I recently read something that said if you ate at a different New York City restaurant every day, it would take 200 years to visit them all. Honestly, I’m not surprised. With dozens of restaurants on every street, it can be overwhelming to know where to go. After living in the city for four years, I’ve dined at nearly 100 eateries. While I obviously have a ways to go, here’s the lowdown on where I’ve been so far. As always, DM me your recommendations for where I should eat next on Instagram at @coffeeeandcountries.
Astoria | Boerum Hill | Chelsea | Chinatown | East Village | Financial District | Flatiron | Governors Island | Greenwich Village | Gramercy | Hell’s Kitchen | Hudson Yards | Koreatown | Little Italy | Lower East Side | Midtown East | Midtown West | Murray Hill | Nolita | Nomad | Park Slope | Soho | Tribeca | Upper East Side | Upper West Side | West Village | Williamsburg
Astoria
Basurero
Basurero serves Latin American comfort food like tostones, empanadas, and arroz con pollo with sweet plantains. Translating to “garbage,” basurero refers to the random assortment of decor, like bicycles, mannequins, and hammocks hanging on the walls and from the ceiling. A massive restaurant with tons of screens throughout, it’s a great place to watch a soccer — or should I say fútbol — game.
32-17 Steinway St.
Boerum Hill
Sottocasa
Making authentic Neapolitan-style pizza in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill, Sottocasa cooks all pies in a 1,000-degree wood-fired oven. Start the meal right with the prosciutto and mozzarella appetizer, served with a side of arugula. Pizza options include the Capricciosa, topped with artichokes and Italian ham, and the Verdure, made with caramelized onions, eggplant, mushrooms, radicchio, and basil. The restaurant doesn’t have a full liquor license, so the only cocktail served is the Sottocasa Spritz, but there are plenty of wine options, plus some beer on draft, to make up for it.
298 Atlantic Ave.
Chelsea
El Coco
Open since March 2022, El Coco is a very aesthetic, Instagrammable taqueria. The best part about this restaurant is it’s actually affordable! Margaritas are $5 all day every day, tacos are $4, and empanadas are $3. Now their portions are on the smaller side (to be expected with those prices), but you can always get another round of margs or order of tacos without breaking the bank.
202 8th Ave.
Philippe Chow
A white tablecloth establishment, Philippe Chow delivers an upscale dining experience. For the first course, the dumplings and lettuce wraps (either vegetable, chicken, or beef) are great for sharing. The Beijing chicken entree is superb, coated with a sweet red bean sauce, tossed with walnuts, and served with a side of sticky rice. To drink, the lychee martini is made with coconut cream, giving it an extra tropical kick.
355 W 16th St.
Takumi Taco
Takumi Taco is a Japanese-inspired Mexican restaurant inside Chelsea Market. The fusion menu includes tacos like spicy tuna, tofu tinga and Japanese curry beef. I preferred the tuna over the curry beef, but the best thing I ate was a side of sliced cucumber in sesame oil.
75 9th Ave.
Chinatown
Au Cheval
Tucked inside the discreet Cortlandt Alley, an iconic burger institution is not the typical restaurant you’ll find in Chinatown. But this is where Au Cheval has taken up residence since 2019. Some websites say it’s in Tribeca, but it’s just on the other side of Broadway, which divides the two neighborhoods. Location aside, the real talking point behind Au Cheval is the food — specifically the burgers. Their signature double cheeseburger is made with two beef patties, sharp cheddar, pickles, onions, and dijonnaise. It sounds relatively simple, but it somehow surpasses every other burger you’ve had in your life. If you want to go all out, you can add bacon and/or an egg. Notable appetizers include General Jane’s fried chicken and the crispy fries with mornay sauce, which actually may be the best fries I’ve ever had. Scoring a reservation here is no easy feat: they become available at 9 a.m. two weeks prior to your desired date, so be sure to set an alarm to book it as quickly as possible — especially if you have a large group.
33 Cortlandt Alley
Kyuramen
Kyuramen serves a wide range of soup and noodle bowls, from tonkotsu shouyu to Korean kimchi. Aside from their staple dish, other must-haves include the takoyaki octopus balls, bao buns, Thai iced tea, and mango mille crepe cake. Ask to sit in one of the booths, which are stacked in a honeycomb-looking formation at varying heights overlooking the rest of the establishment.
132 Bowery
East Village
Ama Raw Bar
An Asian/seafood restaurant, Ama Raw Bar has an impressive menu from appetizers to entrees to cocktails. Putting an Asian spin on a Mediterranean dish, the edamame hummus comes with a side of wontons to dip in it. The vegetarian ramen — made with mushrooms, tofu, bok choy, a soft egg, and a creamy broth — will satisfy even the hungriest of carnivores. Or you can splurge on the lobster ramen for $26. Their Vietnamese espresso martini is amazing, and is made with your choice of rum or vodka.
190 Avenue B
Black Seed Bagels
Black Seed Bagels opened its first location in 2014 and now has nearly 10 locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. While bagels at any NYC establishment is almost guaranteed to be good, Black Seed is is led by a James Beard-nominated executive chef and head baker, giving them a leg up on the competition. Unlike some other notable bagel shops in the city, there’s not a crazy long line (especially if you sleep late and don’t eat breakfast until 1 p.m. on weekends).
176 First Ave.
Café Standard
Inside of The Standard, Café Standard is more than just a restaurant inside of a hotel. It hosts happy hour (including a raw bar happy hour with $2 oysters), brunch (both regular and drag), and events. A waitress there swears by the burger, made with a special sauce, and I’m a big fan of the chicken club. You can’t go wrong either way because they both come with Café Standard’s crispy French fries. And there’s a cute courtyard where you can eat when the weather is warm.
