Best Restaurants in New York 2025
Explore the culinary scene of New York - from local favorites to fine dining.
New York State is a powerhouse of American culture, history, and natural beauty, anchored by New York City—the most visited city in the United States. From the iconic skyline of Manhattan to the thundering Niagara Falls, the tranquil Adirondack wilderness, and the rolling vineyards of the Finger Lakes, the state offers an extraordinary range of experiences. Whether you seek world-class museums, outdoor adventure, farm-to-table dining, or vibrant nightlife, New York State delivers on every front.
New York State is arguably the most culinarily diverse food destination in the world. New York City's 26,000+ restaurants span every cuisine on Earth, from Michelin-starred French temples to steaming Cantonese dim sum in Flushing, Queens. The state's culinary identity is anchored by the New York deli tradition (pastrami, bagels, lox), New York-style pizza (thin, foldable, coal- or gas-fired), and the immigrant foods that became American staples — Italian-American red sauce, Jewish delicatessen, and Chinese takeout. Upstate, the Finger Lakes produce award-winning Rieslings, the Hudson Valley is a leader in farm-to-table cuisine, and Buffalo gave the world the Buffalo wing.
Must-Try Dishes
These iconic dishes define the culinary identity of New York.
New York Pastrami on Rye
Hand-cut hot pastrami piled high on rye bread with mustard — the ultimate NYC deli experience
New York-Style Pizza Slice
Thin, foldable slice with a slightly charred crust, tangy tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella
New York Bagel with Lox and Cream Cheese
Hand-rolled, water-boiled bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and all the fixings
Buffalo Wings
Jumbo chicken wings fried crispy and tossed in Frank's RedHot and butter — invented in Buffalo in 1964
New York Cheesecake
Dense, creamy baked cheesecake with a graham cracker crust — a different animal from European cheesecake
Black and White Cookie
A New York institution — a soft, cake-like cookie half-covered in vanilla fondant and half in chocolate
Egg Cream
A classic NYC soda fountain drink of milk, seltzer, and Fox's U-bet chocolate syrup — no eggs, no cream
Rochester Garbage Plate
Rochester's proudly unruly dish: any protein piled on home fries and macaroni salad, covered in hot sauce
Complete Food Guide
100+ restaurants, local recipes, and dining recommendations for New York.
Top Restaurants
Our handpicked recommendations for the best dining experiences.
Le Bernardin
Chef Éric Ripert's legendary Midtown seafood temple has held three Michelin stars since 1986 and is widely considered one of the greatest restaurants in the United States. The menu treats fish and seafood with near-religious reverence, showcasing pristine ingredients in refined French technique.
Eleven Madison Park
Daniel Humm's plant-based fine dining flagship in the Art Deco Met Life building has three Michelin stars and has been named the best restaurant in the world. The ever-changing tasting menu celebrates seasonal New York ingredients with stunning precision.
Per Se
Thomas Keller's New York outpost at the Time Warner Center holds three Michelin stars and offers one of the most choreographed dining experiences in the city. The nine-course tasting menu changes daily and showcases Keller's legendary French Laundry technique applied to New York produce.
Jean-Georges
Celebrated chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's flagship restaurant in the Trump International Hotel on Columbus Circle has three Michelin stars. The menu fuses classic French technique with Asian spices and flavors in a light, elegant setting overlooking Central Park.
Daniel
Daniel Boulud's jewel-box restaurant on the Upper East Side is one of New York's most beautiful dining rooms, housed in a former Mayfair Hotel and decorated with Venetian Renaissance-inspired arches. The seasonal French menu draws heavily on local Hudson Valley and Long Island ingredients.
Gramercy Tavern
Danny Meyer's Gramercy Tavern has been a beloved New York institution since 1994, offering inventive American cooking in a warmly rustic Gramercy setting. The taproom in front takes walk-ins and offers an excellent casual menu, while the dining room offers a more formal experience.
Carbone
The most coveted reservation in New York City, Carbone is a love letter to mid-century Italian-American restaurant culture — waiters in tuxedos, Caesar salad tableside, and the loudest, most joyful dining rooms in the city. The veal Parmesan and rigatoni vodka are legendary.
Balthazar
Keith McNally's French brasserie in SoHo has been the essential New York power-dining room since 1997. Modeled on the grand cafés of Paris, it serves excellent steak frites, moules marinières, and a legendary raw bar from breakfast through midnight.
Restaurants by Cuisine
Find restaurants that match your taste preferences.
French Seafood Cuisine
Le Bernardin
Contemporary American Cuisine
Eleven Madison Park
Gramercy Tavern
Momofuku Ko
Contemporary French Cuisine
Per Se
French Contemporary Cuisine
Jean-Georges
French Cuisine
Daniel
Italian-American Cuisine
Carbone
Don Angie
Street Food & Markets
The best local flavors at affordable prices.
Halal Cart Combo Plate
Rice, chicken or lamb gyro, salad and pita, doused in white sauce and hot sauce — the most beloved NYC street food
Pretzel
Oversized soft pretzels sold from classic NYC street carts — best with mustard
Hot Dog
The New York street dog — all-beef frank in a steamed bun with sauerkraut, onion sauce, or mustard
Chestnuts (seasonal)
Roasted chestnuts sold from smoking braziers — an autumn and winter NYC street tradition
Gyro
Thin-sliced gyro meat in pita with tzatziki, onions, and tomatoes — a NYC deli and street food staple
Food Markets
Chelsea Market
A 1.2-million-square-foot food hall and marketplace in the former National Biscuit Company building (birthplace of Oreos) in Chelsea, with vendors ranging from the excellent Lobster Place to the Ronnybrook Farm Dairy.
Eataly NYC Flatiron
Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich's massive Italian food marketplace spanning two floors of the Flatiron District, with restaurants, counters, butchers, fishmongers, and Italy's finest imported products.
Grand Central Market
Inside Grand Central Terminal, a curated market of New York specialty food vendors including Murray's Cheese, Ceriello Fine Foods, and Li-Lac Chocolates.
Smorgasburg
The largest open-air food market in the United States, with 100+ vendors operating every weekend in Brooklyn (Williamsburg on Saturdays, Prospect Park on Sundays) from spring through fall.
Union Square Greenmarket
New York City's most celebrated farmers market, operating since 1976, with 140+ vendors selling produce, meats, dairy, and baked goods from New York State farms.
Dining Etiquette & Tips
Navigate the local food scene like a pro.
NYC restaurants add 8.875% sales tax; tipping 18–22% is expected at sit-down restaurants
Make reservations on Resy or OpenTable for popular NYC restaurants — some require booking months in advance
Many of the best cheap eats in NYC are in the outer boroughs: Flushing (Queens) for Chinese food, Jackson Heights for South Asian cuisine, Bay Ridge (Brooklyn) for Middle Eastern
The best pizza in NYC is a matter of fierce local debate — have at least three slices from different pizzerias and form your own opinion
Sunday brunch is a NYC institution; expect long waits without a reservation on weekend mornings
Dietary Information
{'vegetarian': 'Excellent options across the state; NYC has dozens of dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants including Superiority Burger (Michelin-starred) and Dirt Candy', 'halal': 'Widely available throughout NYC, especially in Midtown (cart vendors), Queens, and the Bronx; look for the halal certification sign', 'gluten_free': 'Well catered to in NYC — most restaurants can accommodate; dedicated gluten-free bakeries include Senza Gluten in the West Village'}
Food Budget Guide
What to expect at different price points.
Taste the Best of New York
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