616 Best Restaurants in New York City, New York

If you're feeling peckish in this hurried neighborhood, join your fellow customers waiting their turn at this favorite Manhattan café and bagel bakery that has been serving authentic family-style comfort since 1976. There's a good selection of jumbo, kosher bagels onto which toppings are piled high and cream cheeses are generously spread upon, or choose from a variety of salads, sandwiches, and fresh-baked treats available all day. The line moves fairly quickly so be ready to know how you want your bagel or other order.

Long before Mr. and Mrs. Obama ate dinner here in 2014, this second-floor spot with minimalist decor had been on the map for those who appreciate chef Ignacio Mattos's deceptively simple cuisine and it still receives consistent acclaim as being one of the best restaurants in Manhattan. The chef's creativity tends to sneak up on the diner in dishes where rye matzo bread might be used under mashed salt cod or sunchoke chips might be folded into sumptuous beef tartare.

Despite the Gallic-sounding name, this bakery is all Swedish. There's nearly always a line out the door, and it's worth queuing up. The bread produced here is some of the best this side of the Atlantic. Baguettes, whole loaves, pastries—everything that comes out of the oven here is edible gold: the cardamom bun has become legendary. There's a small seating area in the back or get some goodies for take away and eat them at the tables scattered around the Meatpacking District. 

There are enough transplants from Texas and the South bringing their pitmaster experiences to Brooklyn that "Brooklyn style BBQ" has become formidable fare. One of the first purveyors of Brooklyn barbecue is this joint inside a former auto-body repair shop, where a huge wood-and-gas smoker delivers rotating meats, including brisket, pork belly, sausages, ribs, and chicken—all sold by the half pound. Sides include potato salad, broccoli salad, and baked beans, but other pairings come in the form of one of over 100 American whiskeys and 10 microbrews. Come early, especially on warm afternoons, when carnivores line up to order meat and then vie for a table inside or out on the former repair shop's driveway.

Seafood, spicy, and sharing plates are the key concepts at this convivial and colorful Thai restaurant, where the dishes aren't what you find on typical Thai restaurant menus. Order for the table and if you like spice, make sure to include the zabb (a Thai spice blend) wings to start and move on to the coconut crab curry, among other things.

Entering the large, rustic-elegant dining room of Gabriel Kreuther invites a sense of calm as well as anticipation for a memorable meal—and it delivers. The renowned namesake chef celebrates his native Alsatian culinary influences with sublime tasting menus of three or four courses, or an inspired chef's tasting menu of at least seven courses (wine pairing optional, and worth the splurge). GK's haute cuisine, attentive service, and even its lovely handmade ceramic dishware are all part of an exceptional dining experience. Here's your chance to taste cuisine by a chef who's earned many of the world's most prestigious fine-dining accolades, including a James Beard award, Relais & Chateaux membership, and two Michelin stars. Note: if dinner is too pricey, enjoy a four-course prix-fixe lunch or à la carte menu, or opt for more casual dining in the inviting bar.

Every bit as thrilling as when it opened in 1984, this culinary landmark continues to focus on a foundation of simple, clean flavors to create transcendent preparations: no rack of lamb is more tender, no seafood salad sweeter, and desserts are also memorable. Take a stroll through the Union Square Greenmarket before or after lunch to see the chef's inspirations.

Danny Meyer's perennially popular restaurant tops many a New Yorker's list of favorite dining spots, as much for the exemplary food as for the clubby, art-filled space. In front, the first-come-first-served tavern has an à la carte menu (the burger is a standout) along with great craft beers and cocktails; the more formal dining room in back serves a four-course Greenmarket Lunch and a show-stopping five-course tasting menu for dinner.

Flushing has plenty of casual sit-down spots and street-style hawker stands, but Guan Fu is on another level, presenting legitimately tongue-tingling, lip-burning Sichuan dishes in an elegant, upscale environment. The mapo tofu, a staple of any good Sichuan restaurant, is impeccable over rice, and the boiled fish is a soupy symphony of spicy and sour flavors. What’s more, this restaurant pays homage to the classic Chinese American restaurants of old with its bamboo screens, elaborate metal serving ware, and two lion statues outside.

Fabulous artwork and colorful murals set the tone at this upbeat fusion spot where the flavors of Bombay and the Big Apple come together in creative ways. Order for the table and share so you can sample as many dishes as possible, and make sure to try the fabulous cocktails.

Most Vietnamese food in the United States is inspired by the traditions of southern Vietnam because it was largely Vietnamese from the south who left the country after the war ended in 1975. Hanoi House brings a refreshing—and delicious—taste of the north; the pho here, as done in Hanoi, is meatier, darker, intensely flavorful, and so good.

This family-friendly burger joint on the bustling, brownstone-lined corner of 124th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard has a retro malt-shop interior adorned with headshots of Black entertainers, vintage Jet magazine covers, and even a Wall of Fro dedicated to customers with afros. The name is a clever take on the world-famous Harlem Shake dance made popular by Harlem resident Al B, and also gives a nod to its rich organic milk shakes—such as the signature Red Velvet, locally made with real cake and Blue Marble ice cream. Creative burgers include the award-winning Hot Mess, which is topped with pickled cherry pepper and bacon relish, American cheese, and smoky chipotle mayo. Tasty nonbeef alternatives, like the house-made veggie burger, the Hot Honey Chick sandwich (dark meat fried chicken drizzled with Mike's Hot Honey), or the simple, yet satisfying cheese fries are staples of the reasonably priced menu. There's happy hour on beer and wine, or go booze-free with a myriad of old-fashioned soda options.