25 Cooper Square
Cooper’s Craft & Kitchen
Cooper’s is like an elevated sports bar. While they have TVs showing the game, they offer so much more food than burgers and chicken wings. After dining here several times, I can attest that there is truly no bad dish — or drink — on the menu. Okay, I know I said the food is better than just burgers and chicken wings, but their burgers and chicken wings are pretty darn good, too. The Smash Burger reminds me of a Shake Shack’s: it’s a pretty small burger and is only topped with the basic red onions, cheese, and pickles. The Russian dressing makes it taste like a Shake Shack’s too. If you want a thiccc burger, get the Classic Cooper Burger. Also worth ordering are the fish tacos, made with beer-battered white fish, cabbage, chipotle mayo, cilantro, and lime. They’re in the “for the table” section on the menu, but one order comes with three tacos, so it’s definitely enough for an entree. And their Brussels sprouts are top notch. The best thing about Cooper’s is that they have happy hour from noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays; that’s right people, SEVEN hours of $5 beers and $7 well drinks and glasses of wine.
87 2nd Ave.
Davidovich Bakery
If you’re in the East Village/Lower East Side, you’re sure to come across one of their locations. They don’t serve regular bacon, but their turkey bacon is a good substitution for a BEC. They also have baked goods, salads, and sandwiches.
36 Avenue A
Ippudo
Ippudo is on basically all of the lists for best ramen in New York, and now it’s on mine too. They offer five different ramen options, all of which come with pork, chicken, or tofu. The Akamaru Shinaji ramen is made with noodles, scallions, seasoned bamboo shoots, garlic oil, and Ippudo’s secret “umami dama” paste, all sitting in a warm pork broth. It’s the perfect dish for a cold winter evening. You can even add on toppings like corn, scallions and a poached egg. They also have three separate vegetarian options. And for all my Miami people looking for a good lychee martini in NYC, you’ve come to the right place.
65 4th Ave.
Luzzo’s
Not like there’s any shortage of good Italian food and New York, but Luzzo’s is realllllly good. It’s owned by the same people as Gnoccheria, so you know their gnocchi is going to be good. In fact, they have five different types of it: pesto, four cheese, tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, mushrooms and sausage, and cherry tomatoes, garlic, arugula and burrata. Pick your poison. They also have a dish called the stuffed cono, which takes whichever gnocchi you prefer and puts it in a cheesy bread. For $3 extra, it’s unquestionably worth it.
211 1st Ave.
Pineapple Club
A cocktail bar and restaurant, Pineapple Club is a really fun spot for a group dinner. While trendy, Instagram-worthy spots tend to skimp on the food quality, you can actually find both fun drinks and good eats here. The Thai fried rice, avocado fries, and chips and guac are all great starters. (Note that their avocado fries are not French fries with avocados, but fried avocado sliced into fry form.) The cocktail menu includes drinks like a pineapple old fashioned, mezcal ginger margarita and lychee martini. If you’re really looking to be adventurous, order a round of shot roulette, which comes with five regular mixed shots and one extremely spicy one.
509 E 6th St.
Rosie’s
I could honestly eat Mexican food nearly every night of the week — especially if it meant eating at Rosie’s. On the corner of E 2nd St. and 2nd Ave., they have tons of seating both inside and out. Everything here is really good from the margs to the tacos to the service. I personally love their pollo, al pastor, and camaron (shrimp) tacos. And the picante margarita, made with chili-infused tequila, has the perfect amount of heat.
29 E 2nd St.
Sidney’s Five
Sidney’s Five has good drinks, great food, and even better happy hour deals. From 5 – 7 p.m. (even on weekends!), oysters and shrimp are $2/piece, select beers are $4, wines are 20 percent off, and martinis are $10. They also have a deal for a burger and a beer for just $20; AND you get to choose between their smash burger or the lamb burger.
103 1st Ave.
The Gray Mare
Though most happy hours in the city end at 7 p.m., The Gray Mare’s lasts an extra hour. Monday through Friday, you can get $6 beers, $10 cocktails, $8 wines, and $5 snacks until 8 p.m. You can’t go wrong with a Moscow mule or an espresso martini, which they make with what tastes like vanilla vodka and it adds a really nice flavor. For appetizers, I highly recommend the sweet potato tots and Brussels sprouts. On the happy hour menu they also have buffalo cauliflower, artichoke dip, and shishito peppers: They’re only $5 so why not get them all??
61 2nd Ave.
Tompkins Square Bagels
Tompkins Square Bagels has two locations in the East Village, but the one on Avenue A, which is right across the street from Tompkins Square Park, is the OG. Any good bagel shop in the city is going to have a line on the weekends, and this is definitely one of them. They at least speed up the process by taking your order while in line. My go-to is an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, partly because it’s delicious and partly because it’s quick and will be ready by the time I get to the counter (anything that has to be made in the kitchen takes longer). Get there early or carve out an extra 30 minutes of waiting time.
165 Avenue A
Van Da
Van Da is the definition of a hole in the wall: A super obscure restaurant that has amazing food. The entrance is so easy to miss; I don’t think there’s even a sign. The main floor is small with a handful of tables, but once you go downstairs there’s so much more space. The menu is modern Vietnamese cuisine with dishes like short rib grilled cheese with pho and stir fried pho noodles. The desserts change daily and when I went they had a guava panna cotta that was tart and creamy and delicious.
234 E 4th St.
Financial District
Broadstone Bar & Kitchen
Want to sleep in and still make bottomless brunch? Want to sleep in, go to a SoulCycle class and still make bottomless brunch? Want to sleep in, go to a SoulCycle class that ends 10 minutes late, go home to shower and change, and still make bottomless brunch? Broadstone is the solution. For $28, you can choose between bottomless mimosas, strawberry bellinis, or the Broadstone lager until 5 p.m. I like to stray from the usual mimosa if given the choice, but in this case it’s better than the bellini. The strawberry puree on the bellini creates a dense top layer that makes it hard to drink at the desired bottomless speed — plus it’s much easier to get a refill on the mimosa. To eat, the egg white omelette is stuffed with goat cheese, spinach and roasted red peppers, and accompanied by a heaping side of home fries; it will keep you full for hours and soak up the champagne.
88 Broad St.
Hey Thai
If you’re walking around the Seaport area and stumble across Hey Thai and wonder, “Should I eat here?” the answer is yes. All of their cocktails feature sake and the royal courtesan is the perfect drink, with lychee nectar, galanga-infused syrup, and lemon juice. To eat, the curry is bursting with flavor and the portions are massive so you will definitely have leftovers to take home.
