand Central for clam chowder and oysters, but for a more contemporary experience, try The John Dory Oyster Bar, where you can dine on East and West oysters, littleneck clams, blue prawns, and other tasty shellfish.
Best Pizza Places in NYC
Roberta's - Bushwick, Brooklyn
NYC is ground zero for delish pizza, and one of the top spots is Roberta's, which serves wood-fired oven Neapolitan-style pizza. Order a classic like the Margarita, or try the Speckenwolf, topped with mozzarella, cremini mushrooms, and paper-thin slices of prosciutto-like speck.
John's Pizzeria of Bleecker Street - West Village
This family-run neighborhood pizzeria, founded by John Sasso, has been serving pies (but no slices!) since 1929. Amid graffitied walls and a black-and-white checkered floor, you can dig into some serious brick-oven pizza - get the plain, or add classic toppings like pepperoni or sausage.
Lucali - Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
It's all about the thin-crust pizza at this Brooklyn hotspot (Beyoncé and Jay-Z are fans). You can't go wrong with a plain pie topped with fresh basil, but if you're not feeling the pizza vibe, you can order a ricotta cheese calzone. Remember, Lucali is BYOB, so be sure to bring your own vino.
Rosemary's Pizza - West Village
The popular Rosemary's in the West Village has branched out to pizza and opened a standalone spot that serves wood-fired Neapolitan-style pies. The custom-blend flour is from Wild Hive Farm in upstate New York, and toppings are super fresh and seasonal - they include everything from oyster mushrooms to broccoli rabe.
Best Burgers in NYC
The Happiest Hour - West Village
When you're in need of a well-made cocktail and juicy burger, head to The Happiest Hour, a tropical-inspired lounge done up with palm tree wallpaper and tiki tchotchkes. The burger, on a toasted bun, is stacked with two patties, and it comes with a generous portion of melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and its signature onion confit.
Minetta Tavern - Greenwich Village
Who doesn't love a good burger? Thankfully, NYC is burger heaven, so you won't be lacking for choice. For a gourmet burger, head to Minetta Tavern, where you can indulge yourself by ordering the Black Label burger - a custom dry-aged rib-steak blend, topped with caramelized onions.
P.J. Clarke's - Upper East Side and Other Locations
If you're in the Financial District or by Lincoln Center, you should definitely stop in for a burger, but to get the full experience, visit the original P.J. Clarke's on Third Avenue. Dating from 1884, this classic saloon offers eight tasty burgers, including the BBQ Bleu and Wagyu Bacon Cheddar.
Spotted Pig - West Village
This trendy gastropub from Michelin-starred British chef April Bloomfield is known for its burger - a chargrilled short-rib-blend patty topped with roquefort cheese on a baked bun and served with shoestring fries. It also has a nice craft beer selection, including a Spotted Pig bitter.
J.G. Melon - Upper East Side
Like P.J. Clarke's, J.G. Melon has several NYC outposts, but the original - a classic preppy hangout - is on the Upper East Side. Its griddled beef patty topped with American cheese on a toasted potato bun hits the spot, and you can go big by adding bacon and sautéed mushrooms.
Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in NYC
Champs Diner - Bushwick, Brooklyn
Even meat-eaters appreciate the yummy offerings at the many next-level vegan restaurants in NYC. At Champs, a fun retro diner, you can fuel up on comfort foods like whipped cream-topped Belgian waffles and fried "chicken" sandwiches. And be sure to try a classic milkshake!
Blossom - Chelsea
Blossom is a great restaurant that just happens to be vegan (there's also a branch on the Upper West Side). Standout dishes include butternut squash gnocchi and pine-nut-crusted eggplant. On the go? Stop by Blossom Du Jour, an all-vegan takeout started by one of the restaurant's owners (multiple locations).
Red Bamboo - Greenwich Village
Red Bamboo is a small, affordable vegan powerhouse popular with NYU students that's known for its mock meats and faux fish - be sure to try the barbecue Buffalo "wings" and "crab" rangoons, and the Thai "beef" curry and signature panko-breaded soy chicken nuggets are pretty tasty, too.
Candle 79 - Upper East Side
If you're looking for a fine-dining vegan restaurant, you can't go wrong with Candle 79, an Upper East Side staple. The elegant bi-level restaurant excels with meatless dishes like stuffed zucchini blossoms and wild mushroom crepes. There's also an impressive organic beer and wine list.
Michelin-Starred Musts in NYC
Eleven Madison Park - Flatiron District
Not only does chef Daniel Humm's temple to haute cuisine have three Michelin stars, but the contemporary French restaurant also took top honors on the 2017 annual list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, making Eleven Madison Park the best restaurant in the world for that year.
Agern - Midtown
Serving modern Scandinavian cuisine, Agern (owned by Noma co-founder Claus Meyer) is hidden behind the pop-up Great Northern Food Hall in Grand Central, and it has an almost speakeasy-like vibe. At this one-starred Michelin spot, you can order a la carte or opt for the tasting menu.
Faro - Bushwick, Brooklyn
This minimalist hotspot, which holds a Michelin star, is housed in a former warehouse in Bushwick. The chef is Kevin Adey, who honed his skills at Le Bernadin and is known for his homemade pastas using local grains from New York state farms - standout dishes include rigatoni with a short rib ragu and bucatini with chicken confit.
Uncle Boons - Nolita
This Michelin-starred spot in Nolita is owned by Per Se alums Ann Redding and Matt Danzer. There are large plates, but you can sample more by ordering a bunch of shared plates, such as green curry snails with crispy garlic and a spicy rotisserie chicken salad. Plus, it'll all go down even better with a Thai beer or Muay Thai punch.
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