272 Best Restaurants in New York City, New York

One of an increasing number of artisanal pizza shops, Philomena's serves both squares and slices, Neapolitan and New York style. The squares are chewy and bouncy while the crust on those slices is crisp and nearly caramelized thanks to the 72-hour fermentation process behind the dough. You can't go wrong with a classic slice, but Philomena's does funky well; go for a broccoli rabe and chickpea puree slice, a fiori di zucca, or a "spicy Mikey," made with hot honey, soppressata, and mozzarella.

Pho Ga Vang, serving up the chicken version of Vietnam's national noodle soup, adds to the increasingly excellent Vietnamese dining scene in the city. Owner Tony Le grew up at his family's Vietnamese restaurants in Philadelphia and knows a thing or two about good pho. With a handful of options, the best is the shredded chicken pho—the broth, with a touch of sweetness, has hints of ginger and lemongrass; the thin rice noodles are al dente; and the chicken is fall-apart tender. 

This acclaimed corner restaurant takes its name seriously, specializing in sweet dessert pies—apple, pumpkin, and banana cream, to name a few—and the fried chicken thighs to eat before them. Amid vintage decor, diners enjoy Southern-style meals that include catfish, burgers, pulled pork, and, of course, fried chicken (the other parts, too). Sides and breakfast items also abide by the Southern-inspired fare, including biscuits and grits.

You'll want to check out the menu at this chic SoHo spot that's more than a "pinch" above the average Chinese joint thanks to its perfect dumplings and supertasty versions of mapo tofu, three-cup chicken, seafood fried rice, and many other classics. The wine and cocktail list are thoughtfully chosen to pair with the flavorful food.

What started 10 years ago as a catering business is now also a beloved, women-owned café, with attractive baked goods, as well as sandwiches, soups, frittatas, and focaccia for lunch. There's also a smattering of pantry items, as well as prepared foods to take home, plus outdoor seating on one of Cobble Hill's prettiest little streets.

Rangoon offers friendly service and excellent takes on the cuisine of Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma. Geographically, Myanmar shares borders with Thailand, China, and India, so think flatbread stuffed with masala-laced potatoes, chicken noodle soup spiked with coconut milk, and fried rice mingling with fermented tea leaves and toasted sesame seeds. The cocktail list incorporates Southeast Asian flavors into the drinks and the small, but excellent wine list includes some surprises, like a great natural orange wine from Croatia.

New York City has no shortage of Italian restaurants, but Rezdôra stands out among the multitudes with its impeccable pastas with lineage from the underrepresented Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The meat and fish secondi (second courses) are wonderfully executed as well, but the pasta (handmade and hand-rolled) steals the show.

Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizza with a slightly doughy-chewy crust is the focus at this boisterous Italian spot, where the servers are used to feeding crowds and yet don't make customers feel rushed. And if you’re not in the mood for pizza, the pastas and the meatballs are also highly recommended.

If you fancy a quality cocktail, freshly made pasta, and top-notch pizza, look no further than Rocco's of Roc Beach. The menu is extensive with no classic Italian-American dishes left behind. From veal marsala to chicken parm in vodka sauce with enough cheese to feed a small family, everything made at Rocco's is clearly made with love. Don't skip out on their pasta, which is made in house daily, and proven with that signature chew that only fresh pasta can provide. Pizza toppings range from buffalo chicken to classic tomato and cheese, and there are vegan and gluten-free options on a cauliflower crust.

Some of the most showstopping cocktails can unsuspectingly be found at a Japanese restaurant in Harlem. ROKC is serving up a modern take on ramen, with dishes like the Kyoto, a soy sauce--flavored chicken and fish broth with pork belly and spicy bamboo shoots. They also offer a selection of "soupless" varieties, like yokosuka curry with shrimp paste and cauliflower, and sea urchin and salmon caviar bowls. While their ramen is arguably the best in upper Manhattan, their cocktails take ROKC over the top. Try the clarified Cumin & Yogurt with Japanese vodka, or the Pineapple and Passion Fruit with rum and burnt cinnamon. Just plan accordingly, because it's rare that there's not a line here.

