New York offers some of the most exciting and dynamic dining in the world, but the options can be overwhelming. These are the restaurants we always enjoy returning to whenever we are in town, including old classics and more recent openings — from below 14th to the Upper East Side, and from Harlem to Brooklyn.
Via Carota
- Cuisine: Italian
- Price: $$$
- Go for: Dinner (no reservations, you will need to put your name down early)
- Location: Grove St in the West Village
One of our favourite Italian spots in Downtown, Via Carota never disappoints despite how 'buzzy' or 'trendy' it may seem. The menu changes seasonally and the vibe is always energetic. It’s hard to get a reservation, so arrive early or late and go grab a drink at their sister spot Bar Pisellino, or cocktail bar While We Were Young around the corner while you wait. West Village, 51 Grove St.
I Sodi
- Cuisine: Italian
- Price: $$$
- Go for: Dinner
- Location: Christopher St in the West Village
I Sodi is the sister property of Via Carota and serves perhaps the best Italian food in Greenwich village - and therefore, some of the best Italian food in New York City. The good energy in the quaint and simply-designed room comes from people who are enjoying their dinner, not from hip lighting fixtures, hanging plants or dusty shades of pink. Everyone comes here for the cooking, no frills attached. West Village, 105 Christopher St.
Corner Bar
- Cuisine: American Bistro with Mediterranean Influence
- Price: $$$
- Go for: Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner
- Location: Lower East Side
From acclaimed chef Ignacio Mattos, Corner Bar is a restaurant inspired by legendary bistros and taverns in cities around the world. In a space that lends itself to everything from relaxed breakfasts to lively nightcaps, they offer a menu of classic dishes like steak au poivre and Oysters Rockefeller, thoughtfully prepared, and a drinks list that includes a remarkable selection of homegrown wines and spirits. 60 Canal St. in the Lower East Side.
Il Cantinori
- Cuisine: Classic Italian
- Price: $$$
- Go for: A romantic dinner
- Location: On E 10th St in Greenwich Villag
Il Cantinori is another Downtown Italian gem offering Tuscan cuisine and an evolving menu with superb specials. It is very elegant, making it perfect for date night or a celebration. Greenwich Village, 32 E 10th St.
King
- Cuisine: The Best of Southern French and Northern Italian
- Price: $$$
- Go for: We love to sit outside during summer months for an early dinner
- Location: On King St in Hudson Yards
With a daily changing menu, King serves up northern Italian and southern French dishes cooked by former River Café trained-chef, Clare de Boer. We love their interiors and design. Hudson Square, 18 King St.
Raf's
- Cuisine: Italian & French
- Price: $$$
- Go for: Dinner
- Location: NoHo
Raf's is a new spot in NoHo you can't miss this fall. Located above Houston on Elizabeth Street, the ‘Italian & French’ concept brings new life into its century-old space, once home to the storied Parisi Bakery. Highlights are the Escargot, the Pork Collar, or the Steak Tartare. Stop by in the morning for fresh pastries.
Polo Bar
- Cuisine: American classics
- Price: $$$$
- Go for: A Celebration
- Location: On E 55th St in Midtown Manhattan
An institution, Polo Bar serves classic American dishes — and Ralph Lauren’s favourites — in a setting that pays homage to the sophisticated equestrian heritage of his world. Make sure to have a drink at the iconic upstairs bar first. Midtown, 1 E 55th St.
Rao’s
- Cuisine: Old school-Italian
- Price: $$
- Go for: Dinner
- Location: Harlem
New York City’s most exclusive restaurant, it’s the hardest reservation to get in the city. You need to own a table to get in or be lucky enough to be buddies with one of the owners. It’s a family-style Italian with a scent of the Godfather about it. Harlem, 455 E. 114TH St.
Lilia
- Cuisine: Italian
- Price: $$
- Go for: Dinner
- Location: Williamsburg in Brooklyn
Lilia brings the best of Italy to Williamsburg with wood-fired seafood, handcrafted pastas, classic Italian cocktails, and warm hospitality coming together to create a casual dining experience, from revered Michelin-starred chef and Top Chef guest Missy Robbins. Brooklyn, 567 Union Ave.
The Four Horsemen
- Cuisine: Natural Wine Bar with great food
- Price: $$
- Go for: Dinner
- Location: Brooklyn
Part natural wine bar, part restaurant with a regularly changing menu, The Four Horsemen is one of our favourite places to eat and drink in Brooklyn. 295 Grand St.
84 Rooms recommends: Yolanda Edwards And Matt Hranek’s Insider Guide To Upstate New York, and The 84 Rooms Guide To Los Angeles.