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New York City. The Big Apple is home to over 70 Michelin starred restaurants, some of the finest celebrity chefs and cuisine from every part of the world. And yet, almost every New Yorker is plagued with the question what do you want for dinner tonight? As anyone with a partner or someone who has just moved out of home will confirm, it's a hassle to figure out what to eat on a daily basis or when you're put on the spot. In those moments, what you need most is our picks of the ten best restaurants in New York City. In this list, we'll cover the obscure, the popular, the accessible, the exclusive, and the downright delicious of New York's food scene.
1- Chef Cesar Ramirez's Three Michelin Star Restaurant
Chef Cesar Ramirez's select tasting menu was deemed so appealing that his restaurant is one of the few in the world to earn three Michelin stars, perfect for a special occasion. Tables at this restaurant in the Hudson Yards grocery market must be reserved well in advance. The exclusivity is also reflected in the pricing. The tasting menu costs $430, not including service and wine. It's definitely on the price of your side, but culinary connoisseurs will tell you it's absolutely worth it. The 20 course menu is inspired by Japanese cuisine and perfected with French techniques. It features the freshest seasonal produce, while every dish is guaranteed to make mouths water. The Scottish langoustine and the Wagyu beef in particular stand out for their extraordinary depth.
2- Mercado Little Spain by Chef Jose Andres
This one is also in Hudson Yards and New York's Mini Spain. Mercado Little Spain is the brainchild of chef Jose Andres and the Andrea brothers, who banded together to create this whopping 35,000 square meter collection of three restaurants, three bars and 16 food and retail kiosks. Even with all this space, finding a place to sit on the weekends can be a struggle. Serving as a testament to its popularity. In between Ma, a seafood restaurant, Lina, which specializes in the foods of the Basque Country, and the Libera Spanish Diner, an all day restaurant. Patrons can expect the best of Spanish cuisine in the form of crispy churros, warm paella and expertly sliced jamon, best served with a cocktail from one of the three bars. Of course, to prove that Indian cuisine is so much more than butter chicken and naan at the Michelin starred restaurants.
3- Ronnie Mumba and Chintan Pandya's Indian Cuisine
Ronnie Mumba and Chintan Pandya have gone beyond the standard Indian fare to offer up dishes from the far reaches of the country. Expect to sample dishes like the chili laced pork salad from northeast India or a fan favorite like Pan India biryani. Some dishes are so intricate that they have to be ordered a few days in advance, such as the rabbit dish from Rajasthan, which is marinated in yogurt and slow cooked for over 48 hours. The fact that Dhammakaya opened during the peak of the pandemic and still has managed to thrive, proves that New Yorkers can't get enough of this Indian food.
4- Raoul's French Twist and Celebrity Spot
Rahul's isn't just a New York Soho institution with a twist on classic French food. It's also where the stars come out to play. As you would imagine, this also makes it quite exclusive at times. Reservations have to be made up to 30 days in advance. The restaurant was founded by two brothers from Alsace, France, who came to America in the 1970s with nothing but a couple of steak and fish recipes. Today, the steak up at Raoul's is a $58 delight that has diners coming back for seconds and well thirds on the lunch menu. The burger opens with its creamy San Andre cheese, boasts an obsessed fan following. In terms of ambiance, too, it doesn't disappoint. Think authentic Parisian bistro with outdoor dining.
5- Sushi Nakazawa's Affordable Fine Dining
It isn't a list of the best restaurants in New York without the addition of at least one sushi bar. After deliberating a few options, we went for Sushi Nakazawa. The brainchild of chef Asuka Nakazawa, who was trained in the craft by the legendary Jiro Ono. Since 2013, this sushi restaurant in West Village has offered up Japanese food of exquisite quality without compromising on the ambiance or price. While it's still expensive sushi, Nakazawa is more affordable than some of its fine dining peers, with a 21 course omakase for $180. Sample this menu with top of the line saké, and we guarantee you'll leave with a smile no matter the cost.
7- The Four Horsemen's Wine and Menu Highlights
Located in Madison Square Park, Sarah by Berea is a rooftop restaurant with a classic rustic menu that never disappoints. The ambiance is reminiscent of a greenhouse in southern Italy, a perfect setting for some of the delicious elevated Italian cuisine, if you ask us. Each item on the menu is influenced by the seasons, so diners here can expect some fine alpine cuisine in the winter, or light salads and cocktails in the spring. It isn't the most affordable restaurant in town, but it sure is cheaper than taking a trip to Italy. This Williamsburg restaurant is run by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem fame. While this is a big selling point for tourists, The Four Horsemen is as much known for its selection of wines as for its extensive menu. The Michelin starred and James Beard Award winning restaurant boasts a highly knowledgeable waitstaff who knows exactly what wine should go with what dish. Chef Nick Caracciolo, meanwhile, serves up some delectable bar snacks and large plates, including fan favorites like the cured fish with ouzo, Koko, the saucy fried chicken with onions and mushrooms, or the muscle skewers with aioli. This restaurant is on the pricier side, so expect to spend about $110 per person, depending on the wine selection of your choice. Is it worth it? We sure think so.
8- Le Bernardin's French-Asian Fusion Excellence
La Bernardin isn't just one of New York City's best restaurants. It often makes it to the list of the best restaurants in the world. Chef Eric Ripert Several tasting menu options combine the best of French technique and Asian influence. The poached lobster with chanterelle mushrooms and baby turnips is the perfect example of this marriage. The four course tasting menu includes dishes that are almost always raw, barely touched or lightly cooked, but are guaranteed to be delicious either way. Since 1986, Lebanon has earned three Michelin stars, a dedicated fan following, and the distinction of being one of the only restaurants to consistently feature on every list of New York's best eateries. With that, we complete our list of the ten best restaurants in New York City, although admittedly, we could have gone on for a lot longer. Whether it's the date nights or business dinners, it turns out that The City that never sleeps also never disappoints.
