Where to Eat in New York City Right Now

At one point, I felt I had eaten at every restaurant in New York City (that I wanted to and was hyped). However, with the lightening speed these chefs work and constantly adding new concepts, it’s hard to keep up if you leave for even a couple weeks. I take pride in how hard I research where to eat, memorize menus by accident, and constantly update my spreadsheets on where to go what what is best for each category of food. When dining out in the best food city in the world, I like to mix up my time with some old favorites but always check out new ones. I’m always updating this list and trying to keep it at 40 tops which you’ll see below.

1. Theodora (BK) — This is my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn right now, and it’s in the Fort Greene neighborhood. I am a sucker for counter dining, especially when it’s in front of the kitchen so you get to watch the live fire and dishes flying out, while you chat with the staff. It’s every emotion from the theater, except I’ve never cried watching a kitchen scene. Alright, this is like a Mediterranean/Israeli/Mexican flavored restaurant. You don’t need to put it in a box, you just need to put it in your mouth! The Seeded Laffa that comes with a smoky eggplant dip might stop you in your tracks, but you’d be a fool if you didn’t order that “Extra Pita $6” on the menu as it’s a doughy ball bursting with energy, and I’d be devastated if you didn’t try it. New York really does their soft/doughy center bread well! The Beets done with a Salsa Macha (the Mexican influence) with Balsamic Reduction and Wood Fired Broccolini with Basil and Dilly Dressing and Manchego are why you can come here and be a vegetarian for the night. We also loved the Wood Fired Sweet Potato with Crème Fraiche and The Falafel that had a Thai Curry dipping sauce — this is when I screamed out loud about how much I loved this restaurant. It’s the Half Chicken roasted before your eyes in that Josper Oven with Green Garlic that made us forget we were full because it’s so juicy, you just can’t stop. I’ll admit that I’m not that big of a Tahini fan, but we dipped into the Baklava Sundae that tasted like a crunchy cone with Tahini Ice Cream and I think caramel sauce. Also, I loved the dense chocolate cake that wasn’t too sweet or rich so, yes, somehow we fit what felt like the whole menu in our stomachs. I LOVE THIS PLACE and all the wooden tables, brick walls with hand-drawn body outlines, cute random lamps and a fish suitcase on the shelves. Make a res early in advance! If you can’t get in, go to Miss Ada from the same owners. 

2. The Corner Store (SoHo) – You might know about this spot from all the attention that Taylor Swift draws to it, but I know it from my old client, owner Eugene Remm, who I worked with most of my time in NYC on his restaurants like Catch. Since it’s impossible to get in, he was nice enough to snag us a prime table on a Saturday night and, ironically, T Swift made another appearance here the night before we dined. All that to say, I don’t care about that kind of thing because I am here to eat well, catch up with good friends, and enjoy a good scene and restaurant design. I actually hadn’t heard much about the food prior, but the Ribeye’s crunch and the Pizza Rolls really stuck with us. We also loved the Madai Crudo with Watermelon; Spinach Artichoke Dip with homemade salty chips, carrots and celery sticks; Five Cheese Pizza Rolls served with Calabrian Honey; Market Green Salad; Grilled Branzino; and the star of the show, a Prime Aged Ribeye, with a perfect crust and tender, medium-rare beef that blew us all away. For the complimentary dessert service, we tried the famous Samoa Sundae with coconut soft serve, brown butter caramel, chocolate fudge, shortbread crumble and the Apple Hand Pie, which I actually was even more fond of.

3. Lilia (BK) – An old favorite by Chef Missy Robbins who gave pasta a whole new game when she opened years ago, this place is always a classic and one I’ll revisit when I come back. Heck, I don’t even care about pasta in my daily life, but I love the dining room, and it is truly the best pasta I’ve had with such great vegetables and grilled fish as well. Get the Agnolotti as it’s pillowy, savory, and a little sweetness with the honey. The escarole really stood out, and the Grilled Sardines with a hunk of butter under the dill shocked me, but we still went in for it. I remember loving the Olive Oil gelato, but skip the chocolate chip cookie if you go to the daytime café.

