447 Best Restaurants in New York City, New York

Set on a nondescript block of Broadway, the original branch of the small, now-national chain is a favorite for families celebrating special occasions, preprom groups of teens, and locals looking for reliable Italian food. They come for mountainous portions designed to share, family-style, of tried-and-true Italian favs like fried calamari, linguine with white clam sauce, chicken parmigiana, and veal saltimbocca, all loaded with garlic or red sauce—or both. Family photos line the walls, an antipasti table groans under the weight of savory meats, cheese, and salads, and there's a convivial feeling amid the organized chaos. If you want a quiet or romantic dinner, this is not the place.

Savvy New Yorkers reserve early for the affordable Italian meals at this large, busy Midtown eatery, where family photos lining the walls lend a sociable feel to the Times Square hubbub. Groups carbo-loading for a day of sightseeing or a night of Broadway theater are rewarded with mountains of such classic, toothsome viands as fried calamari, linguine with white clam sauce, chicken parmigiana, and veal saltimbocca.

After the incredible success of their taqueria in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Giovanni Cervantes and Tania Apolinar's second act is this pork-centric taco spot that has been a huge hit since the day it opened in June 2024. If you like eating other parts of the pig, you'll be in porcine heaven here as lard-laden tortillas are stuffed with brain, belly, skin, ear, snout, stomach, butt, tongue, tail, uterus, and cheek. It's a choose-your-own pig offal adventure and it's delicious.

This fast-casual spot serves up possibly the best chicken on the planet. Servers hand you plastic gloves with your food because the chicken is so fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy that using anything but your hands to eat it is an exercise in futility. The secret is that they marinate the whole chicken in in a secret mixture of Chinese spices for hours and then braise the bird for an eternity. There are long list of sides, including scallion pancakes, pan-fried dumplings, and onion rings. 

As an upscale eatery known around the world, Cecconi's made a splash when it joined the polished DUMBO culinary and cultural scene in 2017. The Italian menu and stunning East River–facing outdoor terrace are enough to warrant a visit; but no matter the season or weather, the roomy bar, outstanding service, and inviting furnishings make this a hot spot well worth a trip to this historic district.

With its old-world, exposed-brick and wood interior, new American cuisine, and creative cocktails, this homey brunch, dinner, and drinks destination feels like the transformation of Mott Haven in a nutshell. Housed in the lobby of the renovated Clocktower Building, once a piano factory, the restaurant maintains a playfulness, especially when there's live music on Wednesday nights and during Sunday brunch. Look on the walls for irreverent portraits of famous Charles and Charlies, including Barkley, Darwin, Chaplin, and Brown, to name a few.

This stylish outpost of the popular chocolate purveyor of Puerto Rico serves more than just desserts; their menu also includes many savory offerings—with and without chocolate infusions—including wings smothered in chocolate guava chili, sancocho (stew), chicken soup with mofongo (mashed fried plantains), and a classic Bronx bodega chopped cheese sandwich, with chocolate chipotle mayo.

A small, reliably tasty menu headlines this Prospect Heights institution for buns, Brussels sprouts in fish sauce, and above all, ramen noodles in savory broths. Pork, chicken, and eggs are typical add-ons to any of their flavorful bowls, although any can be made vegetarian. Long waits for a table are the norm—especially during winter months—however, seats at the bar are in constant flux. 

On the far West Side, just past Moynihan Train Hall, discover this spacious, lively, second-floor restaurant in the middle of the Manhattan West megablock. Chef Hillary Sterling earned instant raves (and a James Beard nomination) for her excellent homemade pastas and her balance of hearty, familiar Italian dishes elevated with seasonal ingredients and live-fire cooking. The large dining room is lined with big half-moon booths perfect for taking in the busy open kitchen, as well as the city views from the airy window wall. As splendid as the food is at this new establishment from well-known restaurateur Danny Meyer, the wine and cocktail assortment is especially fantastic, and so are the irresistible desserts.

On the second floor of the New York EDITION Hotel, this refined all-day spot is helmed by British superchef Jason Atherton, who presides over a high-ceilinged, dark-hued dining room. Best described as elevated British tavern fare, the dinner menu offers choices like comforting oxtail-spiked mac 'n' cheese, a hearty veal chop, and ale-battered fish-and-chips; morning can mean a full English breakfast or American standards like pancakes.

Long recognized for a classy yet cozy vibe and excellent drinks—both classic and inspired by the classics---this is one of the best cocktail bars in Brooklyn. Passionate mixologists cook up seasonal cocktail menus and tasty bites to pair with them. Weekends get busy, especially with brunch service, but head here on weeknights to sit at the bar and call bartender's choice.