127 John St.
Mezcali
Bringing a taste of Los Angeles to New York, Mezcali features California-inspired Mexican cuisine. To drink, order the Mezcalita, which is essentially a margarita with mezcal, adding a smoky component to the flavor profile. While most people associate spring rolls with Asian food, here they contain guajillo-marinated chicken, roasted pineapple, cabbage, egg, carrots, and a side of dope sauce. Their tacos are naturally outstanding, especially the carnitas — topped with avocado, roasted pineapple, queso fresco, and a spicy-sweet papaya habanero salsa.
83 Maiden Ln.
Toro Loco
Toro Loco is on Stone Street, but not the pedestrian walkway part if you are trying to avoid it when it turns into a madhouse, i.e., Santacon/Cinco de Mayo/St. Patrick’s Day/any drinking-related holiday. The spicy margarita is sublime and the chips and guac are addictive. Their tacos are great, but I would opt for the burrito loco if you’re looking for something more substantial — and it can also come as a taco bowl. Pro tip: save some chips from the appetizers to stuff in the burrito for an added crunch. If you’re a regular, you’ll probably get a free tequila shot at the end of the meal.
15 Stone St.
Flatiron
Tenjou
When the weather outside is frightful and you want a hot bowl of broth and noodles, make a reservation at Tenjou (or don’t, you can walk in as well). They offer nine different ramen variations and the Korean kimchi ramen definitely has some heat, but it’s manageable. The menu has so many other options, though, like sushi rolls and poke bowls. You may have even seen a video of one of their most popular dishes online: the omurice. A fluffy egg omelette with either chicken or pork is served over a bed of rice and when cut open the insides ooze out and is then topped with either a tomato or black pepper sauce.
25 W 23rd St.
Governors Island
Island Oyster
Take the ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn to Governors Island for a summer afternoon of drinks and bites with uninterrupted views of the Financial District. The menu is mostly seafood, with lobster rolls, oysters, and fish tacos, but they also offer burgers, sandwiches, and chicken fingers. If you have a large group or want a waterfront table, make a reservation in advance, otherwise there are plenty of bar stools and picnic tables.
146 Carder Rd.
Gramercy
Boucherie
Boucherie is a rather upscale restaurant that serves traditional French cuisine. For an appetizer, the onion soup is warm and cheesey and rich. They serve a regular hamburger, but for an extra $10, you can get their wagyu burger, topped with caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, and truffled dijonnaise. It also comes with a side of pommes frites, and everyone knows that French fries at a French restaurant just hit different.
225 Park Ave. South
Ess-A-Bagel
Ess-A-Bagel is easily one of the most popular bagel spots in New York. There are a few locations now due to its popularity, but the flagship is in Midtown East. Come hungry, but be prepared to wait in a line that’s out the door. These bagels are hands down the doughiest I’ve ever had. Whatever’s in the water in New York that makes bagels so good, their bagels have extra. However, I would definitely stick to one of their many cream cheese flavors; I didn’t think their eggs were that good/fresh.
324 First Ave.
Follia
Add Follia to your already-long list of top-tier Italian restaurants in the city. The cacio e pepe is phenomenal and I get it every time I eat here. Follia is also a great spot for birthdays or any special occasion where you have a large group. For around $100 per person, you get a private dining room all to yourself, your own wait staff, a choice of three appetizers, entrées, and desserts, and — most importantly — an open bar. Yes, $100 for dinner is a lot, but it really is a great deal for a three-course meal and an open bar — especially in New York City.
179 3rd Ave.
Greenwich Village
Bagel Bob’s
Bagel Bob’s has two locations: one on University Place in Greenwich Village and one on York Avenue in the Upper East Side. The Greenwich Village outpost is pretty small and they don’t have a grill, which means that the baconeggandcheese fans will have to convert to the scallion cream cheese on an everything bagel side for a day. To make up for it, they do have a pretty wide selection of cream cheeses, including some interesting flavors like peanut butter, olive and Nutella. Also of note is that Bagel Bob’s is cash only.
51 University Pl.
Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company
Featured on Food Network as the “Best Bagel in NYC,” Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company has locations throughout Manhattan and Queens. Their bagels ARE excellent, as are their hashbrowns, which I like to get on an everything bagel with egg and cheese. They also have crazy cream cheese flavors like pimento olive, cannoli, and honey bacon sriracha.
63 E 8th St.
Popup Bagels
Popup Bagels’ slogan is “not famous, but known,” but the line outside the store says otherwise. Their bagels are made fresh to order and come piping hot. The schmears are so unbelievably creamy, and they have a hot honey butter that I might have liked even better than the cream cheese. They don’t put the butter/cream cheese on the bagel, so it’s more of a tear-and-dip situation. It’s a feral, yet fun way to eat breakfast.
177 Thompson St.
Hell’s Kitchen
Altair
The signature restaurant of the Arlo Midtown, Altair offers a celestial dining experience. If you don’t know what that means, neither did I at first. The cocktail menu is divided into earth, air, water, and fire, with drinks called wild mushroom, sea salt, citrus air, and habanero pepper. The food menu is slightly more obvious and broken down into two parts: vegetable-driven and land and sea-inspired. I ordered from the latter and got the nduja bucatini, a spicy pasta dish with Calabrian chili, fennel, and tomato.
351 W 38th St.
Chi Restaurant and Bar
Chi is a far cry from the takeout Chinese restaurants in the city that you may be used to. The interior has gorgeous tiled floors and a sleek bar with comfortable stools. The menu includes a variety of dumplings from pork soup to steamed shrimp, appetizers like Szechuan cucumber salad and BBQ spare ribs, and signature dishes like peking duck and spicy tiger shrimp.
492 9th Ave.