4. Russ & Daughters (LES) – Jewish immigrants started Russ and Daughters as an appetizing shop in 1914, where people would get whitefish salad, babka, and other food products, but in 2014, they opened for sit-down dining in the LES as their first expansion. On my last NY trip, I was having a stressful day because I was trying to do everything all at once and it wasn’t all working out, so I Just need a comforting bowl of Matzoh Ball Soup, and found the best I’ve ever had in my life here. THey don’t take reservations, but I went by myself and ended up sitting next to a Jewish girl from Dallas and having a really nice conversation. Go alone, or go really early to snag a spot! I’ve never had potato latkes quite like their really tick and put together crispy latkes with applesauce and sour cream. In the past, I’ve enjoyed their Babka French Toast and fish platters — you can’t go wrong. 

5. Ha’s Snack Bar (LES)- This Asian-inspired restaurant right off the cuff of Chinatown utilizes all of my favorite ingredients in the tiniest 24-seat space you can barely fit into. This is what makes NYC dining so special. At this restaurant, helmed by this young couple profiled in Vogue, they are changing the menu pretty frequently, which is exciting and sad because I might never be privileged to eat the best plated tuna, dressed with a golden raisin agrodolce, that I’ve ever had again! It was also probably the fattest and thickest piece of tuna I’ve seen served on a plate, and it truly sparked me inside with creativity! Only 12 dishes on the menu, you might as well just get them all. How did we get into the now Best New Restaurant from NY Mag and Infatuation for 2025? We read that people start lining up at 4:45, so we got there around 5 p.m. and had an easy time receiving a seat for the first seating on a Tuesday. Other dishes we loved: Chanterelles & Cheese on toast; Salad of endive, rau raum, and persimmon; Steamed Skate with ginger, scallion and a lettuce that hugged the fish wrapping all around it for the guest to peel off. Wow!

6. Via Carota (West Village)– I love all the veggie-forward dishes, like the Cannellini Beans and Tomato; Carrots with Yogurt and Pistachios; and Charred Leeks at this popular West Village spot. However, if you’re there for dinner, you’re getting pasta at Via Carota.

7. Coqodaq (Flatiron) – Coqodaq is the sexiest dining room and dinner experience in New York right now — if you can get in. From the owners of Cote, this fried chicken champagne smoke show of a restaurant is like theater, starting with the bouncer at the front door. The bright, fluorescent arches take over the entire ceilings as you walk down the pathway to your cozy plush booths. It feels like a right of passage to eat here, yet the staff is so friendly and warm. How to eat here: from The Bucket List, ($38 pp) you get 1 original bucket without any seasoning on your fried chicken, which is about 6 to 8 pieces PER person then you choose your glaze for the next round — Soy Sauce Garlic or Gochujang Glaze. I actually liked the sauce-free chicken first the best and tried all the different squeeze bottles of sauces to decorate my bird when they came out on the lazy susan — yes, a lazy susan. Sexiest dining experience, I tell ya. This also all comes with Chicken Consommé to start, Ban-Chan pickled veggies, Cold Perilla Seed Noodles, and finishes with a Soft Serve cup. Definitely add on The Golden 24 Karat Caviar Nugget to start for an extra $28 per piece — silly, I know, but you have to! This is the only place that has made me love Chicken Liver Paté with their marmalade, and I couldn’t stop picking at the cole slaw. Now, is it the best fried chicken I’ve ever had? It wasn’t even about that. It’s about the luxurious yet glorified experience that makes you feel special in a gorgeous place without caring who’s who or what you are wearing. The chicken was fine!! It’s just how they made me feel that I will remember. 

8. Ippudo (Theater District) – This old Japanese ramen shop from Fukuoka used to only have one location near Astor Place, and the lines would be in que well before they opened for dinner at 5 p.m. Now, they have a location not far from Rockefeller Center and in the Theater District, which we popped into at 11 p.m. after Saturday Night Live! I got the Bonnie Bonito Ramen, which is a fish-flavored tonkotsu broth with silky noodles, scallions, seasoned bamboo shoots, Naruto, and Yuzu peel. I don’t eat a lot of pork so I never order ramen, and let me tell you, fish broth is light, still cozy, and where it’s at! I also really loved the Cucumbers (Goma Q). They are RICH, as in you feel rich eating them because they are pungent, unlike any other cuke you’ve ever had, and dressed in sesame oil with mild chili flakes.

