Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Along with Daisy May's, Dinosaur tops the category of Best BBQ in New York. Waits are epic, as are the ribs. Be aware that outside tables are first-come first-served. [Eater 38 Member]
The Spotted Pig
Chef April Bloomfield holds her own and then some at New York's top gastropub. Arguably the best restaurant burger in New York is served here, and the gnudi needs no introduction. [Eater 38 Member]
Balthazar Restaurant
Restaurateur Keith McNally's enduring Soho brasserie. The best everyday restaurant in New York City. Period. Best dish: roast chicken for two. [Eater 38 Member]
Gramercy Tavern
The unofficial official First Restaurant of New York. Though its formal dining room is a bit too too for Eater 38 contention, the front room and its seasonal American menu wins. [Eater 38 Member]
Momofuku Ssäm Bar
Dude, it's Momofuku Ssam—arguably chef David Chang's best work, and certainly his most varied. A recent kitchen restaffing brings fresh life to the menu. Order the buttermilk. [Eater 38 Member]
J. G. Melon
Pubs don't come more oldschool, and some peg Mellon's burger as the best in the city. It's not, but along with Mellon's crispy waffle-cut fries and cold beer, it is a damn good show. [Eater 38 Member]
Minetta Tavern
Keith McNally's reborn Minetta is a masterpiece—an old New York saloon, modern steakhouse and celeb haunt all in one. The problem: getting in. (The Black Label Burger is worth it.) [Eater 38 Member]
Fette Sau
Once a trendsetter, now a member of the Williamsburg establishment, Fette Sau serves up a rotating menu of pork and beef ribs that leads some to tag it as the best BBQ in NYC. [Eater 38 Member]
Blue Ribbon Brasserie
After 11pm, it's the best restaurant in the city (and it's open until 4am). But at any hour epic raw bar platters and perfect fondue are among the reasons there's always a wait. [Eater 38 Member]
Frankie's 457
The cavatelli pasta alone is worth the trip, but, then, so is the rest of the food and scene here, which is quintessentially Aging Hipster in the best possible way. [Eater 38 Member]
L&B Spumoni Gardens
Three restaurants in one: the ice cream window, the pizzeria, and the sit-down sicilian place. They vary in quality, but the totality of the food (spumoni and gelati are A+) does it. [Eater 38 Member]
Roberta's Pizza
Here's what happens when hipster chefs get it right. Market-driven goodness and go-to pizzas. Check out the Heritage Radio Network, which broadcasts from the dining room on Sundays. [Eater 38 Member]
Locanda Verde
Chef Andrew Carmellini's return to the stage, following A Voce, is a rustic neighborhood Italian resto at the core. And on Mondays, home of some of New York's best fried chicken. [Eater 38 Member]
Little Owl
An evening of charm on a dreamlike West Village corner. Owner/chef Joey Campanaro's meatball sliders are legendary. Try it for a date: there's a reason regulars call it "the closer." [Eater 38 Member]
Al Di La
No resy, total mob scene, noisy, and absolutely delicious describe the decade-plus-old Brooklyn Italian. Be aware that there's a more accessible wine bar attached. [Eater 38 Member]
Torrisi Italian Specialties
Lunch is a Hobson's choice between chicken parm and turkey; we say, go turkey. For dinner, arrive at 6pm (or thereabouts). They'll give you a time to return to dine later that evening. Do return.
Sushi Yasuda
Yasuda regulars know their sushi chefs by name and send them Christmas cards. If you're not getting world-class omakase here, you're not at Yasuda. [Eater 38 Member]
Strip House
Steaks are excellent, especially the double-cut bone-in rib eye, but Strip House's real achievement is finally putting steak in a sexy setting, which it does in spades. [Eater 38 Member]
Peasant
Frank Decarlo's countryside Italian restaurant has long been a staple on the first-date circuit. The room is warm and the food, mostly cooked in clay pots, impossibly comforting. [Eater 38 Member]
Prime Meats
Vesper Brett, spätzle, kraut garnie, dry-aged côte De boeuf, Underberg, and you're all set.