5 Napkin Burger
This restaurant isn’t too far from Times Square, making it a great spot for dinner before a show that isn’t too touristy/overpriced. Though it’s not a Mexican eatery, you can never go wrong with guac and chips for the table. But their burgers/sandwiches section is where they really shine. With over a dozen options — like the avocado ranch burger, Cali reuben, and double 5 cheeseburger smash, it really is hard to choose. However, the 5N patty melt was definitely a good choice, made with gruyère and white American cheeses, caramelized onions and housemade rosemary garlic aioli on white bread. It’s basically a burger on sandwich bread. They also have a location on the Upper West Side.
630 9th Ave.
Patron Mexican Grill
Patron Mexican Grill is somewhat divey, but it gets the job done if you’re craving tequila and tacos. Here you can order guac in a small or a large, but the small is more than enough for a couple of people. As an added bonus, if you take home the extra guac they’ll give you a bag of tortilla chips to go with it. The carnitas tacos weren’t anything to write home about, so order the shrimp tacos instead.
608 9th Ave.
Tavola
Tavola is a cozy Italian restaurant on 9th Avenue. The antipasti menu is a long list of traditional dishes like arancini, burrata, bruschetta, and artichokes. For an entree, I love the spaghetti con polpette di pollo, which is a standard spaghetti and meatballs, except the meatballs are made from chicken instead of beef.
488 9th Ave.
Hudson Yards
Friedman’s
Friedman’s is one of my favorite spots for a casual, sit-down breakfast. So far, I’ve had the farm egg omelet — which is stuffed with veggies, topped with avocado slices, and served with a side of toast and the most delicious strawberry butter I’ve ever had — and the chicken chilaquiles — made with sunny side up eggs, avocado, cotija cheese, tortilla strips, red onion, sour cream, and tomatillo salsa — and the breakfast burrito with eggs, cheese, rice, beans, sour cream, avocado, pico de gallo, and a side of salsa verde. Next up on my list is the shakshuka and lemon ricotta pancakes. They do also have a lunch and dinner menu, which looks just as appetizing.
450 10th Ave.
In Common
The environment at In Common is warm and inviting; if you’re just stopping in for a coffee to-go, you’ll probably wish you could stay for a sit-down breakfast. This is an Australian-owned coffee shop, so you can’t go wrong ordering a flat white. The all-day breakfast and lunch menu features dishes like whipped ricotta toast, shakshuka with sourdough, and an aubergine sandwich.
441 9th Ave., Hudson Yards
Kyma
An upscale Greek restaurant in Hudson Yards (with a second location in Flatiron), Kyma will transport you from Manhattan to the Mediterranean. They have an entire section of the cocktail menu dedicated to martinis (my kind of restaurant TBH), like the Dirty Greek, made with Kalamata olive juice and Kalamata olives stuffed with feta and oregano. Side note: feta-stuffed olives are the new bleu cheese-stuffed olives. Other martini variations include a fig and a lychee martini. If you need more sustenance than vodka-soaked olives, the Greek salad is a must, the lamp chops are outstanding, and even a simple free range chicken is delicious and served with lemon potatoes and Brussels sprouts. The restaurant really comes to life at night, so you’re going to want to book a later reservation.
445 W 35th St.
Peak
On the 101st floor of the Shops at Hudson Yards, Peak has incredible views of the entire city. If you want to snag a table by the window, you’ll have to order off the prix fixe menu for $125. But tables in the middle of the restaurant also have great views and allow you to order a la carte. A reservation at Peak also gets you access to Edge, the outdoor observation deck on the 100th floor. While the restaurant is on the pricier side, Edge tickets without a reservation are $40, so you’re really saving money (#girlmath).
30 Hudson Yards
Queensyard
On the fourth floor in the Shops at Hudson Yards, Queensyard serves modern American cuisine. While the menu is mostly meat and seafood, it does feature a few pasta options like the wild mushroom risotto and the squid ink linguine. There is a three-course, fix-priced menu, but if one person wants it then everyone at the table has to get it.
20 Hudson Yards
Skylight Diner
On the corner of 34th and 9th, Skylight is a true American diner, with fast service, no-frills food, and affordable prices. No matter the time of day, they offer comfort foods like grilled cheese, BLTs, and chicken fingers. For breakfast, don’t miss out on the Tex-Mex breakfast, a quesadilla stuffed with eggs, jalapeño, sausage, and cheddar cheese, with a side of guacamole, sour cream, and home fries. And an order of chocolate chip pancakes for the table is a non-negotiable. Like any good diner, no meal is complete without a milkshake or rooter float. The check for two people was under $40, so this will probably be the cheapest sit-down meal you’ll ever have in New York.
402 W 34th St.
The Yard’s Pub
Having just opened in spring 2025, The Yard’s Pub is a casual spot to grab a bite and a great place to watch a sports game. It has a wide range of classic bar food — like buffalo wings, nachos, and fried pickle chips — and a dozen beers on tap. When it comes to entrees, both the smash burger and the grilled chicken sandwich are good, but the burger is definitely better.
472 9th Ave.
Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse
Uncle Jack’s is a haven for carnivores. The menu includes a long list of steaks, from an 8 oz. filet mignon to a 44 oz. porterhouse for two, but the the New York Strip is my favorite. At $35, it’s both affordable and flavorful. While ordering a dry-aged prime steak is the obvious choice here, their sandwiches are also outstanding. The steak sandwich gets the gold for me, made on garlic bread with caramelized onions, fresh mozzarella, and a side of fries — or sub for sweet potato fries. French dip fans will love Uncle Jack’s rendition, served with a bowl of French onion soup for dipping in lieu of the au jus and a side of truffle parmesan fries. Now let’s talk about sides: Go the traditional route with an order of garlic mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, or get creative with sautéed mushrooms and the bacon corn brûlée — a whipped corn concoction topped with bits of maple-glazed bacon.
440 9th Ave.
Vito’s Slices and Ices
From a classic cheese slice to an upside down grandma, Vito’s has it all. My favorites are the pepperoni sicilian and margherita, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them. They even have gluten-free and vegan options. In the summertime, cool off with a refreshing homemade ice; flavors include cherry, lemon and chocolate.
464 9th Ave.
