512 Best Restaurants in New York City, New York

This diner-inspired eatery has been described as \"a love letter to the Midwest.\" Named after the mother of restaurateur Greg Baxtrom—illustrious chef of several prominent eateries—this family-friendly restaurant has pivoted its menu from elevated renditions of nostalgic Midwestern dishes like fish sticks and French bread pizza, to a focus on all-day breakfast items, some classic diner sandwiches, and most prominently, Chicago tavern-style pizza pies—flat, circular pies with crispy crusts—not to be confused with Chicago deep-dish.

The latest addition to chef Cisse Elhadji's ever-growing restaurant roster is PB Brasserie, a traditional French brasserie with a sprinkle of Senegalese spice. This sprawling space is conveniently located on 125th Street, and has traditional French dishes, like tuna tartare, frisée au lardon, salmon bearnaise, and one of the most buttery, cheesy, and decadent mac and cheeses in the neighborhood. But for one of the best meals offered here, go for the moules Africana, a heaping pile of mussels in a warm curry-like broth, best with just a dollop of Senegalese hot spice for an extra kick. While most happy hours are surrounded by drink deals, PB Brasserie has one of the best food-focused happy hours in town, with bites ranging $12--$18 everyday 4--7 pm (don't worry, drink specials are available, too).

One of Manhattan's last classic standalone diners, Pearl Diner has been serving all the favorites from its compact corner spot since the early 1960s. In the affluent Financial District, it's a welcome relief to find such an affordable (and hearty) menu.

There have been many imitators and few real competitors to this West Village seafood institution. Since 1997, Rebecca Charles has been serving arguably the best lobster roll in New York City in a no-frills space (which expanded next door to accommodate the throngs) on charming, restaurant-lined Cornelia Street. But that's not the only reason you should cast your net here. Pan-roasted sea scallops and plus-size crab cakes compete with the legendary lobster roll for your taste buds' attention. Service is very efficient—you might even say rushed.

Step through a doorway beneath a Himalayan eyebrow-threading sign, head up a twisting stairway, and pass through a beaded curtain to reach this cash-only restaurant serving cuisine that is a delicious culinary anomaly: namely, Tibetan Sichuan. The traditional Tibetan momos are worth trying, as is the beef-studded yak-cheese soup (if you're adventurous), but it's the fusion of the two cultures that produces exciting dishes like spicy blood sausage or tofu in a fiery chili sauce. If the original upstairs restaurant is full, head directly across the street to the newer, expanded digs.

One of an increasing number of artisanal pizza shops, Philomena's serves both squares and slices, Neapolitan and New York style. The squares are chewy and bouncy while the crust on those slices is crisp and nearly caramelized thanks to the 72-hour fermentation process behind the dough. You can't go wrong with a classic slice, but Philomena's does funky well; go for a broccoli rabe and chickpea puree slice, a fiori di zucca, or a \"spicy Mikey,\" made with hot honey, soppressata, and mozzarella.

Pho Ga Vang, serving up the chicken version of Vietnam's national noodle soup, adds to the increasingly excellent Vietnamese dining scene in the city. Owner Tony Le grew up at his family's Vietnamese restaurants in Philadelphia and knows a thing or two about good pho. With a handful of options, the best is the shredded chicken pho—the broth, with a touch of sweetness, has hints of ginger and lemongrass; the thin rice noodles are al dente; and the chicken is fall-apart tender. 

This acclaimed corner restaurant takes its name seriously, specializing in sweet dessert pies—apple, pumpkin, and banana cream, to name a few—and the fried chicken thighs to eat before them. Amid vintage decor, diners enjoy Southern-style meals that include catfish, burgers, pulled pork, and, of course, fried chicken (the other parts, too). Sides and breakfast items also abide by the Southern-inspired fare, including biscuits and grits.

You'll want to check out the menu at this chic SoHo spot that's more than a \"pinch\" above the average Chinese joint thanks to its perfect dumplings and supertasty versions of mapo tofu, three-cup chicken, seafood fried rice, and many other classics. The wine and cocktail list are thoughtfully chosen to pair with the flavorful food.

At Ponty Bistro, Franco-Senegalese cuisine reigns supreme. The sophisticated flavors and cooking traditions of Senegal are combined with French and Mediterranean dishes. They are served alongside house cocktails in a warm, dark-wood bistro in this oft-neglected reach of Central Harlem. Try dishes like poisson yassa (a whole branzino with white rice), three cheese gougeres (French cheese puffs), or niokolokoba (grilled sirloin steak with African spice).

With clubby interiors by Jeffrey Beers and an adjoining lounge area, Porter House is helmed by veteran chef Michael Lomonaco. Filling the meat-and-potatoes slot in Deutsche Bank Center's upscale \"Restaurant Collection\" in The Shops at Columbus Circle, this masculine throwback highlights American wines and pedigreed, supersize meat; the expertly seasoned fare comes with the usual battery of à la carte sides—creamed spinach, roasted mushrooms, truffle mashed potatoes, and buttermilk onion rings. Begin with the chilled seafood plateau or rich roasted marrow bones.