One of far-west Chelsea's first hot restaurants, Cookshop manages a casual elegance while focusing on seasonal, farm-fresh cuisine that continues to wow. Outdoor seating on 10th Avenue is quite peaceful in the evening; during the day, you can survey a cross section of gallery-hoppers and shoppers. Divine cocktails, made with fresh fruit juices, are veritable elixirs of well-being. Line up early for weekend brunch; it's worth the wait for dishes like a fried egg sandwich spiked with harissa and Monterey Jack cheese or the fluffiest pancakes in town. Dinner is also a triumph, with a variety of perfectly prepared dishes like cornmeal-dusted sea scallops or a simple roast chicken.

Named for a legendary ice-cream shop in Havana, Coppelia is neither Cuban nor an ice-cream parlor. Chef Julian Medina has created a 24-hour pan-Latin diner that works on many levels—for a quick breakfast, casual lunch, or late-night bite—with a continent-size menu that emphasizes comfort food. Some satisfying dishes include the pork-belly-spiked mac 'n' cheese, mountainous nachos, grilled cheese with jalapeño and bacon, and oxtail empanadas. If you did have your corazón set on ice cream, there's plenty of it on the dessert menu.

At NYC’s first 100% sustainable seafood restaurant, each item is ethically sourced—including wild-caught fish from unendangered stocks and all fish from aquaculture responsibly farmed, all developed under the advisement of the Monterey Bay Aquarium—and seafood lovers can expect both a sustainable and memorable meal. A daily raw bar features a fine selection of East and West Coast oysters. The daily oyster happy hour offers a selection of oysters for $2–$3 from 4 to 6 pm.  Additionally, there are satellite locations on the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side.

Top-quality sandwiches, delicious pastries, market-fresh salads, and a few hot lunch and dinner options are served to eat in or take away at this petite bakery-café that's part of Danny Meyer's empire. There are a few seats but when the weather's nice, take your food to eat on a bench in Union Square.

Open since 1837, elegant Delmonico's is NYC's third-oldest restaurant, and steeped in history. It was Manhattan's first fine-dining establishment, with an inventive 19th-century chef de cuisine whose most famous dishes, including eggs Benedict, lobster Newberg, and baked Alaska, are still served. The stately dining room is clad in Victorian decor that instantly transports diners to another era. The classic atmosphere complements menu highlights like the signature Delmonico's steak, a boneless rib eye topped with frizzled onions, and a selection of seafood and classic sides. In addition to the main dining room, the iconic, triangular building offers a separate bar and grill with a more contemporary lunch/dinner menu (entrance on Beaver Street); as well as private dining on multiple floors. Reservations are recommended.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que's origins are in Upstate New York, but its massive Harlem location brings smoked, homemade barbecue to the Big Apple. Big appetites will be happy with the huge platters of St. Louis–style ribs, Memphis-style ribs, and pulled pork and brisket here, as well as sides like mac'n'cheese, Asian cucumber salad, corn bread, slaw, and barbecue baked beans. Smaller appetites can opt for chicken wings, sliders, sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, salads, or Creole deviled eggs.

The cronut, a delectable cross between a doughnut and a croissant, was invented by Dominique Ansel in 2013, and the flaky pastries continue to create a hubbub, with just one inventive flavor available each month. There are plenty of other delightful creations here as well, such as decadent hot chocolate, which you can eat in the café or take with you.

Meat lovers in particular will enjoy Korean barbecue, and Dons Bogam is a venerable, quality option with a variety of meats (including American Wagyu) and seafood, cooked for you on a grill embedded in your table. Dishes are served with assorted condiments, sauces, and embellishments. Don't ignore the appetizers; the dumplings and pajeons (scallion pancakes) are excellent, as are the noodle dishes and bulgogis (marinated beef slices) if you aren't into barbecue. Artisanal and infused sojus (a Korean spirit) are among a good selection of wines, sakes, and beers.

Housed in a triangular building smack in the center of Meatpacking District action, this bi-level Mexican restaurant with ample outdoor seating does consistently solid fare. The menu boasts classic south-of-the-border staples like chicken enchiladas, variations on the theme of tacos, and nachos, but the kitchen is at its best when churning out less-likely fare, such as yuca-stuffed croquetas, butternut squash and pumpkin soup, and mole-brushed short ribs. And, of course, you can wash it all down with one (or two) of several types of margaritas.