9. Di An Di (BK) – I feel like you can’t call this a Vietnamese restaurant because it is so unique from all my other favorite ones that it deserves its own category! It’s a huge space once you walk through the front part through to the kitchen and with a lovely quiet back area. Funny enough, it was a space where I opened a restaurant, Hail Mary, right before I moved back to Austin in 2016 with Sohla. One of my top 5 favorite dishes in the city right now is from here and it’s the Rice Cake Omelette (yes, for dinner!). Made with a daikon rice cake and tamari dipping sauce, I could eat this for 3 meals a day. We also loved the Roast Chicken with crispy rice, the crispiest skin, shallot aioli, and dandelion greens. It’s pretty easy to get a reservation here, and I’d say this could be a go-to in the hood! Skip the Rice Paper Salad because no, you don’t want this rice paper to cut your mouth like it did ours. They also have pho, grilled tofu, beef short ribs, and a whole sea bass!

10. Bangkok Supper Club (Meatpacking) – A new Thai spot that feels trendy and international, Bangkok Super Club is kind of hard to get into, but worth the visit. The old-school neon sign outside calls you in, but when you enter, the space almost feels like an upscale cocktail lounge with clean lines and a smooth, modern design. We got the green beans to start with a tofu cream and chili oil, followed by the Sea Bass Curry + a Stuffed Eggplant, my two favorite dishes here! Everyone told me to try the Beef Tartare, but it was too spicy for me. We sat in the back of the sexy dining area and watched the chefs in the kitchen, so ask for that seat to get in on the action.

11. Nami Nori (Multiple Locations) – If you love raw fish and want to try something new, the temake sets here create an entirely new experience. It’s a bit more expensive than you can find sushi otherwise. 

 

12. Margot (BK) – I felt like I was part of the team watching the chefs in action at Margot, where you’ll swipe every herby ingredient off your plate. The Beets + Feta, Chicory Salad, Rigatoni with Kale, and Sea Bass felt like a steal at $70 per person, and you can see the chefs cooking on open fire from any seat in the restaurant. 

13. L’Industrie (West Village + Williamsburg) – This slice shop that started in Williamsburg is easy, has fun outdoor seating, and gets the job done when you are looking for New York style ‘Za made from quality ingredients. I like the Burrata Pie the most as it’s the perfect amount of cheese and cream and doesn’t overpower the slice. Choose Pepperoni over Margherita, and they also have a location in the West Village.

14. Shuka (Soho) – This Mediterranean restaurant is from one of my favorite groups and opened Shuka where Hundred Acres in Soho used to be. It’s airy, good for big groups, and feels like a farm house. Start with any of the dips, def get the Fried Halloumi, Falafel, or the Shakshuka at brunch.

15. Pastis & 27. Minetta Tavern (Meatpacking + Greenwich Village) – Two more Keith McNally restaurants that I’m looping together in one because I love both of their burgers. Go to Pastis in the Meatpacking District if you want to feel like Sex & The City era. The burger here gets the job done, the fries are super salty, and the side salad is satisfying. Go here for great people watching and if you’ve never been to New York. Now, for my favorite burger in all of the city go to the darker more masculine Minetta Tavern in Greenwich Village. Now listen to me here. People write about going for the $38 Black Label Burger that’s made with prime dry-aged beef cuts. I, however, swear by the Minetta Burger at $30 which has cheddar and caramelized onions. This is where I learned that caramelize onions are the one and only topping that I need on my burger. Why don’t more restaurants have this? It’s perfect.

16. Don Angie (West Village) – Known for their Lasagna For Two, the swirl-shaped dish can feed a large group and is how the husband-and-wife chefs quickly became well known here. They were actually my clients at Quality Italian when I worked in NYC, and then were able to open their own space within the group years later, which is so exciting to see. It’s always packed in the West Village, and this is a place where you know you’ll be taken care of hospitality-wise and taste bud-wise…if you can snag a res! They also just opened their second restaurant San Sabino, which is seafood Italian.

