New York City is known as the city that never sleeps. It’s home to massive monuments like the Statue of Liberty, and boasts recognizable locations featured in popular television shows and movies. The city is also known for its incredible food scene. From exquisite fine dining restaurants to casual local spots, NYC ranks highly among the world’s top dining destinations and is an industry player to be reckoned with. With what seems to be an endless number of restaurants in NYC, it can be tough to narrow down your dining options. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of our top 10 best restaurants in NYC, so you don’t have to.
So, how exactly did we come up with our list of the 10 best NYC restaurants? We spent time combing through the internet to find the most highly acclaimed restaurants, top-rated hot spots, new and up-and-coming venues, and local destinations. Then we narrowed it all down to create the ultimate list of top 10 restaurants in NYC.
Top 10 Restaurants in New York City
You can plan ahead with our list of the top 10 restaurants in New York City and try some of the best spots in the city. Each restaurant on this list is unique, popular for a reason, and worth a try in person or through NYC delivery apps if you feel like staying in. Let’s get to it!
1. Sami & Sasu
Sami & Sasu gained a cult following for its Mediterranean flavors and family recipe inspiration after opening in 2020 as a pickup and delivery service during the height of the pandemic. Due to major success throughout the pandemic, Sami & Sasu opened a full service restaurant in July 2021, located in the Lower East Side, which has since been featured in the Michelin Guide.
Sami & Sasu is best known for its tender and plump chicken schnitzel, baguette sandwiches, beef tongue (if you are feeling adventurous), and their wine list.
2. Nha Trang One
Have you ever craved a big warm bowl of authentic pho or crispy spring rolls? Transport yourself to Vietnam by visiting this hidden gem located in New York City’s Chinatown. According to Nha Trang One’s website, it is a family-owned restaurant with friendly service and a menu that extends well beyond the most popular Vietnamese dishes. Not only is the food and service exceptional, it’s also known as one of the best affordable restaurants in NYC.
All of Nha Trang One’s dishes are made with love, with something for everyone. And with over a four star rating on Google and over 1,200 reviews, it’s clear that Nha Trang One is loved by many!
3. Atomix
Ever wondered what it would be like to dine at the best ranked restaurant in the country? Look no further than Atomix! Atomix offers high-end Korean cuisine through a unique tasting menu experience. There is no doubt that Atomix deserves a spot in the top 10 best NYC restaurants with two Michelin stars, a ranking of number eight on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023 (moved up from the thirty third spot in 2022), and three stars from the New York Times. According to the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023, Atomix is not only one of the best in the world, but ranked at the very top in the United States.
Atomix opened in 2018 by esteemed Chef Junghyun Park and his wife, Ellia. Offering an intimate experience to 12 guests seated at a unique u-shaped counter, each dish is carefully crafted and presented alongside a beautifully designed card. Atomix also received the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2022 for its exceptional dining experience and operations, which is evident in how it uplifts the culinary experience for guests.
4. Pylos
Pylos is another award winning Michelin Guide-rated Greek restaurant in New York City. According to its website, Christos Valtzoglou, the owner of Pylos, describes his restaurant as, “maintain[ing] the wonderful taste of Greek dishes, at affordable prices, and bring[ing] them to the level of what people prefer today – wholesome, lighter fare and variety”.
One of the highlights of visiting Pylos is the restaurant’s early bird special, which features a three course menu for $45 between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday. This affordable meal allows you to experience what it’s like to dine at a real Greek restaurant, without having to actually travel to Greece.
5. Katz’s Delicatessen
Forget the latest New York City restaurant trends – let’s take it back to a legendary favorite loved by New Yorkers and many tourists every year since opening its doors in 1888. Katz’s Delicatessen is not only famous for its scene in “Where Harry Met Sally,” but it’s also known as the “oldest Jewish New York deli,” which is a pretty impressive title. At Katz’s, you can find an extensive selection of hot and cold deli sandwiches, soups, and sides. Some of their favorites on the menu include their pastrami, corned beef, and reuben sandwiches, as well as their signature matzoh ball soup.
