The Top Restaurants in NYC Right Now — Resy | Right This Way
Updated: April 1, 2025
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
Consider it your essential resource for dining in New York: a monthly-updated guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Five Things In NYC Not to Miss This Month
Brunch to Your Heart’s Content: It’s never not brunch season in New York, but this month yields some especially good ones you don’t want to miss. We’re talking M. Wells’ Sugar Shack residency over at the New York Distilling Company in Bushwick every Sunday from April 6 to 20 where chef Hugue Dufour celebrates maple syrup to the max. Or perhaps you should scope out the newly launched brunches over at Hellbender in Ridgewood, Lucky’s in Soho, or Libertine and The Golden Swan in the West Village. (Pro tip: The tableside omelet with your choice of caviar, truffles, or lobster at The Golden Swan is not to be missed.) And if you really want to splurge, consider an all-out three-course feast from Restaurant Daniel on Easter Sunday. Check out our ultimate guide to brunch in NYC here for even more suggestions.
Notable New Openings: Get into these spots before everyone else catches on. We’re talking Maison Passerelle and Red Room Bar from acclaimed chef Gregory Gourdet (opening on April 17) and Leonessa from Ariel Arce ( Roscioli, Heroes), all in FiDi. There’s also Confidant in Industry City from a pair of Roberta’s alums, Hear and There in Williamsburg where they’ve got a great lineup of drinks and Japanese-inspired fare, Raon in Midtown East with its elegant Korean tasting menu, and Yamada in Chinatown, which marks the return of kaiseki master Isao Yamada. For all the latest restaurant and bar openings, check out our weekly updated list here.
To a Tea: If you love a tea party as much as we do, you’re also in luck this month. On April 4, Perrine over at The Pierre hotel has a luxurious afternoon tea experience. On April 5, Genesis House offers a unique traditional Korean tea experience. On April 19 and 20, NYC icon Bemelmans Bar is hosting a Madeline-themed tea party for little ones. And every Sunday this month, Bar Blondeau has a lovely afternoon tea service with incredible views.
Pop-Ups of Note: On April 8, two of our favorite chefs from D.C. — Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss of Pascual — are coming to Superbueno for an incredible four-course meal with cocktail specials. Think lamb neck barbacoa and a tepache martini. And on April 10, Little Grenjai’s Trevor Lombaer pops up at The Noortwyck for a collaborative à la carte dinner. That same day over at Lingo, acclaimed sake expert and author Nancy Matsumoto is popping up to collaborate on a special five-course tasting menu inspired by cherry blossom season with sake pairings. On April 24, Lebanese winery Château Musar pops up at Passerine for a very special wine dinner you don’t want to miss.
Passover Plans: Kubeh, Gertie, and Akimori Brooklyn are hosting special Passover seder dinners this month. At Kubeh, they have a four-course dinner on April 12 and 13. At Gertie on April 13, they’re hosting a special seder with rabbi Matt Green of CBE and Brooklyn Jews. And from April 15 to 18, Akimori Brooklyn is serving a certified kosher sushi omakase for lunch and dinner.
New to the Hit List (April 2025) Golden HOF, Cactus Wren, Lungi Restaurant, Salon Vert, and Banh Anh Em.
1. Golden HOF – Korean Bar & Grill
- Midtown
- Korean American
- $$
2. Ha's Snack Bar
- Lower East Side
- Vietnamese
- $$
3. Crevette
- West Village
- Seafood
- $$
4. schmuck.
- East Village
- Cocktail Bar
- $$
5. Cactus Wren
- Lower East Side
- New American
- $
6. Pitt's
- Red Hook
- American
- $$
7. St. Anselm
- Williamsburg
- Steakhouse
- $$
8. Papa San
- Midtown West
- Peruvian
- $$
9. Naks
- East Village
- Filipino
- $$$
10. Lungi Bar & Restaurant
- Upper East Side
- Sri Lanka
- $$
11. Salon Vert
- Financial District
- French
- $$
12. Banh Anh Em
- East Village
13. Shaw-naé’s House
- Staten Island
- Soul Food
- $
14. Ras Plant Based
- Crown Heights
- Plant-based
- $
15. Txikito
- Chelsea
- Basque
- $$
16. Sylvia’s Restaurant
- Harlem
- Southern
- $$
17. Cafe Commerce
- Lenox Hill
- American
- $$
18. Ceres
- Lower East Side
19. Junoon
- Flatiron District
- Indian
- $$$
20. ATOBOY
- NoMad
- Korean
- $$
20 venues
1.Golden HOF – Korean Bar & Grill Midtown map
Photo by Aaron Richter for Resy
You’ll find many pubs throughout Midtown but none quite like this one from Sam Yoo, the chef and owner of Golden Diner and NY Kimchi (conveniently located downstairs). Lively and bustling, Golden HOF is the kind of place where you’re encouraged to pull up a chair, order a drink, and pair it with their expertly executed anju, ranging from freshly shucked oysters with spicy chojang and crispy pajeon (Korean-style pancakes), to that much-loved Golden Diner cheeseburger. Our absolute favorites on the menu, however, include the refreshing crudité with a housemade ssamjang aioli, the cheesy and fiery buldak dumplings, and the Korean fried chicken (definitely get the cumin and green Sichuan). Drinks are playful, often incorporating Korean ingredients, too, like the naengmyun martini or the highly drinkable melona milk punch. And should you still have room for more, head downstairs to NY Kimchi for some crudo, grilled meats, and soft-serve ice cream while you’re at it.
