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