Zou Zou’s
Attached to the Pendry Manhattan West, Zou Zou’s is much more than a hotel restaurant. The spacious restaurant has ample seating inside and on the outdoor patio in the Manhattan West plaza. The Mediterranean menu is great for sharing and sampling a bunch of different dishes, like the five-dip spread served with crudité. The grilled artichoke wasn’t anything to write home about, but the Moroccan fried chicken deserves a novel. My only critique is that the chairs for the outdoor tables were kind of uncomfortable.
385 9th Ave.
Koreatown
Sorimmara
Tucked away on the second story of a building in the heart of Koreatown, Sorimmara offers a DIY dining experience. Grab a bowl and pair of tongs and then select from a variety of noodles, veggies, and proteins. After choosing all of your add-ons, hand the bowl to the cashier and tell them your preferred level of spice. They then take over the reigns and make the broth-based dish for you. Once complete, they’ll bring it to your table and all that’s left for you to do is enjoy!
2 W 32nd St.
Little Italy
Grotta Azzurra
Named after the blue grotto on the isle of Capri, Grotta Azzurra fits right in with the neighborhood. Their homemade pastas include manicotti, lasagna, and gnocchi al telefono, made with marinara and melted mozzarella. They also serve all the traditional dishes you’d expect to find at an Italian restaurant like chicken francese, baked ziti, and spaghetti carbonara. Be sure to get a bottle of red for the table.
177 Mulberry St.
La Bella Vita
It’s hard to know where to eat on the bustling Mulberry Street, with so many restaurateurs beckoning you into their establishments. But La Bella Vita promises a good meal at an affordable price, in a warm environment with exposed brick and arched doorways. For the table, get a bottle of wine and an order of bruschetta. The entrees are a laundry list of Italian staples, like spaghetti carbonara, shrimp scampi, and veal piccata, although you can never go wrong with their eggplant parmigiana.
163 Mulberry St.
Pep’s on Grand
Little Italy is obviously awash with great Italian spots, including Pep’s on Grand, where the dirty and espresso martinis are flowing. To start, the arancini (rice balls) are phenomenal and sit atop a thick Parmesan cream. If a simple bolognese is what you’re craving, theirs is excellent. But the owner raves about their pizza, of which they have eight different varieties. The prosciutto coto and funghi — topped with prosciutto, mushrooms, and basil — is delicious and the owner’s favorite is the pizza burrata — topped with arugula, prosciutto, parmigino reggiano, basil, and (of course) burrata.
197 Grand St.
Sofia’s of Little Italy
If your entire group is craving espresso martinis, book a reservation at Sofia’s. You’re going to want to get garlic bread for the table and maybe even a pizza as an appetizer if your group is large and/or hungry enough. The restaurant is very affordable and most entrees are under $25. It’s probably not the best place to eat during the San Gennaro festival — especially if you’re sitting outside — because of the massive crowds, but it’s a solid choice for any other time of the year.
143 Mulberry St.
Lower East Side
375 Chicken and Fries
A fast-food concept on Ludlow Street, 375 Chicken and Fries is a quick (and affordable) meal. The menu features fried chicken sandwiches — like the sweet chili and BBQ ranch — chicken tenders, and chicken and waffles. My personal favorites are the chick’n pops, which are pieces of popcorn chicken covered in a range of toppings from buffalo sauce and Sriracha mayo to a grape jelly glaze and peanut sauce.
124 Ludlow St.
Birria-Landia
Birria-Landia is hands-down the best meal I’ve ever eaten on the side of the road. A taco truck on the corner of Bowery and Houston, they serve vegan tacos, tostadas, mulitas, and, of course, birria consommé. The tacos are extremely flavorful and juicy even without the consommé, or you can add a side of the broth in a medium or large. There obviously isn’t any seating, but they do have shelves on the side of the truck where you can put your food down to eat while you stand, making it a great pit-stop for a bite on-the-go. The truck is cash-only but you don’t need to have a ton in your wallet, as everything is between $3.50 and $6.
SW corner of Bowery and Houston
Dudley’s
An Australian restaurant on the corner of Orchard and Broome, Dudley’s is a hit for weekend warriors. They don’t take brunch reservations, so you will most likely have to wait. I miraculously got a table for two at 12:45 p.m. on a Sunday, so it helps if you have a smaller party and go a little later than the brunch rush. The menu is a smorgasbord of “brekkie,” as the Aussies call it, pastas, burgers, salads, and bowls. If you want to dine at Dudley’s without playing the waiting game, they take reservations during the week.
85 Orchard St
Katz’s Delicatessen
Established in 1888, Katz’s is an iconic deli in the Lower East Side. If you’re walking around the area, you’ll know you’re getting close when you see a line wrapping around the block. While it’s somewhat of a tourist trap, it’s not overrated and the food really is good. The crowd at Katz’s can be overwhelming so here’s what you do: Once you finally walk through the door, get on one of the lines for the deli counter. It looks more like a mosh pit than a number of lines, but you’ll eventually make your way to the counter. Order your food — pastrami, corned beef, Motzah ball soup, all the fixings — and then try to find an empty table while trying not to drop the tray of massive sandwiches. It’s not for the weak, but it’s well worth it.
205 E Houston St.
Pig and Khao
Pig and Khao has been serving Southeast Asian cuisine on Clinton Street since 2012. They’re open for dinner seven nights a week and also serve brunch on weekends. The green papaya salad is a light and zesty appetizer, and the khao soi — made with red curry, coconut milk, chicken, egg noodles, pickled mustard greens, and red onion — is the ultimate comfort food on a cold winter night or gloomy rainy day. For brunch, I highly recommend getting your caffeine fix via their Vietnamese iced coffee.
68 Clinton St.
Russ & Daughters
Open since 1914, Russ & Daughters is a New York City institution. They do deli-style ordering where you take a number and wait for them to call it. Even when it’s super crowded, it’s pretty quiet inside because everyone is listening for their number. On the opposite side of the deli is their bakery where you can get sweets like assorted chocolates, black and white cookies, and babka bread. There’s even a line at 1:30 p.m. on weekends, which definitely isn’t as long as it would be during the breakfast rush, but this is another spot where you want to get there early to avoid waiting.
