New York City is a culinary playground like no other, and over the years, I’ve collected a list of favorite restaurants that continue to draw me back with their unforgettable flavors, welcoming ambiance, and that special something that makes dining in the city so exciting. From cozy neighborhood gems to buzzy hotspots, each place on this list has earned its spot not just for great food, but for the memories made around the table. Whether you’re craving a perfectly cooked pasta, inventive small plates, or a classic New York brunch, these are the restaurants I return to again and again—and I’m thrilled to share them with you.
Ci Siamo – 440 W 33rd St Suite #100 – https://www.cisiamonyc.com/ The amazing Chef Hillary Sterling opened this restaurant for Danny Meyer. I have been dining at Chef Hillary’s previous restaurant, Vic’s, for the past eight years and would follow her anywhere. She is serving her delicious Italian food with a broadened menu, and intensified her cooking with a new tool — an open, wood-burning hearth that looks wide enough to roast a wild boar. The fireplaces’ smoke and its range of heat, from warm to scorching, changes the way you experience each dish. She has the natural skill to light up every taste bud at once; with the contrasts of flavor from briny olives, acidic lemons and heat from Calabrian chiles. No wonder it is packed every single night (and was awarded the NYT Top Ten New Restaurants in 2022)!
Portale – 126 W 18th St – https://www.portalerestaurant.com/ The famous Chef Alfred Portale, who spent 35 years gathering a passionate following at the Michelin Starred Gotham Bar and Grill, struck out on his own opening this innovative Italian restaurant. This is what casual fine-dining should be! It’s a lovely space that is elegant and deeply intimate at the same time, where you feel at home the minute you enter. Potale is not bound by any set cooking tradition and his mouth watering dishes showcase his innovative style. Don’t miss the homemade bread, the Lumache pasta, the tuna tartare, his perfectly cooked octopus, the ricotta meatballs, and any of the mains (if he offers the steak as a special, don’t miss it!).
Oceans – 233 Park Ave South -/https://oceansnewyork.com/ Our favorite seafood restaurant in NYC. Park Avenue South is lined with restaurants—from large extravagant expense account settings to the massively trendy—but this dining room will stop you in your tracks. First with its looks (an inviting bar that anchors the room up front, while the back is crowned by a raw bar and sushi counter and intimate tables) and then the cooking… not only is the Sushi & Sashimi excellent but the other dishes must not be missed. Must haves: Tuna Tartare, Shrimp Scampi, Charred Octopus, Crab Cakes, Braised Lamb Casarecce (yes, not seafood but the best pasta dish you may have eaten), any of the Sushi Rolls, and the Hawaiian Walu.
Carlotto – 100 E 19th St. – https://carlottonewyork.com/ – The owners of Oceans opened this wonderful Italian restaurant right next door. It’s space is small, warm and cozy and the food so delicious you want to eat there every night. If you love sexy, romantic, hotel bars this is the place for you (and you can reserve a seat there for dinner. The staff makes you feel at home immediately and the majority are some of my favorites from Oceans. They have an interesting wine list, mainly Italian, so let them recommend some of their great selections. Don’t miss the Tuna Stuffed Peppers, Crispy Potatoes “Millefolgie”, Fried Artichokes, Beef Carpaccio, Pinsa Romana, and any of the Pastas.
The Musket Room – 265 Elizabeth St – https://www.musketroom.com/ Chef Mary Attea replaced the original New Zealand chef, Matt Lambert, in early 2020 but it took me till last year to become aware of it (blame it on COVID)! She has a regular à la carte menu and two tasting menus, one vegan and one not. Yet the place is much more casual and fun than some of the other restaurants with tasting-menus. The rooms energy radiates from the bar, where Chuck and I love to dine. The space is rustic, and stunning at the same time, and the service is relaxed. And the food…yummy – contemporary, subtle, and delicious; turned out by an all female-led kitchen team. If on the menu, don’t miss the uni toast with poached shrimp and Calabrian chili, or quail with za’atar and fennel.
Raf’s – 200 Elizabeth Street – https://www.rafsnewyork.com/location/rafs/ – This new bakery, bar, and restaurant, from the women-led, Michelin-starred, two-time James Beard Semifinalist team at Musket Room has finally opened and boy is it hard to get reservations. But keep trying as it is well worth it!
The restaurant has two rooms, all lined with antiqued mirrors and painted a warm shade of white. The front room has a small bar, but go early if you want to snag a seat.. The back room is next to a white-tiled kitchen that looks like an ancient bakery.
Finally we were able to get a reservation and the first thing to hit the table was a basket of warm breads with a saucer of the greenest olive oil lapping against a levee of soft butter. They were so delicious that we immediately wolfed them down. And the dinner following did not disappoint. Would definitely go back again and again and…
Vic’s – 31 Great Jones Street – https://www.vicsnewyork.com/ Even though Chef Hillary left we still love this restaurant and frequent it on a regular basis. The restaurant attracts a lively young clientele, is casual and comfortable, the staff extremely friendly, and the food really good. They have a seasonal approach to pizzas, pastas, and many other dishes in a fun Noho setting.
Tomino Taberna Gallega – 192 Grand Street – https://www.tominonyc.com/ A little bit of Barcelona in NYC! The best G&T’s in town with a large Gin selection, great wines and food. This is a treasure trove of delicious tapas from Northwestern Spain. Head directly to the roomy bar, visit with the friendly bartenders, and enjoy the great Spanish art of Tapas. Order the Croquetas, Pulpo, Empanada, Patatas Bravas, Jamon and Pan con Tomate, and the Menestra de Verduras. We Brunch here most Sundays, so see you at the bar!
