Restaurants in New York
Restaurants in New York are abundant, from the very cheap to the very expensive, offering cuisines from all over the world. The choice of eateries is large, diverse and changes on an almost daily basis. There are, for that reason, always great restaurants to be found for dining in New York. However, this broad choice can also be quite overwhelming. To help make your decision a little easier, I have listed my favourite places for different occasions and categorised them below.
Eric's Index
Restaurants with a View
New York is known for its skyscrapers, and many of them also feature restaurants. Enjoy the views of the Manhattan skyline while having dinner.
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Peak with Priceless
On the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards, you find Peak NYC, a restaurant in Hudson Yards with an amazing view. Peak with Priceless is located on the floor right above the Edge observation deck, so if you want to combine an impressive view of New York with great food and maybe even a proposal, Peak is the place to go.
Peak Restaurant and Edge are not connected though, so if you plan to dine at Peak after your Edge visit, you need to make a separate online reservation for the restaurant.
Book your table at Peak with Priceless here
📍 Location: 30 Hudson Yards
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SAGA
Located in an Art Deco building in Downtown, the restaurant SAGA can be found on the 63rd floor. SAGA offers a unique experience for literally dining out. Nowhere in New York can you have dinner outside at such a height! From the terrace, you can enjoy views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges that cross the East River, Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. This two-star Michelin restaurant serves a multi-course culinary menu. It is expensive, but in my opinion, it is worth it.
There are only 6 tables outside. So to secure a spot, make sure to make a reservation in advance. Inside, there are also tables available. Before or after your dinner, you can visit Overstory, a rooftop bar located on the 64th floor of the same building. Do you imagine yourself sitting on the 63rd floor having dinner?
📍 Location: 70 Pine Street
About Eric » Eric’s Tip: “If possible, make a reservation 1-1.5 hours before sunset. This way you can admire the view during the day, sunset and night.” 
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Manhatta
A luxurious dining experience at Manhatta promises great views of Lower Manhattan. The restaurant is located on the 60th floor, within walking distance of Wall Street and the 9/11 Memorial. While enjoying a fancy lunch or dinner, you’ll continue to be amazed at the sights of the streets, bridges and waterways below you.
Book your table at Manhatta here
📍 Location: 28 Liberty Street
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Robert NYC
If you want to truly impress your partner, take them to Robert NYC. It’s a modern, fancy restaurant in a fairly high price segment. The restaurant is on Columbus Circle, in the Museum of Arts and Design, on one of their highest floors. From here, you have a wonderful view of Central Park, not to mention Columbus Circle itself.
Book your table at Robert NYC here
📍 Location: 2 Columbus Circle
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The River Café
The best view of Manhattan’s skyline is not seen from Manhattan itself but from the opposite side of the water. On the other side of the East River, right under the Brooklyn Bridge, is The River Café. Head here for dinner with a beautiful view of the illuminated skyscrapers over the river. Be sure to order their most famous dessert, the Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge!
Book your table at The River Café here
📍 Location: 1 Water Street
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Cantina Rooftop
I think Cantina Rooftop is a real discovery for a fun night! The crowd is lively, and there’s a live DJ playing upbeat music every night. The food tastes great (and is affordable), and the view is awesome. The name gives it away a little, Cantina is a Mexican restaurant. On the menu of this festive place, you’ll find tacos and guacamole, as well as meat and fish dishes. In addition, Cantina has a retractable roof and can be heated during the winter.
Book your table at Cantina Rooftop here
📍 Location: 605 West 48th Street
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Electric Lemon
Electric Lemon is located on the 24th floor of the Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards. You can go there for drinks or dinner. When you sit outside on the terrace, you can have a view over the Hudson River and the surrounding buildings. Because you’re so near the river, it can get a little windy. You could also have dinner inside the restaurant, which has a beautiful view of the Vessel from the bar side. When you have a drink or dinner inside, you can always step outside to enjoy the vistas.
Book your table at Electric Lemon here
📍 Location: 33 Hudson Yards
Restaurants for Groups
Going out for dinner with a big group is fun, but not all restaurants offer tables for large parties. Here are some places where you can dine with all your friends or family.
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Carmine’s
Carmine’s is a real Italian family restaurant. Boasting two locations in Manhattan, giving you double the chance of getting a table. Which is a good thing, as Carmines is always full! Are you planning on eating out with a group? Then be sure to book Carmine’s well in advance.
