Since I am going back to the dreamy New York City in a week for my friend’s wedding (so excited!!) I decided to compile all my favorite restaurants in NYC into one post so I can visit ALL of them while I am there!
So most of my recommendations come from the time where I used to live in NYC/Jersey area for 3 months for an internship. At the time I had quite a few friends living in NYC, so they always knew the best places to eat and hang out, and it was always a blast!
I guarantee you that these are some of the BEST RESTAURANTS in NYC! Some of them are quite expensive but I feel like food is a huge part of the NYC experience and I hope you pay a visit to some of these restaurants when you are there! and let me know your thoughts.
1. Alta – Tapas
64 W 10th St, New York, NY 10011
It is the most perfect place to sit with your girlfriends and talk about life while eating the most delicious tapas and sipping on wine. The ambiance is super cozy and the food will blow your mind away! Some of the tapas I recommend are: Foie gras torchon, octopus a la plancha, and fried fingerling potato.The restaurant is usually really crowded though, so I would recommend making a reservation in advance, especially on weekends.
2. Westville east – yummy salads, fresh and healthy appetizers
173 Avenue A, New York, NY, 10009
There are actually multiple Westville locations in New York City, but this one is my favorite! If you are traveling around, you can just google and go to any of them that’s nearest to you and I suppose they should be just as good.
I just think they have the most amazing salads and appetizers. Food here definitely feels lighter, healthy, tasty and most importantly affordable! Could only recommend.
3. L’Artusi – THE BEST PASTA EVER
228 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10014 (Phone: 212.255.5757 for reservations)
Friends, you HAVE TO go here. They have the best pasta in the world. But they are usually extremely full so you need to make a reservation in advance. Food I recommend are: Roasted mushrooms, Dayboat Scallop, Spaghetti and Gnocchi.The pasta is amazing, they have hot waiters (lol) and it is well worth the trouble of advanced booking. Please go and let me know your thoughts!
4. San Marzano – Affordable yet amazing homemade pasta
117 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003 ( phone: 212.777.3600)
The food Is cheap (for NYC standards) but the pasta is realllllly high quality! The noodles are all house made and they even have good appetizers. I can only recommend. I didn’t need a reservation to go there for lunch during the weekend, so if you are looking for good, simple and authentic Italian pasta, this is the place to be!
5. ByChloe – Tasty Vegan food
185 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
There are also multiple locations for this restaurant in NYC. Their guac burgers and sweet potato friesare just so DAMN good. You have to try it! Plus it’s vegan for those of you who follow vegan/vegetarian lifestyle or have dietary restrictions.
6. Kiki’s – The best Greek food in town
130 Division St, New York, NY 10002
This is the only restaurant on this list that I went back multiple times during my short stay in NYC. This means a lot because I purposely tried to go to different places every time I went out to explore the city as much as possible. But their food was too good that I just had to go back! The wait is usually long but it’s well worth it. If you go there, you HAVE TOtry: Mama’s Oven Roasted Chicken and Saganaki(this amazing baked cheese with honey on top…it’s literally heavenly). And their house wine is excellent!
7. Barrio Chino – Good Mexican food with cool, cozy vibes
253 Broome St, New York, NY 10002
A cute Mexican Taqueria with yummy tacos and really good margaritas! It’s more of a fun casual “taqueria” vibe. I love it!
8. Agave – A more fancy Mexican place
488 3rd Avenue, New York, NY
I think there are two locations but the one I went to was in Kip’s bay. They have good food, and the restaurant is nice (but big and crowded). It definitely feels less casual than Barrio Chino but the price range is similar.
Map of all restaurants location (some of them have multiple available, but I only specified one of them). Locations are approximate. Picture from https://www.nyctourist.com/map1.htm
Here is a summary of the restaurants above with the map, so you can easily take a screenshot on your phone and carry it!
So that’s it, guys! Here are some of the best restaurants that I visited while I was living in NYC/Jersey area for 3 months. If you are a foodie like me, then you guys will enjoy these restaurants for sure. I would love to hear your thoughts if you go!
Happy Travels!
xx,
KJ
Travel Park 