Follow the line of people that often winds down the block to find this tiny counter-serve spot that serves some of the best pizza in downtown NY. Grandma slices (the square ones) are the thing to order here, and the pizza with 'roni cups (those little rounds of pepperoni) is what made this place IG-famous, but our favorite is the square margherita slice, which really showcases that delicious homemade tomato sauce.

The perfect setting for a relaxed dinner or an intimate special occasion, this tastefully refined, light-filled East Village restaurant emphasizes rustic cooking from all over Greece. There are delicious versions of hearty comfort-food dishes like pastitsio and moussaka on the menu, but the lighter dishes—especially the fish options—let the flavors shine through. The extensive selection of interesting hot and cold mezes is a great place to start exploring. Accompany your meal with some vino from the all-Greek list; the light white Atlantis wine from the island of Santorini is enjoyable and affordable.

Handsome and hearty, this steak house was inspired by classic New York City butcher shops in its use of stainless steel, white marble, and prime cuts. Start at the bar for a Negroni, classic martini, or other splendid cocktail, then retire to the dining room for excellent seafood and sophisticated riffs on classics like filet mignon and prime rib. The grilled bacon, peanut butter, and jalapeño starter is a must for any first-timer. The wine list emphasizes the big, bold reds that perfectly accompany succulent steaks, and the bar also pours a few tasty \"mocktails.\"

Rangoon offers friendly service and excellent takes on the cuisine of Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma. Geographically, Myanmar shares borders with Thailand, China, and India, so think flatbread stuffed with masala-laced potatoes, chicken noodle soup spiked with coconut milk, and fried rice mingling with fermented tea leaves and toasted sesame seeds. The cocktail list incorporates Southeast Asian flavors into the drinks and the small, but excellent wine list includes some surprises, like a great natural orange wine from Croatia.

You may have noticed Red Hook Lobster Pound food trucks hawking lobster rolls around the city, but it all began here at this building that originally served as a lobster pound, selling fresh live lobsters driven down from Maine each week by its founders. Today, it has evolved into their flagship brick-and-mortar seafood restaurant, offering a wide selection of seafood platters, plus happy-hour oysters from 4 to 6 pm.

Renaissance Harlem, the third restaurant venture for Senegalese-born chefs (and cousins) Cisse Elhadji and Cheikh Ali, brings upscale American cuisine to the historic neighborhood. Named as a nod to the Harlem Renaissance, the restaurant plays music varying from nostalgic ‘90s to Afrobeats at a volume that still allows for intimate conversation. The menu fuses traditional French, African, and American spices to capture the combination of cultures and foods found in Harlem, while blending fresh local ingredients and traditional French cooking methods. The contemporary rustic interior, attentive wait staff, and friendly bartenders make for a perfect mix of casual elegance. Expect healthy portions and even better presentation. 

New York City has no shortage of Italian restaurants, but Rezdôra stands out among the multitudes with its impeccable pastas with lineage from the underrepresented Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The meat and fish secondi (second courses) are wonderfully executed as well, but the pasta (handmade and hand-rolled) steals the show.

Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizza with a slightly doughy-chewy crust is the focus at this boisterous Italian spot, where the servers are used to feeding crowds and yet don't make customers feel rushed. And if you’re not in the mood for pizza, the pastas and the meatballs are also highly recommended.

If you fancy a quality cocktail, freshly made pasta, and top-notch pizza, look no further than Rocco's of Roc Beach. The menu is extensive with no classic Italian-American dishes left behind. From veal marsala to chicken parm in vodka sauce with enough cheese to feed a small family, everything made at Rocco's is clearly made with love. Don't skip out on their pasta, which is made in house daily, and proven with that signature chew that only fresh pasta can provide. Pizza toppings range from buffalo chicken to classic tomato and cheese, and there are vegan and gluten-free options on a cauliflower crust.

Some of the most showstopping cocktails can unsuspectingly be found at a Japanese restaurant in Harlem. ROKC is serving up a modern take on ramen, with dishes like the Kyoto, a soy sauce--flavored chicken and fish broth with pork belly and spicy bamboo shoots. They also offer a selection of \"soupless\" varieties, like yokosuka curry with shrimp paste and cauliflower, and sea urchin and salmon caviar bowls. While their ramen is arguably the best in upper Manhattan, their cocktails take ROKC over the top. Try the clarified Cumin & Yogurt with Japanese vodka, or the Pineapple and Passion Fruit with rum and burnt cinnamon. Just plan accordingly, because it's rare that there's not a line here.

This eatery has a seasonally focused menu that changes often, all with an Italian accent. Farm-fresh dishes include winter fare like chitarra pasta with tomatoes, capers, and tuna confit, or summer delicacies like panzanella with sourdough batard, cucumber, and anchovies. When weather permits, request one of the alfresco tables: there's no better perch from which to soak up the Fort Greene scene.