An Expert Guide to the Very Best Restaurants to Visit in New York City
From high-end Korean cuisine to a classic American steakhouse, here’s where to eat in NYC right now
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'Where to eat in New York City' is one of the toughest questions to answer. It would take several lifetimes to eat your way through the city, which boasts one of the most diverse dining scenes in the world. From long-standing classics to dazzling new ventures, picking a place to eat in NYC is a joyful task. Thought we were just travel experts? Think again. We know a thing or two about good food here at Plum Guide, and we have all the information you need about eating out in the Big Apple. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to impress a date, catch up with friends, or just eat unforgettable food, tuck into our comprehensive guide to the best restaurants in New York City.
Dame, Greenwich Village
A close up view of grilled oysters on a barbecue
While a British seafood restaurant may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the NYC dining scene, Patricia Howard and chef Ed Szymanski have created something truly special. Dame is all about strongly flavoured small plates, with generous levels of salt, fat, herbs, and other seasonings. Grilled oysters are blanketed by green Chartreuse hollandaise, curlicues of squid are skewered and doused in parsley oil, and a simple yet punchy cucumber salad is paired with meaty mussels - even the fish and chips has its own cult following. Reservations are available several months in advance, but we promise it’s totally worth the wait.
The Special Relationship, Plum Guide home in New York, USA
Gramercy Tavern
If you’re in search of contemporary American cuisine made with seasonal ingredients, the one Michelin star Gramercy Tavern is your place. Operating as two restaurants in one, you can enjoy the à la carte menu in the casual tavern room at the front, or opt for the tasting menu in the more swanky dining room out the back. Chef Michael Anthony, a farm-to-table master who previously won the James Beard ‘Outstanding Chef’ award, conjures up what could be best described as rustic fine dining - the menus are packed with items like mushroom pot pie, tavern burgers, roasted duck confit, and homemade sausages. Everything has a distinctly American touch, including the warm chocolate chip cookie served with a glass of cold milk.
Lucali, Brooklyn
A calzone pizza on a plate in a restaurant
In New York City, it’s a near impossible feat to choose just one pizza place and call it the best. However, Lucali may well be that place. Every day (yes, every day) people line up outside to put their name on the ‘the list’, then wait another hour or three for a call saying their table is ready. There are only two items on the menu - pizza and calzone. Lucali’s crusts are thin, crispy with a slight chew, and topped with velvety tomato sauce and three types of cheese. You can opt for additional toppings like pepperoni or shallots, but less is more. It’s simple, but made extremely well. Oh, and it’s BYOB, so you’ll have plenty of time to scout out the neighbourhood wine shops and bodegas for something to whet the palate.
The Dinner Party, Plum Guide home in Brooklyn, New York, USA
Uncle Lou, Chinatown
It’s no secret that NYC’s Chinatown has an exciting dining scene, and Louis Wong (aka Uncle Lou) is a big reason behind that. A Chinatown local since he moved from Hong Kong in 1970, Louis Wong decided to come out of retirement and open his first restaurant in 2021. We think it’s one of the best decisions he’s made, and judging from the daily queues, so does half of New York. Specialising in Cantonese cuisine and comforting home recipes, Uncle Lou is a casual, cheerful space with a long banquette, large tables, and lazy susans. It’s great for groups, and you can fight over dishes like the eggplant in Yuxiang garlic sauce, braised pork belly with mui-choy, steamed buffalo fish with ginger, and the delectable homestyle chenpi duck.
Le Bernardin, Midtown
A close up of a yellowfin tuna steak at a restaurant
Boasting three Michelin stars, it’s easy to say that Le Bernardin is one of the best restaurants in New York City. This old school fine dining institution has been open for over 30 years now, so you can imagine just how fine-tuned to perfection it is. The seafood is the showstopper here, with dishes like yellowfin tuna and foie gras on toasted baguettes, marinated fluke ceviche with Thai basil and lime-infused olive oil, and slightly smoked sea trout tartare. Also, you can’t forget the wine list which boasts 15,000 bottles - including vintages dating back to 1875. It’s all in the details at Le Bernardin, from the impeccable service to the soft spotlights that shine exactly where your plate goes. This is definitely one for special occasions.
