30 Manhattan Restaurant Recs From New Yorkers

Consider this your new guide to Manhattan restaurants.

Dishes at Shukette, a beloved Middle Eastern restaurant in Chelsea.

Ask any New Yorker for a restaurant recommendation, and you'll likely get more than just a name. You'll get a story. That's why I reached out to my friends and asked them about their favorite spots.

Here, you’ll find real experiences from real diners. From Neil's regular chicken parm order at Café Fiorello to Christine watching Shukette survive the pandemic in her Chelsea neighborhood, these restaurants are part of routines and memories.

The responses showcase honest assessments and specific dishes that define these spots — like Borgo's fried delicata squash, Rezdôra's singular perfect ravioli and the steak au poivre at Raoul's.

Consider this your insider's guide to Manhattan dining (in alphabetical order), vetted by people who know New York. You’re welcome.

Avant Garden, East Village

The menu tricks you into thinking it’s basic. Don’t be fooled by the straightforward names – roasted carrot, cauliflower, avocado. Every dish is next-level. The space is cozy, the service is warm, and it’s the kind of place that proves vegan food doesn’t need to pretend to be anything else. Good food is just good food.
— Fiona

Borgo, NoMad

Come for the fried delicata squash — easily the best dish I’ve eaten all winter — and stay for the incredibly warm atmosphere. I mean that both literally (there’s a wood-burning fireplace in the middle of the dining room) and metaphorically (the staff is incredibly kind).
— Dianna

Buvette, West Village

This comes as close to the food excellence in Paris as I’ve found in NYC. So good on the details. Pain Perdu was not too sweet.
— Yashar

Café Chelsea, Chelsea

The French-inspired eatery at the newly renovated Hotel Chelsea may be going viral for its sheet ravioli, but the breakfast service is when the restaurant shines. I always get the omelette (simple yet perfect with just a little bit of herbs and Gruyère) and the coffee is phenomenal.
— Mary

Café Fiorello, Lincoln Square

One of my local go-to spots for a delicious meal and relaxed ambiance. It's consistently delicious, and their chicken parm is thin and crispy. They have a range of antipasto, and their Italian wedding soup is a classic in the winter.
— Neil

Chez Fifi, Upper East Side

Opened by the team behind Sushi Noz, this chic townhouse feels like walking into your cool aunt’s home. Start at the Salon upstairs for a drink and end with the chocolate mousse. Keep an eye out for the unique art scattered throughout the restaurant!
— Arianna

Daddies, West Village

Great casual spot — always reliable, love their pizzas and candied yams.
— Camille

Fiaschetteria Pistoia, East Village

The simple menu means everything is made perfectly. Their spot in the East Village is cozy and intimate, and it’s the best place to grab a bowl of cacio e pepe.
— Rachel

The restaurant started in Italy before opening a few in NYC and their handmade pasta is amazing. My wife and I had our second date there and have gone back many times.
— Tyler

Fish Cheeks, NoHo

I only recently became a seafood person, and I blame Fish Cheeks. The Thai flavors here don’t hold back — big, bright, and unapologetically bold. Their coconut crab curry converted me, the fried fish with garden herb salad sealed the deal, and anything that mixes ginger, chili, and pineapple? I’m in. Add a cocktail, and it’s the kind of meal that makes you wonder why you ever hesitated on seafood in the first place.
— Skye

Golden Unicorn, Chinatown

I love it for what it’s not. It’s not new, it doesn’t have great service and you have to eat lunch too early in order to avoid a wait. It simply has great dim sum on several busy floors for a ballroom dining experience.
— Reid

Indochine, NoHo

It’s been in business for more than 40 years, and not only is the food consistently good (not always the case in NYC), but the people-watching is top-notch. You never know who you’ll run into! Beyond that, the staff is perennially chic.
— Andrew

KIKO, Soho

The Dungeness Crab DIY nori wrap appetizer was amazing. Crab shell stuffed with crab, rice, and crab fat mayo. The Berkshire Pork Chop Secreto was also great. Loved building every bite with pork, herbs and pineapple. The martini was literally perfect.
— Steve

Kiki's, Lower East Side

Really good food with a homey neighborhood vibe. Get the house wine.
— Elizabeth

Kong Sihk Tong, Chinatown

Walk in only, prices are superior, no frills in the best possible way. The pineapple bun and the salt and pepper squid are my absolute faves.
— Marissa