179 E Houston St.
Saigon Social
Owned by Chef Helen Nguyen, Saigon Social serves Vietnamese comfort food with a twist. With appetizers like chicken and cabbage dumplings, turmeric rice crepes, and lemongrass ribs, it’s hard to choose just one. Entree options include crispy fish (where you’re served an entire deboned fish), garlic noodles, and eggplant curry. If Bun Bo is the noodle soup of the day, it’s a no brainer.
172 Orchard St.
Scarr’s Pizza
If you’re on Orchard Street and there’s a line wrapped around the block, there’s a good chance it’s for Scarr’s Pizza. My recommendation: If you have the time (and the patience), get in line. They offer all the classics like cheese, pepperoni, grandma, and Sicilian, as well as some unique slices like the hotboi, topped with pepperoni, jalapeños, and hot honey. The sauce is amazing and the crust is the perfect ratio of crispy to doughy.
35 Orchard St.
Sunday to Sunday
Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Sunday to Sunday is ideal for any occasion from weekend brunch to a weekday work spot. For brunch they have an even mix of breakfast items, like French toast and shakshuka, and lunch options, like pasta carbonara and a vegan BLAT. I can personally vouch for the breakfast burrito (called “not a wrapper” on the menu), with scrambled eggs, black beans, green peppers, hashbrowns, and cheese, and hot sauce on the side.
88 Orchard St.
Midtown East
Draught 55
A popular happy hour spot, Draught 55 has nearly two dozen beers on tap, craft cocktails and wine. For $28, you can also build your own whiskey flight with three out of 45 different whiskey options. While weekend mornings aren’t as busy, they do have a brunch menu with dishes like a crab cake burger with sweet potato fries and brioche French toast.
245 E 55th St.
L’Avenue at Saks
Inside the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue building, L’Avenue at Saks serves mostly haute French food with some Asian dishes sprinkled in the menu. Stick to the French side of the menu with foie gras and beef tartare, or venture over to the Asian side with chicken spring rolls and Thai shrimp. The best time of the year to dine here is during the holidays, as the restaurant looks over Rockefeller Center and the Christmas tree. The dishes are actually reasonably priced considering the location and cuisine of the restaurant. The butternut squash soup appetizer is $14, curry chicken is $28, and the beef tartare is $34. Or you can throw your budget out the window and get the caviar appetizer for $220.
8 E 50th St.
Rosemary’s
On Third Avenue between 50th and 51st Street, Rosemary’s is a quiet respite from the bustling Midtown life. Here, you’re invited to sit back with a glass of wine while perusing the menu. The plates are on the smaller side, which is a great opportunity to order a few to share. My recommendations are the focaccia, orecchiette, and pappardelle verde. There are also two other Rosemary’s in both the East and West Village.
825 3rd Ave.
The Smith
A casual American bistro, The Smith has lots of great options from pasta to steak to seafood. For appetizers, you can’t go wrong with the potato chips, duck wings or Brussels sprouts. Their ricotta gnocchi entree is heavenly and what would a bistro be without a good burger? Theirs is topped with bacon shallot jam, American cheese, pickles, crispy onions and a special sauce made in-house. The Smith also has locations in Lincoln Square, East Village, and NoMad.
925 2nd Ave.
Midtown West
Arno Ristorante
Arno has been serving Northern Italian cuisine in the middle of Manhattan for nearly 40 years. Their location makes it an easy choice if you’re seeing a Broadway show or going to a concert/game at MSG and don’t want to get sucked into the tourist traps of the area. The dirty martinis are crisp and the pasta is perfectly al dente. This is a white-tablecloth, fine-dining establishment, so put on your faux fur coat and pretend you’re in The Sopranos.
141 W 38th St.
Bagels and More
Bagels and More is a no-frills, deli-vibe bagel shop, making it great for when you want to get in, get your breakfast, and get out. As the name suggests, they make more than just bagels. There are also a lot of great deli sandwiches like the Southwest — with chicken cutlet, cheddar, lettuce, avocado, and chipotle mayo — and the NYPD — with grilled chicken, Swiss, bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
365 W 34th St.
Becco
This is the perfect restaurant if you’re looking to grab dinner before or after a Broadway show — or if you’re just looking for amazing Italian food for a great price. On the famous Restaurant Row, Becco is just outside of Times Square. While they have tons of dishes for antipasti and secondi, there’s only one right choice: the unlimited table side service of three pastas for just $30. You don’t get to choose the pastas (the waiters walk around the restaurant with massive trays of the daily selections), but there truly are no bad options here. It also comes with a Caesar salad to start, so one serving of each pasta will most likely fill you up.
355 W 46th St.
Best Bagel and Coffee
If you don’t feel like waiting in line at Liberty Bagels, Best Bagels and Coffee is right across the street and a good second option. Despite the name, I wouldn’t say it’s the best bagel I’ve ever had but you’re in New York so you really can’t go wrong anywhere. Would highly recommend a bacon egg and cheese with hot sauce on an everything bagel.
225 W 35th St
Clinton Hall
Clinton Hall in Midtown West is the local chain’s newest and sixth location. They have 20 craft beers on tap, most of which are from local breweries, like the Clinton Hall Gigawatt IPA from the Bronx and the white chocolate stout from Brooklyn. It’s a great place to watch football, especially because of their bar bites like the buttermilk fried chicken tenders with four different flavor options, the nachos, and the waffle fries with jalapeños and cheese fondue.
16 W 36th St.
Liberty Bagels
Home of the rainbow bagel, Liberty Bagels in Midtown offers a breakfast that looks good and tastes even better. Their bagels are soft and doughy and everything you want your morning carbs to be. This spot is definitely worth multiple visits so you can work your way through the menu. While Liberty Bagels is well-known, it doesn’t have as long of a wait as bagel hot spots like Ess-A-Bagel and Tompkins Square Bagels.
260 W 35th St.
Pazza Notte
I love finding Midtown restaurants that aren’t touristy or overpriced, and Pazza Notte is one of them. I found the butternut squash soup to be a little liquid-y, but their pasta and pizza are fantastic. The best part about dining here is their martinis, which are two-for-one every day from noon until closing time. They even offer a lychee martini, which are typically only on the menu at Asian restaurants in New York.
