Hospitality Guide
The 28 best restaurants in New York City
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Nearly three years after Covid forced the city that never sleeps to dim its lights, New York’s restaurant scene feels like it’s back to its old self. Many of the beloved classics on this list, like Italian charmer Via Carota, Michelin-starred Le Bernardin and pizza destination Lucali, can now say they made it to the other side. And with the addition of outdoor dining, some now have even more seats to welcome guests. There are also new genres of restaurants – like Contento, which works to be truly accessible to all, and the wildly spicy Dhamaka that opened during the pandemic and persevered – establishing themselves as important contenders among the best restaurants in New York City.
With tourism numbers back up, the best tables in the city have once again become highly coveted commodities. Be sure to book them in advance, swing by early, or try your luck at the end of the evening for an open seat at the bar
Sushi Nakazawa
Daisuke Nakazawa – the apprentice from Jiro Dreams of Sushi – cooks here, and in an ideal world, you’re sitting right at his counter. You’ll pay a little extra to do so, but oh, what he can do with fish. The man must daydream in texture and temperature, because whether mackerel, smoked skipjack, or shrimp are on his menu, they are seasoned lightly, brought to a very precise warmth, and served to transcendent effect. People who have heard the four-star raves are here, whether they have sushi cravings and have saved their pennies or just have money to burn.
Address: 23 Commerce Street, New York, NY 10014
A reality check: New York City doesn’t have the taco cred of a city like Los Angeles or San Diego. That said, it’s not without its standouts. The menu at Los Tacos No. 1 in Chelsea Market is short, but hits all the high points with a tight selection of tacos made on corn or flour tortillas laced with lard. There are also quesadillas and mulas filled with proteins like pollo asada and adobada, or marinated pork topped with a pineapple. Fresh chips, salsa, and guacamole round out a meal. The lack of seating makes Los Tacos No. 1 ideal for a snack or light meal while you’re exploring the area.
Address: 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Raku
Duck down Macdougal Street on the western edge of SoHo and look for a small white square sign with artfully drawn Japanese characters and Raku spelled out in small Roman letters below. If you elect to dine inside, you’ll be greeted by a calming and transportive dining room and some of the city’s best udon (the latter you’ll have your fill of outside, of course). The lengthy menu at Raku can be a touch overwhelming for a first-time visitor, so first decide if you want your udon warm or cold, then concentrate your efforts on that section. Raku is one of those rare New York restaurants that’s impressive, transportive, consistently excellent – and (most importantly and surprisingly) easy to get a reservation at.
Address: 48 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012
At this old-school SoHo institution, the white tablecloths, pressed tin ceilings, and $58 steak au poivre belie a long history of button-pushing and rule-flouting. The top-secret item? The burger au poivre. Burger hounds obsess over it and its drippy, creamy St.-André cheese topping. For desserts, the banana coconut bread pudding has its devotees. Come here when you’re curious about old, bad New York – when the SNL cast would roll out for dinner at 1 a.m., and people might end up dancing on the tables – and to see a slightly more sedate version today.
Address: 180 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012