Its noise-dampening acoustics and maze of underground nooks combine to make Harry's—the fine-dining half of the restaurant (Harry's Side Bar at 62 Stone Street is more casual, with similar small-bites menu)—one of the city's most intimate and exceptional steak houses. Settle into a leather booth and start with a jumbo shrimp cocktail, shellfish platter (serves up to four), or other classic appetizer. Then turn to choices of prime dry-aged beef or fresh fish dishes, and choices of Harry's special sides like its hash-brown potatoes or polenta fries. Weekend brunch is popular, too.

Roughly the size of a studio apartment, this homey bar and restaurant is the epitome of a neighborhood spot; just keep in mind that advance reservations aren't accepted. The short menu of comfort foods—hamburgers, a pasta of the day, macaroni and cheese—changes frequently. Specials like homemade gnocchi with duck ragout never fail to impress. Their salads, such as roasted artichoke with baby arugula and white truffle oil, and their date pudding for dessert, also stand out. Heidi's House is better suited to smaller parties, with a same-day reservation list. However, its charming little bar next door—Ed's Elbow Room—is where you can also order from Heidi's full menu or have a drink while waiting for a table.

Featured on numerous best barbecue lists of New York City (and beyond), this critically acclaimed, Texas-style smokehouse has been serving up brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and more since 2013, when it made Red Hook a destination for carnivores. Tender meats are served in trays by the half pound, or within sandwiches and tacos. Vegetarian options are also available.

This Japanese hype donut shop housed in an open-floor space offers heavenly-soft donuts in a variety of flavors, including several New York City-exclusive options like the pistachio white chocolate glazed donut. The original donut is airy and slightly chewy on the inside, with a delicately crisp outer layer---a must try that pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee. The store opens at 10 am, but there will probably be a line by then.

Helmed by renowned chef Manish Mehrotra, this refined Midtown restaurant is arguably the Big Apple's best place for creative and classic Indian dishes. The menu, which has tantalizing vegetarian, meat, and seafood options, explores innovation by blending daring and seasonal flavors with traditional Indian cuisine. Dinner is a three- or four-course prix-fixe affair, with an excellent pretheater and brunch menus. The understated dining room puts the emphasis where it should be: right on your plate.

Don't let its generic-sounding name mislead you into thinking they serve the usual Indian fare; this contemporary eatery specializes in dishes from the Indian state of Goa, whose long history of trade has led to a fusion cuisine of Indian and Portuguese flavors. In fact, a lot on their menu uses Portuguese words, including xacuti de galinha (a curry with chicken) and caldinha de bhendé (a curry with okra).

Just try sitting still at this lively outpost of a popular restaurant of the same name in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Set in the new Radio Hotel in Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood, home to the largest Dominican community in the United States, the Latin rhythms are playing, the waiters are swaying, and the diners---mostly locals---are breaking into song with every chorus. Add delicious tropical cocktails like the signature Mamajuana Manhattan with sweet vermouth and house-made mamajuana (a spiced rum; it's the national drink of the Dominican Republic), sizzling bocaditos (snacks), and vibrant furnishings that include authentic carnival masks and D.R.-crafted cane-back chairs and stay-a-while banquettes, and you'll feel you have been transported to the Caribbean island. Menu musts include the croquetas de chivo (braised goat croquettes), sea bass ceviche served with crunchy plantain and cassava chips, chicharrón y casabe (hunks of crispy pork belly served with caramelized plantains), pecao frito (deep-fried red snapper), and seafood mofongo. It will be hard to leave room for dessert but you deserve the delicious cinco leches Dominicana soaked sponge cake. A spacious attached courtyard takes this party outdoors with live music in summer.

Chef célèbre Jean-Georges Vongerichten's prix-fixe–only culinary flagship focuses wholly on his spectacular dishes, which either approach the limits of the taste universe (perhaps foie-gras brûlée with fig jam and ice-wine reduction) or are models of simplicity (say, toasted egg yolk and caviar). The dining room is sleek but understated, with floor-to-ceiling windows adding sparkle to the white leather furnishings, white walls, and white linens; fresh-cut flowers adorn every table. Exceedingly personalized service and a well-selected wine list contribute to an unforgettable meal. Jean-Georges no longer serves lunch. For lunch and brunch, try the less formal and less expensive front room, Nougatine.

Easy to spot from its vintage sign outside, the self-described “saloon with food” has been serving hefty burgers, thick sandwiches, drinks like Bloody Marys and its famous cottage fries to a local crowd since 1972. Its decor is warm and woody, the tablecloths are checkered and the tables are packed close together (so it’s noisy when crowded), and there’s an everybody-knows-your-name vibe. Save room for dessert, because the chocolate chip cake and pecan pie are worth the calories. This place also is known for its late hours—the kitchen is open until after midnight on most nights.

In Serbia, a kafana is a neighborhood tavern with a menu of hearty Serbian staples like ćevapi, finger-sized minced beef sausages, or karadjordjeva, a tubular pork schnitzel stuffed with ham and rich, creamy kajmak cheese. This rustic cash-only Serbian eatery, located in the wilds of the East Village on Avenue C, has excellent artery-hardening fare and an impressive list of natural wines from Serbia. Top off your meal with a shot of rakia, the potent fruit brandy that is ubiquitous in the Balkans.