I’m in love with New York City. The skyscrapers, Central Park, the shops down in Soho, and especially the food. In fact, I have a list of over 100 NYC restaurants and eateries that I plan to go to at least once in my life. Not to mention I scout out new ones via Instagram and The Infatuation like it’s my job.
So I decided to share with the Spooniverse some of the greatest eats that this magical city has to offer. Disclaimer, though: this is only a small fraction of the thousands of restaurants in NYC, but nevertheless they are some that you must try out, whether you’re from New York or are just visiting.
I’ve divided the list based on type of cuisine or meal, and also included location and price for your convenience. Although I haven’t been to every restaurant on this list, it’s a collaborative effort of my own excursions, research, and word of mouth from trusted friends and family. Get ready to hail a cab – I won’t judge if you do a self-proclaimed food tour around the city. Do you think you can go to all 63?
Brunch & Lunch
1. Jack’s Wife Freda
From the cute little sayings on their sugar packets, to their fantastic avocado toast, Jack’s Wife Freda sure knows how to brunch. The restaurant serves brunch-style food all week and all day, with an Israeli/Middle Eastern twist (I mean, rose water waffles).
Locations: Soho & West Village
Price: $-$$
2. Maman
Four words: Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies. Buy at least four before they’re gone. Also buy any other of their French pastries, sandwiches, salads, or quiches, which are all made fresh daily. And if you really want to jazz things up, head over to their Tribeca or Greenpoint location where you can dine-in alongside adorable bunny mugs and rustic wooden tables.
Locations: Soho, Tribeca, Lower East Side, & Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Price: $-$$
3. Ladurée
If you’re in a desparate need to escape NYC and visit Paris, you don’t need to buy a plane ticket. Ladurée’s atmosphere transports you straight to France, with its beautiful decor and authentic French pastries and food. Especially perfect on summer days mid-shopping break, where you can sit in the back patio.
Locations: Soho (Dine-In) & Upper East Side (No Dine-In)
Price: $$
4. Two Hands
Go here. Get a lot of food. Take photos. Upload on Instagram with caption “Look Ma, Two Hands!” Praise the Australians for doing magical things with coffee, toast, and açaì.
Locations: Soho & Tribeca
Price: $
5. The Butcher’s Daughter
If you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to eat healthy, this place is perfect. It’s also perfect if you’re looking to go to a “really cute place” down in Soho. And take “really cute pictures” while drinking out of “really cute glass jars.” It’s a personal favorite.
Location: Soho
Price: $
6. Sadelle’s
Simply said, Sadelle’s is epic. It basically turns eating bagels and smoked fish and babka into an event. Get the three-tiered tower and feel as if you’re having high tea, but with bagels and cream cheese, which is arguably better.
Location: Soho
Price: $$
7. The Smith
If you’re in the need for a really good, all-American brunch that you can go to with your parents on a weekend morning, or your friends when you’re feeling pretty hungover.
Locations: East Village, Nomad, Lincoln Square, & Midtown
Price: $$$
8. Russ & Daughters Cafe
If there’s anything NYC is really, really good at, it’s classic Jewish cuisine. I’m talking bagels, smoked fish, and pastrami type of food. Russ & Daughters is the place for all of that, and it’s great to boot.
Locations: Soho & Upper East Side
Price: $$
9. Delicatessen
If you’re hungry, like really hungry, go to Delicatessen. I’m talking Parmesan truffle fries, burgers, hot skillets of mac and cheese, and all-day breakfast. It has a little of everything – it’s motto is “international comfort food” for a reason.
Location: Soho
Price: $$
10. Egg Shop
What’s the #1 brunch food out there? Eggs. And this place is all about eggs – scrambled, poached, sunny side up, you name it. Go ahead, brunch it out.
Location: Nolita
Price: $$
11. NOMO Kitchen
Wondering where to go for brunch on your birthday? NOMO Kitchen should be the first on your list. The food and drinks are amazing, and to top it all off, the room is decorated like a giant greenhouse with crystal chandeliers. It’s totally Insta-worthy.
Location: Soho
Price: $$$
Quick Bites
1. Taïm Falafel & Smoothie Bar
If you want some delicious and quick Mediterranean food that’s healthier and much more sanitary than the vendors on the street, go to Taïm. As its name suggests, Taïm serves falafels and smoothies, but also sandwiches, salads, platters, spreads, and desserts. And they’re gluten-free and vegan friendly.
Locations: West Village & Nolita
Price: $
2. Black Seed Bagels
New York City is not New York City without bagels. ‘Nuff said.