1375 6th Ave.
Quality Italian
Quality Italian is an expansive restaurant near Central Park South, making it a convenient choice for a nice dinner before a show at Radio City. The tricolore margarita is a must mostly because of the large red, white, and green ice cube that resembles the Italian flag. For appetizers, the whipped ricotta is an obvious choice, but the crispy calamari was the fan favorite. If you love pesto, order the mafaldine pasta, made with broccoli rabe, pistachios, and sweet Italian sausage.
57 W 57th St.
Sushi 35 West
Tucked away on the second floor of a smoke shop, Sushi 35 West is the definition of a hidden gem. The tiny institution is takeout-only, and has a huge selection of sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and more. If you feel like splurging (or splitting), order the toro toro roll. On a nice day, head to nearby Herald Square and enjoy your feast outside.
232 W 35th St.
Tick Tock Diner
Offering meals round the clock (get it?), Tick Tock is a classic American diner. From breakfast bites to dinner dishes, the 24/7 menu features comfort foods like omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, wraps, and more. A few blocks away from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, it’s a convenient spot for a post-concert snack or pre-train meal. I wouldn’t say the food is high quality, but it gets the job done when you’re starving at 1 a.m.
481 8th Ave.
Tracks Raw Bar & Grill
One block south from Madison Square Garden, Tracks Raw Bar & Grill is a no-frills bar and restaurant. The menu offers a large range of dishes from seafood to sandwiches, but I recommend sticking to the bar food (i.e. burgers, wings, quesadillas). They have large screens throughout, making it a great place to come on game day.
220 W 31st St.
Murray Hill
Ainsworth
While some brunch spots are more about the mimosas than the menu, Ainsworth has a stellar lineup of breakfast foods like waffles, pancakes, French toast, chicken and biscuits, steak and eggs, etc. The chorizo huevos rancheros — a corn tortilla, ground chorizo, refried black beans, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, crema, avocado, a sunny side up egg, side salad, and breakfast potatoes — did not disappoint. If you’re one of those morning people (can’t relate) and are already onto your second meal of the day by noon, there’s plenty of lunch items to choose from like burgers, sandwiches, and salads. They offer tableside mimosas for $25 that includes a bottle of champagne and choice of two juices, or a bottomless brunch for $35 with Bloody Marys, mimosas, or bellinis. They sadly closed their East Village locale in the summer of 2022, but they have another location in Chelsea.
45 E 33rd St.
Nolita
Bagel Boss
Bagel Boss is becoming somewhat of a small empire: They have three locations in the city, one in New Jersey, and 12 on Long Island (and most of them are kosher). They were out of American and cheddar cheese when I visited (I guess the Sunday of Halloweekend is a popular day for hungover BECs), so I ordered mine with pepper jack. It was surprisingly delicious and also had one of the best cheese pulls I’ve ever had on a BEC. Aside from the typical breakfast orders, they also offer breakfast burritos, omelettes, and signature deli sandwiches.
55 E Houston St.
Wan Wan
A rare non-Italian restaurant in Nolita, Wan Wan is serving up authentic Thai food on Mulberry Street. The taw hu tod appetizer is fried tofu on top of a deliciously creamy and spicy peanut sauce, and the guay tiew nua — made with wagyu, broccolini, and thin rice noodles in a beef broth — is the perfect comfort food on a cold winter night.
209 Mulberry St.
NoMad
KazuNori
The original hand roll bar, KazuNori might just be the best sushi restaurant in the city. They don’t take reservations and all seating is at the counter, so here’s how it works: Get in line, which very well might be out the door. Once you’re close to the front of the line, grab a pencil and a menu, which is similar to a golf score card. Mark the drinks and rolls that you want (three, four, five or six hand roll sets), and hand it to the server when you get to your seats. They will then make the rolls right in front of you and give them to you one at a time. The lobster and yellowtail were my favorite from the five-roll set. I also loved the iced green tea made with matcha.
15 W 28th St.
Park Slope
Pure Bistro Brooklyn
Pure Bistro Brooklyn serves breakfast all-day, which is ideal if you’re running the Brooklyn Half Marathon and don’t know the exact time that you’ll be hobbling through their doors. The menu is extensive, to say the least: wraps, omelettes, burgers, salads, sandwiches, cold-pressed juices and smoothies. The breakfast bowl — with poached eggs, avocado, and sweet potatoes — is a perfect way to refuel after a casual 13.1.
88 5th Ave.
SoHo
Dos Caminos
Get a taste of south-of-the-border just south of Houston Street. Chips and guac is a must at any Mexican eatery, especially Dos Caminos, where you also get a trio of salsas. Taco offerings include vegan cauliflower adobo, birria, beef picadillo, and more. Naturally, they have a ton of different margaritas and the jalapeño one, made with cucumber, is both spicy and refreshing.
475 W Broadway
La Pecora Bianca
It takes a lot for an Italian restaurant to stand out in New York City, but La Pecora Bianca does. They have a great selection of wines, appetizers, and entrees. To start, my personal favorite is the whipped ricotta with truffle honey. I’ve been on a big broccolini kick lately, so the gramigna pasta with house-made sausage, broccolini, and chili flakes hit the spot. All of the pasta is made in-house and you can add burrata to any pasta dish for $6. They also have locations in Nomad, Midtown, Bryant Park, the Meatpacking District, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side.
54 Prince St.
MAMO Italian Restaurant
Established in SoHo nearly a decade ago, MAMO adds a modern twist to Italian nostalgia. You can’t go wrong with any of their pastas, although I am impartial to anything with pesto. The entrees are definitely affordable, with most items costing $30 or less, or you can splurge on the truffle ravioli for $70. (They also have a restaurant in Brickell for my Miami girlies.)
323 W Broadway
Tribeca
Harry’s Italian
Harry’s Italian is a casual, no-frills restaurant in Tribeca (with another location in FiDi). For the table, we’re ordering classics like fried calamari and Caesar salad. For ourselves, we’re sticking with the classics and getting chicken parm. The servings here are massive, so anticipate leftovers.