17. Cafe Spaghetti (BK) -Heavy, cheesy pastas aren’t usually my first preference when looking for a restaurant, but when in need of some rich Italian, I’d stop for dinner at Cafe Spaghetti. The Fussili Grosso Alla Bolognese is the coziest red sauce I have ever had, perfectly al dente and just the right amount of ragú to make your belly warm. I’m also a huge fan of the Ceasar Salad, so don’t skip it! This place feels like you’re in the middle of Italy with their tiny indoor bar filled with Aperol. A big plus is they have one of the largest outdoor dining patios I’ve seen in New York.

18. Chez Ma Tante  (BK) – You don’t go to Chez Ma Tante if you’re not getting their tall, crispy on the outside, and cakey on the inside pancakes, that are absolutely the best pancakes I’ve ever had. I had no trouble getting a reservation and actually ended up sitting next to a girl I used to work with at The Today Show during my NYC PR days! Every table in the small, small place had the pancakes, but we also ordered the really good Chicory Salad and English Muffin with Whitefish. And of course, pancakes for dessert!

19. Misi (BK) – After the killer success of Lilia in Williamsburg, Chef Missy Robbins and Sean Feeney opened up a second restaurant called Misi in the old Domino Sugar building right on the water in Domino Park. While everyone knows dinner reservations are nearly impossible at both locations, the secret to get in is Friday afternoon lunch! I love sitting at the chef’s counter, watching them boil, twirl, and make art out of the bowls of pasta. The menu is all antipasti vegetable plates and artisan pastas, so honestly, a vegetarian would have as much fun here as a pasta eater — is there a word for someone who only eats pasta? Haha. The stark space screams “We Are Serious About Our Food,” with not much color and straight-up neutral and sleek counter tops. The whole point is to sit at the counter, for real though. I loved the special Corzetti Pasta, a disc-shaped pasta with ramps, pine nuts, and basil. My vote goes to the Grilled Baby Artichokes with Mint Salsa Verde because you can typically only find this dish in London! I usually go for a red sauce-based pasta and was delighted to have my mind changed. For two people, 2 veg and 2 pastas are plenty, and I’d skip gelato and try a bakery nearby.

20. Twin Tails (Columbus Circle) – The newest restaurant from Quality Branded group is a Thai spot up at Columbus Circle that puts on the same style shows like they do at Quality Italian and Quality Meats. They offer whimsical creativity at their restaurants that still come across as being so professional, something I don’t see often. The Whole Royal Dorade Sashimi is the reason this was on my can’t miss list, and we loved the Off-Menu Chicken Nuggets and Caviar; Red Curry Seabass; Grilled Gai Lan.

21. Dame (West Village) – Dame is a tiny restaurant in the West Village that I could never get into when it first opened, but now it’s pretty easy to get a res! It feels very European to me, with simple interiors in a tiny space that exudes, “We have simple food with bold flavors, and the wine is good, too!” A couple owns it, and the wife is from Austin, and her husband is British! You could probably order the whole menu if you were able to get a large enough reservation, but if it’s only two of you, the Whitefish Salad on Polenta is very playful and a fun new way to eat both ingredients. I used my hands to eat it like a little French fry toast! The Fried Soft Shell Crab with Ramp Aioli and Peas tasted like a garden and was very light and crisp, and the Kedgeree Rice with Grilled Monkfish was my favorite dish of the night because I love that extra curry spice. You can’t leave here without trying the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which might be the best dessert on any restaurant menu, so gooey and sweet after a flavorful meal.

22. Babbo (West Village) – This was one of the first restaurants I ate at when I moved to the West Village at age 22. I read about a Beef Cheek Ravioli and thought that was the wildest thing I’d ever heard of at the time. Look at me now, right? When my older brother Jonathan, came into town for work, I snagged a res for us there. Old school, yet classic NYC vibes, this establishment was recently taken over by famed restaurateur, Stephen Starr. I couldn’t wait to jump back into the dining room that has this incredible staircase in the center leading up to the main dining room upstairs. Who did I spot upon entering right away? Mr. Starr, himself. I had been telling Ryan about the history of Stephen Starr and we walked past Pastis right before, where I could point out his new partnership with Keith McNally. He urged me to say hello, and I said I was taking the night off, but I could not help myself and congratulated him when he zipped past us on his way out that Friday night. He turned to me and said, “Who are you?” Then we got to chatting about Austin food, and he shared a few secrets with me and told me to get his number from the host stand so we could chat business more. Truly the type of moment I live for.

