Whether you’re looking for dinner and music, steakhouse classics, or artisan cocktails, New York has a restaurant for you. After reading this list, you’ll be ready to reserve your spot at the best restaurants and bars in New York –and you won’t want to forget to look for Whitewaller’s recommendations.
Straylight
On Mulberry Street, brand-new, multi-concept and multi-level Straylight stuns with unique design, exotic cocktails, and Japanese izakaya and omakase. Explore the art-filled space while enjoying lesser-known cuisine delicacies and a rotating selection of uni. Dorothy Elizabeth created the colorful cocktail menu with Jamie Jones. Co-owned by gallerist Max Levai of Marlborough Contemporary, the space is filled with work by artists like Tony Matelli, Roe Ethridge, Jonah Freeman, and Justin Lowe.
Photo by Eric Medsker.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the Tsumi Buri.
Rose Bar Gramercy
As an in-the-know hot spot for the fashion, design, and art crowds, Rose Bar within the Gramercy Park Hotel is an intimate escape. The bar—boasting legendary art pieces and rustic design elements—serves cocktails worth noting and exudes a welcoming, elegant ambience worth coming back for.
Whitewaller recommends: Catching a live music event through their Rose Bar Sessions.
Indochine NoHo
For more than three decades, Indochine has been an incomparable meeting and dining spot in New York City for the art and fashion worlds. Welcoming guests to its exotic interior and widely known in culinary and nightlife circles, the restaurant serves an inventive French-Vietnamese menu full of flavor.
Photo by Danielle Adams for BeccaPR.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying the Indochine Martini and Grilled Skirt Steak.
4 Charles Prime Rib West Village
The ten-table hot spot 4 Charles Prime Rib is an exceptional steakhouse by restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff (who is also behind Chicago’s Au Cheval, Gilt Bar, and Bavette’s), tucked away like a speakeasy inside a townhouse on Charles Street. Its vintage ambience is complemented by contemporary classics like prime rib, rib-eye steak, lamb chop, and the American cheeseburger.
Courtesy of Loosie’s Kitchen.
Whitewaller recommends: Making a reservation in advance.
Loosie’s Kitchen & Café Williamsburg
Located in South Williamsburg, Loosie’s Kitchen & Café is a hip destination in Brooklyn with New Orleans–inspired food and drink. Art, fashion, style, and music converge to make this homey venue a creative escape.
Courtesy of Indochine.
Whitewaller recommends: Trying their beignets with Nutella whipped cream.
Fusco Midtown
The upscale Italian restaurant Fusco is known for its house-made pastas, à la carte section, tasting menu, and family-style menu. Opened by restaurateur and cookbook author Scott Conant, and designed by Brian Leister, the restaurant boasts a bright, airy bar area and an intimate, mirrored dining room.
Courtesy of Lalito.
Whitewaller recommends: Savoring the tiramisu for dessert.
Cote Flatiron
The modern Korean establishment Cote is a not-to-miss offering by restaurateur Simon Kim. Named after the Korean word for “flower,” the restaurant merges classic Korean barbeque flavors with American steakhouse cuts. For imbibing, Cote’s beverage director, Victoria James, ensures martinis and old-fashioneds have an artisanal soju base, and wines by the glass are poured out of magnums.
Photo by Ken Goodman. Courtesy of Fusco.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the Butcher’s Feast prix fixe.
Flora Bar Upper East Side
After the success of Matter House’s first two restaurants (Estela and Café Altro Paradiso), the team decided to open Flora Bar in the lower level of The Met Breuer. Inventive and elegant, and designed in collaboration with Beyer Blinder Belle, the space has an iconic modernistic style with a marble bar, floor-to-ceiling windows, a courtyard, and custom furniture pieces.
Photo by Gary He. Courtesy of Cote.
Whitewaller recommends: Stopping by for brunch.
Lalito Chinatown
In the revitalized Chinatown neighborhood, Lalito pops with a 50-seat restaurant and lively 11-seat bar. Chef Gonzalez offers a menu that pulls from his California cooking style, inspired by his Mexican heritage and global travel. And Ben dos Remedios boasts beautiful graphic design work.
