This article presents an exciting list of the 20 best new restaurants to eat at in NYC right now. It showcases a diverse range of cuisines and dining experiences.
Bad Roman, located at The Shops at Columbus Circle and overlooking Central Park, offers contemporary Italian dishes in a gorgeous and spacious dining room with playful design elements. Signature dishes include starters like the Black Truffle Honey Whipped Ricotta and ‘Roni Cups & Ranch, as well as raw bar items, house-made pastas, seafood, and more. Pair it with innovative cocktails like the Tequila Granita.
Tatiana, helmed by acclaimed restaurateur and author Kwame Onwuachi, is his first NYC restaurant. Named after his sister and in collaboration with chef de cuisine Kamat Newman, the menu is rooted in flavors of Afro Caribbean cooking, the American South, and New York City. New menu items include Andouille Sausage with Creole mustard, Cornbread & Cod with smoked jerk cod, Curried Snow Crab, and Shawarma Roasted Chicken with turmeric lamb rice. Dessert options like Strawberry Shortcake made with strawberry sorbet are a must.
Mesiba in Williamsburg, part of Bar Lab Hospitality (Broken Shaker), offers Eastern Mediterranean flavors of the Levant. The eye-catching dining room is spacious with high ceilings and plants, and features a cool design aesthetic. Dining here is all about shareable plates with signatures like Eli’s Baba Ganoush 2.0, Mushroom Shawarma, Charred Octopus, and the namesake mesiba in varieties like Lamb Neck.
Birria-Landia, a food-truck empire founded by brothers José and Jesús Moreno, is steadily taking over each NYC borough. The Lower East side set of wheels at the cross section of East Houston and First Avenue is the latest addition, and what you’re here for is the signature Birria, a Tijuana-style beef combo of brisket, shank, and top round that’s been cooked for 5 hours. It’s available in Tacos, Tostadas, and Mulita, all of which should be dipped in the Consome broth of the same Birria flavor.
The Wesley in the West Village, helmed by chef Santiago Astudillo (Le Bernardin, Daniel), offers a vegetable-centric (and dairy-free) menu with a select number of stellar meat options. Within separate dining spaces with names like the Red Room or Blonde Room, go for signature seasonal and produce-driven plates such as the Mushroom Ceviche with coconut leche de tigre, Artichoke Pasta with saffron cashew cream, and Amish Chicken Roulade with Brazilian chili oil. For drinks, bar expert Gabriel Maldonado (Jean-Georges, Le Coucou) whips up house cocktails and zero-proof creations while the wine selection spotlights organic, vegan, and women-led producers.
KRU, founded by chef Ohm Suansilphong who grew up in north central Thailand within a restaurant family and has worked at Nahm (Bangkok) before co-founding Fish Cheeks, now teams up with his wife, Kiki Supap, for a hotspot offering modern takes on old Thai recipes once designated for the country’s royal family. In a moody dining room, the incorporation of elements discovered in historical texts from the 19th century, in addition to an overall masterful command of Thai cuisine, make for an exciting meal here. Must-try dishes include the Cauliflower “PLA” with Scallop, “LON” with Crabmeat, “Kaeng Pa” Beef Tongue, and Rice Omelette that’s especially great for balancing out any spice.
Barbuto in the West Village, a reboot of the previous Washington Street location that operated for more than 15 years, offers a seasonal Italian- and California-inspired menu that includes plenty of chef Jonathan Waxman’s classics. Enjoy faves like the Polpettone, Insalata Di Cavolo, JW Gnocchi, JW Potatoes, and famous JW Pollo Al Forno. With sunlight pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling windows and the Hudson River as a backdrop, it’s also a fantastic place to enjoy the warm weather.
Bonnie’s in Williamsburg has become one of the most coveted reservations in town. Named after his mother, Brooklyn native chef Calvin Eng (Nom Wah, Win Son) offers his own interpretation of Cantonese cuisine along with recipes inspired from his childhood. From updated versions of American classics Hup to Ha of honey walnut shrimp, to the must-try Fuyu Cacio e Pepe Mein or even his own rendition of a McRib, a meal here—served on classic blue and white porcelain flatware—will easily be the highlight of your week.
Breakfast by Salt’s Cure in Carroll Gardens has made their NYC debut with a West Village flagship and the Carroll Gardens location marks their second Big Apple branch. Head there between 8 am–2 pm from Wednesdays to Sundays for griddle pancakes that are sweet, thin, and crispy edged and available in options like The OG, Banana Nut, Chocolate Chip, and more. From sandwiches and the Cheeseburger to combination Plates or their version of bacon (aka the Picnic Ham), the entirety of the concise menu is also excellent.
Pollo con mole Xico at Casa Carmen in Tribeca is the first stateside venture for the Ramirez Degollado family. The brother duo and co-owners, Santiago and Sebastian, work in collaboration with two head chefs and a team of “mayoras” who oversee the menu and its signature dishes like the Panuchos Yucateros and Pollo con mole Xico. Here, the gorgeous 2,500-square-foot, 105-seat space is divided into a bar area and main dining room, and the interior’s aesthetic draws inspiration from earth-toned, stucco-walled haciendas.