23. Wu’s Wonton (LES) – This is my favorite sit-down restaurant in Chinatown. Well, I guess it’s actually in the LES. It’s the place where I learned to love Rice Rolls and I’ve never had a better one — yes, I’ve been to Yi Ji Shi Mo, but I recommend that one for you if you’re doing a Chinatown crawl, although our order took 45 min. Otherwise, walk right into Wu’s on a weekday anytime, and you’ll be met with fast service. Go for the Shrimp and Chive Dumplings, — also best I’ve ever had — Congee, and Shrimp Rice Rolls. We did get the Peking Duck with Rice for lunch, but it was pretty boney for me, and I just oohed and ahhed over all the other dishes. They also greet you with green tea and you’ll see the chef drying the Peking Ducks in the window. I LOVE THIS PLACE! If you’re looking for something quicker, you can get counter service at Nom Wah Tea Parlor!

24. Le Botaniste (Soho) — If I lived in New York, I’d eat at Le Botaniste for a $20 lunch everyday. This place is like a pharmacy for food. When you walk in, you see the veggie bar, which holds Le Creuset-style pots on the stove behind a glass where it says “Prescription” in place of “Menu.” The employees are all wearing lab coats, which makes me giggle and love this place more and more. Go through the line and pick from the menu or DIY your own bowl. It’s all plant-based, and they have options ranging from a Tibetan Coconut Peanut Butter Curry to Quinoa Fusilli Bolognese with herbal Oil, Spicy Chili Sin Carne, and I got the special Saag both times with their incredible Turmeric Lemon Hummus. This place is exploding with healing and nutrient dense bowls, and you must visit if you are in Soho!

25. Brasserie Fouquet (Tribeca) – This spot feels like one of those places you’d run into the Real Housewives of Tribeca or a big company’s CEO. You’ll find yourself scanning the room to see if you recognize other diners as you settle into your big red booth. The service is a tad slower than I would expect given the menu prices, but the Cheeseburger with the Macaroni & Cantal Cheese and a side of the French Onion Soup is worth it. Fouquet’s is the type of restaurant you go to with your girlfriends when you’re visiting NYC and want the full “New York” experience.

26. Barbuto (West Village) – While JW Chicken is the most famous roasted chicken in town along with their kale salad, it’s the garage style door and corner restaurant on Washington Street that makes it so quaint. If you go for lunch, get the pizza. The dough is so good!

27. Carbone (Greenwich Village) – While I don’t visit this restaurant on every visit, I know you are looking here for my faves so this is one you can’t miss. Looking to be impressed and also impress others, this is my #1 spot to tell you to go. The old-school service, best Veal Parmesan, and close but separate dining rooms create an experience you’ll never be able to recreate.

28. Gramercy Tavern (Flatiron) – Treat yourself to the multi-course tasting menu or grab a seat at the bar for a drink, a burger, and a casual menu. The fresh flowers alone make this spot special.

29. Fra Dei (BK) – While I actually despise tasting menus (unless it’s sushi), my friend Angela didn’t let me get out of trying her favorite Fort Green spot. We went to a lovely live music yoga class down the street and scooted into our 8:45 p.m. dinner res here after. One of the owners is French and they offer a 5 course menu that changes every few weeks for $90 each and wine BTG for $16-$17. You don’t even get a menu, you sit down, order some house wine and they just start bringing you the most delicious dishes that are no fuss, not complex, but SO thoughtful and eye popping. The small vibe with probably less than 10 tables and a few bar seats feels exactly like France or Italy and you just know with the hip hop tunes, you are in for a treat. We indulged in the best tartare I’ve ever had (lamb I think?) with RAMPS. They were SO good—made the whole dish. The small but just right fish portion with greens, then pasta with white asparagus and trout roe, and the chicken was superb. This was one of my favorite dining evenings because it was an experience and not over the top or too much food.