The best and worst thing about New York City is that it’s packed with restaurants – there’s more than 48,000, and that number is only going up. So much delicious choice, so little time to visit them all. In fact, it’s been estimated that it would take almost 22 years if you were to try. So, to save you two decades of eating out, we’ve compiled our guide to the best restaurants in New York, from Manhattan to Brooklyn – all tried and tested by our team, along with a few friends of Service95: writers, book experts and creatives who we very much trust to choose our next meal. These are the food and drink spots we love, recommend and return to, time and again, from Manhattan to Brooklyn...
Our Favourite Restaurants In Manhattan
Cafe Cluny – West Village, Manhattan
Recommended by Olivia McCrea-Hedley, Service95’s Copy & Production Editor
“This is a spot straight out of a Nora Ephron movie. As the name suggests, French influences are everywhere at Cafe Cluny, from the striped awnings and cute wicker chairs to the killer French onion soup on the menu (order with a side of frites and you’ve got a perfect lunch). Speaking of the menu, it’s Paris by way of NYC, with the thoroughly American influence of a good grilled cheese and a classic Cluny burger. But where this place really comes into its own is at brunch: on colder days, pretend you’re Meg Ryan and grab yourself a window seat, tucking into a pile of crisp-yet-pillowy French toast while catching up with friends. When the sun’s out, take one of the outside tables and while away an afternoon people-watching with a smoked salmon bagel and a martini. (The bar is surprisingly killer.)”
Temple Court, Financial District, Manhattan
Recommended by Maria Padget, Book Club Director
Located inside the Beekman Hotel, Temple Court delivers a seriously elevated dining experience. It’s not cheap, so save it for date night or a special occasion – but it earns its splurge status. The vibe is retro-chic, with stained-glass wall panels and custom chandeliers, though the food is the real star. Expect classics like lobster salad and roasted lamb loin, plus side dishes to die for (the chicory salad and broccoli de ciccio deserve a special mention). The wine list is extensive and impressive – either linger over it or let your server guide you; they clearly know their stuff. Dinner here feels elegant and grown-up, so round things off with post-meal drinks at the buzzing bar, where New York’s beautiful set come to enjoy great cocktails. And before you leave, look up—the full-height atrium is a stunning throwback to NYC’s early skyscraper glory.
Elephant Ear – Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Recommended by Pia Brynteson, Service95’s Content Editor
Hell’s Kitchen is home to a sea of restaurants – which, from experience, can be a little overwhelming when deciding where to go. So let me suggest Elephant Ear – a standout for Thai food lovers. It has a lively atmosphere, very reasonable prices, and their drunken noodles are next-level. It’s also perfect for solo diners – perch yourself at the bar for a quick but satisfying bite.
Ci Siamo – Hudson Yards, Manhattan
Recommended by Pia Brynteson, Service95’s Content Editor
The Hudson Yards area has undergone a serious makeover in recent years, and with that came a great new selection of restaurants, one of them being the Italian spot Ci Siamo. The restaurant is located upstairs and opens into a large, snake-shaped dining room with an open-fire kitchen. We arrived for a late booking at 9pm on a Monday, and it was still completely full, buzzing with conversation. The best part? You can help yourself to a free glass of red wine in the elevator as you arrive. Sold.
Commerce Inn – West Village, Manhattan
Recommended by Service95’s Stella Fabinyi
“In the heart of the West Village lies the beautiful Commerce Inn – designed in a Shaker style with wooden chairs, pews and plenty of ambient candlelight. Everything we ordered from the mostly meat-based menu (think half-roast chicken with ‘fry’d’ potatoes and dry-aged porterhouse steak) was all delicious and generously sized, and the tables are spaced far enough apart to ensure your group can be as relaxed or as lively as you want, which is rare for Manhattan. While the wine list of majority US wines is well worth checking out, the cocktails are the stars of the show – and their French 75 is a must.”
Fairfax – Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Recommended by Pia Brynteson, Service95’s Content Editor
If you like tater tots (and if your answer is no, that’s quite concerning), make a beeline for Fairfax. This NYC gastropub serves a delicious martini that pairs perfectly with a side of tots that are crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside and downright addictive. The rest of the menu doesn’t disappoint, either – relaxed, all-day café food that leaves you feeling completely satisfied, whatever time you dine.