Whitewaller recommends: Taking a selfie in the “Waiting for Tonight”–themed powder room.
Mace East Village
In Alphabet City, Mace stands out for its bold flavors and soothing ambience. Packed with a complex choice of innovative ingredients, such as wasabi and sunflower milk, the well-crafted cocktails are a special treat.
Whitewaller recommends: Sipping on the Puxuri cocktail.
Studio Flatiron
By Gabriel Stulman’s Happy Cooking Hospitality Group (Fedora, Jeffrey’s Grocery, Fairfax, and more), Studio is located inside Freehand New York, on the second floor. The Roman and Williams–designed space shines with 100 seats and a flavorful menu offering bright North African and Near East–inspired dishes.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying the Buddha’s Palm cocktail during dinner.
The Crown Chinatown
Atop Hotel 50 Bowery, The Crown is a hip indoor and outdoor rooftop bar with incredible views, cocktails, and small bites. With DJs and weekend parties happening often, the bar is known as a place to be in the summer.
Whitewaller recommends: Sipping the Thai Basil Watermelon Margarita outside.
THE POOL Upper East Side
Restored last year by Major Food Group (responsible for the sister restaurant next door, THE GRILL), THE POOL shines within the former Four Seasons Restaurant, with special new designs. Inspired by the ocean and New York, the space features blue-tinted touches, custom furniture, wall textiles, high ceilings, and a seafood menu by partner and chef Rich Torrisi.
Whitewaller recommends: Stopping by The Pool Lounge, too.
MIMI Greenwich Village
On Sullivan Street in Greenwich Village is MIMI—a restaurant that changes its handwritten menu daily and is dedicated to seasonal dishes inspired by French classics. With sleek decor by the designer Camilla Deterre, MIMI shines with velvet window seats, bar stools, metal chandeliers, and a retro-mod vibe.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the pork rillettes and the MIMI cocktail.
Eleven Madison Park Flatiron
Last year, Eleven Madison Park was named the number-one best restaurant in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and underwent an extensive four-month renovation and redesign. With its reopening, we see the stellar restaurant showcasing more than just art in presentation, with pieces by artists like Rita Ackermann, staff suits by Todd Snyder, and more.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the tasting menu.
Massoni Midtown
Last year, Dale Talde, David Massoni, and John Bush opened Massoni—an Italian inspired restaurant inside of the Arlo NoMad Hotel. With inventive breakfast options like the breakfast sandwich with Sriracha ketchup, and dinner dishes like pappardelle with blue crab, the restaurant treats diners to unique tastes.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering a pan pizza.
Chinese Tuxedo Chinatown
At Chinese Tuxedo, guests can expect an enticing menu full of reimagined traditional and classic Chinese banquet dishes. Restaurateurs Eddy Buckingham and Jeff Lam restored and opened this bi-level space, which was once a site for Chinatown’s notorious gang wars. With historic details and added midcentury touches, the sunken dining room’s interior draws guests in for an unforgettable experience
Whitewaller recommends: Tasting the honey-glazed char siu pork.
Tokyo Record Bar Greenwich Village
Paying homage to the jewel boxes of vinyl in Japan, Tokyo Record Bar (owned by Ariel Arce, who operates Air’s Champagne Parlor upstairs) is a not-to-miss spot. Its 16-seat space, inspired by the tiny record bars in Tokyo, welcomes guests (at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.) for a seven-plate izakaya menu and custom playlists by guests.
Whitewaller recommends: Going after 10:30 p.m. for deejayed music and an à la carte menu
Gabriel Kreuther Midtown
Across from Bryant Park is Gabriel Kreuther—the James Beard Award–winning and Michelinstarred chef’s eponymous restaurant. The menu of refined French dishes and desserts joins an unforgettable ambience. Here, graceful design is accented by artistic elements (such as an illuminated glass panel, hand-painted ceilings, artworks, and Y-shaped wooden beams).
Whitewaller recommends: Sharing the Foie Gras Terrine as an appetizer.