Pastis – 52 Gansevoort Street – https://pastisnyc.com/ Our other favorite place for Brunch and the best restaurant in the Meat Packing District (which actually doesn’t say a lot as I wouldn’t eat in any of the other restaurants!). But we do enjoy the French Bistro atmosphere, people watching, good friendly service and food that reminds you of the old Paris.
Ai Fiori – 400 5th Ave #2 – https://aifiorinyc.com/ For that special night, or just a mid-week splurge, this restaurant is the place to go. Italian fine dining from Chef Michael White with an incredible wine cellar (Wine Spectator Award Winner). Space is lovely, but of course I love the bar. You can either have the prix fixe ($120) menu or order a la carte. Whatever way you go there are two dishes you can’t miss; Polipo (octopus, black garlic, pesto, tomato beluga lentil) and the Agnello (rack of lamb with seasonal vegetables). Of course, all the pastas are delicious.
Minetta Tavern – 113 MacDougal Street – https://www.minettatavernny.com/ – A renovated 100 year old Tavern that was THE restaurant when it opened in 2009 but is still extremely popular (though with more tourists than originally). Still a charming space, with quality cooking. Meat is the thing to order, especially the famous Black Label Burger (my favorite) with a great bottle of Bordeaux!
Union Square Cafe – 101 E 19th Street – https://www.unionsquarecafe.com – Danny Meyers first restaurant, located near Union Square, moved a few years back to its new location on East 19th Street. Same chef since 2007, same amazing service, and same warm atmosphere (even moved the original bar to this location, my favorite place to dine). The vibe is casual formal, if that makes any sense, since you feel like you’ve dined here many times even after your first visit. It’s a great place for a romantic dinner or a fun evening with friends over too many cocktails. Don’t miss the Lemon Pasta, a real surprise dish that you will crave more than you can imagine (my friend, trying for the first time, begged the waitstaff for the recipe!). Brunch is great also, have the tuna tartare or a burger and beer!
Frevo – 48 West 8th Street – https://frevonyc.com/ – This address is actually an Art Gallery, but please enter as the doorway to this wonderful restaurant is through one of the paintings! This is that rare restaurant that flies just under the radar but deserves to be in the spotlight. You dine at a 18-seat counter bar, tasting menu only, in an intimate setting, with an open kitchen where you overlook the chef’s magic. Watch as the crew plates contemporary French dishes with a keen eye toward texture.
Frevo has recently been awarded a Michelin Star and it’s well deserved. The food is curated by Brazilian chef Franco Sampogna and Portuguese restaurateur Bernardo Silva. The wine program is directed by sommelier Quentin Vauleon, who was awarded the title of Best Young Sommelier in France in 2017.
Via Carota – https://www.viacarota.com/ – Via Carota, one of best Italian restaurants in NYC, doesn’t take reservations, and there’s pretty much always a wait of two or more hours (though you can arrive very early and your wait will be far less). Of course, waiting this long is a bit annoying, but the food is worth it. Don’t skip the Insalata Verde, Nduja Arancini, Polipo, and any of the Pasta’s.
I Sodi – https://www.isodinyc.com/ – The original restaurant was located on Grove Street, in a room the size of a a small NYC living room, but has recently opened a larger restaurant around the corner on Bleecker. The interior reminds you of a Tuscan farm house and the food is simple and delicious Tuscan food. Don’t skip the simple vegetable dishes, which are often just a pretense to eat cheese and olive oil or the pastas. My favorite is the tagliatelle al limone but the 21-layer lasagna is famous and wonderful. You can make reservations but the bar seats are open for walk-ins if you make a last minute decision to dine here.
Chambers – https://chambers.nyc/ – A wonderful TriBeCa neighborhood restaurant that is down-to-earth and welcoming. Start off with something great to drink (interesting wine list and great cocktails) and maybe some snacks while you look over the menu. They go to market each morning and them prepare seasonal, delicious, home cooked food while you listen to some groovy music. You can book a table, or else snag some seats at the bar or communal table and perhaps even make some new friends. Or you can choose to sit at the kitchen counter and have dinner with the chefs. At the end of the day, it’s like they we’re having a few people over for dinner. Very enjoyable.
Anton’s – https://www.antonsnyc.com/ – Anton’s is a nostalgic New York restaurant / wine bar in the heart of the West Village. The vision of husband-and-wife co-founders Nick Anderer and Natalie Johnson, Anton’s serves comforting, eclectic American cuisine with deep European influences. The menu spotlights a seasonal selection of salads, vegetables, and NY-harvested shellfish. Seafood, chops, and side dishes celebrate iconic recipes from a bygone era, along with a variety of house-made pastas. Wine is paramount to the Anton’s experience, with a 550+ bottle-deep list, and upwards of 20 by-the-glass selections gracing the menu at all times. A parade of spirit-forward, craft cocktails improve upon the watering holes of days gone by, as do an edited collection of beers from local brew masters. A shaded sidewalk patio adds to the experience when the weather permits.
New York City’s dining scene is constantly evolving, but these favorite restaurants have stood out for their consistency, creativity, and the simple joy they bring to each meal. Whether it’s a go-to spot for comfort food, a splurge-worthy evening out, or a place that just feels like home, these eateries capture the essence of what makes dining in NYC so special. There’s always something new to try in the city, but these are the places I return to time and again—each visit a reminder that in New York, a great meal is never far away.
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