Book your table at Carmine’s here
📍 Location: 200 West 44th Street
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John’s Pizzeria
When I’m planning a group dinner in New York, I like to go to John’s Pizzeria. Large tables, and large pizzas! You can easily share one between two or three people, making this restaurant very suitable for larger parties. John’s has locations on both Times Square and Bleecker Street.
📍Location: 260 West 44th Street
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Olive Garden
Olive Garden is not an ‘authentic’ New York restaurant; it’s part of a chain. However, I do recommend it for groups; it’s very suitable for large parties. The food is good and inexpensive. In addition, its central location, on Times Square, makes it the perfect place to grab a bite before, for example, heading to a Broadway show.
📍 Location: 2 Times Square
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Dallas BBQ
Dallas BBQ has various branches in Manhattan, as well as other New York boroughs. They are all large, open spaces where you can easily dine with a group. On the menu at Dallas BBQ, you’ll find mainly (the name says it all) barbecue dishes. So it’s a real ‘American’ dining experience!
📍 Location: 241 West 42nd Street
Cheaper Restaurants
If you are looking for a reasonably cheap dinner, I recommend giving Thai food a try. There are lots of Thai restaurants to be found on 9th Avenue, between 42nd and 56th Street.
Another option is to head to Chinatown for an affordable meal. Try, for example, the dumplings and dim sum at the Nom Wah Tea Parlor.
It goes without saying that my favourite foods are hamburgers and pizza. Which, in general, are also inexpensive options. In addition, you can experience an authentic meal amongst the locals for a relatively low price at one of the many diners in New York.
Restaurants for a Celebration
Do you have something to celebrate in New York? An anniversary, graduation or engagement? There are many romantic restaurants in New York. But there are also some great options if you’re celebrating something else.
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SERRA by Birreria
Atop the indoor Italian market, Eataly, you’ll find SERRA by Birreria. It’s a New York brewery as well as a rooftop restaurant. Here you can enjoy affordable food, combined with their home-brewed beer. You can also visit Birreria in the winter when a temporary roof and heaters are added to warm up the terrace.
Book your table at SERRA by Birreria here
📍 Location: 200 5th Avenue
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Marseille
Marseille is a French-style restaurant with plenty of atmosphere, located in Hell’s Kitchen. Here, you can sit in the cosy surroundings and enjoy the French dishes. In addition, Marseille is a good option for the holidays. On Thanksgiving and at Christmas, they serve a special set menu.
Book your table at Marseille here
📍 Location: 630 8th Avenue
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Dinner Cruises
For a truly special experience, I recommend booking a dinner cruise in New York. As you cruise past the impressive Manhattan skyline, you can enjoy a delicious meal or buffet. Dinner cruises range in price, depending on which you choose. So there is something suitable for every occasion.
Luxury Restaurants
In New York, you can find a pizza slice for a few dollars, but also restaurants that offer a luxurious experience. Dress up and enjoy a fancy night out.
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Benoit New York
Enjoy the French kitchen at Benoit New York. This bistro-inspired restaurant is owned by Alain Ducasse, a very famous chef from France who has over 20 Michelin stars to his name.
On the menu, you can find all types of dishes. Mostly meat and fish are served here. In addition to that, you can order a wine from the extravagant wine list. If you are in doubt about what to get, you can always ask the waiter.
Book your table at Benoit here
📍 Location: 60 West 55th Street
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Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s ABC Kitchen
There are a few upscale and fancy French restaurants in New York. Any of the Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurants are great. However, I personally recommend ABC Kitchen in the Flatiron District. This is definitely a place to see-and-be-seen. Expect romantic lighting and to be seated amongst the best-dressed New Yorkers from, for example, the fashion and modelling industries. On Valentine’s Day, ABC Kitchen is a cool place to go to avoid tourists.
Book your table at ABC Kitchen here
📍 Location: 35 East 18th Street
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Beauty & Essex
Beauty & Essex in the Lower East Side is a hidden gem in Manhattan. You enter via a pawn shop, and you’ll have no idea of the beautiful restaurant hidden behind the store. Enter through the door at the back of the shop and you’ll find yourself in a cool and atmospheric restaurant over two floors.
Book your table at Beauty & Essex here
📍 Location: 146 Essex Street
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