Does New York City really need another Italian restaurant? When it's a long-time beloved favorite eatery from Rome, the answer is a resounding sì! Roscioli was a must-stop for tourists to Rome but now New Yorkers can devour suppli (fried Roman rice balls) and dig into bowls of spaghetti alla carbonara and rigatoni all'Amatriciana without the jet lag. The downstairs room is exclusively for diners partaking in the prix-fixe tasting menu while the ground-floor space is for more casual à la carte options.

The sit-down location of the long-established (since 1914) family-owned Russ & Daughters “appetizing” shop on Houston Street offers the same smoked fish, caviar, bagels, and potato latkes as the original, along with egg dishes, salads, and cocktails in a bright, updated-deli atmosphere. The “boards” are individual (but shareable) platters of smoked fish, accompanied by your bagel, bialy, or bread of choice, so that you can assemble your own sandwich.

Brunch staples like smoked fish, bagels, pancakes, and French toast don’t get more refined than they do at this airy, sophisticated spot in the heart of the SoHo action. Come during the week for a more leisurely experience, because who said brunch has to be relegated to weekends?

Head to this casual Curry Hill eatery to sample regional Indian cuisine, Punjabi and Kashmiri in particular. The wonderful fragrance of the curries greets you upon arrival, but the menu also offers a tempting array of biryanis and tandoor dishes, with vegan, vegetarian, and fish or meat options.

Stroll through the nondescript office building lobby and down the stairs to find this popular izakaya, a Japanese tavernlike restaurant that serves up refined Japanese pub grub. The menu has everything from sashimi to fried shrimp fritters to yuzu-and-ginger-laced monkfish liver to Japanese-style fried chicken. Sake lovers of the world unite here to sample rice wine from the 260-long list. 

A spirited vibe and occasional live music sets set the mood for this fun and inventive fusion restaurant where Caribbean flavors and Asian textures come together. The Far East meets the West Indies in dishes including jerk chicken ramen, oxtail and short rib dumplings, cold peanut punch noodles, and Caribbean dan dan noodles.

Part storefront and market, part restaurant and bar, all cured-meat mecca, this intimate Italian UWS institution offers excellent food and service along with its dozens of varieties of prosciutto, coppa, mortadella, and more. You can have it carved from a professional slicer for consumption on the spot or purchase it as indulgent takeout. There's also a more ambitious Italian menu, including house-baked focaccia bread (ask for seconds), salads, strozzapreti pasta in a flavorful tomato sauce, and a signature homemade lasagna with béchamel sauce.

If you’re looking for chicken tikka masala, you’ve come to the wrong place: it’s the dosas (flat crepes made from rice and dal batter) and thalis (platters with various dishes) at this South Indian dining institution serving only vegetarian dishes that keep customers coming. Even though this is a chain in more than 20 countries worldwide, there's still a local feel and an obviously tight hold on quality. Often wider than the tables at which they’re served, the thin, slightly crispy dosas are perfect for dipping in a variety of house-made chutneys and sambar (a lentil stew). Thalis arrive on a traditional circular platter, with 10 different spreads for dunking your chapati (a flat bread similar to roti). The restaurant’s ambience and service leave a bit to be desired; on the plus side, in warm weather you can grab a table along the sidewalk of Amsterdam Avenue.

In summer 2023, überpopular Scarr's moved across the street to a bigger, brighter location, making it easier to get a table for the excellent New York--style pizzas that have made the place so beloved. The pizza incorporates locally sourced tomatoes and dough made with flour milled on-site. The drink list is equally impressive: an all-natural wine list and potent cocktails. 

Putting sustainability at the fore, Seamore’s brings local, daily-changing fish and shellfish selections to Battery Park City. Expect a full menu of seafood favorites, from fish tacos, poke, and clam chowder to seared sesame tuna, scallop risotto, and “reel deal” grilled fish with a choice of sides and sauce. The bar stays busy with after-work patrons enjoying weekday happy hours on drinks and oysters. The dining room is spacious and channels an upscale fish-shack vibe, while warm weather and weekend brunch visits are prime times to enjoy the big outdoor terrace.

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.