L’Industrie – West Village, Manhattan & Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Recommended by Mahira Rivers, a restaurant critic and writer based in New York City
“As the saying goes, the best pizza in New York is the nearest pizza. Still, there are a few places that do it better than your average corner slice shop. When I’m in the mood for a New York-style slice that is a cut above, I head to L’Industrie, which has two locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Opened by chef and co-owner Massimo Laveglia, his style involves cold fermented dough and toppings such as spicy salami, fig jam and burrata. It all makes for a supremely thin, crisp, and flavourful slice. But don’t skip dessert – even the gelato here gets a hearty drizzle of olive oil.”
Manuela – Soho, Manhattan
Recommended by Pia Brynteson, Service95’s Content Editor
A self-proclaimed ‘neighbourhood restaurant’, Manuela perfectly marries art and locally sourced, seasonal food. On entering, you’re greeted by a stunning bar area, crowned with a hanging multicoloured mushroom light display. The playful, relaxing glow these bulbs give off mirror the restaurant’s inviting vibe – you could easily spend a whole evening at the bar, cocktail in hand, soaking it all in. All of the dishes are seasonal, made with fresh, thoughtfully sourced produce. When I visited, Manuel had just switched to its autumn menu, featuring dishes like butter beans with ratatouille and roasted squash agnolotti with mascarpone and basil – each bite was as mouthwatering as it sounds.
Raf’s – Noho, Manhattan
Recommended by Mahira Rivers, a restaurant critic and writer based in New York City
“An 89-year-old brick oven is the heart and soul of Raf’s, an Italian-French café and restaurant in Noho that opened in 2023. Chef and co-owner Mary Attea uses the storied hearth to produce dishes such as roasted whole dorade and a perfectly seasoned Ibérico pork chop. Her à la carte menu excels at simple classics such as warm fresh ricotta and steak tartare with aged Parmigiano Reggiano. The intimate dining room is effusively chic yet still warm and inviting, but one of my favourite times to visit is in the morning, when pastry chef and co-owner Camari Mick loads the bar with excellent croissants and cakes.”
Torissi – Nolita, Manhattan
Recommended by author, podcaster and founder of Buffy’s book club, Lizzy Hadfield, who splits her time between London and New York
“I’m saying it: Torissi is the best meal I have had in New York. You’ll find this beautiful space (all exposed brick and a stunning marble green bar) in the heart of Little Italy – a location that makes sense, considering it delivers Italian food with influences from all across New York and beyond, from Linguini in a Pink Manhattan Clam Sauce to the Cavatelli with Jamaican Beef Ragu. It’s from the team behind Carbone, so you know it won’t disappoint. Admittedly, it’s not easy to get a reservation , but it’s absolutely worthy of all the hype. The pasta is incredible and there’s such a fun atmosphere!”
Thai Diner – Soho, Manhattan
Recommended by Audrey Dierauf, founder of book subscription service Aphilia
“You might have heard of Thai Diner already, but I’m here to confirm it lives up to all the hype. As the name suggests, it’s a true Thai-American fusion: the vibes are more diner than Thai, while the food is more Thai than diner. The menu, by chefs Ann Redding and Matt Danzer, is big, which in this case is a not a bad thing. It’s packed with everything from breakfast dishes of Crispy Rice Eggs to a Thai spin on a soup or sandwich lunch special (Tom Yum Bisque followed by a Cheesesteak Phat Bai Horapha, anyone?). And for dinner, the Coconut Chicken Thailandese hits every time. The only problem you’ll have is narrowing down your order.”
Wild – West Village, Manhattan
Recommended by Pia Brynteson, Service95’s Content Editor
Calling all coeliacs in NYC – Wild should definitely be on your list! It’s so good, in fact, that my (non-coeliac) dining companion didn’t even realise that the Italian-style menu was entirely gluten-free. So finally, you can enjoy dishes that are usually off-limits without a second thought, from classic chicken Milanese to pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and more.
Sip&Guzzle – West Village, Manhattan
Recommended by “the internet’s resident librarian”, author and part-time NYC resident, Jack Edwards
“Remember when you were told ‘don’t play with your food’? Well, scrap that. Upstairs, restaurant Guzzle serves tasty and interactive dishes (the Electric Chicken comes with scissors and rubber gloves for you to break apart yourself). Meanwhile, downstairs, Sip serves as a not-so-secret speakeasy with unique cocktails. I’m not being dramatic when I say that the Yuzu Martini changed my life. The Mochi Fry and Bikini also live in my mind rent-free.”
