After living in New York City for 5 years, I have finally put together my ultimate list of go-to restaurants! With the perfect combination of timeless city charm and crave-worthy dishes, you can always count on these NYC spots to leave you coming back for more.

Visiting New York City soon? Look no further! Below is my ultimate guide to local foodie favorite restaurants all around Manhattan! Now… the only question is… will you have enough time to try them all? 

 20 Top Restaurants in New York City 

A Local’s List of Favorite NYC Spots 

1. Cecconi’s | Dumbo
2. Extra Virgin | West Village
3. Mercer Kitchen | Soho 
4. Mamo | SoHo
5. The Standard Grill | Chelsea
6. The Odeon | Tribeca 
7. Sant Ambroeus | West Village
8. Upland | Flatiron 
9. Pasquale Jones | Nolita
10. Emilio’s Ballato | SoHo
11. Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Brasserie | Union Square
12. Nom Wah Tea Parlor | Chinatown
13. Grand Central Oyster Bar | Midtown East 
14. F.O.B. | Brooklyn
15. Hometown Hotpot | Little Italy 
16. Kyma | Flatiron + Hudson Yards 
17. Loulou NYC | Chelsea
18. ABC Kitchen | Flatiron
19. Joseph Leonard | West Village
20. The Smith | River North + East Village + Lincoln Square + Midtown + Nomad + Penn Quarter

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1. Cecconi’s | Dumbo 

Cuisine: Italian

With waterfront views of the New York City skyline, this boutique modern-Italian restaurant has stolen my heart. Cecconi’s has the best bolognese and crafted cocktails in Dumbo. Pair this luxurious restaurant with a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge for a classic afternoon like a local New Yorker.

2. Extra Virgin | West Village

Cuisine: Italian

A little Italian gem in the West Village, you will feel like a local New Yorker dining at one of their sidewalk tables. Whenever I have a big group of girlfriends that want to meet for dinner or a friend with a weekend birthday brunch, we make a res at Extra Virgin and always have a wonderful time! 

3. Mercer Kitchen | Soho 

Cuisine: American

A chic underground restaurant in the heart of SoHo, Mercer Kitchen will make you feel like a celebrity taking a break from the movie that is your day in New York City. Try the Black Truffle Pizza or Rigatoni Pasta for two foodie favorites before getting back to shopping down SoHo’s iconic cobblestone streets. 

4. Mamo | SoHo 

Cuisine: Italian 

Hidden in the heart of SoHo, Mamo is an elegant yet intimate Italian restaurant to gather with friends, cheers over the best wine, negotiate a business dinner, or celebrate a romantic evening. A truly stylish spot – I highly recommend adding Mamo to your NYC restaurant list!

5. The Standard Grill | Chelsea 

Cuisine: American 

Under the High Line awaits this trendy Meatpacking steakhouse with sidewalk tables and vibrant energy. Great for big groups, I love coming here before visiting The Standard Biergarten next door for Ping-Pong tables and a great outdoor German atmosphere.

6. The Odeon | Tribeca 

Cuisine: French-American

This old-world bistro is classic New York dining experience! Since 1980 this Downtown restaurant has been known for casual- elegant dinners, brunch, or late-night bites.

7. Sant Ambroeus | West Village

Cuisine: Italian

A stylish upscale Italian cafe, you will love any meal at Sant Ambroeus. Fun little fact, this is where Nick and I had our first date. 🥰

8. Upland | Flatiron 

Cuisine: American + Italian

Since this upscale brunch spot is in the heart of many business hubs, you’ll always see a few suits stopping by in-between meetings. A chic California-inspired menu always leaves its patrons satisfied! p.s. we always meet friends here for brunch and bloody marys since it’s so central in the City.

9. Pasquale Jones | Nolita

Cuisine: modern Italian 

A modern upscale take on Little Italy, Pasquale Jones has an exquisite vibe that matches their wood-fired pizza! Nick and I always make time for at least one meal here, as their Little Neck Clam Pizza and Cacio e Pepe has the whole City talking.