Photo by Aaron Richter for Resy
2.Ha’s Snack Bar Lower East Side map
After traversing the globe for years, enchanting diners from New York to Paris, one of our favorite pop-ups, Ha’s Đặc Biệt, finally has a permanent home for their thoughtful cooking that draws inspiration from Vietnamese cuisine. Taking over the original Gem Wine space on Broome Street, Anthony Ha and Sadie Mae Burns have cultivated a charming spot where you can (and should) feast on dishes like pate mam chung; chicory, puntarelle, and Asian pear salad; snails with tamarind butter; and a buttery curried lobster and sweetbread vol au vent, just to name a few. The space is cozy (read: tiny) but it’s an ideal spot to spend a chilly winter’s night.
3.Crevette West Village map
The latest restaurant from chef Ed Szymanski and restaurateur Patricia Howard ( Dame, Lord’s) makes you feel like you’ve been transported to the coasts of Spain and France, and indeed, Crevette is a warm, welcome respite from what has felt at times like a never-ending winter here in New York. The martinis are served ice cold, the raw bar selection is on point, the Spanish tortilla gets topped with a generous dollop of sweet peekytoe crab and saline seaweed butter, and the grilled golden chicken is served with a heaping pile of the Platonic ideal of perfectly crisp fries. And then, of course, there are the desserts, like pears poached in cassis with whipped mascarpone, or a whimsical tarte tatin in cream puff form. What more could you ask for?
4.schmuck. East Village map
If the lines outside the door are any indication, it’s clear that schmuck is one of the city’s buzziest cocktail bars — and for good reason. The cocktails are irreverent and expertly crafted, the vibes are laid back, the decor really is “mid-century-modern-meets-space-age-meets-1970’s basement chic,” and the snacks are satisfying and highly shareable. In other words, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have an incredible time. You should know there are two distinct spaces and menus—the Living Room, which has limited reservations, and the walk-in-only Kitchen Table. You can’t go wrong with whatever drink you order, but we’re especially partial to the Larb Gai, martini, and Bread with Tomatoes.
5.Cactus Wren Lower East Side map
Photo by Evan Sung, courtesy of Cactus Wren
Cactus Wren is not your typical neighborhood wine bar. And how could it be, given that it’s from the duo behind Michelin-starred Sixty Three Clinton? Everything, from the food to the service, is done with finesse, in a way that’s still easygoing and approachable, but still manages to surprise from time to time. Take, for instance, the smoked eel tart snack that combines the smokiness of eel with the tartness of apples, and the saltiness of optional dollops of caviar. Or the delightfully rich chicken liver mousse and onion pizza, or another special involving bright basil pesto and morels. The wine list is also refreshing, focusing on lesser-known producers and regions. Whatever you order, you can’t go wrong, and it’s never a bad idea to stop by, whether you’re seeking a full feast, or just a snack or two with some wine at the bar.
Photo by Evan Sung, courtesy of Cactus Wren
6.Pitt’s Red Hook map
Red Hook has become one of the city’s most exciting dining neighborhoods, and Pitt’s, from chef Jeremy Salamon of Agi’s Counter, is yet another reason why. Self described as “a joyful mess,” it revels in the fun and wonder of dining out and manages to be both nostalgic and very much of the moment. The menu is best described as a mélange of influences from North Carolina and New York: There’s gouda pimento cheese with fried saltines, a cold meatloaf tea sandwich, grilled country captain poussin with buttermilk dressed greens, and Carolina grits rice with a luxurious topping of bottarga. Whatever you do, however, do heed the call to place your order for the pancake soufflé from the very beginning because you’ll be richly rewarded once the warm maple syrup hits that oh-so-fluffy and buttery soufflé.
