New York City's dining scene is bouncing back from the pandemic. Despite the shuttering of more than 1,000 restaurants over the past few years (according to ), a host of dynamic new spots have opened their doors and many of the City's longtime favorites continue to serve remarkable fare across the five boroughs. Here we've boiled down the undisputed classics for everyone's checklist and identified the intrepid restaurateurs who are in perfect sync with NYC's pulse. If you want to know where to eat, you've come to the right place. Find the City's most essential eateries with our cheat sheet below, then head out on the town to experience them for yourself.NYC ClassicsA restaurant that's stood the test of time, as great today as it ever was, is quite a feat. In that category, we salute for its old-fashioned atmosphere, excellent steaks and chops, great drinks and exemplary service. Busy , on the Lower East Side, has its own burnished pedigree, the overstuffed pastrami sandwiches and grilled hot dogs worth the inevitable wait. Speaking of hot dogs, , in Coney Island since 1916, has expanded its empire globally, but a trip to the source is still a delight.For a juicy hamburger, head to the historic , a bar in Queens not far from JFK that claims to have been around since 1829. The joint has had its ups and downs, most recently during , but locals are jubilant that the doors are still open. Staten Islanders wax sentimental about , especially the potato pancakes, potato-cheese pierogi and bacon-cheddar wursts. , a cherished Ukrainian staple in Manhattan's East Village, has seen its popularity turbocharged recently for obvious reasons. We love the pierogi and blintzes but the mushroom barley soup even more., a French hangout in Soho, remains a classy place to get steak au poivre with pommes frites along with other bistro standards. , a few blocks away, never gets old either, with thick onion soup gratinée and boeuf bourguignon. , a Tribeca magnet for its perfect French omelets, roast chicken and burgers on brioche, is still in style too.Italian restaurants have long figured in NYC's restaurant history, none more so than , open for nearly a century on Restaurant Row in the Theatre District and still owned by the immigrant founder's daughter, Laura Maioglio. Go there and get lost in time. The Piemontese food is fabulous.At in the Bronx the waiters are the menu and will tell you what you want. Go to , serving Staten Island since 1937, for out-of-this-world pizza. In Queens, the most famous Italian institution is (best for fried peppers, stuffed shells and linguine with white clam sauce).Brooklyn has a slew of tremendous Italian stalwarts, highlighted by (great seafood salad and rice balls), (Sicilian pizza), (shrimp fra diavolo, spaghetti marinara) and (ricotta gnocchi and pork chops with hot and sweet cherry peppers). in Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal is elegantly designed and unmatched for cherrystone clams and seafood pan roasts. , in Queens, has boasted the best seafood in Rego Park since 1959. In Astoria, offers the essence of Greek cuisine in what's still a center for Greek culture; the grilled octopus with lemon and olive oil, lightly broiled scallops and grilled sardines are sublime. Sushi and black cod with miso still draw folks to and , both beautifully designed and frequented by a fashionable clientele.Then there's American soul food, exemplified at and , both in Harlem and both comforting spots for fried chicken and fried catfish.New(ish) RestaurantsExciting restaurants like , an iconic steakhouse gloriously resurrected in Downtown Brooklyn, and , a Basque-cuisine hot spot on Manhattan's Lower East Side, barely cracked open their doors before the March 2020 shutdown (the former didn't even make it to its planned debut). Both managed to triumph in 2022—scoring reservations at either proves a challenge. The other coolest places to hit in Brooklyn right now include , a creative, Cantonese-American-Italian restaurant from Calvin Eng (get the cacio e pepe fermented bean curd), and , a minimalist tasting-menu venture featuring Nigerian fare from owner-chef Ayo Balogun (fish pepper soup is one of the stars). At , Israeli American chef Michael Solomonov charcoal grills skewered meats and whips up creamy Middle Eastern dips, served alongside cityscape views from atop Williamsburg's Hoxton hotel. For vegans, in Flatbush is a godsend, an all-day café with plant-based Caribbean-spiced sandwiches and Beyond Meat burgers. Also in the borough, Greenpoint's gets accolades for its Taiwanese-style hot honey popcorn chicken.In Elmhurst, Queens, you'll be thrilled by the Thai-spiced prawns and catfish stuffed with pandan leaves at , one of NYC's most compelling new restaurants for its use of seldom seen herbs. For an authentic Moroccan tagine, head to in Astoria, where halal chicken, olives and preserved lemons are melded in a savory, aromatic stew.Back in Manhattan, is an ambrosial Italian sandwich shop near Times Square. There is almost always a line out the deli's door, but it moves pretty quickly (try