Best Restaurants in New York (2025)

Vijay Kumar’s South Indian landmark channels Tamil Nadu heritage with unapologetic intensity. Michelin-starred and named New York’s No. 1 restaurant in 2025 by The New York Times, it’s frequently cited by Eater and Condé Nast Traveler for redefining Indian dining.

An Afro-Caribbean love letter to New York from Bronx-born Kwame Onwuachi, with dishes that spark conversation before Lincoln Center performances and beyond. Celebrated by The New York Times, highlighted by Grub Street, and recognized by the Michelin Guide.

Inside Essex Market, Dhamaka shouts with rustic Indian dishes rarely seen in the U.S.—from goat neck to clay-pot mutton. Michelin’s Bib Gourmand and regular acclaim from Eater and Condé Nast Traveler underline its community impact and bold flavors.

James Murphy’s Williamsburg natural-wine icon marries precise, seasonal cooking with an ever-curious cellar. Awarded a Michelin star and routinely recommended by respected critics, it remains a neighborhood anchor for serious wine lovers and thoughtful, modern plates.

Brooks Headley’s East Village original evolved into a spirited diner-like room with a bar, breads, and nightly lines. Lauded by The New Yorker and Eater, its vegetarian menu proves how imaginative, New York-rooted cooking can feel both playful and profound.

Markus Glocker’s Viennese-meets-Parisian brasserie in NoMad nails schnitzel, soufflés, and old-world hospitality. Praised by The New York Times and endorsed by the Michelin Guide, it’s a stylish, independent dining room with deep neighborhood roots.

Ryan Bartlow’s Basque-spirited LES haunt channels San Sebastián with txakoli, gildas, and impeccable seafood. Recognized by Condé Nast Traveler and listed by the Michelin Guide, it’s a joyous room where New Yorkers gather for shareable, regionally faithful plates.

From cult sandwich window to boundary-pushing East Village restaurant, Foxface Natural serves fearless, seasonal cooking with a sense of fun. A Michelin selection and frequent subject of New York Times praise, it’s a true neighborhood original.

Ayo Balogun’s Bed-Stuy tasting menu celebrates North-Central Nigeria with stories, records, and BYOB conviviality. Applauded by Eater, The Infatuation, and Resy, this dinner-party restaurant is as much about community as it is about soulful cooking.

Greenpoint’s CDMX-style taco shrine draws lines for suadero, longaniza, and blowtorched tripa. Featured by Eater and The Infatuation and beloved by local critics, it’s a focused, no-frills operation rooted in traditional technique and neighborhood energy.

A tiny East Village tasting-menu restaurant by Telly Justice and Camille Lindsley that centers queer hospitality with striking seasonal dishes. Admired by The New Yorker and acknowledged by Michelin, it’s heartfelt fine dining that feels welcoming and personal.

Rita Sodi and Jody Williams’ West Village osteria remains a city-defining Italian, prized for pastas, salads, and an all-day neighborhood rhythm. Lauded by The New York Times and recommended by the Michelin Guide, it’s essential New York comfort with finesse.

Ed Szymanski and Patricia Howard’s seafood haven delivers London-accented plates—legendary fish and chips included—with a witty wine list. Recognized by Condé Nast Traveler and the Michelin Guide, it’s a small, spirited room that punches far above its size.