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Ready to take a bite out of New York? Hope you've come hungry. In a city where creativity is expressed in innumerable ways, the food scene takes center stage, with literally thousands of chances to taste what Gotham is all about. Whether lining up at street stands, gobbling down legendary deli and diner grub, or chasing a coveted reservation at the latest celebrity-chef venue, New Yorkers are a demanding yet appreciative audience.
Every neighborhood offers temptations high, low, and in between, meaning there's truly something for every taste, whim, and budget. No matter how you approach dining out here, it's hard to go wrong. Planning a day of shopping among the glittering flagship boutiques along 5th and Madison Avenues? Stop into one of the Upper East Side's storied restaurants for a repast among the "ladies who lunch." Clubbing in the Meatpacking District? Tuck into a meal at eateries as trendy as their patrons. Craving authentic ethnic? From food trucks to hidden joints, there are almost more choices than there are appetites. Recent years have also seen entire food categories, from ramen to meatballs to mac 'n' cheese, riffed upon and fetishized, and at many restaurants you find an almost religious reverence for seasonal, locally sourced cuisine.
And don't forget—New York is still home to more celebrity chefs than any other city. Your chances of running into your favorite cookbook author, Food Network celeb, or paparazzi-friendly chef are high, adding even more star wattage to a restaurant scene with an already through-the-roof glamour quotient. Newfound economic realities, however, have revived appreciation for value, meaning you can tap into wallet-friendly choices at every level of the food chain. Rest assured, this city does its part to satisfy your appetite. Ready, set, eat.
The theme at this diminutive Spanish spot is cocina vasca, or the cuisine of the Basque country, one of the most exciting regions in Iberia for eating. Chef Alexandra Raij captures the moment by serving standouts like juicy lamb meatballs in a minty broth, crispy beef tongue, and an addictive crabmeat gratin. The wine list at Txikito (pronounced “chi-kee-toe”) is loaded with great bottles of Rioja and other Tempranillos, many of which are from Basque winemakers.
Squeezed between skyscrapers and the towering New York Stock Exchange, Stone Street is a two-block restaurant oasis that feels more like a village than the center of the financial universe. After the market closes, Wall Streeters head to Ulysses, a big, popular pub with 12 beers on tap and more than 50 varieties in bottles, plus seasonal brews; live music; and menu options that include minicheeseburgers, a seafood tower, nachos, and Guinness fish-and-chips. Outdoor seating in warmer weather makes this a neighborhood go-to all summer.
This straightforward local restaurant not only has one of the best restaurant names in the borough, but they're serving up some of the tastiest fried chicken in New York. UFC serves organic, humanely raised birds, fried crisp, spicy, and addictive with soy, garlic, or hot sauce. Other items on the menu include spicy pork bulgogi empanadas, beef bulgogi burgers, and good ol' cheese fries, but crispy chicken paired with one of the many craft beers on tap is a foolproof move here.
This collaboration between prolific Philly–NYC restaurateur Stephen Starr and Il Buco chef Justin Smillie tastes as if California and Italy miraculously collided. Marrying organic and in-season ingredients with Italian recipes, Upland's standouts include a heavenly bucatini cacio e pepe that could pass muster with discriminating eaters in either the Eternal City or the City of Angels, as well as excellent pizza, steaks, and fish dishes.
Some of the best deals in the neighborhood can be found here, with sizzling pork-and-chive dumplings (four for $3) and plenty of vegetarian options. This is a casual, order-at-the counter spot with a few tables.
Potato pierogi and other Eastern European staples like borscht and stuffed cabbage are available from early to late at this East Village stalwart, which opened in 1954; the name means "rainbow" in Ukrainian. The authentic Ukrainian-diner food is the perfect stick-to-your-ribs ending to a night on the town—or beginning to a new day, since there's also a full array of breakfast staples. It's a neighborhood experience, with tables of families sharing space with the hipsters. The spacious, sunny interior, with giant wall paintings to please the eye, is great for people-watching.
The brainchild of chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, who run Buvette and I Sodi, respectively, both just a block away from here, Via Carota feels like the perfect West Village Italian eatery. Situated on charming Grove Street, it offers sidewalk tables (or a welcoming long bar at which to perch) and consistently serves up unpretentious and above-average Italian fare. Sip on a Negroni or a tapped wine, and nibble on luscious pork-stuffed fried olives, 'nduja arancini, or one of the many in-season veggie plates. Winning pasta delights include rib-sticking pappardelle with boar ragù, perfectly executed cacio e pepe, and lemon risotto. Or go gonzo, and opt for the grass-fed steak. The owners also run Bar Pisellino across the street—a nice place to sip a drink and wait for your table.
