One of the bittersweet things about living in NYC — especially Manhattan — is being overwhelmed with food choices. But New York foodies can rejoice, as the New York Times just released its list of the 100 Best Restaurants in New York City for 2024, which will hopefully make the question of “What do you want for dinner?” a little easier.
The extensive list includes dining locales from all five boroughs, but not surprisingly, more than half are located in Manhattan, the heart of the Big Apple. Some of the restaurants in Manhattan were on last year’s list and made it back, while others are completely new to the compilation.
It is undoubtedly a hard job — but we’d venture to guess a mostly tasty one — to sample food from so many places. But Pete Wells, renowned restaurant critic for the Times, made it happen.
“New York is a big city, and I tried to find 100 restaurants that represent its neighborhoods, its people and the rewards it has in store for hungry, curious eaters,” Wells wrote in the article preceding the list on the website. “The list is a tour. If you take it, you’ll see all five boroughs and a wide array of cooking and serving styles.”
The best restaurants in Manhattan
The Times’ top picks for restaurants in Manhattan are located throughout the borough, from Downtown up to Harlem. And they run the gamut of cuisine sure to impress taste buds of all preferences. Keep in mind, this roundup highlights only a smattering of Wells’ picks, so be sure to consult the Times’ list if you want to see all the restaurants that made the cut.
Uptown Restaurants
Coming in at number one on the entire list, outpacing restaurants in all the boroughs, is an Upper West Side establishment, Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi. While you might have to wait a while for a table, it is worth it since it secured the top spot. Enjoy an array of American, Caribbean and Creole food here that is sure to please your palate.
Also on the Upper West Side is Barney Greengrass, a deli and breakfast joint that went up 25 spots to rank 66 on the list in 2024. Open since 1908, this restaurant offers smoked fish including sturgeon whitefish and salmon and a wide array of bagels and breads. Grab a coffee and sweet treat to go if you are in a rush to get to work.
Staying uptown, Contento, a Peruvian restaurant in East Harlem jumped an impressive 26 spots, landing at 56 on this year’s list. A quick glance at Contento’s Instagram and your mouth will water.
Midtown Restaurants
Wells highlighted lots of Midtown restaurants on his list, too, with Le Bernardin, snagging the number three spot. It’s a bit pricey here, but diners will not be disappointed with its dinner options, including filet mignon, red snapper and striped bass. The Grill dropped 45 spots from last year, putting it at 55 in 2024. Despite its setback, Wells still said the restaurant “remains confidently excellent.”
Atomix, Cafe Carmellini, Atoboy and Koloman are some other restaurants form the list to check out, all north of Madison Square.
Restaurants in the East Village, West Village and SoHo
The East Village, West Village and SoHo prove to be a food lover’s haven. Known for its bars, boutiques, museums and art, the neighborhoods also have plenty of exquisite dining destinations to choose from. Casual locales and upscale restaurants made the list, so there is something for everyone in these neighborhoods.
Superiority Burger in the East Village ranks at 8 and is new on the list. Despite its name, Superiority Burger is a vegetarian restaurant. But even carnivores will have lots of dishes to choose from here, especially when it comes to dessert. Options include gelato and sorbet, as well as breakfast foods to enjoy on the weekends. CheLi in the East Village slipped seven spots, coming in at 15, but it still has its allure. Wells said Shaoxing wine is used to subtly enhance many dishes, including the chilled wine-soaked crab and stir-fried loofah.
In Greenwich Village, Semma, which features Indian cuisine, is a foodie’s must-see, ranking 7 on the list. But Le Coucou in SoHo, a French restaurant, jumped a whopping 30 spots, sliding into spot 28 on Wells’ list, making it a notable food destination, too. Up in NoHo, Yoshino, a Japanese restaurant, appears at 9. Wells said the mackerel sushi is the restaurant’s signature, show-stopping dish.
Restaurants in Union Square
Union Square is known for lots of shops, art, cafes, diners and restaurants, all around the square’s perimeter and beyond.
ABCV is vegetarian, and scored a spot at 14 on the list — not too shabby. In the outskirts of the square on Irving Place, Casa Mono and Bar Jamon offers Spanish cuisine and takes the spot at 21.
Restaurants in Lower Manhattan
No New York City restaurant list is complete without at least one pizza place. Ranked 12 on the list is Una Pizza Napoletana on the Lower East Side. Making it so great is the joint’s five standard pizzas and a weekly special that Wells describes “as all of them with a fat, tender, char-speckled Hula-Hoop of dough surrounding a low valley of tomatoes or cheese or both.”
Mam on the Lower East Side ranks 20 on the list. It offers Vietnamese food and has become increasingly popular in the neighborhood.
Kono comes in at #22 on the list. Located in Chinatown, it has a cozy ambience. Stools and tables surround the sides of the grill, giving diners front-row seats to all the cooking action.
Heading west to the Meatpacking District, new American and Italian restaurant, Barbuto takes the middle spot at #51 on the list. Jonathan Waxman opened the restaurant 20 years ago and has been delighting diners ever since. Wells gave the chocolate budino and salsa verde over roasted chicken some rave reviews.
Continuing in Lower Manhattan, Eulalie in TriBeCa is new to the list this year and pops in at #88. It offers American, French and Southern cuisine. The Lower East Side diner, Shopsin’s General Store, slips back one spot to 94.
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