Restaurants

These are the NYC restaurants I love – I make sure to update this page regularly!

UPDATE: I moved out of NYC fall of 2020, so unfortunately many of these restaurants may no longer be in business.

NYC Top Picks

Avra – Greek/Mediterranean, Upper East Side
Carbone – Italian, Greenwich Village
Cecconi’s – Italian, Dumbo
Cosme – Mexican, Flatiron
Emilio’s Ballato – Italian, Nolita
Emily – Pizza (+ BEST burger), West Village
Gato – Mediterranean, Noho
Hudson Clearwater – American (New), West Village
JAJAJA – Mexican + Vegan, Lower East Side (IG review)
L’Artusi – Italian, West Village
Little Beet Table – American (Gluten Free), Gramercy (IG review)
Llama Inn – Peruvian, Williamsburg
Lure Fishbar – American (New)/Seafood, Soho
Mark Forgione – American (new), Tribeca
Misi – Italian, Williamsburg
Mission Chinese Food – Chinese, Lower East Side
Momoya – Japanese/Sushi, Chelsea
Prince Street Pizza – Pizza, Nolita
The Polo Bar – American (new), Midtown East
Rubirosa – Italian (pizza), Soho
Ruby’s Cafe – brunch/cafe, Soho
Tacombi – Mexican/tacos, various locations
Upland – American (New), Flatiron (review)
Estela – American (Spanish inspired), Noho
Shuka – Mediterranean, Soho
Sugarfish – sushi, Flatiron

NYC Restaurants

ABC Cocina – Small Plates/Latin American, Flatiron
ABC Kitchen – American (New), Flatiron
Acme – American (new)/modern European, Noho
ALLSWELL – American (pub), Williamsburg
Alta – Spanish/Mediterranean Tapas, Greenwich Village
American Cut – American (New), Tribeca & Midtown (review)
Baby Bo’s – Mexican, Murray Hill
Balzem – Mediterranean, Nolita
Banter – Australian Cafe, Greenwich Village
Barano – Italian, Williamsburg
Beauty & Essex – American (new), Lower East Side
Beyond Sushi – Vegan, various locations (review)
Black Ant – Mexican, East Village
Black Barn – American (New), Flatiron (IG review)
Black Barn Cafe & Bar – American (New), Chelsea (IG review)
Blossom Du Jour – Vegan “fast food,” various locations (review)
Blossom – Vegan, Chelsea
Blue Ribbon Sushi, Japanese, Soho + Lower East Side
Bluestone Lane – cafe, various locations
BondST – Japanese (sushi), NoHo
Boucherie – French, West Village
Bowery Meat Comany – Steakhouse, East Village
Bubby’s – American/comfort, Tribeca + Highline
Burger and Barrel – American (New), Soho
Burger Joint – American (New), Midtown East & Greenwich Village
The Butcher’s Daughter – Cafe/Vegetarian, West Village + Nolita
By CHLOE – Vegan, Greenwich Village
Cafe Cluny – French, West Village
Cafe Select – European, Soho
Casa Apicii – Italian, Greenwich Village
Cookshop – American (New), Chelsea
Candle 79 – vegetarian/vegan, Upper East Side
Candle Cafe – vegetarian/vegan, Upper East Side
Casellula – wine & cheese cafe, Hell’s Kitchen
Charley St – Healthy/Fast Casual, Nolita (IG review)
Chef’s Club – cuisine varies, Soho
Chip – bakery/cookies, Chelsea
Clinton Hall – American (new) / bar food, multiple locations (IG review)
The Clocktower – American (new), Flatiron
Corner Bistro – bar/burgers, West Village
Dante, Italian, Greenwich Village
David Burke Kitchen – American (New), South Village/Tribeca
Diner – American (New), Williamsburg
Dirty French – French, Lower East Side
Dominique Bistro – French, West Village
Dominique Ansel Bakery – Soho
Dominique Ansel Kitchen – West Village
Dough – doughnuts, Flatiron + Brooklyn
Dudley’s – breakfast/brunch, Lower East Side
Earl’s Beer & Cheese – American/Bar, East Harlem
East Pole – American (New), Upper East Side
Egg Shop, American (New), Lower East Side
El Toro Blanco – Mexican, West Village
Empellon Cocina – Mexican, East Village
Empellon Taqueria – Mexican West Village
Extra Virgin – Mediterannean/American, West Village
The Fat Radish – Gastropub/English, Lower East Side
Feast – American (New), East Village
Fish Cheeks – Thai, Noho
Freemans – American (New) Lower East Side
Friend of a Farmer – American (traditional), Gramercy
Galli – Italian, Soho
Good Thanks – Australian cafe/lunch, Lower East Side
Gran Electrica – Mexican, Dumbo
Grand Banks – Oyster Bar, Tribeca
The Greek – Greek, Tribeca
GupShup – Indian, Flatiron (IG review)
Harvey – American (New), Williamsburg (IG review)
Highlands – Gastropub, West Village
Hillstone – American (New), NoMad
Hometown BBQ – Red Hook BK
Honeybrains – healthy fast casual, Noho
Hu Kitchen – Healthy/Paleo Fast Casual, Union Square (review)
Il Mulino – Italian, Greenwich Village & UES
Inday – Indian/fast casual, Nomad (review)
Irvington – American (New), Union Square (IG reviews one, two)
Jack’s Wife Freda – Mediterranean, Soho
Jane Restaurant – American, West Village
J.G. Melon – American (burgers/bar food), multiple locations
Juliette – French, Williamsburg
Kingside – American (New), Midtown (IG review)
Koi – Japanese, Midtown
L’Accolade – French, West Village
Laconda Verde – Italian, Tribeca
Lafayette – French, Noho
La Pecora Bianca – Italian, UES & Nomad
La Sirena – Italian, Chelsea/Meatpacking District
Le Botaniste – Vegan, Soho & Upper East Side
Le Coucou – French, Soho
Levain Bakery – Upper West Side
Lilia – Italian, Williamsburg
Little Cupcake Bakeshop – bakery, Nolita
Loco Coco – Healthy eatery, Upper East Side (IG review)
Loosie’s Kitchen – American (New), Williamsburg
Loring Place – American (New), Greenwich Village
The Loyal – American (New), Greenwich Village
Maialino – Italian, Gramercy
Maison Premiere – Oyster Bar, Williamsburg
Marlow & Sons – American (New), Williamsburg
Meatball Shop, Italian, multiple locations
Mercer Kitchen – American (New), SoHo
Milk Bar – dessert, multiple locations
MIMI – French, Soho
Mission Ceviche – Peruvian/fast casual, Chelsea (review)
Morandi – Italian, West Village
Nerai – Greek, Midtown
Nickel & Diner – American (New), Soho (IG review)
NIX – Vegetarian/Vegan, Union Square (review)
Nom Wah Tea Parlor – Chinese, Nolita + Chinatown
Norma’s – American (New), Midtown West
Oficina Latina – Latin American, Nolita
Otto – Italian, Greenwich Village
Osteria Morini – Italian, Soho
Penelope – American (traditional), Midtown East
The PokeSpot – Japanese (casual), Union Square (review)
Posh Pop Bakeshop – gluten free bakery, Greenwich Village
Prune – American (New), East Village
P.J. Clarke’s – American (new), multiple locations
Porter House – American (New)/steakhouse, Columbus Circle
Quality Eats – American (New), West Village
Quality Italian – Italian, Midtown
Quality Meats – Steakhouse, Midtown
Raclette – Fresh/Swiss, East Village
Rawsome Treats – Plant Based Bakery, Lower East Side (IG review)
Red Farm – Asian Fusion, West Village
Redeye Grill – American (New), Midtown
RH Rooftop Restaurant – American (New), Meatpacking District
Rosemary’s – Italian, West Village
Rosie’s – Mexican, East Village
Sant Ambroeus – Italian, various locations
Santina – Italian, Meatpacking District
Sarabeth’s – American (New), various locations
Sauce – Italian, Lower East Side (IG review)
Saxon + Parole – American (New), Noho
Scalinatella – Italian, Upper East Side
Scarpetta – Italian, Nomad (review)
Seamores – Seafood, Nolita & Chelsea (IG review)
The Smile – American (New), NoHo
The Smith – American (New), various locations
Society Cafe – American (New), Greenwich Village
Souvlaki GR – Greek, Lower East Side
The Spotted Pig – modern European, West Village
Springbone Kitchen – Healthy/Paleo, Greenwich Village (review)
Spring Street Natural – American (New), Soho (IG review)
Street Taco – Mexican, Gramercy (IG review)
Sunday in Brooklyn – American (New), Williamsburg
Taverna Di Bacco – Italian, Lower East Side (IG review)
Taim – Falafel, Nolita + West Village
Terri – vegetarian/vegan, Flatiron
Tiny’s – American (New) / bar, Tribeca
Toro – Spanish Tapas, Meatpacking District
Two Hands – Little Italy + Tribeca
Vaucluse – French, Upper East Side
The Vine – American (New), Midtown (IG review)
Via Carota – Italian, West Village
Wallflower – American (New), West Village
The Wild Son – American (New), Meatpacking District
Westbourne – Cafe/American (New), Soho
Westville – American, multiple locations
Wildair – American (new), Lower East Side