10. Emilio’s Ballato | SoHo

Cuisine: Italian

This old-school Italian establishment boasts the most famous of clientele. You’ll find Emilio’s Ballato to be a celebrity hang-out spot, as it is a hole-in-the-wall that is usually hard to find.

11. Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Brasserie | Union Square

Cuisine: Japanese

Most Ramen houses in New York have a crazy wait-list or are fully booked. So this Japanese Noodle Spot was always one of our favorites since they had handmade noodles and yummy soup perfect for a cold winter day.

12. Nom Wah Tea Parlor | Chinatown

Cuisine: Chinese 

On the edge of Chinatown, Nom Wah Tea Parlor is a vintage dim sum parlor dating back to the 1920s. We love their soup dumplings after a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, but come knowing there is usually always a line.

13. Grand Central Oyster Bar | Midtown East 

Cuisine: Seafood

The oldest restaurant in Grand Central Station, you will feel transported back in time as you enjoy fresh seafood under the streets of Manhattan. With vaulted tile ceilings, your eyes and stomach will be feasting on everything under the sea – from raw oysters, chowders, to fresh fish.

14. F.O.B. | Brooklyn

Cuisine: Filipino 

Since this is a list of personal favorite restaurants in New York City, I couldn’t miss including my favortite Filipino restuant – F.O.B in Brooklyn. If you are visiting NYC in the summer, you need to join them for lunch or dinner in their charming outdoor courtard out back.

This upscale Filipino restaunt has classic dishes that will make you feel like you are visiting family in the Philippines. Don’t know what to order? Let me help! These are my favs that are SO yummy – chicken adobo, tuna kilawin, garlic rice, and Halo -Halo dessert.

15. Hometown Hotpot | Little Italy 

Cuisine: Chinese Hot Pot 

Roomy, contemporary restauant featuring tabletop cook-your-own Chinese hot pot & BBQ, plus beer & wine. This no-frills restauant is honestly just great food at the right price – all you can eat for $32. This is Nick’s favorite restaurant in NYC and we used to come at least once a week to enjoy Hot Pot Downtown!

16. Kyma | Flatiron + Hudson Yards 

Cuisine: Greek

Kyma is an upscale Greek restaurant known for its lively boozy brunches and chic tavern vibe. Many come with big groups for its party atmosphere and prefixed menu, but please know – it’s a tad on the pricey side.

17. Loulou NYC | Chelsea

Cuisine: French 

Come with girlfriends to this French eatery for craft cocktails any night of the week! You’ll love the rustic and charming design and feel comfortable to catch-up with friends for hours on end.

18. ABC Kitchen | Flatiron

Cuisine: American

Fancy farm-to-table would be the best way to describe ABC Kitchen. Their artisan restaurant is thoughtfully designed to awaken the tastebuds as well as your senses. The building is adjacent to their upscale home decor + design store ABC Home, that you need to visit as it feels like you are walking through layers of an Upper East Side New Yorker’s brownstone home.

19. Joseph Leonard | West Village

Cuisine: American

This rustic eatery is a wonderful meet-up spot for double dates or friend catch-ups. This all-American bar feels like your neighborhood’s local hot-spot in the West Village. With tasty cocktails and craft beers, you can count on a hearty meal at Joseph Leonard. 

20. The Smith | 6 Locations Around NYC

Cuisine: American

This classic New York Brasserie is a wonderful go-to if you are in a hurry or need a last-minute reservation in NYC. With six locations all around the city, the trendy subway tile restaurant is the BEST for big groups. I always order the gnocchi and Nick – the burger, but their entire menu + cocktails are delicious.

Again, this is just our personal list of favorite restaurants after living in New York and Brooklyn for 5 years. Everyone has spots in NYC that hold a place in their heart, but these are just the restaurants we frequented most when we were local. Hope it sparks a little Manhattan adventure, but truly you can’t go wrong when your spending time in New York. 

How many of these New York City restaurants on my list have you tried?

Would love to hear below!