Restaurant guide

Restaurants in New York City

Good meals are easier to enjoy when they belong to the day you already have planned. These New York City restaurants are grouped by area, so lunch and dinner do not send you across town for no reason.

Where to eat in New York City

Use the area notes to keep meals close to the parts of New York City you will already be exploring. The destination guide can help you shape the rest of the day around them.

Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and Lower East Side

Photoreal pastrami sandwich table at Katz's Delicatessen in New York City

Katz's Delicatessen

An iconic deli stop for pastrami and old-school New York atmosphere that is most fun when treated as part of a Lower East Side day.

Best for: Deli, Classic, Lunch

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

casual-eats$
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Photoreal smoked salmon and bagel spread at Russ & Daughters in New York City

Russ & Daughters

An iconic appetizing-shop stop for bagels, smoked fish, and a classic Lower East Side breakfast or lunch.

Best for: Bagels, Classic, Breakfast

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

breakfast$$
Visit official site
Photoreal spicy hand-pulled noodles at Xi'an Famous Foods in New York City

Xi'an Famous Foods

Xi'an Famous Foods is a real local option known for noodles, lunch, and casual.

Best for: Noodles, Lunch, Casual

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

restaurant$
Photoreal dim sum table at Nom Wah Tea Parlor in New York City

Nom Wah Tea Parlor

Nom Wah Tea Parlor is a real local option known for brunch, lunch, and classic.

Best for: Brunch, Lunch, Classic

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

brunch$$

SoHo, Village, Chelsea, and Flatiron

Photoreal New York slice at Joe's Pizza in New York City

Joe's Pizza

Make this the move when you want a real New York meal without slowing down the day.

Best for: Pizza, Quick, Classic

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

pizza$
Visit official site
Photoreal brunch table at The Smith in New York City

The Smith

A flexible crowd-pleaser for brunch or dinner when you need something refined but not too formal.

Best for: Brunch, Dinner, Groups

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

brunch$$
Visit official site
Photoreal French brasserie table at Balthazar in New York City

Balthazar

Go here when you want one buzzy Manhattan meal built into your visit.

Best for: Brunch, Bistro, Dinner

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

brunch$$
Visit official site
Photoreal taco counter spread at Los Tacos No. 1 in New York City

Los Tacos No. 1

Los Tacos No. 1 is a real local option known for tacos, lunch, and dinner.

Best for: Tacos, Lunch, Dinner

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

restaurant$$
Photoreal refined dinner plate at Gramercy Tavern in New York City

Gramercy Tavern

Gramercy Tavern is a real local option known for brunch, dinner, and premium.

Best for: Brunch, Dinner, Premium

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

brunch$$$
Photoreal pasta and wine table at Via Carota in New York City

Via Carota

Via Carota is a real local option known for pasta, lunch, and dinner.

Best for: Pasta, Lunch, Dinner

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

restaurant$$
Photoreal square pepperoni slice at Prince Street Pizza in New York City

Prince Street Pizza

Prince Street Pizza is a real local option known for pizza, lunch, and dinner.

Best for: Pizza, Lunch, Dinner

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

pizza$$
Photoreal burger table at Minetta Tavern in New York City

Minetta Tavern

Minetta Tavern is a real local option known for steakhouse, dinner, and classic.

Best for: Steakhouse, Dinner, Classic

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

steakhouse$$$$
Photoreal coal-oven pizza at Lombardi's in New York City

Lombardi's

Lombardi's is a real local option known for pizza, lunch, and dinner.

Best for: Pizza, Lunch, Dinner

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

pizza$$
Photoreal falafel sandwich at Mamoun's Falafel in New York City

Mamoun's Falafel

Mamoun's Falafel is a real local option known for casual, lunch, and late-night.

Best for: Casual, Lunch, Late-night

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

restaurant$
Photoreal pastry display at Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City

Dominique Ansel Bakery

Dominique Ansel Bakery is a real local option known for bakery, breakfast, and dessert.

Best for: Bakery, Breakfast, Dessert

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

bakery$

Midtown, Times Square, and Broadway

Photoreal seafood fine dining plate at Le Bernardin in New York City

Le Bernardin

A premium Manhattan splurge for travelers who want one serious destination meal built into your visit.

Best for: Fine dining, Reservation, Premium

Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.

fine-dining$$$$Reserve ahead
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Photoreal lox bagel sandwich at Ess-a-Bagel in New York City

Ess-a-Bagel

Ess-a-Bagel is a real local option known for breakfast, bagels, and lunch.

Best for: Breakfast, Bagels, Lunch

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

breakfast$$
Photoreal steakhouse porterhouse table at Keens Steakhouse in New York City

Keens Steakhouse

Keens Steakhouse is a real local option known for steakhouse, dinner, and classic.

Best for: Steakhouse, Dinner, Classic

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

steakhouse$$$$

Central Park and Upper Manhattan

Photoreal Levain Bakery cookie and coffee scene in New York City

Levain Bakery

Keep this in the plan when you want something iconic but still easy to fold into a walking-heavy day.

Best for: Bakery, Dessert, Snack

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

cafe$
Visit official site
Photoreal smoked fish brunch spread at Barney Greengrass in New York City

Barney Greengrass

Barney Greengrass is a real local option known for breakfast, bagels, and classic.

Best for: Breakfast, Bagels, Classic

Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.

breakfast$$

Plan the rest of your New York City trip

See neighborhoods, trip ideas, and the full destination planner in one place.

Go to New York City guide

Menus, opening days, and reservation policies change. Check the restaurant directly before making plans. Last destination review: 2026-06-19.