With the 2026 World Cup coming to North America, there’s never been a better time to discover the 20 best restaurants in NYC – from Asian fusion in Harlem to Italian classics in Midtown, and everything in between.
New York City is known for many things: the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, the list goes on and on. While these landmarks are no doubt breathtaking, our favorite thing about the Big Apple will always be…the food!
With over 20,000 restaurants to choose from, NYC is a melting pot of flavors, cultures, and culinary genius. From cozy corner bistros to fine dining establishments, there’s truly something for every taste and occasion.
However, with so many options, dining out can become pretty overwhelming (especially if you’re new to town). That’s where we come in! Whether you’re craving Italian, fresh sushi, or the juiciest steak around, we’re here to guide you through the 20 best restaurants in NYC.
1. The Fox – Harlem
Cuisine: American gastropub
Best for: Sports fans, laid back diners
Why You’ll Love It: Experience the best gastropub and sports bar in Harlem (aka the perfect place to watch soccer)! Surrounded by fourteen high-definition TVs, The Fox is the ultimate spot to grab a bite and catch up on all your favorite sports from around the world.
The menu features elevated bar classics, all designed and curated by James Beard Award winning executive chef, Serena Bass. Dig into a tangy batch of chicken wings, a perfectly balanced BLT, or crispy fish and chips.
From the Restaurant: “Whether your favorite sport to watch is football, soccer, cricket, chess, or Mongolian archery, we will have it on at The Fox.”
2. Bustronome Gourmet Meal and Bus Tour
Cuisine: French and modern European
Best for: Tourists visiting NYC during the World Cup
Why You’ll Love It: Looking for a truly unforgettable dining experience during the World Cup? Bustronome combines sightseeing and fine dining in one seriously unique outing. Guests will enjoy a gourmet French-inspired meal aboard a luxury glass-roofed bus while cruising past iconic NYC landmarks like Times Square, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s the perfect pick for visitors wanting to soak up the electric World Cup atmosphere while seeing the city in style.
3. STATE Grill and Bar – Midtown South
Cuisine: New York-Inspired American
Best for: Seasonal eaters, veggie lovers
Why You’ll Love It: Dig into a delicious meal inside one of NYC’s most iconic landmarks: the Empire State Building! This space was once New York City farmland, which serves as inspiration for chef Morgan Jarrett’s seasonal menu. Many ingredients are sourced from local and urban farms – ensuring you’ll be treated to the freshest flavors around.
Take your pick from juicy steaks, plant-forward plates, fresh pasta, and so much more. After your meal, who could say no to a trip up to the 102nd floor?
4. Sushi by Bou – Multiple Locations
Cuisine: Japanese
Best for: Experiential eaters, date night duos
Why You’ll Love It: Sushi by Bou is more than just a restaurant, it’s an experience! Each location boasts a unique theme (think modern speakeasy, Tokyo alley, and more). No matter what, you’ll be treated to a high-energy meal as a master sushi chef preps and serves a 12-course timed omakase.
This lively experience is perfect for diners who prefer small, intimate settings where they can interact closely with the chef and watch the preparation of each dish up close. Plus, these packages include unlimited sake and all taxes, fees, and gratuities.
From the Restaurant: “During the dining experience, we encourage you to let the chef know what you enjoy about each dish, so the menu can evolve according to your taste.”
5. Trattoria Dell’Arte – Midtown West
Cuisine: Italian
Best for: Theater goers, antipasto fans
Why You’ll Love It: Located near Broadway and Carnegie Hall, Trattoria Dell’Arte is a great place to grab a bite before or after a show. Its unique atmosphere resembles an artist’s studio with oversized sculptures, drawings, and even a wall gallery of famous Italian noses.
Their diverse menu showcases the rich flavors of Italy – from fresh fish and seafood to delicious pasta and one of the largest antipasto bars in NYC.