Locations: Nolita, Battery Park City & East Village
Price: $
3. Tompkins Square Bagels
See previous caption.
Locations: East Village
Price: $
4. By Chloe
A trendy, all-vegan restaurant whose food resembles Shake Shack or Chipotle, but is sans dairy and meat (and much healthier). You’ll be amazed how delicious vegan can actually taste.
Locations: West Village, Soho, & Flatiron
Price: $
5. Oatmeals
Oatmeals is essentially a frozen yogurt bar, but with oatmeal instead of yogurt. With over 80 toppings to choose from, you can customize your oatmeal to whatever you like, or you can choose from their extensive menu, which has sweet options like s’mores or savory options like cacio e pepe.
Location: Greenwich Village
Price: $
6. Beyond Sushi
Sushi that isn’t really sushi because there’s no fish, but nonetheless is absolutely amazing. Beyond Sushi’s menu is all-vegan, but definitely does not skimp on flavor and creativity. As a bonus, everything is really colorful.
Locations: Union Square, Midtown West, & Chelsea Market
Price: $
7. Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen takes salad to a whole new level. Everything is made and chopped fresh daily, and many of its ingredients come directly from local farms and sellers. Not to mention you can choose from anything on the menu or create your own salad or grain bowl. It’s a win-win-win.
Locations: Literally everywhere. (Soho is my favorite).
Price: $
8. Chobani Café
Chobani Café is everything I’ve ever dreamt about: a place that makes unique Greek yogurt parfaits for me. If straight Greek yogurt isn’t your thing (how could it not be?), the café also serves soups, salads, smoothies, and simit rolls.
Locations: Soho & Tribeca
Price: $
Italian
1. Carbone
If you’re in the mood for classic Italian food but don’t want pizza, Carbone is your place. I’m talking red sauce classic Italian. Like you leave really happy and really full classic Italian.
Location: Greenwich Village
Price: $$$$
2. Eataly
Eataly is an Italian grand bazar – you can shop at the market, eat at a restaurant, drink at a café, or learn how to cook at a class, all in one place. It’s like a mall, but one that focuses on Italian food. It’s a mall I would love to live in. And it has a Nutella bar.
Locations: Flatiron & Battery Park City
Price: $-$$$
3. L’Artusi
I have two things to say: go here and order pasta. L’Artusi is one of the best restaurants I’ve been to, and definitely one you should go to in NYC. It’s also one of the fancier restaurants on the list, so this is a place to bring your parents so you’re debit card doesn’t hate you.
Location: West Village
Price: $$$
4. Rubirosa Ristorante
Other than bagels, New York is known for amazing pizza. Rubirosa is a long-standing restaurant and pizzeria that does amazing things with tomato sauce and cheese. Go here and get the vodka sauce pizza, you won’t be sorry.
Location: Nolita
Price: $$
5. Bar Pitti
If you want to see some celebrities while in the city and eat great Italian food, Bar Pitti is your place. It doesn’t take reservations, but they’re quick to turn tables and the wait isn’t too bad. Get some pasta or lasagna and burrata and you’ll be a happy camper.
Location: West Village
Price: $$$
6. Roberta’s
Roberta’s is in Brooklyn, and well worth a trip from Manhattan if you’re in need for some great pizza. It’s also a great option for brunch, where they put an egg on top of pizza.
Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn
Price: $$
7. Emmy Squared
Pizza where every single slice has a crunchy corner? I’ll take five, please. Emmy Squared is NYC’s hottest new pizzeria. I mean, look at that picture, don’t you understand how? It’s beauty in rectangular form.
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Price: $$
Asian
1. Momoya
Momoya is like your classic neighborhood sushi restaurant, because it’s traditional and delicious. They have a good amount of unique rolls without being too over the top, and they change their specials every so often so you can always try something new.
Locations: Chelsea & Upper West Side
Price: $$$
2. Joe’s Shanghai
This is the OG restaurant of soup dumplings. It’s also an OG Chinese restaurant, so authentic that the menu is written first in Chinese, and second in English. But like I said, soup dumplings. Get them.
Locations: Chinatown, Midtown, & Flushing, Queens
Price: $$
3. Koi
In the mood for some Asian fusion? Go to Koi. The space is cool, the food is delicious, and the crispy rice with spicy tuna on top makes me want to cry tears of happiness. The many spaces make it equally perfect for dinner with parents and a fun night with friends.
Locations: Bryant Park & Soho
Price: $$$
4. Mission Chinese Food
Mission Chinese Food is doing everything right in this world. Their style is super laid-back – don’t expect anything fancy or formal. Their food, though, is absolutely unique and delicious. And to top it all off, their website mimics a Myspace profile. Thank you, Mission Chinese, thank you.