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Charleston, South Carolina

167 Raw
Husk (IG review)
Butcher & Bee (IG review)

South Beach, Florida

Planta
Byblos
Bodega
Juvia
Dolce Italian
Upland
Icebox Cafe

Southern California

Elephante Beach House – Santa Monica
Great White – Venice
Gracias Madre – West Hollywood
Gjelina – Venice
Watertable – Huntington Beach
Zinque – Newport Beach (IG review)
Sidecar Doughnuts – Costa Mesa
Little Lion Cafe – San Diego (IG review)
Bear Flag Fish Co. – Huntington Beach + Newport Beach
Sessions – Huntington Beach + Newport Beach
Outpost Kitchen – Costa Mesa (IG review)
Ola Mexican Kitchen – Huntington Beach
True Food Kitchen – various locations
Malibu Farm – Malibu + Newport Beach
DAMA – Downtown Los Angeles
The Gables – Santa Monica (IG review)
Bestia – Downtown Los Angeles (IG review)
Wabi Sabi – Venice
Mastro’s Ocean Club – Malibu
Tanner’s – Huntington Beach (IG review)
The Bungalow – Santa Monica & Huntington Beach
Honor Coffee Roasters – Newport Beach
Crew Coffee + Cremerie – Newport Beach
Eggslut – Venice
Cafe Gratitude – Venice
Olea – Newport Beach
Hidden House Coffee – Santa Ana
Lucky’s Steakhouse – Montecito
Little Dom’s Seafood – Carpinteria
Teddy’s by the Sea – Carpinteria
Delgado’s Mexican – Carpinteria
Sakana Sushi – Montecito
Monello – San Diego
AOC – Beverly Grove
Tre Lune – Montecito
Himitsu – La Jolla
Chulita – Venice
Royal Hen – Newport Beach
ARC – Newport Beach + Costa Mesa locations