Proprietor Yvette Leeper-Bueno offers a thoughtful menu of Spanish- and Italian-influenced seasonal dishes, along with a welcoming atmosphere and sustainable design. The Mediterranean-focused wine list contains some unique finds and is accessibly priced but carefully curated, complimenting menu highlights including black spaghetti with octopus and scallops, grilled lamb chops with romesco, and spinach-stuffed branzino.
A wide, redbrick accent wall helps give this long-running neighborhood café its cozy Brooklyn feel, which serves quick lattes, muffins, and scones at the front counter. However, if you've got a little more time on your hands, head to the back room, beyond all the images of pineapples, where they serve brunch fare: breakfast sandwiches, paninis, soups, and salads. Wine and cocktails are also available, which continue after 4 pm, when heartier dinner fare is served.
Named for the owner's mother, this affordable 60-seat American bistro is the ideal neighborhood restaurant. The steak-house-inspired menu isn't long but has a number of edible hits to warrant a return visit, including the much-raved-about burger topped with cheddar, onion marmalade, and bone marrow aioli; a hearty crab cake; and a perfectly executed steak frites. The French fries are a crispy bite of heaven.
Located near MoMA and Central Park, Wagamama is a beloved London import that prizes simple, nourishing Japanese fare built on authentic flavors. Ramen, curries, stir-fried noodles, rice dishes, and an enticing selection of shareable appetizers are filling and reliably delicious. Fresh juices are tasty on their own, or as ingredients in zingy cocktails. The large dining room (with long bench tables or booths) is a welcome escape, as are the outdoor terrace and roomy bar serving excellent weekday happy hour deals on sake, wine, and small bites.
The modern Austrian menu at Kurt Gutenbrunner's lovely, light-filled, neighborhood restaurant has a strong emphasis on Austrian tradition and urban New York attitude. It's hard to argue with such dishes as Wiener schnitzel with potato-cucumber salad and lingonberries or venison goulash with spaetzle and Brussels sprouts, and the fare is often lighter than you'd think Austrian food would be. Desserts do Vienna proud: apple-walnut strudel is served with apple sorbet. The atmosphere is casual but sophisticated—perfect for either a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
This buzzy bistro has a menu of upscale comfort food, a comely crowd, and diffused lighting that gives the space an aura of old fashioned glamour. Stop in for a cocktail after a day in Fort Greene Park, or come for a seasonal repast courtesy of Walter's raw bar, market-fresh veggies, and satisfying main dishes—including their signature dry-aged burger.
Taiwan's fare shines at trendy Win Son. Popular dinner menu items include danzi mian (a noodle soup with pork and prawns), zhajiangmian (noodles with lamb and fermented bean sauce) and "fly’s head," a mix of minced pork and chilies (also available vegetarian). The no-reservations policy for parties under six can translate to long wait times, so arrive before the 5:30 opening—or kill time waiting at Win Son Bakery across the street.
A destination for those who know and love food and celebrate diversity, Yatenga serves traditional French bistro fare. This rustic-chic eatery is perfect for happy hour or dinner. For your main, the chef Gambas special (large shrimp in a creamy bechamel and garlic sauce with macaroni) or the steak au poivre are sure to delight. For something less fussy, go for the Harlem combo, consisting of wings, fries, onion rings, and honey mustard sauce, or the fried calamari with a red pepper sauce. Yatenga also offers a weekend brunch with unlimited mimosas, bloody Marys, or bellinis.
With painted murals and bricked archways, Zero Otto Nove's original location channels motifs from a Tuscan grotto, even though their cuisine leans toward central and southern Italy, in addition to Italian American classics. Try a wood-oven-fired pizza or pasta dishes, including mafalde noodles with broccoli rabe, and rigatoni with butternut squash puree and porcini mushrooms.
It's a stand-up, take-out, 24-hour dive: but yes, limos do sometimes stop here for these legendary hot dogs—they are delicious, and quite the economical meal. The recession special is two grilled hot dogs and a drink, and there are cheap breakfast offerings, too, like the quintessential egg and cheese on a roll. Skip the other location in Midtown; it just doesn't compare.
Middle-Eastern restaurants are a dime a dozen in NYC, but Egyptian-Mediterranean spots are a rarer find, attracting celebrity chefs and TV personalities like Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern. This charming yet eccentric 16-seat café, which excels at interesting homestyle dishes, is a true hidden treasure. The menu changes nightly, but think of the fare here as Egyptian-accented comfort food: exceedingly tender lamb stuffed with pomegranate is always great. For the super adventurous eater, try the grilled lamb brain or lamb tongue. When it's available, the roasted goose in a saffron sauce is a must.