Location: Lower East Side
Price: $$
5. Nobu 57
Ever heard of Nobu? If the answer is yes, then good job. If the answer is no, then you need to get out from under your rock. Or watch more “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Regardless, Nobu 57 is the cooler, younger sister of the regular Nobu, and you’re bound to see a celebrity there when you dine.
Location: Midtown West
Price: $$$$
6. Catch
Catch is a party. No really, it turns into a club at night. It’s one of those restaurants with a menu that goes on for days, and is primarily Asian-fusion but also has a little of everything. Everyone will think this restaurant is great, no matter the person. Plus, just look how unreal this dessert is.
Location: Meatpacking
Price: $$$
7. Tao
Tao is NYC. The big buddha statue is simply iconic. Come here with friends, get dressed up, eat some great Asian-fusion cuisine and order some cool drinks.
Locations: Midtown & Chelsea
Price: $$$
American/Steakhouse/Seafood
1. Root & Bone
Root & Bone is classic, all-American, southern comfort food. I’m talking cornbread, fried chicken, cheesy waffles, and, of course, mac and cheese. Like, really good mac and cheese.
Location: East Village
Price: $$
2. Seamore’s
Seamore’s is one of my favorite summer spots in the city. Right in Little Italy, its all-white interior makes you feel as if you’re on some exotic coastline. Until you look outside at a yellow cab. But hey, at least you were transported for some time. Not to mention its food is extremely fresh, local, and seasonal.
Location: Little Italy/Nolita
Price: $$
3. The Meatball Shop
The same owner of Seamore’s started with The Meatball Shop. Simply said, they serve meatballs. Really really good meatballs. On bread, on pasta, on veggies, you name it.
Locations: Lower East Side, Chelsea, West Village, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Price: $
4. Cafeteria
As the name suggests, Cafeteria has something for everyone. Fish? Yep. Meat? You got it. Salads? Uh huh. But, the mac and cheese spring rolls are really where it’s at.
Location: Chelsea
Price: $$
5. ABC Kitchen
Using local and organic ingredients, ABC Kitchen appeals to the healthier side of contemporary American cuisine. One thing, for sure though, is everything is extremely flavorful.
Location: Flatiron
Price: $$$
6. Gramercy Tavern
Gramercy Tavern is typically known for a multiple course tasting menu that can cost an arm and leg, but they also have a more casual bar area (called “The Tavern”) with an à la carte menu. And that menu has extremely flavorful and unique dishes that cannot be missed.
Location: Flatiron
Price: $$$
Mexican/Latin American
1. ABC Cocina
Located on the first floor of a home decor store, and next to its sister restaurant, ABC Kitchen, ABC Cocina may seem a little confusing at first. But don’t be confused – its menu is different, consisting of small Latin American-inspired dishes to be shared.
Location: Flatiron
Price: $$$
2. Bodega Negra
Bodega Negra serves high-end Mexican food with fun drinks that include lots of tequila. If you’re looking for a fun place to go to for a birthday, here’s where you should go.
Location: Meatpacking
Price: $$$
3. Dos Caminos
Start with guacamole and grab yourself a margarita. Or two. Or three. Either way, eat and drink to your heart’s content here.
Locations: Meatpacking, Midtown East, Midtown, Flatiron, & Soho
Price: $$$
French/Mediterranean
1. Balthazar
Delicious, simple, classic French food. Located right in the heart of Soho, Balthazar’s iconic red sign is like a sign from heaven. To eat cheesy French onion soup, that is.
Location: Soho
Price: $$$
2. 12 Chairs Cafe
Contrary to the name, 12 Chairs Cafe does not have just 12 chairs. What it does have, however, is fantastic Israeli food, from shakshuka to hummus to couscous salads. And they put a lot of tahini on things. And boy, do I love tahini.
Locations: Soho & Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Price: $$
3. Le Pain Quotidien
LPQ (as my friends and I like to call it) is cozy, rustic, and delicious. From its flaky pastries to its seasonal salads, it’s exactly what you would imagine in your mind when you think “French café.” Just do me a favor, leave your beret at home.
Locations: Literally everywhere.
Price: $$
4. Le Cirque
Le Cirque is the place to go if you’re willing to spend a pretty penny on dinner, without going ham on a tasting menu at Per Se or John Georges (you know, those three Michelin Star restaurants that cost almost as much as your month’s rent). It’s a classic NYC restaurant, and the food is really good.