A Fairytale of New York, Plum Guide home in New York, USA
Semma, West Village
Following the highly successful Dhamaka, the duo of chef Chintan Pandya and restaurateur Roni Mazumdar have unveiled Semma, which features South Indian specialties typically made in a rural home setting. Executive chef Vijay Kumar takes inspiration from his childhood in Tamil Nadu, cooking up items like Nathai Pirattal - a snail dish with tamarind and kai dosa. Vegetarian highlights include a masala-potato-filled gunpowder dosa, while meat options include a vat of tender venison drenched in a smoky dark brown gravy. There’s seafood too, and we highly recommend calling ahead and securing the whole Dungeness crab covered in a sweet and spicy cardamom gravy. They only make four to six a night, so don't miss out on this showstopper.
Sushi Noz, Upper East Side
A cooked crab with lemon at a restaurant
If Sushi Noz were an art exhibition, Chef Nozomu ‘Noz’ Abe would be the artist. A meal at this one Michelin star restaurant is to witness the finest sushi craftsmanship, where Chef Noz personally tends to your needs omakase-style. Start the night with a series of seasonal tastes, and end with a succession of sushi. Think cooked dishes like tilefish broth with mozuku seaweed, or hay-smoked bonito with shiso leaves and shaved nori - as well as the finest seafood like Norwegian crab or Spanish bluefin tuna. Make sure you book well in advance, as dining here is an exclusive affair - a separate dining room is bookable for private dinners, or take a seat with a handful of fellow spectators at the 200-year-old hinoki wood sushi bar.
Upper East Chic, Plum Guide home in New York, USA
Peter Luger Steakhouse, Williamsburg
It wouldn’t be a list of the best restaurants in New York City without mentioning Peter Luger Steakhouse. Probably the most well-known steakhouse in the city, it constantly proves why it’s worthy of its one Michelin star - this establishment has been around for over 130 years, so we think they know what they’re doing. The thick-cut bacon, creamed spinach, and German fried potatoes are delightful, but the dry-aged porterhouse is the highlight of the menu, arriving at your table still sizzling from the broiler. There’s a high chance you’ll find yourself mopping up the buttery and salty meat juices with bread (or anything else you can get your hands on). Bring your mates, bring your dates - Peter Luger is high-end, but swaps out the stuffiness and formality for a more laid-back, beer hall-style atmosphere.
Lilia, Williamsburg
A bowl of agnolotti covered in cheese
Lilia is one of the toughest tables to get a hold of, but that’s not the biggest problem you’ll face - choosing from the handmade pasta dishes is a feat in itself. Lilia is all about simplicity, from the pared back, loft-like space to the simple yet compelling food. Chef and owner Missy Robbins maintained a Michelin star rating during her time at A Voce, so it’s unsurprising that Lilia’s menu is so smart, assured, and consistent. Choose from dishes like the agnolotti stuffed with sheep’s milk cheese in a honey-saffron butter sauce, the grilled clams with Calabrian chilli and bread crumbs, or the black bass with salsa verde and coal-roasted potatoes. Finish off strong with the olive oil gelato while you plan your next trip here.
Trestle Nest, Plum Guide home in New York, USA
Oiji Mi, Flatiron
Oiji Mi is the second venture from chef Brian Kim and partner Max Soh, the duo behind the East Village’s popular modern Korean restaurant Oiji. This time, they’re focusing more on high-end dishes that didn’t quite fit at their first restaurant. As soon as you step in, you’re welcomed into a gorgeous space inspired by old-school Korean homes called hanok - sit at the bar and lounge area for signature dishes, or try out the five course tasting menu in the luxe dining room. Original, authentic Korean flavours are present throughout the dishes - such as the Bo Ssam made with Ibérico pork belly, or the chilli lobster ramyun. The drinks menu is just as imaginative, with cocktails like the juju vieux (bourbon, date infused soju, lotus leaf) served with a side of orange scented tapioca pearls as the perfect palate cleanser.
