The 20 Best Restaurants in New York City: Ultimate Guide to Iconic Flavors, Locations, and Insider Experiences

WorldClubDirectory • Editorial Feature

New York City’s 20 Best Restaurants — Definitive Guide to Locations, Hours, Prices & Insider Tips

By WorldClubDirectory Team • Updated for 2025

New York City is the undisputed culinary capital of the world — a place where immigrant traditions collide with cutting-edge innovation to create dining experiences that define generations. This definitive, original roadmap ranks the 20 best restaurants in New York City using a blend of web reputation (4.5★+ averages with thousands of reviews), Michelin recognition, cultural impact, and pure “wow.” Expect exact locations, hours, price ranges, signature dishes, and pro moves to book (and eat) like a New Yorker.

Why NYC Sets the Global Gold Standard

Within 300 square miles, NYC packs tens of thousands of eateries and more star power than most countries. Dining is theater here — from white-tablecloth temples to no-frills counters with lines around the block. Current trends: hyper-local sourcing (Hudson Valley farms), audacious fusion (Korean-Italian, Afro-Caribbean Jewish), and sustainability (zero-waste menus, seasonal tasting flights). Planning help: browse the official city portal NYCgo — Restaurants, lock prime tables on Resy, and map your hops with the MTA.

The 20 Best Restaurants in New York City

1) Le Bernardin — Midtown’s Seafood Masterpiece Three-Michelin-Star Icon

Location: 155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

Hours: Lunch Mon–Fri 12–2:30 • Dinner Mon–Sat 5–10:30

• Budget: Tasting $298–$398

Signature: Barely cooked tuna with foie gras; black sea bass with crispy potatoes.

Insider tip: Book 6–8 weeks ahead; counter seats add chef-eye views. Business-casual attire plays well.

2) Semma — West Village’s Southern-Indian Revolution Michelin Star

Location: 60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Dinner Tue–Sun 5–10 • Budget: $120–$200 pp

Signature: Gunpowder dosa; rich goat curry; coastal seafood with unapologetic heat.

Hard-to-get Resy drops appear at odd hours — enable notifications. Spice level is legit.

3) Atomix — NoMad’s Korean Fine-Dining Jewel Two-Michelin-Star

Location: 104 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016

Hours: Dinner Tue–Sat • Tasting: ~$325

Signature: Immaculate 10-course progression with collectible course cards; pristine seafood & ferments.

Set an alarm for monthly releases; consider the counter for chef interaction.

4) Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi — Lincoln Center’s Afro-Caribbean Star

Location: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023

Hours: Dinner Tue–Sun • Budget: $90–$160 pp

Signature: Short rib pastrami suya; egusi dumplings; carnival-bright cocktails.

Pre-theater tables turn fast — book early; bar seats are gold for walk-ins.

5) Eleven Madison Park — Flatiron’s Plant-Based Icon

Location: 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010

Hours: Dinner most nights • Tasting: ~$365

Signature: Carrot tartare; seasonal, wildly precise vegan haute cuisine.

Ask about the non-alcoholic pairing — one of the city’s best.

6) Per Se — Columbus Circle’s French-American Legend

Location: 10 Columbus Cir, 4th Fl, New York, NY 10019

Hours: Lunch & Dinner select days • Tasting: ~$450

Signature: Oysters & Pearls; butter-poached lobster; panoramic Central Park views.

Chef’s window tables book far out; jackets recommended.

7) Daniel — Upper East Side’s Evergreen Elegance

Location: 60 E 65th St, New York, NY 10065

Hours: Dinner Mon–Sat • Tasting: from ~$295

Signature: Foie gras torchon; seasonal fish; mignardises cart.

The lounge is a lower-commitment way in (same polish, shorter format).

8) Gramercy Tavern — New American Comfort, Perfected

Location: 42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

Hours: Lunch & Dinner daily • Budget: $40–$120 pp

Signature: Seasonal roasted chicken; stellar veg plates; cozy tavern room.

Walk-in bar seats move quickly off-peak (3–5 pm).

9) Jean-Georges — Global Fusion with Parkside Drama

Location: 1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

Hours: Lunch & Dinner daily • Tasting: from ~$298

Signature: Egg caviar; sweet-heat combos; laser-precise sauces.