Our Favourite Restaurants In Brooklyn
Barbalu Bklyn – Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
Recommended by celebrity and editorial makeup artist and founder of KJH.brand, Katie Jane Hughes
“I probably go here the most with my family and friends. You can tell the restaurant is family-run, it has such a warm vibe. And the food is delicious: proper homemade Italian cuisine – incredible pasta and the pizzas are so good, too. Chef Pino’s deconstructed lasagna is absolutely amazing – a must-order.”
Bernie’s – Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Recommended by New-York-based food writer Roya Shariat
“Walking into Bernie’s feels like stepping back in time to a haven of unpretentious American nostalgia. Think faux-Tiffany lamps dimly lit overhead, a roomful of plush leather booths with hits from the ’90s on the speakers, and red-chequered tablecloths topped with white paper and crayons. That’s the vibe, now for the food: pure comfort, executed with excellence. Follow your heart with the menu choices and it won’t steer you wrong, whether that takes you for a course of baby back ribs, the massive mozzarella sticks that pair perfectly with their ice-cold martini, the perfect double cheeseburger and fries, or the brownie sundae.”
Boutros – Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Recommended by celebrity and editorial makeup artist and founder of KJH.brand, Katie Jane Hughes
“This is an incredible Middle Eastern fusion restaurant. For the menu, chef and owner Allen Dabagh blends the food of his heritage with that of his upbringing in New York. He has the most amazing hummus that is garnished with slow-roasted short rib, and his indulgent Brussel sprouts are a must-order. Currently on the menu is a steak au poivre that’s mouth-watering – whatever you order here, you can’t go wrong.”
Carmentas – Bushwick, Brooklyn
Recommended by Brooklyn-based baker Aimee France (previously known as @yungkombucha420)
“A small, fast, casual Italian spot in Bushwick that does excellent sandwiches and pasta. I absolutely love their Caesar salad and always have one of their chicken cutlets in my freezer for a quick meal (you can take anything from the menu to go). The staff are all extremely kind and they really care about the quality of ingredients that they’re using – they make almost everything in house. Oh, and their tuna sandwich is something special. A must-order.”
Daphne’s – Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Recommended by Olivia McCrea-Hedley, Service95’s Copy & Production Editor
“At the end of a road of expectedly chic brownstones in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighbourhood, you’ll find the equally chic Daphne’s: a local-favourite Italian restaurant serving up steaming plates of freshly made pasta alongside a rotating menu of seasonal dishes. Highlights are the crisp Caesar salad (with just the right amount of dressing) and, if it’s on the menu, the vodka pasta (creamy, spicy and oh-so-comforting). And there’s more to life than aesthetics, but it’s worth noting that the interiors are gorgeous – simple white linens, dark green banquettes and delicately detailed crockery mean the space feels like your dream dining room. The perfect setting for long evenings of endless dishes, candlelit conversation and plenty of Manhattans (when in New York!).”
Eyval – Bushwick, Brooklyn
Recommended by New-York-based food writer Roya Shariat
“‘Eyval’ is a Farsi word that means ‘right on’, and you’ll be saying that after one bite of its vibrant Iranian dishes. Chef Ali Saboor is remixing Iranian classics in new and exciting ways, like using short rib in the herbaceous ghormeh sabzi stew, using seasonal produce for variations of borani dips year-round, or mixing cocktails such as a chai old fashioned or a saffron martini. Don’t miss out on their breads, all made in-house, or any of the kabobs cooked on an open fire, charred to juicy perfection. You’ll want to save room for dessert and indulge in the Iranian Ice cream sandwich, studded with pistachios and frozen chunks of cream – it is otherworldly.”
Gertrude’s – Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Recommended by Pia Brynteson, Service95’s Content Editor
Gertrude’s is an idyllic little brunch spot tucked on a picture-perfect Brooklyn street corner. From the outside, it looks like a grandma’s cottage, in the best way, complete with quaint picket fencing. Inside, it’s like grandma’s cooking, elevated: the brunch menu more than delivers, with the brisket hash a must-order for meat-eaters and the omelette of the day for the vegetarians.