225 Murray St.
Upper East Side
Daily Bagel
A massive storefront on the Upper East Side, Daily Bagel is great for having a sit-down breakfast. Daily Bagel is a 180 compared to all of the tiny bagel places with no seating where you have to fight through the crowd just to get to the counter. If you Google Daily Bagel, it’s described as an “unfussy” counter-serve shop, and I could not have picked a better word. In addition to serving bagels, it is also a full deli so you can get specialty deli sandwiches and wraps.
1111 1st Ave.
Upper West Side
Parm
If you can’t get a reservation at Carbone, go to Parm. Honestly even if you can get a reservation at Carbone, go to Parm. The two restaurants were founded by the same people, so you get the same great food at a fraction of the price. So far my favorites are rigatoni Carbone, made with their famous spicy pink vodka sauce, and the chicken parm. Next up on my to-eat list is the eggplant parm. They also have locations in FiDi, SoHo, and Brooklyn.
235 Columbus Ave.
West Village
Bobo
You’ve probably walked past Bobo a dozen times without even noticing; it’s easy to miss even if you’re looking for it. The French restaurant is tucked inside of a townhouse on W 10th Street and you actually have to go down a few steps to enter. Bobo occupies multiple floors, and the downstairs bar area is cozy and rustic with copper pots on the walls and a wood-paneled ceiling. For the food, you can’t go wrong with the earthy Parisian gnocchi — made with seasonal mushrooms, spinach, and basil — or the simple Bobo burger — topped with caramelized onions and comté cheese and a side of frites.
181 W 10th St.
Caliente Cab Co.
There’s something about sitting down at a restaurant with a bowl of chips and salsa and a giant margarita that makes all feel right in the world. Caliente Cab takes giant margarita to a whole new level, serving 24 oz. drinks frozen or on the rocks. You can also choose between fresh fruit flavors like strawberry, mango, coconut, pineapple, raspberry, mixed berry, tamarind, or passion fruit. They serve all the Mexican favs like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and fajitas, but they also have salads, burgers, and sandwiches.
61 7th Ave. S
Fiaschetteria Pistoia
While the West Village is rife with great restaurants — especially Italian ones — Fiaschetteria Pistoia is not to be missed. The interior is tiny, but fortunately they have outdoor seating. The “outdoor” structure is completely enclosed and has heat lamps, making it warm enough to dine outside even on during a snow storm. It actually makes for a really nice place to sit and eat while the snow is falling around you. The wine list is pretty short and it’s not even an actual list: They put four bottles of wine in a crate and those are what they’re serving for the night. However, you’re sure to find something that will pair nicely with what you’re eating. Speaking of food, the burrata appetizer is so delicious and sits on top of fresh tomatoes tossed in olive oil and pepper. For the main course, the cacio e pepe is very creamy and they definitely do not skimp on the pepe (pepper).
114 Christopher St.
Nami Nori
Nami Nori is a popular Japanese restaurant specializing in open-style temaki hand rolls. Basically what this means is you’ll be eating with your hands instead of chop sticks; and instead of rolls, the food is more like a sushi taco. The menu is made up of three different “sets” with five rolls, but you can also make your own. Reservations open two weeks in advance so mark. your. calendars.
33 Carmine St.
North Fork
From bottomless brunch on the weekends to $9 cocktails during the week, there’s always a reason to dine at North Fork. Named one of the best brunches in the city by Time Out New York and Eater, bottomless options include mimosas, bellinis, rosé, Bloody Marys, white peach sangria, Prosecco, and Irish iced coffee. To soak all that up, they serve dishes like a breakfast burger, crème brûlée French toast, and baked skillet eggs, made with harissa chickpeas, chorizo, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and arugula. During the week, cocktails like the margarita, cosmo, Aperol spritz, and espresso martini are just $9 all day.
122 Christopher St.
Suprema Provisions
Though Suprema is an Italian restaurant, it serves much more than just pizza and pasta. In fact, it’s renowned for its burger, made with a short rib and brisket patty, Iberico jamon bacon jam, black garlic sauce, aged cheddar, and roasted tomatoes on a brioche bun and served with a side of perfectly crisp Brussels sprouts. For starters, the cheese board and ricotta crostini are nothing short of phenomenal.
305 Bleecker St.
The Grey Dog
The Grey Dog is a hotspot for the brunch and happy hour lovers of Manhattan. They offer lots of comfort food for all three meals, like pancakes, hamburgers, fried chicken sandwiches and chicken wings. They also have healthy options like salads and grain bowls. Their Glow Up Mule is like a Moscow Mule but 1,000 times better. It’s made with hibiscus and so refreshing. They also have locations in Nolita, Flatiron, Union Square and Chelsea.
49 Carmine St.
Travelers Poets & Friends
This West Village eatery is many things rolled into one: restaurant, cafe, bar, bakery, and market. The Italian menu is great for eating family style, with shareable dishes like eggplant parm, pan con tomate, pasta, and pizzas. You most likely won’t need a reservation or can make one last minute, so go here when your plans for waiting in line at Don Angie, Via Carota, or I Sodi fall through (again).
457 6th Ave.
Williamsburg
Aurora
Inside of a gorgeous, vine-covered brick building, everything about Aurora is rustic. Appetizer highlights include a peach salad and grass-fed beef tartare, while the entrees consist of pasta, chicken, and fish. I personally love the paccheri alla norma made with eggplant, buffalo mozzarella, and basil. Outside of the restaurant is a gelato stand that’s open every day during the summer.
70 Grand St.
Bamonte’s
Bamonte’s is your quintessential, old-school Italian restaurant in Brooklyn. So old school in fact, that they don’t even have a website. But they don’t need one: Their reputation precedes them. Here, the red wine is flowing and the portions are massive. And there’s no better way to end the night than with cannolis and espresso martinis.
32 Withers St.
Coffee and Countries 
so many great spots on here!! and so many ones to add to my “must-try” list on beli 🙂
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