If you hope to visit New York, and you’re anything like me, the first thing you’ll want to know is “where to eat and drink in New York City”! And while there are many restaurants, bars and diners to enjoy a meal, you should also know that visiting some of the best restaurants in New York City is a great way to get to know the Big Apple.
To help along the way, this guide presents you with the best restaurants in New York you would not want to miss. And the next time you are in NYC, make some reservations at one of these top-notch York eats. If there is one place in the world you want to visit purely for food in 2022, make it this one!
Choosing the best restaurants in New York City
Choosing a place to dine in New York City, may it be a restaurant, a bar or a diner, there are endless possibilities depending on what, when or where you want to relish a mouth-watering meal. NYC brings in many travellers for its world-class attractions, shopping, and diverse restaurant scene.
Whether you want good old comfort food, the best Italian pizza, enjoy a drink at a bar with epic views or take your culinary journey up a notch at a fancy Michelin star restaurant, or the usual York eats, you can find it in the best restaurants in New York City.
To make things easy we have compiled a list of the best restaurants in New York City, spanning different categories and cuisines. And I’m certain that these places will turn out to be the kind of places you’d want to return to again and again.
The best restaurants in New York City with a VIEW
They say that the best things in life are for free. But what’s better is that the best restaurants in New York City with a view that offers amuse-bouche for your eyes?
As a matter of fact, that comes for free too!
Enjoy the best York eats and drinks that club together with spectacular backdrops, because everything tastes better with a feast for the eyes at the best restaurants in New York City with a view.
Electric Lemon
A luxurious rooftop restaurant perched on top of the five-star Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards, the Electric Lemon is a place unlike any other. Here you find an exquisite rooftop garden, complete with a monumental Jaume Plensa sculpture with impressive views, over the Hudson River and the city skyline. That’s not all, this spot offers a wide range of food and drinks.
Tip: Reservations are highly recommended to secure a table. However, if you book your stay at Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards it would be easier to score a space.
Westlight
Westlight, located in Brooklyn, NYC is perched on top of the trendy hotel William Vale, which offers amazing panoramic views over the skyline. The rooftop restaurant and bar offer a perfect setting with an impressive selection of classic and original cocktails, craft beer, and a food menu that takes inspiration from global street food. Plus, it’s one of the best restaurants in New York City with a view.
SERRA by Birreria
Serra means ‘greenhouse’ in Italian, and boasts a lush venue on top of the Italian megastore Eataly in the Flatiron district. When you step into this amazing place, you’re bound to feel like you’re stepping into the Italian countryside. With a seasonal menu, The SERRA offers a wide range of Italian food and a large selection of wines, beer and seasonal botanical cocktails.
BEST DINERS in New York
If you’re looking for some good old hot diners that serve up warm comfort food, the best York eats or have a lowkey dinner date away from the best restaurants in New York City, then your best bet is to have a meal at one of the best diners in New York. Whether it’s breakfast lunch, dinner, late-night snack or even trying to cure a hangover, the best diners in New York will always be a top option.
First on our list of hot diners at the best diners in New York is,
Pearl Street Diner
Pearl Street Diner has stood for over half a century. This particular diner is located in the Financial District and is known as a temple of all-day comfort food. This classic stand-alone diner is considered one of the oldest and best hot diners in town.
If you’re looking for another golden hot diner, check this one below!
Old John’s
Standing proud for seventy years or so, Old John’s is a classic food joint and is one of the best diners in New York, with seating booths, serving up the classics from burgers, and meatloaf, pairing them with un-diner-like cocktails.
Now if you are a fan of Kosher food, check out below for one of the best diners in New York.
B&H Dairy
B&H Dairy, a superb hot diner, first opened its doors in 1938 is a kosher dairy lunch counter that serves up some of the best Jewish food items, including blintzes, matzo balls and challah, for the customers who crowd the place for a taste of old-school New York.
The best restaurants in New York City,
based on cuisine type
This list is where you’ll find the best York eats and drink experiences in NYC based on cuisine types. While this is not an expansive list of every good restaurant, one thing you can always rely on is that you’ll absolutely love these places.
The BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANTS in New York City
The best Italian restaurants in New York offer an array of riches. With decadent Italian food, wine and a wonderful atmosphere, these places are where you absolutely have to eat and how best to enjoy your time there.
First up on our list of the best Italian restaurants in New York is,
Emilio’s Ballato
Stepping inside Emilio’s Ballato is like being instantly transported to a tiny town in Italy, a small, cosy space is the ideal place to enjoy a perfectly prepared, warm plate of spaghetti and sip a glass of the house red. You can’t do much better than this when you want that classic Italian night out.
Rezdôra
Rezdôra is an amazing place with a rustic Northern Italian menu that’s all about providing the best possible food such as an array of pasta dishes and olive oil gelato prepared with fresh ingredients and techniques. This by all means is one of the best Italian restaurants in New York and the perfect place for a decadent evening out.
Lucali
Lucali is the kind of place where visitors and regular customers come time and time again for the Lucali special brick oven pizza. Perfectly prepared with the freshest ingredients and toppings, which are highly flavourful. This spot is considered one of the best pizza restaurants in New York.
Liked what you read about the best Italian restaurants in New York? Do you have a favourite? Let us know in the comments.
Tip: Show up before the restaurant opens, well before 5 p.m. to get your name on the list and later than that you risk not being able to get in at all. (Cash payments only).
The BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANTS in New York City
Mexican cuisine is, well, not that popular in the Big Apple. However, there is a considerate amount of people who appreciate the bold flavours. The food is so great and NYC’s Mexican restaurant scene is now dominated by sizzling fajitas, enchiladas, loaded nachos and tacos.
Check out below the best Mexican restaurants in New York City!
Santa Clarita
Not like the diet, Santa Clarita is the ideal example of a good Mexican restaurant. Originally a Puerto Rican and Dominican restaurant, that morphed into a Mexican one.
Next up on our list of the best Mexican restaurants in New York City is,
Taco Mix
A flagship of Pueblan taquerias, Taco Mix is the hotbed of Yucatan cuisine that includes tacos, enchiladas and much more!
Casa Enrique
A small but well-known joint is considered one of the best Mexican restaurants in New York City. They dish out the best Mexican food and other dishes from Mexico’s southernmost state.
If you’re a Tex-Mex kind of guy or gal, you’ve got to try out the food at the best Mexican restaurants in New York City!
The BEST INDIAN RESTAURANTS in New York
Indian restaurants in New York City go way back, perhaps over a century. Times Square was an early hotspot and it hosted some of the best restaurants in New York Times Square. Now, there are many of the best Indian restaurants in New York serving steam table Indian food in various parts of the city.
Indian Accent
Indian Accent is on the list of the world’s best restaurants and it is not only one of the best restaurants in New York City with a view that looks amazing it also ladles out toung-tingling Indian cuisine in a fine-dining setting. It is also one of the best Indian restaurants in New York.
Gupshup
Gupshup is a place that dishes out bold Bombay-inspired flavours for vegans, pescatarians and meat-eaters alike. It is one of the best Indian restaurants in New York and the perfect place to delight in traditional Indian offerings.
Dhamaka
Dhamaka is a star-class addition to NYC’s culinary scene, and offers food that is less familiar to the European and American palate. Serving up excellent Indian street-food-inspired snacks, and homemade roti with a deliciously spicy menu. And considered one of the best Indian restaurants in New York.
The BEST STEAK RESTAURANTS in New York
Just imagine sinking your teeth into an expertly prepared steak at one of the best steak restaurants in New York. Whether it’s grilled, basted, pan-fried or classically BBQed, it’s a meal fit for kings. So, sharpen your steak knives, and get ready to dig into the juiciest bites at the best steak restaurants in New York.
These are but a few of the best steak restaurants in New York!
- Keens Steakhouse
- Peter Luger
- Porter House Bar and Grill
- Cote
- Gage & Tollner
Have you been to any of the best steak restaurants in New York mentioned above?
The BEST VEGAN RESTAURANTS in New York
It has never been easy to find vegan and vegetarian options although, NYC has plenty of plant-based restaurants that have broadened their nutrient horizons for meat-free food at these best vegan restaurants in New York.
- Cadence
- Vegetarian Dim Sum House
- Peacefood Cafe
- Modern Love Brooklyn
- Blossom on Columbus
Are you a vegan? Don’t take my word for it, you’ve got to eat at one of the above-handpicked best vegan restaurants in New York.
NOTE: These are only a few examples of the best vegan restaurants in New York, there are plenty more to choose from.
Now that we have got the best vegan restaurants in New York, let’s have a look at the best seafood restaurants in New York.
The BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS in New York
Seafood has always been on the menu in NYC thanks to its proximity to open water. There are plenty of seaside eateries that will have you slurping oysters, cracking lobsters, and de-shelling shrimps at some of the best seafood restaurants in New York.
- The Fulton
- Astoria Seafood
- Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co
- Russ & Daughters
- Pearl Oyster Bar
That’s my list of the best seafood restaurants in New York. Do you have a similar list as this? Let us know in the comments.
The best restaurants in New York City that are
MICHELIN-STARRED
New York City is a stellar place for creative chefs who creates amazing food. However, to experience the epitome of New York cuisine, a dazzling NYC Michelin star restaurant will fulfil your gastronomical adventures.
- The Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare
- Le Bernardin Privé
- Gabriel Kreuther
- Marea
- Aquavit
BONUS
The MOST UNIQUE AND BEST RESTAURANTS in New York City
If you’re looking to create a fun restaurant experience in the Big Apple, with unique looks, diverse food and exciting experiences. To help you get started, here are the most unique and best restaurants in New York City.
Ninja
An underground restaurant, created as a ninja village with a range of Japanese dishes. Oh, and yes, if you’ve ever fantasized about becoming a ninja, here’s your chance.
Trailer Park Lounge
If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind eating at a place that looks tacky and filled with tasteless charm, the Trailer Park Lounge is the place to go.
Max Brenner
Who doesn’t like chocolate? Apart from a very few most of us loves some chocolate. Featuring chocolate creations – you’ll be able to delight in sweet treats.
Takashi
This one is for the carnivores: Takashi is a place where you can sample every part of the cow with traditional beef cuts and more eclectic options. Be aware this restaurant is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
La Caverna
This restaurant is styled like an underground cave and comes complete with cave art on the walls and stalactites hanging from the top. It is also one of the best restaurants in New York City with a view, a unique view! The best part is, that La Caverna morphs into a club at night, so if you want to party like a caveman this is the place to be.
Well, if you are hoping to visit the Big Apple anytime soon, you could try eating your way through some of the best restaurants in New York City.
Don’t have the time to plan a trip? Don’t worry, our travel experts at Travel Center UK will be more than happy to assist you in creating the best NYC getaway.
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