Daytime window seats for Central Park views without the dinner glut.

10) Balthazar — SoHo’s French Brasserie Legend

Location: 80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Hours: Breakfast to late, daily • Budget: $35–$80

Signature: Onion soup, steak frites, towers of pastries.

Breakfast is the sweet spot for short waits and A+ people-watching.

11) Katz’s Delicatessen — The Pastrami King of the LES

Location: 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

Hours: 8 am–late daily • Budget: $20–$30

Signature: Hand-carved pastrami on rye, mustard only.

Grab a ticket on entry; tip your slicer for thicker, juicier cuts.

12) Peter Luger Steak House — Williamsburg’s Porterhouse Legend

Location: 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Hours: Lunch & Dinner daily • Budget: $60–$150 pp

Signature: Steak for two; creamed spinach; the fabled Luger sauce.

Cash or approved cards; book at off-hours for friendlier waits.

13) Joe’s Pizza — The Original Village Slice

Location: 7 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014 (plus outposts)

Hours: 10 am–late • Budget: $4–$6 a slice

Signature: Classic cheese slice — fold, walk, grin.

Plain cheese is the move; reheated second-time slices crackle.

14) Russ & Daughters — A Century of Smoked-Fish Glory

Location: 179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002 (shop) • Café on Orchard St

Hours: Mornings to afternoon • Budget: $12–$30

Signature: Bagel with nova & schmear; sable; pickled herrings.

Pre-order for weekend pickup; café if you want to sit and luxuriate.

15) Di Fara Pizza — Midwood’s Pilgrimage Pie

Location: 1424 Ave J, Brooklyn, NY 11230

Hours: Wed–Sun noon–8 • Budget: $5 slice / $35 pie

Signature: Basil-strewn round pies; oil-kissed crust with soulful chew.

Expect a wait; bring cash; the corner slice is sacred.

16) Lilia — Williamsburg’s Pasta Powerhouse

Location: 567 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Hours: Dinner nightly • Budget: $25–$65

Signature: Mafaldine with pink peppercorns; sheep’s milk agnolotti.

Bar seats drop for early birds; consider the adjacent caffè for daytime hits.

17) Cosme — Flatiron’s Modern Mexican Marvel

Location: 35 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010

Hours: Dinner daily • Budget: $60–$140

Signature: Duck carnitas for two; husk meringue dessert shocker.

Ask about off-menu agave pours; share plates to roam wider.

18) Don Peppe — Queens Red-Sauce Royalty

Location: 135-58 Lefferts Blvd, South Ozone Park, NY 11420

Hours: Wed–Sun lunch & dinner • Budget: $30–$60

Signature: Baked clams; veal parm; big-family platters.

Cash only; arrive early with your full party — it’s old-school.

19) Via Carota — West Village’s Effortless Italian

Location: 51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

Hours: All-day most days • Budget: $25–$75

Signature: Insalata verde mountain; cacio e pepe; olive oil cake.

List opens day-of; try mid-afternoon for fastest seating.

20) The Grill — Midtown’s Grand Chophouse Revival

Location: 99 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022

Hours: Dinner Mon–Sat • Budget: $80–$160 pp

Signature: Prime rib cart; tableside theatrics; martinis as cold as Midtown steel.

Dress to the room. Martini-and-prime-rib at the bar is peak NYC.

How to Dine Like a New Yorker (Fast Playbook)

Reserve smart: Big names release blocks on Resy/Tock; set alerts and pounce within minutes.

Lunch vs. dinner: Power-lunch tasting menus can be 20–30% less than evening pricing.

Transit: Subway is king for crosstown hops; late nights use e-hail; avoid driving & parking headaches.

Dress code: Ranges widely — assume smart casual; bring layers for over-eager A/C.

Budget: From $20 classic slices to $500 tasting temples — plan the week like a playlist.

What’s Trending Now

Expect vegetable-centric menus even at steakhouses, chef collabs that pop up for a week at a time, and polished non-alcoholic pairings that rival wine lists. Neighborhoods to watch: Long Island City’s waterfront, Ridgewood’s bakeries-to-bistros pipeline, and the North Brooklyn pasta-renaissance that refuses to slow down.

Explore the world’s most exciting restaurants on WorldClubDirectory.com — The #1 Global Nightlife Guide.