99 Best Restaurants in New York City, New York

At this vegan and raw eatery just a few blocks north of Central Park, you won't be tempted to ask "Where's the beef?" Mother-and-son team Brenda and Aaron Beener take tasty comfort food staples and "veganize" them. For example, the raw lasagna consists of raw zucchini, spinach, cashew cheese, and marinara sauce; the barbecue riblets are a blend of lotus root and fermented soy; and the po'boy sandwich is made with fried yam or burdock root protein that mimics shrimp or crawfish, respectively.

Several Brooklyn restaurants have Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie on their menus, but this little, long-running shop on the waterfront is the source, where key limes are squeezed fresh to make the creamy tart pies—just as founder Steve Tarpin did during his youth in South Florida. The large 10-inch pies serve eight, but there are also individual 4-inch versions, in addition to frozen treats on a stick—perfect to take with you as you walk to the view of Lady Liberty at the Valentino Pier just outside.

Painted portraits of neighborhood locals adorn the arched walls of this husband-and-wife-owned, small-batch scoop shop. The selection of about 10 ice-cream flavors rotates seasonally; try summer favorites like "Sweet Socialism," a foolproof dairy-free sorbet with an incredibly creamy texture made with single-estate Madagascar dark chocolate, or "Chairperson of the Board," a blueberry cheesecake fan favorite. The "What's up, Doc?" is a play on carrot cake ice cream, and "The Unicorn" is as colorful as it sounds. In the winter, opt for a hot chocolate topped with a scoop of ice cream and a ring of torched marshmallow. There are two other locations; one farther uptown, and one on Lexington Avenue on the east side.

The cupcake craze isn't dead yet, and this old-school, cozy bakeshop—the brainchild of two former Magnolia Bakery employees—turns out delectable options. Try the chocolate-almond Gooey Gooey or the cream cheese frosting–topped pumpkin; flavors are intense but not too-too sweet. Some believe that the real showstopper is the swoon-inducing banana pudding, with crumbled Nilla wafers suspended in vanilla pudding.

In addition to offering a variety of Japanese and other international baked goods, this casual café serves coffee and assorted teas. The matcha crepe is a favorite for a snack or small meal, although the cakes, buns, and macaroons are equally tasty.