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6. Loulou Petit Bistro & Speakeasy – Chelsea
Cuisine: French
Best for: Dog owners, hidden gem hunters
Why You’ll Love It: This charming restaurant is tucked away from bustling tourist areas, making it the perfect place to grab a bite while avoiding the crowds. Dig into delicious French classics like grilled striploin, traditional Poulet Grillén, and more. For the pet owners, there’s even an adorable, dog-friendly menu!
7. Robert – Midtown West
Cuisine: New American
Best for: Ambiance aficionados, view seekers
Why You’ll Love It: Perched atop the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC, Robert offers a sophisticated dining experience with stunning views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Its elegant, sexy, and romantic design makes the perfect backdrop for date nights, anniversaries, or anyone looking for a trendy bite.
Additionally, the menu boasts a variety of flavorful dishes, all created by Chef Armando Cortes. Explore classic modern American fare including succulent seafood, fresh proteins, and of course, decadent desserts.
8. BIXI – Harlem
Cuisine: Asian fusion
Best for: Patio lovers, fusion fanatics
Why You’ll Love It: Known for its Asian fusion flavors, extensive cocktail list, and enchanting decor, BIXI is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. The ambiance is fun and sexy with teal and chartreuse banquettes, crystal chandeliers, and cinnabar wallpaper. Plus, there’s a large back patio, perfect for those summer evenings!
From the Chef: “The spicy short ribs in bao buns, and the tempura Japanese yams with pickled ginger dip are a couple of favorites.”
9. Lido – Harlem
Cuisine: Italian
Best for: Foodie influencers, hearty meal fans
Why You’ll Love It: Take your taste buds to the rolling hills of Italy – no passport required! Whether you dine in for brunch, lunch, or dinner, you’ll be treated to gorgeous Italian dishes, all expertly designed and curated by James Beard Award winning executive chef, Serena Bass.
Indulge in hearty classics like picture-perfect spaghetti and eggplant parmesan or try something new. Plus, the warm yet sophisticated atmosphere will make you feel like you’re dining at the home of an Italian friend.
From the Chef: “Lido has so many regulars, it is like their home from home. Some Italian visitors say it is the best they’ve ever tasted, so we’re very proud of it!”
10. Le Pavillon – Midtown
Cuisine: French with vegetable-forward dishes
Best for: Vegetarians, Michelin fans
Why You’ll Love It: Nestled in the heart of Midtown NYC, Le Pavillon is a Michelin-starred restaurant inspired by nature, seasonality, and the Northeast’s finest ingredients. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be immersed in a fresh and unique dining space with plenty of elegant touches and vibrant greenery.
And the food? Don’t even get us started. From flavorful seafood to stunning, vegetable-forward dishes, you’ll indulge in a one-of-a-kind meal that expertly blends French traditions with New York’s culinary spirit.
11. Unregular Pizza – Lower East Side and Union Square
Cuisine: Roman-style pizza with a creative twist
Best for: Pizza lovers, anyone in need of a quick bite
Why You’ll Love It: Unregular Pizza takes classic Roman-style pizza and gives it a wildly creative NYC spin. Known for its airy crust, unexpected topping combinations, and square slices, this spot is perfect for grabbing a quick bite between World Cup festivities or sightseeing stops. Whether you go for diavolona pepperoni, triple mushroom, or one of their seasonal specials, every slice feels a little outside the box (in the best way possible).
12. Tacombi – Midtown South
Cuisine: Mexican
Best for: Casual diners, taco connoisseurs
Why You’ll Love It: Located inside the Empire State Building, Tacombi is your dream NYC destination for authentic Mexican flavors. From crispy fish tacos to pollo quesadillas, they take pride in sharing Mexico’s culinary traditions, recipes, and flavors. They even produce their own tortillas!
13. Ben and Jack’s Steakhouse – Midtown East
Cuisine: American steakhouse
Best for: Gourmet grillers, carnivores
Why You’ll Love It: Experience a steakhouse like no other at Ben and Jack’s! From the moment you walk in, you’ll enjoy an inviting and urbane atmosphere with modern designs. No matter what you’re in the mood for, your taste buds will be buzzing. From USDA prime dry-aged steaks to succulent seafood, each dish is bold, elegant, and unforgettable.