Margot – Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Recommended by Pia Brynteson, Service95’s Content Editor
Margot is where we hosted our very first Service95 Supper Club – so you know it’s one to add to your list. It’s become a real favourite among Fort Greene locals, too. Founded by friends Halley Chambers and Kip Green, it has that intimate, community feel, with a menu that’s always seasonal, collaborative and evolving – no two visits ever feel the same. Make sure to always get a pasta or two to share, and you can never go wrong with the Margot cheeseburger – all washed down with a glass of natural wine (let your server recommend something from the menu!).
Win Son Bakery – East Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Recommended by “the internet’s resident librarian”, author and part-time NYC resident, Jack Edwards
“Nestled in East Williamsburg, you’ll find Win Son Bakery. This Taiwanese-American restaurant-bakery is more of a lunchtime thing, I’d say – go for the scallion pancakes, an inexpensive but delicious treat. There may be a queue, but notice how it’s full of locals rather than tourists – take that as your sign that you ought to join them.”
The Best Of The Rest: Where To Go For A Drink In New York, From Morning To Night
The Best (Espresso) Coffee In New York: Foster Sundry – Bushwick, Brooklyn
Recommended by Brooklyn-based baker Aimee France (previously known as @yungkombucha420)
“I feel like a lot of coffee shops in New York burn your shot – that’s why I’m always kind of hesitant to get coffee out as I am a bit picky. But Foster Sundry is pretty consistent with theirs. It also has a nice selection of beans from local roasteries, if you prefer to make coffee at home like I do.”
The Best Matcha in New York: Matcha 108, Chinatown, Manhattan
Recommended by Katie Chum, Service95 Reader & Native New Yorker
“There are so many great matcha spots in the city, but Matcha 108 is one of my personal favourites because the full menus is consistently solid (versus some places that only have one or two standout drinks or go a little too heavy on the milk!). Here, the offering is super focused on only matcha and hoijicha (a roasted Japanese green tea) drinks, and they are super precise with their portions. Special mention also goes to Mika’s Direction in Koreatown for fruitier, more playful options and Mxdin on the Lower East Side – if you want something non-dairy, they do a watermelon juice matcha that‘s so light and refreshing!”
The Best Pint In New York: Swift – NoHo, Manhattan
Recommended by author, podcaster and founder of Buffy’s book club, Lizzy Hadfield, who splits her time between London and New York
“I am always in search of a great pub in New York, and this is the best I have found. They pour the best Guinness in Manhattan. I’d avoid Friday and Saturday nights as it’s really busy, but mid-week it’s perfect.”
The Best Bar To Escape The Madness: Pebble Bar – Midtown, Manhattan
Recommended by Pia Brynteson, Service95’s Content Editor
If you need a pre-theatre drink and the bustle of Broadway feels overwhelming, slip into Pebble Bar. Unassuming from the outside (and not especially memorable inside, design-wise), it makes up for it with excellent cocktails and a solid selection of light bite – just the thing to tide you over before a 7pm curtain call.
The Best Martini In New York: It’s a tie, between Bemelmens Bar, Lobby Bar at the Chelsea Hotel & Bowery Lobby – Manhattan
Recommended by Olivia McCrea-Hedley, Service95’s Copy & Production Editor
“We couldn’t decide on just one bar, so we’re offering you three. After all, if you’re looking for a good cocktail in New York City, there’s no better place to head to than a hotel lobby bar – especially if that drink is a martini. Whether you prefer gin or vodka, wet or dry, dirty or with a twist, any of these three classic bars will serve you a crisp, cold cocktail, made just how you like it. You might need to try one from each, just to decide for yourself...”
The Best Natural Wine Bar In New York: Rhodora Wine Bar – Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Recommended by author, podcaster and founder of Buffy’s book club, Lizzy Hadfield, who splits her time between London and New York
“I’ve hosted my book club Buffy’s here, so Rhodora holds a special place in my heart. It’s such a beautiful neighbourhood spot, with a great ethos – a zero-waste bar that celebrates natural, low-intervention wines. On a Summer’s day especially, there is nowhere I would rather sit (and read) and have a glass of wine.
The Best Bar For A Glamorous Night Out: Monsieur – East Village, Manhattan
Recommended by Pia Brynteson, Service95’s Content Editor
Monsieur is the new bar from filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, which opened earlier this year and bills itself as an East Village medieval lair hosted by your “impresario of revelry and bliss”. The vibe is very Luhrmann – gothic and theatrical – with expertly crafted drinks to match. Each table is lit by candlelight, giving the space a sexy, cheeky energy, as if it’s been conjured straight from a movie plot inspired by decades of New York nightlife past.