Location: Midtown East
Price: $$$$
5. Gato
Gato is Bobby Flay’s take on Spanish/Mediterranean dishes, so you know it’s good. It’s also a place where you can spot some celebrities, if that’s your thing.
Location: Noho
Price: $$$
6. Boqueria
If you’re in the mood for some good-old Spanish tapas and paella, go to Boqueria. The food is incredibly good and does a good representation of Spanish-style food. Get the Nutella-filled churros, you won’t be sorry.
Locations: Flatiron & Soho
Price: $$$
Sweets
1. Levain Bakery
What’s New York City without Levain Bakery? I’ll tell you: a really sad, jumbo-chocolate-chip-cookie-deprived city. These cookies are almost as Instagram famous as Selena Gomez.
Location: Upper West Side
Price: $
2. Momofuku Milk Bar
I’m almost positive that Momofuku puts drugs in its products, it’s that good. Is crack really in the crack pie? What’s in those birthday cake truffles? And that cereal milk soft serve? Amazing. Just amazing.
Locations: Upper West Side, Chelsea, Midtown, East Village, Nolita, Williamsburg, Brooklyn & Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Price: $
3. Breads Bakery
Go here. Buy chocolate babka. Maybe some rugelach. Maybe another chocolate babka. Go home. Eat. Be happy.
Locations: Union Square, Bryant Park, & Lincoln Center
Price: $
4. Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit
Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit is basically a frozen yogurt bar, but serves frozen fruit instead of yogurt. It also has an extensive toppings bar, so go crazy.
Location: Union Square
Price: $
5. Dominique Ansel Bakery
Although you know Dominique Ansel primarily for the Cronut and the Cookie Shot, his bakery has much more to offer. From madeleines to blooming marshmallows in hot chocolate, you can be sure to be surprised no matter what.
Location: Soho
Price: $
6. Big Gay Ice Cream Shop
Amazing ice cream with equally amazing flavors and combinations. It’s where dreams are made and fulfilled.
Locations: East Village, West Village, & Meatpacking
Price: $
7. The City Bakery
If you’re in NYC during the winter, you know that it’s absolutely brutal to be outside. You should also know that you must go to The City Bakery and get their classic hot chocolate with a homemade marshmallow on top. It’s as if you’re drinking straight liquid chocolate. It’s amazing.
Location: Flatiron
Price: $
8. Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream
There’s a reason “finest” is in its name – Morgenstern’s ice cream is simply unreal. It makes its ice cream fresh, and combines flavors that you wouldn’t even think of. It also pairs up with celebrities, like Kayne West, and chefs, like Mario Batali.
Location: Lower East Side
Price: $
9. Lady M Cake Boutique
Picture a high-end clothing store, but with cakes instead of clothes. Intrigued? Go to Lady M, and definitely try one of its crêpe cakes.
Locations: Midtown, Upper East Side, Bryant Park, Battery Park City, & Nomad
Price: $
10. Serendipity III
This is the place that sells the world’s most expensive ice cream sundae and frozen hot chocolate. Need I say more?
Location: Midtown East
Price: $
11. Cha Cha Matcha
Matcha is all the rage lately, so it was only a matter of time until there was an entire shop dedicated to it in the City. From drinks to soft serve, go here to get your matcha on.
Location: Soho
Price: $
12. Dough Doughnuts
Dough is probably the most well-known doughnut shop in New York City, and there’s a reason for that. You can find it almost anywhere from trucks on the streets, or go to its many stores to get some insane doughnuts that are very doughy.
Locations: Urbanspace Vanderbilt, Flatiron, & Bed Stuy, Brooklyn
Price: $
13. Magnolia Bakery
An SNL skit with Andy Samberg made it famous, but Magnolia is not just the punchline of a song. Its cupcakes are divine, but its banana pudding is really where it’s at. Get it.
Locations: Midtown East, Midtown, Upper West Side, Greenwich Village, Penn Station & Grand Central Terminal
Price: $
14. Doughnut Plant
Doughnuts of all different kinds and flavors is what Doughnut Plant can do really, really well. Just look at how pretty they are.
Locations: Lower East Side, Chelsea, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn & Long Island City, Queens
Price: $
15. Ice & Vice
Ice & Vice does some really cool things with ice cream. Like ice cream cones with whole doughnuts on top, or stuffed between two cake-like cookies. Ice cream pies, cakes, you name it. They know ice cream.
Location: Lower East Side
Price: $
There you have it, 63 fantastic restaurants and eateries that call NYC home. All New Yorkers (like me!) and non-New Yorkers alike can now use this bucket list as a resource for their city food needs. How many can you check off the list by the end of the year?