Nami Nori, West Village

This tiny temaki spot is completely gluten-free, but you would never know it from the menu or creative combinations that come out of the kitchen. Each hand roll is impeccably crafted. My favorites are the coconut shrimp, which harkens back to a traditional shrimp tempura roll but is kicked up with hints of green curry. Don't miss the cucumber with black sesame paste, spicy lobster salad, and scallop with xo sauce!
— Phoebe

Oiji Mi, Koreatown

They do “upscale” Korean food flawlessly. It’s my go-to place for special occasions, and I love going to the lounge because you can order a la carte.
— Sydney

Extra Credit: I interviewed Oiji Mi’s chef, Brian Kim, for OpenTable.

Okdongsik, Koreatown

I love going here for gomtang. There’s something universal in the simplicity of a masterfully executed bone broth.
— Alex

Pastis, Meatpacking

Beyond the flavors and quality of the food, the ambience is true New York.
— Michael

Pig and Khao, Upper West Side

I've been to the UWS location twice already, and both times, I left totally wowed. The food is absolutely packed with flavor, I can't wait to go back.
— Sophie

Rafael, Upper East Side

I’m obsessed. It's right by my grandmother's apartment — she’s about to turn 100 — and finding an UES brunch spot that’s actually very good (and not just expensive) is always a big task. The food here is phenomenal!
— Emily

Raoul's, Soho

I first went 15 years ago the first time I visited NYC with my dad, and it’s still my favorite today. It feels nostalgic, with a fortune teller upstairs, and the bar is always buzzing with energy. The burger is not worth the hype, but the steak au poivre is my favorite steak in the city, and their profiteroles are FANTASTIC.
— Sydney

Rezdôra, Flatiron

Every single thing on the menu is beyond flawless, but I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you to order these three things: the Cacio e Pepe in Emilia salad, the Uovo Raviolo Di Nino Bergese (a single, BIG, perfect ravioli!), and the olive oil cake. You will be reborn! (Sit at the bar — it’s the coziest! With the sweetest bartenders in town.)
— Rose

Sappe, West Village

My friend Bryan and I are on a mission to find NYC’s spiciest bites. Sappe keeps things exciting, and it’s two blocks away between our respective homes. The pink, retro-funky vibe sets the stage for a menu packed with unexpected dishes and flavors, none of which you’ve probably heard of, but that’s the fun of it. There’s something for everyone (skewers and bites for non-spice folks) plus cocktails that cool things down just enough before you dive back in.
— Julie

Shukette, Chelsea

My favorite, not just because of the incredible food, but also because of the period of time it encapsulates for me — one where I was eagerly awaiting its grand opening just down the block from our old home, nervously wondering if it would survive the worst of COVID, and rejoicing when it finally opened and we could consistently snag a late-night rez.
— Christine

Sixty Three Clinton, Lower East Side

A stellar southwest cuisine inspired tasting menu with generous caviar portions and an even better team. It feels like a friend’s place — but refined (and Michelin-starred). We’ve been going every year for our anniversary, and even when budgets were tight and one of us lost our job, they kept our annual tradition alive with an unforgettable bar experience. We nearly cried.
— Carrie

The Bonnie, Astoria

One of my go-to’s for a weekend brunch or date night. They recently renovated and added some new items to the menu, and the vibe is perfect. Don’t miss out on their pickle martini!
— Caroline

Unlisted, Lower East Side

I love the rooftop bar at the Untitled Hotel for its FLUERE and Free Spirit NA cocktails. They have tasty small bites like ceviche, empanadas, bar nuts and flan. There’s something for everyone, and the patio view spans from downtown to uptown.
— Hilary

Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar, East Village

The food punches so far above its weight. This is an upscale restaurant quality menu hiding out in a neighborhood joint. Tons of seafood options, great service, and you can usually get a table even though it’s always busy.
— Andrew

Via Carota, West Village

Via Carota doesn't try to do anything fancy — they just take high-quality ingredients and prepare them perfectly.
— Jackson

Zaragoza, East Village

I’ve been eating their chorizo tostadas since I moved to the city in 2012, and they always hit. Family-owned, everything tastes homemade, and they usually stay open late on the weekends.
— Luke

I hope this newsletter made you happy and hungry. 🍝 Thank you for being here.