around 3pm when it typically dies down). Elsewhere in Midtown, there's the stylish new location of for Sichuan meals and John Fraser's Greek-Turkish wonder for shellfish-rich Aegean stew and quail kebabs. Over in the Manhattan West area, near Hudson Yards, is , an elegant Italian restaurant courtesy of Danny Meyer, where the gifted chef Hillary Sterling has patrons clamoring for her caramelized onion torta and wood-fired whole trout. Up in East Harlem, is a chic, Peruvian-ish restaurant with a top-flight wine list and an emphasis on accessible design since two of its owners, Yannick Benjamin and George Gallego, use wheelchairs.Fried-food lovers should head to the Upper West Side, where , a Harlem legend, now serves up crusty, browned thighs and wings. The West Village is where you'll find the best fish and chips, at , from British chef Ed Szymanski. He offers several other lighter items but, really, don't miss the battered stuff. The neighborhood also holds the best fried olives in the city, at , although it's more known for its great Chicago-style pizza (the ).Speaking of pizza, , on Orchard Street in Manhattan, had a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, but famed pizzaiolo Anthony Mangieri is slinging pies again. He keeps things simple, with classic, high-quality toppings like San Marzano tomatoes, wild oregano and buffalo mozzarella flown in fresh from Italy.The same Lower East Side neighborhood is the setting for , a happening Indian spot named best new restaurant in New York by and in America by . Get chef Chintan Pandya's fiery potato patties and tiger prawns with roasted garlic., in the Flatiron District, also has stellar Indian fare, including shrimp fritters, Goan fish curry and charcoal-smoked butter chicken with tomato-cream gravy. One of the owners is actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, so be assured the elegant space has panache., the reborn Spanish restaurant at the base of the Chelsea Hotel, is another fashionable haunt. Serrano ham croquettes and Andalusian-spiced rotisserie chicken are the way to go.In the mood for Thai? Go to , in the East Village, which has a swanky interior and outdoor seating in front and in back. Tom yum seafood hot pot and caramelized duck breast over egg noodles are highlights.Beloved French chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud's long-running Café Boulud did not survive the pandemic, but he's come back with two new entries: , a seafood and vegetable-focused showplace in Midtown, and the Lyonnaise styled , in Lower Manhattan. Both are exceptional places to splurge.Trusted FavoritesIt's always good to have a list of restaurants that never disappoint. , a wonder in the West Village, remains on every Italian-food lover's lips. Must-haves are the insalata verde and cacio e pepe pasta. Partners Jody Williams and Rita Sodi have a clutch of great downtown restaurants, including French bistro .The charming streets of the West Village hold other standouts such as (seafood, natch), (Italian) and Jonathan Waxman's , celebrated for its kale salad and roast chicken.If you're looking for pleasant outdoor dining options, some of the best places in Manhattan include (New American), the revived (French), (Middle Eastern), (Italian) and , where Asian greens chowder and disco fries coated with curry, peanuts and coconut cream should be on every table. The back garden at , in Williamsburg, is lovely as well (open May to roughly November, weather permitting), specializing in oysters and absinthe.You'll find attractive interiors at Jean-Georges Vongerichten's , the Tribeca brasserie , Danny Meyer's and Marcus Samuelsson's , in Harlem. Better still, the food at all of them is amazing.Williamsburg's , a lively spot for a delicious burger, is housed in an old railroad dining car. , also in Williamsburg, used to be a garage and is where you'll find marvelous pastas by Missy Robbins. , in Queens, was once an auto body shop. Its Canadian chef, Hugue Dufour, always has something interesting cooking, from a savory pie with blood sausage and conch to brisket bourguignon.Many of the restaurants we've catalogued here have been singled out as superior by the Michelin Guide, so if you use that distinction as a barometer, these also meet the can't-go-wrong test: in Long Island City for gourmet Mexican; in Greenpoint (more amazing Mexican fare); in Prospect Heights (seasonal American); on the Lower East Side (creative vegetarian); in the Flatiron District (beautiful Italian food); and David Chang's recently renovated , the East Village flagship of his restaurant empire.Celebratory SpotsFestive restaurants with shareable food heighten special occasions. Celebrate being together at the handsome , in Times Square (there's a second location on the Upper West Side), passing around plates heaped with fried calamari, penne alla vodka and chicken marsala. , another vast restaurant in Times Square, gets approval for the vegetable antipasto bar (eggplant parmesan is a must) and the toasted whole garlic loaf.The Bronx's Arthur Avenue teems with family-friendly