7.St. Anselm Williamsburg map
After a devastating basement fire that closed the restaurant back in September, this much-loved steakhouse is back, and we couldn’t be happier. New York has plenty of steakhouses — some of the best in the country — and in a city known for them, St. Anselm stands out, not just because it sells an exceptional butcher’s steak cut for just $34. It’s because St. Anselm embodies the spirit of a truly modern steakhouse, one where there’s so much more to the menu than just steaks: everything from the expertly cooked spice-crusted pork porterhouse or the King salmon steak with garlic butter, to the sweet tea-brined poussin, to the sides (much more than an afterthought) like pan-fried mashed potatoes bright grilled shishito peppers with lime and chile. Here too, the wine list remains one of the city’s sleeper hits.
8.Papa San Midtown West map
It’s been such a treat to bear witness to the evolution of chef Erik Ramirez’s cooking, which is deeply rooted in Peruvian traditions but also fearless when it comes to experimentation. We first saw that when he opened Llama Inn in 2015, followed by Nikkei-driven Llama San in 2019. With Papa San, that spirit of mixing cultures and influences gets further amplified in Peruvian izakaya form. A few examples: A must-order St. Louis tavern-style pizza gets dressed with eel, shiitake mushrooms, pecorino, and bonito flakes that flutter among the melted cheese. A comforting hake chowder, served in a donabe pot, comes with fluffly milk bread rolls; udon gets a cacio e pepe treatment. The ceviches and tiraditos remain spectacular, including a delicate version that combines razor clams and sweet lychee fruit. Whatever you do, however, save room for the sundae party — you won’t regret it.
9.Naks East Village map
Chef and owner Eric Valdez is doing is some of the city’s most exciting cooking, presenting Filipino cuisine and culture in a deeply personal way. If you haven’t been yet, or perhaps it’s been a while, consider this your reminder to make a Resy as soon as possible. The Kanto fried chicken, pritong itik (duck), and ginataang alimango (crab) are especially good at dinner. For brunch, we’re partial to any of the Filipino breakfast options; pair it with some ensaladadang mangga (some salad for health, you know?). And don’t sleep on the drinks, especially the Puto Bumbong, with margarine-washed coconut Tequila and an Eden cheese foam on top, or the refreshing, alcohol-free Taho with delicate tapioca pearls.
10.Lungi Bar & Restaurant Upper East Side map
Photo courtesy of Lungi Bar & Restaurant
Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisines shine at this gem of a spot on the Upper East Side. Come here for the ideal dosas and/or hoppers, and fill up on dishes like the rich paneer ghee roast, a thoroughly satisfying lamb lamprais, the heat-seeking cauliflower 65, savory pan-fried spicy kingfish served on a banana leaf, or the classic kothu roti. And if you happen to stop by for brunch on a Sunday, do spring for their special banana leaf meal — a feast if there ever were — available in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, with biryiani, pickles, poriyal, papadum, and dessert.
Photo courtesy of Lungi Bar & Restaurant
11.Salon Vert Financial District map
New York has no shortage of excellent raw bars — see here for proof — but this elegant newcomer from chef Greogry Gourdet, housed on the second floor of the new Printemps department store on Wall Street, is something else. It’s French, in keeping with Printemps’ Parisian origins, but it’s also distinctly global in its influences, in keeping with Gourdet’s own culinary ethos. That equates to Creole shrimp cocktail, French sardines paired with plantain chips and yellow pepper hot sauce, market crudite paired with creamy cashew and fermented chile, and charred vegetables served with an epic green goddess dressing.
12.Banh Anh Em East Village map
If you, like us, love the cozy, comforting Vietnamese fare that you’ll find uptown at Banh on the Upper West Side, chances are high you will thoroughly enjoy their newest spot, Banh Anh Em. Banh has always specialized in Vietnamese dishes that are often difficult to find in New York, and Banh Anh Em continues that tradition. The pho Nam Ðịnh is a non-negotiable, made with extra wide housemade noodles submerged in a slow-cooked beef broth, accompanied by pickled garlic and onions in punchy hot sauce. So too is the housemade bánh cuốn, rice sheets served with grilled pork, shredded young mango, and pickled mustard greens. And there’s also bánh căn, perfectly crisp and fluffy eggs cooked on a charcoal grill that you eat with sides of mango and hot sauce and a steaming bowl of pork soup.
Walk-ins only.
13.Shaw-naé’s House Staten Island map
A lot of restaurants claim to make you feel right at home, but few succeed so convincingly as Shaw-Naé’s House. Namesake chef and owner Shaw-Naé Dixon is as welcoming as can be, and her food is the personification of soulful comfort food. Think slow-cooked oxtails over fluffy white rice, smothered turkey wings, and soul fries, topped with housemade cheese sauce, collard greens, and mac ‘n’ cheese. Our advice? Dine with a crew to try as many dishes as you can, and do spring for the ShawCuterie Board that has everything from cornbread bites and sauced chicken wings to, yes, more classically French charcuterie.
