310 Best Restaurants in New York, USA

The Arepa Lady, originally known for slinging cheesy, golden arepas (stuffed corn cakes) from her famed street cart on Roosevelt Avenue has since established three stand-alone restaurants across New York City. The Jackson Heights location is the original “mother restaurant” and keeps to the classics like arepa de queso (freshly ground corn flour mixed with cheese) and arepa de choclo, served with your choice of meat. Try the popular chicharrón (smoked pork belly) or Colombian chorizo (which is sliced, rather than ground up). Expect to find Manhattanites, locals, and tourists alike sipping sangria and margs while getting their fill of savory cakes at this charming eatery.

This is really the place to be in WHB. Sit and sip an iced coffee and watch the world go by from the porch or sidewalk tables or grab a gelato and join the others on the stoop. With cases filled with fresh-baked goods, the worst thing about this place is that it's just so hard to decide. Try the devilishly delicious deep-fried jelly- or cream-filled "cronuts"—all the rage these days, but this bakery has been doing it for years. A full menu of bagels, pancakes, omelets, salads, sandwiches, pizza, and entree dishes will keep you coming back for more. Don't let the long lines and chaotic scene inside scare you away—there are many friendly young people behind the counter who keep things moving and do it with a smile.

If not for the pandemic, the folks behind this eatery with arguably the best restaurant name in NYC might still be slinging salteñas (like an empanada, but hand-braided and filled with a rich, savory stew) out of the food hall in Manhattan's Columbus Circle subway station. But now, they've claimed their brick-and-mortar shop out of their original prep kitchen in Sunnyside, with satisfying peanut soup, salad and grain bowls with barbecued meats or jackfruit, and fried chicken sandwiches, all which are best with dollops of llajua, their homemade Bolivian hot sauce. It's window-serve only, with a few outdoor picnic tables for seating in the front.

The brewpub occupies a circa-1850 riverside warehouse. In warm weather, locals linger on the outdoor deck overlooking the Hudson; inside, exposed-brick walls set off local memorabilia, antiques, and old photos. A slew of beers is concocted on-site, including the smooth oatmeal stout, which won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup. The pub menu has been expanded and offers classics like burgers as well as sophisticated seafood dishes.

This popular food stand sets up in a tiny trailer on the grounds of Hardeman Orchards between late April and late September. The owner (known by her childhood nickname Bubby) serves vegetarian burritos (with or without guacamole) and quesadillas. The heated tortillas are almost bursting at the sides with black beans, salsa, lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. There are two flavorful salsas that can be added; the green tomatillo one is spicier. Soft drinks and Mexican aguas frescas can be picked out of a cooler.

Locals love this place and have savored its Italian specialties since 1943. Start with the clams in wine, butter, oil, and garlic, or a hot antipasto. For a main course, consider the braciola, a longtime favorite; the tender rolls of beef are filled with sausage and baked in meat sauce. The restaurant is part of Schenectady's emerging Little Italy community on North Jay Street.

Hot dogs are the specialty at this narrow spot with a counter and a handful of tables. "One with everything" means a steamed dog on a steamed bun topped with slightly spicy chili sauce, a dab of mustard, and a sprinkling of chopped onions. The sauce livens up fries, too; temper it with ketchup if it's too spicy for you.

The all-American junk-food staple is elevated to high art here, with fresh seasonal ingredients, real fruit, and imported chocolate mixed into the batter. Traditionalists croon over the vanilla-bean doughnut, but there are plenty of exotic flavors to tempt taste buds: the dense, fudgy Brooklyn Blackout is covered in crumb topping; carrot-cake doughnuts have a cream-cheese filling. Choosing is the difficult part: options include cake doughnuts and yeast doughnuts, as well as "doughseeds." There are other locations around the five boroughs.

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.

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. 

One of Paul McCartney's favorites, this place is not much bigger than a shack, and is tucked away in the back of Amagansett Square off Main Street. It has just a few picnic tables on the lawn and a couple of hightop tables inside, but the flavors put out here are huge. Dosas range from the traditional masala potato variety to one with grilled chicken with goat cheese and spinach. A selection of homemade chutneys are available: cilantro, mango, tomato, curry, pumpkin, and peanut. Salads, sandwiches, and Indian specialties are offered. Try a cardomom coffee, soy chai latte, or orange-ginger iced tea.

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.

This restaurant near Whiteface Mountain Ski Center earns high marks for its American fare, served in an attractive dining space with cloth-covered tables, candles, and a wall of windows. A section of the menu is devoted to the restaurant's namesake, trout. The delectable fish may be panfried or served in more- complex ways but it's not all about the fish here. Options include Long Island duck and New York strip steak. The cozy pub serves hamburgers and sandwiches.

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.

Easy to spot from its vintage sign outside, the self-described “saloon with food” has been serving its famous hefty burgers and cottage fries, along with thick sandwiches and drinks like Bloody Marys, since 1972. Its decor is warm and woody, the tablecloths are checkered, 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—and its old-time jukebox.