14. Jiang Nan – Multiple Locations
Cuisine: Chinese fusion
Best for: World Cup visitors craving elevated Chinese
Why You’ll Love It: Jiang Nan puts a modern twist on traditional Chinese cuisine with beautifully plated dishes, bold flavors, and an upscale-yet-welcoming atmosphere. With multiple locations across NYC, it’s an easy and reliable choice whether you’re sightseeing between matches or looking for a memorable group dinner. From soup dumplings and Peking duck to spicy seafood, the menu is packed with Michelin-recommended dishes.
From the Restaurant: “Our first location was established in Flushing, NY, the heart of an Asian community neighborhood. Running a restaurant in Flushing can be very intimidating, but we made it with a strong mission within our team, which is to inherit the beauty of ethnic Chinese Cuisine.”
15. Dock’s Oyster Bar – Midtown East
Cuisine: Seafood
Best for: Raw bar fans, ocean diners
Why You’ll Love It: If you’re on the hunt for the best seafood in NYC, you’ll find it at Dock’s! Famous for their oyster bar, Dock’s also offers shrimp, crab, clams, and only the freshest fish from the East and West coasts. Additionally, the restaurant’s elegant Art Deco style makes it the perfect date night or celebration spot.
16. Mr. Capri – West Village
Cuisine: Regional Italian
Best for: Taste bud travelers, authentic flavor seekers
Why You’ll Love It: Take your taste buds to the idyllic Italian island of Capri (without having to leave NYC)! Owned by two Capri-natives, it doesn’t get any more authentic than this. Immerse yourself in the flavors of the region with a tantalizing array of succulent seafood, expertly crafted pasta, and seasonal delicacies.
17. Morton’s The Steakhouse – Midtown East
Cuisine: American steakhouse
Best for: Fine dining fans, large parties
Why You’ll Love It: Experience the “Best Steak Anywhere” at Morton’s! Beyond steak, Morton’s also offers perfectly grilled seafood, freshly made sides, and a large raw bar. Plus, the sophisticated and elegant atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, and even that big first date you’ve got coming up.
From the Restaurant: “What sets us apart is our genuine hospitality towards our guests. We have the best special occasion protocol in the restaurant game and the guests can tell you, ‘They know what to expect when they walk into any Morton’s’.”
18. The Malt House – Financial District
Cuisine: American comfort food
Best for: Burger buffs, casual diners
Why You’ll Love It: Nachos, fish tacos, and some of the best burgers in NYC – you name it, you’ll find it at the Malt House. Combined with its cozy atmosphere, it’s the ideal spot for enjoying quality food and drinks with friends.
19. Hurley’s Saloon – Midtown West
Cuisine: Irish pub
Best for: Comfort eaters, outside diners
Why You’ll Love It: Hurley’s Saloon is a massive, 3-level, restaurant serving up no-nonsense Irish pub favorites with an American flair. Whether you’ve been daydreaming about an ice-cold beer, crispy fish and chips, or a traditional Irish shepherd’s pie, there’s a meal with your name on it. For the nature lovers, they also have a picturesque rooftop garden!
20. Serendipity 3 – Upper East Side and Times Square
Cuisine: Comfort food and classic diner-style eats
Best for: Sweet tooths, content creators
Why You’ll Love It: A true NYC classic! While the menu is packed with comforting diner-style favorites, dessert is the real main event. Famous for its over-the-top Frrrozen Hot Chocolate®, towering desserts, and whimsical décor, it’s the perfect place to treat yourself after a long day of World Cup excitement.
From the Restaurant: “It’s been said that our sundaes make you feel like a child again. That’s been our mission from the start, transporting customers back to their happy places.”
Summary
So, there you have it: the 20 best restaurants in NYC. From authentic Italian to Japanese omakase, there’s something for every taste and palette. Hungry for even more unique dining in New York City? Don’t miss our full collection of New York experience gifts & things to do!
