9 Great Restaurants in New York
Where to Eat in New York and What to Try?
These great New York restaurants allow you to get a taste of the city’s exciting gastro scene. Hungry diners can easily stumble upon a fantastic place to eat in every part of the city. The Big Apple truly does have it all when it comes to eating, whether you’re in search of a late-night food truck, a lively market, or a classic bistro with 5-star service. This culturally rich and ever-changing city offers flavors from across the globe using fresh ingredients sourced locally.
Exploring New York’s restaurants is also a fun way to get to know its distinct neighbourhoods and history, as some of these venues have been operating for decades. Here’s a small sample of some of the city’s best eating spots, from Greenwich Village to the Flatiron District.
What are the greatest restaurants in New York?
1. Le Bernardin
Fine French fare in the Theater District
Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury
Le Bernardin has been an elegant presence in New York City’s dining scene since it opened in the Equitable Building near Times Square in the mid-1980s. Today, it’s managed by a celebrity chef known for his role as a guest judge on Top Chef. His flair for creating French seafood dishes with touches of Asian and international flavors have made the restaurant a long-running favorite with diners and critics alike. Its the recipient of three Michelin stars.
Featuring only 32 tables, reservations are essential at Le Bernardin, which opens for lunch and dinner. You can opt for one of several tasting menus, though we recommend the 4-course menu for a variety of seafood dishes and an extensive wine list with pairing options.
Location: 155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from midday to 2.30 pm and from 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday from midday to 2.30 pm and 5 pm to 11 pm, Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm (closed on Sunday)
Phone: +1 212-554-1515
Le Bernardin
2. The Modern
Luxurious dining at the Museum of Modern Art
Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury
The Modern is a Michelin-starred restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where diners enjoy contemporary French/American fare while taking in views of a gorgeous sculpture garden. Book a table by the kitchen to watch the chefs artfully prepare their dishes for their 4-course prix fixe and 8-course tasting menus, or sit in the Bar Room and try the small-plate specialties.
The Modern’s staff are known for being knowledgeable and highly attentive, with excellent tableside service and expert wine pairing suggestions.
Location: 9 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 12 pm to 2.30 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 12 pm to 2.30 pm and 5 pm to 9.30 pm
Phone: +1 212-333-1220
The Modern
3. Gramercy Tavern
New American plates in the Flatiron District
Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury
Gramercy Tavern is an excellent New York restaurant with a strong focus on farm-to-table fare and warm hospitality. You could go for a seafood platter, burger, or a selection of appetisers and desserts in the pub-style room out front. For more of a splurge, and to enjoy a bigger range of seasonal offerings, try the tasting menu in its elegant dining space.
The menu features American delicacies made from locally sourced ingredients. Standout dishes include lamb ravioli and roasted duck breast with apples, squash and mushroom. It’s the recipient of one Micheline star.
Location: 42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003, USA
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 10.30 pm
Phone: +1 212-477-0777
Gramercy Tavern
4. Keens Steakhouse
A classic Midtown spot for meat lovers
Good for: Food, History, Luxury
Keens Steakhouse has been serving its signature porterhouse steaks and mutton chops since 1885. Diners can enjoy a classic setting of white tablecloths, dark-wood paneling, and subtle lighting. Thousands of churchwarden pipes lining the ceiling recall the days when gentlemen would come here and smoke their pipes over leisurely lunches or while sipping Scotch or martinis.
Keens Steakhouse also serves fish, lobster, burgers, and a range of appetisers and desserts. This iconic New York restaurant is always busy, so reservations are recommended.
Location: 72 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018, USA
Open: Monday–Friday from 11.45 am to 10.30 pm, Saturday from 5 pm to 10.30 pm, Sunday from 5 pm to 9.30 pm
Phone: +1 212-947-3636
Keens Steakhouse
5. Time Out Market New York
Trendy food hall featuring the city’s best chefs
Good for: Families, Food, Group
Time Out Market is a huge food hall that brings together the talents of some of New York’s top chefs under one roof in Brooklyn’s Dumbo district. Conceived by the media company that publishes the namesake lifestyle magazine, it features 21 restaurants, a tri bars, and a demo cooking section in a space spanning 24,000 sq ft.
Sit down for a full meal at notable restaurants like Jacob’s Pickles, Mr Taka Ramen, the Migrant Kitchen, and Clinton St. Baking Company. Time Out Market also hosts several live music shows and events throughout the year.
Location: 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 8 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 917-810-4855
Time Out Market New York
6. John’s of Bleecker Street
Long-running pizzeria in Greenwich Village
Good for: Families, History, Food
John’s of Bleecker Street is a classic New York pizzeria, serving delicious brick oven-baked pizzas since 1929. This West Village favorite is a fine spot to stop for thin-crust pizzas such as ‘Jimmy Gambino’ (sausage, basil, and peppers) and ’The Fifty’ (meatballs, pepperoni, and sausage).
You can order pizza by the slice and pair it with your choice of appetisers, sandwiches, pasta and salads. John’s of Bleecker Street also serves craft brews by the pint and pitcher.
Location: 278 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 11.30 am to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 212-243-1680
John’s of Bleecker Street
7. Randazzo’s Clam Bar
Delicious seafood spot on Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
Good for: Families, Food, History
Randazzo’s Clam Bar is a popular family-owned restaurant on Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn. It’s the place to enjoy generous servings of seafood prepared in Italian-American style. Many come for its clams, but dishes like fried calamari, oysters, lobster, and crab cake sandwich are also worth a try.
Make sure to try at least one seafood dish with Randazzo’s signature red sauce, served medium or spicy—people in the know like to travel here just for a taste of this famous condiment!
Location: 2017 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235, USA
Open: Daily from 11 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 718-615-0010
Randazzo’s Clam Bar
8. Atoboy
Modern Korean restaurant with a small-plate tasting menu
Good for: Budget, Food, Unusual
Atoboy is a Korean restaurant in Gramercy, founded by a couple who wanted to offer adventurous takes on Korean cuisine to curious diners. Its 5-course set menu features artfully presented banchan (Korean side dishes) such as braised eggplant with snow crab and tomato, and duck with beet, black radish, and pecan.
Atoboy is a great spot for groups, as it has many communal dining tables and sharing plates. If you bring enough people along, you should be able to sample every dish on the menu.
Location: 43 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
Open: Sunday-Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday-Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm
Phone: +1 646-476-7217
Atoboy
9. Raoul’s
A French SoHo favorite since the 1970s
Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury
Raoul’s is a French bistro on Prince Street that was opened in the 70s by brothers from Alsace. It has reigned as an iconic dining spot in SoHo ever since. It offers classic French dishes like steak au poivre and Magret duck breast.
The scene at Raoul’s is a bit of a throwback to several decades earlier, with black-and-white leather booths and nude paintings covering the walls. Many of the chairs they acquired when taking over the space from another restaurant in 1975 are still in place, except for those that were “destroyed in the brawls that marked the early years”.
Location: 180 Prince St, New York, NY 10012, USA
Open: Monday–Friday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm and 5 pm to 11 pm
Phone: +1 212-966-3518
Raoul’s
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