Chino Grande in Williamsburg is a chill neighborhood spot that transforms into a karaoke saloon after hours. Partners Josh Ku (Win Son, Win Son Bakery), Erica Hall (Win Son), and Paul Cacici, (co-owner of Carmenta’s) offer Asian- and Latin American-inspired dishes. Menu highlights include the Barramundi Ceviche; Beef Tartare & Toast: skewer options in Swordfish, Chicken Thigh, Beef, and Eggplant: Buttermilk Fried Chicken; and Hawaiian Miso Kampachi. And be sure to order the Banana Miso Custard for dessert to, you know, help warm those vocal chords.
Dept Of Culture in Bed-Stuy hosts up to 16 guests via a large communal table and counter seats and transports diners to a ’70s/’80s dinner party inside a home in North-Central Nigeria. Chef and owner Ayo Balogun’s four-course prix fixe also includes heartfelt stories about his family and childhood as records from legendary Nigerian artists like Ebenezer Obey play in the background. While the BYOB menu’s offerings rotate regularly, previous dishes include the sweat-inducing Eja tutu ati oshuka cilantro (red snapper pepper soup); Wara ati obe (cheese cooked in stew); Iyan ati egusi pelu eja alaran ati efo (pounded yam, fermented melon seeds, smoked fish); and Dodo ati ice cream (with caramelized plantain). Reservations are required and can be made via its website.
Emmett’s On Grove in the West Village is the sibling eatery to the Chicago-style pizza spot, Emmett’s. What you’ll be ordering up is the tavern-style thin crust pizza along with a menu inspired by Italian American fare. Within the playful space that features a Midwestern vibe with rustic wood and a skylight in the main dining room, highlights include signature items like the Crispy Olives, Caesar Salad, Spaghetti & Meatballs, an off-menu Chicago-inspired burger, and Baby Back Ribs.
Gee’s Caribbean in Crown Heights, operated by some of the former team members of the legendary Gloria’s (now closed), offers table service and no-frills dining. Signature dishes include entrees like Stewed Oxtail, Curry Beef, and Jerk Chicken served with sides like Pumpkin, Callaloo, or Macaroni Salad. Breakfast items, soups, vegan options, and an assortment of roti in offerings like Curry Conch or Bhaji are also available.
The Noortwyck in the West Village, helmed by industry veterans chef Andrew Quinn (Hibiscus in London) and wine expert Cedric Nicaise (Aureole), is a New American restaurant with fine dining-level food but with the comforts of a neighborhood gem to frequent regularly. The seasonal menu features ingredients from local purveyors, and breads, pastas, and butchery done in-house that can all be paired with over 250 wines curated by Nicaise, along with cocktails. Popular dishes include the Seeded Parker House roll, Fluke Crudo, Torteloni with mussels, BBQ Duck Breast, and Skrei Cod with navy beans.
Oiji Mi in the Flatiron is chef Brian Kim’s exciting sophomore venture that showcases high-end, contemporary dining in New York City rooted in a Korean essence. Within a chic space inspired by old-school Korean homes called “hanoks,” guests can enjoy a 5-course prix-fixe menu or do a la carte ordering in the bar & lounge for signature dishes like the Striped Jack “Hwe”, Chili Lobster Ramyun, and dessert like the Ooyoo Bingsu, a refreshing and fanciful shaved ice treat. And if you see people going in and out of a side door near the kitchen, that would be for BOM, a separate venture featuring an intimate chef’s counter.
Semma in Greenwich Village is dedicated to the flavors of Southern India. Inside a vibrant space with design elements honoring the Deccan peninsula, executive chef Vijay Kumar takes inspiration from his upbringing in the state of Tamil Nadu and offers signature items like the Nathai Pirattal, a snail dish with tamarind and kal dosa. Additional standouts include the tender Kudal Varuval made with goat intestines; Goanese Oxtail; and Kanyakumari Nandu Masala for two with dungeness crab, parotta, coconut rice.
Uncle Lou in Chinatown specializes in Cantonese cuisine and encompasses all of our favorite elements for dining out both in Chinatown and at must-try NYC restaurants: great food, a fun space, and large tables with lazy susans that encourage family-style meals. With ingredients sourced from nearby grocers, fishmongers, and butchers, the eatery’s menu is inspired by dishes from first-generation Cantonese immigrants. Signature offerings include the Eggplant in Yuxiang Garlic Sauce, Braised Pork Belly with Mui Choy, Steamed Buffalo Fish with Ginger & Scallion, and the fantastic Homestyle Chenpi Duck.
Wenwen in Greenpoint, brought to Brooklyn by Eric Sze and Andy Chuang of the popular East Village spot, 886, serves homestyle Taiwanese comfort foods bold in both flavor and presentation. The airy space also expands to a cozy backroom named “The Alley” and transports diners to the back streets of Taipei. Popular dishes include the Sacha Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken, Lo Ba Beng, and familiar faves like Fly’s Head w/ Lettuce Cups. And you’ll want to go family-style with the four shareable entree options: Whole Striped Bass w/ Fish Paste; Pork Belly & Cuttlefish; You Fan with Nueske bacon and uni; and signature (and very limited) Whole BDSM Fried Chicken.
Zou Zou’s in Manhattan West offers a diverse range of cuisines and dining experiences. It has a reputation for providing high-quality food and a great atmosphere.