Katz’s Delicatessen brings in thousands of visitors each week and has over a four and a half star rating on Google from 33,000 happy reviews, easily earning its spot in our top 10 best restaurants in NYC. It can also be considered one of the best lunch spots in NYC. You too can join the long list of happy Katz’s Delicatessen customers with a visit to this legendary deli!
6. Le Bernardin
There was no way we could leave Le Bernardin out of our list of top 10 restaurants in NYC. Le Bernardin is ranked as one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, has three Michelin stars, has earned four stars from the New York Times shortly after opening (and maintained it six reviews later!), received more James Beard awards than any other restaurant in New York City, and earned a laundry list of other accolades.
Le Bernardin is a classic French restaurant known for its exceptional seafood dishes and exquisite dining experience. The restaurant offers a chef’s tasting menu at $310 per person or $480 per person with wine pairing. Seafood dishes may be their specialty, though there’s also a vegetarian tasting menu, so meat-free guests can still immerse themselves in this equally delicious dining experience.
7. Joe’s Pizza
New York City has no shortage of incredible pizza spots. Having trouble choosing one? Sticking with the theme of legendary restaurants, we have Joe’s Pizza. Joe’s Pizza has been around for almost 50 years, with its most highly rated location on Google reviews, located on Broadway, which closes at 4 a.m. most days. Who wouldn’t love to grab a late night slice at one of the best affordable restaurants in NYC?
As their website mentions, Joe, the owner, has continued operating Joe’s Pizza even at 75 years young! So, you know, Joe and his team are dedicated to serving the most delicious pizza in New York City.
8. Pietro Nolita
Have you ever spent time looking at what restaurants are trendy on TikTok? If you’re looking to create some hit foodie content, don’t shy away from Pietro Nolita! So, what exactly made this restaurant go viral online? It’s one of the more unique restaurants in New York City, with an entirely pink interior, which just happens to match the recently released “Barbie” movie. It’s THE perfect spot for your Barbie-themed pictures!
Of course, you shouldn’t just come for the decor. Pietro Nolita is an Italian restaurant that offers authentic and healthy Italian food, including fresh house-made pasta made, an all-day breakfast offering, plus delicious appetizers and mains.
9. Roscioli
Another can’t miss restaurant is Roscioli, which is a renowned restaurant in Rome that recently made its way to New York City’s restaurant scene and boasts an authentic Roman selection of pastas, pizzas, and wines. As the restaurant’s website mentions, the location in Rome has over 200 years of history serving locals and tourists around the world. With its new NYC outpost, Roscioli gives New Yorkers an opportunity to experience traditional Italian cuisine, right in the heart of NYC.
You can also browse and purchase a selection of Roscioli’s products online, and experience the prefix tasting menu at the restaurant, which features a wine and dinner pairing.
10. Superiority Burger
Finding an exceptional vegetarian burger can be hard to come across. However, it can be found at this popular burger restaurant, Superiority Burger, located in the East Village. Superiority Burger offers a vegetarian and “accidentally” vegan menu, which includes its signature vegetarian burger, and burnt broccoli salad – a dish that certainly tastes better than it sounds! You can’t finish a meal without dessert, so don’t miss out on their popular gelato, as well.
Often described as a casual restaurant with a chill vibe and great music, Superiority Burger has a four and a half star rating on Google reviews from over 1,300 reviews, and has earned three stars from the New York Times.
Armed with our list of best NYC restaurants, now you can go off and explore the “Big Apple” for yourself, and try one or all of our list of 10 best restaurants in NYC. Remember, New York City is the city that never sleeps, so you can spend that time eating instead! Did we miss your NYC restaurant? Shoot us a message to be featured!
Megan is the Content Marketing Specialist at TouchBistro, where she uses her passion for food to write about the restaurant industry. She’s a big “foodie” at heart, and you can always find her enjoying a delicious meal at a restaurant with friends and family, or cooking one up at home. She also loves relaxing with a good book and making progress at the gym.
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