Italian establishments, including , and . The East and West Village locations of are on the smaller side but big in spirit. House-made pastas and lively hospitality mark them as consistent favorites.Italian is not the only game in town when it comes to group dining. , with easygoing outposts in Washington Heights and Manhattan Valley, has huge portions of Dominican dishes like arroz con pollo and mofongo (mashed green plantains) with fried pork. , a Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse in the Flatiron District, provides an interactive experience, with smokeless grills at every table. Same goes for the lovely , in Midtown. , a more casual but no less delicious Korean barbecue restaurant in Brooklyn, provides state-of-the-art karaoke rooms for small (up to 10 guests) or large parties (11 to 20).A money-saving alternative is , in Manhattan's Chinatown, where the low-priced Chinese specialties are high quality and there's a BYOB policy. , also in Chinatown, is fail-safe. And go with a group to , in Flushing, Queens, or on St. Mark's Place in the East Village, to sample as much of the menu as possible, including shredded pork with spicy garlic sauce and mapo lobster and tofu in chili sauce., a Middle Eastern restaurant in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, is a spectacular spot for creamy hummus, fresh-baked flatbread and lamb stew, everything in bounteous portions. The Middle Eastern-Mediterranean food at , on the Upper West Side, is similarly amazing, with chicken tagine, whole roasted black bass and fresh-baked flatbread to swipe through a variety of luscious dips. is one of those restaurants that always feels special. Open since 2004, it's hidden down an alleyway on the Lower East Side. The American menu (hot artichoke dip, five-cheese macaroni, pan-roasted salmon) always punches above its weight. And if you're planning a (nice-ish) party, consider , in Brooklyn's Boerum Hill. The restaurant creates set menus that might include mussels in bouillabaisse broth, steak frites and bananas foster profiteroles, to be taken in the covered outdoor garden (April–October).Street Food Street food is just the ticket when you're in a hurry and on a budget. And it's a fun, delicious way to sample global flavors. , a Jewish appetizing shop, has been at the same location on East Houston Street since 1920 and still attracts lines down the block. Some might not think of bagels with smoked salmon and a schmear of cream cheese as street food, but tell that to the hordes of people on the sidewalk who can't wait to eat it anywhere else (note: the same great smoked fish and much more is available at the sit-down a few blocks away).The Lower East Side, East Village and West Village are rife with cheap, casual food stalls, most likely influenced by the crush of students and young people in the area hitting the bars. St. Mark's Place, a short but busy stretch in the East Village, has an abundance of such spots to choose from; a favorite is , where everybody goes crazy for the big, spicy Taiwanese fried chicken sandwich called the Notorious T.F.C. Another phenomenal Indian-spiced fried chicken sandwich is found a few blocks away at , owned by the same team behind Dhamaka. , African bites specialist and , a popular food cart on Washington Square South, are also worth seeking out.Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, is a multicultural mosaic where many recent immigrants test out new businesses with their signature dishes from home. traffics in Palestinian street food, such as stuffed grape leaves and fried cauliflower enhanced with tahini and pomegranate molasses. offers Korean comfort food in a smart little storefront, and newly minted vies for best Oaxacan-style quesadillas and tlayuda (akin to a Mexican pizza) in the City.In Greenpoint, don't miss for its blow-torched tacos. , with locations at the Chelsea Market, Times Square and elsewhere, has delectable low-priced bites. has made a splash with braised meat tacos, which are even juicier with a dip in consommé; two trucks serve them up in Jackson Heights and Williamsburg.Asian bites make great street food, such as the divine , found in Flushing and Chinatown's Canal Street Market. , on the Upper West Side, has killer sandwiches.In that neighborhood is the iconic , feeding hungry New Yorkers hot dogs since 1973. It's not far from Lincoln Center, nor is , where you can grab an egg sandwich or veggie burger. They also have a good outdoor setup.Farther uptown, Harlem's is a healthy quick-serve venue, featuring bowls of freshly milled grains with shrimp, seafood gumbo or vegetables. , also in Harlem, has a similar fast-casual system, with African-spiced vegan bowls and roasted salmon over jollof rice with plantains and black-eyed peas.New York Times food critic Pete Wells recently awarded three stars to , a Puerto Rican food trailer in the Bronx. The high rating is justified for the dreamy roast pork and salt cod fritters. If you're determined to beat a path here, keep in mind it's cash only and just open Saturdays and Sundays.