Diner
An aluminum-sided greasy spoon. The food is excellent, the vibe is pitch-perfect Williamsburg, and while supplies last, their rib-eye steak is as good as anything at Peter Luger. [Eater 38 Member]
Esca
In many ways Esca is as good as the four-starred Le Bernardin. If nothing else, it's cheaper, more relaxed and, bonus, also serves Baltali-brand pasta. [Eater 38 Member]
Bar Boulud
Solid food, an exciting wine program (choice bottles are served at cost weekly), and killer terrine. Hey, it's a Daniel Boulud joint, so what else would you expect? [Eater 38 Member]
Casa Mono
Chef Andy Nusser has crafted a menu of substantial tapas and medium-sized entrées, done mostly “a la plancha” with unmistakably Catalan flavors; get the duck egg with mojama. [Eater 38 Member]
Marea
Michael White knocks it out of the park at his high-end Italian seafood spot. Go big on the crudo, followed with pasta and whatever fish they're most excited about that day. [Eater 38 Member]
Joseph Leonard
Still in its youth, Joseph Leonard is already essential to the neighborhood. Gabe Stulman's tiny neighborhood spot puts out a great vibe and even better food. [Eater 38 Member]
Sripraphai Thai Restaurant
As far out as the Eater 38 ventures. Worth the trip, given that this Thai food is considered to be the best in the five boroughs. If you don't know, now you know: see-PRA-pie. [Eater 38 Member]
Blaue Gans
Something of an oddity, at least at first blush, Blau Gans turns out rustic Bavarian food in its stripped-down digs. A local standby with food that far exceeds expectations. [Eater 38 Member]
Raoul's Restaurant
Loud, clubby and crowded—and home of one of the most authentic steak frites downtown. A straight classic (despite the untimely removal of Raoul's twin outdoor benches). [Eater 38 Member]
Le Bilboquet
Hating on this nouveau riche French resto is besides the point and will distract you from how much fun it is to get in on the party. The cajun chicken is as addictive as dishes come. [Eater 38 Member]
Convivio Restaurant
Convivio is a versatile, casual, expert stage for chef Michael White, one of the city's most talented pasta makers. [Eater 38 Member]
Chin Chin
Chin Chin's appeal lies in its versatile menu of, patent pending, "haute couture of Chinese cuisine" and its always-affable owner, Jimmy Chin. [Eater 38 Member]
Yakitori Totto
Rare poultry and grilled meat on stick never had it so good. An instant classic in Midtown: affordable, cool, and dependable. [Eater 38 Member]
Lupa Osteria Romana
Mario Batali's osteria maybe be his best effort in New York; it's certainly his most relaxed and consistent. The cacio e pepe is world class. [Eater 38 Member]
Maz Mezcal
Anyone who lives anywhere close to East 86th Street is a regular here—and no one minds the high kitsch factor. Fajita plates and margaritas are massive and immensely satisfying. [Eater 38 Member]
Socarrat Paella Bar
Expect to wait to share space at the giant communal table that stretches the length of the room, but Socarrat serves near note-perfect paella. A solid menu of Spanish starters, too. [Eater 38 Member]
Oriental Garden
If any of Chinatown's best dim sum joints are undiscovered, this one is, though long weekend waits suggest otherwise. Chinatown pros and pro chefs alike consider it best-of-breed. [Eater 38 Member]
Gennaro Restaurant
An Upper West Sider's secret, Gennaro is no reservations, no cash and no frills. But its straightforward pastas and main proteins never disappoint at this off-the-cuff dining option. [Eater 38 Member]
Minangasli
Known as one of the only New York Indonesian restaurant worth traveling to, Minangasli in East Elmhurst serves up dependably excellent and authentic Asian. [Eater 38 Member]
Aldea
George Mendes innovative take on Portuguese is both impressive and adorable. Bonus points for the enjoyable ambiance, with one of the best chef's counters in town. [Eater 38 Member]
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