A LIST OF THINGS TO EAT FOR PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN

@davidcho
 on 2021.09.01
24 Places
@davidcho
When people come to New York and ask what to eat, this is the list I send them. Best case scenario, they don't even ask and just come here first.

Monkey Bar

American restaurant · Midtown East

Probably the most underrated place in the midtown renaissance, but maybe one of the most special? It was redone a little while back by the same people who do 4 Charles, and while it's not the exact same burger, the food and the vibe are really special. It also, as of right now, is not overrun by TikTokers, so that's a plus too.

Dame

Seafood restaurant · Greenwich Village

It's small, so the tables can be tricky to get, but it's really worth it and have never had a not delicious meal here.

Dhamaka

Indian restaurant · Lower East Side

It's rich, but it's also really delightful and great. Here are the things I like to order (* for the things I think you have to get): beguni (eggplant), ajwani paneer tikka* (fried cheese), sigdiwala (whole little chicken), tabak maaz (lamb ribs), champaran* (mutton), paneer methi, goat neck biryani*, dal* and roti....

Lodi

Italian Restaurant · Midtown West

A good place to grab pastries and a meal in midtown, especially in the day and then do a little MOMA.

Le Rock

Restaurant · Midtown West

In the last few weeks, whenever someone's asked me where they should go for "a nice dinner," I've said Le Rock every single time. You're definitely paying a little more, but I think you feel it in the quality of the food (not just the room or the vibes). I think you have to get the bison au poivre, the leeks, everything on the raw bar, and also weirdly the sausages on the raw bar are really delicious.

Frenchette

French Restaurant · Tribeca

Go here instead of Balthazar, the food, and vibe, and just overall experience are all better.

Keens Steakhouse

Steakhouse · Midtown West

If you're looking for a real "New York"-y steakhouse experience, it's probably your best bet and worth it.

Atomix

Korean Restaurant · Midtown East

A tasting menu but one of the most well executed restaurants in New York. Great space, great energy, and just all around the best.

Jua

Korean restaurant · Flatiron District

A set menu, but has honestly been one of my favorite meals in a long time and doesn't feel stuffy at all. Please go there.

Lilia

Italian Restaurant · Williamsburg

Literally everything is delicious here.

Wildair

French Restaurant · Lower East Side

Honestly, nothing is bad and everything is good here, especially the stuffed chicken...

Xi'an Famous Foods

Chinese Restaurant · Chinatown

Hand pulled noodles worth getting because you can't get it anywhere else.

Shuko

Japanese Restaurant · Greenwich Village

The best and funnest sushi, but also not not very expensive!

yelp

Defonte's Sandwich Shop

Sandwich Place · Red Hook

My favorite sandwich of all time, specifically the roast beef with mozz and eggplant.

The Dolar Shop

Hotpot Restaurant · East Village

Really good, clean, hot pot. Could not recommend it more.

Estela

American Restaurant · Nolita

Honestly, going for lunch or brunch is a pro-tip for both access, but also the food.

Village Square Pizza

Pizza Place · East Village

From one of the former Prince St Pizza people, that's just as good and without the lines.

Lucali

Pizza Place · Carroll Gardens

A nightmare table to get, but a place worth trying to finagle a way into.

Don Angie

Italian Restaurant · West Village

This is the most popular Italian restaurant in New York (besides Carbone) according to Tiktok

yelp

Thai Diner

Thai Restaurant · Nolita

The hard place to get good Thai food.

Somtum Der

Thai restaurant · East Village

The easy place to get good Thai food.

Chez Ma Tante

French Restaurant · Greenpoint

It's basic to say, I honestly just really like the pancakes a lot.

King

Italian restaurant · SoHo

Underrated by some, overrated by others, but great vibe and foods.

Szechuan Mountain House 川山甲

Szechuan Restaurant · East Village

Top tier Chinese food in Manhattan right now IMO, if it's full you can try Cheli (next door) or uluh (right around the corner), with any of the three you can't go wrong.