647 Best Restaurants in New York City, New York

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.

Plowshares has come a long way (albeit just a short distance) from its days as an emerging coffee wholesaler in Hillburn, New York, roughly 30 miles from Harlem. In 2014, it ventured onto the Upper West Side's coffeehouse scene with a small flagship café; in 2019, it opened this bright, state-of-the-art, 3,000-square-foot roasting facility and coffee shop, with plenty of seating for sipping lattes, emailing coworkers, or watching the team roast coffee on the fire-engine-red, 1940s Probat roaster.

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).

What started 10 years ago as a catering business is now also a beloved, women-owned café, with attractive baked goods, as well as sandwiches, soups, frittatas, and focaccia for lunch. There's also a smattering of pantry items, as well as prepared foods to take home, plus outdoor seating on one of Cobble Hill's prettiest little streets.

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.

This tiny storefront in Sunnyside specializes in Salvadorian pupusas (flatbreads), which are made fresh daily, with either wheat or corn dough, stuffed with different fillings like meat, stretchy cheese, and veggies. Their chicharrón (pork rinds) taco is also not to be missed, and it's all best washed down with a fresh maracuya (passion fruit) juice.

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.

Originating in Manhattan in 1984, this warm Mexican restaurant now has outlets in eight states. The two-story Lincoln Center location features a small, yet lively bar where the house specialty, the frozen pomegranate margarita, and freshly made guacamole are musts; dishes to try include the enchiladas Suizas in a creamy tomatillo sauce. If you're staying for more than drinks and appetizers, head for a table upstairs past the giant blue tile waterfall lined with figures of divers.