14.Ras Plant Based Crown Heights map
This beloved restaurant, which opened at the beginning of the pandemic, has since expanded to the West Village, but it’s still well worth heading to Crown Heights where it all started, for a taste of their soulful, flavorful vegan takes on Ethiopian food. Slow simmered vegetables and the bounciest of injera are what you’ll find there, along with some impressive cocktails and inventive dishes — kitfo brunch burrito or mama’s tofu, anyone? Our suggestion? Order yourself the Mercato and Piassa platters, and don’t forget the sambusa or the Ras special tibs. And if you’re there for weekend brunch, spring for the lentil burger and French toast to finish.
15.Txikito Chelsea map
Nearly 17 years after first opening, Txikito is as lovely as it ever was, and proof that you can continue to evolve a classic, without losing sight of what has made it so special all along. Txikito was a pioneer of Basque cuisine when it first opened, and it remains that way, with chefs Alex Raij and Eder Montero ( La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie) continuously finding new and inventive ways to dive deep into the region. It’s an unassuming spot, but dish after dish, it’ll leave a lasting impression on you. Our ideal order? Start with the hot jilda skewers and deep-fried kroketas, followed by the pulpo (octopus carpaccio) and Rusa potato salad. Get the double pil pil and the suckling pig (if they have it) and finish the evening with the Ruso coconut meringue. And don’t forget to have at least one gin-and-tonic, too.
16.Sylvia’s Restaurant Harlem map
If Shaw-Naé’s House is the embodiment of contemporary soul food in New York, consider Sylvia’s, named for none other than the Queen of Soul Food herself, to be the foundation. You come to Sylvia’s for their legendary fried chicken, perfectly baked macaroni and cheese, and satisfying barbecued short ribs, as well as for the warm and generous hospitality. And what’s more is that for the past 63 years, the restaurant has also been a stalwart champion of the local community, too — enough to garner a (long overdue) America’s Classics award last year from the James Beard Foundation.
17.Cafe Commerce Lenox Hill map
In the time before Instagram and influencers ever existed, the original Commerce in the West Village was the ultimate NYC cool kids hangout, epitomizing a chic, elegant atmosphere and a timeless, delicious menu of comforting, exceptionally executed classics. Fast forward a decade after the original closed, and the tradition continues, albeit much further uptown on the Upper East Side. You can find familiar standbys, like the roast chicken with foie gras bread stuffing, the sweet potato tortelloni, and that must-order coconut cake, but don’t overlook the rotating plat du jour, especially Tuesday’s duck and mushroom pot pie, the scallops, or the beef carpaccio, either.
18.Ceres Lower East Side map
New York is most certainly a pizza town, and this newest entrant on Mott Street is best described as a cheffy — but not at all stuffy — take on your classic NYC slice from two Eleven Madison Park veterans, Julian Geldmacher and Jake Serebnick. The grains are carefully sourced, the tomatoes are imported from Italy, and the ricotta is from Pennsylvania’s own Caputo Brothers Creamery. The toppings are excellent, and we highly encourage you to opt for the mushroom slice with crème fraîche and onions, or to devise your own tomato slice with ricotta, spicy peppers, and basil.
Walk-ins only.
19.Junoon Flatiron District map
Long before there was Bungalow, Semma, or Dhamaka, there was Junoon, and now is a perfect time to recognize its groundbreaking contributions to New York’s dining scene. (In fact, Bungalow chef Vikas Khanna and Dhamaka chef Chintan Pandya both served as executive chefs.) It pioneered nuanced Indian fine dining that melds contemporary influences with time-honored traditions, and that legacy continues. Standout dishes include a Goan coconut-based curry made with oyster and trumpet mushrooms, smoked masala ribs, and dry-aged duck with a Tellicherry pepper sauce.
20.ATOBOY NoMad map
Atoboy managed to translate the familiar concept of banchan into its own art form with its distinctive small plates.
Photo by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for Resy
Jungsik technically might have arrived first, but arguably no other contemporary Korean restaurant in the city has had more lasting impact than JP and Ellia Park’s first restaurant. Always approachable but also risk-taking, it has led the way in refashioning traditional Korean techniques and ingredients in novel and delicious ways since it opened in 2016. Its banchan-focused prix-fixe menu may have gone up in price over the years — from $36 for three courses to $75 for four courses, service included — but it’s still one of the best in the city, period. And you’d be remiss not to add on the fried chicken, or to plumb the depths of their excellent wine list.
Atoboy managed to translate the familiar concept of banchan into its own art form with its distinctive small plates.
Photo by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for Resy
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Deanna Ting is Resy’s New York & Philadelphia Editor. Follow her on Instagram. Follow Resy, too.
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